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Adding Charm to Your Home

by | Aug 12, 2015 | Decorating Inspiration, Michaela

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Adding Charm to Your HomeKatie Parra Photography

Adding Charm to Your Home

Hi friends! It’s Michaela. I love being here at The Inspired Room every so often sharing some beautiful decorating and entertaining ideas with you! This week as I’ve been planning for Bloom Bash Workshop in Seattle this October (a creative workshop where we teach all about blogging, photography, home design, floral arranging, calligraphy and more!) I’ve been falling so in love with old, charming details. Maybe it’s because the location for our workshop is at an old historic mansion in the city, called the Rainier Chapter House. When planning such a big event in a very intentionally vintage setting, the decor of the workshop has to follow suit. I’m quite okay with that, as my personal style is an updated farmhouse, vintage, eclectic look.

Adding Charm to Your Home

Planning the workshop in this gorgeous mansion — a replica of George Washington’s Mount Vernon home (my design-loving heart just danced a little!) — got me thinking about the details that make this home unique. I think for the Rainier Chapter House, it’s all about the charming little (and big) elements. Expansive wallpaper, large gold mirrors, windows with character, old shutters, lantern light fixtures, wood details, and drop-dead-gorgeous chandeliers are some of my favorites elements. See for yourself!

Adding Charm to Your Home

Adding Charm to Your HomeRick & Anna Photography

As you may remember, Melissa’s daughter Courtney and I went to interior design school together, so it’s only fitting my design-nerd comes out right about now. I couldn’t help but share this blurb about the mansion with you, because it’s just. so. cool.

“Designed by Daniel Riggs Huntington, a well respected Seattle architect, this replica of George Washington’s beloved Mount Vernon home was built in 1925. Employed as the City of Seattle architect from 1912 until 1921, Huntington also designed the Fremont library branch, the Lake Union Steam Plant, several fire stations and the Washington Street Boat Landing.”Rainier Chapter House

I pinch myself daily that this is our venue for the workshop! Anyways… moving on ;)

The charming details in a big ole mansion like this one are beautiful and stately, but how can WE bring charm to our own homes on a smaller scale? I’ve come up with some ideas:

– unique lighting

– door knobs

– vintage finds

– old books

– wallpaper

– wood beams

– a painted front door

– install molding

– change your knobs

– change out your lighting switchplates

– layer

– install built-ins

Adding Charm to Your HomeDETAILS | mercury glass knob / mother of pearl knob / drawer pull / wood and gold candle sticks / gold tray / home is wherever I’m with you / lost socks / galvanized envelope / bird chandelier / Queen Anne wallpaper by Rifle Paper Co. / Foret Midnight wallpaper

What are your favorite ways to add a bit of character to your house?

PS. We’d love to meet you at Bloom Bash on October 22nd and 23rd! Melissa will be our keynote speaker (hooray!) and we’ll be celebrating her next book launch. Use code INSPIRED200 for a $200 discount on the ticket price at checkout. Register here!

xoxo, Michaela

interior design website / services / portfolio

19 Comments

  1. Seana Turner

    Wow, so beautiful. Can’t help but have a great event in such a beautiful setting! I think it is even prettier than the original Mount Vernon. Cute photo of you all in the window:)

    Reply
    • Michaela

      Oh, I wish that was us in the window, but it’s actually a photo taken at a wedding held at the venue :) It is a gorgeous picture, though! I think it’s prettier as well :)

      Reply
  2. Alexis Duffy | Wander & Whine

    That house is so beautiful! You are so right about wallpaper adding charm — I’d never thought about it like that before! Great collection of items.

    Reply
    • Michaela

      It’s a fun way to add texture and pattern too– even if it’s in a small space like a laundry or powder bath! Makes a huge impact :)

      Reply
  3. Cathy

    While I enjoy visiting homes with historic character, my own taste leans more toward modern lines. I do, however, add character with a few antique wooden pieces scattered throughout my home. Most of them are family heirlooms. I love your blog, by the way!

    Reply
    • Michaela

      That’s a great way to add character– I love wood pieces and even more special that they’re family heirlooms! Not everyone will love this style, but I happen to enjoy it a lot :)

      Reply
  4. Cami

    My best friend had her wedding reception there, such a lovely venue.

    Reply
    • Michaela

      That is SO fun! I bet it was gorgeous :)

      Reply
  5. sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com

    replica of “George Washington’s beloved Mount Vernon?” Wow! What a house! Your details ideas are perfect. May I add also how fabric choices on beds, furniture, pillows, and curtains can charm up as house like mad!

    Reply
    • Michaela

      Completely agree!! :)

      Reply
  6. Melissa

    Love this post and the ideas! Can you share a link for the clock?

    Reply
  7. Kris Billings

    LOVE all your small scale ideas on how to bring charm into my home… Thank you!

    Reply
    • Michaela

      I’m so glad they are helpful! Such a fun and affordable way to add some charm :)

      Reply
  8. Moriah

    Cute pic of yall in the window and what a beautiful venue! Love your post and ideas :)

    Reply
  9. Jordan

    Great ideas here. I always equate vintage with charm, myself – something about things looking older makes it seem home-ier! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  10. teresa

    Thank you for the list…we are building a home right now….and this will help me oh so much.
    Happy Day

    Reply
  11. Amanda Brengle

    I love the chandelier! Lighting fixtures are one of my favorite ways to add charm.
    Great post!

    Reply
  12. Janet

    Love your list of items…but I have to add quilts too. A quilt brings so much color and texture to a room or a chair or a table, I could go on and on…

    Reply

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