Window Placement

When I sat down and thought of what I must have in my new home, two requirements instantly came to mind. Lots of windows and high ceilings were a must. Windows bring the outside in and I adore the outside. I don't exactly want to live outside but I do want to see it from every room in my house. Here are photos displaying just how special and important windows can be.

Who wouldn't want to cook in this light filled kitchen!
Compliments of House Beautiful.

Light from the moment you walk in. Probably not for the modest at heart.
Compliments of House Beautiful.

A soaker tub near a window with a view.
Compliments of House Beautiful

So contemporary and beautiful! The outside living area is a lovely extension of the home.
Compliments of Sunset.

Plenty of light to put on make-up in the morning. The high transom is pleasing to the eye and functional.
Compliments of House Beautiful.

A view of Manhattan is priceless!
Compliments of House Beautiful.

A wall of doors and windows. I bet the outside is just as gorgeous as the inside.
Compliments of House Beautiful.

Sky lights and transoms in the kitchen! This home owner must love light as much as I do.
Compliments of House Beautiful.

What a fun shape! I wan to curl up in that chair with a book.
Compliments of Hookedonhouses.net

The Inviting Foyer

One of my requirements in the new house was to have a true foyer...a place that says "welcome friends, please come in". I have always loved the grand foyers that are large enough for a round table in the center with a bouquet of fresh flowers. Ours won't be quite so "Gone With The Wind" like, but I do vow to make it inviting. Here are some of my favorite foyer photos.



Compliments of House Beautiful. The lighting and doors blow me away! 



Compliments of House Beautiful. I am a sucker for anything turquoise so of course this is a favorite. I can see this foyer belonging to a home near the ocean.

Compliments of HGTV. This foyer is big and dramatic but inviting at the same time.

Compliments of HGTV. Although this entry is small, the colorful art and eye catching chandelier are beckoning.

Compliments of HGTV. This foyer is minimalistic but the wood tones create a warm feeling.

Compliments of HGTV. This entry is very orderly and ladylike. The bold patterns in the pillows and mirrors make it interesting.

Eclectic Kitchens

In most homes the kitchen functions as the hub. It's not only the place where we prepare food and beverages, but it often converts to a family workstation, making the island a very important part of the kitchen. I have become very obsessed with the kitchen island and my biggest dilemma is deciding if the island should be constructed in the same wood tone as the cabinets. And then there is the question of the counter tops! Same as the other kitchen counter tops or different? I like seeing daring homeowners opt for mismatched choices.  Here are some fun eclectic kitchens where matchy, matchy does not apply. Photos compliment of House Beautiful.

Coastal Living

Playrooms

In the new house, my daughter will have a dedicated play space. No more dolls, books, and games overtaking the family room! Here are some of my favorite pictures of playrooms.



Pottery Barn, of course!




Another Pottery Barn favorite



Compliments of HGTV



Bling, bling

What lady does not just love a pretty crystal chandelier? In our current home, my daughter Grace's room is the only room with some sparkly. What a lucky girl! In our next home, I think I will put a crystal chandelier in MY bedroom!

Alexandra Rae designer

Repurposing

One of the hottest trends in design is to re-purpose something. I truly hope this is not just a trend however, because we are all doing mother earth good when we find new ways to reuse old items. A favorite re-purpose design idea of mine is to take an old piece of furniture and turn it into a bathroom vanity. What character and original charm this old sideboard has!

 

Barn Doors

There is something very alluring to me about using barn doors in the interior of a home. What a brilliant concept! A little unorthodox, but this is the attraction. I think I will put a barn door on my new office. Here is a beautiful wood one. I love the unevenness of the wood grain and especially the hardware used to mount the door. Yee ha!

The Art of Bartering

Who says bartering is dead? I can proudly say that we have saved at least 30k in building our new home, all because we asked for things or traded services. Make a list of everyone you know working in the construction industry, or who might be suppliers. Then, ask them if they would be willing to work on trade. My husband owns a personal training business so we are fortunate to have a bargaining chip.


Here is a picture of a gallery wall that I just love. What a wonderful way to display precious family photos!

Turquoise and Red

This is not normally a color combination I would choose, but this beautiful room has forever changed my mind!

Top 3 Lessons In Building A Home

HAVE A SET BUDGET- you will be faced with many alluring options, all costly ones. Know your budget and stick to it.

SPEND MONEY ON GETTING THE LAYOUT RIGHT- upgraded doors or more expensive flooring can be added down the road. Spend your money on making sure the layout of the house is exactly what you want, since knocking down walls or raising ceilings can be costly.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION- it does not matter how wonderful the house is if it sits in an undesirable area. Make sure the area you choose to build in holds its value.

My most favorite light

When I came across a photo of this chandelier in House Beautiful, my heart stopped. I compare the feeling to the first time I saw my daughter, except I was more rested. This chandelier is made by Marjorie Skouras and the turquoise color gives me an overall happy feeling. This was also the main color in my wedding and I have an idea it will show up in several places in the new house.

What is this blog?

In the summer of 2009 I set out in search of a new home. After the birth of my daughter the previous winter, our 1366 sq. foot home, occupied by my husband, baby girl and 62 pound four legged baby, suddenly felt too small.....way too small. A year later and after viewing hundreds of homes for sale, we have decided to build a custom home. I have never built a home before; I simply know that I like them. You might say I am crazy about houses and a perfect Sunday would consist of a champagne brunch and touring several open houses, all out of my budget of course. While scouring the Internet in search of the perfect home finishes, it occurred to me that a blog might keep my ideas more organized, so here goes......