sneak peak & inspiration

I can't get into the house for the next few days because the floors are being finished.  I love the way the floors are looking and wanted to put up a sneak peak at the kitchen and family room area.  Not completed yet, but it is looking great so far.

Kitchen floor sanded down.

Framing has been done for our fireplace slim down.

Painted cabinets.

Cabinet doors drying in the basement.

Lots of cabinet doors.

Slowly getting there.

Shelves built and awaiting paint.

This is an inspiration tear sheet for the family room that will have a TV over the fireplace.

Another inspiration of the style of fireplace with comfortable seating.

The above three images are inspirations for the formal entry hall, the living room and the dining room.  Just love the white walls.  Makes an old space feel modern.

Have I mentioned how much I love the way the floors look now?

We are down to the wire as we move in next week.  I hope we make it!!

first phase for floors

A good part of the floors have been sanded down and I love love love them.

There are a few different varieties of oak in the house.  The living room looks awesome.  Next step is a coat of water based "Naturale" finish.  It is supposed to come out looking pretty similar to this, but adds protection.  Fingers crossed!  I like the chalky, dull finish and would leave it just like this if I could.

Decided to paint the floor in this bath because it's a completely different species and from a newer renovation.  Nothing original about these floors, but the soft "Pale Powder" from Farrow & Ball paint really lightens up the small bath.

floors and frames

There has been a lot of progress on this reno project.  I'm not gonna lie and say it's easy to walk in each day to a real construction site when I know we move in within the month.  I'm talkin' 2 weeks, people.  It's pretty unsettling to most, but I am enjoying the process so far.  I will freak out 3 days before move in.  That is my panic window.

We removed a wall and small closet to allow breathing room into this space.

Getting ready for new floors here.

We removed and unsightly small yellow iron wood burning stove from this space.  It was not attractive & while a fire in the bedroom is a cozy thought, it didn't look good.

New flooring going down.  Though I would never have chosen this species or a pre-finished product, it was a good deal and the budget is stretched so very thin that it's headed to Fashion Week's runways.

The space feels so much lighter and more cohesive.

A big bed, furnishings and eventually a rug will cover most of the floor anyway!

Oh gosh, does it look pink to you?  Blinders have been placed on my face.

New master bath framed out & ready for inspection.

Tiles were finalized yesterday so I'll share that progress when they are on site & ready to go.

paint update

More decisions were made today.
Repeat: choosing paint colors is difficult!

Big surprise here: walls will be white!

Going with Stonington grey on the lower walls (below chair rail).

What's your favorite here.  Really?  You wanna keep it turquoise?  Me, Not summuch.

Muy deliberations.

Picking paint colors

I think the most difficult task in decoration is deciding on a paint palette.  To state the overused, it's much easier to choose for other people than for oneself.  No question.  I like to think I have a good eye for color, complimentary combinations and a knack for choosing the right white.  I've created and assisted with paint palettes so many times that I expect it to be second nature.
Completely Not Happening.  It's the most difficult task for me right now.

Truth is, I am a white wall girl.  I am drawn to interiors that are tall and white.  Favorite designers like Daryl Carter, Rose Uniacke create spaces that feel timeless with their varied white & tonal interiors.  There are so many variations in white in the exact way that there are so many in light.  This is why these words rhyme.  They are the same thing.

I knew the original part of the house would be white.  A clean and fresh palette that allows the architecture to stand out on it's own.  The original windows boast enormous casings and a clean white coat of paint is sure to make them shine.

Other parts of the house can stand going dark and rich, while pass through areas are struggling with an bit of identity crisis.  I'll tell you, I am struggling right along with them.

 This small mudroom initially felt like it should have a dark olive green cocoon feeling.  After painting in there, I changed my mind and flipped back to keeping it white like a cottage. 

None of the above are winners.  What a difference paint on the wall makes from a tiny paint chip.  Information I know and spout to every client.  I do walk the walk when it comes to "swatching" paint.  

Above are areas I am still struggling with.

But if anyone still needed proof, painting is one of the most dramatic things you can do to a space:

While I still think this architecture added to the third floor is very strange and pretty ugly.  It's 100% better with a clean coat of Benjamin Moore's "Calm."