Notable Things | Should Your Interior Match Your Exterior Style? Coffee Table Makeover, Outdated Styles, & more!

One of the biggest downfalls, I’m learning, to renovating your home one room at a time is that the evolution of your home’s style becomes very apparent, unless of course you remain true to your style from start to finish. I can explain…

Our home doesn’t have an overwhelming design style. It was built in 1920 and has been added onto several times since. It’s not bungalow, cape cod, or even what you would expect of a traditional ranch home. It had no defining characteristics so we had the freedom to make it into whatever style we wanted. Initially we had a more farmhouse vibe, but that quickly transitioned into a more modern feel when we tackled our kitchen renovation in 2017. Then last year we resided our house and without intentionally doing so, it took on a “cabin tucked in the trees” style which felt the most true to the home.

So at that point we had a farmhouse living room, a modern kitchen, and a cabin exterior. Which brought up the question, “Does the interior of your home need to match the exterior?” And while many of you said no, it can be whatever you want it to be (and I agree to an extent) I also believe that a home feels most cohesive when it follows a pattern or theme. And when a home has a definite architectural style like Tudor, Georgian, or cottage, I like to see that carried through the interior to reflect the original style of the home (with your own twist on it of course).

And with all of those realizations, I felt the need to cabinize our interior to connect with our exterior. I’m starting with our living room and I’ve been piecing things together VERY slowly. I’m focussing on adding warmer wood tones, furniture with a simpler shape, and antique pieces with character.

A different coffee table has been at the top of my list for months and a few weeks ago I found a coffee table on FB marketplace in the exact size I needed, in a wood species I loved (oak), and with a shape that was simple but not boring.

The original color wasn’t bad, but I knew I’d love it 10x more if I stained it dark and neutralized the red undertones as much as possible.

So that’s what I’ve been working on this past week and with a little experimentation, it turned out EXACTLY as I hoped it would! (Watch the project unfold here) I was able to reduce the red undertones and bring out a neutral rich brown tone instead. The grains in red oak really love to pop, but I tried a technique called water popping which disguised the grains and allowed for a much more even stain application. (Water popping explained here + full coffee table tutorial) Couldn’t love it more!!

Another piece of the living room puzzle complete, onto staining the chair arms next!

• A new way to roll jeans and I’m kinda digging it!

• Apparently dryer sheets aren’t good for your clothes…here’s why. I ordered these wool balls instead.

• I made my own gifs twice last week using these tutorials – the easy way or the free way!

• I thought she was serious at first!

• This is the best response I’ve heard for the question, “Is ___ outdated?”

• I’m dying to try this viral pasta recipe! Would you believe me that there was a nationwide feta cheese shortage because of it.

• In case you want a rustic coffee table too, I rounded up my favorites here. #6 is nearly identical to mine!

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