Yes, that’s an SNL reference. But before I go any further I have to say thanks and I love you to you guys. Your kind words from this morning have literally lifted me up on a day that has been soggy and sad. You guys rock. Hard.
Now onto a very important post that many of you have requested. Photos of what I put on our new craigslist buffet. I tried to pick a variety of items that are functional and special to us (hence the title of this post). So this is what the entryway looks like now:
And just for fun, this is what it looked like when we laid eyes on our house for the first time back in late 2010:
Isn’t it funny to see the same corner of a room decorated by two different people? I love it. I wish I could poke my head into every house in the neighborhood, just to see what they have going on (which is why whenever anyone asks me what superhero power I wish I had, invisibility is always my answer – for no other reason than all the house snooping I’d get to do).
On the subject of what I put on that buffet, figuring out what to put on top of any new (to us) furniture is one of my favorite pastimes. So I relished the thirty minutes during Clara’s nap time that I spent playing with different items that we already had around. Which included:
- glass lamps that used to live in our first house’s living room and then our bedroom until we upgraded to some artichoke-y ones (these were from Target from our wedding registry, so they’ve been with us for five great years)
- a big yellow urn that used to live in the corner of the kitchen (from HomeGoods a few months back)
- a stack of decorating books from my stash under the built-ins in the dining room (and my hallway ottomans)
- a scalloped bowl from the kitchen that I ended up using for something sentimental (more on that in a sec)
- a white resin pineapple (from HomeGoods about a year ago)
- a faux red coral (from Kohls about six months ago)
- a thrift store leaf dish (for spare change) that I got for 50 cents
My “buffet decorating” process was just trial and error. Stepping back. Looking at it all. Shimmying something over. It was sort of like picking the right outfit… for my furniture. Totally normal, right? I just wanted to mix equal parts meaning, function, and beauty. Because I really think that’s the trifecta. People say form and function are two important things, but I’ll up the ante and toss “meaning” in there too. Because something that’s useful, pretty, and meaningful is especially awesome, right? Anyway, here’s where I ended up for now (you know I like to swap things around all the time – plus I’d love to decorate the top of this buffet for holidays).
Here’s a breakdown of all of the items in those three categories:
Functional:
- two lamps to provide light in a room with zero point zero zero (another SNL reference for ya) overhead lights – so they’re very necessary!
- a dish for loose change, buttons, and other small items that tend to collect on various surfaces (when you know small clutter is bound to happen, a little tray, dish, or basket to deal with it when it pops up makes things easier)
- the yellow urn, which offers concealed storage that’s easy to access (we have an extra dog leash and some other Burger-phenalia hiding in there)
Meaningful:
- a pineapple near the door, which is said to be a symbol that says “welcome to our home”
- a change dish that I put 43 cents (our lucky number) into (it won’t always stay that way, but it made me smile to “hide” that number up there)
- vacation postcards that we have sent to ourselves, full of memories from the last seven years spent together (more on that tradition here)
Just Plain Pretty:
- a stack of cute hardcover books to add color and height (and inspiration whenever I crack them open)
- a bright red piece of faux coral for some fresh color (adding modern pops/pieces to an older item of furniture is one of my favorite ways to integrate it into a room so it doesn’t feel theme-y or stodgy)
My favorite thing is definitely the scalloped serving bowl (purloined from a cabinet in the kitchen) that I shoved all of our vacation postcards into. I just love that they’re out to remind me of all of our adventures and I can read through them and switch up the one in the front whenever the mood strikes. Right now one from Hawaii gets top billing, just because I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything prettier…
Oh and you might wonder why that pop of yellow in the urn is up there being all sunny and happy, but I thought these pictures would best explain it.
Doesn’t it look sweet with our yellow front door?
And for anyone wondering where Clara is when we’re shooting things for the ol’ blog, she’s usually right in the middle of everything. Doing something hilarious. Like kneeling at the front door and waving at the school bus as it drives by. Told you. Hilarious, right? No idea why she thought waving and kneeling should go hand in hand.
So there it is. Our new (actually very old) buffet with some meaningful, functional, and just plain pretty stuff on it. Nothing is being stored in it yet, but you know I can’t wait to fill it with stuff (I’m thinking it’s a good spot for more formal dining stuff like cloth napkins, some runners, a few large vases, and some other serving stuff). Oh and that big blank wall above it? Definitely needs a little somethin’ somethin’. You know we’ll keep you posted…
Psst- We announced this week’s big giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
Rachael @ Frugal Faye says
Your guy’s decor posts are my favorite out of all the blogs I follow…but I do have to say, I think Clara kneeling at the yellow door waving at the school bus takes the cake on this post with adorable factor… :)
Christine Witt (Brush Dance) says
Love the pop of yellow on the buffet and how it ties into the open door.
John@RemodelingBIBLE says
The light blue walls are so soothing. This room deserves top marks in my book!
Sarah says
I can’t get past looking at the door, it just makes me smile!!! I’m an Aussie so anything yellow/green makes me happy at the moment, really looking forward to the Olympics in 7 sleeps!
Petra says
I usually put the items I want together on a hall table or other display area and find that my husband will move them around as he walks past until he gets them just right…though he won’t admit it. :)
cas says
we had the same problem on whwat to use as “art” behind our entry buffet. I ended up getting chalkboard paint – tinted tan (they can tint it any color now so you dont have a huge black square on your wall) and put molding around it. its a great place to write reminders and cute notes to your lovely as its the first/last thing you see when you leave.
i also stenciled “Before I die i want to ________. at the bottom as a sort of mad-lib that the answer erases but the question always remains. i love when guests write their answers
YoungHouseLove says
Love the mad-lib idea!
-John
Sheryl Danner says
As an antique dealer, I LOVE your buffet. Using it along the wall of your living room is brilliant, an unexpected treat when entering your home. it’s so nice to decorate with items that are special to you and your family. That pretty scalloped bowl is a lotus bowl and the postcards are a great touch! Great job!
Sue J. says
Question: replacing your front door. I loved the old paned one — the yellow solid door is also cool. But I’m wondering why you chose to swap. (We are always looking for ways to bring in light. Lots of trees here. And thx to your post, rethinking ‘Oriental’ runner in our hallway!)
YoungHouseLove says
We actually just removed the paned one (the yellow door was always behind it – just not painted yellow yet). For some reason we’ve never really been storm door people and I think we enjoy the privacy of a solid door over a pane. Plus it’s fun to have that big dose of color.
-John
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
You have such a great eye for bringing together things I never would’ve thought to group together. You rock!
Lora Greene says
I so enjoy seeing daily what your sweet family is up to today! What caught my attention before anything was your remark about “house snooping”. There’s nothing more fun than taking a walk in the neighborhood about dark when the lights come on and you get a peek at a beautiful room. Except, when you get caught..mind you, I didn’t, but lots of years ago my then 10 year old daughter did..The neighbor caught her looking into her living room and brought her home to me. When asked what she was doing, Anna replied I was looking at how she decorated her house, it was so pretty. The neighbor was so flattered that the next day she invited Anna over for a tour..Yes, invisible snooping would be my wish too for a superhero power, but alas, we have blogs, the next best thing..Keep up the good work.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that’s so cute! I love that story.
xo,
s
Jennifer says
Saw a rug that MATCHES your curtains…not that you want to go all matchy matchy but someone else might like it and more plain curtains…home decorators catalog!
Still loving that buffet!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny!
xo,
s
Yvonne says
Love your blog, really interested in your new book that is coming out; would we be able to purchase in UK?
I love the style of your home and some of the distressed finished on your wood – great to see you have made a successful business out of what you enjoy; really inspiring. Love it all.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks for the interest in our book! It’s actually already for sale via amazon for preorder in the UK. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jenn @therebelchick says
I love your little milk glass pineapple! I’m kind of a freak about collecting milk glass vases, compotes and serving trays.
Alison says
Absolutely LOVE that buffet. It makes me jealous that you found such a beautiful one, in good shape for so little money!!!! Jealous!
Leigh says
Sherry,
I have long admired the halter dress that Clara is sporting in this post. Can you share where you bought it from? I’d love to buy it for my niece!
Thanks,
– Leigh
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Leigh! It’s from Target (found on the clearance rack from her aunt- so it’s a fitting gift for your niece I think! Haha).
xo,
s
Niki says
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet; but, while I know that you love color, a LARGE mirror behind the buffet (which I’m incredibly envious of) would also help to add/disperse light during the evening when your lamps are on. Just sayin….
YoungHouseLove says
Definitely another possibility!
xo,
s
Richelle says
I still can’t believe what I steal you guys found on Craigslist! I am in love with that piece. I’ve been searching CL for the last couple of weeks for some new furniture for our living room and I can not believe what crazy amounts of money people want for their old, ripped/stained/scratched furniture.
ShellyP says
Hey Sherry. So sorry about your amazing auntie kay kay. You have a lot of love for her.
Thoughts on buffet: the smoky glass lamps don’t seem to fit with the vibe you have going on throughout your house. I can envision them spray painted white and the lampshades covered in an interesting, bright fabric. Your home is youthful and bright and the lamps don’t have that voice. Also, recommend a large platter resting on a plate stand/easel for the buffet. The platter would be practical for family dinners/holiday traditions and also add height and aesthetic interest to the buffet. I love decorating with books and have them everywhere so books on the buffet work for me absolutely. Go for big art on the wall (or a large mirror) rather than lots of little framed art. Little art is inexpensive but big art is more impactful, especially for that space.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips! Lots of fun ideas!
xo,
s
Bob says
As a head’s up, it looks like you are trying too hard. You need to get more “real” with your accessorizing and stop trying to mimic the magazines. I’ll give it 6 months for that advice to sink in.
rivka says
I adore that sideboard…just beautiful! But darling Petersiks…you are in desperate need of a new inside door matte! My other 2cents is the color of the wall goose by the door is too dark and jarring. You might want to consider spraying it a softer color?
——————
My sincerest condolences on the passing of your beloved Aunt. Your post was a beautiful tribute to this fine lady. Hugs to you Sherry.
YoungHouseLove says
Agreed with you on the door mat, that’s for sure!
-John
Ashley Reid says
I have to admit – I don’t love it. I think the buffet is GORGEOUS and the lamps go great with it, but the yellow and coral in between doesn’t look great. I think a muted display would look better with all the color in the rest of the room.
YoungHouseLove says
Not to worry Ashley, things change all the time in there, so I’m sure it’ll mutate every month or so for the next decade! Will keep you posted!
xo,
s
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
I love the shot of Clara waving to the bus -besides how well your decorating is taking shape of course. But it immediately gave me that blast from the past moment of remembering when my kids used to do that and I couldn’t wait until they started school and what seems like has been a blink of my eye they are 30 days away from both being in elementary school together full time. Wowzas…enjoy the babbling made up words phase as long as you can because it really flies by.
My best, Lynn
Tara says
Sorry for your loss. Your Aunt sounds like an awesome person. Thoughts, prayers and hugs from Jersey your way.
Janette@The2Seasons says
I would love to see it with the artichoke lamps. Afterall, it is the dining room.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s true! I just love them in the bedroom. Maybe they’ll mate and give me two babies to keep in the bedroom…?
xo,
s
gemma@thesweetestdigs says
So sorry to hear about your aunt, Sherry. You have tons of people out there thinking of you and your family!
The buffet looks amazeballs. I can’t believe that find on craigslist… SO lucky (and totally worth the $150). I recently added a thrifted buffet in our pad too, one that I made over in a two-tone paint scheme: http://thesweetestdigs.com/2012/06/15/before-after-two-tone-dresser/
YoungHouseLove says
Looks awesome!
xo
s
Meggie Meyer says
Sherry and John,
Your house is so precious! I love the color of the walls right when you walk in, where you put the new buffet. It looks like a light blue, but when I looked at paint colors under your home tour it was a grayish color. Is it really gray or is it blue?
Thanks!
Meggie
YoungHouseLove says
It’s a soft gray color. It has a bit of a blue undertone but is much more gray than blue. Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Amelia @ House Pretty says
It’s crazy to me that you not only found such a beautiful buffet on craigslist, but that it’s the PERFECT colour for your dining room (I didn’t really realize it until I saw the photo with the curtains). Well done!
Erin says
I love the idea of the pineapple! That tradition comes from the colonial period, when Europeans would sail to the New World. The native people at some point realized that Europeans loved pineapple, so they would hold them up from shore to show that they had them and wanted to trade them for other objects. It’s often used during the Early Modern period in artwork as a symbol of friendship. (I’m an art history nerd.)xo
Ashley says
Hi! I was trying to look for the paint color on these walls and couldn’t find it. Is it a blue?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s Moonshine by Benjamin Moore (it’s a soft gray color that sometimes photographs looking a tiny bit blue).
xo
s
Liz says
This may just be hearsay, but I’ve been told that the reason pineapples are symbols of welcome is that sailors returning home brought them back from foreign ports, and they were placed by the gate to let the town know the sailors had returned.
In fishing/whaling towns in the northeast, it’s pretty common to see pineapples carved into the gates or stone whatsits by the front doors. So – for what it’s worth!
YoungHouseLove says
I love that! So charming.
xo,
sl
Pam the Goatherd says
I love the arrangement on the buffet. It looks fresh and fun and conveys the Petersik vibe. It seems to me that the naysayers who have commented above are trying to turn your decor into something more stuffy and less “you”. Don’t let ’em get you down! =)
For some reason this particular arrangement got me to thinking about dusting all the things you have sitting on shelves and all those picture frames in the hall. Perhaps it’s because your new buffet reminds me of my parents’ dining room furniture which I had to dust throughout my childhood/teen years. So I was wondering, what do you use to dust with to keep all your decor looking good? I am constantly battling dust in my home. It seems I can dust in the morning and need to dust again by the afternoon! I grew up using rags cut from old t-shirts and Pledge furniture polish, which worked just great for my mom who lives in South Florida, but not so well for me now that I’m living in Michigan and the air is dry, dry, dry. I’ve tried a couple different things but have yet to find anything that really works at keeping the dust away. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
YoungHouseLove says
I’m a huge fan of a big fluffy feather duster (it seems to grab dust without disturbing things like frames and nicknacks) but also love to occasionally pick everything up and wipe things down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. I don’t use furniture polish or dusting spray since the microfiber cloth seems to pull dust to it like a magnet without it. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Pam the Goatherd says
Thanks, Sherry. I’ve tried the feather duster, but our dust seems to be really gritty (probably a side effect of living in farm country)so the feathers just didn’t do the job. I was looking at the microfiber cloths when I was shopping the other day and wondered if they would be a good option. I think I’ll try it and see.
I’ve gone to using Old English Oil after dusting once a month to moisturize our wood furniture so it doesn’t dry out and crack in our extremely low humidity. (Not that I dust once a month. I do that weekly. I just moisturize once a month, as that seems to be the right balance of time to keep things looking good without overdoing it.)
Jessica Matthews says
That buffet is PHENOMENAL! Amazing! Wow! I mean, it is incredible! So cool… haha. What a great find…
(And I am totally with you on team-invisibility!)
Courtney says
We have a similar very long open wall entryway, but instead of having a dining table in the same room our entryway joins our living room. Do you think using a similar buffet along our long wall would look good or totally out of place? I just love the way it looks in your home!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I always love a buffet or console in an entryway if there’s room for it!
xo,
s
prayer says
That Is Special!
LILI says
Hi- you mentioned Calra’s hair never grows… this may sound crazy, but when I was 2 my dad took me with him to the barber. He sat me in a chair and had them shave my head. He then rushed to the store to get me a hat and I came home in what looked like a bonnet. I looked like a boy for a couple of months, but my hair grew and grew and grew. Had my hair to waist until I was 13 or so…
As a an adult, my husband told me his dad did the same to his sister and my best friend’s mom did the same to her!!! I am not sure if it is a cultural thing, but it worked! Just sayin’…
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds tempting, but I’m not sure we’re that brave quite yet. :)
-John