Loblolly Manor House Tour
When I think about how long we’ve actually worked on one of the tiniest houses we’ve ever lived in, I have such mixed emotions. My childhood home, Loblolly Manor was named for the decades old Live Oak trees as well as the rows of Loblolly Pines that dot the landscape. We moved around so many times as a military family and through it all, it was this house that always felt like home.
In September of 2014, my family started the renovation process. The house had to be brought down to the studs after a series of unfortunate events and poor choices made by former renters. Almost everything had to be replaced from floor to ceiling both interior and exterior. Given Loblolly is not my parents primary residence, the budget for the renovations was more in line with a retreat space than a home.
As with any renovation project, big ticket expenses come up and you have to make compromises. In the end we wound up doing the majority of the work ourselves. We sourced furniture and accessories from thrift stores, charity shops and antique malls. My dad built a lot of pieces for the house and we bought items from Pottery Barn too.
It’s been a lot of work. So. Much. Work. There’s still a lot of work to be done too. We’ve yet to start on the laundry room, someday there will be a pergola framing the patio and if my mom has her way there will be white painted cabinets in the kitchen. Through it all we’ve brought our best skills, gifts, time, talent and resources. We encouraged each other every step of the way even on the days we weren’t sure this house would ever be done. But giving up was never an option…not even for a second…
Welcome to Loblolly Manor…
The Dining Room
The room was definitely a team effort. My dad made the table and built the columns, I painted the buffet, my mom and I painted the chairs, my bestie S helped build the bench and I painted the chalk board. The smocked curtains are from Pottery Barn and the chandeliers are from Home Depot.
The Entry
For those of you that have been with me for a while, you may recognize the dresser we’re using as a drink station since it used to be in my breakfast area. The subway inspired poster is from IKEA.
Guest Bedroom One
The bed is a family heirloom. I painted the buffet we’re using as a dresser. All of the vintage European inspired artwork and accessories were picked up at antique malls and thrift shops.
Guest Bathroom
Guest Bedroom Two
I painted the headboard and the nightstand. The French typography pictures are from IKEA and the duvet is from TJ Maxx.
The Living Room
The accent chairs were painted with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. The Loblolly Bay sign was found at Renninger’s in Mount Dora. The white slipcovered couch was purchased from Pottery Barn. We made the coffee table from reclaimed wood found on my grandpa’s property.
The Kitchen
We’re all big coffee drinkers so I couldn’t imagine any of our homes without a coffee bar area. My dad built the kitchen island and painted it in Benjamin Moore Decorators White.
The Master Suite
My mom loves, loves, loves layers of bed linens. The way she makes the bed always makes me want to take a nap. I painted the old footlocker and dresser. My mom surprised my dad with the picture hanging above the desk. It’s the envelope to a letter my dad sent his parents when we was away at Basic Training. You can read our beginner’s guide to chair upholstery here.
So there you have it…2 years in the making. We’ve had a great time putting these spaces together and still laugh at all of the crazy things that have happened along the way!
I hope you guys all have a safe and happy holiday weekend. Team Crowned Goat is taking the next few days off which we’re all super excited about. Whatever you’re doing…beach, pool, lake, cabin, hanging out with friends and family, relaxing at home with a good book sipping something festive or eating apple pie – I hope you have so much fun!
We have a great week coming up next week so we’ll kick it off with our patriotic porch on Monday! Until then, I’ll see you on Facebook, Pinterest and on Instagram over the weekend.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Great Work! Love It! so cozy and creative. Happy 4th of July Coco
I appreciate it, Mary Beth! I hope you have an fun filled weekend too. Hugs, CoCo
The day I’ve been waiting for…Loblolly home tour!!!! Wow, wow, wow! It’s beautiful. Team Loblolly did a great job with the renovation. Thanks for sharing the journey with us. Hugs!!!
Thank you so much, Angie! You’ve been the best cheerleader throughout this process. We just have the laundry room to finish and we’re going to start on some things for the outside. It’s finally coming together. Hugs for an awesome weekend, CoCo
Coco, it’s beautiful! Everything you’ve done looks fantastic. I love all the decor, the colors you’ve chosen, the kitchen is so pretty…mostly I love that it was your home and you went back. Congratulations on having it done and feeling good. 🙂
Stacey, I really appreciate your kind comments thank you so much. I must admit there were times that I wondered if we were ever going to get this project finished but we kept at it and we’re so excited to be making fun family memories here. Sending you hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
WOW! we’ve looked over the pics in this post three times! The love for Loblolly shines through with all of the care that you have each taken to bring the house back from the studs to what it is today. The craftsmanship, design choices and finishes are just beautiful! You are a remarkably talented and loving family. May you all have a wonderful holiday!
Thanks for all of your support as we worked on this house for 2 years! It’s been so much fun and so much work all at the same time but it’s brought us closer together. I always say, magic happens when everyone brings their best gifts and that includes your encouragement. Big hugs, CoCo
COCO….. YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB !!!!! I LOVE YOUR WOOD FLOORS WHAT KIND OF WOOD ARE THEY AND WHAT COMPANY DID YOU PURCHASE FROM…… THANK YOU….
Thank you so much, Patricia, that’s so sweet of you to say. We purchased these floors from a company in Georgia called LM Flooring. The floors have a carriage house feel and they’re called Berkshire. Hope your weekend has been a fun one, CoCo
You guys did a beautiful job. It makes me want to come in and sit a spell with a good cup of coffee and a nice long visit.
Such a sweet compliment, Sally, thank you so much for your kind words. I hope your weekend is amazing, CoCo
I really loved everthing! Love your style and all the white. Sorry, I agree with you mom about painting all the kitchen cabinets white to match your island. I would also consider painting your fireplace white-ish/cream. I love white too, I mix shabby chic with formal. You’ve done a great job! Thanks for sharing all the beautiful pictures. You have great taste!
Thanks so much, Denise! We’ve definitely been working hard on bringing this home back from the studs. It’s been so much work and so much fun all at the same time. I’m with you and my mom – paint those kitchen cabinets white already…now if we can just get my dad on board 🙂 Have an awesome day, CoCo