Today I am tired.
A wonderful, incredible joyful tired…..one that comes from a happy heart.
The office at the gatehouse is finally finished.
Almost.
You understand….right?
Are you ever really finished?
Isn’t there always another project or a yard sale find or a paint treatment or a new fabric or a little trash to treasure….
….just around the corner?
But for today….just for this glorious, wonderful, incredible day…..my tired, fulfilled, joyous self and I ….
…..we are done. 🙂
When we started the journey…..
….the room looked like this.
A little beauty shop meets ceiling fan from 1970.
And after painting and tweaking and sewing and decorating and dreaming…..
….it looks like this.
*sigh*
I would totally be best friends with her.
She is SUCH a red lipstick wearer.
Seriously.
I had so much fun with every minute.
It’s bright and bold and fun and full of smiles in every corner.
Everything is so different from the farmhouse….
….and yet a little of the same.
I was trying to think of what to call this decorating style so I could impress you with my design knowledge.
Rustic contemporary?
Sleek modern farmhouse?
Shabby chic industrial?
I mean seriously…..what do you call it when you mix vintage tennis score card numbers with a faux zinc top table?
When you combine a diy molding project with a silver plated starburst mirror?
When white tufted chairs meet a polished antique sideboard?
I think I’m going to call it “whatever.”
Whatever I love.
Whatever makes me smile.
Whatever makes a house into a home….that’s how we roll….
….over at the gatehouse.
PS I “whatever” decorated the living room at the gatehouse, too.
More to come next week….along with a fun giveaway and all the details on the fabric.
PPS Just in case you stop by to visit…..here are some rules I found tucked away in the craft room.
I’m not sure of the significance behind the adjustment to rule number three…..
….sometimes it’s better not to ask. 🙂
To see the before and after of the front of the gatehouse….click here.
To see the before and after of the kitchen at the gatehouse….click here.
To see the before and after of the craft room at the gatehouse….click here.
ok...picking myself up...just fell off my chair...why? Bbecause this is drop dead gorgeous! I know how talented you are...what flair you have...but this...this is over the top WOW...is that a rating? I think it should be! This space ROCKS...it is the perfect space for the Rock Star that you are! hugs!!!
How happy that room makes me feel. I got a big grin just looking at the photos because your room is *singing*!!!
Whoa! It looks SO GLAMOROUS! I don't know how you can bear to leave it. I'd be sleeping in there!
Wow KariAnne!!!!! you have done it again. The gatehouse office is perfection. I can't wait to see the rest of it.
Would you come and perform magic on my office now that you are finished with yours? Please? Beautifully done!
Glam vintage baby! That's what you got going on. Hence the red lipstick. I can totally see you sitting in this beautiful room running your vast blogging empire. Is the top drawer of the fabulous buffet full of tubes of various shades of red lipstick, so you can reapply conveniently in the starburst mirror? The Other Marian
Your "Whatever Gatehouse" is whateverly spectacular…..I can point out the things that I love, but "whatever"…I love it all…"Whatever "you do, you do it with tremendous style and never leaving out the "fun factor"….Wonderful job Kari!
I'm just warning you that if one day you go to the gatehouse and a strange women is sleeping on the sofa, I couldn't help it! I'm drawn to this place like a moth to the light. It's so pretty that I want to copy what you've done and sprinkle pink (my favorite color) thought my home. But at last my family does not have your creative eye and does not get it!!! Can't wait to see what other fabulous ideas you've had.
"Karilicious" That is what I am going to call it... because it is delicious and sooo fun, happy and beautiful just like you!!
Gorgeous!! I wish I had the visual of where this is situated on your property... maybe I need to come visit? And I promise to follow the rules. :) xo Heidi
another gatehouse rule: no boys allowed!
Amazing and so creative - I can feel the creative energy streaming through the veins of anyone who sits in the room - how could anyone not feel inspired. Make my heart happy and want to decorate my space- love you.
It is gorgeous, I love it! I can see myself working in that office right now!
The Rules of the craft room make me laugh! It's beautiful and I love the mix of whatever. I want to just come over, sit in one of those chairs and read!
Bright, happy, with just enough drama...sounds like somebody I know! ;) Are you going to clue us in on that fabulous wall treatment???? Fab.U.lous.
Hey, Mizz karianne....this is every bit as amazing as YOU are! Definitely a red lipstick room. The only problem I can see with it, as I picture myself sitting at that desk, is how you will ever get anything acomplished in there. Seriously, I mean how will you be able to concentrate and focus on "work" when you're smack dab in the middle of a Red Lipstick Room ? I think you're right.... you aren't finished yet.....you still have your work cut out for you, girl...... *smile
This room is over the top gorgeous! Those lampshades alone just make my day! Love love love it! Cheers! - Shelley
WOW! That's what I call it! Gorgeous. My jaw dropped when I saw it! You will have such fun working in that office :)
Your office is stunning! Simply gorgeous...I love it. I've not had a lot of online time for a while so I think I've missed a lot leading up to it, but I'm sooooo glad I didn't miss this one! Debbie :)
i am so happy for you karianne that you have this not only office but retreat... hopefully there's a fridge or a coffee pot tucked away in there for a little sipping pleasure for those moments you really need "me" time... it's beautiful
I'd call it ..."Whatever I want!" It's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Suzanne@Le Farm
I spy with my little eye.... bags. Bags to shop or take home treasures that have been completed.
Can I live here, pleeeeeeease!
Really? Just when I think you can't top yourself, you do! Love this room, I bet you dream up even more fabulous things in here :) The note is too cute! Have a great weekend!
Outstanding job! I love it! tot
You have taken my breath away AGAIN with your gorgeous decorating. Yep. This has to go in my Saturday Six as a highlight. BRAVO. You inspire me in a million ways.
It looks amazing! And the picture frame molding is so very, very cool!
KariAnne, this so so pretty- I love the glam! I wouldn't want to leave because it's so inviting! I know it has been a fun place to decorate! Thanks for sharing your Gatehouse office!
You are super, mega talented! This is an amazing before and after. I love it.
It is fabulous! L....O....V....E....it. I do wonder where you find things like those terrific tennis score cards. Oh, and I love the rules.
It is truly a HAPPY room! I so taken with the simplicity of those brown paper bags...that simplicity makes the lipstick shine! "Whatever", is a becoming style on the gatehouse! ;)
K a r i A n n eeeeeeeeee. Shut up. Perfection. And are those OUR tennis numbers? sigh I feel like a little piece of me went home with you. :) red lipstick smooch cindy
Karianna...that is what it is! it's bubbly with big sparkly earrings and a little unpredictably loopy with just the right shade of lipstick. above all, beautiful and wonderful and whimisical and charming and fun and lovely....just like you. Victoria had a style named for what she loved so why not the Queen of the Gatehouse?
Gorgeous!!!! I love it!
WOW!!!!! I would be her BFF, forever! I had to scroll back up to find the paper bags, how cute and such a simple idea that we could make our own:) You have made my Friday HAPPY!
Girl, it's totally gorgeous!! Love every bit of it and it's SO you.
WOW what a terrific job! It's so sleek, clean looking and comfortable. Who wouldn't want to go to work in this wonderful office. Great job. Have a great weekend. Mary
Oh my goodness, that set of rules is so hilarious! I love that it includes the caveat "except for parents." Totally. Awesome.
I think you are a living magazine. <3
I DIE. And? I also see those chairs. AMAZING. You are one of my favoritests. ;}
i love the way your projects always feel happy! happy and buttoned up to perfection! I just want to come over and have some coffee!! Seriously, it is just a good feeling when i see your rooms, just pure bliss! You rock!!
WICKED cool rockstar and I would totally be friends with her too :)
I applaud your heavy use of shades of white. I cannot shake my mother's voice in my head that always said, "When you have kids and try to decorate, make everything the color of dirt!" Beautifully done, KariAnne. La Verne@hopeandsalvage.com
Well, I love the "whatever" style of decor. That's the style I use often in my own home. Ha! You are too cute and the Gatehouse Office is totally a red lipstick kind of gal! ~ Sarah
There are no other words except stunningly amazingly beautiful and that's not enough! Love it my friend. It's aesthetically beautiful and functional as well.
Gatehouse Office is amazing, beautiful, inspiring, beautiful and oh I would love to be at Gatehouse right now!! I can see you in this Office-sweet miss! xx- Jemma
Creative, gorgeous and so inspiring..Great job Karianne
I call this deocrating style FABULICIOUS! Every bit of it is fabulous, luscious, and FUN! You have outdone yourself!
Wow ! Beautiful office area ! I love the idea of "Whatever" Decorating. As a matter of fact, I think we should form a gang and I nominate you as the ring leader of our Whatever Decorating Style Club ! Maybe, it needs a slight tweaking of the official name. :-) I bet you would agree with rule number one: One person's Whatever can be different than another person's Whatever. ;-) That gatehouse is really transforming, isn't it? It looks beautiful!
You can certainly see your skills in the article you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow your heart.
Beautiful, every little bit. Kind of like a modern day "Dallas"!
WOW......WOW Fantastic......Great Style. I call it "SENSATIONAL
I call it fabulous, WOW! you rock KariAnne. I want to move in lol. You have done an amazing job.
stunning! love it all!
I think everyone should decorate in "whatever" style :) LOVE those white desk chairs!
Just call it "Perfect". Its absolutely beautiful.
I love every single thing in the front of the gatehouse. I love every single thing in the kitchen of the gatehouse. I love every single thing in the craft room of the gatehouse. And guess what? I LOVE EVERY SINGLE THING IN THE OFFICE OF THE GATEHOUSE. You continue to inspire me with each new post. Barb
It's perfect just like I knew it would be! Rock On!!!~~ Ang
LOL...those rules crack me up. And the room looks so glam, so chic, so whatever. :)
I think I would call it Industrial Chic! i love it, it's absolutely beautiful!
What wonders would one discover if you could spend a day in Kari's mind? This is so not you and yet it is - just the brighter, lighter, more hip and red lipstick wearing side. Its great!
I don't comment often, but just wanted to let you know I absolutely love your blog! Reading your entries is my little treat at the end of every day!
I feel the same as Beth, just before me. I always smile when I see you in the "in box" Earnestly Elegant Eclectic is what I would call it! Beautifully done, my dear!
KariAnne ~ I would love to know how the pink lettering on the white bins on the shelves in the Craft Room was done. I'd appreciate it so much if you could share! so much
WOW- absolutely fabulous job - it is just too much fun!!!!
You are so talented and it looks amazing.
Loving every bright, happy, cozy, fun, colorful bit of the gatehouse. Everything looks WONDERFUL!!!! What a great place to go and be inspired. Have a great weekend. Susan
So amazingly beautiful!!! What a wonderful job. "Whatever" you love is a great way to decorate, it all comes together in the end, in my opinion. :)
Jealous. Karianne, I am so jealous. I'd be happy with a spare room to call my own and you have a spare house! And it's SPECTACULAR! Love everything only I wouldn't want to do any work in my new office if it were mine. I would just want to sit there admiring the beautiful picture frame moulding :) XO
KariAnne, I'm loving the chairs. I often wish I had another place to decorate in a different style. Great job! Jeannie
The rug and the lampshades are my favorite touches. It looks great!
Fun, fun, fun! Love it!!
GORGEOUS!
The room is just beautiful! I would call it Metro Vintage Chic! I think that is a very well deserving name to such a respected room and quite enchanting too I might add!
I call your lovely office style "Audrey Hepburn"
Can I just say I'm totally jealous that you have an entirely separate space from your house to create - and decorate in another style you love! xo, S.
What an absolute stunner! A great combination of colour and elegance, yet at the same time so comfy and casual!
I love it, especially the "rules"!
Gorgeous! Even breathtaking! Love the cleanness of black and white with the pop of hot pink. My kind of room. I MUST know where you got the pillow with the black heart & love. I must know :)
Once in high school I was told that I wore red lipstick like most people wear chapstick. So you know what that means, right?? WE should be best friends!! For real, though. I think your decorating style is PERFECT and I love your candid, funny conversational style of writing. Huge fan here, but I usually read your posts in my email so I rarely comment. Just know that there's a red lipstick wearer with a big ol' blog crush on you! ;)