2016 Summer Home Tour

I am so happy to have you all here for my summer home tour! I’m excited to be included with 29 other bloggers in a fabulous tour put together by Marty at A Stroll Thru Life. Did you see Linda’s tour over at It All started with Paint? I love how she uses color and unexpected patterns so flawlessly. I love bold color as well, so come on in and we’ll get started.

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If you are new to Far Above Rubies, welcome:-) We live on North Carolina mountain land that was my great grandfather’s summer respite from the heat of Hypoluxo, Fla. My dad was born and raised here and my parents live next door.  My Puerto Rican husband and I are both professional musicians, and we both like an eclectic mix of styles, cultures and art in our home. We have a small cottage, and love to change things up with reclaimed, repurposed, thrifted and family heirlooms.So with that, let’s get the tour started!

We have three porches around our house and love using them when the weather is nice. They do require a ridiculous amount lot of work every spring, though. But it’s all worth it when it’s done. 

On the front porch, you can see right away I like color, and currently it’s hot pink and fuchsia. I especially love pink with black.

I was really excited to discover Spoonflowerrecently and ordered this black and white print fabric to make pillows. They print everything to order and have lots of designs to choose from. 

This fabric was an ebay find and I love how it coordinates with the rest of my outdoor fabric.

Let’s head on inside now through the french doors …

We don’t really have an “entry,” so this space has to provide that function. 

I have layered Turkish overdyed rugs and added kilim pillows to the antique Harden settle, which was in the original house when my great grandfather bought it. The settle was sold and graciously gifted back to me by a sweet neighbor a couple years ago.

Our house is small with no storage so there are literally guitars in every corner, and this one found its way here.

Next up is the living space, which for us is the only indoor space we have to sit and watch TV, etc. I love, love, love my Turkish fuchsia overdyed rug from the Unique Rug Store, and have layered it over a jute rug. It makes such a bold statement and I’m all about that.

I love to mix old with new, and these days I am into mid-century everything. I also like to mix in pieces from my collection of Native and South American art as well as plants, kilim pillows, fur and Indian silk sarees for a Boho vibe.

My grandmother took this former lamp from boring white to mid-century colorful in the late 1950s. My grandfather’s old books and windows from the old house keep me connected to my past. 

I bought the statue in Bolivia, and one of my Cherokee stick ball sticks hangs on the window.

I love my kilims, and like to pair them with fur and silk for a variety in textures.

Because we have kids and we lounge around in here, I keep throws within easy reach. I actually bought this print bedspread last summer for the bedroom but liked the color it added to the french chair in here. 

I gave the 1970s swag lamp a makeover this winter and love it hanging over my grandmother’s mid-century modern guitar pick table and the Eames-style lounge I recently bought my husband. He *loves* this chair.

The awesome pink pillow is from the Kilim Pillow Store. I *love* their pillow covers and love that they offer covers made from the same kilim. I have several of these pink ones.

I made the black and white pillow from more fabric I ordered from Spoonflower. They have so many wonderful designs to choose from, that it was hard to decide what to get. 

On the other side of the room is our dining area.  I have filled it with Native art, kilims, antlers and and a Moroccan-style wool rug from RugsUSA. 

I made the box out of a newel post from the old house and filled it with succulents. An Afghan kilim adds color and texture as a runner.

I just got the square Italian Countryside from Mikasa and really love having this pattern in another shape.

The chargers were from Overstock years ago, and the flatware is also Mikasa Italian Countryside

I made the tabletop from wormy chestnut and had a local craftsman make the iron base years ago. I have yet to actually decide on a chair style that I like with this table, so I keep trying different things.

Next up is my music space, which is really just the other side of the entry. My baby grand lives here — because there is no other space for it, and I use it to practice. Since I left my job as a worship leader and lost my office space, most of my gear and music is packed up and stored at my parents’ house and the home of a friend. 

Luis built the beautiful cabinet from a walnut tree and scraps of wormy chestnut. 

On the other side, the 1880s pump organ holds my parents’ 1970s GE Mustang II record player, and I have had fun using it to play records. 

Next up is our kitchen, which I have tried to give as much personality as possible without a major reno. We made the counters several years ago from antique wormy chestnut, and I could not be happier with how they have held up. I chose to use a floor grade Varathane  instead of tung oil, or Waterlox like everyone else was using, and these look as good, or better than when we installed them. There are *no* water marks, stains, etc., that other finishes seem to get, and I still have the old store counter look I wanted. 

I would really like to rip out these upper cabinets, add a marble/glass mosaic backsplash and wood shelves to this area. 

The brass pot was inherited from a relative who lived in China and spent time in India after World War II. 

I draped an Indian sari over a rod for a sink skirt and changed out the Turkish kilim for this Afghan kilim.

I love these shelves and love the opportunity to change them up — often. 

The Noritake Chandova china and the Indian brass pot are also from a relative.

I like having my cabinetry painted different colors so it keeps the kitchen from having that “builder-grade” look. 

My dad made the Indian Motorcycle sign in the late 1950s, and the screen door is from the old house.

I rescued the slab of marble, which came from my grandfather’s store here, and love the incredible patina it has.  Now if I could just get marble countertops for the island:-)

I recently replaced the chandelier here with this mid-century double swag light that I rewired. I love so much how it looks and only wish I’d done it sooner.

That’s it for the kitchen. 

You can check out the makeover I did on my girls’ room HERE. Our 10-year-old son’s room still has the baby nursery paint on the walls. Maybe that’s why he has been asking me to paint his room. I have plans to do his room, really I do…

And finally on the tour, is the master bedroom, and it is a collection of antiques, vintage, and inherited items.

I didn’t change a lot in here from the spring tour, but added the macrame plant hanger in the corner. I cannot tell you how many of these I made after learning how in elementary school in the 1970s. 

I restored the iron bed, which was stored on the property here, several years ago. I simplified the bedding for summer by taking off the down comforter and a few of the pillows. 

I made the mantel from an old door and scraps of wood, and accessorized it for summer with a Moroccan mirror, Navajo pottery and a cactus.   

Hanging from the mantel, is my corn bead necklace.

Corn bead necklaces are made from the seeds of the corn bead plant, also called “Job’s tears.” 

The gray color represents the sorrow of the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears in 1838, where a third of the Cherokees forced by the U. S. government to march in winter, died along the way to a reservation in Oklahoma. According to legend, where tears fell on the ground, a corn stalk-like plant sprouted producing seeds in the shape of tears.  It’s a reminder of my mother’s heritage and ancestry here in western North Carolina.

That’s it for this tour:-) 

I’m so happy you dropped by and hope I have inspired you to try something outside the box and different! Our home is always evolving, and I love to try something new or unexpected. If it doesn’t work, you can always try again, right? 

We also have two other porches that you can check out HERE and HERE. I’m still working on getting them ready for this season and making some fun changes.

Thanks so much to Marty for hosting this tour! If you missed any of the other tours, you can click on the links below. There is some amazing inspiration out there, so go by and visit:-) 

I’ll be joining:

Wow us Wednesdays

Monday – June 6

A Stroll Thru Life | Life on Virginia Street | Remodelando La Casa | Thrifty and Chic | Rain On A Tin Roof | Duke Manor Farms

Tuesday – June 7

Life Love Larson | Haneens Haven | Claire Brody Designs | My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | The House of Silver Lining | Hymns & Verses

Wednesday – June 8

Dimples & Tangles | Our Southern Home | Simple Details | Decor To Adore | A Thoughtful Place |  21 Rosemary Lane

Thursday – June 9

Our Fifth House | Decorating Delirium | Driven By Decor  | Making Home Base | Simple Stylings | Cuckoo4Design

Friday – June 10

Refresh Restyle |Splendor Styling | Monica Wants It | Life & Home | It All Started With Paint Far Above Rubies

34 Comments

  1. Cassie Bustamante
    June 10, 2016 / 12:25 pm

    ooooh anita, your home is always a favorite- so much beauty to see! i love your layers, colors, plants, and personal touches, like those beads on the mantle. your home looks like such a great place to relax and create and play music.

    • Anita Diaz
      June 10, 2016 / 12:51 pm

      Thank you Cassie! Gee, that means so much as I LOVE your style and often think about what you could do with my house:-)

  2. Julia@Cuckoo4Design
    June 10, 2016 / 12:55 pm

    I totally agree with Cassie. And I absolutely adore your amazing and huge front porch.

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:32 pm

      Thank you Julia! We enjoy using it:-)

  3. Linda @ it all started with paint
    June 10, 2016 / 1:07 pm

    Your cottage is just stunning! And that front porch space is just fabulous! Love everything about it!!! 🙂

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:31 pm

      Thank you so much Linda!

  4. Decor To Adore
    June 10, 2016 / 1:52 pm

    What a wonderful tour. I so enjoy seeing all the color and your new Eames lounger is fabulous.

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:31 pm

      Thanks Laura, we are all enjoying that chair very much:-)

  5. Laura @ duke manor farm
    June 10, 2016 / 2:35 pm

    anita- what a way to end the tour this week. your home is fabulous. i love how you pair the old with the new surrounded by all the things that you love. happy summer to you!

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:30 pm

      Thank you Laura!

  6. My Cozy Casita
    June 10, 2016 / 3:33 pm

    Hi Anita I love the way your home look know your porch look so nice!!!
    happy summer
    Blessing
    Isora

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:29 pm

      Thank you Isora!

  7. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life
    June 10, 2016 / 3:35 pm

    Your home is so pretty and so full of wonderful heirlooms. I love how you mix all the styles together for your own personal style. Stunning. Thanks so much for joining the 2016 Summer Home Tours. Your home was so perfect to finish off the week, I love it all.

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:29 pm

      Thanks so much for including me Marty!

  8. Vel Criste
    June 10, 2016 / 4:09 pm

    Your blog home is so perfect for your home Anita! I love the jewel tones all around and eclectic mix of it all! So very honored to share this home tour with you ! Cheers!

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:28 pm

      Thank you Vel!! I can't wait to visit you:-)

  9. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR
    June 10, 2016 / 10:20 pm

    Anita, I get so excited each time there is a tour of your home! You know that I love your style and your use of color! I wish I could spend some time on any one of your wonderful porches!

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:27 pm

      Thanks Shenita, and I'm so happy to see you back!

  10. Pam Richardson
    June 10, 2016 / 10:52 pm

    Anita, this is my first visit to your lovely home. As a musician, it is so easy for me to see a creative lady lives in this home! Beautiful style, so glad I came in to visit! Blessings, Pam @ everydayliving.me

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:26 pm

      Thanks so much Pam!

  11. Dewena
    June 11, 2016 / 2:50 am

    I always am amazed each time your house evolves. Just when I thought it couldn't get more gorgeous, it does, every single time.

    Now I'm seeing cactus in this home near the Blue Ridge–and I love it!

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:24 pm

      Oh Dewena, thank you! I know it's so different than before, but I just can't leave it alone:-)

  12. karen
    June 11, 2016 / 3:00 am

    Anita, your place is fantastic. Just my vibe. Love the color and especially the story where this and that came from. I could settle right in and bring my vintage luggage. Way to go. At last, not a cookie cutter. Yay! Ps the cello is my fav instrument.

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:23 pm

      Thank you Karen!! I would love to have vintage luggage for sure!

  13. Alana in Canada
    June 11, 2016 / 5:51 am

    You have a beautiful and singular home. Thanks so much for sharing it on the tour.

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:22 pm

      Thank you so much Alana!

  14. Stacey
    June 11, 2016 / 1:40 pm

    Anita, your home is just wonderful! All of the hot pink you've added in is fun and fresh. I always enjoy my visits here. 🙂

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:21 pm

      Thanks Stacey, and thanks so much for stopping by:-)

  15. Julie
    June 11, 2016 / 11:48 pm

    Gosh, I just love your eclectic mix infused with bright color! Your special pieces are so meaningful and personal…nothing "cookie-cutter" to be found 🙂 Your house is definitely one of my favorites!

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:16 pm

      Thanks so much Julie! I try to make it my own:-)

  16. Southern & Style
    June 12, 2016 / 7:19 pm

    The photography of your home tour is just phenomenal! I absolutely love everything, especially the bright colors and all of the Native American influence. So much history and heritage are in your home!

    xoxo, SS

    The Southern Stylista

    • Anita Diaz
      June 14, 2016 / 12:15 pm

      Thank you Jordyn!!

  17. Shirley@Housepitality Designs
    June 23, 2016 / 2:11 pm

    Anita…I so love your gorgeous home!….loved each and every photograph..I so love that there is so much heritage incorporated into your home…so very special….and then there are those most stunning bright colors that you so impeccably add to your home! Great tour!

  18. Unknown
    July 8, 2016 / 12:50 pm

    Your home is amazing – very creative and just my style. Thanks for sharing.