When Heather and Stu Freeman started their hunt for a home in Springfield, Mo., they all knew was that they needed to have a home in a historic neighborhood. Following a long and protracted hunt, the few happened upon a charming mid-century cottage in a locality that was Springfield’s premiere golf program. While the bathrooms had to be upgraded, the cabinets were little and the original hardwood floors had plenty of wear and tear, so it had been love at first sight to the Freemans.
The couple has lived here for almost two years, and have learned to embrace all of the quirks that come with this 1943 home. Rather than decorating it traditionally, Heather — who authors the site The Beautiful Cupboard — has employed her DIY and bargain-hunting abilities to give the home a young appearance. “I’ve found my own personal design has been a response to maintain our 1940s cottage feeling refreshing instead of just older,” Heather says.
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Like many cottages built in this time period, the home is relatively streamlined. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms were built into the home’s 2,300 square feet. The stonework on the outside of the home is completely original — that the Freemans have not changed the appearance of the home from the outside in any way.
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Heather is on the search for the best bargain for her home furnishings and accessories. If she does not find it in thrift stores, World Market, Home Goods or Target, then this resourceful schoolteacher will create it herself.
Lamps: House Goods
Metal Basket: Pottery Barn
Mirrored Console: Pier 1
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The Freemans have two living rooms — a den, and also this more formal living space. Heather decorated the space like almost all of her home — with a mix of classic and antique pieces that she is gathered for several years. But she also blends in contemporary colors and bold prints so that her home feels eclectic instead of stuffy. The tasteful art above the couch is only one case of a cheerful accent which Heather created herself.
Pillows: Etsy
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An initial fireplace completes the more formal appearance of this living space. Heather decorated the ring using a mix of gathered antique and contemporary knick-knacks.
Mirror: Lowe’s
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The den is the more casual living space where the Freemans invest the majority of their time. “We called it the lodge when we first moved in, since it’d floor-to-ceiling wood panelling,” says Heather. The few painted the wood a soft white to give it a much more cottage-like texture, and to reflect the beautiful all-natural light that pours through the windows at the morning.
Sofa: Haverty’s
Coffee Tables: Goal
Pillows: Goal and World Market
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The den is put a level down from the remainder of the home, which makes it feel even cozier. The Freeman’s two puppies — Marty McFly and Ms. Brooke Shields — love to snuggle up in this hot space.
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Heather’s family has traveled quite extensively, so many of the pieces in her home are beautiful inherited pieces from Indonesia and India. For future endeavors, she wishes to integrate more international textiles to reflect the origins of those pieces.
Starburst Mirror: TJ Maxx
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In lieu of a TV stand, the Freemans simply surfaced their TV in addition to the fireplace in the den. This little touch is a great example of the mix of contemporary and classic design in this particular home.
“I love my home has background,” says Heather. “There are stains and marks all around the original hardwood floors that show all of the life that has been lived within time. The cracks in the walls or crooked doors may bother some folks, but the trade-off to get a exceptional home is worth it for me”
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The dining area’s elegant appearance is due in good part to the magnificent stenciled background on the far wall. Once it appears high-end, Heather created this background herself for less than $15. She had fallen in love with all of the wallpaper that has gotten so well known in homes within the past couple of years, but was amazed at just how much some of it cost. Inspired by the posts she had seen in blogs concerning the way to stencil wallsshe chose to do exactly the identical thing in her property. For a full DIY, check out her post .
Table: Antique Thomasville
Chairs: Vintage
Chandelier: Overstock.com
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The kitchen is still a work in progress, along with the surfaces, cabinetry, and appliances are exactly the same as if they originally purchased the home. The pair has freshened up the space with fresh paint, beautiful green and white dishes, and also well-placed accents.
“We are learning how to love our house, even if it seems like it’s falling apart,” says Heather. “We realize it’s been here this long and only needs some TLC. We still have plans for improvements, but we’re pacing ourselves.”
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Even with a rather compact master bath and closet, Heather and Stu enjoy their unique master suite. The size is merely indicative of how people lived when the home was built, along with the couple does not mind paring things down. Contemporary textiles in bright colors give this room an open and refreshing feel.
Headboard and bedding: Goal
Pillows: World Market and Tuesday Morning
Cabinets: Ikea
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Among Heather’s favorite fast fixes are such cute retro-pink baskets which she found while thrifting. The colour works beautifully with the sea-green walls, and it’s the ideal place to store her accessories.
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The guest room is a colorful but calming place for visitors to tuck in for the evening. Heather made the magnificent piece of art above the bed with paint chips. Have a look at the entire DIY here to learn how to create this clever and affordable piece of art.
Lamp and Chair: Thrifted
Pillow: Pier 1
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