We are excited to share with you the home of Elena Martin for our second ABODE feature!

Home. The most delightful four-letter word one can utter. The haven that gives us rest from the busyness of life and restores us to walk outside its doors, yet again. The moments inside these four walls shape us and have a powerful impact on our life, our family, and our community. Our dwellings influence how we think, feel, and create.

Elena’s home fits our ABODE description perfectly. You may remember her sister, Svetlana, as our first feature. Elena and her husband have painstakingly labored to transform their home into quite an oasis, and their work is STUNNING as you will see in the before and after photos. Beauty emanates from every corner of their space, and the warmth and comfort of their home is felt as soon as you step through the front door.

Thank you for sharing your home with us, Elena, and thank you Claire for the photos!

What made you choose this place?

We loved the road and often said we would want to buy a place in this area if one ever went for sale. We loved that the house was made to look older than it is. It was built in 1971 but was made to replicate Colonial times.

How long have you lived here?

3 years

Describe your personal style.

A mixture of French country, vintage, and cottage style. I want my home to be a reflection of me, and I’m not quick to follow the latest fads. I love using antiques because they can’t go out of style!

How do you desire your home to feel?

Welcoming, peaceful, and warm.

Any style muses? Sources of inspiration? Items you can’t live without?

Antique gold frames

Anthropologie

Topiary

Fur

Old oil paintings

Copper

What have you changed about your home since you lived here?

We painted the kitchen cabinets and made some other improvements like adding a patio door. We converted what was once the attic into two bedrooms and a full bathroom. We also changed the landscaping a lot and recently just added the gravel patio.

What are your decorating philosophies?

I’m definitely not a minimalist. I find so many cool pieces that I want to be able to display them. I enjoy collecting. Usually twice a season, I will decorate. I buy 90% used and 10% new and of that 10% new, the majority was found on clearance. I don’t follow trends, and I’m a firm believer in DIYs.

What are your favorite stores for home items?

The antique stores in Adamstown, PA, Goodwills, Homegoods, and Wolgemuth Builders Auction in Leola, PA.

What types of events do you enjoy hosting here?

Our annual Christmas party. We also plan to do a lot more outdoor entertaining now that our gravel patio is finished. I’d like to get a long wooden table that can fit a lot of people. 

Your landscaping is incredible! How did you learn to do all of this on your own?

By watching Gardener’s World on YouTube and attempting to grow everything organically.

How long do you see yourselves living here?

Forever. We love the neighborhood and the house.

Any future renovation projects?

Yes! We plan to renovate the downstairs bathroom, do soapstone countertops in the kitchen, and add picture frame molding to the hallway. We’ve changed so much and I’m always wanting to change more. I’m just so thankful for a husband who is loving enough to put up with all the work it is to make my dreams become a reality.

A Few Before Pictures…