• Home
  • Contact Me
  • Policies

Housepitality Designs

it's all about the hospitable home

November 2, 2017 By Shirley

It’s All In The Details

When we were building our home, I told my builder that I was all about the details.

What I meant about the details was that I wanted a great amount of trim work,

architectural details . . . without breaking the bank . . . was that possible?

What makes a house shine with its own piece of jewelry, is the details. . .

that scarf around your neck, the earrings that frame your face . . .

It’s all in the details.

Great Room-Housepitality Designs

Each door, doorway and french door has wonderful trim

that enhances the doors and also the view beyond.

Like a artist’s frame around a painting.

Great Room-Housepitality Designs

I really wanted large beams to adorn the ceiling;

however, it was too cost prohibitive at the time,

so we settled for a low profile coffered ceiling treatment and love it.

While we are on the subject of windows,

you may have noticed the arched window beside the foyer area in the above image.

Master Bathroom-Housepitality Designs

Every window with an arch is fully trimmed out

again, so that the window can stand alone as its own architectural focal point.

Only blinds or plantation shutters are used for privacy.

Guest Room-Housepitality Designs

The guest room has simple drapes pulled tightly to each side of the doors/windows

so that you can focus on the french doors/windows and what is beyond.

Every room has substantial crown molding.

Master Bathroom vanity-Housepitality Designs

Speaking of crown molding. . . .

When they installed the vanity and linen cabinets in the master bathroom

it looked a little disjointed to me. I had to stand back and figure out

just what was bothering me. It was the blank space between the linen cabinets

and the vanity. I needed something to tie it all together.

So I had the cabinet maker add crown molding above the vanity to make it more cohesive

and it worked. My builder also gave it the thumbs up!

Bonus Room-Housepitality Designs

Back on the subject of windows …. when you have dormer windows,

window seats are a must. These window seats are hinged for great storage.

The best detail in the room would have to be the wainscoting to match the pool table.

Bonus room wainscoting-Housepitality Designs

My builder is known for his ceiling details…as in the master bedroom . . .

Master Bedroom-Housepitality Designs

and here in the media room . . .

Media Room-Housepitality Designs

We knew that there would be a TV over the fireplace.

It is tucked into the wall above the mantel and was framed out.

I think the next TV will have that mirror effect when it is not in use.

Have you seen those? They had one in the HGTV Smart Home that I toured a couple of years ago.

Media Room-Housepitality Designs

I love having various window designs in my home . . .

like this oval window. There are 4 of them in this house.

One in my “pot-tay” room in the master bathroom, one in the laundry room (below)

one in the bonus room and one believe it or not, in the garage.

Laundry Room-Housepitality Designs

One concern of mine when we were building this house,

was that I planned for the sconces for each room and hallway.

I so remembered in past homes how pricey it could be

to have an electrician come in after the fact to install wiring for a sconce.

Master bedroom hallway-Housepitality Designs

This is the hallway that leads to the master bedroom from the master bathroom.

If you looked the other way you would see these sconces

and the sconces in the bathroom in one view.

Now lets talk columns.

I am not a fan of corners . . . plain dry wall corners.

I told my builder that I wanted every corner in the main living area wrapped with fluted columns.

Kitchen-Housepitality Designs

This view from the dining room into the kitchen area shows the many columns

that wrap each corner of the room.

Great Room/Dining Room-Housepitality Designs

I was very nervous during the days that all the trim work was being done,

as we were out of town and I was not there to “supervise” it.

My builder said, trust me, you will love it.

When we came back we immediately went to the house and he was right . . . we loved it.

He did all the things I wanted and more!

We met our builder over 13 years ago. We were impressed by the homes that he

built and loved his personality and wit. He will build our next home ~ ~ one day soon I hope!

Rear view of house-Housepitality Designs

My hubby is also very much into details . . .

All of the garden beds are bordered with either stone or brick.

And let’s not even talk about his garage!

The floors of the porches all have brick paver floors.

Front porch-Housepitality Designs

I have started a new “house plan book” filled with torn out pages from magazines,

and lots of notes!! For example, place all electrical outlets in the baseboard!

Minimize dry wall . . . outdoor fireplace . . . a greenhouse . . . want much?!! . . . Nah!

I think that no matter what the size of home, very small to very large,

it’s the beautiful details that count.

While on the subject of details . . . I have started “detailing” the house for the Holidays.

Have to get a head start for many reasons.

One tree down, two to go.

Sunroom Tree-Housepitality Designs

Have a beautiful day filled with the pretty details of life!

Note: All room images are courtesy of Laura of ShowSpaces Photography of Chapel Hill.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: architectural details, guest room, Home Tour, kitchen, Master bedroom, media room, window treatment, windows 31 Comments

Previous Post: « Elegance and Style
Next Post: How To Easily and Inexpensively Flock A Christmas Tree »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Calypso in the Country says

    November 2, 2017 at 7:54 am

    I always love seeing your beautiful home! You really do have some gorgeous details. I never thought of the plain drywall corners. I actually just walked around my house to see if we had any! My floor plan isn’t as open as yours so we just have a couple small corners but they don’t stick out far so they aren’t noticeable. I just love the color of your master bedroom…I think I have probably told you that before! Thanks for the tour!
    Shelley

    Reply
  2. Liz @ HOme and Gardening With Liz says

    November 2, 2017 at 8:03 am

    All your details certainly made a big difference! Your master bedroom always impressed me so much- the ceiling is amazing. It’s smart to have the details known up front as you’ve mentioned- it always costs more to do them later. Have fun decorating the trees!

    Reply
  3. Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things says

    November 2, 2017 at 8:31 am

    All of the details in your house are beautiful! It is good to have a builder you really like, so when you build your next house you know it will be done right!

    Reply
  4. Linda says

    November 2, 2017 at 8:40 am

    Soooooooo beautiful

    Reply
  5. Sandra @ Maison De Jardin says

    November 2, 2017 at 9:07 am

    Shirley: Beautiful home with gorgeous details. I agree, the details are certainly what adds charm, warmth, and character to a home. It was interesting to me to see on the list for your new home was, “place electrical outlets in the baseboards.” Our home, built in 1939 has all the electrical outlets in the baseboards all throughout the house. I had never thought about what a nice difference this is – something I took for granted.

    Reply
    • April Edwards says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:42 pm

      Sandra and Shirley, please share why this is a desirable thing. I really don’t get the reason. And I drool every time I look at puctures of your home, Shirley. Just gorgeous. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Shirley says

        November 2, 2017 at 5:13 pm

        April…for me, it is basically for aesthetics.

        Reply
  6. Robyn Henningsen says

    November 2, 2017 at 9:24 am

    I love your home and all it’s wonderful details!

    Reply
  7. Donnamae says

    November 2, 2017 at 9:43 am

    You are right…it is all in the details! I love all your window and door trim….it really enhances your home! 😉

    Reply
  8. FrenchGardenHouse says

    November 2, 2017 at 10:03 am

    Your details are beautiful, Shirley. It’s what makes your home truly spectacular, but it’s your personal attention to details that makes it that so many of us love you. Your home merely exemplifies your personality, you care about the small thing in your friend’s lives, and pay attention to those. xo Lidy

    Reply
  9. SHARON says

    November 2, 2017 at 10:21 am

    Your home is breathtaking. The details are amazing. I need to save this post for future reference. Knowing that you are using the same builder makes me excited to see your next home.

    Reply
  10. Alice Genzlinger says

    November 2, 2017 at 10:26 am

    Whew! I’m tired from just reading how much you do to make your home so beautiful. Looking forward to seeing your CHRISTMAS ideas along with the THREE trees. No home to me feels loved without the small details and have spent many years getting it right, changing and rearranging until it achieved the look I wanted. Have fun and can’t wait !

    Reply
  11. Pinky says

    November 2, 2017 at 10:43 am

    OMGoodness, you have started Christmas!!! I am jealous, I am SO antsy to do it! Send me an email:) Please say a little prayer for my Joe. He is having a heart cathiterization this afternoon. I’ll explain more in email. I LOOOOOVE your home and all the fabulous details. If you get an outdoor fireplace I will be super jealous:):) Gotta run.

    Reply
    • Pinky says

      November 2, 2017 at 11:14 pm

      I’m wondering why I have to leave 2 comments now to have my last post show up???? It’s just weird:):)

      Reply
  12. jae says

    November 2, 2017 at 11:28 am

    I confess, I am a trim fanatic. Makes such a difference in a house. Your house is beautifully detailed, and always a treat to see.

    Reply
  13. Pam Richardson says

    November 2, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    Shirley, I love and appreciate details! Your home definitely has so many well-planned details and they are all just beautiful! I am so impressed that you already have a tree decorated!

    Reply
  14. Allison says

    November 2, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    Our house was built in 1939 and a few outlets were in the baseboards. When we went to renovate we were told that baseboard outlets were no longer allowed under the local building code for fire and flood reasons the same with floor level outlets. The code states that the outlet had to be a certain height from the floor…it was complicated with high baseboards so the new baseboards had to be custom made so the outlet could sit as low as legally possible…the same code won’t allow us to have outlets in a closet….but ok for W/D housed in a closet!! Yes there is soooo much to consider when building or renovating…I love your home, it is so lovely and well planned. May I ask what color paint you used in the guest room.?

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      November 2, 2017 at 5:16 pm

      Yes, I know the codes can be tricky and sometimes confusing. The color in the guest room is Benjamin Moore Nantucket Fog.

      Reply
  15. Pat says

    November 2, 2017 at 12:15 pm

    Oh Shirley! I am usually not a fan of new houses BUT I absolutely love what you’ve created here. So gorgeous and the details are wonderful, transforming it into a truly magnificent house. I’d never leave it! Hugs, Pat

    Reply
  16. Marianne says

    November 2, 2017 at 6:55 pm

    Your home is truly a masterpiece, the details are so my style! Just love ❤️ it!

    Reply
  17. Alycia Nichols says

    November 2, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    Your house is indeed a masterpiece! The details are really what makes it stand head and shoulders above the rest! In my next life I’m coming back as a builder so that I can do creative work like this!

    Reply
  18. Kim says

    November 2, 2017 at 8:17 pm

    Y’all do have a lot of trim and it looks great. I wish we could add more crown molding to rooms that don’t have it, but not sure that will ever happen as all building materials prices have sky rocketed.

    Reply
  19. Pam standley says

    November 2, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    I loved looking at all of your pictures. You pointed out so many things that are so detailed, yet unless you mention them, everything just blends together so well, you don’t spot all of the magnificent ideas you had when building that gorgeous home. You are so talented, Shirley. I just can’t wait to see what your next house will look like! I really enjoyed seeing it all.

    Reply
  20. Nancy Brantley says

    November 2, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    You are so right about details! Details is what makes a house gorgeous no matter the square footage!! Your house is beautiful with all that detail work….someone is going to purchase a beauty that you had built. I love seeing your house in these wider angle pictures.

    Reply
  21. Nancy says

    November 2, 2017 at 11:57 pm

    Your home is absolutely gorgeous! So enjoy reading your blog…

    Reply
  22. Mary says

    November 3, 2017 at 6:46 am

    Beautiful details and planning Shirley! I’ve enjoyed seeing your home from different angles and through the perspective of your photographer. I think your ceiling details are the favorite design aspects of your home. You having already completed one tree makes me nervous. 😉

    Reply
  23. Rita C at Panoply says

    November 3, 2017 at 7:31 am

    As I was reading about all the current details, I was wondering if your builder was still working. How fortunate you are that he is! I can’t wait for your home to sell and go through this process of details with you in your new home. You have so many great ideas implemented. Happy November, Shirley. I hope you have a great weekend.

    Reply
  24. Richella Parham says

    November 3, 2017 at 10:37 am

    Yes, Shirley, y’all are DEFINITELY detail people! Whether I’m looking at photos of your house or seeing it in person, the details really stand out. And then you decorate the spaces so beautifully! You’re just amazing. How is the selling process going?

    Reply
  25. Teresa says

    November 3, 2017 at 11:32 am

    Shirley,
    You are so right…no matter what the size of a house it is all about the details! Your home is just gorgeous and beautifully detailed and finished. I think so many homebuyers especially younger buyers overlook quality and will focus more on size.

    My hubby and I recently went on a Parade of Homes tour and was shocked to see how cheaply some of the finish work looked as well as the cheaper materials being used. I know your next home will be just as beautiful. You did mention you are downsizing right?

    Reply
  26. Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says

    November 5, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    Shirley, I always love seeing your beautiful home. It is just gorgeous! I am like you… I love the details. I am attracted to homes with lots of beautiful trim molding and windows. I love lots of light!

    Reply
  27. linda says

    November 8, 2017 at 10:20 am

    Love love your home! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

Subscribe Via Email

Pinterest

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Housepitality Designs · Design By: Creative Kristi Designs · Log in