Hello, Color

Color is a beautiful thing. Now, plumbing and lights would be a nice addition!

Ah Color

Well, if there is ever the question - "What tripped you up on this project?" I NOW have the answer. PAINT. Yes, for those who know me, I did have the colors picked out almost before the plans were finished.

However, let me tell you that when you see it on the wall...it can become a monster. The Chestertown Buff (thank you Benjamin Moore), is not one of them. It blends beautifully with the rock at the fireplace, brings out the beautiful wood tones in the knotty alder (thank you Ginny Hubbard) and is warm and inviting.

However, the blue in the master was well, Got-A-Light-Blue...so dark, even a light would make it hard to really enjoy, unless it was for the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Cydney's room fought between a mellow yellow and a toasty yellow...toast won - when the granite arrived!

Now the current dilemma....in the next picture!

Hmmm....

How do you take a warm, summer seared yellow and have it meet a hot, burnt red and not have it look...well, odd? That is the question. Love both; don't want to lose either. Makes it harder to decide!

Fireplace done? Check YES

Each day we inch a little closer. Each day we see a little more complete. Fireplaces are done; now the painting and staining has begun.

Soon we will be moving in...just in time to forget about a fire in the fireplace! At least for the next seven or eight months!

The Wait....Ugh, the Long, Long Wait!!

They say we are moving. They say I will love it. They say the boxes are temporary. They are boring me with this....Move already.

A quick thought courtesy of Vegas, Cat Queen of SIS Ranch

Tiles with Style

When anyone wonders why it has taken so long to build this house, they will simply need to look around and see an element from here, one from there to understand that we wanted to find unique details to make this house special.

One detail has arrived and ready to go. Five tiles designed by Derby Pottery of New Orleans. When Bill and I went to New Orleans for our anniversary, we were still pulling magazine pictures together. We met Mark at his shop on Magazine Street. That was 6 months before Hurricane Katrina! We feared for the folks at Derby and wondered if we'd ever be able to have them make this special element for our home.

Well, let the picture be the answer. Like the beautiful Tribune Tower in Chicago, we will have these tiles scattered throughout the kitchen, mixed in with the regular tiles that will line the backsplashes. The next time you see this touch of New Orleans, they'll be a page in our home history...there for all to enjoy.

But, there is more to come from the beautiful city of New Orleans....still to come!

Coming In?

Welcome!

The carpentry trailers are gone...but there is still more to come!

The Princess Suite

Available for friends and family when the princess is away.

This room has a large spacious closet to your right. Filled with all sorts of storage options. (Princesses have lots of baggage you understand!)

It will not be painted TCU purple. It will be decorated princess pink & brown.

Entertainment

Will be available in the den! Fireplace to your left will have a whole new look next week once the rock is added and shortly thereafter, paint and stain....ooooh.

Reservations...

Now being taken for the guest suite, with organizational closet on the left (you can see your holiday gift before it is wrapped at Elf Central)...and bookcase tucked away on the right, next to the beautiful window view of the SIS Ranch "spread"!

Are there bedrooms in this place?

Yep, there's a master bedroom, leading to the master bath. Finally, you can see the room without seeing the whole house through the walls!

And, next...

What happens next? I have a barn full of supplies wanting to know.

Pantry Prison

Should we ever decide to literally "lock the cupboard" we can with the addition of our antique pantry doors. These were bought at the famous Round Top Antique Show and are doors from India. Unfortunately, they were shorter than our doorways in America, so to balance they had to lift them off the floor a bit. The cats will be able to get in, even if we bolt the old locks so we can't!

The beams in place....

Aged beautifully beneath a good, ole truck! Who needs years in the elements!!

Just how DID they do those beams?

Some hit them with chains, our crew, being creative as they were, chose to use old tire chains and drive over the beams. Leave it to a guy from Wisconsin to still have his chains!

They never show the Dodge Ram Charger doing THIS on their commercials!

And now...

Well, the kitchen is just about done, as is the rest of the house. To say we are ready for the next step is an understatement. Cabinets are in, drawers, doors, are all set...ready for the next project to get underway...the painting.