Home Stretch

We are in the final throws of our home build.  It's been a year.  It has been a long process and I constantly say "it'll all be worth it in the end," becuase man-o-mighty these are the stressful countdown days, and I need that light at the end of the tunel.  I love seeing the refinement, the details I so desperately have imagined manifest themselves in our home, it still feels so unreal and so dreamy to be mine.  But I'll take it!  What I most appreciate now is the kind words and praises of friends & family, truly encouragement can be so refeshing in the process of deadlines and last minute fixes.  

After all the ups and downs of a home build some have asked, would I build again?  
Yes!  I have gained so much knowledge and power from this experience..but give me a lounge chair on the beach and icy cold drink first.

It'll all be worth it!

Eye candy from zincdoor.com!

Heated Master bath floors.  It was a great site to see this fun pattern as I walked in.

Finally getting hooked up to the grid!!

I am always on the hunt for hardware and finishes but truly it was nearly maddening to choose one that I loved.  SO when I found my kitchen hardware and sugessted this idea above (thanks to google searches) I was earthly happy.  It was so cost saving and gave a clean and simple look.  My brain loves simplicity.

These stone walls are all the way to the ceiling.  They are lovely now that they have dried a natural limestone white.  So pleased with them.

More eye candy for Cedar&Moss.

rooms.

I love simple rooms, rooms that are relaxing to the eye..but in contrast I love color and a unique boldness that makes a room interesting and memorable to the occupant.  I want to create interest in tranquility for our homes rooms, with the added challenge at making them fitting for each individual child that will slumber there, for they each speak for themselves and have a sure uniqueness about them.  

Here are inspirations that I have been drawn to.  

I love the idea of two twin beds for my youngest.  It's charming, and useful should a friend or family member pop in.  What I also love about these images is the ceilings with detail, a nice punch of pattern.  & then for the master bedroom I think it is dreamy to create a mock drapery hung form the ceiling skirting the bed..why not (drama in the bedroom)?

in summer..

It is high time and very on point to wish a happy summer to all!  Summertime is here in Austin, Texas and we are gearing up for a lovely summer indeed.  Given that I have had my brain on our homes future outdoor furniture.  My agenda has been that I would probably by some sweet ikea set and enjoy a season and then really get serious about which pieces I'd like.  
We recently had a family roadtrip that took us east to washington , D.C. where sweet friends of ours had some strudy yet striking yard furiture that I already assume I will use her genius ideas for my own.

Some of my favorites at ikea are Enholmen & Falster series.  They are handsomely priced and look sophisticated to the eye.  (in this lovely garden area, naturally..)

Found on pinterest

If I were to dream a bit more practical for the long run, for a long lasting and quality product I'd favor my friends back east pieces and go with something from DWR.  The Adirondack Chair

Designed by Greg Benson and Jeff Taly for Loll Designs is a sturdy chair, resilant to wind and weather.  The Walter Lamb Armchair to sit up to the Deneb Laminate Table & then lounge on the Rusa Chaise Sectional.  Simply lovely.

Also this cool cement setting is a great gathering place for friends to dine and mingle.

Bring on summer!!

What makes a house function..

I stop by the homestead almost everyday and we have had more progress since Friday!  We have a septic pit and we have a leach field!!  If you don't know what that is here is your mini lesson. Our neighborhood isn't hooked up to the city water waste.. so we get to invest in this sweet looker below.

Ready to learn a thing or two?

Septic drain fields, also called leach fields or leach drains are used to remove contaminants and impurities from the liquid that emerges from the septic tank. A septic tank, the septic drain field, and the associated piping compose a complete septic system. The septic drain field is effective for disposal of organic materials readily catabolized by a microbial ecosystem. The drain field typically consists of an arrangement of trenches containing perforated pipes and porous material (often gravel) covered by a layer of soil to prevent animals and surface runoff from reaching the wastewater distributed within those trenches.

Hole for septic system

Leach field

I love to see these guys on my roof. 

Roof is almost done.. oh my lanta!!

2 more months?

I seriously have cried with glee when I see something happen at the homestead.  It was the doors most recently, the hardie siding is being completed (finally) for it seems we have had our respectable amount of delays on our more unique home for our neighborhood..  I think we are getting it together again, Austin has had a slew of hot and cold weather stunting some of the progress but most of it is the snowball effect, if one sub can't complete a job then someone else has to postpone their work.  Oh the learning curves and patience that goes along with home building is fun.

It will be that much sweeter come move in day.  Seriously holding in the excitement for a little longer..

Just waiting for bolts to add doors.

Can you spot the boo boo?  Redo is in the works.

Leach field.. who'd have thought I get excited over this to?

Our latest family adventure.. Enchnated Rock, Fredericksburg, TX

trendy & classic

It's been the ongoing challenge for me as a designer to really design for myself as I pick and choose items for our home.  If money were no object then I would be speaking otherwise but in the mind of a women with a budget in mind..being selective is a challenge.  I want to do the fun trendy choices but then when it comes down to this home in particular (for we plan to stay while..).  So selecting a more timeless option feels invaluable.  I think I've mastered it on my budget (maybe a little over) but I feel confident in my choices so far. There will always be something to change down the road, knowing me that's half the fun of why I love design.. change is good but where it counts for the core pieces I think I'll love this home to pieces.