{My Home} The Built-in is Complete...Sort Of!

I finally have my custom closet built-in complete!  (For the most part anyway...more on that!)

And I L-O-V-E it!

I wanted a built-in that was beautiful and functional.  I designed it to appear more like a piece of furniture than an actual closet.

It's amazing how something like this can change the way you live!

Especially if you have a need to be obsessively organized!

It definitely is promising to be a good solution to my entryway storage dilemma. 

Now I have room for coats, shoes, hats, gloves, and office/homework supplies.

That's a tall order for one built-in!

Here are some shots of the interior with built-in cubbies.

There's more to do!  Isn't that always the case?

Still to do:

1.  Complete paint 

exterior color...

Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

interior color...

The final decision on the interior paint color is still in the works.
 
Maybe a dark gray?  Or a stenciled pattern?  Wallpaper?

2.  Install hanging rod for coats

3.  Purchase baskets and bins for cubbie storage and organization

4.  Install door hardware
(You'll notice that in the above photo the door hardware is missing.)

I have these on order...

Restoration Hardware Lagurno Pull

Remember my post on Papa Joe and his amazing talent?

He constructed this lovely built-in for me. 

With my supervision of course  :)

I'll be sharing photos of the built-ins construction.  Sort of a "tips and tricks" from a carpentry expert. 

Stay tuned...

XOXO,

Texas Home Tour

This Houston, Texas home featured in Traditional Home caught my eye.



Traditional Home

Inspired by showhouse ideas, homeowner Virginia Mary Brown used a mainly gray and white color palette to make the home both visually pleasing and inviting.

I was initially drawn to the beauty of the home.  After reading the article, I was rather impressed with the many creative and cost effective ideas used when decorating the home.

All of the interior pavers are 1950's-vintage Cedar Bayou bricks layed in a herringbone pattern which where salvaged from her grandmother's house.

The bricks extend out the patio doors to create a sense of cohesion between indoors and out.

The couch was also the homeowners grandmother's.   It was reupholstered in an inexpensive white cotton duck to give it a fresh new look.


 

Traditional Home



In the library, the gray taffeta fabric for the curtains was found at a remnant sale.

The pine flooring seen throughout the house was salvaged from a North Carolina Tobacco Warehouse.



Traditional Home



Traditional Home



Traditional Home



Traditional Home

Hand painted family names on a chair offers the look of embroidery without the price.  What a nice way to include family history in a space. 

Traditional Home

The floor to ceiling gallery wall is another design idea that can be easily and inexpensively replicated.



Traditional Home



How gorgeous is this panelling?  Maybe not cheap, but stunning.

Traditional Home



The marble mosaic tiles in the master bath were purchased at a hotel's salvage sale.



Traditional Home



Traditional Home

 

Traditional Home

Traditional Home



This home is beautiful and inviting at the same time.

Virginia Mary Brown incorporated tips and tricks from designer showhouses she had visited.  The cohesive use of flooring to "vanish" thresholds and make rooms flow from indoors to out, the use of art above doors and archways to lead the eye up to the ceiling, and subtle painted blue-gray ceilings to give the rooms more definition were all inspired by her visits.

I love the ideas the homeowner used to repurpose materials and to add a touch of family nostalgia to the home.

It has totally inspired me to look for salvaged materials and to incorporate a piece of our family's history.

To read the article in it's entirety visit Traditional Home.

XOXO,

Meet Papa Joe and an Estate Tour

I have an incredible person to introduce you to today.

Meet Papa Joe.

Papa Joe is the most amazing European Craftsman.

He specializes in custom cabinetry and woodwork, but is an expert in basically any home remodeling project you can throw at him. 

Trust me, I've tried.

Papa Joe traveled from his home when he was 15 years old to study as an apprentice in Rijeka, Croatia.

Rijeka, Croatia is a charming city located in Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. 



Rijeka, Croatia via Adrialin.co.uk





Gorgeous, right? 

Looks like a real rough place to study with all those scenic mountain views, boats, and beaches.  :)

Here's a small sample of some of Papa Joe's portfolio.

These are photos of an estate which was originally built as a Hampton's summer home for a very wealthy and well known personality. 


It is my dream summer home.


(Please excuse the terrible quality of photos.  These originals were actually taken just after the completion of construction with a disposable camera.)

Let's take a tour of this little lovely...keep your attention on all of the custom woodwork.

Foyer with paneled walls and stairway railing

Another foyer view with arched doorway and second floor landing

Foyer view from stair landing

Den custom built-ins and fireplace mantle

Dining room wainscoating, trim, and crown molding

Custom closet built-ins

Let's go outside for a moment.  Shall we?

Gate to rear of estate and private beach

Rear exterior view and deck leading to beach

The estate was placed on the market a few years ago and has since sold to new owners.  The following photos are courtesy of the real estate listing.

If you happen to be the new owners and read this blog, thanks for letting me share the photos.  :)
Oh...and I'm available to come out for a visit next weekend, or any weekend this summer for that matter.


Southeby's Fine Homes and Estates



Southeby's Fine Homes and Estates


Coffered ceiling in living room

Southeby's Fine Homes and Estates


Pine paneled library

Southeby's Fine Home and Estates


Custom kitchen cabinetry and coffered ceiling

Sotheby's Fine Homes and Estates


Second level porch with ocean views


Sotheby's Fine Homes and Estates



Incredible home, right?  Isn't Papa Joe so talented?

Papa Joe is my go to person for home remodeling advice and construction knowledge.

He is the perfect person to exchange my design ideas with.

Yup, he also entertains all of my not so brilliant design ideas...although of course there aren't too many of those.  :)

I'm proud to say that Papa Joe is my Dad. 

I can only hope that the stars were in line and genetics did their thing and I somehow ended up with a small piece of his talent.

But, as they say "membership has its priviledges" and being that I am totally a Daddy's girl...

Papa Joe has sooooo generously offered to build me my dream beach front home. 

As a matter of fact, an exact replica of the estate in his portfolio.

Just as soon as I can come up with a mere $14.5 million.

Right Papa Joe?  Right?  Right?...crickets.


XOXO,

Dining Room Paint

Ever feel like you have 100 projects all going on at the same time?

I'm in the process of a living room and entryway redesign, dining room makeover, and adding built-in storage.

Not to mention that on the to do list are a boys room redesign and kitchen update.

On top of all of the DIY and design, I have been attempting to keep up with the day to day of being a mom. 

(A really cool mom of course...All of those fun things like laundry, dinner, and playdates).

Somehow I managed to complete the repaint of my dining room.

After a much needed manicure/pedicure I finally had the time to upload and post some photos of the new paint color.

Here is my new dining room in Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172.

Trim and Wainscoating are Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17.

Remember these lamps from TJ Maxx?

I think they found their new home on my sideboard.

And here's the other side of the room...

I love it!  It's a beautiful "greige" color.

And just so you have a comparison here are the before photos...

Yikes, somebody get me some shades.  :)

XOXO,

A Shout Out

A Great Big Shout Out to I'm Busy Procrastinating for the mention on my Carrara Marble Beside Table.

I appreciate the mention!

And if you haven't checked out the amazing creativity of some other bloggers out there at the Metamorphosis Monday get over there quick!

You'll be amazed by the talent of these people!


XOXO,