Name: Mike & Stacy Gall, Madeline and Sophia
Location: Historic Riverview, Kankakee, Illinois
Size: 1,900 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years; Own
I've known the Galls for years. My husband grew up with Stacy and Mike and they are one of the funniest, happy families I've ever met. The first time I went over to their house Stacy had a chalkboard sign in the entry advertising "Fall!" and her home looked and smelled like the season. I was in college and it was the warmest, most welcoming place I'd set foot in since leaving home.
Stacy lives and breathes style (and comedy), so three years ago when the Pineapple house was up for sale she knew she had to have it. For a very long time, its exterior was painted two shades of pink, and she would drive past and admire it daily. Since moving in, Stacy has unleashed her color powers on the Spanish Revival and risen to the domestic goddess level one can only dream of. Immersed in the area's rich history and bounty of historic homes, she is also vice president of the historic district board.
The Galls are committed to their community, and continually strive to make it a better place to live and raise children. Whether it's involvement in the local music scene, or running for local government, they realize and accept the social responsibility of making your community what you want it to be.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: I think our style is vintage mixed with a little modern, with a frenchy twist.
Inspiration: Kate Spade is a huge inspiration for me. I love her use of colors. It's quirky, but still classic.
Favorite Element: The entryway! It has a 12 foot ceiling, enough space for a fun chair and side table, a gothic hanging chandelier, and a winding staircase! I love the first impression it gives when friends come to visit!
Biggest Challenge: The style of our house is "Spanish Revival", and a common trait of these houses is textured walls, which took us forever to paint, and it makes me dream about all of the wallpaper that I will never have because it will never work!
What Friends Say: "I would never think of putting this together!" "Can you help me pick out paint colors?"
Biggest Embarrassment: Definitely our garden area. There is a huge garden carved out with bricks in our yard, and we are just now learning how to take care of it. I dream of being one of those ladies who wears a huge gardening hat and floral print gloves, and carries my coffee out in the morning to get to work out there? someday it will happen!
Proudest DIY: The paper wall art that is hanging above the fireplace! I got the idea from a friend that made one, and when I was finished I was SO PUMPED, I made a few more and gave them away! It was also the cheapest thing to make! (And we all know wall art can cost an arm and a leg!)
Biggest Indulgence: I would say the antique square grand piano that I bought from a Frank Lloyd Wright home in my neighborhood. The home is used for tours, and events, and they were selling it because they had a different piano being donated to them! It was my lucky day! ? but a bit of an indulgence. They are very rare, and the piano dates back to the late 1800's. I like to picture what some of the people who may have played it were wearing at the time!
Best Advice: Don't play it safe. Paint can be repainted if you don't like it, but the payoff is amazing when you do something risky and it turns out great! Also, style doesn't have to be expensive ? I think it's something we are all born with.
Dream Sources: Dwell Studios, flea markets
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
- ? Living room Valspar: Grand Hotel Mackinac Blue
? Entryway-Valspar: Woodlawn Blue
ENTRY
- ? Frenchy photo frame: Ikea
? Vintage chair: second hand store
? Chevron print lamp: Target
? Fur Rug: Marshalls
LIVING ROOM
- ? Bench: Pier1
? Vintage speakers: second hand store
? Brown and Green area rug: Pier1
? Square floor lamp: Pier1
? Circle print chair: Pier1
? Painting: World Market
? Gold Mirror: Secondhand, I spray painted it Gold
? Curtains: Ikea
DINING ROOM
- ? Square Grand piano: Estate sale
? Table: Pier1
? Red and white dinning chairs: Marshalls
? Paintings: Frank Gonski (Local Artist)
? Curtains: Ikea
KITCHEN
- ? Fabric for DIY Curtains: Hobby Lobby
? Step stool: Ikea (plus DIY Mod Podge)
BEDROOM
- ? Couch: Pier1
? Lamps: Marshalls
? Comforter: Dwell Studios for Target
? Sunburst wall art: DIY
BATHROOM
- ? Shower Curtain: Dwell Studios for Target
Thanks, Gall Family!
(Images: Ashley Poskin )
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Source: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-pineapple-housewifes-happy-homehouse-tour-176364