One thing that I have been meaning to share more of is:
bits and pieces of our renovation journey here at Fieldstone Hill.

We have been blessed, in ways I cannot possibly begin to explain, and have been able to add-on to our home with a two-story addition.

Sometimes, I have hesitated to share parts of this journey for two main reasons:

1. I think a home can be filled with beauty regardless of whether your home is big or small. Whether or not you own or rent. Or whether or not you have a big budget or a non-budget. I would never want anyone looking at our home and feeling defeated. Inspired? yes!
2. Ultimately, treasures on this earth are temporal. And there are things of eternal value that are much more important. My desire is not to glorify my home, but to use it as a blessing for others.

{The back of our home, view is from standing on our deck. You can see what our backdoor looks like today, by clicking here on this post.}

{Side views. Note the large 3 car, cinderblock garage. This later becomes the foundation for our addition.}

{Views of the side of Fieldstone Hill. The first story windows are our kitchen windows, which later had to be changed… since the wind blew through them and all….}

{View of the back of our home, standing on the ground. Here you can see the back of the 3 car garage, and the ginormous, pressure-treated, presidential-ball-sized, wood deck.}

{View from the bottom side. Here you can see the entrance that, at the time, we had to use as our main entrance. I nearly slipped carrying my brand-new first-born child up these steps! You can also see the red, “unfortunate,” log addition that I posted about here.}

Now, we still have plenty of work to do, and plenty of plans, but that is the fun of it!!

On our Wish List?

1. Add lovely, copper, outdoor lighting.
2. Add two sets of double doors in the two pre-built openings at the bottom, with sliding barn doors that function as shutters to cover the openings {that last part may be a bit of a dream…}
3. Add a brick and stone patio {see that pile of stones in the foreground of the bottom pic? It has been there for 3 years. embarrassing to type that.}
4. Add steps on the left-hand side of the deck. So we can get out 🙂

So, there you have it. A renovation AND a work in progress. And that is home-ownership, no?

– {darlene}


for more renovation posts, click HERE.


To see my Design Boards, click here. To read more about my Design Services, click here. And for ditto posts, click here.
And thank you to everyone who is cheering me on in my dream of Fieldstone Hill Design. Love Fieldstone Hill? thanks. you rock. Would you consider sharing the love by Following {this makes me giddy. click Follow in the right sidebar}, Liking on Facebook, Following on Twitter, Following on Pinterest, or linking here from your blog. I just knew you were awesome!

ditto :: {what I would steal from this space}:

1. chinoiserie chairs with bold color. You all know how I feel about chinoiserie chairs. But, in bright, no-holds-barred yellow? This is simply fantastic. And, I think the reason why the yellow works so amazingly well is that it is a bold, punch-color, touch of drama in an otherwise soothing space. Contrasts! They do it for me every time.
2. luggage trunk. I love luggage trunks in general. Add a sleek black finish, gold hardware and metal accents, and nailhead trim? GORGEOUS! I am thinking that a skilled D.I.Y.-er could make this dream come true.
3. soothing mango tones. the floors, the window treatment, the gold touches, and the sherbet colored couch {LOVE!} all create a general warmth that is filled with yummy-ness.
4. texture-contrast galore. The smooth, black, lacquer furnishings contrast with the chunky, natural, fiber rug. The rich, warm velvet couch balances against the bright and slick yellow chairs. The soothing, cool, smooth walls and trim contrast with the textured, bamboo, blinds and the natural, sea-treasures of coral and shell collections. This continual contrast is what gives the room such depth!
5. built-ins for books. I love built-ins…they make my heart race with delight. I think they are always appropriate. There is no better way to make excellent use out of every square inch of your home. To see my files of built-in inspiration, click here.
6. soothing gray-green-blue trim. This color evokes a calm over the entire space. I love it! And I love how it works with the gorgeous contrast of warm tones all over the room. And I love how the trim is about 5 shades deeper than the walls.
7. dorothy draper espana dresser. How I love this piece! Can’t afford it either?? Then you will love this stunning knock-off tutorial, over at Marcus Design.

Yesterday, I shared some gorgeous pictures featuring my love affair with the color Fuchsia. To read that post {and drool}, click here.

Today, I want to share some different ways that you can successfully bring fuchsia into your home, even if you would not normally dare…

Fuchsia would make for a fantastic punch color {if you are itching to know what a punch color is, and how to use it, I hope you will check out this post and this post.}.

Let’s take a look at some gorgeous rooms that use the Daring and Beautiful Fuchsia, and discover some tips on how to integrate it:

This is the most glamorous of my examples. Just the pink, velvet headboard alone is over-the-top Hollywood glam.
design tip:
I love how there are only two bits of fuchsia: The stunning bench and a splash of fuchsia in the art… and that is all of this bold color that is needed in this luxe and bold space.

Restraint and pure white are challenged by a splash of strong fuchsia.
design tip:
Try using one piece with a solid, daring presence in a room that is otherwise calm and peaceful. It is like a jolt of life and energy.

design tip:
Try adding fuchsia flowers throughout your home. Pick the brightest, boldest blooms you can find. You will add instant drama and glamour. The gilded backdrop doesn’t hurt either!

Fuchsia and orange are a stunning combination. Both are bold and bright, and fill a room with energy.
design tip:
With orange, a little touch of fuchsia is all that is needed. This is a perfect way  for the fuchsia-shy decorator to work up to this shade of hot pink.

design tip:
Here is a fine example of just a touch of fuchsia. A gorgeous throw, orchids on the mantle, stripes in a pillow, and a decorative box on the coffee table are just enough fuchsia love in this balanced room.

And for a realistic, not-too-expensive touch of gorgeousness, 
design tip:
Why not upholster two beautifully formed chairs in fuchsia, and have them flank a classic piece of mahogany furniture?
That is exactly what I am thinking of doing here, and it was first inspired here.












Then again… why hold back? For those who like to put the petal to the metal, here is fuchsia-to-the-max:

 {for those who can upholster freely, and to their latest whim}

 {for those who don’t drink coffee, but could use some perking up}

{for those with serious guts, who can also afford to hire a painter if needed}

Which of these pictures best represent how you would integrate this fantastic color into your home?
– {darlene}


All pics were taken from my Pinterest board: My thing for Fuchsia.
To see my Design Boards, click here. To read more about my Design Services, click here. And for more ditto posts, click here.
And thank you to everyone who is cheering me on in my dream of Fieldstone Hill Design. Love Fieldstone Hill? thanks. you rock. Would you consider sharing the love by Following {this makes me giddy. click Follow in the right sidebar}, Liking on Facebook, Following on Twitter, Following on Pinterest, or linking here from your blog. I just knew you were awesome!

Fuchsia has been a long time favorite color of mine.
I love that it is the perfect blend of Pink and Orange, with a little swirl of Blue. I love that it is filled with Life and is nothing short of Daring!

And fuchsia is not a clear cut color, which I also love.
There seem to be some debates over whether or not a color is fuchsia or magenta, and what defines the difference.
{my two cents? I think it has to have a strong hint of orange, whereas magenta has a strong hint of purple}.

And “fuchsia” is certainly not easy to spell!
Fushcia? Fuschia? no, it’s Fuchsia.
{I had to google it. And in my search I read that the actual flower is named after Leonhart Fuchs, and by adding “ia” to Fuchs the name is latinized, hence it becomes botanical. That helps me remember it.}

Anyway, feast your eyes on this amazing color, and be inspired to bring this color into your home.
Tomorrow, I will bathe you in gorgeous interiors that dare to use this color, and we will chit-chat about different ways you can incorporate fuchsia into your space
{thank goodness for spell check. I nearly did it again!}.

Fuchsia:

Are you ready to add some daring beauty to your home?

See you tomorrow for a ‘lessons in design’ post, all about adding fuchsia!
– {darlene}


All pics were taken from my Pinterest board: My thing for Fuchsia.
To see my Design Boards, click here. To read more about my Design Services, click here. And for more ditto posts, click here.
And thank you to everyone who is cheering me on in my dream of Fieldstone Hill Design. Love Fieldstone Hill? thanks. you rock. Would you consider sharing the love by Following {this makes me giddy. click Follow in the right sidebar}, Liking on Facebook, Following on Twitter, Following on Pinterest, or linking here from your blog. I just knew you were awesome!