I have a little home update for you. It’s
definitely not a lot but we are making progress!
Dining
Room
Although it doesn’t look like it, our dining room is actually a pretty high priority since we love to
entertain and eat dinner at the table. This room feels so naked right now. I kind of know how I want to decorate it, but I change my mind weekly.
Matt is adding the finishing touches to our
handmade farmhouse dining table. I had originally set my heart on {this} overpriced table,
but ended up with a much more amazing version {so proud of the hubby}! Only a few more coats of polyurethane and Briwax and we’re finished.
Oh, and just to be an overachiever, he also built a matching bench. Tutorial to come…
The chairs on the left side of the table are Madeleine side chairs {on sale for $99/each, plus 20% off} from Restoration Hardware. I think I am going to try and make seat cushions for the chairs…eventually. The hunt for the perfect head chairs continues…
We also scored a super deal on a {jute rug} for $140 {65% off} from Rugs USA! The catch? It’s on backorder until the end of January. Totally worth the wait, I guess. Once it arrives, I will post another update.
Guest
bedroom
This room briefly took priority when
we found out Lindsey and Ryan were coming to visit us last month. We are pretty happy with the progress of this
room although it is far from done.
Low priority items for this room include
purchasing a large comfy chair for the corner, building an upholstered headboard,
window treatments, replacing the mattress and bedding and purchasing a large rug. No rush on this room.
Master Closet
Remember that blue Moroccan Trellis rug I posted on Instagram last week? Well, it was too small for the living room, so it got moved to the closet. This rug also came from Rugs USA for $109 {50% off}!
Living Room
Since the day we put an offer on our home, I knew I wanted a decorative fireplace mantel for the living room. After months of surfing Craigs List, I finally found the perfect mantel for $75!
Please ignore the ugly cords running down the side of the mantel. Mounting a TV to an exterior wall was definitely not as easy as we thought. Turns out we need an electrician to finish the job. Not awesome.
However, I cannot get over the before and after transformation of this room!
I love how much the mantel brightens the room and opens up floor space. We still aren’t sure if or how we are going to decorate the center {beadboard, tiles, chalkboard, etc.} I am kind of liking it the way it looks now.
Those are all the updates for now! Stay tuned…

You're making big strides! Starting fresh is so fun, yet so time consuming at the same time. 1. I am in love with that handmade table, that will be a treasure for generations to come 2. That mantel is so awesome. I completely feel you though, cords get in the way of everything!
The house is looking beautiful my dear friend!!! You are doing a great job and my favorite has to be those darling dining room chairs… LOVE
Have you posted a tutorial for the table? It is TO DIE FOR! The hubby did a great job! I have been eying a Pottery Barn one for the longest time, and this one looks so similar!
I just love the table!! You are BOTH overachievers. Lately when I've felt tired and wanted to slack off I ask myself "What would Christina do?", haha! Seriously though,you have amazing energy and talents! 🙂
That handmade farmhouse table has my little heart going pitter-patter!! Absolutely gorgeous, and how special that it was completely built by your hubby's hard work! So very special.And loving the trellis rug in the closet – such a neat touch in a space I'd never even think to put a rug! {P.S. – your closet rocks.} And chalkboard seems like such a cool idea for beneath the mantle. or maybe at least once little kiddos arrive!Can't wait to see what else y'all come up with. You have such an eye for decor and I'm totally jealous! 😉
Beautiful spaces! Y'all have done a gret job 🙂
Everything looks completely awesome sweetie. I am so impressed with Matt! Way to go dude. I can't believe those Restoration Hardware chairs were so cheap either. Mantel looks perfect. Things are really shaping up.
Ahh it looks so good! I'm seriously so jealous of the table, I NEED one! Cannot wait to see more updates 🙂
Christina- that table turned out FAB!! Cannot wait for a tutorial. Pat on the back for Matt. GORG!
Everything is coming together so nicely, Christina! The mantel looks awesome! You could always get a contractor to put a small hole in the wall for a built in look and put candles in it! Or in front of it at different heights. I also love the rug in your closet! It works well there :)p.s. We know the cord situation too well.. we are in the same predicament in a couple areas of our home! haha
Oh forgot to add that I am in love with that table! Y'all did an amazing job! The chairs coordinate perfectly!
AND – I cannot wait to see your backyard in the spring – all the flowers, herbs, etc! AHHH!!
I am in LOVE with your dining room table!!! It's gorgeous!!! Tell your husband GREAT job!!
oh.my.gosh.If I didn't have my heart set on the carolinas before this – now i don…you have my dream home!!!And the table! Isn't it the best when our hubby's make something?! Not only is it more affordable, he MADE it, so it has sentimental meaning (:LOVE!Kaitlyn
the table looks amazing!!! 🙂 I know how hard staining is so PROPS to you guys! Also…I love the decorative mantel. I need one. Can you buy these from stores or how did you find on craigslist? just someone selling?
It looks absolutely amazing! I love the mantel and guest room! It definitely looks so cozy and inviting 🙂
love it all! come decorate my house 🙂
Looks GREAT so far! I especially love the farmhouse table, what an awesome hubby you have. I can't wait to see the tutorial.-kellysweettea-lemonade.blogspot.com
OMG that table is to die for!!!! it's looks great! ~LCFitFashLife.blogspot.com
Lookin good lady! Love that table, can't believe Matt made that!! I am really quite enjoying that rug in the closet as well. It's a nice touch!
Your house is beautiful! I can't wait to see everything you do. And do you like the restoration hardware chairs? We need new chairs for our dining room!
Looking great, Christina! I still can't get over how awesome the table is that Matt made! I'm glad you had and hope you continue to have good luck with Rugs USA. We were not so lucky. 🙁
It is really coming along! It seems like such a charming home. I also ran across this post by one of the bloggers I follow…she had a mantel and ended up painting the inside with chalk board paint. Check it out…it is adorable: http://www.sophiasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/01/master-bedroom-reveal.html
I want that table!! I have to see how you did it.. I need one. yesterday
Aaahhhhh love it all! It is a beautiful home to begin with, and ya'll are making such great strides. Way to go Matt!Wanna see one of my fave faux fireplace stylings? Check out this gal's awesome blog for the tutorial:http://thehuntedinterior.blogspot.com/2012/09/stacked-log-tutorial.html
Gorgeous table!
It's looking great girl! I have so much to do in our new home (not so new now that we've been here 6 months!). Your post has inspired me to get moving!
Love your blog! Your house is so cute – I especially love the rug & kitchen table!
are you going to post the tutorial for the table too?? I love it!
Your blog is incredibly chic and you have fantastic taste!I am so excited to have found your blog and followed. I cannot WAIT to see what you post about in the future!I hope you stop and follow my blog too so we can stay in touch dear xox
YAY! house tour! looking great, girlfriend! p.s. did y'all paint your guest room or was it that color when y'all moved in? either way – do have the name?
Love the farm table!
I absolutely adore your new home updates! The table is amazing and I'm very, very impressed with your hubby's talented building skills.
I love all of your progress, especially that table! Your hubby is so handy. It looks fabulous!
Y'all did an amazing job on your dining room table – gorgeous!!!And I love your house —- it's coming together! Crazy how long it can take to have everything exactly how you want it [and then, if you're like me, it doesn't take long to think you want to change things up a bit]. Looks great – can't wait to see all the fun plans you still have for your casa!
Progress, progress! We moved into our house in July and it's still a work in progress. It takes time, but it is so worth the wait!
Your home is adorable! Love all the progress you both have been making. And what a sweet and handy husband to make that table–it is stunning!
Gosh, everything is looking beautiful!!!I have to admit, I never heard of installing the fireplace mantel before the fireplace….are you installing an electric fireplace? Electric is what you see in Panera Bread Company and some McDonalds. They are wonderful, only $1500.00 and they look real!! Can't wait to see it when it is finished.
Have you checked out the blogsite "Cottage Charm Creations".Might be of interest, as they make, restore and finish furniture. Might give you some ideas. I like the way they finish the wood…has a lot of depth and character.
your home is just gorgeous! & I can't get over that rug! SO ADORABLE!!!!!(:
oh wow, where do i start?? I farm table, BEAUTIFUL…far better than ANYTHING you could have purchased adn how special that the hubs made it. That peice will be in the family forever…and i LOVE the side chairs you picked to go with it. What a great idea to put the rug in the closet…i never would have thought of that. The mantal…again…NEVER would have thought but your right…it makes a huge difference and is fab! Please keep the house updates coming…your home is such an inspiration 🙂 Once we are moved and settled lets trade have eachother over for dinner 🙂
OBSESSED with the rug in the master! and I love the dining room table!
Oh my goodness! My husband is making the SAME ish table! I was looking at a dining set from pottery barn when he got the idea to make one 🙂 We are building a house right now so he doesn't plan on working on it until everything is squared away… but yours looks so awesome!!! He did a great job!
The design is amazing! I really like it! Please, could you tell me, where I can buy cheap decorative mantel? <3
It’s time to go beyond conventional home decoration techniques and try a few visually interesting ideas to revamp your home. jute rugs Ornate or simple patterns, bright or neutral colors, rectangle or oval; consider all design elements to make your chosen sisal rugs sisal rug simply perfect for your living area.
Not sure if anyone's gotten to this before me, but we have the same problem with our mantle – and as a quick fix what I did was purchase a long white extension cord, plug everything into it up on top of the mantle, hide the darker cords behind the TV, and run the single white extension cord down the side of the mantle and (in our case) under the carpet to the outlet. You could just use tape to secure it to your baseboards for hardwood. It hides the clutter of the plugs and darker wires and without that distraction most people don't even notice the white cord!