No way, not a chance...

Here are a few things I would love to incorporate into the new home that received a 'No way, not a chance' response from Rob. Then he mentions this word that starts with a 'B', budget or something along those lines, when I does that I just pretend I don't speak English anymore.

The solid slab marble shower *sigh*. The Hubs was actually all for it until I got our quote back for the marble. I tried to justify it with the aspect of how easy it would be to keep clean (he is my shower cleaner), but that wasn't reason enough to persuade him.  

Image via Velvet & Linen

Hardwood in the laundry room. Hubs, you are letting me put it in the master bathroom but not the laundry room? Fine, but I can not change my selection of flooring that I have picked, doesn't everyone need a marble floor in their laundry room?

Image via Houzz

These beautiful silver leaf tiles that I wanted to incorporate into the wet bar or wine room in the basement. Why you ask? Well, I think the one and only reason is the $250 per sq. ft. price point, owch!

Image via Walker Zanger

This one makes me tear up a bit, the cedar roof. I am still holding out hope that some way, some how I will get a quote from the roofers that will not break the bank, but considering that cedar is currently 3 times the price of asphalt and 2 times the price of a rubber roof material I can pretty much cancel this on out. Don't worry, I am still mentioning it on a daily basis. Isn't it just lovely?

 Image via Brooks & Falotico

Wood burning interior fireplace. Why? We can't get good hardwood that burns nice and long here, that is excuse 1. It is very costly to install since I would not want a metal box insert but rather a stone one, excuse 2. Maintenance, excuse 3. We did compromise and are doing a wood burning fireplace on the deck, so all in all, I still get the smell & sounds of a wood burning.

Image via Carson Poetzl

Life will go on without these items and I know that the house is still going to be beyond amazing. Maybe I can keep this items in my back pocket for the next house? Have a wonderful day!!! Mel xo

Houzz Feature...

When Becky from Houzz e-mailed me and asked if she could feature one of our homes on Houzz I was thrilled. While it took some back and forth between our busy schedules we were able to get the interview done. If you would like to read the feature on the home we built in Scarboro back in 2006 simply GO HERE.

Hope you enjoy it, I am still in a midst of boxes and must continue to pack. Have a wonderful day! Mel xo

Simply Stunning

 Image via Dan Meyers Photography

Happy weekend!!! Mel xo

Fridays Favorite - My Day

Well, I am turning 29 again, some (such as my mother) would correct me and say 33, and in fact, I am OK with that. Yes, I am turning 33, thirty three, two threes, that's me.

To celebrate the hubs is taking me to dinner at Rush this evening. One of my favorite restaurants; beautiful decor, amazing food, fab wine list, and the service is top notch. Looking forward to getting all dolled up for a night with my special man!

We are not one for gifts, in fact we never exchange them, we already have what we need and with the house being built that is enough. But if he is feeling like his pockets are extra deep today he is more than welcomed to get me any of these items that are not needed but would be greatly appreciated (and no, I will not be getting any of these, this is just a wish list).

I could use this tonight to finish off my outfit...

What about this, it could replace the one M flushed down the toilet a few months ago. Hope you are enjoying the bling Nemo!!!

Or maybe something simple, something practical, something for the house that I will get to use day after day, the sink I have been lusting over for quiet some time now...

OK, enough day dreaming, off to live this day to the best, I truly believe how you spend your birthday is how the rest of your year will play out. A workout, great cup of coffee, my boys getting along (pretty please!!!), work going well, and a date. Hope your day is filled with love!!! Mel xo

Giving thanks...

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my loved American readers and family!! This is our first time in 10 years that we are not in Dallas with family. We will be there in spirit and as I told my sister, inject the turkey with love (that is my job every year). I hope that you are able to spend time with those that you love on this wonderful day of thanks. Look at the life you live and think of 3 things that you are thankful for, I would love for you to share them with me!

Image via Country Living

For myself I am thankful for my family who support me, love me, and encourages me to always be the best person I can be. I am also thankful for being able to give, the joy that comes with bringing happiness to others is wonderful and something that the Hubs & I hope to instill in our boys. Finally I am  thankful for you. This blog inspires me in so many ways, whether it is other bloggers post or your comments, it makes me want to do better, and I love that! Oh, and one more thing, I am thankful for the warmer weather and the fact that we are finally getting our foundation poured later today! Mel xo

Project Updates...

There is not tons to report on this front, the -30C (yes, that is a minus in front of the 30) weather has really put a stall on any job that is not closed up, that includes Wexford II, Lynx Ridge, & our own home. Dear Mother Nature, get your act together, this is January weather and you are cramping my style!

Wexford I

 Possession is coming close on this job and the house is really starting to take shape. This will be the last update for this home until I have the professional images to share (hopefully in the first week or two of December). This job has one prime example of a silly mistake that cost time for us and money for the trade that made the boo boo. While the kitchen does look amazing, along with the backsplash, it was laid wrong. So this afternoon it was all ripped off, tossed in the trash and the tile setter is reinstalling it the correct way. Simple oversight, an oops, and now on to the fix. No job can go by without one or two things to go sideways.

 

Wexford II

This is what a job site looks like when the trades are working outside and the windchill is in the -30's. Not a lot happening, on Wexfrod II. We are expecting highs this weekend taking us to the + so the framers are gearing up to make this job take shape, expect to see it look completely different next week.

And that is all I have for you this week, a combination of the crappy weather and the fact that my computer has a new hard drive and life board or something along those lines. Images I have taken are lost in out Time Capsule, hopefully it will be fixed soon. Fingers crossed! Have a great day and I hope you can stay warm! Mel xo

Rub a dub dub I gotta pick a tub...

Time to finalize plumbing, if not, we will be delayed. So in our master bathroom we are going to be using a free standing tub. It is going to be a more feminine room (sorry Rob), so I wanted something with nice lines. Here are the four tubs I have it narrowed down to...

 BainUltra

 BainUltra

 Cheviot

Cheviot

Any of them will work in the room, it really just comes down to what style is going to work best. We will be having wide plank hardwood flooring in the bathroom, white vanities and built-ins with either a leathered Carrara or Calacatta vanity top, matching tile in for the shower (I will get into this with more detail in the future), and leaded glass windows that will be backing the tub in a bow shape.  

 Plans property of Veranda Homes & Interiors

Decisions decisions. So my friends, is there one above that you prefer over the other? I know what I am leaning towards but I would love you input! Mel xo

Custom Home - Exterior & Lower Level

Here is the final images for the home tour on this custom home we build last year. Be sure to check out the main level HERE and the upper level HERE, I know you will not be disappointed. Now on to the tour, the front exterior and lower level, enjoy!

  

That is what we have for you on this stunner. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for images from Wexford I, it is being turned over soon and I am hoping that we will have some amazing images to share with you of that home a well. Have a great day!! Mel xo

Simply Stunning

Source unknown

Happy weekend!!! Mel xo

Fridays Favorite - Apple TV

When I was running into the Apple store the other night Rob called and asked me to pick up the Apple TV. I rolled my eyes but since he was unknowingly treating me to a new Nano I obliged and picked it up. So he gets it all pluged into the TV and let me tell you, IT IS THE COOLEST THING EVER!!!!

Seriously, a hundred dollars!! You can access iTunes off of it, order tv shows for .99 and movies starting at 4.99. You can even stream Netflix through this little gadget and that has been a lifesaver with how busy I have been lately. 'Boys want to watch Cat In The Hat?' and then I hear a collective 'YEAHHH' giving me 30 minutes to get work done.

If you do not have a sound system you can also stream your iTunes through the TV and set it up so images from your iPhoto are displayed, so yeah, cool right? If you are out & about this weekend might I suggest you treat yourself to one, I think you will love it! Mel xo

Foyer tile, what to do, what to do?

Out of frustration with the foyer tile I am SO close to saying 'whatever' and just going with hardwood...I.over.thing.everything. Here are some tiles that I have samples of that I am considering, but none of them are flooring me so to say, get it?

Image via Sarah Richardson

I do love all 3 of these vein cut limestone samples (seen above), a possibility. Since the edges are clean cut we can incorporate a herringbone or a chevron pattern to the foyer & a simple brick pattern for the mud room. And yes, the first 2 are different tiles, I swear!

 Images via Saltillo Tiles

Image via Universal Slate

Or I could go in a completely opposite direction with these random shaped slate pieces from Daltile? the colors may work (haven't seen a sample yet) and the shape would be interesting in the area...

Image via Daltile

I could always fall back on the tumbled travertine that we have now, but I want something new, something fresh, something different. It is a beautiful floor and I still use it quiet a bit with clients, but it isn't falling into the concept I am putting together.

 Image my own

It is so funny to look at the images taken of our current home, I feel like I am wearing a wig, it is just not me anymore, 4 years ago yes, now...not so much. Anyhow, any of these tiles grab you? Have you seen something amazing? Please share, it would be much appreciated!! Oh, and our foyer is the same style as above. Mel xo

Knock Knock - Baby Beach House

I am all about Maui right now. I know it is November, and we are knee deep in snow, but we just booked our annual trip there and with the move and dealing with living in a rental I know the 3 weeks that we are away from reality can not come soon enough. One of our favorite beaches to take the boys to is Baby Beach in Lahina, no waves, very shallow, and usually no one is there. I would love to stay at this home right on Baby Beach, but for $3K a night I think we will stick with our condo...for now, but a walk by this home is in order.

 I love that this has a white, clean, bright kitchen. So many homes on the island have dark wood traditional kitchens. Very Maui just not very Melissa.

An awesome room for entertaining and the wall that opens up to the patio and pool area are perfect.

One of the many bedrooms in the home, they all open up to a beautiful view of the ocean.

 And a wonderful spot to sit and watch a Maui sunset, you have not lived till you have watched the sun slowly disappear.

All Images via Hawaii Bound

OK, back to reality for now. I know our trip will be here before I know it, so until then I will dream about the sun, beach, surf, food, and family time with limited work. Mel xo