Blake, Ryan: Artists in residence
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds could be a few home improvements away from saying, “I do.”
A source in Bedford, N.Y., where Lively purchased a $2.3M property last month, tells us the lovebirds have been working hard to turn her country house into a cozy home.
The town insider says the couple have hired workers to remodel the kitchen and bathroom areas of the residence and give the exterior a fresh coat of paint, and that the actors are actively involved in the upgrades.
Lively and Reynolds have frequently been spotted combing the aisles at Bedford Hardware together. According to the source, they’ve also been shopping to decorate their love nest’s interior.
Lively, who is popular on the red carpet because of her tasteful yet head-turning fashion choices, appears to be taking the lead on decor.
“She has been on the hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces,” the Bedford spy says of leggy Lively’s taste in home furnishings.
The source adds that the “Gossip Girl” beauty and Chanel Purse ambassador seeks a “country chic” vibe in her home and “wants everything to be unique.”
That said, Lively won’t be acquiring all her furniture at auction. The insider notes that Lively loves the upscale interior design company Restoration Hardware and has been spotted at funky-but-chic Anthropologie in Westport, Conn., with Reynolds in tow.
“It’s kind of cute how he goes on all these shopping trips with her,” the Bedford bystander says of Lively’s abs-fabulous beau.
Once the kitchen is finished, Lively will no doubt indulge in her love of cooking, but she won’t be a slave to the stove.
“She’s always looking for good places to eat in the area,” the source says.
Given their nesting behavior, marriage — and children — are looking more and more likely for Lively and her man, even though Reynolds has been divorced from first wife Scarlett Johansson for just a year and five months.
A second source tells us the genetically blessed duo just spent time with the actress’ parents, Ernie and Elaine Lively, in Washington, D.C., and that her mom and pop warmly received Reynolds.
The same source also downplayed reports that Lively clashed with her “Green Lantern” co-star’s mother, Tammie
Reynolds, while the couple were visiting Ryan’s relatives in Canada.
According to one media report, Lively got in a catfight with Reynolds’ mom over dinner at her home on May 6 when the discussion turned to where the couple would potentially raise their children.
“Ryan’s mom really likes Blake,” insists the source, leaving the impression that it’s one big happy — and extremely photogenic — family after all.
A spokeswoman for Lively and a spokeswoman for Reynolds did not respond to our requests for comment by deadline.