Allbritton or Nothing: Sweet dreams are made of this

Y'all. I think I have a project. It's not my house, because I'm still on the market. And it's not my future house, because I have no idea where I am going. But there is a house that belongs to someone who likes and trusts me and my visions and is in the process of buying a fixer-upper.

And I have more vision that I have space in which to utilize it. So here are some sneak peaks and what inspires me for the future of each space. Not all of these have been floated by the potential homeowners yet, but there are limitless possibilities for every bit of this house.

I am trying to make a convincing argument for why the front door should stay. Even without those atrocities of window treatments, the house would lose very little privacy. The front door opens into a foyer that looks straight into the backyard, and the house is far enough from the road that no passersby or neighbors would be able to see your naughty bits if you were going to get clothes out of the dryer, unless you stood in the door and shook 'em.

The house is a lighter brick, with white trim and future black shutters, so how dreamy would a rich blue door with white sidelights and trim look, sans offensive window treatments?

From Doors Around the World.

Via Our Fifth House

The living room is large, with tall narrow windows that look out into the backyard. Those cornices are well-made, cost someone a pretty penny at one point, and come with the house. I love them because they will allow some pattern in the room without overwhelming eight windows with drapes. They will hide pull down shades, as the potential owner is concerned about too much natural light intruding on her naps. Even though I know she can sleep all night with the lights on.

I dream of a sectional in this room, floating in the center, facing the fireplace, with a wall-mounted TV and a good antique console on that bare wall. There's a dog, and entertaining, so the furniture should be practical and washable. My vision is a sapphire blue and moss or olive green, but the accent colors have not been discussed. We also always love us some turquoise, and matched with yellow would be dreamy on gray upholstery. But, sectional. Because naps.

Via Four Generations One Roof

We could also throw every color anybody could ever love in there, because this makes me want a whiskey sour, and I do not drink hard liquor.

From Calling It Home.

Staying in the living room, I love this fireplace. The potential homeowners have asked if they can keep the mirror, which could be painted any color and hooked to the masonry to lean forward. I am arguing against painting the fireplace white, because a painted fireplace is painted forever. I am all about living with it for a while, because they may end up loving the warmth of the brick, especially once we put color in there.

But a whitewash could be shmancy. Also, lamps! On the mantle!

From Our Fifth House

Via The Thread Effect

There is a long hall that runs the length of the kitchen and leads to the garage. In that hall are the laundry room (with a fabby vintage air balloon wallpaper) and a half bath. I have begged and I think convinced that this paneling, among other woodwork in the house, needs to be sprayed by a professional sprayer if the house is purchased. Otherwise we'll be painting multiple layers of stain-blocking primer and paint for the rest of our lives.

We're dealing with white paneling and not wainscoting, but the trim and paneling would be painted white, so the hall would resemble this.

From somewhere on Houzz.

This is my second most favorite part, because it has so much character and is so unique. All the doors in the house are solid wood, and match, and have never been refinished. So they have a very rich patina. The light is terrible here, because I was too excited to white balance.

In some sections of the house, the trim is wood. In some sections of the house, the trim is cream. ALL the trim needs to be painted a not bright, not ivory white, like Benjamin Moore's White Dove. But for the love of God, we must protect these doors.

From Somewhere on Houzz.

Via Indulgy.com

From Apartment Therapy.

My very favorite part of the house is that with the exception of recessed lighting in the kitchen and living room, chandeliers in the foyer and dining area, and I-don't-remember-what in the bedrooms, all the light fixtures match. The bathroom lights and the hall light fixtures all match. They are this, and I practically squealed with delight when I saw them. Most are hung too low, and these ones, in the master bath, are the only ones with fancy crystals. They stay. Every one of them.