December 2019 Issue
Meet the Home Owner:
The lights are beginning to fill the trees and the people are beaming with holiday cheer now that Thanksgiving is over and December is finally here!
Okay... I'm no Dr. Seuss, but our December feature sure brings us a little whimsical fun to get you in the Christmas spirit. Meet April.
April is a mom of two beautiful girls and her and her husband have built this house on 10 acres of land in the Zebulon area of North Carolina. Come inside and see their story.
Her Story
What made you select this home in Zebulon?
We have lived in Wendell/Zebulon area for 14 years now and selected this area because we are halfway between work in Raleigh and our parents who live in Wilson County. We loved being in the area so much we searched for 2 years for land to build on.
What do you love most about this home?
The shiplap! It gives a clean neutral backdrop throughout the home but because it is shiplap it offers texture and a farmhouse feel. We built our home in 2017/2018 and it we looked until we found a builder that would let us do a true custom home, choosing finishes and being able to design our layout was so important to us, it is exactly as we wanted it to be.
What is your design philosophy?
If you love something buy it, you will find a way to make it work in your space. I love adding old pieces mixed in with a modern backdrop.
Who or what is your biggest design inspiration?
I love so many different styles but Dorothy Draper used color like no one else!
Why is creating a beautiful home important to you?
I'm a homebody so I want my home to be a comfortable space to be in and for it to feel relaxing for me, my family, and visitors. I am a very visual person and I have collected lots of things, having them displayed is imported to me, but I want visitors to enjoy them to this is why I have so many shelves.
What was your biggest challenge in this space?
Decorating around toys! I've realize with young children our house will be changing as they grow and we will experience different seasons, right now the toys drive me nuts so I've been on a little declutter/minimizing journey this year. I'll be sad when they are replaced by electronics so I try to embrace it.
What is the process when selecting your pieces?
I like to use mood boards or Pinterest boards (carefully organized) to help me see my vision for a space to pull it together. This helps keep me focused on what needs purchasing. If I see something I love I usually buy it and make it work. I designed my youngest daughters room all around her rug.
How do you decide what themes you want to execute in your home for Christmas?
The past couple years I've spotted something in a magazine or online that sparked a theme for me. Last year I saw an Instagrammer I follow post about a pillow she found at Tuesday Morning and after I found the same one I decorated with blush colors and went for an Anthropologie vibe. This year I was reading a Flea Market Style Magazine and saw a short article about vintage blue ornaments and it inspired me to pull out my great grandmothers vintage glass ornaments and go for a more glamorous colorful Christmas look.
What is your favorite piece in your home?
I love the antique dresser in our living room. My father in law refinished it and it is a family heirloom, it has the most beautiful stain color and even though its a dresser it's always been in our living room. It is a good storage piece and I like that it is unexpected for a living area.
What are your favorite shops to source Christmas decor from?
I love to look at Terrian and Anthropologie I like to source from Target and TJ Maxx
If your house was a drink, what would it be?
Bourbon. I like to think that even having a new home can be aged with the right pieces.
Describe your favorite holiday memory in this house?
This year will be our second Christmas here but last year I started a tradition of a Mother Daughter Cookie Exchange Brunch and it was so fun! My Mom did a Christmas breakfast for me and my brother and our friends growing up and this is my way of continuing that tradition for my girls.
You're probably wondering what these pieces are in April's playroom and they are her daughters' nuggets! Nugget Comfort is a local (to Durham) couch company designed especially for kids. Part furniture, part toy. April's sofa cushions thank her.
*not sponsored, just supporting my friends and their local business.*
Any advice for someone wanting to create an inviting home for the holidays?
Don't be scared to use non traditional colors for Christmas, use ornament colors and lights that you love. Placing a small Christmas item or tree in each room can make the whole house have a different feel for the holidays.
Thank you for coming along with us on our Curated Home Tour! We hope that you have enjoyed this read and are inspired. Like what you see? Follow us at @curatedhometour and keep up with April on instagram @heartsdesirsathome. If you would like to see other Curated Home Tour Features click here. Subscribe below to receive updates on the January Issue, news about the shop, giveaways and upcoming events. If you think that your home would make a great addition to our "Curated Home Tours" please contact us!
Thank you for your never ending support!
Until the next home,
Cameron
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