02 April 2013

. . . just like gramma's house . . .

. . . i felt like i was following
 the beverly hillbillies . . .
{cue banjo music}


. . . and then the clampetts 
pulled up and stopped 
in front of my house . . .
. . . with two sofas . . .
. . . two wingback chairs . . .
. . . and a refrigerator . . .

 {tyler, austin, and brent are the buffest/best sports!}

. . . living room before . . .


. . . living room after . . .


back story: about fourteen years ago,  her children talked my dear mother-in-law into moving from her home at the biltmore in phoenix to the east valley, where most of us live. bill found a lovely patio home in val vista lakes, which she snatched right up. then, she asked if i would decorate it for her before she moved in. she asked for a competely different style than her phoenix home, which was sleek and modern and spectacular with lots of chrome and glass and red ~ everything my father-in-law had loved. but, as a widow, she wanted soft and tradititional and feminine and floral and wallpaper and purple in her new digs. her budget was, let's say, verrrrry generous. she wrote me a big check and said, "let me know when it's finished." how fun is that? i had a great time choosing flooring and shutters and bedding and furniture and art and everything. who gets to do that all at once? i had a fabulous time spending her money! fast forward to january of this year, when she passed away. there's a lot of stuff to deal with. who knew we'd end up with the living room furniture i'd chosen for her all those years ago? yes, it's really flowery {and purple isn't my favorite . . .} but i think of her and smile every time i walk past this room. maybe someday we'll reupholster these pieces because heaven knows they'll last forever. {we were also lucky enough to inherit that original oil painting of her. the artist is our good friend, allen garns.}


7 comments:

Nedra said...

It's beautiful Steph. The old adage of what goes around, comes around (or back around in this case) is true on many levels. and love the Minerva Teichert painting, too.

RoeH said...

I love that room! And those couches really much. I've always loved two identical sofas facing each other somewhere in my house. So far it hasn't happened.

Bill said...

I really miss my mom...this room doesn't help. I am grateful to have a talented wife. I was never blessed with design abilities.

cheryl said...

Reading this post made me a bit emotional...it is so sweet! I'm sure it makes it a little hard on Bill but in time it will help him not miss her so much & actually feel closer to her. When my mom passed away almost 8 years ago...we inherited a large amount of money {my dad passed away in 1990}& my sweet husband said I could do anything I wanted with it {little did he know I would actually spend it...prob a little to his dismay} So I finally furnished our LR & also bought a baby grand PLAYER piano...one that my dad always wanted. He loved piano music & my mom was a great pianist & topped it off with Greg Olsen's "Awesome Wonder" painting cuz it reminded me of the many summers my family spent in the mountains. I LOVE my LR becuz it makes me think of my parents every day. I call it "their room" & it makes me feel so much gratitude. I'm sure this room does the same thing for you...isn't it the best feeling? {p.s. sooo sorry for this long novel}

Shellene said...

I love it. I think it breaks up the monotones. That is such a fun story. Where was I? I don't remember that shopping spree. What a fun task she honored you with. I loved Bill's mom. She was a classy woman. So fun to have her reminder in your house now forever.

chris+amber said...

I really do love walking pass "The Purple Living Room" or "Gramma's Room". I really miss her.

Peg and Parker said...

The purple is awesome and the floral is lovely, but the wonderful painting of her is the sweetest part. So glad that you got to have a bit of her near. Sweet post!