05 Jan Nest to Nest: A Lake Cottage Home Tour in Dallas, Texas
Happy New Year! To kick off 2014 we are introducing Nest to Nest, a series within our Sunday Living edition that features Home Stories across the globe. Today’s first home story was captured in Dallas, Texas by crazy talented Amanda Marie Photography. This cozy home is nestled steps away from White Rock Lake and is the perfect blend of modern comfort. This newer home definitely has an old soul. I know this for a fact because this is the home of my parents and where I grew up. This home embodies everything that is my mother – warm, inviting, charming, and stylish. This home is a dream home located in the best neighborhood in East Dallas. (side note: you know it’s a cool neighborhood when Erykah Badu also calls it home!) This house featured below is actually not the house I grew up in. That original home that my mom and dad purchased 37 years ago sadly burned to the ground when I was in college. Thank the good Lord no one was injured though my parents did lose many treasures that were near and dear to them. Thankfully, when the dust settled my parents were able to rebuild from the ground up and made certain the home still blended well with their beloved neighborhood. So come on in, take a tour, and be prepared to gather tons of ideas and inspiration for your newlywed nest. Be sure to scroll to the end of the post to get to know the story behind the home.
My dad’s office. He is both an art, map, and book lover.
The kitchen…and heart and soul of this cozy home overlooks the dining room and lush back yard.
My mom enlisted Ethan Allen to help her select the perfect sofa for the space and size of this room. This L-shaped
custom patterned sofa is as perfect for family gatherings as it is for these two empty nesters to take in a Netflix.
My mom (a self proclaimed pillow junkie, which so happens to be genetic) strives to find pieces that pull double duty.
This Craigslist coffee table doubles as art when she displays books, seasonal items, and even a bicycle wheel, which is a
creative nod to their love of biking around White Rock Lake.
My favorite nook in this home where my parents showcase family photos, memorabilia, original art, and travel treasures.
To make use of every inch of their new home after their fire my parents elected to have lofts built into each spare bedroom.
Not only do these lofty spaces make these rooms feel larger, they allow these rooms to double as both a bedroom/office,
bedroom/playroom, or bedroom/workout room, or how I would use…bedroom/ “get dolled-up room.”
If I ever have the opportunity to renovate a bathroom I will most certainly go with oil rubbed faucets and knobs.
They’re stylish, show less wear and tear, go with everything, and are timeless.
Hands down – the best part of this home (aside from the short walk to the shore) is the back porch and backyard.
This porch is a natural extension of the living room and where we gather with lemonade, coffee, tea, vino, cocktails, Popsicles, and popcorn. Here, there have been countless birthday celebrations, showers, graduations, anniversaries, holiday dinners, and even photo shoots. Everyone who enters this home gravitates toward this back porch.
My absolute favorite thing is coming out here to see what new finds my mom has placed in various bowls, jars, and vases.
Alone these finds and vessels seem simple and ordinary, but together they become extraordinary little treasures
you want to replicate for your own life.
Me: Mom! Where did you find this awesome (fill in the blank)?!
Mom’s answer will undoubtedly be one of these three:
1) I picked that up at the best yard sale.
2) I picked that up on a beach in South America.
3) I found it on a walk down by the lake.
Our prized clubhouse…my Papa built this with his hard working hands. Thankfully, it was not a casualty of the fire.
Dad’s workshop…it still has the same smell of sawdust and old paint.
I’d also like to add that tomorrow my parents will have been married 41 years…HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD!
Nest to Nest Home Story Survey
Personal Style: Modern Comfort
Nest Style: Modern Cozy Chic Rustic Refined
Inspiration: Nature.
Favorite Celebrity Designer: Nate Berkus
Favorite Nest Feature: Guestroom lofts
Biggest Nest Challenge: Not Enough Space for Large Group Entertaining.
Proudest DIY: Gifts I have received from other DIY’ers. One Christmas my daughter Robin made us our family initial out of wine corks; and original art work created for me from local artist Cortney Bonner.
Biggest Splurge: Our Ethan Allen sectional sofa.
Best Find: Round Glass Coffee Table scored on Craigslist.
Best Advice: Keep large investments such as sofas, neutral in color and rotate different pillow colors.
Favorite Places to Shop For Your Nest: Wisteria for ideas and Homegoods to duplicate
Best thing about your hood: White Rock Lake
Best Piece of Advice for Newlyweds Decorating a New Home: Keep in mind your taste may change over time. We were very modern when we first started 40 years ago, and then several years later decorated with vintage and antique pieces, and now we’re inspired by nature and strive for modern comfort.
Photography by: Amanda Marie Photography
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