Hello, there – Remember me? It’s been too long!
Tom and I are 95% finished with our renovation here in Maryland. We’re almost done in Maine, too. The pace of the last ten months has been fast and furious.
Let’s back up to September 2016. We sold our historic house in Castine, Maine (the one with the hydrangea hedge), and began gutting another property in the same town – a circa 1863 cottage by the sea. In December, we acquired a Cotswold-style stucco cottage in Maryland, and immediately started renovating it. Yes, we were crazy enough to renovate two houses at the same time! In February of 2017, our brick Tudor went on the market and sold – see my post here. Then this spring we moved into the Cotswold cottage despite not having a kitchen. Tom did set up a make-do kitchenette in a spare bathroom. Picture a microwave over a mini fridge located inside the shower stall along with a hotplate next to the sink. Not pretty! Thank goodness we finally have a working kitchen today (minus the dishwasher). And over Memorial Day weekend, Tom and I moved furniture up to Castine. Whew! That’s it, NO more moves for us!!
Now you are all caught up. I’m excited to share peeks of both homes just in time for a summer house tour organized by a group of talented Instagram / blog friends.
For those visiting via my friend Lizbeth at Home and Fabulous, welcome! Liz has such a chic style – please check out her blog if you aren’t familiar with it.
Let’s tour our new homes.
A view from above of our striking wrought iron staircase. Notice the seahorses adorning the railing – so unexpected and whimsical! I’d like to thank Carpet Creations (in Rockville, Maryland) for their excellent fabrication and installation of both stair and hall runners. They always do wonderful work.
A festive arrangement of patriotic flags in a white ironstone pitcher all ready for the FOURTH!
For more summer decor inspiration, check out all of these fabulous tours:
Happy Happy Nester
Styled With Lace
Crazy Chic Design
2 Ladies and a Chair
Lindsay Hill Interiors
Citrine Living
Home and Fabulous
Tone on Tone (that’s me)
Maison de Cinq
The Design Twins
I Don’t Know How She Does It
Meme Hill
Designs by Laila
Loi
Beautiful! Congratulations!
Hey Dean – Thanks my friend! Cheers
In awe with your new home. Love all the classic details but the kitchen is my favorite area. Simplicity at its best!
Hello Gloribell – Thank you. Love your tour! Such beautiful greenery. Cheers
Oh my goodness Loi – your view in Castine is BEYOND beautiful!! Congratulations on two superbly decorated homes! xxx
You are the best, Paula 🙂 Thanks so much!!!
Wow! Beautiful homes!
Thanks so much! Appreciate your visit and note. xoxo
Hi Loi! You new place in MD could not be more charming, and that view in Maine! I doubt there is a more picturesque spot to spend the summer. Can't wait to see more photos! xoxo Phyllis
You have to come visit us in Maryland and Maine! I hope we can catch up soon. Thanks, Phyllis.
So wonderful to see you back in blogland and we're so envious of your beautiful new homes, Loi. We hope you'll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labors this summer and have some R & R with Tom. Sending you hugs!
xxoo
C + C
Good to be back! It's been almost three months – toooo long! Thanks, ladies.
Thank goodness you're back! Every time I read your blog, I rush out of my studio and unclutter my house!! Take good care.
Our houses are uncluttered because we still have boxes to unpack, haha. Thank you! Cheers 🙂
♥♥♥ it all, I always grin through all of your post because they make me happy!! So happy for you and Tom and so happy that you are sharing it with us. The view in Castine made me gasp. The stair rail immediately caught my eye and don't even get me started on the stone wall and gate outside. Can't wait to see more of your creations!! Happy Summer!!!
Hey Kathysue, welcome to Instagram! Glad to see you there. Thanks, my friend.
Loi, your house is so fabulous! It's always with such good taste. I love everything you do.
Xox, Lizbeth
Hey there, Liz! Thanks, friend. Love your summer tour!
Loi, Wow, we are taking notes…big time! You are an inspiration in so many ways. Your aesthetic makes us weep it's so impeccable! And we aren't just being melodramatic. We sit in awe, dear friend, simply in awe. Congratulations on all your progress, all the beauty! With love and friendship, Julie & Jodie
Ladies, you two are the BEST! So glad y'all stop by. Thank you, thank you! xoxo
pure perfection
Hi Lynn – thank you for visiting! And for your note 🙂 Cheers
Can we just talk about your view ? Both inside and outside is just fabulous. You have the touch my friend. I love your gallery wall of paintings. Tugs at my heart. xo
Tom and I are really looking forward to enjoying the view from our new cottage. Thanks, Amie, for stopping by. Cheers
Hello Loi, I love your seascape collection. One of your great skills is collecting masses of objects, while also knowing how many is enough. I personally tend to overdo it, although my living areas now are actually quite restrained,
–Jim
I had fun putting this collection of vintage seascape together. Many are from Maine, and a couple are from Europe. Thanks!
Always love to see your renovated homes, Loi. Don't know how you and Tom have the stamina to do one after another much less two after another. Can't wait to see the console – simplicity and charm as always.
b
Any plans to come up to Castine this summer? Would love to have you for lunch, Billie. xo
Your energy is amazing along with that view of the water. You are inspiring to get the builder around to do all those odd jobs! Hope you have a great summer Loi!
Oh my Loi, you buys have been busy!!!!!! Can't imagine letting go of any of your previous homes since there are both oh-so-beautiful! But I guess, you have to let your creative juices flow with some more houses! You make the world more beautiful with that, I get it! Lucky us! You cottage is just so perfect, can't wait to see it a magazine again , the the one in Maine?! Hat view is enough to make me swoon! So happy for you both and excited with all these changes dear! Cheers to a wonderful summer !
Loi, I'm so glad you decided to share not one, but two of your gorgeous homes! Your home is Maine is so stunning – that gate is amazing and really sets the tone for the whole property! And of course, your Mora clock! You know I'm just waiting for you to be sick of it, in which case I will happily take it off your hands:)
Your cottage has all your beautiful touches as well. I love the gallery wall, and of course the view isn't bad either:)
So happy to be "hopping" with you my friend! Thanks for always inspiring me!
Sheila
xo
Oh my you have been busy and you guys are crazy!! I can certainly see why you purchased that darling cottage by the sea…incredible views…and I love that gallery wall! Happy Summer!!
Loi! Your home is stunning!! I LOVE that globe fixture! WOW! I would never want to leave your home if you invited me over lol! What a chic and sophisticated style you have, so happy to tour with you! xo
I have missed your enchanting posts, Loi! OK, this is it. THIS IS THE ONE! If only my husband would allow me to paint our front cottage door white. AHHHH! Everything looks fabulous. YOU and Tom as blessed!
Wow! It's all so gorgeous. I am gobsmacked at how quickly you two get things done!
Each image is just wonderful…and love that view of the harbor. What a nice place to escape to in the summer heat of D.C.!!!
WOW! that view is amazing Loi, Please stay at this house, I think you found your piece of paradise. Thanks for bringing us the pictures, it is beautiful.
I love everything – I stopped scrolling when I saw the view. That view is just breathtaking Loi, what a true blessing to be able to enjoy that picturesque view. The stairs look amazing and I like the idea of using a wine cooler/holder to hold utensils. I would buy white ones but with my (poor) cooking they would be burned black at the ends within first use LOL!
Oh wow – you have been crazy busy, Loi! What a fabulous job you've done on your cottage. I love that pretty white kitchen, and your entryway with your Swedish clock and that seahorse railing is just fabulous!
I can't wait to see your Maine home as well!
You never disappoint, Loi – love your classic and gorgeous style! It's an honor to be on this tour with you!
xo
Kathleen
dear loi
you left me wanting, badly!
a cotswold styled cottage, really?! from what i saw i am in love. and a casting cottage by the sea? you and tom have created a dream life and that is what it is all about, isn't it? congrats…….come back with more, please
cheers
debra
Such a beautiful home tour and gorgeous view!! Love it all!!
XO
Lacey & Kim
Oh Loi, your homes are beautiful! I adore them both. You have been extremely busy! I love your Maine home. When I lived in Boston I spent all my free time in Maine. Fabulous tour!
Loi, I'm in awe of your ability to take on two homes at the same time. Add that they are miles apart only makes it more awesome! Your spaces are gorgeous. I'm so taken with the stairwell in Maryland and the view of the harbor in Maine. Both homes are incredibly beautiful!
Loi, you are so amazing! Both homes look wonderful. You are incredibly talented and inspirational, with a heart of gold! I enjoy everything you do!
HI Loi, I have been missing you and your happy posts. Soooo happy to see that the two of you are well and more than kicking. The houses are gorgeous and that view is sigh inducing. Congratulations on all of the hard work. xoxo Mary
Loi,
You've been busy! We're in the process of moving and I don't think I could do the reno on 2 houses at the same time. You're 2 new places are wonderful. I love the Cotswold home, and the view of your new home in Catine is breathtaking. Congratulations on finding such lovely "permanent" homes.
It's nice to hear your voice once again, I always follow you on IG but love the details you share on your blog.
xo,
Karen
I just knew you and Tom were staying busy Loi – and, as always, am blown away by what you have accomplished in your absence!
Two exquisite new homes – very different locations but both amazing to be spending time in. Bet the shop is looking fabulous too – how do you find time to keep so many balls in the air?
Hope your time in Castine this summer will also give you some time off to relax – ahhhhh Maine, I love and miss you!
Will you please share the paint color of the new Shaker kitchen cabinets – it looks creamy rather than white. The range hood is beautiful – I want one just like it!
The marine art collection is spectacular – I love how you display it over the console and look forward to seeing just what you end up placing there. Don't leave us hanging too long please!
Bob and I send our best with big hugs. We're recently back from Sicily and Malta – very colorful compared to the neutrals you and I love!
Mary x
Your home is so magazine worthy, Loi! I enjoyed it very much!!
xo
Laila
This is awesome! How do you have time to do all of these neat things? I am drowning!!! I really enjoy your blog
Goldenslot Casino Online
Gclub Casino
Gclub จีคลับ
Dear Loi, the moment I discovered you at Instagram I fell in love with the rooms you created. Just sat there with my coffee and allowed myself to feel the calm and peace and beauty your pics bring to me. And of course I went here to follow the invitation to see more details. It is beautiful, amazing, stunning – all together. But what I can not understand: how do you manage to switch between these two homes? My heart would be bleeding if I'd have to leave one for the other – and if only for days … Have a wonderful summer! Hopefully you can allow yourself to relax and enjoy … Jeannie (my3rddecade)
Loi I sincerely believe that whatever house you own eventually it will turn magical. As each of your home's you have shared photos of. Yup, you and Tom create sheer magic.
xo,
Vera
Hi Loi! I feel as if it's been forever. I have tried to get notified of your posts, but Mr. Googs eats them up. Forgive me, but I'm having trouble keeping up with your houses. It seems that you've sold two homes that it seems like you just moved into. And I get that you're renovating two homes. Well, all the more for us to enjoy! Thank you!
But that view in the Castine home. Sick. I would have trouble pulling myself away from that one.
The kitchen is perfect. I have made rumblings about renovating mine.
I could manage quite well with a shower kitchen– a hotplate, a nuker and a mini-fridge. But alas, I don't have a spare bathroom. ;] My dishwasher recently died and I have to say that it's a bloody drag not having one. But I'm being a good girl and washing everything up. ;]
Love the vintage art wall. I may have to steal it. But the image is on its way to pinterest via tailwind.
Can't wait to see more!!! xoxo ~ Laurel
Dear Loi,
Oh you have been frightfully busy. I cannot imagine renovating two houses simultaneously. How very exciting for you.
Happy to see you take the time to blog. Like your followers I have missed you
Helen xx
Hello, am Tanya Albert from United State. am happy sharing this great testimony on how i was checking for solution in the internet then miraculously i came Across Dr Ekpiku, the powerful herbalist that Cure Numerous individuals HSV-1 AND HSV-2 INFECTION,then i contacted his Email: (ekpikuspellhomeofgrace@gmail.com) I Explained everything to him and he prepared me a herbal medicine that cure my HSV-1 AND HSV-2 Disease totally after making use his herbal medicine, So My friends viewers why wait and be suffer when there is someone like Dr Ekpiku, that can cure any disease HIV/ CANCER/ HEPATITIS B VIRUS,LOW SPERM COUNT,ALS, ANCE PIMPUS, LUPUS VIRUS, You Can "CONTACT him Via : Email : (ekpikuspellhomeofgrace@hotmail.com) You Can Contact Him Today And Get Your Problem Solved.
Loi, you have captured all of you in this summer cottage… The harbor view is breathtaking, and your gallery wall of sea worthy pieces finish the tone and mood of where your home can listen to the sea. There is not a thing I don't love about this cottage inside and out.
You've done it again in all the best and it has your personal stamp on it.
I could see myself living in a home just like this one.
Enjoy your summer, it's truly a home to enjoy.
Xx
Dore
Oh my goodness you have been crazy busy. No wonder you have had no time to blog! I love seeing snippets of both houses here and on Instagram! And I cannot wait to see more. Have a fabulous week Loi.
well, you have outdone yourself. this is breathtaking work, loi. I wanna steal that staircase and place it square in this chicagoland fixer. absolutely stunning and so unique. we are nearly done with the Arizona place, and who knows what will come next? I'm thinking brand spankin new white Swedish farmhouse, so simple and serene it'd sedate a squirrel. thanks for sharing your journey, friend. xox
Loi…WOW! You two have been busy. I am in love with both of your new homes! SOME DAY I will have the all white palette I crave after viewing your homes. So peaceful! 🙂
Hi: In the photo of the tone on tone white bedroom with the Soren dresser next to the bed, you describe the bed itself as "vintage." It looks vintage, but it's not. It's the Charles P. Rogers iron and brass sleigh bed. Some of your readers might want to be able to buy it…
Gorgeous just as I expected it to be!!
Wow was the expression when I viewed this victorian furniture at a store here in Croydn, London that had the best of everything, starting from intricate hand carving, ornate wood work, rich hand polishing and gorgeous upholstery work that reminded me of that grand Victorian Era when furniture design was simply gorgeous and sublime with extensive attention to detailing. Hope the luxury armchair that I bought for my country house in Swindon, perfectly matches with the ambience.
Hey Loi,
Will contact you on instagram also, but wanted to let you know that my Spruce Head friend any myself will definitely be visiting you on Saturday, August 5th. She suggested we should go to the Union antique show on Friday so it is not all picked over, and since you are two hours to and from Spruce Head, she thought we'd reserve Saturday for visiting you. So, what would be a good time to arrive at your home Saturday? You will love my friend – a very talented artist and owner of great antiques. Let me know if you get this comment.
See you soon,b
b
شركة مكافحة بق الفراش بالاحساء
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالقطيف
شركة رش مبيدات بالاحساء
اتود الوصول لافضل عمليات التنظيف مع الحصول علي ضمان لاطول فترة خصومات وعروض رائعه لعمليات التنظيف يمكنك الاستمتاع بالخدمة عن طريق زيارة الرابط التالي
شركة تنظيف فلل بالاحساء
Hey, It really is incredibly fantastic and informative website. Good to discover your site Very well article! I’m simply in love with it.
แม่บ้าน
Nice Blog.Thanks For Sharing Information.
Eppitomegroop provides office interior designers in pune for home & office interior design projects. Get a quick quotation for your project.
very good blog.
Home and Beyond is the best home interior designer in India.
modular kitchen designs
house interior design
very good post.
Pest control Services for Mosquitoes
Commercial Pest control services
nice post..
Modular kitchen in chennai
Modular kitchen chennai
Trik Menang Bermain Situs Judi Sabung Ayam Online Yang Jarang Diketahui
Informasi Terlengkap Mengenai Sabung Ayam
https://ayamsatebv.blogspot.com/2018/11/unduh-video-sabung-ayam-mengenai.html
Good Post & Nice Pictures !!
Affordable Restaurant in Chennai
Nice Blog. It is very interesting and more information.
interior designers in chennai
interior decorators in chennai
modular kitchen in chennai
modular kitchen chennai
hotel interior designers in chennai
corporate interior designers in chennai
office interior designers in chennai
Greenline Architects is a team of Best and Experienced Architects who provide a range of consultancy varying from Luxury Homes to Affordable Row Houses, Commercial, Institutional, Interior, Platting and Landscape to Factory and Vastu designing.
Projects, Interior, Landscape
The choosing of place is really excellent idea. Thanks for sharing.
https://sugunapestcontrol.in/
It really is incredibly fantastic and informative blog post.
http://pestrid.in/
you were done an amazing job. Both homes look wonderful.
http://pestcontrol24x7.com/
You have done an excellent job of choosing White background colour.
http://pcpestcontrol.in/
Thanks for sharing. I love to see your updates.
http://imayampestcontrol.com/
This is an amazing blog, thank you so much for sharing such an valuable information with us. Visit for best website design and seo services at-
Website Designing Company in Delhi
Nice Blog, thanks for sharing with us. Visit Mutualfundwala for best mutual fund advisor and investment process for mutual fund at-
Mutual Fund Companies
Thank you so much sharing this informative blog with us. Visit for shipping and freight forwarders company at-
Freight Forwarders in India
Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing with us. Visit for best audio and sound engineering course at-
audio engineering course
DuPaint are a leading painting company in Sydney, Australia.