A long time ago in a land far away someone put this hitching post into the ground.
1908 to be exact.
Before there was internet.
Before there was cable television.
Before there were stirrup pants and drive-through windows and microwave popcorn and phones that you carried in your hand and falsh eyelashes that magnetize themselves onto your eyelid.
Before the very sidewalk I’m standing on was around.
This hitching post was here.
Yep.
113 years ago someone would ride up on a horse and hitch the reins to the post while they went inside for sweet tea and strawberry pie.
And then?
Then decades later.
Somewhere between poodle skirts and high-speed rail my family moved into this house.
All those years ago.
I still remember walking through those empty halls and looking out the window and seeing this.
My mother told me what it was and what it was used for.
She was all about it.
So I was, too.
We decorated it for holidays with red bows for Christmas and patriotic ribbons for all the patriotic days of the year.
And now?
I am the keeper of the hitching post.
And the house.
And the stories.
And the befores and the afters.
So I thought it might be fun today to look back.
To see how far this sweet house that I love has come since we bought it back after my mother sold it to the family we bought it back from. If that sounds as confusing to you as it did to me when I typed it, you might want to start with this story here.
Want to see a little before and after?
Oh good.
Me, too.
Here’s where we started with the kitchen.
This is what it looked like a couple of days after we moved in.
(total aside: please go all where’s waldo with that black organizer on the counter. It shows up later in the tour spray painted silver.)
And after this.
And this.
Now the kitchen looks like this.
This picture was taken yesterday from the same angle as the very first before picture.
It looks different because the wall was taken down to make room for the bar.
Let’s take a 360 tour of the space.
Here’s the view from the hutch.
And here’s the view from the back door.
That room at the far end of the space is the family room.
I don’t have a before of this space, but picture paneling on the ceiling and laminate on the floor.
We extended the flooring from the kitchen into the space.
The door off the kitchen leads to the laundry room.
Here’s a close-up of the laundry room built-ins.
Across the hall is the downstairs office.
Here’s the before.
Just a few dark walls and that desk which was originally my dad’s.
And now?
Same angle.
New look.
This was my father’s office.
The desk in the space was his desk.
If I squint, I can still hear him telling me to come and tell him how my Dairy Queen shift went.
Here’s the before of the view out of the office walking towards the bathroom and the kitchen.
And here’s an after picture I took several years ago.
Just a little paint, some measuring gauges and Buddy.
Here’s the before of the space when you walk into the hallway.
And now?
Here’s a view of the same space.
We just added the runner on the stairs.
You can see a better view of it here.
And here.
When you walk through that door you’re in the front room.
Here’s where we started.
And here’s where we are now.
Here’s the other side of the room with the fireplace.
(total decorating aside: if you saw the videos from the book—this is the room that we rearranged with different furniture.)
Here’s the before of the dining room space.
And now?
Here’s the after.
Whew.
That was a lot.
If you are still here at the end of all those pictures we have to be friends.
I forget how much it’s changed until I look at all the befores.
Sometimes I’m so busy painting and rearranging and moving things around and shopping yard sales that I missed the big picture.
Isn’t it funny how different things look when you add a little perspective to the journey? Sometimes you never realize how far you’ve come until you take a look back.
But one thing has never changed.
This hitching post.
It’s seen a lifetime of stories and it’s still standing.
I told it to stick around.
The best is yet to come. 🙂
Sometimes, the things that don't change become the anchor that holds the memories of the things that did change! I love your stories and your home. You look fabulous!!!
Where did you purchase the shoes and your sweater????
Your are fabulous! I just happened upon your blog a while ago, and have subscribed to your posts since. A gift from God is a blessing. Thank you for inspiring, you make beautiful look so pretty. Thank you for creating, things revived relive in our lives. ....be well... ~Berly
I was all in for this tour...and your storytelling is the best.
It was fun to see the before and after again. I’ve been in a decorating slump but you helped me get recharged 😉Happy days❤️
This is sort of your very own Back to the Future!!! Don't ever remove that hitching post. The stories it could tell. You have come so far and it looks so beautiful! Do you have a sign on your home est..1908? It would be so cool to research the owners of the home from that time until you, with pictures if possible.
I am so glad you have that hitching post--keep decorating it!!!
Amazing all the changes you have made. Love how welcoming and beautiful everything is. Well done! In Massachusetts a lot of the homes over 100 years old have a blue star (think it depends on city or town) designating their historical status. Your home deserves a star!
Teresa, I LOVE the idea of a blue star, which is SO perfect for Karianne on so many levels (blue and white plus Texas, seems a perfect fit, right?!?)! That is such a great idea and, Karianne, I can't remember if you have the historical marker on your house, but you should!
I just love all of your blue and white fabrics and rugs and decor!! It all ties together so nicely!
Amazing! I love that you were able to buy back the house you grew up in. I think you have the best blue and white decor that I have seen. Your home is beautiful.
KariAnn, Where did you get your fireplace screen? Thank you!
Rosanna, Here you go! It's super affordable from Walmart! Here's the link (affiliate): https://bit.ly/2ZYnQlb happy day! KariAnne
I loved the tour. You have worked hard to make this a showplace that is cozy and welcoming. You are looking stunning!!!! Wish the hitching post could talk. What stories it could tell!!
How wonderful to live now in the home where there are so many memories. You are one lucky lady! And you have made these memories continue to grow with your beautiful family. I can tell just from pictures and your stories that this is a home filled with love.
Thanks for the lovely tour! (I needed some inspiration to get our house party ready!) I've seen your rooms before, but it was fun to "walk through." You are spectacularly gifted, Karianne!
I always love your posts, and this one is no exception.I believe that sometimes there needs to be one constant to remind us where it all started. Something that remains the same only to remind us where it all began and appreciate both then and where we are now. What a truly lovely post.
I really enjoyed the tour. I’ve been with you since “the jump”. I love your home and all the stories you and your home have to tell and, oh if that hitching post could talk! Love to you my friend.
Your home is amazingly beautiful!! It’s such a great story of you being able to buy back the home you grew up in…but tell me…how do you keep it so spotless? Do you run around cleaning before the pics are taken or do you have people to clean for you? ❤️
Lovely! Can you show an updated picture of your plate rack wall and maybe how you decorate it for fall? That was the only wall missing from your tour❤️
Yes! I'm sharing fall in the house next week and I'll show a pic! Happy day! Karianne
What an amazing g piece of history. I can see why you’re the keeper of the hitching post. Your home is absolutely stunning my friend. xo 😘
Wonderful home tour- it all came together so beautifully! I have seen those hitching posts around while living here in New England and some of them had a cast iron horse head on the top. Yours must be the guardian of so many incredible stories.
Love it and love your oh so cute self! Moving that refrigerator made all the difference! Well and your fabulous decorating skills.
Thank you for the before and after tour! Your home is beautiful! I grew up in a mid-century modern home with original wood parquet flooring in the hall and three bedrooms. I always loved it and was surprised at how much people today dislike the look. Oh well.
That hitching post!! What a beautiful home and a beautiful story! Thanks for always sharing your words with us!
KariAnne, your home is beautiful but I want to know about your bracelets and where to get them. Thank you!
KariAnne, I don't know if I love that the hitching post survived a sidewalk install or that you still have your dad's desk in the office. Amazing!
As always your home is beautiful…and so are you! I am living in some sort of pergatory as we are living in a rental that’s soooo small while our home is being built. It’s punishment for me since Fall is my favorite season and all of my pumpkins are in storage😖 It makes me happy to look at all your beautiful rooms though. I love your home!
What a terrific story! I’dlove to live now in the house I grew up in, but alas not meant to be😢 I guess I’m not so good at finding ‘Waldo’……..never did find him !🤣😂🤣😂
It is all so beautiful...the stories, the history and the decor. I love it all. Our house is close to 100 years old and I wish I knew more about it. The lady we purchased it from gave us a copy of a black and white photo of the original owners. It was a different place back then...a small fishing/farming town. Now, it's a historic downtown with shops and such...funny how things change. I enjoyed your tour so much! ~Kim
Oh my goodness! What a gorgeous home inside and out. A home That only dreams are made of. The hitching post is awesome!
I see the “time”with the hitching post.. I just love it. Everything that was my parent’s or grandparents’ in my house .. brings me a sense of their laughter and love just as your beautiful stories do you .. ❤️ Jan
I would love to have you interview your mom sometime and ask her about memories from the house. And maybe a few pictures of it from back in the day when she was the caretaker. And if you ever remove the hitching post I don't think I can be your friend anymore. 😉
Lots of changes, and I enjoyed each and everyone, thinks for sharing your journey. What's next can't wait to see but, I will!
No matter how many times I read the story of your magnificent home, I never tire of it, nor do I miss a chance to once again, look through it! Thank you so much for sharing. I love your story and your home.
KariAnne, thanks, once again, for sharing your beautiful home with us! We always enjoy seeing everything you do in putting your personal touches on your home. You are truly blessed to be able to live each day with so many wonderful memories. We know that you continue to make many new memories with your precious family. The pictures of you at your Hitching Post are so cute! That Hitching Post is meant to stay there! It needs to be there to share all those precious memories that are still to be made! It is so unique! May you enjoy each new day in your lovely home!
Isn't it lovely to look back on all you have accomplished? Your home was always beautiful, but you have made it more so. We have been working on our old farmhouse for seven years now. We do all the work ourselves, so sometimes it seems like things move at a glacial pace, but when I look back on where we started, as you did here, I can appreciate all the changes we have made. Have an amazing day, KariAnne!
Your whole house is like a fairy tale!! Love, love!!! xoxo
Absolutely beautiful! Iam so glad you kept the horse hitch old homes are rich in history and character. If you don’t mind me asking where did you get your beautiful sofas ? We are getting ready to purchase a cream color side I narrowed down to pottery barn and one I seen on wayfair which looks like the one in your livingroom, how hard is it to keep them clean ? Thank you for sharing your post s and Wednesday s what you bought on YouTube 😊
Beautiful home!! Love your gift of storytelling and decorating!! I’m also a ‘blue and white’ girl and you have inspired me!! Blessings to you!
So many of you have left the same questions that I have .. so I won’t ask them again. But I notice that 99% of the questions go unanswered. How do you get your questions answered? There are probably 30 questions within these comments begging to be answered
I enjoyed the tour of your home so much. I've always enjoyed your blue & white decor. You have a wonderful gift of putting it all together. Your blog is truly inspiring. You look so happy & I'm so happy for you 😁 I hope all of your children are doing well & enjoying Baylor.
Great house, as always! But that hitching post is tall! All the ones I see in St. Louis are about half that height.
Early follower of your blog (ie recipe wall in KY) and I can't believe I'm just now hearing about the hitching post!?!?! That's the kind of thing I would fall in love with a house over.
Thank you for sharing your home with us. Its warm and welcoming, you really have an eye for decorating.
Your house is beautiful. Love the hitching post.Your blog is so fun. Where did you find the chandy over your island,it's perfect there.
Beautiful home! You did an amazing job. Thanks for sharing with us.
[…] palettes inspired by the enneagram • making gottman concepts teachable for kids • this before and after house tour • a recipe for pumpkin spice cookies • and this mediterranean chickpea salad recipe […]
It still unbelievable that this home with so much heritage and memories is now yours. You have stewarded this home so beautifully physically with so many perfect details and changes; yet, kept the important things that hold dear memories intact. You are the perfect keeper of your family home. Truly.
Driving two hours to see your girls for lunch...so wonderful...exactly the kind of thing I did. I bet the holidays will be extra special with everyone returning. I know you will be excited.