The People Under The Stairs

Creepy title right? Well, this musing is actually about storage under the stairs but that doesn't sound as intriguing but it is interesting.

I'm sure most home owners don't utilize the space under the stairs. It wasn't until I saw Sarah Richardson's cool wine storage, that I even pondered the thought.

Here are some interesting ideas:

Very interesting.. not the most stylish examples but definitely food for thought or design.

all images home-designing

My Big Amazing Renovation

Well not, mine, I wish... This show is quickly becoming one of my million and one favs. I'm quite smitten with anything home related and fabulous. Check out this stunning before and after. I'm seriously DYING over that split level floor plan.

Oh No They Didn't!

But I'm glad they did:

The fab folks they have brought us designer duds at a steal and "Jetsetter" vacays at a managable price are at it again with "Feather Your Nest", well for feathering our nests, in high style. I can't wait to see what's in store. I'm hoping one of the earlier offers are my much coveted Porter Chairs!

Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar

I NEED those chairs in my life, at a bargain price, of course.

Going For The Silver

I'm thinking of the overall color scheme for our house and I'm really drawn to grays, silvers, soft yellows, creamy whites and purples, oh and lots of sparkle.

Imagine my delight to stumble upon Ralph Lauren's Regent Metallic Paint. "A collection of luminous paint that adds a shimmering richness to classic colors inspired by military and heraldic trim."

photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Look at the fabulous shimmer!! This paint has my name all over it.

Swell Dwell

I just came across the prettiest duvet... the colors and the design is just so pretty. I would not consider myself an all over pattern gal as I get easily overwhelmed and bored but I think I could love this one:

It's the Peacock Dove duvet from Dwell. The colors are soooo soothing and the peacocks add an interesting whimsy. I adore it but wish it came in a comforter as duvets and I don't really get along. I find them to always look messy..no matter how much I straighten, stretch, fluff.. nothing makes them look pristine. But that won't stop me from buying it, crazy right? Maybe I can have someone make it into a comforter or just place it in a guestroom so I may admire it without having to fuss with it.

Hurts My Eyes

Hideous wallpaper!! Someone please tell me the BEST product to remove this and save my poor peepers.

The Exact Look For Less

Like this chair?

Cute right? Is the Philips High Back Chair from Home Decorators, priced at $449.00 each.

Now here's the Deco Bacall Velvet Side Chair from my beloved Overstock, priced at $289.00.

Hooray for Overstock. Booooo Home Decorators. "I'm MAD at you!" (in my best Tori Spelling talking to Dean, voice)

Plan B

We met with a new realtor yesterday and she was great. She is passionate about her job and it shows. She's very professional and diligent and I can appreciate that, especially with my last experience with a realtor.

So, we engaged a remodeling contractor to accompany us to the "Dreamy" house. And to my surprise, he said that house was in EXCELLENT condition and while minor cosmetic and maybe upgrading the electric, would be needed, the house is solid. I was beyond thrilled. YEAH!!!!

However, we saw another house before we all met at the "Dreamy" house, as the contractor was at another job and had to travel an hour to meet us. Enter the competition:

This house is FABULOUS!!! While it does not have the character of the Victorian, it stands strong with HUGE rooms, great layout inside and a stunning landscaped, though over grown, backyard complete with an in-ground pool.

Upon entering, the parquet floors were different yet beautiful, would need a little work though. But what captured me was the airy-ness, the house flows really well and I love that. No knocking down walls, a bonus.

This house has the layout I imagined for our home. The kitchen is sizable with a butler's pantry and it's right off the backyard, perfect for adding a bump out for a sunny, floor to ceiling windows, breakfast room. Like this:

image courtesy of Willow Decor

Or this:

A light-filled breakfast room, overlooking the backyard would be the bees knees.

Anywhoo, the Plan B house is GORGEOUS and it has presented to us for a great deal.

I've been tossing and turning all night mulling this decision. The "Dreamy" house needs alot of work to inhabit, initially. The Plan B house, while it needs work too, would be fine to move in and live in immediately, and we can remodel at our leisure.

Decisions, decisions.

First Lady Fab

WOW! The First Lady, Michelle Obama looks BEAUTIFUL!! Her blue gown by designer Peter Sororen, is a perfect hue, it compliments her wonderfully.

Her hair is FAB, such a fresh, chic look. Kudos to her hairstylist. The President looked handsome, per his usual.

I adore them as a couple. Very loving and supportive of one another, the pillars of a great union, in my opinion.

Weirdness?

If we purchase the "Dreamy" house, we will have to tackle alot of issues and one that has been on my mind constantly is the bathrooms. While they have these great clawfoot tubs, they have sinks in the corner of the bathroom.. with no vanity or storage and no mirror. Weird.

So, I went to trusty Google to see a design, any design that this would work. During my initial search I came up with this:

While it looks ok (just OK) for maybe a small powder room, I'm thinking not so much for a full bath.
Again, no storage and the mirror, askew like that.. nope, don't like it. AND you can barely fit a bar of soap on it, although you can easily remedy that with this super cute soap and towel holder:

It still leaves alot to be desired.

Does anyone have a photo of a nice bathroom design with a corner sink? Or should I just ready myself to pay to have the plumbing moved to accommodate another sink location?

Bright side is, the pedestal sink is really darling and it's available at Walmart.

Color Me Fabulous

What a difference color makes.

Before

Boring builders grade, everything.. BLEH!


After

I simply LOVE the color palette used here. The soft grey, ebony floors and white trim, it's spectacular. It's fresh, chic and really opens up the space. It sets the stage for fabulous decor.

images courtesy of Trista Lerit

Come On May 27th!!

9 Movie Clips from SEX AND THE CITY 2 from ColliderVideos on Vimeo.

I can't wait!

video courtesy of What Women Want

Goosebumps

This bed by Ralph Lauren Home, gives me goosebumps. It's absolutely stunning, elegant, glamorous and just begging me to take it home.

images courtesy of Ralph Lauren Home

Tickles My Funnybone

A scene from one of my absolute favorite movies, The Money Pit.



Every time I see this movie, I die laughing. Tom Hanks slays me, I love him as a comedic actor. All the scenes directly related to the house and all it's ails are particularly hilarious and always make me laugh out loud, til tears stream down my face.

I'm about to go watch it again.

It's Dreamy!

So, we went to see a couple of houses today. The plan was to attempt to see 4 homes but it didn't happen. I was a little disappointed...

The first house we saw, while it had nice curb appeal, it just didn't speak to me. I tried to like it, I really did but I just couldn't.*shrugs*

The second house, the Victorian home in need of serious TLC was a DREAM. Yes, sure, I had to see past the mess that was left... basically the previous owner didn't maintain the house very well but it has GREAT BONES!

I wish I had more pics to post but camera wasn't charged, unbeknownst to me. UGHHHHHH!

There is alot of work to be done to restore that house to it's splendor of yesteryear with a modern twist and I'm not totally certain the Hubby and I are up to that task. While we agreed that we wanted an older home that we can restore.. our remodeling prowess is probably limited to cosmetic challenges, at best.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that would change out of the necessity of DIY to save money but we really need an expert opinion. So I'm thinking of having a contractor accompany us to see the house again. This time through a professional's eyes, knowing full well that we intend to do as MUCH as we can ourselves but assessing would we absolutely need to be done by professionals.

Do you think that's a good idea? This pre-purchase consult is weighing heavy in our decision to put a contract on the house.

So here's the house again

I surely wish I had more photos.. *sigh*

As I was doing my walk through, I could just imagine our first Christmas at this house, complete with a HUGE tree in the foyer and a cracking fire going in the living room.

I couldn't stop smiling as I looked at the bare kitchen and imagined my dream kitchen, with white cabinetry, Viking 48" range and glass door Sub Z...  like this:

 or this:

courtesy of Willow Decor


I gazed lovingly at the sizable Butler's Pantry and saw all of my pretty serveware and fancy entertaining essentials. Like this:

courtesy of Willow Decor


The house also has a parlor, y'all! I would love to have something like this:

As I ventured up the staircase, I mused how excellent it will look once that atrocious orange carpet was removed and it has been sanded and stained a deep, rich ebony (sans carpet). Like this:

I was giddy with glee when I saw that all 3 of the full bathrooms have clawfoot tubs big enough for two... what romantic nights to be had.

From the 7 bedrooms, I could see a wall being removed to create a sumptuous master suite complete with sitting area.

 
And perhaps a darling nursery...

Ahhhhh.. gotta love cyber decorating.

*Sorry for lack of credits/sources, if any of these photos are yours, please let me know so I may credit you or remove, if you so wish*

I'm Floored, He Is Totally Amazing!!

I just stumbled upon this talented young man, 12 year old Greyson Michael Chance with his rendition of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi".

It's a treat that you just HAVE to see/hear!!



He will be on the "Ellen" show tomorrow and I will surely be tuning in.

Happy Mother's Day!!

To all the blogger and reader Moms out there, have a wonderful, relaxing, pampered Mother's Day.

Today I plan to take my 17 year old "baby" with me out for mani and pedis, take in a matinee, a light lunch and round the day out with sundaes at this great homemade ice cream parlor in my neighborhood. Mother's Day for us has always been "Mother - Daughter Day" and there's nothing I love more than spending time with my baby girl.

Here's an oldie but goodie, "I'll Always Love My Mama" by the Intruders. Enjoy!

The Jewelry Box

I've been perusing my favs binder, just images and tearsheets of items I'm drawn to for our very near future home. And I've surmised that our house is shaping up to be a jewelry box, of sorts. At least, that's what the Hubs says.

For instance, my favoritest Kitchen:

My favoritest Living Room:

My favoritest Dining Room:

I wouldn't call it a jewelry box but I do admit to seeing a running aesthetic here. I'd say a traditional with a little glam.

The bedroom inspiration, Tori Spelling's boudoir:

I'm sure some of the inspiration will be tweaked or even changed all together, once we finally are all moved in. We are just looking so forward to having our very own house, it will be fun to just take our time and make it "ours", fabulous decor and all.

On To The Next One

I feel that the Jay Z song, "On to The Next One" will be our mantra in this house hunting adventure. The house that the Hubs and I just adored is under contract!!! BOOOOOOOOOO!

So, of course, we have to charge it to the real estate game and know that we have to be a wee bit more aggressive when we find another home that we really like. And maybe find another realtor, as the one we have took TWO WEEKS to get back to us regarding our inquiry of the house that is now under contract. UGH!

I'm not one to wallow and quickly found two other homes that are very charming and has that "homey" feel we are looking for.

House One:

House Two:

So clearing someone has been watching HGTV and someone hasn't. But it's ok because I can work with almost anything.

In House 1, I love all of the original molding and trim work. The coffered ceiling and the columns to both the dining and living rooms, I DIE!! The house needs a serious cleaning and paint, which the owners should take care of, hello HGTV.... but I digress.

House 2, its so bright and that I love immediately. The exterior has serious curb appeal, which I ADORE!! Again, I would still paint it grey with with trim because I'm not too keen on a brown house.

Our plan is to see these homes as well as 5 others next Saturday. This weekend was a total bust, for us as well as the realtor. So hopefully there will be no contracts written until we get to see them.