Author Topic: New house is amazing.....  (Read 3011 times)

lighter

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New house is amazing.....
« on: September 05, 2015, 08:12:54 PM »
We're in, and things are starting to look and feel like a home.

Scraping the ceilings and putting in new flooring (out with all the dusty carpet, ::blowing raspberry:: made the house feel twice as big and.... grand?  Is that the word?  I don't know how, but somehow it did.  Oh oh oh.... and the kitchen turned out better than I could have imagined.

Moving the appliances to another wall was great.... until I had to think the oven/stove vent through.  Not a lot of options for dual fuel slide in units with a down draft that's rated for a gas range top.  ONLY ONE if you can believe it, and it's Jennair. 

So, a lot of flipping and flailing then going limp.... I'm limp right now, as a matter of fact, but only bc I have my old range hooked up, and working again.  Only bc I found a used unit that will work, even if it's the wrong color...... at least I have options, and the last option is to get a gas unit and put in a cool looking range hood industrial install..... mounted on sheetrock down middle of kitchen.

Since I love industrial chic.... it could work.

We enclose the back porch when contractor comes back from vacation.  Today the heavy barn door was installed on the dining rook celing with up lights... looks great.  I'll put flameless candles on top, and set lights on yellow.... warm, and lovely candle lit look on top. 

Pantry done.  Stairs done.  Entrance coat rack thingy done.  Oldest child's room done.  My room done.  My office done.  drawer under the stairs done.  Niche done.  Electrical will be completed tomorrow morning AND I have company coming!  We have some arranging, drapes, and youngest child's room to finish up without contractor, but I feel really good about everything.

That's my update.  I'd love to do a few renovations a year now that the kids are older.

That's my update.

Lighter

Hopalong

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2015, 03:37:23 PM »
What a blast.
Had I the budget, I'd be doing decor tweaks nonstop.

Probably just as well I don't!

Have fun, Lighter. But maybe step away from the HTV?

 :D

Hops
"That'll do, pig, that'll do."

teartracks

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2015, 07:05:06 PM »



Lighter, I feel a celebration coming on!  Renovations can be draining, but you've gotten so much done with great enthusiasm.  I'm happy for you. 

Meh

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #3 on: September 07, 2015, 10:59:16 PM »
:) Cool, you should post a pic of the barn door thing.

Twoapenny

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2015, 04:58:11 PM »
Lighter I can't tell you what a big smile your post put on my face :)  I am so, so happy for you and your lovelies, such an amazing, warm, happy HOME!!!! After all that yuck and oh my gosh here we go again stuff.  One positive thing I will say about bad times is that they make you appreciate the good times so much more; how amazing to be putting your energy into creating something nurturing and caring that will last but also be flexible and change when you need or want it to. A home that will love you unconditionally. Wow :).  Did you go for the secret cupboards you were thinking about at one point?  I'm hoping yes :) xxx

Dr. Richard Grossman

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2015, 10:53:55 AM »
Hi lighter,

I second Twoapenny’s thoughts.  Enjoy!

Richard

lighter

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2015, 06:35:17 PM »
Hops..... I spend lots of time googling googling googling and pulling up images.... I love Houzz.

::nodding::

I'm almost ready to step away from the screen, and back away.... slowly.  For a while.  You're right about that.

Time to dig in the dirt, and plant some hydrangea bushes, I'm think'in.

teartracks:

It's invigorating, then draining.  Invigorating, then draining.  In the fall our entire neighborhood gets together in my backyard, because I have the super fabulous Amazonia FIREPIT! and a formal celebration will commence.  It is time.  ::nodding::  I get to show off a house all the neighbors know well..... it's so nice to enjoy the changes with people who understand what the house was before.

Garbonzo:

I'll figure out how to post pics again soon.  SO many great shots.  The new chandelier is really special.  

Tupp:

It's like a light switch flipped, and all the sudden I was jolted into the next "post pd" phase.... and I'm firceely protective of this safe place I  occupy.

I think I just stopped thinking so much, and began doing the things I used to do again.  One thing lead to another, and I was back up and running full speed doing things that were normal once.  Strange, but lovely.  

Thanks Doc G.  The journey continues. :D

Lighter


Twoapenny

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2015, 12:48:51 PM »
Lighter it sounds like an amazing place to be, both literally and emotionally.  I'm just so happy that you and your girls got to this place.  It's hard to grope along through that tunnel fighting whatever comes your way when you can't see an end point or know that you'll be safe again.  I am feeling that I'm sort of limping through the last of my 'dealing with stuff' phase and am hoping, very much, that next year will be more about building a new life and a lot less about dealing with the old one.  Have a lovely, lovely time doing this, you all deserve it xx

lighter

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2015, 02:44:33 PM »
Hi Tupp:

I'm glad you're moving through your old stuff, and into the new stuff.

I feel like I've begun that phase of the journey, even with upcoming legal struggles.... it's more distanced.  Less overwhelming. 

We just finished the roof over the large back porch..... a lovely yard, and place for our new puppy to play. 

The gigantic swing was hung from a limb 50 feet up so.... if you sit Indian style......

and close your eyes.......

it feels like you're riding on a flying carpet you haven't quite mastered control over.  Scary at first, but we've all done it, despite frightened teen protests that it was too scary.

The yard is shaping up..... I cut down so many suckers and little branches on Saturday.  Cut down vines choking trees... tons.  Undrbrush about under control, and the fire pit is up and ready for business! 

So exciting.  A real live Amazon fire pit, yay!

Does anyone have any idea how to order the best deals on hydrangeas?  I want the big lovely green flowers all over the yard...... everywhere. 

Plans to widen the front entrance porch are underway.  I'm keeping the Otto Luyken Laurel bushes in front of the stone, they're so nice with their shiny forever green leaves, dark and lush.

The other bushes will have to go, but enter the hydrangea.... all will be well.

We purchased yummy custom draperies from a 5 star hotel that changed decor before they needed these replacement drapes..... almost free, and turned out to be perfect size for our purposes.  HUGE panels.... just right.  Lovely cottage floral in just the right colors, so many.

We also purchased 2 huge armoires from the same hotel for the loft with plans to install a Q murphy bed in between.  They look like they were made for that space.... almost 9 ft high, and they span the entire wall perfectly providing closet space as built ins for permitted 4th bedroom. 

The drapes cover the loft entirely, complete with blackout lining, and can be left open most of the time, bc it feels so nice to have it that way. 

What else?

I think the huge Tiffany green lamp will fit on the back porch...... I was afraid it might be too large,  but I think it's going to be perfect.  Oddly, I'm good at guesstimating sizes on HUGE pieces of furniture and lighting when I can't get a measure on them..... coming down to inches or fractions of inches looking like things were custom made for the space.   

I've shabby chic'd the vanities in both baths, and they're lovely.  I can't wait till I have time to do something creative on the those walls. 

My youngest's room is coming along.... the lovliest shades of bue chabby chic on solid cherry dresser and highboy.  We got a great deal on a day bed, not we need to find a comfy twin mattress.  That child is brilliant.... the bedroom with the smallest bed.... hmmmm.  I think she's planned how to NOT share her room when company arrives.

Keep finding your joy, Tupp.  Stop.  Breath.  Hug your child: )

Lighter

lighter

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2015, 12:43:40 PM »
Update:

I wish I had Amazons close by to trade skills with.  I need help with organizing spaces, and love to paint, etc.

Last weekend I got the construction stuff out of the yard.... thank goodness.  It looks so much better, but now I need some of the stuff I threw out, of course.
 
My youngest child is unhappy with two big glass desks in her room.... very industrial, on wheels.... honestly they're great in that space.  She's dealing, but just barely.  I need to get drapes up, and mount large cubes for storage high up.  So cool..... mattresses come next week, and her bed goes in then.

My oldest is happy with her room, and we're organizing her closets.  She's very content.

My DR isn't feeling as cozy as I thought it would by now.  NOt sure what went wrong there, but I think I have to plan more built ins.... ready to be done for a while. 

My contractor is going to do my bathrooms for free on weekends...... will see how that shapes up.  I was thinking of doing the down bath with open shower for handicap entry that's easier than easy.  I already shabby chic painted the vanities in both rooms, so not keen on ordering new.  The old ones look great now, IMO.  One faucet drips, and new toilets a must.  Thinking of putting in exterior door off my bath to outside shower.... I think that's going to happen for sure.  Can't wait.

Just bought a used sub zero fridge and had it installed in the garage.  Will clean it today, and decide what to keep there.  The children's lunch items will stay in the kitchen fridge, etc.  Will be a luxury to have more room so not digging through so much stuff to find what I need when I need it.

Living room all good.  I adore the huge comfy leather recliner.  Sofa comfy and looks great.

My room feels breezy and comfortable.  Plenty of space, and one closet has a vent so it's a great private office I can shut the door on.

Kitchen just got another couple of cabinets that store blender, etc.  Very helpful to keep countertops clear.  Love the large single basin sink. 

I've done nothing with the yard, outside mowing, and am afraid hydrangeas have to stay in the front yard.... not enough sun in back yard to grow them.

Will visit BB Barnes later today and see what's available.

The new puppy is chubby and lovely.... still in love despite our first reverse sneeze scare.  I didn't know to run my hand down her throat, or cover up her little pug nose when this happens so we had our first emergency visit to the vet out of the way.... whoo.  Very scary.

She's very smart and listens well.... training classes absolutely necessary, IMO.  So easy to gain compliance once you understand how important attention is, esp if pup motivated by food, which ours is.

Happy my kiddos still enjoy everything about Halloween...... they haven't outgrown it yet.  Surprised my oldest wants to be Mario and Luigi, with her besty.  They enjoy the humor of it.  My youngest will make a costume... whatever the red and white mushroom... thing is from same game or Princess Peach.

The journey continues.

Lighter

 







lighter

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Re: New house is amazing.....
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2015, 02:37:59 PM »
I'm doing a really fun chalk paint project for a friend this week, and it feels good.

A 1920's farmhouse featuring huge kitchen with cherry cabinets.  The island gets distressed chabby chic.... ing in ivory with dark wax.  No heavy distressing, but will be lovely: )

Lighter