Cozy up...

Yesterday and today it has been rainy and cool here (in the 50'sF). When the wind blows it makes the loose leafs dance off of our trees in the back...fall is coming, I can feel it. As soon as I saw this image below I knew I was ready for the season to change.

via tumbler

Are you ready for fall?? Mel xo

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Sofa tables

With the new furnishings in our home we have come to the conclusion that we need new tables to work with and flow with the upholstered items we have now. While I love our Henredon console it is too tall and a touch too wide for the location, so the hunt continues. I am loving the images below for inspiration...

 via pinterest

Absolutely love this table...

 via google

 via funky junk

 

Here are a few loveys that I have found over the past few days while searching.

via restoration hardware

via Arteriors

via Currey & Co

via Hooker

I am leaning towards the table form Currey & Co mostly since it is the narrowest, at only 16" deep I know it will not get in the way...but I am going to keep looking, I would love to find an antique from Indo somewhere. If you have seen any great options out there be sure to let me know, my sourcing time for frivolous items is non-existent right now. Mel xo

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Mud Room: Take 2

Needing to make some selections for the mud room since I am going in a different direction than my first concept. Here is what I had originally thought of doing, looking back now I am very happy with rejecting it and making some tweaks here & there.

The first item I changed was the floor. From a black slate to Jura Grey Limestone, adore it. 

It is OH SO pretty!

Then I read the reviews for the Antropologie rug I wanted and they were less than favorable for such a high traffic area. Most of the reviews said it was very thin and even with a rug pad it didn't stay in place, so bye bye lovely rug.

Next to be rejected was the fabric. While they were great options at a ridiculously great price they all had a bit too much brown in them, more noticeable when I got my samples in the mail.

The 3 Hicks pendents from Visual Comfort made the cut, of course! If Mr. Customs Man ever lets them out of his hands they will be hung up this week (hopefully Thursday, fingers crossed).

We went with 4 'lockers' in this space with a seating bench in the middle. To make it more durable with the boys I had the finishers make the top of the built-in out of solid alder and stained it to match the rest of the wood work in the home. We also added 2 bind atop each space for large baskets and drawers for additional shoe/gloves/scarf/boot storage.

As you can see from the pics above it has that 'just moved in & haven't done jack' with it vibe. I am waiting till the lights are up to make any firm decisions on what to do to spice up this room. Until then I will let my brain go into overdrive every time I walk in the mud room. I do have my seamstress coming by on Wednesday to drop off some goodies she made for the home, I would love to give her the fabric for the bench cushion & accent pillows at the same time. Here is what I am left with, trying to make a decision on the accent pillows which will lead me in the direction for the rest of the space. Accent color, decor items, the fun stuff.

{option a}

{option b}

{option c}

What ever I pick will end up being the anchor for the room and the starting point for the deign. So tell me, what are your thoughts, a, b, or c?? I would love to hear!! Mel xo

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Favorite tidbits...

Here are a few favorite tidbits of the new house. I know a lot of you would love for me to plaster the blog with images showing every nook & cranny...but until I feel that it is ready you are going to have to enjoy little glimpse here and there. I guess you could blame it on my fear of having unfinished images roaming around the internet, silly, I know. So here are a few of my favorite spots in the home...

{window seat}

Honestly this is one of the most used places in our main level. Since it is 8' wide x 4' deep there is room for all of us, great for reading, perfect for a nap, and additional seating when we entertain.

On the seat you can see some pillows, that is just some of the fabric I picked up today for my seamstress to doctor up, here are some close ups along with what my plans are for them...

{my closet}

I finally received (after the hubs misplacing it) my monogrammed pillow from Luxury Monograms & I just adore it! The fabric and embroidery color work perfect with the pink wall color. Still need to organize this space and decorate it...but hey, that pretty much describes the entire home!

{kitchen bits}

A favorite part of the kitchen is the window area. The Visual Comfort Boston Functional lights in antique nickel that are over the window are amazing. The finish compliments the veining in the marble so well and the black interior of the windows tie it all together.

And then the corner drawers, such a wicked use of space. While it was a challenge to put all 3,892 pieces together so they could be a reality it was so worth it. I know this is going to be a feature that all of our future clients will be requesting.

 So there will be your fix for the week, I hope. The Hubs and I are planing on tackling the lower level of the house this weekend, lots to do but that is the fun space where the gym, wine cellar, and rec room are located. Fingers crossed we are productive!! Enjoy your weekend as well. Mel xo

**Don't forget to enter my Visual Comfort giveaway!!!**

Your questions answered

I have been meaning to do this for awhile now, so here it goes, your questions answered...

Post: Oh bloggers, how you inspire...

Question:

Answer: 

The range hood is constructed of stainless steel and the base frame & corbels are constructed of MDF and lacquered to match the rest of the kitchen cabinets.

Post: Vesta Accents

Question:

Answer:

No, but we are working to bring Vesta to Canada! We hope to have something worked out in the next month or two. Stay tuned!!

Post: Wexford II Images

Question:

 

Answer:

The doors were lacquered using Pratt & Lambert Anubis 32-17

 Question:

 Answer:

The wall color is Pratt & Lambert Rubidoux 32-23 and the ceiling & trim color is Benjamin Moore Steam AF-15

Questions:

Answer: 

The counter-top in the Jack & Jill bathroom is called Striaato Olimpico and it is marble, a natural beauty!!

Question:

 Answer:

All trim & ceilings along with the master bathroom were painted Benjamin Moore Steam AF-15. The main color throughout the home is Benjamin Moore Collingwood OC-28. The cabinets were a labor of love, a custom stain that took many attempts before being right.

Post: New items for the home...

 Question:

Answer:

It is still a work in progress, just got home and still need to unpack, but I do love this chair and this space!

Post: Pantry Love

 Question:

Answer:

Our pantry is 6' 4" wide & 8' deep with 10' tall ceilings

 I always try to answer as many questions as I can, if you every want the answer to something quickly simply leave your e-mail address in your comment or send me an email at melissa (at) verandaestatehomes (dot) com. Thanks so much, I always love the comments from all of you! Mel xo

**Don't forget to enter my Visual Comfort giveaway!!!**

Giveaway: Visual Comfort

So I have posted before about my love for all things Visual Comfort, in fact most of the lights in our new home are from VC and I just adore all of them. So what a better way to share this love than to offer a $200 credit towards any fixture(s) from Visual Comfort!

Here are the rules & terms...

• Become a follower = 1 entry (if you already are let me know please!)
• Leave a comment & let me know what fixture you would love to see in your home
• Giveaway is open until Thursday 6pm EST September 1st
• Open to US & Canadian residence only
• Winner will be selected using Random.org
• Must purchase the light through myself

Additional ways to win...

• Tweet it & follow me on Twitter= 1 entry, spread the news for another chance to win
• Blog it = 1 entry, mention the giveaway on the blog for another
• Facebook it & follow me on Facebook= 1 entry, share the love with your friends
• Tattoo it = just don't, HA!

 Now unfortunately Visual Comfort does not have a web site for the public, but you can simply Google 'Visual Comfort Lights' and you will be sent to a few sites that have the full line.

If you are interested in ordering any items from Visual Comfort feel free to drop me a line, I would love to help you select the right fixtures for your home! 

So that's the deal, best of luck & I will reveal the winner on Friday (September 2nd). Good luck all and I can't wait to see what the winner selects!! Mel xo