Today I’m sharing the first half of my friend Mary’s beautiful home in Cary, NC, and it is absolutely stunning! Her husband recently retired from his military career and this is their first new house in a long while, so she’s had a great time decorating it. (see part two of the tour here)
Living RoomI took so many pictures because every corner is beautiful, so today my plan is to share the downstairs and then I’ll share the upstairs on Monday.
Front EntryOne of their last assignments was in Poland, so she was able to find some gorgeous pieces in Europe and bring them home–plus she is also a very talented interior decorator in “real life.”
Let me know if you have questions about sources and I’ll follow up with Mary.
Immediately off the front entry is her husband’s office, a powder room, and then the dining room. (I’ll probably share those photos in part two.)
I absolutely love the colors in this table setting, don’t you?
The living room and kitchen are on the back of the house and open-concept.
I love this big piece that Mary is using as their bar. She found it in Europe for only 400€ and it is gorgeous.
The butler’s pantry is right off the dining room to make serving easier.
The screened porch and patio are off the breakfast area; I think I’ll stop for today’s post after I share those.
Thank you, Mary, for allowing me to share your home with everyone. It is absolutely stunning! I’ll share the rest of the photos next week (update: see part two of the tour here).
I continue to be so thankful for my talented friends who are allowing me to share their homes and yards while we’re in the middle of our move to Germany.
We are safely arrived in Stuttgart and are quarantining in a hotel where they’re taking great care of us and dropping off breakfast and dinner outside our door. We’re starting to work through our jet lag although I do find myself wanting a nap most afternoons. Our first Covid tests were negative and we’ll get a second one on Friday. Also, by the end of the week we should have an idea as to when we might be able to move into housing (most likely an apartment); fingers crossed that it’s sooner rather than later!
If you saw my post on Facebook last weekend, poor Harley’s flight got shifted at the last minute and he is now staying in North Carolina until mid-August (he was originally supposed to fly over before us and was going to board at the animal lounge in the Frankfurt airport until we arrived).
There are very few flights right now because of Covid and lots of rules surrounding the shipping of pets, so we are paying a private pet shipper to get him to Atlanta and fly him via climate controlled cargo plane.
You won’t be surprised to hear that Harley is by far the most expensive part of this equation–we are spending more to ship him than it cost us to ship my car over! We couldn’t do it without our good friends in Cary who are hosting Harley AND our son until his fall semester starts; thank you really isn’t enough.
I’ll be back in a few days with more of Mary’s beautiful home–thanks for stopping by.
Love it all!
I agree. Thank you, Nan!
Beautiful home that you are featuring! And God speed and good luck in Germany. You will so enjoy the holidays because the Christmas Markets are beyond! Poor little Harley! He looks so sad. Can’t wait to hear all about your new adventures! And oh, BTW — what kind of skull is that! That is done up sooooo cool!
Thank you so much, Penny! I am excited about the Christmas Markets, too, and just praying they don’t cancel them due to Covid. Harley does look pathetic, doesn’t he? He hates moving and when people have luggage, so he has been stressed out for weeks already.
I’ll ask Mary about the skull and let you know. I’m sure there’s a good story behind it!
Take care,Christy
Here’s Mary’s reply about the skull; it’s a great story:
Ok, I shot that deer in TN and I had it European mounted, and I used cream color spray paint to cover the skull then added some silver jewels I found on amazon. Over time the jewels have changed colors and I think it gives it so much more character. I basically wanted a glam look!
You remain the most admirable person, you are resilient and positive and can handle ANY hand you’re dealt. Truly incredible! I hope people are inspired by your outlook and follow-through! Good luck to you and your family!
I so agree with you!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Rebecca! I will be honest that during parts of this move I’ve had to “fake it until I make it,” but so far it seems to be working. 😉
Take care–Christy
Thanks for sharing this beautiful home! Full of ideas and special finds.
God bless you and your family in this challenging transition. You are truly a remarkable young lady. Though Harley’s arrival is delayed in Germany, at least he is with your son stateside for the time being. You are an inspiration to us all.
Isn’t it beautiful? She is so talented.
Thank you so much for the good wishes. It was so much easier to leave Harley knowing that he and Connor would be able to be together for a little while longer; there is always a silver lining, right?
Have thought about you and your family since your departure and of course Harley. Praying for safety while you are away on your latest adventure. Stay safe and stay well. Thank you so much for your family’s service to our country. God blessings always!
Thank you so much, Marti. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that! I was so sad to leave Harley but he and my son will have more time together this way so it’s probably for the best. Plus our hotel rooms are small and I can’t imagine that he would like quarantine.
Take care–Christy
I think Harley is probably so much better off staying with your son at your friends house, then flying over the way you have planned now. Flying over before you and then boarding at the Frankfort airport would maybe have made him feel abandoned, confused at the least. It does sound very expensive but so much safer for Harley. You will be there to meet him when he flys in! That will make him so happy after his stressful flight without family. He won’t be separated from someone he loves for so long.
You might think that shipping our cats over to Germany was a nightmare!!! You would be right. HOWEVER, remember that was over 40 years ago. Sounds like you have made the BEST possible arrangements for Harley. He is a lucky dog!
I’m not surprised to hear that getting your cats over was also a trial; it seems like international moving with pets has always been and will always be a challenge! I do think this is going to work out for the best, although Harley might not realize it! He gets so stressed out when we move–if I even cut open an Amazon box he runs outside because he hates the sound of tape and cardboard boxes. So a plane ride into an airport kennel might just do him in. I’ve been saving extra for months knowing that it would cost an arm and a leg; he’s worth it though!
Take care– Christy
So glad you arrived safely. Mary’s home is beautiful. Thanks to both of for sharing.
Thank you so much, Rebecca!
Mary’s home is truly amazing! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing the rest of the home. Glad you made it to Germany safely and will be reunited with Harley soon. Happy your Covid tests were negative also.
It is just beautiful, isn’t it? It gives me some good ideas for what I’d like to do over here. Thanks for the good wishes, Nita. They are very much appreciated.Christy
Christy, So happy you are safe in Germany. Sad Harley not there, but being in a hotel doesn’t
sound great for Harley since he likes his walks. Mary house is beautiful, love the colors and decor.
The screen porch and outside living is wonderful. Love you mara
Thank you, my friend! <3
Best wishes to you and your family, Christy. I hope you enjoy your new home and have lots of fun adventures! Stay safe and I hope you get reunited with your sweet pup soon!
Thank you so much, Denise! I appreciate the good wishes. I just got word that he’ll be flying over on August 13th, so the countdown is on.
Take care–Christy
I LOVE the idea of the tables under the mirrors flanking the fireplace. What a great way to repurpose a vintage table.
I agree–the symmetry in the living room is so pleasing to the eye. She’s got a great sense of style. Hope you are doing well–take care! Christy
So very happy you arrived safely and have nice accommodations! I’m so glad Harley and Connor are together…hopefully a bit ledd stress for Harley. Mary’s home is gorgeous! I’m glad she’s allowing you to share with us. I know you’re anxious to get settled over there. I think Christmas would be so exciting minus Covid limitations.
Continued thanks and appreciation for your service to us and our country! You make this move seem less daunting than I can imagine!
xo
Pat
Thanks so much, Pat. I just got word that Harley is booked to fly over on 8/13; I’m counting the days!
Mary found the napkin rings at Hobby Lobby, but I’ll bet they’d be so easy to make with some artificial flowers and a glue gun. Hmmm…
I hope you’re doing well and staying safe.
Take care, my friend! Christy
P.S. Do you know how Mary made the napkin rings or if they were purchased? Gorgeous!
Personally I couldn’t find much I liked about the Frankfurt airport and I am ‘glad’ Harley did not have to spend any time there…shhhh….who said that? smile. Soon you all will be together. Thank you for all you do for the service of this country, we are so lucky to have such strong loving people ‘doing’ so much for all of us. Hope your husband’s job is going good and all your adjustments goes smooth.
Thank you, MJ! We are on Day 11/14 of quarantine, and very much looking forward to escaping our hotel room on Sunday. I appreciate the good wishes!
Take care–Christy
Enjoy your time in Germany. Nice time to leave the U.S. with our Covid problems. My nephew was married in Heidelberg. Be sure to visit there!
Yes, I agree. It’s not a bad time to leave the country! The only tough (really, really tough) part was leaving our son there for college. I so wanted him to take a gap year and come along with us, but he opted to stay. I was pregnant with him the last time I was in Heidelberg so it’s definitely time to go back–I remember the lovely castle still. Take care!