Houzz Tour: Vintage Style With a Fresh Twist
Heather and Stu Freeman embrace the style and quirks of their 1940s Missouri home
When Heather and Stu Freeman started their search for a home in Springfield, Mo., all they knew was that they had to have a home in a historic neighborhood. After a long and drawn-out hunt, the couple happened upon a charming mid-century cottage in a neighborhood that was once Springfield's premiere golf course. While the bathrooms needed to be updated, the closets were tiny and the original hardwood floors had plenty of wear and tear, it was love at first sight for 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. Instead of decorating it traditionally, Heather — who authors the blog The Lovely Cupboard — has used her DIY and bargain-hunting skills to give the home a youthful look. "I've found that my own personal style has been a reaction to keep our 1940s cottage feeling fresh rather than just old," Heather says.
The couple has lived here for almost two years, and have learned to embrace all of the quirks that come with this 1943 home. Instead of decorating it traditionally, Heather — who authors the blog The Lovely Cupboard — has used her DIY and bargain-hunting skills to give the home a youthful look. "I've found that my own personal style has been a reaction to keep our 1940s cottage feeling fresh rather than just old," Heather says.
Like most cottages built during this time, the house is relatively compact. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths were built into the home's 2,300 square feet. The stonework on the exterior of the house is entirely original — the Freemans haven't changed the look of the house from the outside at all.
Heather is always on the hunt for the best bargain for her home furnishings and accessories. If she doesn't find it at thrift stores, World Market, Home Goods or Target, this resourceful schoolteacher will make it herself.
Lamps: Home Goods
Metal Basket: Pottery Barn
Mirrored Console: Pier 1
Lamps: Home Goods
Metal Basket: Pottery Barn
Mirrored Console: Pier 1
The Freemans have two living rooms — a den, and this more formal living space. Heather decorated the space like most of her home — with a mix of vintage and antique pieces that she's collected for years. However, she also mixes in modern colors and bold prints so that her home feels eclectic rather than stuffy. The elegant artwork above the couch is just one example of a cheerful accent that Heather created herself.
Pillows: Etsy
Pillows: Etsy
An original fireplace completes the more formal look of this living room. Heather decorated the mantle with a mix of collected vintage and modern knick-knacks.
Mirror: Lowe's
Mirror: Lowe's
The den is the more casual living space where the Freemans spend most of their time. "We called it the lodge when we first moved in, because it had floor-to-ceiling wood panelling," says Heather. The couple painted the wood a soft white to give it a more cottage-like feel, and to reflect the beautiful natural light that pours through the windows in the morning.
Sofa: Haverty's
Coffee Tables: Target
Pillows: Target and World Market
Sofa: Haverty's
Coffee Tables: Target
Pillows: Target and World Market
The den is set a level down from the rest of the house, which makes it feel even cozier. The Freeman's two dogs — Marty McFly and Ms. Brooke Shields — love to snuggle up in this warm space.
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 projects, she wants to incorporate more global textiles to reflect the origins of these pieces.
Starburst Mirror: TJ Maxx
Starburst Mirror: TJ Maxx
In lieu of a TV stand, the Freemans simply popped their TV on top of the fireplace in the den. This little touch is a great example of the mix of modern and vintage style in this home.
"I love that my home has history," says Heather. "There are marks and stains all over the original hardwood floors that show all of the life that's been lived here over the decades. The cracks in the walls or crooked doors might bother some people, but the trade-off for a unique home is totally worth it for me!"
"I love that my home has history," says Heather. "There are marks and stains all over the original hardwood floors that show all of the life that's been lived here over the decades. The cracks in the walls or crooked doors might bother some people, but the trade-off for a unique home is totally worth it for me!"
The dining room's elegant look is due in great part to the stunning stenciled wallpaper on the far wall. While it looks high-end, Heather created this wallpaper herself for less than $15. She had fallen in love with all of the wallpaper that's become so popular in homes over the past few years, but was shocked at how much some of it cost. Inspired by the posts she'd seen in blogs about how to stencil walls, she decided to do the same thing in her home. For a full DIY, check out her post here.
Table: Antique Thomasville
Chairs: Vintage
Chandelier: Overstock.com
Table: Antique Thomasville
Chairs: Vintage
Chandelier: Overstock.com
The kitchen is still a work in progress, and the surfaces, cabinetry, and appliances are the same as when they initially purchased the home. The pair has freshened up the space with new paint, beautiful white and green dishes, and well-placed accents.
"We're learning to love our house, even when it feels like it's falling apart," says Heather. "We realize that it's been here this long and just needs some TLC. We still have plans for improvements, but we're pacing ourselves."
"We're learning to love our house, even when it feels like it's falling apart," says Heather. "We realize that it's been here this long and just needs some TLC. We still have plans for improvements, but we're pacing ourselves."
Despite a rather small master bathroom and closet, Heather and Stu love their quirky master suite. The size is just indicative of the way people lived when the house was built, and the couple doesn't mind paring things down. Contemporary textiles in bright colors give this room an open and fresh feel.
Headboard and bedding: Target
Pillows: World Market and Tuesday Morning
Curtains: Ikea
Headboard and bedding: Target
Pillows: World Market and Tuesday Morning
Curtains: Ikea
One of Heather's favorite quick fixes are these cute retro-pink baskets that she found while thrifting. The color works beautifully with the sea-green walls, and it's the perfect place to store her accessories.
The guest room is a colorful but soothing place for visitors to tuck in for the evening. Heather made the stunning piece of art above the bed with paint chips. Check out the full DIY here to learn how to make this clever and inexpensive piece of art.
Lamp and headboard: Thrifted
Pillow: Pier 1
More Houzz Tours:
A Modern Romance in Ontario
Vintage Charm in Vancouver
An Australian Cottage with a Vintage Twist
Lamp and headboard: Thrifted
Pillow: Pier 1
More Houzz Tours:
A Modern Romance in Ontario
Vintage Charm in Vancouver
An Australian Cottage with a Vintage Twist