I have written 1,315 posts on this blog.

Some of them funny.

Some of them not as funny as I thought they were.

Some of them introspective.

Some of them room befores and afters and furniture makeovers and DIY projects and the occasional post about hay bales and gas station pizza in the country.

But this post?  The one you are about to read?  Of all the more than thirteen hundred posts…

….this one is the longest.

I couldn’t help it.

The house for hope turned out that amazing. 🙂

This week I met Ashley at the house.

We’d worked on our room and been there for move in day, but this was the first time we’d ever seen everything all come together.

You know on Christmas morning where you can’t wait to run downstairs and see the looks on everyone’s face when they see what Santa brought them and you try and tell yourself you’re an adult now and you should have much more patience than you did when you were five….

….but you run anyway.

This moment was better.

There’s nothing like hoping and dreaming and believing and working together for a house that hopes.

I brought my camera and Ashley brought hers and we started photographing and laughing at the same time.

It was hilarious.

And harder than patting your head and rubbing your stomach.

This is what I photographed right when I walked in the door.  It’s the dining room just inside to the left.

If you turn to the right, you’ll find the library.

I was mesmerized by these bowling pins and the planter in the middle of the table.

And that awesome chair combination.

Down the hallway from the front door is the kitchen.

It was designed by my friend Lucy who brought her vintage barn door with her.

Every detail is perfect down to that details on the kitchen island.

The kitchen and living room are open concept with beautiful wood beams and a vaulted ceiling in the main living space.

There’s a writing area and a velvet sofa and brass fixtures.

And this chandelier.

Right off the kitchen is the cutest laundry room nook designed by my friend Rhoda.

I love the floor in the space.

And the custom cushion she designed for the built-in.

Downstairs off the kitchen down a little hallway is the master bedroom.

It’s designed by two of my favorite people on the planet, Kara and Lauren Blaylock from Refresh Home.

They have an eye for a really good ceiling.

Like the ones in this house and this house.

This is the master bath.

It’s got the best closet space and the tile border is a great idea for a space.

I love the sparkling counter tops with these flowers.

At the top of the stairs were four bedrooms including Ashley and Jamin’s room.

Seriously.

The bunk beds?

This little tea set?

And that teepee made out of their fabrics.

And then there was me.

Downstairs and through the kitchen and at the top of the stairs off the mudroom was my room.

The ball room posing as the family game room.

My cute husband made this table for me and built it on site.  It’s 10 feet long and 5 feet wide.

There’s a vertical checkers game and a three-dimensional tic tac toe game and word of the year signs that you all helped me design.

That amazing sectional was donated by La-Z-Boy and the rug was donated by Wayfair and the game board projects were sponsored by Frog Tape.  Also, a giant shout out to Ron York for lending the art to the space as well.

I’m heading to Nashville for media day today and tomorrow the House for Hope will be open to the public from March 4-March 12.  You can buy tickets to tour the house here.

Whew.

That was a long post.

The longest of the long.

It took five times as long as that to photograph the house, too.

Good thing I laughed all the way through it. 🙂

PS  If you want to see the house through Ashley’s camera lens, you can check out her post here.

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

Comments

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

    You could write a tome and I'd still read every word of it!!! Y'all (that's southern isn't it?) did such a great job. I love everything about it! And I bet you girls did giggle. You know how that is - once you start you can't stop especially when you're celebrating such a great moment. Now, Miz KariAnne, when can I get your book?? I know I won't be able to get anything done because I'm going to read it cover to cover -- several times? Will there be photos? If there is then it will take longer. As I've mentioned before, I become so engrossed in the narrative that I first read then go back and look at the pictures.

  2. Image for Cheryl Cheryl

    Gorgeous! Do you have a source list? I have been looking for a green rug exactly like the one in the dining room with the striped curtains. Wonderful pictures.

  3. Image for Kim Kim

    Maybe it's just because I'm looking at this post on an iPad, but it would be helpful for the reader if you had your explanation of each room before the pics. Just a suggestion.

  4. Image for Pamela Mowbray Pamela Mowbray

    Oh Kari Anne!! what a wonderful post! and what an amazing opportunity to showcase your comfortable, laid-back and creative style. I know it took a village, more time and energy than most could muster in a life time, but these photos tell the story of one of the best show-houses that I have ever seen. Every room flows perfectly and seamlessly. I don't know if that was the plan, or if they offered rooms to decorators and designers who had similar styles, either way it is perfection! I wish I lived closer so that I could take a tour. But then,,,,,I may never leave ;)

  5. Image for Teresa Gonzales Teresa Gonzales

    WOWWWWWW! You did such an amazing job! Congratulations on doing such a beautiful job to all of you involved. Such a great cause and you honored it!

  6. Image for Cecilia Cecilia

    It is just beautiful. Hard to pick a favorite space. But that light fixture in the master...swoon. Love the game room. You did a wonderful job on it. I'm definitely going to look at Ashley's view of it! I want to see more.

  7. Image for Ellen Ellen

    The House for Hope is just GORGEOUS!! I was so delighted when I read today that you were revealing the many treasures that this house holds. Your family game room is spectacular! Mr. Twinkle Eyes table is absolutely perfect - LOVE it!! I have read and reread this post and the examined and re-examined the beautiful photos ; there is always something new to discover. This house is a tribute to the vision and dedication of all the talented contributors. CONGRATULATIONS on a job very well done by each of you!!! Thank-you for this wonderful post, every word and picture.

  8. Image for Kris Kris

    I knew which room was yours just by looking at the pictures. :) The house is beautiful and what a great use of all of your talents.

  9. Image for Gwen Gwen

    Please, please share the size of that adorable room with the built in bunks! Not only floor dimensions but ceiling height as well. This is amazing! Thank you.

  10. Image for Mary Crozier Mary Crozier

    It was nice to see a house involving many creative minds to look cohesive. Some designer homes are so disjointed in their style and outrageous, unlivable design. But this one is easy on the eyes and seems very livable. What a fun project for you! Thanks for sharing.

  11. Image for Terri Terri

    Awesome... amazing... beautiful... every square inch........ WOW.......... Incrdible weekend to you !!!!! And to the House For Hope Tour!!!

  12. Image for Melinda Melinda

    Wonderful job by all!! It is truly amazing how gifted you and your friends are! Some special family is going to love living here!! If I lived closer I would be touring and ooooing and ahhhing!

    1. Image for KariAnne Wood KariAnne Wood

      Jenifer, Yes! It's in Nashville and it's a house built by Carbine and Associates. All of the proceeds from the house will be donated to children's charities! You can read more about it here; https://carbineandassociates.com/house-for-hope/ karianne

  13. Image for Bonnie Bonnie

    Thanks so much for sharing all those beautiful pictures. I think it's so wonderful that you and your husband and everyone else involved donated their time and creativity. What a blessing that home will be to all who enter!

  14. Image for Michelle Michelle

    Oh you were so right to want to live there -- so beautiful!! You did an amazing job on the gameroom (one of my faves!). My sister, Roxy, and her daughter loved this room too and are building the wall chess and checkboard games for the kids. ;-)

  15. Image for Julie B. Julie B.

    Yeah... I totally didn't notice this being a long post, at all. :-) Beautiful photography, KariAnne. The house is quite amazing!

  16. Image for Regina Merrick Regina Merrick

    Stunning, Karianne! That's the word that comes to me first - STUNNING! Oh, I want to go down there and look at it!!!! Great job - and great post!!

  17. Image for Celeste @ Penultimate Home Celeste @ Penultimate Home

    I don't think this post was too long at all! It left me with more questions. Right from the first picture. Is that paint or wallpaper, oooh what's that color?, where do you find light bulbs like that?, what's that cabinet color in the bath?, Oh my, those are gorgeous tufted wing chairs!, what are those book covers? Needless, to say, I was delighted to look at Ashley's pictures too. I wish I lived close enough to see it in real life. Congratulations and thank you for putting together such a beautiful home and for sharing it with us.

    1. Image for KariAnne Wood KariAnne Wood

      Celeste, LOL! Here's some answers. My room is painted and it's called SW Conservative Gray. Not sure about the light bulbs. I don't know the cabinet color in that bath. Love the chairs, too and the book covers are made from craft paper. Whew! Hope this helps friend! karianne

  18. Image for Nan, Odessa, DE Nan, Odessa, DE

    Please, please have everyone do a source list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The bunk bed room: where can I find the colorful lettered art on the wall? the agate child's tea set? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing. This is amazing. Our neighboring town does this with one homeowner each spring, then sell the tickets. YES, the homeowner kicks in funds and lots and lots are donated by companies. I do notice that the homeowners DO NOT KEEP THESE properties up after time passes.

  19. Image for Stephanie Stephanie

    So pretty!! I would love more information on paint colors...I LOVE the color you chose for the adult bonus space!! What is it?

    1. Image for KariAnne Wood KariAnne Wood

      Stephanie, There was a designer that picked all the paint colors for the house to keep a unified color pallet. The color for my room was SW Conservative Gray. Hope this helps! karianne

  20. Image for Donna Marie Donna Marie

    Many times when designers are let design a house it is awful; but this is nice. It is livable and homey! Ya'll done good! 'Specially you and twinkle eyes!!!

    1. Image for KariAnne Wood KariAnne Wood

      Cindy, I'm actually working on it! It was the first table he ever built. It's 10 feet long and 5 feet wide and he had to build it in the space! Happy day friend! karianne

  21. Image for DeMarie DeMarie

    So much talent under one roof! The House for Hope is fresh and inviting. Fabulous job by all involved. (clap...clap....clap....clap) Are you taking a bow? :-)

  22. Image for laura {not a trophy wife} laura {not a trophy wife}

    Is the House for Hope a charity event? Beautiful photography. Karianne- please do a post on 5, maybe 3, ways to improve our own photos. I get so overwhelmed I whip out my iphone! xo xo laura {not a trophy wife}

  23. Image for Charlotte Lindsay Charlotte Lindsay

    This house turned out so well. You guys did a great job creating a cohesive feel throughout the home, when working with several different people it is often hard to make everything come together nicely. My favorite part about this home is the perfect mix of light and dark colors and modern and rustic design.

  24. Image for Lanita Anderson Lanita Anderson

    Wow!! So beautiful and so many wonderful things to look at..... I love your room and all of the great ideas you incorporated into your design! What a blessing to be able to be a part of such a wonderful event....congratulations! Thanks for sharing.....I was enjoying all of the photographs so much, I didn't even realize it was a long post!? :)

  25. Image for Ananda Ananda

    hi karianne! what a great project! this house is beautiful inside and out! i hope you will give us a lesson on how to photograph interiors: i know if i were there with you, my photos would not be so perfect and dreamy!! xo

  26. Image for Cindy Cindy

    This house is so gorgeous and everyone did such a wonderful job with the decorating, painting, fixtures, furniture, etc. I especially love the bonus area over the garage. It is not only beautifully decorated, but it is functional as well. I visited the house this weekend and was blown away. The custom built games hanging on the wall (checkers and tic tac toe ) was such a creative idea. Also, where can I find those two chairs in the bonus room next to the windows?

Comments are closed.