"Downtown Charmer"
That's what the real estate listing said. True, it was in downtown Orlando. Charmer, I'm not so sure, I will spare you all of the before pictures lets just say....blue toilets and sinks!
I've always lived in the suburbs of Orlando, but spent most of my time downtown. That's where the fun was, concerts, Magic basketball games, plays, festivals and great restaurants.
7 years ago I sold my house in the suburbs and purchased my "Downtown Charmer" On a quiet brick street .
It's a short walk from all that downtown Orlando has to offer
My house, built in 1984, is the newest house in the neighborhood. At 1170 sq. ft. it's not big.
The front door opens to the living room
The decorating is kind of shabby chic, I don't like a lot of clutter so, I call it
"Minimalist Shabby"
I love this picture over the fireplace. I found it at the estate sale of a 94 year old photographer. The back of the picture is covered with stamps from where it was exhibited all over the world. The best part, it set me back $1.00!
The kitchen cabinets where open on top so, I (Like in "Did it myself") added upper cabinets.
Ah, the happy room, my sewing/craft room
I'm a girl with power tools and I love to use them. I built the counters, shelves and desk.
This is a slat wall with baskets and hooks that can be easily rearranged. I love to see and lay hands on everything I need.
My fabric closet...Can we say OCD! More on the fabric closet HERE
The blue Bathroom
This Little project took me 3 weeks to complete. I did everything myself, with the exception of carrying the blue toilet to the curb
After
The blue Bathroom
This Little project took me 3 weeks to complete. I did everything myself, with the exception of carrying the blue toilet to the curb
After
Who needs a medicine cabinet in the hall bathroom? I pulled it out, framed it up, and added some vintage goodies
Who's been sleeping in my bed......Martin
The guest room/office. You can read about the $7.49 day bed I made HERE.
Sorry about the dead cat! I went through all of the pictures, and she was in every one...I did not even notice when I was taking them!
Just kidding, Billie is very much alive!
This room leads out to the back yard
I put this saying above my desk the week I quit working
"Joy
Excitement for the dawn of each new day
And
Wishing that day would never end"
My days are filled with fun, things I could only dream about when I was working.
"Joy
Excitement for the dawn of each new day
And
Wishing that day would never end"
My days are filled with fun, things I could only dream about when I was working.
Yep, I love living downtown!
The Deli around the corner is where I will be hosting my son's wedding rehearsal dinner in November
And I love to hit the farmers market on the weekend
130 comments:
How is it that I've been blogging for 2 years and didn't find your blog sooner! I'm now following you:)
Ahhh so fun! Thanks for inviting us along! Love the 'minimalist' shabby!!
My oh my I'm coming for a visit! lol! Your house is beautiful and airy! Love that craft room!!
Not really big but, oh so beautiful! It is the kind of house I could move right into, you have used the colors I like to use at my cottage too. I love the bathroom make over, the wall paper is so pretty. Thanks for sharing, Laura
So SWEET! I love the old photo...But I think my very favorite thing is your headboard. How pretty with the gathered lace. Your yard looks like a little sanctuary. Thanks for sharing
Ohhhh Carol~ your home is like a sweet breath of fresh air...
I love everysingle thing in it and about it....lol
Love your gorgeous arbor sooo romantic...
Wishing you a wonderful weekend....
Huggers~
Mari
Carol... I say serene and pinky-wink...swoon! How lovely your home is, just makes my heart sing. You've done a beautiful job, you go girl.
It's always so fun to see how friends live, you can imagine but never know till the pics are shared. Thanks so much for showing us who you are.
I'm working on my littest dollhouse (half inch)...I think I'm taking the inspiration of your house to give it "your" feel. love it.
Have a wonderful weekend.
xoso
Sandy
Pretty home! I love the daybed, especially since you did it yourself. Love the blue-eyed kitty cat too!
Thank you Carol, for this gorgeous and charming home tour. It has been so much fun!
You have a lovely home, so bright and cheerful. You need your own DYI show. Have a good day.
Carol, what a great space with all your "touches" around. Beautiful! I noticed in your studio you have an organizer for you stickles...care to share you secret?
Thanks,
Cyndi
Your house is perfection!
I'm a new follower, here from Debbiedoos!
Have a great weekend!
S
xo
I'm so glad I found you through Debbiedoo's! The photograph over the mantel is an awesome find! Following you now. ~ Maureen
Do you remember the color of the paint in your living room or bedroom? A strange question but I have been looking for the right shade of yellow forever.
So lovely and inviting! Thank you for the tour!
its exactly how I would have pictured it and more!
Its beautiful and you are my hero for building all that yourself as well, handy , and talented you are!!Gifted as well.
I can't believe I've never seen your lovely blog! I stopped by from Debbiedoo's and so happy I did. I'm now following and will prolly be asking you some questions too. :-)
Seriously, your home is beautiful and the yard divine! I'd so love to sit out there and have a glass of tea and chat. You are an amazing DIY'er!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Pat
Oh my goodness I am in love!!!
I knew I would love every detail of your home-girl you are amazing and such an inspiration
THANK YOU for sharing your home-love that you have cats -makes a house a home-hair and all...lol
You have an absolutely beautiful home Carol! Thank you for the tour! I also wanted to say how good it is that you can enjoy your days now doing what you want to do and not having to go to work everyday!!!! I can tell from your writings that you are enjoying it to the fullest! That's a wonderful thing! Have a happy day today!
Carolyn
Oh I loved this post, your home is beautiful and im very green eyed over your amazing craft room! Scarlett x
Oh I loved this post, your home is beautiful and im very green eyed over your amazing craft room! Scarlett x
Oh Carol your home is just as beautiful and dreamy as I imagined. Your creative touches add such a romantic yet cozy ambience. I adore your style and thank you so much for sharing. Living downtown with the action must be joyous. Wonderful saying over your desk to begin each day with. I am swooning...
Darling with great ideas-Denise
It's perfect for me, I'll take it as is. ;)
With a woman like you, you don't need a man! You have done amazing work and it looks feminine, beautiful, restful and cozy! Even light, bright and airy. Love those cats and your beautiful yard.
My Great Grandma lost her hubby right after she had her 5th child. When asked why she never remarried, she said, "What do I need with a man? I have my kids and I can do all the rest". She was amazing and did very well for herself bootlegging during the prohibition! True story.
It's a Small world! I'm around the corner from you in Lake Nona.
You have a Darling home, I'm going to be busy catching up with your blog!
And now I know of a good place to shop around here!
Blessings,
Heather
Carol,
Your home is is lovely and charming!! Just what I would picture you living in especially in sunny Florida!!
Loved the tour!!
Hugs,
Debbie
its all so very charming, carol!-inside and out:)
It's truly a charmer now, Carol! I love it! I love the outside, too. I recall seeing a few of these pictures before ~ your front patio area reminded me of that right away. You certainly put a lot of hard work into your home and it shows. Such a great cottage in the midst of downtown Orlando. I can see why you are so happy here!
Carol,
I love, love, love your home! It is so lovely! I'm so impressed with your building skills. I've always known you are creative but I didn't realize you were a hammer, nails and power tool gal! You rock...I want to be you when I grow up!
thanks for sharing your lovely home. Want a visitor? heehee
Nancy
Your talent shows in your incredibly charming home. I know downtown Orlando well as I used to live in Ocala, Fla and relocated to Chapel Hill, NC. We truly miss the weather there...You can't beat the Sunshine State!
Carol, I've loved your blog for a while and now I see your darling little house and fell in love with it, too, sugar! Like you, we're retired and living in our 1800 s.f. retirement house, down from 5,000 s.f. and absolutely love not having so much space to take care of. Hubs said get used to it cuz we ain't moving and we'll die in this house. LOL Yours is quite darling and you should be proud of what it looks like after your hand in the re-decorating, sweetpea. Love it!!
xoxo,
Connie
oh! your downtown charmer is just that and you have it decorated so delightfully!
love your attitude!
happy friday
xo
elyse
Carol your home is amazing. It is my dream home!
Suzan
Ladybug cottage
Oh Carol, your home is absolutely beautiful! I love it.
Geez, I knew you were amazing with transformations (craft-wise), but I didn't know you had the talent to redo a whole bathroom! You really are something!
Love every thing about your home. The decor, the colors, all the right touches, the landscaping, everything is just to die for! You are an inspiration!
Enjoy the weekend,
Cheryl
A very pretty house, Carol. I love the garden too.
Thanks for the tour.
Kelly
Hi Carol,
I just love your home...so glad that Debbie invited you to show it to us on her blog. I have just begun surfing your blog and know I will love it...your newest follower already. Your craft room makes me drool...I love how organized your fabic is...by color even. Mone is stashed in plastic bins...stacked on top of one another. Guess it's time for me to get to work and reorganize it. Thanks for sharing your home with us...it's beautiful.
Cheryl
Your home is simply charming!! It's so lovely and beautifully decorated with all your wonderful touches! Wonderful craft room ~ my sewing room right now looks like a tornado went thru it, lol :) I really need to get in there and start cleaning it up and go thru things to keep and to get rid of...way too much stuff in there!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmest hugs, Brenda
Carol, your home is gorgeous! So neat, clean, organized and lovely. Thanks for sharing! Egretta
Your Home is adorable, I just love it.
It makes me miss our Cottage out by Antelope Island It was so cute I had it all fixed so Shabby Chic. We have a new house and I just can't get it to look the same.
enjoy your home and thank you for sharing
Oh I loved having a tour of your home. It is wonderful. You are very talented to do all that work by yourself!!
Carol
I saw your home at Debbiedoo's, but I never tire of it!
It is a reflection of your great shabby chic decorating and your sweet shop. What a calm and cozy haven to retire to.
Hi Carol,
I lOVE your Downtown Charmer!! It's a dream home! Light and happy!
It's great that you can walk to so many places! Loved the tour..
Warmly,
deb
Love it, your house is so cute, and let's face it, charming!
I love, love, LOVE your house! Your beautiful decorating has made it a lovely, cozy, shabby-chic home--you must be so happy there!
Hi Carol,
It was a real treat to see your home. I think it's as adorable as you are. I love how you added the upper cabinets in your kitchen. The bathroom look fabulous. I love, love the craft sewing room. Your cats are so adorable.
Dee
You have given me the extra push to push through what ails me to complete my craft room. I've sitting on the fence with one thing that has perplexed me and now, the decision is made. Your home is so clutter free, I'm totally jealous.. Totally! Your kitty's, well you know I love the critters and your's.. well they can be cousins to mine!! Adorable little buggers they are. I see mischeif in the black & whites eyes... I really do.
I also noticed you have lots of wide lace trim. Where do you find yours. THe fabric store local does not offer such wide trims & I adore them. Love your home. Very cottagey!
New blog so use my comment as a follow back to me. Huggers. Tammy
very cute and cottage-y...love it!
what a fun tour!! i love looking at all the great details...thanks!!
I am now following you..pls follow back if you can.
I will also no longer complain about my daughters fabric collation!!
Carol...your home is just beautiful!!!
I just want to come and sit in your back yard for tea!
Love,
LuLu~*xoxo
Your home is so lovely. I love the inviting feel of every room. I have tried to cut down a little on my clutter and seeing your beautiful rooms inspires me to do more. I am so glad you shared with us.
Your home should be in a magazine. It is over the top elegance, romance & divine decor, Carol.
I hope you will pop by to help us bring 'angel love' for a young girl who is sick.
Thank you.
Have a beautiful PS weekend ~
Marydon
Carol, of course your home is the bomb-arama but I've just learned something new. You're a minimalist? I never realized that but sho nough, you are! All your awesome projects just had me fooled, lol.
Gotta' step up and admit that I not only have that blue toilet but the tub to match! I've just worked around them for the past 16 years.
Thanks so very much for your tour. Loved it all.
Your house is sooo beautiful, love it! I'm very impressed that you do all the work yourself!
Thanks for sharing with us!
Katherine
It looks like a downtown charmer for sure. You have such a pretty and inviting home, Carol. Somehow, I don't remember your daybed. The bathroom redo is stunning. Go you!
Hi Carol,
I just love your sweet downtown cottage. It's "you!"
I love all the shabby chic look and the romantic colors.
The canopy across the back of the bed looks extra sweet.
Thanks for the tour of your beautiful home and those cute little ones that live there with you.
hugs
Sissie
Carol, your home is definately a downtown charmer. I love everything about it! Wow, who knew that you were so handy with tools? I love Billie! (I think that's what his name was) He reminds me of a cat we had. Your yard is beautufl and just as cozy as your entire home. So glad Debbie asked you to share!
Hugs,
Jann
Carol,
Thanks for your visit and your comment made me chuckle!!
LOL!!
Yes, my home is wall to wall stuff but I can also admire a minimalist's home too! LOL!
But actually, I think you have your fair share of stuff too!! LOL!!
I do LOVE your home and your back yard is to die for!!
Have a great weekend, my friend!!
Hugs,
Deb
HI! I just took your home tour on Debbie's blog - fantastic! Your home is so cute and your yard is a paradise! I lived in Orlando for a while back in the early 80's but I wasn't in the downtown area. Haven't been back in years, so enjoyed all of your photos. Thank you for sharing your lovely home and blog. I am now following. Come see me if you want at pinkcherubmoon.blogspot.com. Hugs, Leena
Carol ~ please tell me that I come down and see you , stay in your guest room, hit the flea markets with you and enjoy a glass of wine in your garden! Just let me know the day! ~Stacy~ (*_*) xoxo P.S. Your house is amazing and you did almost all of it yourself! You are the Queen Bee!
Oh I want to live there, what a delightful house. Love the JOY quote.
A very happy home I believe:)
Sheilagh
xx
Oh Carol, how lovely your sweet home is. I didn't realize you were so handy with tools too. I am that way too. Your studio is just to die for, and every picture shown was a WOW for me. So enjoyed this post.
Hugs
Ginger
I've just found your blog (via bj) and I love it! Your house is so lovely ... I'm your newest follower! Jules x
I love it! Everything is so pretty!
Great post Carol! Your home is even prettier in person. I felt very comfortable there. Your right about the camera settings! I have been working on that. You were smart to buy downtown! Hugs~SueBee
BEAUTIFUL! Just beautiful!
BEAUTIFUL! Just beautiful!
You have a really wonderful home. It might not have been a charmer when you bought it, but it most definitely is a charmer now. It is such a welcoming and warm place.
Magnifique maison
I love your home,
tout est magnifique, very beautiful,
have a good day
marylin FRANCE
Love your home.. The dawn of a new day saying I loved. I will say the dawn of a new project from Carol and wishing they would never end. Love it all. Your house is just what I would love mine to be congrats for all your success.
If you want to read my comment about your house tour, I guess you will just have to trot back over to Debbies.
~Bliss~
your home is lovely and the cats are the perfect accessory.
Carol, thanks for sharing your home. It's beautiful. I'm envious of your wonderful workshop room. That's my latest quest, to create a special workroom. I loved all of your home. Betsy
Carol, you have such a beautiful, charming home. I'm very impressed by all the remodeling projects you handled yourself in creating your cozy, cottage home. Thank you for such a lovely tour.
I think I could just move right in tomorrow. I need a new bathroom vanity just like the one you put in. It is the first one that I've seen that I love and would fit in my tiny space. All is beautiful!!♥♫
What a gorgeous home, Carol! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. :)
Hi Carol, LOVE LOVE LOVE your darling Downtown Charmer. Every inch is perfect and I too love the uncluttered look, yet full and deliberatly placed treasures. Love your design studio and all the organization. Your outdoor arbor is beautiful. I have a friend going to move to Orlando soon and I must send her your post to view. She does not have a blog, but loves to read them.
Thank you for sharing all the inspiration coming from your incredible talent.
XO CMD
I'm a new follower after discovering your blog over at Debbiedoo's. I so enjoyed your home tour & cannot wait to spend some more time snooping around your wonderful space. Your home is totally charming!
CAS
P.S. I am also a "Carol" but just use "CAS" on my blog!
Dear Carol, thank you for giving a tour of your lovely home.
Every room is so tidy and neat but still homely.
I love your sewing room, I'm sure you spend hours in there creating wonderful items.
xoxo
Angela.
Your home is absolutely gorgeous! I like shabby chic but did not like all the clutter that went with it, your home is perfect!!
Unbelieveable!!! I knew you were very talented but wow, your home is amazing!!! It was really fun for me to see your home and all you've done in it. Take care my friend...Luv, Deb
Carol, your home is absolutely charming...all 1100+ square feet of it! And your back yard is truly a little paradise. No wonder you love living where you do.
Yes, Downtown Charmer indeed! Thank you so much for our private tour the other day~ I only dream of being that organized! Take care & hope to see you soon!
I just love your craft/sewing room, I'm so envious. Can you tell me how you made the thread holder on the side of the cabinet. All mine are thrown in a drawer and I have to scrounge around for them.
Thanks
Lynn (Maureen's sister, just using her computer this afternoon)
Carol:
I am drooling here. I've seen snippets of your pretty home but never the whole thing. So gorgeous and charming. I don't know how you ever leave. Love the kittys too!
xo
Roselle
Hey Carole,
I didn't realize that you were downtown! What a sweet home and lovely garden....very Florida!
Blessings,
Susie
Carol, your home is beautiful! I used to work downtown and would take walks during my lunch breaks. There are some lovely neighborhoods. And you're on a brick street no less. I never thought you'd be a minimalist but you put everything together so well : )
Oh my sweetness your home is simply darling! It is sooooo pretty and neat and clean! Love, love, love it all my dear! Have a beautiful and blessed weekend.
Big hugs,
Olivia
Hello Carol,
Thank you so much for the tour of your beautiful home!!!
I love all that you have done to it and also love your craft room.
Your kitties are adorable and I love your outside just as much!!!
Enjoy your weekend!!!
Suzann ~xoxo~
Oh wow! What a beautiful home you have Carol. You should be so proud of everything you've done. Every room is so pretty and interesting. Love your craft room, I've never seen fabric so well organized. The old $1 picture is gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing.
I am moving in to Orlando, specifically... your home :P I am IN LOVE with your home!!!!!! This is some amazing and unbeleivable work!!!!! WOW! Girl, just...WOW
Hugs,
Carol what a delight to get to visit your home with you!!! The only thing better would be to do it in person then go to that deli around the corner and have lunch!
I wish I were more clutter free as your home looks so pretty and clean. I am such a collector that I just am always finding a place for just one more thing!
Love your craft room and love how you put cabinets above that empty space in your kitchn- great idea!! Well I will be back to soak in some more lovely!
bee blessed
mary
What beautiful decor in your lovely abode! It's very similar to my taste and will take inspiration from this :) You live near a Farmer's Market - that's my dream!
Hi Carol, your house is lovely and lucky you to live so close to downtown Orlando!!
Love, love what you did with your window in the kitchen...did you post about it and I missed it??
Also love seeing all those comfy kitties in your home...just want to pick them up and hug them..lol
Thanks for the beautiful home tour...
Sylvia
Your house is so Lovely! From the entry , there are so many things I like about it where do I begin? LOL, can't believe how handy you are too! High five to you on the bathroom redo, wow!!! Seriously Carol, what can't you do???? Hahahaha..... ;)
You have a beautiful home. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Your home is so pretty! Now I can see that you not only create this style to sell you live in it too. That's so cool! I really enjoyed the tour and the makeover shots of the bathroom as well. You've really done a beautiful job with all of it!
Ok... I'm so moving in! So please leave the front porch light on! XoXo
Carol, Your home is as beautiful as I thought it would be. I especially love the craft/sewing room and your pretty bedroom. xo, Sherry
Carol, I love your home! It is absolutely charming and beautiful! I love the colors and the light, bright airy feeling to it. It looks to be a very happy place. :)
Cathy ♥
Absolutely charming! I think the Master Bedroom is my fav. Thanks for the tour :)
Have a fabulous day!
Julie
Gorgeous! Just gorgeous!
You have a fabulous Home and I love EVERY Room! Your craft room and frame over fireplace is Beautiful!
Smiles, Cyndi
Your home is amazing! And to know that you did almost all the work yourself is UBER-Amazing!!!
I enjoyed seeing your shabby chic home so much, I can't get it out of my head! Thanks so much for sharing. I came from Debbie's and am your newest follower.
Proud to call you my sister!
Thank you for sharing your charming home. So many beautiful features and lovely backyard. Nice fabric stash!
Your home is so sweet, bright and oh so charming. I could so live there.It make's me feel so happy as I go from room to room., Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely home! (Why am I not surprised?!)
Hi, I'm also a Florida home owner, living in Ft. Pierce, Fl.since 2007
I love living here, so much to see & do all the time... ijust had to tell you that you really made your house so charming & shabby chic, which i'm trying to achieve in my double wide manufactured home here... I love the cosy relax kick your shoes off feeling shabby chic makes you & your guests feel.
Your home maybe be small, but oh so sweet! thanks for your ideas & pictures you have shared, i would love someday to share some pictures also...
I love your charming home and I envy your sewing room. I had a sewing room in my last house, but downsizing meant giving up some extras.
I was drawn to your site by the title - I love polka dots and have way too many polka dot "things" in my house.
Hi will be now following you. really love your Blog and very surprised how simlar our living rooms were.
Except there is not way I could have white sofas. lol! look forward to more. Alice
All i can say is WOWWWW! your home is exquisite..thank you so much for letting us in for a peek..and i can't believe you live right near orlando!! lucky you!
marie
Absolutely love your charming home, Carol! It is you to a T!!! I drove my MIL all around your area the other day...may have gone right by your house! There were so many lovely ones...our heads never stopped turning!!
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Becky
Definitely my "dream home"....so lovely!
I just got some slat wall for my craft room. Where did you find the baskets for yours?
Carol B, there was no way to contact you, not blog or email. I got my baskets at Barr Display, an Orlando store, but it does do on line sales http://www.barrdisplay.com/
Hope that helps
Carol
What a beautiful home. It is indeed a charmer! Thank you for sharing the pictures and giving much food for thought for our place - all 950 sq feet of it. They build 'em really small "over here"
Thanks again.
Marion in the UK
***I deleted the comment above because it was attributed to another blogger! I had no idea what could have happened until I saw after posting it that the comment was published by a blogger associated with my son's email addy--in other words, the Other Blogger was *my son*! I never knew that he had a blog! He had asked to use this computer to print something out because his printer is out of ink, and he must have hopped on to his Secret Blog while he was logged on! How rude!
I'll repost my original comment As Me below!
Oopsies. I copied the original post after it was published and then deleted it, and now I can't paste it into this comment box. It was a long one, and I'll have to recreate it tomorrow.:/
The "short" version...
Your home is indeed a charmer! I was enchanted by every room and each and every corner. Just seeing the pictures made me feel relaxed and at peace; I can only imagine how you must feel *living in* such a lovely home... especially with the added sense of accomplishment that you should so rightly feel after having done so much of the labor yourself.
May you enjoy many more happy, fulfilling years in your little Oasis in Orlando!
xoxo
very very very beautiful!.. I love this house..
You have a beautiful home! And, heck, the size of your home isn't small! It seems, overall, that people in the U.S. go for larger homes, I guess...
Your home is absolutely beautiful!!!
I agree with the others, such a beautiful home. I love your color choices, and the minimal "stuff". Your home allows one to breathe, and to feel comfortable. I am slowly lightening up our home, replacing the oak by chalk painting in a lovely creamy white. Just that alone lifted and brightened up the room. Love your blog !!!!
Simply beautiful! I had no idea that a person could live close enough in Orlando to walk/visit. You are surely a master of so much.
(I'm only a couple of years late here) :)
wow!! I love our home! so pretty!
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