Kristina Kreations | 2015 January

From the dirt…to bed skirt; the ground…to profound!

The Riverdale is an expression of Ernie White at his best. This home features a layout that’s conducive to any family. With all the modern amenities, I chose to make this home feel extremely casual and young.

I chose a subtle but fresh color palette and blended mid-century modern, French country and shabby chic. Magic happens when you think “outside the box” and blend unusual era’s together; they all were stunning in their time so why not bring the best elements out of each and throw them in a mixer 🙂

Even pops of industrial and Victorian can be seen but gosh how eloquently everything flows. It really is a nice showcase of old meets new and how even new construction can look vintage and have that welcoming charm like a craftsman bungalow in downtown Lakeland.

Speaking of Lakeland, we really live in a great city. It’s a simple or as vibrant as you want it to be, you just have to know these quaint and quirky little spots. Same goes for shopping.

Some of my favorite spots and favorite people are: Dixieland Relics, Junk Prince, Black Swan and Simple Vintage. It’s not only having such places as these close to home, but also having a relationship with small local businesses. Nikki Hunt, Simple Vintage, answers my text directly with pictures. Karen Dasher, Dixieland Relics, let’s me take 3 tablecloths to try and bring back the ones that don’t work. How about my very own assistant, Amanda Bass, who thinks 3 levels outside that famous box and makes anything happen with paint or a computer!

I can’t say enough about Ernie White’s team who let me put my stamp on this house from the ground up. They have NEVER boxed me in and I’m so thankful to work with this organized group of professionals.

Ernie is a timeless builder in Lakeland, but he is certainly changing with the times, approaching generations much younger than himself. Love ya Ernie!!!

Let’s just say I was so happy with this house that I almost did the “riverdance” in the “riverdale”. Well….maybe I did 🙂

It’s simple, good-hearted folks like Allen and Cathy Tish that make me want to be better, live simpler and remember what’s really important.

Living the most humble lives in the middle of an orange grove in a home Allen built 35 years ago himself, they have raised their kids, sacrificed and saved. Now, entering retirement, they can finally complete their home and have it feel as welcoming and warm as their personalities.

Cathy was open to anything. She fully trusted me and Tim Wells when it came to cabinet design, busting out walls, colors and textiles. I wanted to keep in line with her love for nature and art so it wasn’t any surprise that her hand-painted deer picture was my first inspiration. I carried this deer with me everywhere and it truly started the whole theme.

Her kitchen was completely gutted and new wood farmhouse cabinets, granite counters and stone backsplash complimented the existing brick so nicely. The Tish’s are all about family so turning their front living room into a HUGE dining room was perfect! I had a 10′ plank table custom built by Tessa with “Vintage Woodworks” complete with 12 chairs.

Plaids with antiques; sunflowers with deer; this home is truly a stately lodge and Mrs. Tish will have you doing a craft or brewing some coffee for you if you enter her welcoming retreat. Just don’t scratch her new wood floors!!

Allen and Cathy,

I hope you are delighted beyond measure as there are so many memories to be born in your same but new space.

Blessings to this super sweet family and Tim Wells for introducing us 🙂