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Houzz interview: Linda's Restyled Home (135 comments)

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Restyled Home  
Restyled Home  
Restyled Home  
Linda- Restyled Home
by potterybarn.com
Linda's charming coastal Nova Scotia home caught our eyes when we found the beautiful photos of her daughter's playhouse that she uploaded to houzz.
Many of you had already discovered this amazing playhouse and saved its photos in your ideabooks. Since the rest of the house is as beautiful as the playhouse, we knew we must share it with you.
Linda is a talented home decorator and a writer, who has a very unique design style which she shares in her inspiring blog restyled home.
She likes shopping in flea markets, thrift shops, and antique shops for vintage pieces and has done a wonderful job displaying these treasures around her house.
We love the little details in every single room and are very happy to have Linda with us today to share her story and tips.

Please tell us about your "first meeting" with your house to be

The house I live in is the first house that has ever felt like home. We have moved a lot over the years, and while I have loved something about each one, this is the one that I feel that sigh of contentment with as I walk in the door. Mind you, it is not my dream home. In fact, we had never really planned to stay in this one, rather, we had planned to sell it and move on rather quickly. We settled in, however, and continue to add character and detail to our home and are entering our fifth year in it. A real commitment! It is a perfect example of not needing everything you ever wanted to be happy and content.

The first step of your remodeling process

Having built this house from scratch, our challenge was not remodelling but adding warmth and character to a new build on a modest budget. I am fortunate that my husband is very skilled in carpentry, so I think up the projects and he does the execution - though I have no problem with pitching in and getting my hands dirty! I have painted every set of kitchen cabinets in our homes, painted every stick of trim, and have taken care of the fine details that make our home real reflections of us.

The biggest renovation challenge you faced

Definitely our pool area. Because we had never installed one (ours is an above-ground model), it became the first time we have ever hired out something we could technically have done on our own. Still, we built the large two-level deck around it, built a pretty change area, and used creative alternatives to some of the higher end finishes some pool owners include. Our bar area is a piece made from old barn wood that I picked up at a yard sale, and I found the decorative items at flea markets, HomeGoods, and repurposed everything else. We also have plans to rig up some sort of outdoor shower.

Your favorite style and colors

I don’t know what the experts would say, but I like to label my style as pretty, which I know is not a very technical term. Still, it fits, I think. I can’t grab the shabby chic label, as I am not inclined to have as much “pouf” as shabby chic tends to encompass. I like a cleaner, more pure aesthetic, but with a focus on adding pretty details like soft colours - made more serious with touches of weathered wood and hits of black. I like the whimsy of adding in more modern lighting and, if I could afford it, would have a bit more streamlined furniture…but you’d still find details like ruffles, pompom fringe, and vintage florals on the pillows and bedding! As for colours, I am drawn to fresh, cool colour: watery blues, soft grays, beiges, and my favourite, robin’s egg blue. My go-to colour to make me feel calm is Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage. I also love Flik & Company blue, which I discovered while on a trip to the Toronto shop of the same name.

A spot in your house that makes you very happy

I love my kitchen! I love that I took the leap and painted the cabinets a soft, fresh blue-grey (definitely not baby blue!). We incorporated as many nods to vintage style as we could afford: school house lighting, open shelving to display my favourite dishware, and our cabinet hardware, faucet, and backsplash are vintage-inspired. Still, it is not a kitchen you would find in an old home. I think we have struck a good balance of old and new.

Your precious accessory/furniture/art

I have several things that I hold dear to my heart, and most are furniture pieces my husband made for us. The first would have to be my kitchen island which he built for me for our tenth anniversary. I asked him to build it with an old-fashioned candy counter in mind and he obliged. It is black at the moment, but I will probably paint it if and when we move again. I also love that each of us sleep in beds he has made which, as a young family starting out, was a huge help. Some of my lighting choices also make me very happy. I am a real sucker for great lighting, so a trip to a lighting shop is always a thrill!

Your next house project

I am growing restless with my basement family room and want to brighten it up and make it look more my style. I am envisioning new colour, slipcovers, and a way to address long walls without making it look like a photo gallery. It is definitely on my list of things to do this winter!

5 things that houzz readers need to know about you and your blog

1. I blog about a little of everything, with an obvious emphasis on decorative style. Still, my blog can also be a journal of sorts, and helps compensate for my poor memory.
2. I blog often and enjoy the creative outlet.
3. The most frequently asked question from readers is “what blues do you use in your home?”
4. I believe in using my blog to feature others whose talent inspires me. The online community is a place where others share their idea so willingly, so I believe that when you come across a truly brilliant idea, you should give credit where credit is due. I also believe in blogrolls. Linking to others is a beautiful thing, because no one grows their blog without the support of others!
5. My blog has opened up doors and opportunities that would not have been possible without it! I have connected with talented people from across the globe who I have learned from, shared a part of myself with, and who have been supportive of me in a way that inspired me to keep moving forward. I am more fulfilled creatively, and my career has segued into a direction I never imagined possible.

Best tip for the remodeling beginner

Get the colour right! Apply colour to your walls that makes you happy. Take cues from your wardrobe. If you are drawn to bold colour or, alternatively, softer hues, take note. You will probably enjoy similar shades in your home. Just don’t get locked in to a colour scheme. If an object or fabric calls your name, you will probably be able to incorporate it if you truly love it. Work with a colour palette that makes you happy, and have fun creating a home that you love.

Last but not least: as a houzz friend, Linda has chosen a Pottery Barn giveaway gift card to one of the lucky readers that will share their thoughts about her house and interview..

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home Linda!.

For your chance to win a $50 Pottery Barn gift card, comment on this interview by Sunday, November 1st, at 5pm EST..

comments

star_dust says:
Wow- the playhouse is gorgeous! You little girl is very lucky!!!
I like the rest of the house too.
donajohns says:
Beautiful- I love it! Great interview.
cosi says:
what a lovely and inviting space!
bsabourin says:
What a sweet home!! I got a ton of ideas for my little rambler home. Thanks for the post!
brockey says:
Love the playhouse
wendykv says:
I have enjoyed Linda and her blog, Restyled Home for quite some time. It was so fun to read about her and see all the photos again. She is very inspiring and warm to her readers. And I LOVE her style. Ü
I love the use of the pastel colors in the main living area. Such a fresh look
leighbra says:
You've got style! I am off to add as a follower to your blog. Come see me sometime.
sjbowers says:
Love the color choices!
I have been a HUGE fan of the Restyled Home for a while now. I love to examine every detail in her pics. LOVE it!
I couldn't be more thrilled to be featured here!! I love Houzz, and the fact that everyone can share their great ideas and beautiful spaces for us all to see. Thanks you for featuring me and I can't wait to check out everyone else's photos and blogs!
Thanks Adi!!
always fun to find another inspiring blog!
justinef says:
I am a faithful blog follower! Adorable!! =)
marty says:
Her home is truly wonderful and so many fabulous decorating ideas. I find inspiration everytime I view her blog. Thanks so much for show casing her. Hugs, Marty
what a great site!~ Love the pictures of the kitchen and the bench with the pop of red in the curtains! Thanks for helping me find this site!
heathersp says:
I have enjoyed her blog for months now. Such great and accessible design ideas!
I adore your color scheme! The kitchen is my absolute favorite - it looks like such a soft and happy place.
I am a HUGE fan! Can't get enough of her inspiration...keep it coming...I have lots of rooms in this house to finish! ;o) ~mary~
dhdesigns says:
I love Linda's style and her fresh colour scheme.
Linda is one of my favorite bloggers! Her spaces are so pretty, fresh, and inviting. Thanks for featuring her great blog! :)
I just love Linda's blog. I get so excited when I see a new post. I just can't wait to see what she has done.
cindyp says:
I've been a follower of Linda's for quite a while. I just love her kitchen....that's what pulled me in!! Perfect person to be featured! And thank you Linda for introducing me to Houzz......gotta go explore!!
lgsmith09 says:
I just discovered Restyled Home not long ago, and am in love. Her style is so fresh and welcoming. Thanks so much!!
Cozy and fresh at the same time! Well done.
ncresser says:
Wow. What an amazing home. And the playhouse - adorable!
52flea says:
love her blog....wonderful ideas!
sara1972 says:
What a beautiful home. Thanks for sharing!
autum says:
Beautiful! I especially love the kitchen. Linda's style is so welcoming.
dana29 says:
Thanks for introducing us to another inspiring blog. Great interview!
sarahj says:
I have always wanted a playhouse just like the one you have done... so cute and a great place for little girls to visit and share their imagination!! I am excited to be able to use her inspiration when I finally have one for my 2 girls. Thanks for sharing!
aprilg says:
Loving that kitchen, thanks for all the ideas!
muchwisor says:
So cute! Completely opposite from my own style, but beautifully done. Thanks for sharing!
Linda is so awesome! I'm so glad you paid tribute to her over here.
posey says:
Wow Linda! Your house is gorgeous! The kitchen is great!
A long-time fan!
malka16 says:
Absolutely LOVE the playhouse - what a lucky little girl!
I lOVE all the aqua in her home...so tranquil! Cute playhouse, too!!
I want to move in! Love the colors...
gidget396 says:
I love Linda and her blog! Her use of calming colors inspires me and I love the way she lifts her fellow bloggers up!
Stunning! What a great interview. Thank you!
emchasse says:
Absolutely dreamy! I don't know which place I envy more- your beautiful home or that charming playhouse! Fantastic work.
Super cute! I love the pool house!
xxx kim
smstock says:
lovely!
Very serene and pretty. I love the robin egg blue shade. Fab style!
LOVE it! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us. Off to check out your blog...
sonicgal says:
Lovely home. Love your blog!
I love all the little details in your home! Simple but beautiful....and fun! :-)
so so wonderful to see 'our' linda mentioned here on houzz! What a great combination! You pick such fabulous features & this is certainly no exception! To glean such ideas and inspiration from all the pictures in one location - GREAT!!
One of my favorite blog!
Linda's decorating style is more than mere "pretty". Her style is inspiring to the point that I visit her blog daily,just to get more great ideas....but moreso to sooth my eyes with the lovely object scapes she creates.I live in the same maritime town as Linda and am building my home right now. Her site has inspired me on many levels and I just can't wait to execute many of my own ideas that her ideas have given me confidence to try.I'm going for vintage retro this time. ......hmmm Linda.....can I entice you to come browse after I've settled in ?
Michelle
ctervort says:
I love the peaceful tranquil feel of her home. wish my daughter could have a playhouse like that.
pwalter says:
Every room in this home is very restful and inviting; simple yet elegant. Going to her blog has given my many great ideas and spurred me on to do some restyling around my house!
I love how fresh and restful her home is - It is inspiration that I hope we can use to at the house we are hopefully soon buying!!
Linda not only has a beautiful and inspiring home, her blog is such a delight to read too! I am so happy she has been featured here, and that she is a part of the Flea Market Style team!

Layla
amandajo says:
I love Linda's blog! I check it everyday. I love the fresh and breezy feel of her home. Its inspired me to paint my kitchen blue.
avia1976 says:
I absolutely love her style and taste. I've just added her blog to my blogroll!
What a beautiful home. Great ideas I've followed your blog for awhile and always come away inspired! Thanks!
What a beautiful home. Great ideas I've followed your blog for awhile and always come away inspired! Thanks!
Love the Robin's Egg Blue too! Thanks for sharing:)
Love Linda's style and her home exudes warmth.

Renee @ Cottage Lifestyle
cecoakley says:
The playhouse is fabulous!! I would have loved something like that when I was little. and the kitchen colors are great. I have never seen anything like it!
Your home is beautiful. I love the white dining room set. I just painted mine black and it was quite the chore, so I admire anyone who has painted furniture :)
I love Linda & Restyled Home. Her color choices are yummy. Like Linda, I also live in a new build and I find inspiration in Linda making her home her own.
Stephanie
I JUST WANT TO REDO MY ENTIRE HOUSE AFTER LOOKING THROUGH HER HOME!

I'M ALL GUN-HO AND INSPIRED NOW. THANK YOU!

WWW.GYPSYLEMONADE.BLOGSPOT.COM
Gorgeous! I love it all. We have a similar playhouse that doesn't get any use that I am now inspired to redo. What a perfect getaway for a lucky little girl.
samij says:
Love her site! Linda has the talent of finding and making things that are pleasing to the eye, easy on the budget and within the scope of DIY. Yet, it is her style and creativity that makes the items and decor of her home special -- they are approachable and welcoming.
kozakr says:
Lovely playhouse, makes me feel like I better get ours decorated soon. It is a blank canvas at the moment!
I love Restyled home I first happened upon it through the playhouse picture. I think even as a grown woman I still want to dress up my own "playhouse" full of inspiring ideas! Thanks for the feature.
bettyann says:
I love Linda's blog..she is sweet and fresh...
olivialw says:
What an adorable home! I love her blog!
leanneja says:
I love Linda's blog. She has ideas that inspire me to change and update a few things in my own home. I love her style and everything always looks so fresh and clean. Her blog is wonderful to read and look at.
kmcnich says:
I want a play house!!!! Wouldn't it be cool to have an adult playhouse...I can see it now....
cnlisa says:
I LOVE her blog AND her home sweet home!! Every room is incredible. This was very enjoyable to read and see!
My favourite part of this post was the comment that Linda made..."this house is a perfect example of not needing everything you ever wanted to be happy and content." I love your blog and your home...very inspiring and real! Thanks for sharing!
betty819 says:
Your home is unique in so many ways. I love the playhouse; your daughter must love it too! How could any girl not love it? You certainly are not afraid of color but your choices of soft colors tells me that you like comfort, serenity and a peaceful life. That pool house is adorable and practical. Your husband is very talented with his execution of carpentry skills and design. Where did you find the sign for the playhouse "Giggles?" Let me guess, your husband made that too! Thanks for sharing all of this with us readers.
carolynh says:
Thank you for showcasing Linda's beautiful home. Makes me want to change my whole house to blue and white! I will definitely be adding silver sage to my idea file. It would be remiss not to acknowledge your husband's fantastic carpentry skills. You obviously make a great team.
myflsun says:
Oh my! Up until now, I've only seen bits and pieces of your home. It's gorgeous! I love it all! Can I come live with you???? I'll even stay in the playhouse!
Hi Linda, great interview! The pictures of your home look great!
~Michelle
I so need to add some turquoise to my house. Thanks for sharing.
keylime says:
Such a cute home! I love all the little cottage-y details!
clionne says:
love the light fresh look of this house!
I love Linda's home. Always inspiriational.
katielady says:
I love your laundry room. I agree, your style is very pretty;)
stefanie says:
The skirt you put on your wicker setee is such a cute idea! Actually, I follow your blog and LOVE it!
loui says:
Love the carefree coastal decorating style!
especially the white dining table and chairs!
My almost 5 year old niece Hannah and I both love your daughter's playhouse. It is adorable.
melanienc says:
You've inspired me! My new favorite color combo is now pale blue and red!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents!

Melanie

Melanie
Beautiful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
shellyvb says:
I added the whole collection to my idea book! I love every bit of it. Quite simply - gorgeous.
tamitan says:
Gorgeous home and the playhouse is STUNNING!
Great looks.....great colors.....great everything!!
yofitz says:
the light colours really give the house a nice feel. That light blue in the kitchen makes it feel inviting and familiar. I really like the informal atmosphere created.
aahcoffee says:
I read her site every day! Isn't she fantastic?!?
tsoave says:
Love, love, love her style! Wish a had a twinkling of her talent.
catzson says:
I love the colors she used in her house....very fresh and light!! ahhhh
luluco says:
Great interview, I love her style, how her home is so clean, fresh, and pretty!! thanks for featuring such a well deserved blogger!
LuLu
Wonderful interview, I love the pool area!
I'm a follower of Linda's blog already and I love her style. Everything is beautiful!
misty says:
BeeeaaauuuutiFUL!
I am so humbled by all the kind things everyone has said. You are all too kind and generous with your compliments. This is why I love the blogging community: everyone shares their ideas willingly and is supportive of each other's efforts. It's amazing, really!
debbiedo says:
love Linda's site, and visit often. so glad to have found yours!
I am happy to see Linda's home featured here. I have been a follower of hers for almost two years and have been away for a while. What I like most about her style is simplicity and creativity. I like the cool, calming colors she uses. And when she decides to be bold, yes, it still has that pretty look! She is quite inspiring to me, this is why I am a follower.

I am grateful to her, you, and all those who blog about their home and decorating - it certainly helps me focus on the good things and making our new home, "home" during our family's downsizing. Thank you Linda for the Pottery Barn giveaway. It will make any one happy!
bgriff says:
Love your home -- especially the mudrom! I want a mudroom like that someday. I also love your blog because you highlight not only your own projects but other's ideas as well.
Love your home. Gave me some ideas for my home especially my laundry room.
emilyg says:
I've been following Linda's blog for a couple of years so it was nice to get a fresh perspective on her decorating and style. Her attention to low cost decorating and simplicity is cherished. Reading about her life as a mum and the everyday life of her kids and husband is just icing on the cake.
tess says:
Love the colors and the clean look. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful home! Congrats on the feature!
deeannas says:
Love her blog for ideas and inspiration. Oh btw today (10-26) is my birthday so a Pottery Barn Giftcard would be a lovely gift!
I adore Linda's style. The beauty of it is that anyone can obtain it through a bit of goodwill hunting and elbow grease.
kasmlc says:
I love everything about this house!!! It's fabulicious!!
karen1974 says:
Gorgeous place.
justfee says:
I adore! Lovely, lovely, lovely.
debele says:
Linda's house is just wonderful. Love all the treasures she finds. I never find the good stuff!
lmc212 says:
So inspiring...if my house looked like that, I'd never need to go away on vacation!
What a beautiful home! And the playhouse! oh! Love it!
When can I move in? That reading nook with the chandelier looks like the perfect spot for a nap.
Love the colors you use. Love your style...pretty, I agree. It's often hard to fit into one of the categories decorators use. My house is sort of shabby cottage. Definitely no pouf. Thanks for sharing so much about you and your home.
Great interview.
lindad says:
I love every single space here. Fabulous.
I love this house. All of that great robins egg blue....one of my fav colors.
I love this -gorgeous!!
kyochiyo says:
It's really gorgeous :D
chie says:
Been following Linda's project awhile and she really rocks. I got a courage to remodel our cubby house that turned to be a guest house, thanks to the motivation from her. I love her home too. Lots of ideas.

Am still keeping an eye of her projects and it might be apply at home, one beautiful day.

Have a great mid-week!
luckyaces says:
I love your daughter's playhouse. I fully believe that kid's areas can still be eye appealing to adults also. Great job on all of your projects!!
I have followed Linda's blog for a long time! she pours so much love into her home....it is so beautiful! can't get enough of it!
I have followed Linda's blog for a long time! she pours so much love into her home....it is so beautiful! can't get enough of it!
I have followed Linda's blog for a long time! she pours so much love into her home....it is so beautiful! can't get enough of it!
joyh82 says:
I follow Linda's blog too and just love every aspect of her decorating style and home.
court7 says:
This is one of the coolest houses I have seen. I LOVe the girl's playhouse.
I love Linda's blog and of course the playhouse is amazing. My favourite part is the kitchen, I love the mixture of black and white cabinets. It is so nice to see some of my favourite blogs being featured here. Great interview!
alliebean says:
Love the kitchen in this especially. Great style!
I've been following Linda blog for probably a year now. I her style
The kid's house is just too cute for words!!
kharndt says:
A longtime reader of your blog; love your style! And Houzz--what a great idea! I'm helping a friend with a kitchen remodel and building her a portfolio on Houzz!!!
adi_t says:
Thank you everyone.
The lucky winner of the $50 Pottery Barn gift certificate is 4girls1boy!
Congratulations and thanks again Linda, for letting us peek into your beautiful home.
would you like to comment?

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