Well?

The question has been asked...well, are you in yet? Well, what does it look like now?

Well, it is amazing how the planning of the tiny puzzle pieces come together on the table to really make a picture. Pieces that we bought, collected, had in our individual homes, inherited, all come together in this one house....and without hesitation I can say, it is amazing how it is all working together so well.

So, from one extreme to the other, the house is finally taking shape. And, the vision I alone had a mere 8 months ago, is available for everyone to see now!

Mirror, Mirror

I always wondered how you do framed mirrors ...you know, which comes first, the mirror or the frame? Well, this little chickie now knows...the frame.

The REAL Work Begins!

The construction is just about complete. A piece here, a bolt there, but basically, we are done...or, should I say THEY are done. Now, my real job begins...merging Chicago with Columbus into one big happy abode. I will be glad when the transition is complete....which might take as long as the building process did!

Lessons Learned

#1. When you have a tall spouse go ahead and add a few inches to the island. I feared I'd be like a little kid trying to reach the counter. It is amazing how just a few inches from the normal 38" or so, gives the island depth and makes it a major work station. Of course, that means I will actually have no excuse NOT to work and create something fabulous, but it is the ultimate work space I always wanted.

#2. Listen to the salesman. Sometimes they actually do understand the product. We looked at several stove vents and ended up with Vent-a-Hood because our salesman talked about the easy clean-up. While that sounds like another sales tool, we were happy to hear from our installer that this was the easiest piece of equipment he'd ever seen. I, of course, selected it because it has fabulous light, looks classy and I knew the name. Bill, on the other hand, selected it because of the cleaning and few-parts-to-break factor. But, when you have guys who install these things every single day marveling at how easy it was, how efficient it is, you feel like a genius. A genius with a great salesman!

Carpet...

...A sure sign we are close to the end. KPS kept saying, "that's near the end," "this is near the end." But, carpet was one thing they said definitely was near the end. I think, ladies and gentlemen, the end is in sight. We have an office with carpet and Cydney's room with carpet. THIS means furniture is not far behind.

Lessons from the Master

To all my students of building a house...Very Important Lesson....when building be sure YOU and the BUILDER are on the same page when it comes to appliances. If you seek the best...tell your builder more than how wonderful they will match...perhaps add that they are double vs. single ovens. Perhaps make sure ALL ARE ON THE SAME PAGE AT THE SAME TIME!

Bill's Contribution

Let it never be said Bill Stolle does not have style. He suggested this chandelier; we bought it...it is fabulous. We are nearing the day of moving. T-minus 7 and counting...

A Perga...what?

What the heck is a Pergola? We have had that question more often than I can tell you...even from our builder.

It is a fancy name for - porch overhang! Technically, it is an overhead structure designed to create a shady retreat while letting air and sunshine through.

I will be growing wisteria along its outercore and will occasionally, when I'm feeling especially Martha, weave fabric through for festive occasions. Anyone who knows me, knows there is nothing like a festive occasion to cause me to add strange and interesting elements!

Ah, a Mirror

The wallpaper, lights and mirror have made a connection. Now, we just need a shower door....oh, yes, and that infamous ability to actually USE the bathroom and we are done!

(You'd have to scroll to the beginning of today's update to understand that we have beauty...but nothing behind it...can't wash in the washroom. No pooping allowed!)

The Office...Library

It looks like it's almost there...now if someone else will unpack for us, it would be PERFECT!

The Master Bath

Taking shape, especially now that we can see the work in progress. Mirrors and glass doors still to come, but the overall look is complete. I marvel every day that it all came together from little 1"x1" chips and samples.

It's in the Details

From the lights to the granite, tile and handles, it was the small details that made the Princess Suite, truly fit for a princess. Now with a mirror she can admire all day long!!!

A Living Room bathed in LIGHT!

Still no fireplace insert, but we do have light. No glass, no furniture...no running water. But light, that is a good sign.

A glass of Wine...

For my wine loving friends...it's chilling and ready to serve. You still can't go to the bathroom or take a shower, but we do have our priorities in the right place.....wine cooler is ON!

The Kitchen...

It is amazing how a little light can make a huge difference. Now if we can get appliances we'll be, well, cooking....

Finally...light on the subject

A little light makes such a difference...

...The fun part....

Lights, fixtures...soon to be action!

Light for a princess

The princess wing has light. No mirror, but at least tile, fixtures and a light.

Love it when a plan comes together

I worried when all I was choosing from was a tiny tile, chip of paint, picture of a fixture...but when you see it all start to come together, even with paint changes, tiles discontinued, it looks just as I envisioned it would be...perhaps even better. This is the beginning of the master shower. I can't wait to actually use the silly thing!!

From here...to HERE!

It started in Marble Falls...ended up in Columbus.

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