I’m so excited to join Jennifer and friends today to celebrate spring in the kitchen.

But just between us, I was a little worried.

Truth?

I haven’t figured out how to really photograph this house yet.

Houses are a lot like people.  They have good angles and not so good angles.  Sometimes they make funny faces or have wrinkles in odd places or a big blank spot in the middle of their forehead.  The farmhouse?  I knew it.  I understood it.  I knew all the right places to photograph it to make it shine.

But this house?

The new house?

I’m still figuring it all out.

So I took pictures and they were okay.  They were fine.  They were sufficient.  What am I doing wrong, I thought?  How can I photograph the kitchen so you all can see it like I see it?

And then?

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the clouds parted and the heavens sang and the birds chirped.

And the sunshine showed up.

This was the view that started it all.

This is standing in the kitchen looking into the hallway.

See that sunshine?

See how it dances across the floor?

With all the rain we have been having and the dark and cloudy and overcast days I almost didn’t recognize.

Just looking at the streams of light pouring in made me so happy.

We all need a little sunlight now and then.

So I thought I’d give you the sunlight tour of the kitchen.

This is the view of the kitchen going into the family room.

You can see the sunlight coming in through the window.

And dancing off the chandelier.

And the wood box in the hallway.

And the tiny bit of green in this white vase.

And the laundry sign on the doorway into the laundry room.

And the green leaves by the back door.

Can you even with all of it?

Can you feel the happiness dancing around the kitchen?

I hope it brings you a little sunshine and farmhouse and distressed and chippy and sparkle and joy to your day.

I’m still learning.

I still don’t truly understand how to photograph the house or what should go where until I move it around fifty times.

I’m still trying to decorate and figure it out and learn as I go.

But for today.

I’m sitting still and soaking up the sun.

Come sit by me. 🙂

PS  I cannot even thank you all enough for all of the AMAZING support for the new book.

I had this sign made from a quote I wrote in the introduction.

It’s at the bottom of the stairs and it reminds me every single day to love my house and celebrate the me that I am today. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Taste of France Taste of France

    Those are great photos. You have a beautiful house, and sunshine is the icing on the cake. I agree that it can be hard to get photos to project the feel. We have some vacation rentals with 14-foot ceilings and to-die-for moldings (doves, flowers, lutes). I can never get the fancy moldings or the crystal chandeliers in a good shot with the furniture. Even a professional photographer struggled. But being in the space feels like a palace.

  2. Image for Teresa Gonzales Teresa Gonzales

    It is amazing what a little sunshine brings to our life! Your home is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Image for Clair Clair

    I think we have the same well loved leather messenger bag - and mine never looked as pretty as yours does, photographed in the sunshine! Houses have personalities, don't they? This one is a new friend, ready to get to know you and your family, and to share herself with you, bit by bit. I'm mostly a lurker, but I love reading your posts with my morning tea. Your posts are always a pleasure to read. I'll look forward to reading about your getting to know your new home, and all the wonderfulness you'll show her about yourself. I saw you in a Kirkland's email yesterday. Congrats!

  4. Image for Terri Terri

    You know what I love....???? Kitchen looking into the hallway pic.....How the sunshine always makes hardwood floors look even more amazing than what we thought they were!!! I used to comment on the pics that you did from the farmhouse where you included those amazing floors .... Now... I just can't help myself...my eye is drawn to those floors... gorgeous... oh the stories they could tell !!! lolol.... Beautiful post & beautiful pics

  5. Image for Suzy Suzy

    I recognized that quote from the new book. I feel like it was written just to me! I really love sunshine in the kitchen! I am learning to compose pictures of my home from you! We have been remodeling the front bathroom. It is not finished yet, but it is getting there! I discovered an angle for a good picture of the bathroom this morning with the sunshine streaming in from the window! Hope you have a wonderful, sun-filled day!

  6. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    You and your house make me smile. Yes, you do!! If I'm feeling a little down and frazzled you show up with your down to earth talks and I feel myself smiling. I love the brightness of your home -- I can feel the love vibes coming on through. I can't wait to find our forever home. We're at the state in life that this is it -- it's going to be special, I just know it. After all, KariAnne is going to help decorate. :-)

  7. Image for Claudine Claudine

    I love your house, Karianne!! It looks so bright and airy!! Oh, the photos!!! I understand it’s a struggle! I love the sign by the stairs!!! I haven’t bought your second book yet! I must :) Lots of love 💖

  8. Image for Stephanie Stephanie

    Oh I love how you are making this home yours! Now if I only could begin! Love the quote and the sign is just what I was going to do with favorite quotes. Who did this? Or did You? Enjoy sunshine.. rainy and now snow flakes this week in Kentucky. But at least the daffodils are up and shining like the sun! Hope to see you soon cardboard you then the real you!

  9. Image for Gina Gina

    I wake up thinking about that quote as inspiration for the day. Have to love what I have. PS I checked out Jennifer's blog/insta and loved her style. Talented ladies, you are!

  10. Image for Deborah Thompson Deborah Thompson

    Your home is beautiful, the kitchen is wonderful, but what I love most about each of your posts, the things that keeps me coming back, is more beautiful and more wonderful than those things. It's the uniqueness in the way you write, the point of view you are seeing, the way you tell a story- You didn't just show pics of your kitchen and surrounding areas, which were SO. ON. POINT! You told a beautiful story and shared the value of sunshine. I felt the warmth of that sunshine on this dreary day in Maryland because your pictures were stunning and your words, once again, were ever so warm! Thank you!

  11. Image for Cecilia Cecilia

    Well I think you captured it beautifully even if you've had trouble figuring it out (we can't tell you're struggling - it looks like you've got it figured out). And your sign...I can't even! I want one for myself, lol. Glad I get to be a part of your decorating journey. It's so much fun to watch you pull it all together! Hugs, Cecilia

  12. Image for Patty Patty

    I am sitting in Connecticut in the midst of another Nor'easter. I am so tired of this winter I would actually pay to have a little sunshine. Our snow is supposed to continue until tomorrow (Thursday) morning and then we will dig ourselves out AGAIN. Enjoy your sunshine and hope we will also have some soon.

  13. Image for Julie Briones Julie Briones

    Well, #MyNewBFFKariAnne.... (Okay, who are we kidding...we've been BFFs for a while now, right?! ;-)) If you are still learning how to photograph your home, you are going to make my mind explode when you have mastered it! Stop being so amazing.... I'll never catch up! ;-) (Because, you know you are my "photography hero", right?)

  14. Image for Krista Krista

    So beautiful, Karianne! The sunlight... dancing in... it's the best part about spring. After winter and darkness - to see that sun again, I love it!!

  15. Image for Pamela Griner Pamela Griner

    Love the pictures...simple and perfect. LoVe the sign...you could sell them to us...most importantly...LOVE your new book. I got mine yesterday and It is truly filled with wonderful advice (and that bookmark..nice touch!). It would make a great housewarming gift. Thank YOU!!!

  16. Image for Kelly Kelly

    I need that sign. It expresses so well exactly how I feel. Great pictures. And YAY for figuring out the best “light” to showcase your beautiful home... :)

  17. Image for Kristen Kristen

    Swoon....I mean, really, absolutely gorgeous! The sunlight, the kitchen, the hallway, EVERYTHING!!!! Swoon. Brightens my day while waiting for 18 inches of snow to start falling in NJ.

  18. Image for Angelina Angelina

    These beautiful pictures of your home just really lift up your spirit! So bright and airy! Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things, we are so happy you joined us !

Comments are closed.