The Waiting Game

Have you noticed my countdown on the sidebar to the right? I’m counting down to our Closing Day and then I’ll probably count down until our Start of Construction Day and then I’ll probably set unrealistic deadlines for Kitchen Completed Day or Yay We Have Walls Day.

Sometimes when Jared and I are planning each project it seems like we’re so organized that it will take no time at all! But other times I worry that we’ll be in this basement forever!

I don’t mind it that much. It’s just- we’re so out of our routine. We’re not eating the same or exercising the same. I can’t cook the way I used to being in someone else’s kitchen. And I definitely am not getting my cleaning release. I barely make the bed everyday. Wow, did I just admit that? Well what’s the point? We’re in a basement! As much as my parents have done to make it feel like home, and as weird as it is to say because it was in fact my home for 25 years- it’s not our home.

We had such a rhythm in Richmond. It was almost too easy. Jared is not only a fantastic husband but he’s one of the best roommates I have ever had. He doesn’t stay up all night or sleep in too late, he puts the toilet seat down, he makes me coffee in the morning. We just… work.

And that’s not to say we don’t work here but I just feel off. Like we’ve been visiting for Christmas for the last two months.

So as the countdown drags on, I’ll try to be patient. In the meantime, I’m here… blogging. So click on the Follow button on the right sidebar or leave me a comment. And thanks to those family, friends, and strangers who already have!

Tiles & Granite & Chairs- Oh My!

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How was your long weekend? God I love how many holidays Massachusetts has! Sorry Richmonders!

Over the long weekend, Jared and I visited our new home (as you saw here) and visited furniture stores and showrooms galore!

IKEA was having a President’s Day Sale which basically meant the store was packed with people and 2 tables and frozen yogurt was on sale. So stupid! But it was a valuable trip because we brought our contractor (aka Dad) and took a closer look at my kitchen cabinets. The 3D rendering allowed us to really figure out what we needed and we’ll be able to order it all online in March when  IKEA is having an actual big sale- thanks to our inside source on that one Briggsy! Plus I fell in love with these dining room chairs below and got Jared all excited about IKEA’s closet organizational systems. Yes, we have a walk in. Jealous?

IKEA chairs

Jared spotted a tile showroom across the street so we popped in for some tile style! The Tile Shop was awesome. Before we even walked in the door, Jared spotted the kitchen back splash tile we’ve been searching for (see below). That was the easy one. Tile for the mudroom floor- not so much. We know we want slate and I’m sure I want texture but do we want flat dark color? Or something with color variations? Not sure. But the trip was a total success when Dad got a contractor’s account so we now have 25% off our purchases. Score!

Tile

A final stop at the Granite Shop made us feel a little racist. “Supreme White” was the only pick for me. I swear I’m not racist! It’s just a beautiful white granite with grey veins. Gorgeous. But the name is a little Hitler-esque. Don’t you think?

Anyways, the particulars are certainly coming together! So exciting!

The Look for Less – Living Room

Time for another “The Look for Less” post!

We have some decent pieces of furniture for our living room already but there’s a couple things I’m looking for in particular for the new house.

This coffee table is the perfect balance of industrial and rustic. It’s chunky but doesn’t feel like it’s taking up the whole room thanks to the openness under the table top.

Tables 1. Restoration Hardware | 2. Overstock.com

This cracks me up because I know this is a designy thing that my husband will laugh at but these floor poufs are everywhere now! And I happen to love them!

poufs1. CB2 | 2. Target

And finally, floor lamps. I’ve always loved this Photographer’s floor lamp from Pottery Barn but check out this deal from Target.

Lamps1. Pottery Barn | 2. Target

Some People Look for a Beautiful Space…

Others make a space beautiful!

That’s the goal but check out what we’re working with here. Now as you scroll down I want you to hear the music from the Psycho shower scene. You know- eeek eeek eeek!

hallway

dining room

Keep scrolling… eeeek, eeeek, eeeek

kitchen

bathroom

Eeek, eeek, eeek!

bedroom

third floor

bedroom

OK done. Are you terrified? Trust me- it’s all cosmetic. We’re taking a wall down here, making a larger opening there, and absolutely nothing will look the same.

Less than a month until close and six weeks until the current owner vacates! Woo hoo!

No Spill Zone

I get to see our house for the second time this Saturday! Woo hoo! Jared wants to walk around with my Dad and take some more measurements and I get to finally show the house to my Mum who has been dying to see it- in fact she stalks the house occasionally driving by or taking a walk in that neighborhood. I’m sure her Camry has been put on the Neighborhood Watch list of suspicious vehicles.

So as I’ve mentioned before, the first floor will pretty much be gutted on day one. Jared is concerned with the insulation so we’ll replace or reinforce that. The walls will be redone with new moldings and baseboards and the floors are hopefully in good enough shape to be refinished.

My biggest fear was that we’d find a house with gorgeous woodwork and I’d make my father cry by wanting it all painted white. This is a much better scenario. All trim in that house is probably lead so it’s coming down anyways. Knowing I want everything white means we can buy inexpensive wood for all moldings and baseboards. So score!

Almost everything will be shades of white, grey, tan, ivory, etc. I dig the monochromatic look. I think it looks rich and it’s calming. My parents joke that no one will be able to spill anything in our house. But my loving husband came to my defense saying that no one but me could get away with all white and keep it looking impeccable. I know, I know, just wait till we have kids. But if they’re anything like me, they’ll be organizing their stuffed animals by size… or color… or species!!

To say I’m a neat freak is an understatement. I love to clean. I love to organize even more. It calms me. If I have a bad day, I scrub the hell out of the kitchen floor. And you know it’s been a really bad day if the rubber gloves come out.

I think cleaning is instant gratification. Something was wrong and I fixed it. Just like that! It’s taking control over a situation. Making even the smallest piece of the world better than it was. I know it sounds like I’m making a whole lot out of just cleaning but I’m telling you- it’s important to me. And I love it.

So back to my immaculate white house. Here’s some inspiration for the front entry way and living room.

Entries

Love the neutrals with the pop of blue. And I must have that coffee table.

living room

Ignore the hideous star burst sculptures but the rest of it is gorgeous and again, all neutral with a pop of yellow.

living room

More monochromatic goodness.

living rooms

And finally, paint color options. Left – Sherwin Williams Pavilion Beige. Center – Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. Right – Benjamin Moore Bennington Grey.

Paint Colors

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Update: Want to see our final selection? Check it out  on our house tour page. Spoiler Alert! It’s Revere Pewter!