I am so excited that my friend Kelly from My Soulful Home is here today. She’s a dear friend, and I want to introduce you to her. She’s adorable and is renovating a gorgeous home in California. Kelly, take it away.
First, let me say you have AMAZING taste.
Hanging out here at Cedar Hill Farmhouse tells me that
I hang out here too, so I know.
Not only do I hang out here…and hang on Anita’s every image… but I get to call her my friend.
I am so excited to be here today to meet you!
As Anita mentioned, I am Kelly. I author the blog My Soulful Home.
For the last 14 months I have been putting a whole lotta ‘soul‘ into our new to us old house.
I thought I would share a bit of the transformation with you and some decorating tips.
Our house was built in 1886 as part of the original Indiana Colony here in Pasadena California.
It is a tall wood clad Victorian Farmhouse that I loved the moment I laid eyes on her, although she was not exactly looking her best.
I joked in a post that this old lady needed a lot more than a good spa day…” we started with a deep cleanse” ( all new plumbing ) and “straightened out her crossed wires” ( all new electric ) and so on.
She needed pretty much everything, but wow were her bones good!
I was in great anticipation of the day I would be adding her “lipstick & earrings” ( finishing touches ).
That day – or better put, those days are here!!
We incorporated much of the original details and treasures found in the house. Treasures purposely left behind by the charming, cantankerous, elderly hoarder of epic proportions who had lived here for 50 years.
There was A LOT of stuff to get through before we could even start the restoration. But we hit the ground running…so here we are 14 months later down to the details. Phew!
Do you want to see a bit of the before? Really? Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Click the link in this post to see the video of the BEFORE kitchen.
I get lots of questions about the stove. It is a 1924 Reliable. After a complete overhaul it works better than any high end stove I have ever had. When we moved in there was a fire extinguisher right next to it ~ swear!
One of the treasures left behind was the original paperwork & exchange of letters between the stove’s first owner & the CEO of the Reliable Co. The letters are dated 1924. You can see them here.
Below is the dining room. The chandelier is not original to the house. I spotted it at a yard sale as I wizzed by as a passenger in an acquaintance’s car headed to a meeting. I almost screamed STOP, but I hardly knew the driver.
I sweated it out all day until I could get back to the sale. To my utter delight it was still hanging there! No way, right?
Now the re-wired 19 light Maria Theresa hangs here & makes me very happy. And what a deal it was!
Decorating is my passion. Not so much for the things, but for the peace and joy a well decorated home brings its owners.
I love to help my readers and my clients create sanctuaries from the outside world. Quality of life improves exponentially in a well decorated home. If there hasn’t been a scientific study on that there should be. But I could tell you the results – a resounding yup!
If you have a moment to visit My Soulful Home you’ll see it is full of actionable advice to make your home a place of beauty, a refuge and one that functions really well.
Here are three decorating posts that my readers found useful, so I think you might too.
Two True Gray Paints that Stay Gray on the Wall
Waaay Inexpensive Appliance Handle Alternative
Oh, I also venture into the “outside world”. Gardening is my other great passion.
Are you a gardener too? I have a gardening club you might like to join. All levels are welcome ~ we can all learn from each other.
Details about the club are here.
Here is my lovely lady just after her new coat of white paint.
Thank you Anita for having me over today.
It has been my pleasure to visit & share with your readers.
I love hanging out with people with great taste!
** Kelly **
Well Anita, I just added this new Blog to my list. Loved this post and can tell much reading, learning, and styling is yet again in my future. I love starting my morning with a good cup of coffee and Decor Blogs.
This post is great. I love the look of these rooms
Welcome Vicki! So happy to have you joining me over at My Soulful Home.
Gorgeous home! Thank you for sharing! I renovated a house built in 1859, and obviously love historic homes and can appreciate all the love it takes to maintain one! Happy Sunday!
Lots of LOVE is right Rebeca!
I am looking forward to reading more about this beautiful home! I love Pasadena (and it’s neighbor, Altadena), and all those big stately, gorgeous homes. Thank you for sharing this!
Kristine – you know my hood! Awesome!! If you live near by – drop on over someday for a tour!
Gorgeous home!!!
Thank you Cheryl I really appreciate that!
Anita – thank you so very much for having me over today! I am honored. xx
Such a lovely redo….
Thanks for the introduction Anita
Many thanks Edy!
Wow, thanks for sharing. I am adding YOU to my blog list. The home is gorgeous. So envious. I believe your philosophy about “decorating.” It DOES instill a healthy lifestyle and keeps you healthy. Thank You Cedar Hill for giving us some home tours. I have enjoyed your posts…creative ideas.
A big welcome to My Soulful Home Sherry! Will look at for you over on my blog.
Beautiful!!! So glad you rescued her Kelly.
Rescue is a good way to put it Gee. Thank you!!
We are just starting this process in a Victorian built in 1900. So far, all the projects we’ve tackled weren’t even ON our list, and I’m anxious to get going on the decorating part! I am learning more patience, as we are doing what NEEDS to be done first! Love the transformation of your home and am inspired!
Joanne! How exciting!! I very much agree – patience is something I learned to be a whole lot better at having since spotting this house. It took a year & 8 months to get the previous owner out. He was a hoarder & would not get movers. He examined, then packed up each item and drove it all 11 hours to Lake Tahoe in a van that broke down more often than not! I bet you & I could swap some stories ! Thx for chiming in here today!
BEAUTIFUL,BELLO!!!
Thank you Elsa!
Beautiful home and tour! Thank you Kelly and Anita. ~julie
So glad you enjoyed the tour Julie! More rooms getting makeovers so pop over again sometime.
Hi Anita, i am on my way over to visit Kelly and her blog. You inspire the best in your postings and all you create.
Sèe you soon… im still dreaming of that small shiplap cottage.
See you soon
Xx
Dore
Hi Dore’ – glad you came by for a visit! A small shiplap cottage sounds divine!
So happy to see you and your beautiful Victorian that you are so lovingly restoring here at Anita’s!!
Hey Shirley – yup its me over at Anita’s. Such fun!
Beautiful home! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Candy!
I just love your beautiful home. I live in a traditional farmhouse in Virginia. I love reading your blog and trying ideas in my home.
I am particularly interested in the lovely wreath you have on your dining room door. Was it purchased or a DIY project?
Sandi. that house belongs to Lisa. Her contact info is in the post, so feel free to reach out to here.
Thanks, Anita – what a wonderful read and guest blogger, Kelly.
I am hopping over to her blog now, too – I need to go back aways to see ther transformation of that
beautiful Victorian home. What a charmer it is!
Great content and the renovation was awesome that everyone can follow through it.