Project Updates...

It has been awhile since I updated, a lot has happened, come and take a tour with me...

Wexford II

The carpenters have been busy boys working long days and even the weekends to get this finishing stage wrapped up in the home. Here are images showing the progress of the kitchen. Everything we do is built-on-site, a far more superior and truly custom product compared to a pre-fabricated kitchen.

Lynx Ridge

The electrical, plumbing, and heating are almost wrapped up in this home. Have I mentioned how excited I am to work on this house? It is my first traditional styled home in years, and all 6500+ Sq. Ft. are going to tailored to the clients needs and taste. It is a job that is making me think in a different way and I just love that. Here are some images of the interior showing the main family room and the area that will become the kitchen.

Our House

Truck, truck, trucking along!! Hardwood is almost completed on the main level, seriously in love with this floor, sigh. It is finally starting to take shape and I am so excited to get in there. I do know the boys have enjoyed helping around the house, this is making great memories for all of us, here is W helping the Hubs move a floor plug, he was so excited to use a real drill!!

And the progress of the floors, just like our cabinetry we use all finished on site flooring, it allows you flexibility with stain, finish, and it can be screened or refinished when needed, unlike prefab floors. The image on the left shows the floor in the study, how fab is it!?!? I am loving every square inch so far.

Yesterday we also had our septic system installed, it acts more like an individual waste water treatment plant, but I won't bore you with the details, mostly since I didn't pay attention when the Hubs explained it to me, shhhhh, don't tell.

 Time for me to crack down and make sure that all of my drawings for the home are in order, with the finishing carpenters moving into the home on Thursday I want to make sure they are ready to roll once the tools are set up. Please put on another pot of coffee, this girl is going to need it! Mel xo

My commitment issues...

I have sever commitment issues. There, I said it, but it is obvious since I have been putting off my lighting purchase for the home and remember this post? Seriously, who takes 8 hours to pick out a ceiling color?! This weekend I did it, I hit send on the e-mail and ordered some lights, a huge step for me, LOL! There is a weight lifted off my shoulders and oh do I hope I like what I picked!!! Here is a brief run down of what has been ordered...

Mud Room
Visual Comfort Extra Large Hick in Polished Nickel
 

Pantry
Visual Comfort Six Light Square Tube Chandelier in Polished Nickel

Powder Room
Visual Comfort Reed Small Chandelier in Polished Silver

Kitchen Island
Visual Comfort Goodman Hanging Light in Antique Nickel

Kitchen Sink
Visual Comfort Boston Functional Library Wall Light in Antique Nickel

Breakfast Nook
Visual Comfort Farlane Chandelier in Polished Silver

Master Bedroom
Visual Comfort Ruhlmann Six Light Chandelier in Polished Nickel

Master Hall & Desk Area
Visual Comfort Ruhlmann 3 Light Chandelier & Ruhlmann Single Sconce in Polished Nickel

Master Bathroom
Visual Comfort Bryant Sconce in Polished Silver

Boys Bathroom
Visual Comfort Yoke Pendant in Polished Nickel

While it appears I have made great progress there are still areas that need me to commit, the laundry room, butlers pantry, dining room, foyer, bedrooms 2 - 6, two additional bathrooms, wine room...oh, and the exterior. So maybe I have to work on my selections a bit more this week. I am sure I will be posting a few 'This one or this one' post later in the week. Keep an eye out, I know I could use your input since the Hubs has the same response to everything I show him 'Umm, sure.' Thanks babe, your a lot of help. Enjoy your Monday and have a cup of coffee for me, I know that there is no way I can consume enough today! Mel xo

If you are interested in any of the lighting in this post or any Visual Comfort lights let me know, I would be more than happy to help you select and order the right one for your space!

Friday, finally!

So glad it is Friday, such a hectic week...and so much to catch up on, enjoy the weekend!

via pintterest

Mel xo

Buzz and Woody, I mean wood...

The boys brought Buzz along to inspect the hardwood floors, they informed us he is daddy's new supervisor. The material was delivered at the home a while ago but it needed to climatise since we have no humidity here. We ended up going with 6" & 8" hickory and I am just head over heals in love with the grain, movement, and character that this flooring has! And yes, Buzz approves as well.

The boys started installing it yesterday and after listening to my crazy request for placement, pattern, and other ideas I will be making a batch of cookies for them today, nothing wrong with buttering up and keeping the trades happy.

We decided to run the flooring straight throughout the main level with the exception of the office. I wanted something different for the Hubs office. We ended up doing a 14" picture frame boarder with a simple V or single chevron pattern to it, similar to this image below...

The upper level hallway will run straight, or against the run of the floor trusses. In the master bedroom we compromised (me = hardwood & hubs = carpet) and are doing a 20" picture frame boarder with a carpet inlay. The image below shows the staris in the bedroom that lead to the area where our closets are and my work area will be. This area will be done in the 8/6/8/6 straight run so it flows with the rest of the home. 

And the master bathroom, oh how I love you already. Here we are doing a chevron (yes, I am addicted) in here. I wanted this floor to stand out. I decided on all 6" boards in the space with 2' runs, I think it will be the perfect scale, not too small to blind you with pattern overload and not too large to make it look like a mistake.

I will be sure to keep you posted on their progress, now go off an enjoy your day!! Mel xo

My 4 year old client...

This image is a pretty good example of what W, my 4 year old client and son said he want's his new room to look like...

Me: W, what do you want your new room to look like.

W: Candy

Me: Candy? You want a room made of candy?

W: Yes, and a candy bed.

Me: OK, well I will think about it. What about colors?

W: All of them.

Me: Like red, blue, what?

W: All of them, red, and blue, and green, and orange, and yellow, and I don't want M to have any of them, 
I get them all.

Me: OK love, we will have to give M at least one color. I will start working on it.

So where does that leave me, the colorphobe? I am an admitted tanorexic after all. The boys deserve fun spaces where they can be creative and let their imaginations run wild. I needed a starting point, something to guide us. I managed to find a great wallpaper that I am seriously considering for his room, it is just too fun!

His room has an incredible ceiling that reaches 13' tall at the peak, so I know that we can get away with this paper on one wall, possibly the one that will have his bed backing to it.

While looking for lights for the rest of the home I came across this from Curry & Company. I think this would be so fun for his space, and the light would cast some amazing designs on the ceiling as well. When I showed it to the hubs the other night W was on his lap and when he saw it he just started saying 'YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, I WANT THAT!!!!' I guess I am on the right track. Just concerned that it is a bit too small.

via Currey & Co.

Now his bed, I want something inexpensive since I know he will most likely want something very different in the next home. I saw this one below at Ikea and as soon as the Hubs saw it he nixed it. He had visions of him using the bed as a piece of gymnastics equipment, so I will continue to look. Let me know if you see anything fun out there!!

via Ikea

As far as linens go that will take some time. I think I am going to keep the window seat base cushion and bed linens neutral and play off of the colors with accent pillows, a valance for the window and some other fun items, maybe something like the items below...

 via Urban Outfitters

 via Pottery Barn Kids & Ikea

I am pretty happy with the start that we have on his room, but I will admit, I am stuck on M's room. My 2 year old isn't as verbal with interior directions as my 4 year old client. Mel xo

Dear Mother Nature...

I am guessing you missed the memo that it was the first day or Spring...a few days ago.

via

I'll forgive you, but please let it stop snowing, I am sick of shoveling.

via Yahoo

We would all love to be wearing flip flops.

via pinterest

Oh, and cute dresses.

via Intermix

And the landscaping, it would be ideal to get some of the landscaping done at the new home before we move in with the boys, they make a mess.

via Houzz

Thank you for your time, any improvement would be much appreciated. In fact, consider this a peace offering.

via pineterest

Mel xo

Hop on over...

I was asked by Kate from Party Resources to share my 6 essential party items for spring. Once we are in our new home I know I will be wanting to entertain non-stop, until then the post be as close as I come for a few more months. Be sure to hop on over to see what is on my must have list and also subscribe to Kate's blog as well, it is a wonderful source of inspiration, recipes, and fun ideas...can't get better than that!

Thank you again Kate, much appreciated and very honored that you asked me to be a part of this fun series! Mel xo