If I Can't Have A Tent, Give Me An Awning!

The first time I saw our house, the awning intrigued me.  I couldn't decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing!

It was certainly old, dirty and dated.

Would the house look better without the awning or should I have a large pergola built over the brick patio...

...But after we moved in, I realized that the awning gives another place to sit and have a cup of tea, under the shade or sheltered from the rain.

I decided to replace it with black and white Sunbrella fabric.

My inspiration?

This wonderful outdoor porch designed by Timothy Whealon.

I've admired my blog friend Julio Muao's patio and its awnings forever!

So I researched awning companies in my area and found a wonderful family operated company called Anthony's Awnings.

Turns out, they had installed the old awning originally.

Ten years ago!

All they had to do was use the frame and attach new fabric.

When they drove up on installation day, I was beyond excited!

It was better than I expected, and reminded me of a certain tent we used to have in our backyard!

I don't even mind how the black and white stripes look on the blue house which will eventually get a complete color change in the spring.

The awning looks great from the inside looking out too.

I took this photo shortly after installation on the first morning of the fires when the sky was filled with smoke.

What a lovely color the dining room looked though.

I love how the awning gives the house architectural interest.

If it hadn't been there to begin with, I probably would never have thought of adding one.

It certainly satisfies my love of tents, which wasn't going to happen at this house.

Hey, if I can't have a tent, give me an awning!

Master Bathroom Reveal

When we bought our home, we knew that virtually everything needed to be touched, starting with a new roof, and then the master bathroom.

 We actually started construction on the bathroom before we moved in and that helped alleviate some of the pain of living through the remodel.

For at least a month I drove back and forth, an hour each way to be on site and supervise.

Demo day was so exciting.  I couldn't wait to get rid of the old and see the space completely gutted.

This is why we took on the bathroom first.

It wasn't functional at all--rotten, moldy and poorly designed.

The shower was tiny, yet the toilet area was big.  

I decided to make the shower larger and shrink the toilet area, by turning the toilet.

Now we still have a private toilet space and a large shower!

There is even room for a bench.  

I chose carrara marble subway tile for the walls and basketweave carrara tile for the floor.

I especially love the shower niche with its two shelves.

Here is a before photo showing the vanity area and weird hollow wall next to it.

 After, a free standing vanity feels like a piece of furniture centered on the wall.

I painted the wall black to give it importance and highlight the white vanity.

A pocket door separates the bathroom from the bedroom.

I'm really excited about this etagere. 

It adds a touch of elegance and of course, more storage.

It was backordered for months which is why I didn't share the bathroom reveal sooner.

It completes the room and I knew all along how I would style it.

I love displaying pretty little perfume bottles, candles and orchids on the vanity, so the new etagere gives me one more display opportunity.

It was really fun remodeling this room, turning it from a drab and dingy bathroom into a bright and elegant retreat.

Sources:

Vanity:  Restoration Hardware.

Tile:  Carrara Tiles

Faucets and fixtures:  Newport Brass

Toilet:  Kohler

Mirrors:  Horchow

Sconces:  Visual Comfort

Chandelier:  Pottery Barn

Etagere:  Pottery Barn

Paint:  BM, "Black Jack"

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2018 was quite a year for us.

We came to the realization that we needed to go back home.  

Luckily, selling the house we bought less than a year ago turned out to be a good idea.

We sold at the right time, and bought our new home also at the right time.

Timing is everything they say!

It has been such a joy to be back in the community where we raised our children, where our friends of 30 plus years are, and closer to our 96 year old mother.

Because we bought a fixer upper, I'm in my element remodeling our home and creating my vision for it. 

We finished Phase 1 just before the holidays and are now looking forward to the next phase in 2019.

I predict this year is going to be challenging as we live through the dust and inconvenience of construction. 

 I've made a list of construction goals for 2019:

1.  Remodel the kitchen and add a powder room.

3.  Replace the rotten brick porch.

 4.  Replace the rotten deck.

5.  Landscape the front and back yards.

6.  Paint the exterior a whole new color!

On a personal level, I've made a few New Year's Resolutions:

1.  Read more books.

2.  Walk 30 minutes per day.  

3.  Less time on my phone.

4.  More travel and adventures. 

And finally, laugh more!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2019!