Update on Loblolly Manor

We’re back with another update on Loblolly Manor!

It’s been a huge honor to work alongside my parents this summer to make my childhood home feel like a retreat space for our family.

Thank you to everyone who has been cheering us on. 

It means the world!

Loblolly is actually one of the smallest houses we’ve ever lived in. But it’s where our family’s biggest dreams were cultivated.

Small Town Naivete…

When we first set out to refresh and update Loblolly this summer, I naively thought we’d be able to spend several weeks at a time painting, decorating, and treasure hunting.

But the first week we were there, we quickly realized that wouldn’t be possible. There are just too many items we need that were not available in our tiny hometown. 

There is no Starbucks, movie theater, shopping mall, or Target.

The cute little antique stores are only open a few days a week and the thrift store shopping is hit or miss at best.

While we’ve had Amazon to help fill in the gaps for home décor basics, we’re now looking for unique finds that only a big city shopping experience can offer.

Here’s the most recent update on Loblolly, including changes in the entry…again…

Update on Loblolly: My Sister’s Bedroom…

Recently we went to work on my sister’s bedrooms, our bathroom, my parent’s bathroom, and to troubleshoot some hiccups in my bedroom.

We’ve been moving things around from one room to another to make things feel fresh but also to keep the updates on Loblolly as budget-friendly as possible.

A few weeks ago, I would have sworn we were finished with the entry. 

In fact, I shared an entire post about the updates in the entry. Including a pure white and French linen painted buffet and a three-drawer dresser.  

But the artwork my Mom had originally planned to use in my sister’s room didn’t work out and that sent us shopping the house.

We finally decided to use the IKEA prints that were in the entry above their nightstands, and they look so much better there.

I don’t have any good photos yet but you can see a quick phone shot here.

We also decided to move the three-drawer dresser that was in the entry into their bedroom as well.

My Mom found a gorgeous antique gold mirror, it clashed with the European Oak top I painted a few weeks ago though.

So, I dry brushed Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen on the top of the dresser and left the bottom white.

Once we got my sister’s bedroom in order, we turned our attention back to the entry.

Changes in the Entry…Again…

This is the piece of artwork we were originally going to use above my sister’s nightstands. The colors were too distracting in their room, but I think it looks great in the entry.

On the other side of the entry, I painted an antique armoire in French Linen. It completely changed the look of that side and my Mom is excited about the way it came together.

I’ll share more about that piece soon! 

Dining Room Update on Loblolly…

Adjacent to the entry is the dining room.

While it mostly stayed the same save for adding the ruffled shams to the painted bench, I repainted the chalkboard again.

A few weeks ago, I painted it white but it faded into the wall.

At first, I tried Valspar’s Faint Maple thinking it would do the trick.

But the black and tan did not look good at all.

So, I painted it in a custom gray mix.

The third time was the charm, I guess because my Mom immediately loved it this way.

Changes in the Primary Bedroom and Bathroom…

Despite planning to stick to a strict color palette of grays, whites, and camels for almost a year, my Mom took one look at these pink chairs and totally fell in love.

Naturally, it changed our entire vision for the space and we found ourselves having to reconsider everything from wall art to linens to lamps.

Speaking of which, here’s a sneak peek of the headboard and nightstand I painted while I was there.

More to come on those projects as well.

Finally, while my Dad was in town he hung the new towel rack for the primary bathroom. It’s new but has the old feel we adore.

The kitchen and the living room are the last 2 rooms that need to be painted and then we’ll be able to focus on decorating and details.  

We still need to work on my room, our bathroom, and the primary bedroom.

We’re also hoping to switch out the small chandelier that’s currently in my sisters’ room for a bigger one.

Little by little we’re getting there.

How are your projects coming along this season?

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo