Our House: Slowly Becoming a Home
Welcome to our home!
We’d thought that we’d give you a little tour of our ‘Still in Progress But Slowly Coming Together’ house. Over this late summer and now during autumn, we’ve been able to unpack and get things mostly set up. We have been so incredibly blessed by the Lord through our family and friends. Each room is made homey only through other’s generosity and labor! Thank you, one and all. We thought you might enjoy seeing the results!
Wow. Green grass. It *actually* happens when you start watering the yard. Shocking, I know.
A few fall roses are gracing our yard. The fragrance is so sweet.
A pretty welcome wreath, thanks to Mom Loomis!
The view the UPS guy sees when he delivers packages, and which you would see if you knocked on our door. : )
Open the door . . . and “Welcome to the Loomis home!”
Our guestbook (don’t forget to sign before you leave!).
Our family table lies ahead.
The library is to one side of the entry.
Ready for a crowd, thanks to kind friends from our church.
More books in the library, a video screen covered by a lovely quilt, which is to be covered (someday) by a fun print (while we save up for more bookshelves!).
The music room is on the other side of the entry.
The piano has been getting a workout with some exciting hymn-writing projects. More on that later! : )
Looking back from the music room, across the entry, and to the library.
Now we have a very long, un-exciting, and currently un-decorated hallway. Someday, I want to put up a wall of family pictures.
But wait! What is this? It’s the most exciting room of the house!!!!!!
The Server Closet!!!! Yes. It’s still in progress. But, all necessary parts are working *quite* well, I’d have you know.
This is the future girls room, which is currently set up as our guest room.
Oh wait. What is this? A newly cleaned and organized room, de-cluttered of boxes, junk, and general stuff!!!!!! Whoohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The study’s OfficeMax supply section.
Steven’s work space, most days of the week.
Steven found these neat little tags to keep our baskets organized.
The guest bath. Yes, that’s real Grecian marble. This phase of the remodel was done years ago, and is quite elegant, if you ask me.
Ok. Now it’s time for a *scary* room. Du-du-du-duuuhhhhhh!!!!
Yes, we still have a few of these types of rooms left. However they are getting better. Someday we hope this room will serve as the nursery, but for now, it’s going to be the sewing room.
It was fun to unpack my fabric stash and start getting things organized.
Next, we have our room, complete with some amazing Craig’s List and Goodwill finds.
And the master bath (you can see a splotch of test paint on the wall in the mirrored reflection–one of these days, we’re going to get around to painting . . . )
Back through the dining room, where you can see the front door . . .
. . . And our lovely kitchen. Notice the Kombucha and Sourdough starters hiding underneath the towel; the ever present jars who often inhabit our culinary escapades.
Our wonderful pantry, complete with shelving, brackets, and hooks put up by Dad Serven! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The Laundry closet. Not very exciting, excepting the fancy new shelving!
Looking out the back door, you can see the remains of our summer garden.
I had never grown eggplants before, so this was kind of fun!
Winter garden planted; sprouts are just coming up. A few tomatoes still left on the summer garden.
Back of the house. Someday I’d like to plant a little herb garden out the kitchen window.
And now, back inside for my favorite picture of all. My sweetheart of a husband. : )
Rebecca Said,
October 22, 2010 @ 10:10 pm
What a lovely home! It is coming together quite beautifully. You both must be thrilled. Congratulations!
Jean Marie Said,
October 22, 2010 @ 10:39 pm
Awwww that was so fun looking at your house!!! It looks beeeyooouuuutiful! :) It must be a joy and pleasure to be woman and wife of your own home!! :)
Love you both, ever looking forward to the dawning day of being with our Lord Jesus,
~ Jean Marie
The Bryants Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 8:51 am
Rebecca and Steven,
Your home is beautiful! Your labors are reaping beautiful rewards, and I know you are so happy to be settled in. May the Lord bless your household.
alicia Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 9:14 am
That was a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing. What a beautiful home!!!! It’s like a dream home in my mind. Isn’t it fun to have dreams together of what things will be someday!!? Rick and I still do that. OF course, we only have a modular in a park and that’s probally all we will ever have but we still dream about things we want to do with what we’ve been blessed with.
Enjoy the process!! LOVE that kitchen!
Hollie Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 9:22 am
Steven and Rebecca,
Your home is delightful! It looks so inviting, starting with the curb appeal–I can easily imagine how pleasant it would be to sit out on that large, covered front porch (perhaps they’ll be a swing and some rocking chairs in the future?). You’re remodeled kitchen is beautiful. Random question, it appears that you have hardwood floors throughout your home(minus the bathrooms), but that they are mostly painted except for a few of the bedrooms–did you choose to do this because they were too damaged for refinishing? And if I am correct about the floors being painted, how is the finish holding up? I love the overall uncluttered yet tastefully decorated look you have so far created throughout your home. You two are very blessed, and I know from following the Serven family blog and now this one that hospitality is something that you joyfully partake in and so your home will be a place where you will welcome family and friends throughout the years to come.
Many Blessings,
Hollie
Sarah Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 12:47 pm
How nice to finally see all of this! You two have made so many beautiful improvements to your home! Really, really, tastefully done, Rebecca!
Stefanie (Betti) Arnold Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
loved these pictures you guys! You’ve done an excellent job and your home is definitely taking shape. Where did Steven find those little tags? I like how you’re using them. I think I could use some for the exact same thing, plus for our school supply and art supply baskets.
srl Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
Stephanie,
They are key tags from the hardware store or some such. Thanks!
srl Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 5:58 pm
Hollie,
Yes, someday we do hope to add some porch furniture and create another room out front!
Your guess is correct. Many of our floors have been painted. At the end of the construction process, we were looking for some ways to cut costs. Our contractor suggested painting the floor (combination of old hardwood floor, subfloor, and plywood) with floor paint similar to which you would use on a deck. It was an excellent suggestion for us! Later, we’ll save up for a real floor (carpet, tile, wood).
As far as the floor’s durability, we’ve had some chipping off of the paint, but that’s been minimal. The main downside to a painted floor, is that it shows most everything. That fact is probably emphasized by the color we chose (blue-grey). If I was to do it again, I go with more of a tan-grey, or brown. We don’t wear shoes in the house, so it works ok, but even without little people around, we have to sweep/mop the house weekly, and the kitchen and entry areas several times a week.
In short, it is a great money saver, but makes for more upkeep. As we have more time than money right now : ) it works great for us! Someday, we’ll upgrade.
Hope that answers your question, Hollie.
Hollie Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 6:37 pm
Thanks for the response, it does answer my question! I enjoy home decorating and in the pictures your painted floors look quite nice. I have only ever seen painted hardwood floors in magazines so thanks again for taking the time to let me know about the pros/cons and what type of paint you used! Anyway, I am glad that you two were able to find a practical, attractive, and affordable flooring solution, until you someday have your ideal floors.
Ben... Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
I am coming to visit. Period. Don’t know when. Don’t know how. But I am coming. : )
victoria Said,
October 23, 2010 @ 7:37 pm
You have come a long way on your home since Steven first gave us a glimpse of it when he started his major remodeling project. It looks wonderful.
Interestingly, we are about to repaint our children’s bathroom and it looks like we have chosen the same color as you. I was waiting until we had a little cooler weather, and it looks like we might start next weekend.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful home. May the Lord richly bless you in it.
Victoria
Mrs. H Said,
October 24, 2010 @ 5:24 am
Big Wow! Oh, so very nice and sweet with a great guy smiling in the end! I want a winter garden. hmmmm
Johanna Kautt Said,
October 24, 2010 @ 7:12 am
Again, what a cute house! :) I especially love the kitchen– so much space to do cooking! ;P
Deb Said,
October 24, 2010 @ 6:39 pm
What a wonderful post! I LOVED seeing where you live and how you’ve fixed everything up. Now I can picture where you are a bit better.
Jan Skeen Said,
October 25, 2010 @ 12:35 pm
How wonderful to see all the beautiful results of your ongoing labors of love! Thanks for sharing!
NC reader Said,
October 28, 2010 @ 7:23 am
You have a beautiful home! What kind of tree is that growing to the left of your front porch? It has interesting bark.
srl Said,
October 28, 2010 @ 10:27 am
https://srloomis.com/blog/2010/04/springtime it is a palm tree- thanks!
Melissa Said,
October 31, 2010 @ 8:16 am
Your home is lovely – thank you for sharing! The “Loomis” sign (print? painting?) in the entry is great! Was that something you made yourselves? Would you mind sharing how you made it or where you found it? I would love something similar for my own home.
Thank you again for the tour!
Johanna Kautt Said,
November 1, 2010 @ 8:34 am
We got your “newsletter” and sweet note in the mail the other day! Thank you so much! :) It made our day!! We’ll have to certainly take up your offer of coming to see you if and when we are ever in CA.
In Christ,
Johanna
The Pedersen Family Said,
November 3, 2010 @ 6:03 am
Dear Steven and Rebecca,
It was very nice to hear from you! Thank you for commenting on our blog and for sharing. …
With love from the Pedersen family
Bekah Said,
November 4, 2010 @ 11:55 am
I love your home~ so cozy and inviting! :) Looks like my style… :)
srl Said,
November 4, 2010 @ 12:18 pm
Sure! The Loomis sign was a wedding gift, which was produced by http://www.fruitfulvinecreations.com/
Jessica Said,
November 6, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
I LOVE your house!!!
Martha Said,
November 6, 2010 @ 11:52 pm
The Grecian bathroom is so pretty!!! i love the tour of your home, especially the sewing room!!! = )
NC reader Said,
November 8, 2010 @ 8:17 am
Thanks for the link with the plant pics. I love the array of plants you can grow in CA. And…Happy Anniversary!!!
YBILAB Said,
November 8, 2010 @ 11:46 am
(Yelling as loud as possible) HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! *facepalm* I’m two days late? I can’t believe myself…
: )
Johanna Kautt Said,
November 9, 2010 @ 8:30 am
Happy 1st Anniversary! :)
victoria Said,
November 10, 2010 @ 6:35 am
Happy Anniversary!!
Victoria
Amber King Said,
December 2, 2010 @ 5:40 pm
Where did you get the bedding in the guest/girls room? I love it! :) Very nice! Your kitchen is so light and nice!
srl Said,
December 2, 2010 @ 7:06 pm
It’s a better homes and garden from a few years ago- sold at walmart but R bought it at goodwill. Glad you liked it
Sarah Logan - Heart 4 Hurting Youth Said,
January 21, 2011 @ 3:11 pm
Very cute!!!
Adorable!!!!
Keep it up – you are a great housewife!!!
Michele Nichols Said,
August 2, 2011 @ 12:09 pm
I’m looking for a sourdough bread recipe. Would you share? I simply love following your story. Thank you for sharing and letting us peek in. May He continue to bless you!
srl Said,
August 8, 2011 @ 1:01 pm
Dear Michele,
Thanks for saying hello! It’s always great to meet new people, and fellow homemakers. : )
The recipe I use is the one from Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions. You can find a version of it here:
http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/category/sourdough-starter (scroll down)
I highly recommended Gnowflins.com as a resource for cooking/baking. I love their stuff! Here is one article they have on sourdough (but they have lots more):
http://gnowfglins.com/2011/04/20/free-video-make-a-sourdough-starter-the-science-of-it/
Some other recipes that looks interesting (but are ones I’ve not tried yet) are here:
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/01/669.html
http://sarahs-musings.blogspot.com/2008/07/sourdough-honey-whole-wheat-bread.html
Hope you have good success!
Rebecca