1.17.2012

Closing Day!

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Today we closed on our new lot and we couldn't be more excited!  Let the daily drive-bys begin!  
Ok, ok...I may or may not have already been driving by on a daily basis.

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The boys being sweet AND silly, of course!

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Pardon their outfits.  We just got back from swimming lessons!

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1.16.2012

Master Up or Down...That Is The Question

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Today we had another great meeting with our architect and designer!  I am loving this process.

Originally, I hands down wanted the master downstairs.  That was one of the main reasons for us to build...to have a separate area away from the kids so we don't have to tip toe everywhere or worry if the tv is too loud and so on and so on.  But today I quickly learned that by having the master down, I am sacrificing many aspects of the downstairs due to building coverage, heigh restrictions and backyard space.  At first, I held my ground.  But then after talking everything through, I realized I will be much happier with the larger rooms downstairs.  We'll just make sure the master suite is separate from the kids wing.  And I love that I just said "wing" as if this is a mansion.  It's not.

What are your thoughts on having the master down or up??

{image via Bellacasa Design}

1.10.2012

The Plans

Long story short, we found a lot which a builder owned and had a set of plans drawn for the land.  We really wanted to purchase just the lot, so we could work with the builder of our choice.  The funny thing was that the plans just so happened to be drawn by the architect that we wanted to use!  The builder agreed to sell us the lot only and we are able to use the plans how we like!  We have a lot of tweaking to do, but it's a start and will help make the design process go quicker.

Win win for us!

Today we met with our architect to discuss or wants and to decide if we were going to tweak the current plans or start from scratch.  We are going to keep the basic layout, but basically start over.  Here are a handful of pictures I brought with me today to help explain our thoughts....

First Things First - The Kitchen

Basically, we want the range and vent on one wall, a large square island and the kitchen sink by the window.

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In the initial plans, the architect had a wall of  7 ft. windows by the sink.  We loved that and plan to keep it.  It looks like the picture below (windows only).

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The Gallery & Formal Living Room

When you enter the front door, we are going to have a gallery to the immediate left.  It will look just like this and the formal living will be behind the pillars.  The dining room will be down the gallery and you can see it from the formal living.

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The Great Room

This particular room has a basic layout, but I'm going to love the wall of windows and doors.  Trying to decide if I want to place the tv above the fireplace or in one of the cabinets to the side.  

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Master Bedroom

I absolutely love this bedroom!  It happens to be the bedroom of a friend of mine and the room is gorgeous.  Bellacasa Design designed and showcased her home before her family moved in.

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Master Bath

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{I'm having fits with blogger today.  No matter how I resize the above image, it will not display the right side of the bathroom.  Ugh.}

Trying to decide what type of layout we want.

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Summer Kitchen

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Butler's Pantry

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Laundry Room
Ahh...would love to have a large laundry room.  We'll see what space we actually get to play with.

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Office Nook
This area is important to me.  It does not have to be huge, but I do need a nice space.

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Don't Forget About The Dog!
And if there is space, a special built in Kennel for Biscuit!

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Photo Credits: image 1+2+3+4 {Segreto}, 5+6+7+15 {Cote de Texas}, 8 {Bella Casa Design}, 9+18 {Houzz}, 10+11 {Things That Inspire} 12 {Allie Beth Allman}, 13+14 {Atlanta Homes Magazine}, 15 {Design Chic}, 16 {Decor Pad}, 17 {Giannetti Architects}, 19 {Scout For The Home}, 20 {Attic Mag}

1.06.2012

It's a New Year!

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Happy New Year everyone!

Wow.  I have been the WORST.BLOGGER.EVER...on this blog and my party planning blog.  This past year has been so much fun, but it has also taken up my computer and me time.  But I miss it here.  I really do.  I'm not really a New Year's resolution girl.  Mostly because I think it's a cheesy ritual, plus you are setting yourself up to fail.  I tend to make resolutions throughout the entire year.  For me, that works the best.  With all that said, my latest resolution (which just so happens to be around the New Year) is to be a better blogger with this little family blog of mine.

We have a BIG year ahead of us and I want to share it with you all!  I know so many of you are interior design obsessed like I am and will enjoy the many design photos in the weeks and months to come.  Our big news of the year is that we are going to build a house.  I could not be more excited.  So many people say the process is exhausting and stressful, but I am looking forward to it.  I love to organize, plan, attend meetings, go to site visits...so I think the process will be right up my alley.  I might be blogging a different tune in a few months though.  =)

My plan is to share with you pictures and ideas throughout construction.  It will also be a place for me to record this time in our lives.  So, if you are interested, please follow along.

Happy 2012 to everyone!