I found these pictures from when we first bought the house back. It looks so different now that I had totally forgotten it used to look like this.
I forgot about what the window used to look like without the roman shades.
I forgot that the walls used to be white.
And I forgot all about those cushions.
When I was younger I sat on these cushions in this window seat and watch the seasons pass.
Summer would roll by with its fluffy white clouds and blue skies and lazy afternoons.
Fall tiptoed in with its crisp afternoons and tumbling leaves and pumpkin spice smells.
Winter blew past the windows in a brilliant blast of cold air and gray skies.
Spring arrived with tiny flowers and chirping birds and green grass that smelled like a picnic was just around the corner.
I saw it all.
All from my view out the window.
These were the exact cushions I sat on.
They didn’t always look like this.
They were fuller and plumper and cushionier.
But over the years, somewhere along the way they shrunk.
Maybe it was all the sitting.
And dreaming.
And hoping.
And season watching that made them flat like this.
It wasn’t their fault. Really. They couldn’t help it. There was a lot of cushion throwing and sitting and drinking a drink that spilled or accidentally rips with a notebook.
And then there was the whole flipping-them-over-thing in the hope your mother would never notice.
When we first bought the house and I walked up these stairs—it was incredible. I walked up the first flight and paused and looked out this window. I couldn’t believe it.
It was as if time had never passed.
Like I was about to run downstairs for breakfast.
Like I forgot my backpack in my room.
Like my friends were about to show up in the driveway and honk.
I wanted to honor it all.
All the seasons.
All the sitting.
All the dreaming and life-living and hoping and planning and cushion throwing.
So now after living in the house for a couple of years?
This window seat landing looks like this.
We painted the walls Sandbar SW 7547.
We added the new runner that wraps all the way up the stairs with the cutest stair rods.
I made these no-sew roman shades that are SO EASY (tutorial coming for them on Friday).
And I had new cushions made for the window seat.
Those other cushions had lived a life other cushions only dream of, but it was time for a change.
Here’s a close-up of the cushion after.
Same place.
Same window seat.
Same landing.
But now?
The cushions are new again. I had them remade from drop cloths.
They have zippered backs.
And stuffed new thick, cushiony, fluffy foam.
And now once again….
….the window seat is ready.
Ready for summer books and sweet tea and giggles and whispers and cushion fights and eye rolls and dancing sunlight and lazy afternoons.
Ready for a new generation.
Ready for a new chapter.
Ready for summer to turn into fall to turn into winter to turn into spring to turn into summer again.
All from my view out the window.
I love you, and that house! ❤️
Your house is the house I dream of living in. I’m too old now to find a big old house. I love it all though. . I love your laundry mud room, I’ve always wanted a window seat. It’s beautiful!!
The entire window seat area looks AMAZING!!! I love it! Can’t wait for the Roman shade tutorial. Have a wonderful and blessed day💕
I still can't get over the fact that you bought the same house you grew up in. How wonderful! The kids must cherish the stories about what happened here and there and where and when. I love it! Must be nice to know they'll have stories of their own about the same house to share with their own kids one day. We moved so much when I was growing up...well, that just couldn't happen. But that's OK too. Our stories just don't share the same walls, that's all. Speaking of walls, I love the new color on them! And the new drop cloth cushions...and, oooo, and that mirror! Brilliant to hang it low like that!! As always, your decorating skills are right on the money ;-)
Love the new look though a bit too many pillows for me .........making these cushions from drop cloths are a great idea and may just have this done. My sister used drop cloths for her living room curtains! Wouldn't know it and looks great!
It looks great and so do you! Love that cute jumpsuit. Happy Independence day!
Looks great BUT . . . You look stunning in this pic! Love your jumpsuit!
What are the dimensions of the nailhead bench and where did you get it? The whole area is lovely. I snorted when you mentioned flipping the cushion over to hide the evidence of crimes committed. I've done that and I know my kids have, too. Ha. OK, maybe not exact thing, but I've definitely done the innocent face with the "nothing to see here" attitude. Like the time I was washing my hands after using the bathroom at a house where I was babysitting. The soap was stored on the toilet tank (why????) and I grabbed the bar of soap with wet hands. Oops .... down the flushing toilet it went. I always wondered if A) the toilet kept working and B) if they wondered where the soap went.
You are amazing... Your designs are exactly what I want.... Of course living paycheck (SS) to paycheck (SS) prevents me from doing everything at once. My husband is legally blind and I take care of my 96 yr old mom who is now living with us under hospice care. PLEASE keep posting your wonderful designs and ideas.... I'm hoping to (at age 70) be able to transform my little condo villa into a Seaside Haven...... God Bless You.... Keep up the Brilliant work......
BEAUTIFUL, as always! I love it. ❤️ BTW, where do you get your drop cloths.? The cushions look amazing!
Another lovely space in a beautiful home! I would love to sit in such a cozy spot and watch the seasons change. And where you find your drop cloths? They look like they are very good quality, and I'm having trouble finding some like that.
I always wanted a window seat for watching the world go by!!!
LOVE, LOVE the window seat!!! Would you share where you had the cushions made. I am needing something similar for an entry way bench and love the idea of using drop cloths. You always amaze me with all the creative things you come up with!!! Enjoy your window seat.
Always love your stories and the houses history. Did you buy the drop cloths and call a local seamstress to make the seat cushions? I have a small entry bench that needs a cushion but they can be pricey and I don't see any made from the fabric or color I'd like. What was your process? If I had a sewing machine I'd give it a go myself but for just one project and to save space that probably ain't gonna happen:0)
Hi Karianne, I'd love to know where you found the nailhead bench also and the long XOXOXO pillow that sits on it? I need something like that in my foyer and keep looking. Also, love the jumpsuit, where did you find that? Maybe it will be shown on "What I bought Wednesday". I love, love, love those videos and have purchased so many of the things you find. My pillow from Walmart with all the pretty bright embroidered flowers is arriving today! Blessing, Jan
Love the look of the window seat! It's always nice to have a comfy spot to look out onto the world! Also love the bench & XOXO pillow. Jo
Your words about the passing of the seasons evoked powerful mental images in my heart and mind. Beautifully written, Karianne!
Looks beautiful and matches your beautiful words.
Karianne!! The window seat is so inviting and needs a good book for a lazy summer day. And, you look incredible in the blue and white jump suit. Hugs from Camano Island where it has cooled to a normal summer temp, Dineyt
Wonderful...and is that a jumpsuit you're wearing? Love it. Had two jumpsuits in years past that I wore out. Do we dare ask the source?
OMG. This post just made me cry. I miss my childhood home terribly, but those were tears of joy for you to be able to relive all the greatness. Love you.
I could picture you as a child sitting on that window bench. Such a lovely spot for watching seasons roll by. I absolutely love the Roman shades. Just gorgeous! Hugs to you.
I love your window seat and it is truly a wonderful place to sit and dream.
I love the new look at the window. The cushions are so inviting and the extra pillows make it so dressed up. Can’t wait to read about the Roman shades. Thank you for always sharing.
Reading nook looks fabulous and so do you, love your outfit!
It looks so super cute, as if it's finished it just Needed a little help, like Cinderella before the ball and the fairy godmother! I can't wait to read your tutorial on the Roman shades easy sounds good to me I'll look forward to it my friend and thanks so much for sharing!
Several readers along with me NEED your source for the drop cloths! You look great in your jumpsuit. Great post as always.
You can get drop cloths at Lowe's and Home Depot.
The new windowseat looks beautiful, KariAnne! I love the neutral pillows and the texture of the dropcloth. Clever idea to get the seat cushions restuffed!
Love, love the landing AND your style. But I am confused about your floor coverings. Is the stair runner in front of window seat, and the rug under bench is on a different level?
You are definitely the drop cloth diva!! Love, love!!! xoxo
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I love the window seat and the color of it. I am hoping to have one in about two weeks of so. I am so loving yours. Thanks for sharing