The
hutch behind our sofa is also a family treasure. It was rotting away in
my great, great Grandma Graber's fruit cellar when my dad rescued it
and restored it as a wedding gift to my mom. I was so excited when they
gave it to me this year, and I am currently utilizing it to store my
fabric stash. Hopefully I'll have a grandchild to pass it on to some
day."
"Everyone thinks
we have the coolest couch in the world! And would you believe a friend
actually gave it to us? Have a seat on its sagging cushions, and you'll
believe it—it's prettier than it is comfortable. But I do love the
character it adds to our space! Back at our apartment we had it
arranged as a standard sofa,
but in this space, we figured out through trial and error of room
arrangements that a sectional was best for social interaction. We
haven't saved up the pennies for a new sectional sofa yet, so we
rearranged this two-piece sofa as a sectional for now. I don't love it
this way, because I think it looks out of balance without a corner
piece. And I really hate that the beautiful coffee table I made is
hidden. But we do what we can, and since debt-free living is important
to us, we'll probably live with this sofa for a couple more years before
we can get a new one and put the coffee table in the front so we can
finally prop up our feet again."
"Phil and I have
lived in this house for almost exactly one year and one month. We're
just now starting to figure out how we want to utilize the space, and
have compiled a list of things we'd like to buy and changes we'd like to
make. Since, as I mentioned before, we're doing it all debt-free, it's
going to be quite some time before we're able to do everything we want.
But the next project will probably involve changing up the flooring. I
don't mind the terrazzo. It's easy to clean, and in the summertime it
cools down our non-air-conditioned home. But I can't stop
envisioning little Lucy taking tumbles on the concrete when she's
learning how to walk or falling off the sofa and cracking her head! Not
good. We're considering sacrificing our dream for hardwood in exchange
for more affordable berber carpet with padding for the kiddos. We'll see
what we end up doing after we've saved enough money to realistically
make a decision."
Thank you so much, Mandi, for sharing your lovely home with us! You can see more of Mandi over at her blog Making Nice in the Midwest or her vintage shop Fine and Dandy. xo.




Beautiful http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lulu | February 22, 2013 at 02:10 PM
I love her style! http://www.flaircat.com
Posted by: Simone | February 22, 2013 at 02:35 PM
Mandi has a lovely home! I'm in love with the brick wall around the fireplace. I've never seen anything like it!
Posted by: Monica | February 22, 2013 at 02:35 PM
Oh wow, I love the color of the walls and that brick wall is so nice!
:)
Posted by: Alice | February 22, 2013 at 03:15 PM
The art work on her walls is so cool!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
Posted by: Jennifer | February 22, 2013 at 03:33 PM
I love love love the colorful rug, and that fireplace is something I have never seen before. Have you heard of Flor tile carpet before? That might be a easier solution than completely redoing the floor.
Posted by: Rachel | February 22, 2013 at 04:48 PM
This is such a beautiful space. I love how there is so much color yet it is still so fresh and not overwhelming. I love it!
Posted by: Kessler | February 22, 2013 at 04:49 PM
Mandi has such amazing personal style!!!! Her place is just lovely!
-Miranda
Posted by: miranda | February 22, 2013 at 05:10 PM
beautiful decor! i love the floors too...ahh the sacrafices to make for our children :)
Posted by: Diana | February 22, 2013 at 05:12 PM
I love the story behind the hutch. What a sweet treasure to have!
Posted by: sarah kate branine | February 22, 2013 at 06:02 PM
Impeccable style! I love the story about the blue stool from grandma http://beautifuldaysgoneby.wordpress.com/
~Steph
Posted by: Stephanie Gautam | February 22, 2013 at 06:10 PM
that 'ice cream art' would be
daaaaaangerous in my house!
cute!
xo - heather
http://ThisLifeIsYours.com/
Posted by: heather | February 22, 2013 at 06:10 PM
such a lovely home with a nice design!
i like how most furniture and things have an "old style" or "vintage" style, but the entire place still looks vibrant, fresh and modern!
Posted by: Connie | February 22, 2013 at 06:57 PM
Love the couch! Reminds me of these chairs.. They'd look so happy together. :)
www.etsy.com/listing/123246245
Posted by: Suzanne | February 22, 2013 at 07:09 PM
it looks lovely mandi!!
Posted by: liz | February 22, 2013 at 07:26 PM
So beautiful! I love her couches and the artwork; it's a very simple color story that is still fun! But seriously...those couches...couch envy...
Posted by: Otter Mei | February 22, 2013 at 07:36 PM
love the colors everywhere!
www.styleandshades.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rhoda Wong | February 22, 2013 at 09:06 PM
Such a pretty, pretty space! Love everything about this place!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Heather | February 22, 2013 at 09:23 PM
Oooh PLEASE dont change the floor! Babies take tumbles of course but an area rug would be extremely affordable and removable! I love the concrete floor! And that couch---eeek how amazing is that color! You guys are so blessed to have such a cute home!
http://thenewwittys.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Lynet Witty | February 22, 2013 at 09:39 PM
Oh, this is so sweet. Thank you for allowing us a peek into your beautiful home. I love the stories behind your furniture.
Posted by: Kate @ Songs Kate Sang | February 22, 2013 at 10:29 PM