Building Vintage: Our Floorplan Drawing

The last photo I posted of our floorplan was pretty bad.  So I spent a couple hours drawing it on photoshop so you can get a clearer picture of what our plan looks like.

Here are the stats:

4 bedrooms
1 office
3 full bathrooms
Large great room
Mud room entry off the oversized 3 car garage
Oversized laundry room with exit to backyard
Massive pantry

Roughly 2780 square feet

Please note, the drawing is not to scale.

If you could build your own house, what would your floorplan look like?

Little Miss S is walking

Our very own little Miss S is now officially walking! Her brothers are what I call early walkers, 9 1/2 months and 10 1/2 months, but she has been taking her time. It has been really fun having a "baby" for as long as we have, but now (sniff) that she is walking, I guess she can't really be considered a baby anymore.

Building Vintage: Exterior Elevation

We all know that first impressions are key, and it's not just ourselves I'm speaking of.  The exterior if your home tells a lot about you as an individual or your family.  Thus, when designing our custom home on the 1.3 acres of land, we figured putting a modern structure wasn't quite going to fit in with the lay of the land.

We will be living on some land, having some chickens, goats and horses, therefore our home needed to reflect that.

Here is the builder's sketch of the exterior of our home (please note, we have changed the roof line, the right side now reflects the same type of roof line as the left - it is now hipped as it is called).

We love the look and can't wait for you to see more!

Open Shelving in the Kitchen

It is all the rage right now to have gobs and gobs of open shelving in kitchens for many reasons.

1. It tends to really open up the space.
2. It's a great way to display your best dishes.
3. Easy access to everyday items.
4. Looks fresh and modern.

All that being said, let's look at some inspiration pics for open shelving in the kitchen:

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Have you joined the open shelving trend or are you a closed-cabinet kind of person?

Design Board: Vintage Inspired Guest Bathroom

My little girl, S, will have her own bathroom in our new house we are building - though she will share it with guests.  I really want her to have a girly bathroom, but not something guests would feel uncomfortable in.  I've created a design board for what I think is lovely, soothing and inviting.

The floor tiles are what we have in the entire house, except bedrooms and our master bathroom.  I think a square board and batten look along with cream and pale gold stenciled walls pairs quite well with blush linens.  I can't wait to get this started, it may end of being one of my favorite rooms in the house!

We have moved!

Our house sold - yay! and we are packing up and moving to a temporary rental home nearby. Posting may be erratic for the next week or so.  In the meantime, read a fun book and tell me all about it!

Design Board: Vintage Inspired Master Bath

I am super excited about my master bathroom in our new house.  I've created a design board that my actual bathroom is modeled after.  Take a look:

My actual floor tiles are not the honeycomb style pictured here, sadly I ended up going with a 13x13 white & gray floor tile that we'll install on the diagonal.  When working with budget constraints, some things you have to give up, and at $9 a square foot for the tile I wanted, I had to go with something less expensive.  I'm hoping my tile choice will still give me the look I am going for.

Historic Austin Home For Sale

I must say that I love the website OldHouses.com.  You can find some of the most incredible homes there, and they are all old (which of course I love).  This home can be found in Austin, Texas, and here is what the Realtor has to say about it:

History is defined and categorized in many ways depending on your perspective. A key part in the word "History" is "story". Like many experiences in history, each place or event has its own unique story to tell. This home that you are about to see is such a place. A beautiful home so endearing in every way, from its original European architecture to its most recent updates. Such a property rarely comes along that is the essence of both old and new. As you will see the opportunity to actually own a piece of not just Austin history but Texas history, awaits you!

An Authentic Austin Historical Landmark also known as "The Lindemann House" was originally built in 1887. This home is designated as a "Historical Landmark", which is located in the heart of an historic district in Austin, known as the French Legation. With the historical designation comes an additional tax exemption. This home is the antithesis of "cookie cutter"..full of character and charm. If you love history blended with the modern amenities of the 21st Century, this home is the epitome of that beautiful combination. Rarely can you find such attention to detail along with such rich history this close to the best city in America, Austin, Texas! The updates completed professionally by our clients is a testimony to the love and care they have given this home along with their appreciation for the history that resides within these walls. Two words describe this home: elegant and classy. If you want the best of both worlds, this is the home you have been looking for...If that is your desire, your passion...........then this is it! 

This porch is to die for - the detail is amazing!

Grand entrance with fun architectural details.

Spacious front porch.

Beautiful staircase.

Very tasteful and updated bathroom.

Aren't the exposed brick walls wonderful?!

This is one of the several bedrooms in this house.  I love all the wood and the angled ceiling.

There are so many more photos of this lovely house, you should totally check them out.

Agent:
Jessica Dodge - Broker (click on her name to be directed to the home's website)
Broker, GRI, ABR

Dodge Team Properties

8300 N. MoPac Expwy.
Ste. 110
Austin TX 78759
Cell: 512-799-1976
Office: 512-514-1700
Fax: 512-853-7182
jessica@dodgeteamproperties.com

Please note:  I am NOT a Realtor (R), and I have not or will not be compensated for this blog post.  I happen to just LOVE old farmhouses and wanted to share this one with you.

Photography: Vintage Wagon Wheels

One of my favorite things about taking photos, is the ability to look at something and see beauty.  When I was younger, a teen, I boarded a horse at an elderly gentleman's home in the town where I grew up.  The man, sadly, passed away about 2 years ago now, and I drove past his property this summer.  The house and land is up for a foreclosure auction, so I felt okay tresspassing and taking photos.

In one of his pastures, he had these old vintage wagon wheels as part of the fencing.  I love them, they make me happy!  I also love the old red paint that shows slightly as well as the rust of the wheels and the mosses growing on the antique wood.  Enjoy!

This photo is also available in my online shop, again, without the watermarked frame.  Click on the images below to be taken to the shop.

Design Board: Boy's Retro Modern Bedroom

In designing our new house, I've been working on design boards for our boy's bedrooms.  My youngest, E, wants a red bedroom.  If you've ever painted something red, then you know how HARD it is to 1. pick a red and 2. paint red.  In my current laundry room, I painted one side of the laundry room door to the garage red.  It took 7, seriously SEVEN coats of red paint before the white didn't show through the red.  HARD HARD HARD (and pretty annoying).

So, when planning for a red room, I worked on using the least amount of red paint possible but creating a red impact.  Take a look:

I love gray right now, who doesn't?  So I am planning on painting the room a two-tone gray, then white and red stripes (most likely only on 1 wall).  The chevron curtains are a whimsical touch along with the bulldog lamp I probably will spray paint red.  I would love to find a vintage 1950s dresser like the one shown, but can settle on the JCP version.  I love the ledge bookshelves that I will make and then adding a touch of the gospel to his room is important to me.

So, what do you think?  Is it appropriate for a 4 1/2 year old boy or too old or too girly?  What pieces would you change?

1870s Farmhouse For Sale

I am a sucker for old houses, more specifically old farmhouses, and let me tell you, this one has stolen my heart.  I'm ready to sign the papers and call it mine - sadly, I don't live any where close to New York state and can't just buy any old house I come across.  But maybe you do and can?!

Here is what OldHouses.com has to say:
Great potential in this Catskills fixer-upper near the Delaware River. Loads of charm, and you can't beat the price!  $69,000 (ummmn, no brainer here, sign me up!)

Enjoy these lovely, though rather shabby pictures, this house needs some love!

Let's start with this tranquil exterior shot.  I love the buttery yellow wood siding and white windows and trim.  Not to mention the red barn - wonderful!

Look at the trim detail on this beauty!  The dental work under the eaves is spectacular.  And can't you just imagine sitting on that cute front porch sipping hot chocolate?

 

Apples anyone?!  If this was my home, I would plant a lovely little garden in this space, I can just imagine exiting one of those doors into my raised garden beds and bringing my goodies into the kitchen.  Which, sadly, I avoided putting a picture on here, it REALLY needs help!

 

Cute red barn alert!  Look at the detail on those doors!

 

I'm guessing this is one of the 3 bedrooms.  I LOVE the detail below the windows, gives me ideas for my house!  And what about the wood plank floors, I have to wonder if that is shiplap?

 

Another bedroom and again the same window detail and wood flooring.  I'm soooo in love!

 

Okay, I don't know if this little water area is on the property or not, but who WOULDN'T love that, even if it's a short walk from the house!??!

So, what do you think?  Do you like it?  Would you buy it and fix it up?  Here are some more facts about it:

NEW PRICE! This rural village charmer has a great history and an even better future. With a new roof, newer bathrooms and kitchen, much of the big work has been tackled. Repair the damage from a burst pipe, finish the repairs and claim your place in this peaceful Catskills hamlet by the eastern branch of the Delaware River. A short walk from the river but safe from flooding and well worth restoring. This historic country getaway will be in your family for generations. Realistically priced.

• Location: Halcottsville NY
• County: Delaware
• Size: 2060 sf
• Lot Size: .35 acres
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2.5
• Total rooms: 9
• Basement: Unfinished
• Year built: 1870
• School District: Roxbury
• Estimated Taxes: $2,500

Agent

Susan Barnett (click her name to go to the house's website)
Sales Associate
Catskill Office
t: 518.943.7533 x13
m: 845.514.5360
f: 518.943.7534

Please note:  I am NOT a Realtor (R), and I have not or will not be compensated for this blog post.  I happen to just LOVE old farmhouses and wanted to share this one with you.

Photography: Windmill on the Palouse

I love landscapes and architectural details, so when I happened upon a vintage windmill standing on the rise of a hill, I had to take the photo.  It was begging to become a black and white beauty, as the grasses around it we yellowed with age and lack of watering.  I hope you love this photo as much as I do!

This photo is also available in my online shop, again, without the watermarked frame.  Click on the images below to be taken to the shop.

Building Vintage: Our Floorplan

We are in the process of building a custom home and you can read about the process here! The whole thing started back in March when (after searching for land for a while) we came across 1.3 acres about 5 miles east of where we currently live. The hubs and I drove there and fell in love INSTANTLY. It truly was love at first sight. Honest. And that is how we knew buying it and building there was the plan meant for us.

We met with our old Bishop who also happens to be a home builder and I started drawing up floorplans, a hobby I've had since I was about 10 years old. I literally have graph paper floorplans hiding everywhere, it may be a problem...

Anyway...

I finally came up with a plan the hubs and I agreed had potential so we worked on it together for about a day or so until we came up with THE ONE.

Sorry for the poor quality...

It's a four bedroom, 3 full baths with an office and a great room.  There is a LARGE pantry and laundry room and a mud room/owner's entry off the GIANT oversized 3 car garage.  All of this totals around 2780 square feet.

Things have changed a bit logistically since we handed our floorplan over to our builder, but overall, you get the idea, but in case you don't, below is the last set of changes we gave him before we gave the go ahead to build.

To be honest, this final version of the floorplan is much more functional than the first one we gave him, so THANK GOODNESS for changes!

Photography: Boathouses

While the kids and I were vacationing in Washington State (visiting my parents), I snapped several photos that I'm hoping you'll enjoy. The first one I'm sharing today is of vintage boathouses on Chatcolet Lake in Heyburn State Park in Idaho. The boathouses are something I've enjoyed looking at since I was a kid, and though they've aged a bit since then, they are still beautiful to look at.

This photo, to me, captures the essence of the water and the rustic/vintage vibe of the weathered boathouses.  You can purchase the photo in a variety of sizes (without the watermarked frame) from my ecrater store, by clicking on the images below.