Mother Makes {A Gorgeous Home}

I have a real treat for y’all today!!  Since it was just the baby and me after the others left, things were finally calm enough for me to take some pictures of Mother and Daddy-O’s stunning coastal home.  They built the house on one of Savannah’s barrier islands about twenty-five years ago and have infused it with amazing color, coastal accents, family heirlooms and passed-down antiques. 

The chinoiserie mirror in the foyer was my grandmother’s and is truly stunning.  The plates around the mirror are Chelsea Bird by Mottahedeh.  I would love love love to start a collection of these to use as my fine china.  Sister has already started hers.  The replica Savannah houses are the same that I have in my living room – given to me by Mother and Daddy-O over the years.
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The entry is open to the living room, dining room and den.  I love how light and bright these rooms always stay, and how all of the pinks, yellows and blues seamlessly work together.

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The grandfather clock has been a mainstay in our house for as long as I remember (and, yes, its gongs and chimes were a bit torturous as a teenager).  The chair was given to Mother by her favorite uncle, and she had it limed, pickled and recovered a while back.  The canes in the umbrella stand belonged to her father.

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I have swooned over these pink settees for eons – Mother has had them since the beginning of time.  The blue and white plates are also by Mottahedeh, the alabaster lamp belonged to Daddy-O’s mother, and the framed tiles (January, March and July for Mother, Sister and myself) were brought home by Daddy-O from a trip to Holland when I was little.  The baby grand piano belonged to Mother’s mother.  Sister and I both learned to play on it as children and it’s pretty much the cat’s meow in my opinion :-)  Mother made all of the curtains and pillows throughout the house! 

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Just a couple of years into their marriage, Mother sold all of her bedroom and living room furniture in an impromptu yard sale when Daddy-O was travelling for business.  When he came home to an empty house and inquired what in the world she bought with all the money she proudly showed him this coffee table.  I cannot tell you how much I love that story!!  I can imagine the utter look of disbelief that surely crossed his face :-)

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The sun started going down by the time I got to the dining room so the artificial light doesn’t quite do the room justice.  The bar cabinet was also given to Mother by her favorite uncle.  It’s such a beaut!!  The little rocking chair was Mother’s as a child, pulled back out when the grands came along.  The Sidney W Bumonn painting over the curio depicts a lane near Mother’s grandmother’s house when she was a child.  It is at the corner of Habersham and Oglethorpe Streets, across from the police station, but has since torn down and replaced with town houses.

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The marble topped chest in the den also came from Mother’s favorite uncle.  Mother painted the crane canvas over the mantle herself – I really, really, super, duper want one for myself (hint, hint).  You can see where I got my love of oyster plates and coastal touches!!

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The kitchen has the original pickled cabinetry, but they updated the tile, counters and appliances a couple of years ago.  The dining table is the same one we grew up with, and the chairs belonged to Mother’s mother.

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The last little peek I have for today is of the back hallway.  I love the small built in for cookbooks, and the collection of Jersey Pottery sea life plates from the UK. 

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The bedrooms were all a wreck with everyone leaving and then the two of us left behind.  I hope to get a picture of those before we “move in” again in a couple of weeks for spring break!!

So that wraps up a peek of where I grew up.  I always look forward to coming back, and it will always be home sweet home to me!
xoxo

Find me at: My Uncommon Slice of SuburbiaSavvy Southern StyleDIY by DesignTatertots and JelloA Stroll Through LifeFrench Country CottageNo Minimalist HereThe36th AvenueIt’s OverflowingShine on FridaysDIY Show OffHouse of Hepworth52 MantelsI Heart Nap TimeThe Frugal Girls,Six Sisters StuffOne Project CloserJennifer RizzoLe Chateau des FleursCommon GroundLiz Marie BlogNot Just a HousewifeMiss Mustard SeedElizabeth and CoRain on a Tin RoofCoastal CharmUncommon DesignsMop It Up MondayThe TablescaperA Lived In HomeThe Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch,RemodelaholicEvolution of Style

26 thoughts on “Mother Makes {A Gorgeous Home}

  1. This has to be one of my favorite home tours ever! I loved each and every inch I poured over!!! To me this is a home. The perfect collection of your mother and family. It truly has to be one of the most gorgeous homes I've ever seen pictured.

  2. I still cannot believe I have not been to their home. It is gorgeous. I love especially that Dotti is no minimalist. In such a minimalist world, I appreciate folks who make their house a home and fill it with things they LOVE. xo

  3. Love the use of plates. I have a bunch of ones from my grandmother that I had hanging in my condo when I was single but hubby isn't big on them. I need to find a way to incorporate them into our home where he likes them. This helps! Gorgeous and love the monogrammed pillow!

  4. Your Mother's home exudes elegance. I love all of the dark classic wood pieces. So traditional and forever classic. Everything is just gorgeous.

  5. Love the story about your Mother selling all her furniture while Daddy-O was out of town. A woman after my own heart! And I can tell your father is a patient man:)

  6. Your parents home is lovely! So beautifully decorated. I especially love the bookcases. I am reworking mine in our library and love some of the touches your mother added to hers.

  7. Lovely home. I just caught a glimpse of your feature in better homes and gardens, was so surprised to see someone I follow. Can't wait to get my own copy and read the article. Cheers Frances

  8. LOVE IT!!! Your Mother has flawless taste, as do you and your sister. Now if you could just get your sister to let you guide us on a photo tour of her gorgeous house. In the meantime I can't wait to see the rest of your parent's home. So elegant yet cozy!

  9. Hi Amanda, I spotted you in BHG today and wanted to say congrats! I have been a reader of yours for a long time and have to say it was well deserved. You inspire me everyday, glad you got some recognition! Your parent's home is beautiful btw, must be in the genes!
    Dionne

  10. The apple did not fall far from the gorgeous tree! Your parents' home is simply lovely–I could move right in. I am so happy to see a home where a southern lady uses plates decoratively as much as I do. Sometimes I get self-conscious and think I should edit, but my millions of plates make me happy. If your mama can do it, I can too!

  11. Yes, that was a treat!! Their home is so elegant and obviously filled with things they love. How nice that they have held on to some things that you remember from childhood.
    -Shelley

  12. Thank you, everyone for your positive comments. I was a little worried about Amanda showing the pictures…..it is a lot of stuff collected over time, mostly on a budget. Best, Marme

  13. You are all so gracious to welcome us in! This truly is a treat! Thank you for sharing your lovely and beautiful family home. I agree with Elizabeth….seeing the rest will be great and Sister sharing hers would be the icing on the cake! I am over the moon seeing your mother's blue silk, monogrammed pillow, next to the little nest and bird! There is so much to see and it all tells a very special story.

    Jane, San Diego

  14. Beautiful and I love all of the pieces with meaning. You obviously love this place and have special memories here.

  15. Love, love, love this home! It really is about family and about surrounding yourself with the things you love. Love your painting over the fireplace. Also the pink sofas are just great. The story of selling the furniture is so funny. Thanks for sharing. DiAnne in NC

  16. I love family heirlooms and it seems that love is not always passed on to our children….not true for you and your dear mom. Like mother, like daughter! Look forward to the rest of the tour soon…I hope. — Marti

  17. Loved looking at the beautiful photos ~ it's wonderful how all the blue and white china is sprinkled throughout! Thanks for the great tour!
    Smiles, Bebe :)

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