This American House

American System-Built Home, decorating, Frank Lloyd Wright, Our Story

We Found the Original Dining Room Doors for Our American System-Built Home!

04/14/2014

On our very first visit to the Dream House, we tried to look over every last inch of the it – from the house to the garage to the old carriage house and even the yard. Having endured the five hour drive from our city apartment to the house, we wanted to make sure we were thorough in our inspection of the space. We saw two small doors stashed over the rafters in the garage way back then but it took us six months until we were finally able to get a closer look. And now that we have gotten to inspect the doors more closely, we’re beyond thrilled with them!

before & after, decorating, setting up home

Before & After: Shades for the Dining Room

04/10/2014

We’ve finally been able to take down these cheap sheer curtains from the dining room window. I may have done a little jig when that happened. I’ve never liked these curtains. In fact, I took them down and we lived with a bare window for a few months this winter. Then, during one of the arctic blasts that spread across the Midwest, I re-installed the curtains to gives us a little insulation. I can finally say good riddance to the curtains … and hello to our new streamlined shades!

decorating, setting up home

Design Dilemma: How to Dress the Dream House’s Windows

03/25/2014

I’ve been struggling with a major design dilemma at the Dream House. While I have a fairly clear picture of how I want most of the rooms to look, I’m struggling with how to dress the windows. My usual approach to window coverings is to go high and wide. That is, hang long beautiful drapes that will reach the floor as high as you can get, just below the ceiling or crown molding, and much wider than the window itself. This treatment frames the window beautifully and often makes the room look taller.

before & after, decorating, DIY

Before & After: Boring Brown Stair Risers Go Whiter, Brighter

03/24/2014

By the time we finish renovating the Dream House, every single surface in it will have gotten a fresh coat of paint. Buoyed by the success of the freshly whitened wainscoting, I decided to tackle the stairs risers next. When we moved in, the risers were painted a dark, muddy brown. That brown may have worked when the walls in the stairway were painted a khaki color. Now that the walls are gray, however, the brown just wasn’t cutting it. Grab the roller and paint can – it’s time to lighted up the stairway!