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This past summer, I got the opportunity to tour one of the parade homes in the Utah Valley Parade of Homes with some of my blogging friends. We were invited by Osmond Designs to check out the house that they designed from top to bottom in Joanna Gaines new furniture line, Magnolia Home. You guys know how much I love me some Fixer Upper, so I was thrilled! Chip and Jo are my favorite!
I loved the parade home so much, I thought I’d give you a little tour right here on the blog along with a few tips for how you can incorporate the look in your own space.
I wish that I would have gotten a good pic of the outside, but since I didn’t, picture a nice sized porch complete with a large hanging swing and this beautiful big black door. When you come through the door, you enter the entry and find this darling bench and gorgeous wood floors.
I love the contrast of the black door with the rustic floor and Jo’s signature shiplap.
The bench was very fun and I liked that it had drawers for storing things like a dog leash, sunscreen, or winter scarves. If you don’t have a big entry, find a way to add storage to increase functionality and keep things tidy.
From the entry, you come into this beautiful great room.
The exposed beams are a dream and they accent the rustic floors perfectly. The tile on the fireplace is so fresh and unexpected. I wouldn’t have thought to put it with the floors but it goes beautifully! That rug, gorgeous I tell you. I also loved the caster detail on the tufted chairs. I haven’t seen that very often in new pieces and really liked it. The white washed cabinets on either side of the fireplace acted as built ins and I really liked that idea. Often times we don’t have the money or construction skills to put in nice built-ins so we go without, when a piece of furniture can give the same feel at a price point or skill level that we could be much more comfortable with.
Soft, muted colors throughout the parade home were soothing and created a peaceful feel.
Things were neutral without being all brown, black, and white which really spoke to me. I need color, and this home showed that you can have color and tranquility at the same time.
Leading to the master bedroom was this killer wood accent wall.
Such a cool and unexpected focal point!
Stained 2x4s stack on each other, who’d have thought? So cool!
I keep trying to figure out where I could put one of these in my home.
Speaking of fun accent walls, check out this brick one in the master bedroom.
White paint kept the brick from looking too busy, and the texture of the brick kept the white room from being boring.
There were so many interesting architectural details in the house, and it kept me fascinated. Maybe it’s because I grew up in the construction/home improvement business, but I love that kind of stuff. I seriously could not wait to see what was around the next corner.
Another unexpected accent was the industrial railing going down the stairs.
I never thought I’d love this style, but I totally loved it in this house! The black iron was really grounding yet unimposing. And, those wall sconces had me drooling. I need them ALL over my house. Love them!
Let’s move to the kitchen next.
When you’ve got dozens of bloggers running around snapping pics of a house it’s hard to catch a space with nobody in it, so sorry about the ladies in the pic. I’m sharing it anyway because I want you to see the view from the living area into the kitchen. That backsplash gives me all the heart eyes, you guys! This kitchen is so gorgeous! I wish I had better photos to show you because this one just doesn’t do the space justice.
Gorgeous, I tell you!
Glass pendant lights kept things feeling airy and I like how the pendant’s curved shape mirrored that of the large metal range hood. That thing was crazy cool! An all white kitchen can get blah for me, but the patterned tile and wood floors makes this kitchen anything but boring.
The owners have children with special needs so great little tweaks were made in construction to provide their family with functionality. The big island had a shorter sink and counter on the far side that will allow for little helpers to work along beside parents in the kitchen. There were ramps, larger door ways, and other accessibility adaptations throughout the home. I thought it was so amazing that the builder and designers were able to include these additions so seamlessly and beautifully. What this showed me is that with a little planning, a home can be completely functional and meet specific needs without giving up beauty in the process. Awesome!
Yes, I am obsessed with this black and white backsplash.
If only I could just move this whole thing right into my kitchen!
Sure beats my orange one… *sigh*
Isn’t that little homework/office nook fantastic!
You can be right there working where the family is but still be able to hide the mess behind those gorgeous barn doors when company comes. I am totally digging this idea. The industrial hardware on the doors keeps in with that industrial vibe of the stair railing and barstools.
You may be thinking that a barn door is way out of your price range, but you can buy a premade door and the hardware to hang it just about anywhere these days. Online retailers like Amazon, big box stores, and even a lot of local hardware stores carry everything you need to copy the sliding barn door look on your budget. You might be surprised!
Anyway, back to the dining room.
This simple place setting… um darling!
Right off the dining area was a pantry, mudroom, laundry, and a cute little powder room.
Being the daughter of a floor installer, I immediately had to take a pic of the fun tile floor in the laundry room! Hello color variation! Sorry y’all, I just can’t help myself. Pretty floors make me happy.
The grey grout will hide dirt and make it easier to keep looking clean.
The pretty tile went perfectly with the grey painted cabinets and butcher block counters. Brass cabinetry hardware kept the grey from looking cold. You guys, this look is so doable! Changing out knobs and pulls is easy and can give big impact without killing your cash.
I’ve been waiting for the perfect piece of furniture to try out this grey/brass combination on ever since I walked through this room.
The mudroom cubbies right off the garage door were cute and functional. Also something that could be replicated pretty inexpensively.
Things don’t have to be complicated to be beautiful. The shiplap adds interest, the double hooks in each cubby increase hanging storage space, and those colorful wire baskets could corral just about anything!
Here’s some decor details from this parade home that can be put to work on some level in any house…
Mirrors brighten and lighten spaces. The mirror on the stair well reflected light which helped things not feel dark. This weathered wood mirror in the basement bedroom not only brightened things up but was also a gorgeous focal piece. I can’t tell you how much I have coveted this mirror. I’ve got the perfect spot in my master bedroom for one! Wow, just beautiful!
Whether it’s a funky wallpaper, shiplap, or an cool accent wall, think beyond plain old paint.
I loved the tile in this home because it was fresh and unexpected.
People get caught up on tile, thinking that they can’t have fun with it but you can! When used in small doses or spaces, a flashy tile can add just the right amount of excitement. A backsplash, an accent strip in a shower, a fireplace surround, or a small bathroom floor can be changed out down the road when trends change without breaking the bank.
Now, don’t look at the grout work here, (This builder should have hired my family. Just saying!) focus on the cute minty green hex tile accent strip. Isn’t that adorable? I can see the owner’s personality here, and I love it. You don’t want to live in a cookie cutter, my friends! Your home should be a representation of who you are. If you love mint, like this cute lady, then have a little bit!
“But what about resale?”
Come on, y’all. It’s an accent strip. If buyers hate green, it can be changed and mind you, a whole lot easier/cheaper than changing a floor to ceiling mint green bathroom. Just remember, small doses. Less is more.
I learned a lot about texture looking through this home. Texture keeps neutrals from being dull.
It keeps the eye interested without a lot of color.
You can add texture through baskets, soft finishes like carpet and fabric, nubby throws, hard surfaces like wood floors and metal accents, etc. In this basement bedroom, the twisted shape of the lamps, the wood headboard, and the velvet bench all keep the eye happy.
On the main floor of this house, the hardwood floors and rough hewn beams are like eye candy!
We all know a Parade Home is going to be absolutely lovely and probably out of our price range. It’s easy to walk through then leave feeling less than but, if you walk through with an open mind you can leave inspired instead of discouraged. See what works and doesn’t work for you, what do you love, what do you not. Be willing to learn and you will!
There are so many decor ideas going on in this space that anyone could use as inspiration for their own decor. Design doesn’t have to be over the top or elaborate. I loved that this home felt simple, lived in, and collected. Can I afford everything here, hahaha! No.
But I can take a few things here and there to incorporate into my place.
This sign says it all.
Home should be our happy place.
If not, maybe it’s time to channel your inner JoJo and create it.
I believe in you.
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