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Home Tours, Interior Decor and Styling, Vintage Style

An Early Summer Tour of My Old Kentucky Home

Beautiful Historic Kentucky Home Summer Home Tour

Hello everyone and happy summer! I am so honored to be participating in this exciting week of summer home tours with thirty amazing bloggers hosted by Marty at A Stroll Thru Life. If you are coming over from my talented friend Laura’s blog, Decor To Adore, or if you just happened to stop by the blog, I am so glad you are here! Today I am welcoming you to join me for an early summer tour of “My Old Kentucky Home!”

 Summer Home Tour Basket of lavender French Country Porch historic homes of Kentucky Spiral Boxwood in urn on porch

Summertime has arrived in Kentucky and the livin’ is easy!  It’s time for enjoying lots of sunshine and flowers, (especially my beloved lavender)! Of course there are also some simple decorative changes and festive touches around the house that reflect the joys of summer and laid back summer living. Come on in and take a look around!

 

Gorgeous entryway with painted stairs painted stair runner staircase gallery wall with antique mirrors and frames Summer decorating ideas

Even though school is out, I continue to give music lessons throughout summer and our home is filled with music and fun activities all summer long. Instead of changing out seasonal wreaths on our front door, I use a white washed wooden treble clef year round (the perfect door decor for a music teacher who adores all things white and chippy-shabby)!  As you enter right into the living room the first thing you see is our DIY painted stairs and a gallery wall of antique frames and mirrors that I have collected over the years.

 

Staircase ideas Staircase gallery wall antique frames and mirrors #staircase

 

I love how the mirrors reflect all the extra sunlight in summer and brighten up the entry way and living room. Before touring the rest of the living room and dining room, let’s head to the kitchen for some refreshing, organic lemonade!

 

Farmhouse style kitchen with Rae Dunn buffalo plaid ironstone decorated for summer vintage metal picnic basket

Later this summer there are some big changes coming to the kitchen which include some construction messes, so I decided to keep things simple for now. The only new kitchen purchases for summer are the farmhouse style sign with lyrics from our Kentucky state song, “My Old Kentucky Home,” and a vintage picnic basket to add to my collection. I thought the kitchen needed a bit of red, white and blue, so I repurposed a patriotic bunting as a valance for summer too. A couple of Rae Dunn summer pieces purchased earlier this spring have been added to the “Rae Dunn cabinet.” *To hear an amazing a capella version of My Old Kentucky Home performed by The University of Kentucky Acoustikats Men’s Chorus, click here.

 

summer decorating ideas stack of vintage picnic baskets in farmhouse kitchen Rae Dunn display ideas summer home tour

It just isn’t summer in Kentucky without watermelon and lemonade! Then again, is it summer anywhere without watermelon and lemonade?

 

 Farmhouse kitchen summer decorating with lemons farmhouse lemon decor lemons as centerpiece

 

Farmhouse kitchen decorating ideas for summer lemons decorating with lemons black and white farmhouse kitchen

For now I am loving a bright and sunny lemon theme in the kitchen. I replaced my spring green dish towels with a couple of pretty French lemon towels, and created a simple centerpiece on the breakfast nook table using an antique ironstone bowl filled with fresh lemons on stack of vintage ironstone platters.

 

Summer decorating with lemons farmhouse kitchen ideas

 

Beautiful early summer home tour farmhouse kitchen with lemons farmhouse pillows black and white kitchen ideas

Hot Kentucky summers are perfect for enjoying lemonade, and this pitcher will be gone in no time as soon as I let my family know my “blog prop” is up for grabs!

 

 

Summer home tour summer kitchen Rae Dunn herb pots with faux herbs yellow queen anne's lace in ironstone pitcher vintage Coca-cola tray

Summer is all about fresh herbs, fruits and veggies! I am an avid herb gardener, but I like to use faux herbs for simplicity in the kitchen. I am also a “use what you have” decorator, so for now some faux parsley is standing in for basil and faux mint for oregano in my Rae Dunn herb pots. Even though I am not a soda drinker, when  I think of childhood summers or even old “all-American” summers there is “always Coca-Cola” in my mind, so I often use a few vintage Coca-Cola pieces in my summer vignettes.

 

Farmhouse kitchen summer decorating ideas Rae Dunn herb pots Ironstone yellow kitchen decor

This vintage Coke tray depicting a lovely lady in a pretty blue and white summer dress surrounded by bright yellow flowers will be on display now through fall. Some faux yellow Queen Anne’s Lace and mint sprigs in an ironstone pitcher brighten up the sunny corner of the breakfast nook even more.

 

French Citron glass vintage farmhouse kitchen summer decorating ideas summer home tour lemons

 

Now let’s move into the dining room for more all-American, simple Kentucky summer decorating ideas.

Gorgeous historic home in Kentucky with original woodwork dark stained woodwork #generalfinishesjavagelstain #generalfinishes My Old Kentucky Home Summer Home Tour Farmhouse Dining Room

Our “old Kentucky home” is almost 98 years-old, and it still has all of the dark, original unpainted woodwork which is part of it’s charm.  In contrast I like to keep the wall colors and main decor and furnishings as light and neutral as possible. This makes it easy to simply add in seasonal colors through accent pieces. Recent changes to the dining room include a faux shiplap accent wall (hard to see in the sunshine, but after a long, cold, and dreary spring I am not complaining!). I also added a new ficus tree for a touch of green in the corner where a shabby antique secretary used to be (moved to the living room).

 

Summer Home Tour My Old Kentucky Home Farmhouse Church Pew with burlap horse pillow, ticking stripe pillows and grains stripe pillows ficus tree in antique crock #farmhousediningroom #farmhousestyle #vintagechurch pew Church pew ideas

I always like to show a bit of Kentucky state pride in our home, and I am loving my new burlap horse pillow and a DIY French blue (or KY blue!) grain stripe pillow on the antique church pew.

 

 

Stunning historic Kentucky home with original upainted woodwork shiplap accent wall ficus tree corbel shelf above window farmhouse chandelier antique farm table blue and white farmhouse decor

Another change since my last home tour is the addition of a DIY corbel shelf above the windows. Because our dining room is shady most of the day, I removed my linen curtains altogether and added the shelf for interest. I love having the extra space to display some favorite vintage salvage and ironstone pieces from my hoards collections.

 

 

Gorgeous summer dining room tour home tour patriotic tablescape

For summer I created a “berries and cream” themed tablescape with a patriotic feel. I used a mix of vintage thrifted finds and just a few new pieces.  I think “fresh from the farm” organic blueberries and strawberries (shh…those are actually faux strawberries from Hobby Lobby…) are perfect for serving up on a 100+ year-old farm table for a little summer snack!

 

Patriotic Dining room decor Patriotic decorating ideas summer home tour American Flags in ironstone pitchers Summer Tablescape red, white and blue tablescape

Other than Christmas and fall, I normally keep the dining room neutral, but I though it would be super fun to add a bit of red, white and blue to the faux fireplace and antique mirrored shelf behind the farm table for summer. Later this week I plan to share a detailed “Patriotic Dining Room” post with more photos and vignettes.

 

Our house is decorated with an eclectic mix of vintage styles, but you will always find that my love of French Country is evident. I am also happy to brag about how much I didn’t spend on my decor! I found this pretty basket with blue toile de jouy liner at a yard sale for $1 this weekend (I did give it a quick chalk-paint white wash) and the little blue and gold Florentine coasters for $1 as well. The French sign was on clearance for $2 at Jo-Ann Fabric last season, and the ironstone pitcher was also $1 yard sale find. My lovely gold flatware is plastic from the party section at Home Goods for $3, and the “vintage” red French ticking stripe napkins are actually $3 paper napkins from Magnolia Hearth and Hand at Target! So I guess I could have done a separate quick blog post on “How To Style A Pretty Summer Basket for $10” basket included!

 

Since I don’t eat refined sugar, these sweet blueberries are certainly a delightful summer treat.  I think blueberries just look so pretty when displayed on ironstone pieces or white dishes.

 

The gorgeous, antique ironstone blue and white transferware platter in the center of the table was a recent find that I am thrilled about! It was the one piece that inspired the whole red, white and blue summer tablescape and patriotic touches in the dining room.

 

Gorgeous vintage blue transferware platter antique ironstone blue and white dishes

A few more bargains for the table included four dark blue saucers (.95 each) and some dainty, ivory lace (paper!) place mats, 8 for $1.00!

 

I am really enjoying this inexpensive summer tablescape, but after finishing up this post I do plan to snack on some of those sweet blueberries while checking out all the amazing summer home tours!

 

Now it’s time to tour the living room to see how I have changed up the decor for summer.

 

In just the past couple of weeks there have been two changes that have made the living room feel like a new space and totally refreshed for summer— a new natural jute rug and a dreamy leather Chesterfield sofa! If you are considering a jute rug for your home, be sure to check out my recent post, Refreshing The Living Room With The Perfect Jute Rug.

 

The jute rug will work well year round, but it is really great for summer and looks perfect when combined with a few nautical or natural decorative accents like a blue stripe summer blanket and a boho belly basket.

 

Since the Chesterfield sofa has a lower back than our previous couch, I moved the antique theater seats from behind the sofa where they had been and put them in front of the window. A French script DIY upholstered bench now sits in their place. I love that our living room has plenty of seating along with the dining room. Since the dining room and living room open to each other through a set of French doors, there is a lot of room for family and friends to enjoy a summer meal together and to sit around and socialize (or play guitar and sing along, since both sides of my family are musical!)

 

I knew I wanted to add just a little bit of blue to the living room for summer, so switching out my springy teal pillows with blue striped pillows was an easy way to do just that. They have a bit of a Boho look which was exactly what I was wanting in order to keep my overall vintage cottage style from looking too dated. I also added some new, trendy “vintage-looking” macrame pillows to the sofa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I styled our antique trunk-turned-coffee-table with an ironstone platter filled with neutral,  natural, and nautical treasures. Our family is full of beach lovers, so there are always seashells and “beachy things” on display for summer in anticipation of our yearly beach vacations. A large hurricane candle holder is filled with more ironstone, seashells, and topped by a fun air plant in a glass terrarium.

 

 

 

What is summer without fresh flowers? Our Annabelle hydrangea bushes are in full bloom just in time for this tour so I decided to add a few to the summery glass bottles on the mantel to share with you.

 

 

 

Like the artist Claude Monet, I, too “must have flowers, always and always!” Gardening is a passion of mine so I certainly like to include some garden style in the decor for summer. A little bit of green through fresh or faux flowers and plants keeps our neutral home feeling “alive” and cheerful.

 

On the antique mirrored buffet behind the sofa I styled a dough bowl for summer “garden thyme” with a few faux succulents, herbs and other vintage treasures.

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Dough Bowl ideas succulents herbs candles

 

 

 

 

Well friends, as much as I would love to head out and work in my real herb garden right now, it is going to be an extremely hot Kentucky summer day so I will have to stay inside until later in the evening. I have been extra busy the past few days getting ready for this tour, so I think relaxing on the sofa with a couple of good decorating and gardening books sounds like great way to embrace easy summer living today! First I am going to snack on those blueberries and catch up on all the beautiful home tours. Don’t forget that the tours continue tomorrow beginning with Haneen’s Haven! If you missed any of the tours you can find the full schedule at the end of this post.

Beautiful Historic Kentucky Home Summer Home Tour

 

 Cute summer tote bag and summer hat summer hat sisal stripe summer tote

Thank you so much for visiting today! May your summer tote be filled to the brim with flowers or farm fresh produce, seashells and natural treasures, or vintage junkin’ finds…whatever makes your heart happy!

Amber Signature copyright 2018 Amber Ferguson

 

 

A Stroll Thru Life |Pink Peppermint Design|Setting For Four |Nesting With Grace Cuckoo4Design |Southern Hospitality

 

 

Tuesday

|

Wednesday

 

Thursday

Haneens Haven| Monica Wants It |Duke Manor Farm |My Sweet Savannah 

11 Magnolia Lane |Life Love Larson 

 

Friday

Decorating Delirium|Thistlewood Farm |Thrifty & Chic |Hymns & Verses 

Starfish Cottage |Far Above Rubies 

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44 Comments

  • Reply Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows

    Amber, it’s all just gorgeous! I love studying your layers and vignettes. Your home has a timeless yet fun feeling to it.

    June 13, 2018 at 6:34 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you so much Stacey! I am glad that the “fun” comes through. I certainly love my antiques but I never want our home to feel like a museum or just a showcase of collections. Thank you so much for stopping by and your nice comment!

      June 13, 2018 at 2:16 pm
  • Reply laura janning

    amber, what a great tour. I LOVE your original wood trim and the wood on the ceiling. it is gorgeous. enjoy kicking back and enjoying the summer season.

    June 13, 2018 at 7:01 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you so much Laura! I am so glad you enjoyed the tour. I am definitely going to savor summer! Fall is also a great time to decorate our home with all the warm wood tones, and I will certainly be sharing several fall tours too. I hope you will come back around for another visit! Thank you so much for stopping by today!

      June 13, 2018 at 2:14 pm
  • Reply Julia@Cuckoo4Design

    So much unique beauty to take in and I’m obsessed with the painted stairs.

    June 13, 2018 at 8:17 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you Julia! We actually painted the stair runner as a temporary fix to cover up how terrible the stairs looked after removing the carpet until we could have the floors refinsihed, but after four years we still have’t gotten around to it, and the worn floors don’t really bother me anymore. Now I don’t want to part with the painted stairs either! Thanks so much for visiting today, and come back any time! I can’t wait to check out your tour!

      June 13, 2018 at 2:10 pm
      • Reply Heather Nagel

        Gorgeous stairs. I am curious to know what products you used.
        Thanks,
        Heather

        July 11, 2018 at 4:32 pm
        • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

          Hi Heather! I have had so many comments and questions about my stairs, I am going to do a post next month. I don’t remember the products right off hand, but when I post I will let you know. Thanks for visiting, hope you will come back again soon!

          July 13, 2018 at 8:06 am
  • Reply Katie Mansfield

    Amber, everything is just too perfect. I love, love that transferware platter. It’s all so cute.

    June 13, 2018 at 8:24 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you so much Katie! I am so glad you visited today, you are welcome back any time!

      June 13, 2018 at 2:07 pm
  • Reply Marty Oravetz

    Wow, so many gorgeous vignettes. Your home is so full of inspiration in how you combine your beautiful antiques and accessories. I love it all. The gorgeous stained woodwork in your home is one of my favorite things. Thanks so much for joining the tours, your home is so beautifully decorated and such a delight to see.

    June 13, 2018 at 9:15 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you Marty, I am so happy you liked it! It has been a pleasure to join you! Thank you for organizing this, especially right before a big surgery! I will be sending some prayers for your speedy recovery!

      June 13, 2018 at 2:06 pm
  • Reply Anita

    Well, you had me at that gorgeous entry and stairs, but the wood trim throughout seriously kept me swooning. It’s gorgeous and adds such a rich, warm feel to the whites and creams. Love, love your amazing house!!

    June 13, 2018 at 11:15 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you so much Anita! I can’t wait to check out your tour! Since I am a music teacher and eclectic vintage decorator, your home is filled with many things I love and it’s always a delight and inspiration to tour! Thanks for visiting today!

      June 13, 2018 at 2:03 pm
  • Reply Christy @ Our Southern Home

    Your home is stunning oozing with gorgeous historic charm!

    June 13, 2018 at 5:52 pm
  • Reply Jennifer Lifford

    What a beautiful home Amber! You have so many unique decor pieces and put them together so well. I was just in Kentucky for the first time a few weeks ago – wish I had longer to look around! Have a wonderful summer!

    June 13, 2018 at 6:29 pm
  • Reply Connie

    Love it all but my favorite is the sunshiny bright lemon and yellow touches in your olde Kentucky home kitchen! So cheerful! ????

    June 13, 2018 at 6:55 pm
  • Reply Kristy Seibert

    Your sweet vintage style Kentucky home is simply endearing! I can almost taste the fresh squeezed lemonade…blessings, Kristy- Starfish Cottage

    June 13, 2018 at 9:32 pm
  • Reply Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

    Your home is truly lovely, Amber! It has such a collected over time look, with all of your personal touches. I loved the tour…thank you for sharing and inspiring!

    June 13, 2018 at 10:26 pm
  • Reply Haneen

    Your home is filled with so much character and charm!

    June 14, 2018 at 12:22 am
  • Reply Laura Ingalls Gunn

    Amber you have outdone yourself on this tour! I adore the bright yellow touches in the lemonade vignettes and the table setting is patriotic perfection!

    June 14, 2018 at 7:43 am
  • Reply Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality

    Hi, Amber, how pretty your home is! I don’t think I’ve been by before but you have the perfect mix of vintage charm mixed in your old Kentucky home. Love all your sweet touches for summer, so inviting and welcoming!

    June 14, 2018 at 9:29 am
  • Reply Alicia @ Thrifty and Chic

    Your home is so beautiful! I love all your vintage and summer touches….and all the wood trim! Gorgeous tour!

    June 14, 2018 at 2:46 pm
  • Reply Lorin Small

    Beautiful home, so fun, so interesting. I love the the dark wood trim against the light colors!
    PS found you from your invite to visit on instagram.

    June 14, 2018 at 4:11 pm
  • Reply Pam Richardson

    Amber, I love your Kentucky home. I too adore the pop of lemon. Your vintage detail is perfection!

    June 15, 2018 at 6:38 pm
  • Reply Olivia

    Beautiful, Amber! I love how everything feels fresh and cheery but is still warm and cozy and remains true to your style.

    oxo

    June 16, 2018 at 5:20 pm
  • Reply Donna Reidland

    A lovely home! Pinning several photos.

    June 17, 2018 at 7:46 pm
  • Reply Susan

    wow oh wow what a lovely home. I loved your summer tour and I am saving it at my pinterest of home tours board! So happy to find your blog #omhgww

    June 20, 2018 at 12:13 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you so much Susan! I hope you will come back again soon! I am sharing a few more mini-tours in July!

      June 20, 2018 at 9:48 pm
  • Reply Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane

    Amber–Wow–such a gorgeous home! I love old houses and yours is exceptionally beautiful. You have such a knack for mixing patterns and finishes. It was a pleasure to share the tour with you.

    June 20, 2018 at 5:40 pm
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you so much! Come back any time!

      June 20, 2018 at 9:50 pm
  • Reply Sherry

    Your home is just lovely! I am pinning as well! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

    June 20, 2018 at 6:14 pm
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you Sherry!

      June 20, 2018 at 9:50 pm
  • Reply Kathy A

    I think it is a lovely compliment to you that most of the comments above say “home”, not house. You have definitely made it into a home. I have seen several of your tours now; I miss the Christmas Belsnickles! Your seasonal changes are just so neat! I hope my house will someday look more put together like yours!

    June 21, 2018 at 1:39 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Kathy what a sweet comment, I am so glad that feeling of home comes through in posts! Thank you so much for your visits and comments, they mean so much! I will be sharing an Uncle Sam on Tuesday for a Patriotic Porch tour, he is sort of like a skinny Belsnickle, so you might enjoy him.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      June 21, 2018 at 10:00 am
  • Reply Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

    Amber, I love your old Kentucky home. The charm of that era cannot be duplicated today, and the love you’ve shown it makes it timeless as well as warm and inviting.

    June 21, 2018 at 7:40 pm
  • Reply Jann Olson

    Amber, I love your old Kentucky home and how you have decorated it for summer! Your gallery wall is fabulous. Love that first mirror! Watermelon and lemonade scream summer to me as well. I have all three of the same picnic baskets you have stacked. Love it! Faux fruit and herbs never looked so good!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    June 21, 2018 at 8:06 pm
  • Reply Snap

    Your Old Kentucky Home is gorgeous. I’ve been thinking about kitchens lately, so I loved seeing yours. Love the yellow and citron pillow and the Rae Dunn herb containers. So much in your post to see and enjoy! Lovely!

    June 22, 2018 at 4:06 pm
  • Reply Cecilia

    Amber your home is truly lovely! Love the pops of yellow you’ve added for summer. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! Pinning!

    June 24, 2018 at 3:21 pm
  • Reply Jill

    Amber, your “Old Kentucky Home” is lovely. You have managed to blend the many outstanding original features of your home with the light/bright look of today in your choices of colors and decor. Though I am a fan of white woodwork, the original dark woodwork honors the age of your home and sets off your decor. When you have woodwork this distinctive it would be a crime to paint it. You featured many attractive items (furniture, decor. etc.) in your home tour – two of my top favorites are the painted stair runner (what a great and artistic solution to a problem) and the two wing chairs in your living room, Are they recliners? If so I would love to know the brand. I love the comfort and versatility of a recliner but detest the typical huge “puffy” look that is so prevalent. Your chairs are classic, a nice size and go so well with your style, would love to find something similar. Thank you for sharing this view into your home. I look forward to seeing future posts.

    June 26, 2018 at 7:32 pm
  • Reply Katherines Corner

    I know I’ve said it before..but, you have a gorgeous home. Every piece beautifully place and a rich statement of your taste and personality. Just lovely, my friend xo

    June 28, 2018 at 5:18 pm
  • Reply Ashley

    Would love to know where I can find that lovely little woven wall plate?

    July 9, 2018 at 3:02 pm
  • Reply laura

    HI Amber! I am also a realtor. How do you balance it all? Are you on a team? I took a hiatus and recently ramped it back up and the lack of schedule is trying at best! Would love to know what works for you? laura

    July 11, 2018 at 9:11 am
  • Reply Sally Day

    Your home looks everything else but not old 🙂 You did a great job, I love all the details.

    August 16, 2018 at 11:50 am
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