The Powder Room Reveal

  I was bound and determined to carve out a powder room when we bought this house.

I dreamed of creating a little jewel box room with fabulous wallpaper and a marble sink.


This is a difficult room to photograph which is why I have't shared it yet.
So here is the big reveal!
The marble sink came from RH and fits perfectly between the 36 inch wide wall.

 Of course the wallpaper was my jumping off point.

It's called Raphael from Sanderson.

I mounted the sconces on the side walls, so it's nice that they have half shades.

I already had the mirror!

 Opposite the sink is the toilet.

I found the floral print at a little shop in the wine country and love how it contrasts with the wallpaper.

I had so much fun designing this little jewel box room!

To see how this space began, all the way down to the studs and plans:

"The Open Concept Plan"

Sources:

Sink:  Restoration Hardware
Faucet:  Newport Brass

Mirror:  Ballard Designs

Wallpaper:  Sanderson, "Raphael"

Sconces:  Perigold

New Curtains In The Kitchen

 When the kitchen/family room curtains were installed last week, it was like Christmas!

I love how they finish the room and bring everything together.

Here is the same wall without the curtains.

As you can see, something is missing.

I chose off white linen for the custom made drapes because the white picks up the background of the botanical series in the room.

It's also a nice contrast to the grasscloth.

With the drapes finally installed, the kitchen remodel is complete which is a nice feeling!

My Organized Pantry

 My pantry is a jack of all trades!
 It is a food pantry, a dish pantry and flower arranging pantry, depending on what door you open.

Behind Door #1 is our food storage.
I like to corral extra drinks, pet food and miscellaneous food in baskets to keep everything looking neat and organized.  Cookbooks and small appliances also live in this cupboard.

Baskets make everything look better, don't you agree?

Between Door #1 and Door #2 is a wet bar and wine refrigerator.

The glass bistro shelving is an opportunity to display some of my glassware collection.

The sink also allows me to arrange flowers which brings me to Door #2!

Behind Door #2 are all the vases, flower pots, moss...

...and candles and candlesticks.

I put the candles in a shallow wicker tray so they're easy to see.

Likewise, the glass vases look better when they're all corralled on a tray.

I love bringing home flowers and having everything at my fingertips, as well as the sink close by to help create arrangements.

Behind Door #3 is where I store my dishes.

Not all my dishes, but a large percentage of chargers, majolica and miscellaneous dish ware.

Sets of flatware sit on the floor.

In between Door #3 and 4 is currently a bar cart, but eventually it will be replaced with a desk.

And finally, behind Door # 4 are more dishes and glassware.

This cupboard is still a work in progress, but I made it as neat as possible for this post.

This room has been my salvation!

It served as a temporary kitchen when ours was being remodeled.

But also, it allowed me a place to store so much of what I've collected over the years.

I've said many times, it was a major factor when we bought the house.

I love how it's just off the dining room, as well as the kitchen.

If we ever have a dinner party, the pantry room, wet bar or whatever you want to call it will come in very handy for creating a tablescape.

Want more pantry inspiration?
I'm joining 9 other bloggers today who are sharing their pantries and organization tips.
Be sure to pay them a visit!
Classic Casual Home
After Orange County
Driven by Decor
Rough Luxe Lifestyle
Modern Glam
Most Lovely Things
My Sweet Savannah
Northern California Style
Sheri Silver

New Kitchen Reveal

Our kitchen was finally completed in November and we couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

I have to say, I was a little nervous with the black backsplash choice, but in the end, I wouldn't change a thing. 

 

 The countertops and backsplash are honed granite which mimics soapstone.  I designed the curved stone behind the stove to highlight the copper pots.  

 The grasscloth wallcovering was always the plan.  I've had it for a long time and luckily there was more than enough to wrap the entire kitchen and family room walls.

I especially love how it works with the backsplash.

 At the opposite end of the room, we hung the tv on the wall with the pine buffet anchoring it.

Gray herringbone chairs flank the buffet.  

A soft leather sofa faces the tv.

I had the electrician install the library lights not knowing what would end up on the walls.

I found these botanical prints to fill up the big wall which was too shallow to put a piece of furniture on it. 

 

The new French doors will be dressed with white linen drapes offering both privacy and respite from the afternoon sun.

I remember a day when all metals had to match.  It's still being done, but I chose to mix the metals.  There's the polished nickel hardware and faucet mixed with the gilded island pendants and sconces.  Brass library lights, bronze door hardware, and don't forget the copper pots!  It all works.

It's hard to believe this project is finished! 

Sources:

Cabinets:  Brookhaven

Cabinet hardware:  RH

Sink:  Kohler

Faucet:  Newport Brass

Stove:  Wolf

Dishwasher:  Bosch

Refrigerator:  Fisher & Paykel

Microwave:  Sharp

Countertops and backsplash:  Honed "mist" granite

Wallcovering:  Jeffrey Phillips grasscloth

Sofa and chairs:  Pottery Barn

Bar cart:  Serena and Lily

Pendants and sconces:  Aiden Gray

Library lights:  RH

Botanicals:  OKA

It's Starting To Look Like A Kitchen!

 How happy am I that the cabinets were installed last week?

Absolutely thrilled! 

Not only were they installed, but the crown moulding also went in.

The countertops were templated and are waiting for the black granite.

What's that on the side of the cabinet you ask?

After much indecision, I decided to put sconces on the cabinet sides, instead of over the window.

 

The range hood also went in.

Kind of like the nose on the face, it just completes that wall.

Except for the backsplash...

Here is my backsplash inspiration.

I know, it's a lot of black, but I'm obsessed with this idea.

The stone will only go under the cabinets, but under the hood, it will transition like this.

I plan on hanging a pot rack just under the hood and hang copper pots.

Things are really moving along fast now.

The floors are scheduled for next week!

Stay tuned....

August In Asti

Once the construction got to be too much, we packed our bags, the cat and dog and headed to Asti for the entire month of August.


The month started out fun and relaxing with family visiting, but then we had our well go dry for a day.  Scary!  It ended up being a broken pipe in the driveway which we had to dig up and repair.
Then came the hot days.  107 degrees hot!


Then deer somehow got on the property and ate all the roses!
Good thing we were there because they would have eventually eaten everything!


Did I mention the rattlesnake?
Yep, right behind one of the chaises by the pool.
Mr. A took care of that, thank goodness!


We've never spent more than 4 days at a time in Asti, so this was a real treat!
I spruced up a few places like the sitting area in the pool house with a new outdoor rug and pillows.


The living room got a refresh as well.
Nothing major, just a few new trays, candles and flowers.


Fresh cut olive branches are always a good idea!

 The dining room also got a refresh.
I found another hide for the table, just like the one at home.
I also brought out my majolica to display on the hutch.
Perfect for fall.

Best of all, we finally replaced the uncomfortable pine ladderback chairs with French linen chairs.
They are a game changer!

Being in Asti the month of August has been both relaxing and productive.
We head home next week to oversee the construction.
Rumor has it our cabinets will be delivered!

Stay tuned...

The Open Concept Plan

I get a kick out of watching the remodeling programs on HGTV.  They're very big on tearing down walls and creating an "open concept."  As if it's that easy!  

I found out that it's not that easy.  We had to get an architect and an engineer involved which cost money and time.  

We also had to move ducting for the furnace and water heater.  

While the Property Brothers and Fixer Upper make it seem like no big deal, it is.

Here is the BEFORE floor plan.


The new floor plan.
As you can see, we carved out space in the hallway for a powder room and located a stacking washer and dryer in a closet.
The hallway bathroom gets a total reconfiguration, along with relocating the door.
This allows me to put an armoire in the hallway where the previous door was.
It will serve as a linen closet, since that went away to make room for the laundry.


A peek into the new powder room.


Just this week, sheetrock was installed, taped and mudded.

The hallway bath is shaping up!

Now everything gets primed and ready for cabinets which will arrive on Tuesday next. 
Things are starting to happen fast!