We're BACK! Let's start with the Entry

Every time Keith and I come home from visiting friends or family, we're reminded that we've not done too much to take our dream house from builder grade to our grade. So, we've made a commitment to get things going again. While I'm keeping my eyes open for inspiration in every room (and driving my interior designer partners C-R-A-Z-Y), I'm concentrating on the foyer.

When we relocated from Ohio back to Florida, we did purge a bunch of stuff. But, we added an entire kid when we got here and the stuff has, well, it's come back. Only now, we don't have a basement to hide it all away.

In Florida, storage is a premium. And, not only does this house not have a basement, it doesn't have much of an attic, either! We can only keep a few things in the garage as it gets soooooooooo hot in there that things ruin. So, we have to get creative with storage options.

Starting with the foyer.

Right now, the foyer has a few problems with the furniture and arrangement:

1. The front door door opens onto the wall that any table would go on.
2. The alarm pad and light switch are on this wall, making centering anything a problem.
3. We tried to get all organize-y with our charging station, but we have more gizmos than fit in this and exposed cords still get tangled. We end up pulling the cords through and just hanging them (which you can see in this picture!).
4. Shoes. Need I say more?!

The current table that we have in there is one of the first pieces Keith and I purchased when we moved into an apartment. The top actually lifts up and it has a display area. But, no storage.

I searched, and searched, and searched some more and finally decided that a dresser or console would be a better fit and provide the much needed clutter concealer storage space.

Here are a few of the ones we found. What's your favorite?

See other foyer inspiration pictures on our Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/meganlicursi/foyer/ and stay tuned for the reveal!

Arhaus

West Elm #1

West Elm #2

West Elm #3

Ikea

A program for Those with Paint Phobia

I received an e-mail this morning from the lovely people at Valspar:

Did you know that 43% of consumers lack confidence in color selection, and that color selection is the single biggest barrier in the paint process?
 Commitment to a color and the chance that a bad choice can be made is the root of all of the anxiety around color.

I know this is certainly true with Keith and me. I am BEGGING him to paint an accent wall in our Living Room. The wall I want to paint is the wall you see upon entering the front door. It has gorgeous windows and I think the accent color would really make a statement.

The inspirational layout of our Living Room

According to Valspar, now Keith might not have a reason to be scared. If he doesn't like it, we can paint it again!

"To help take the apprehension out of the color selection process - and to ensure consumers find a color that they love - Valspar introduces the “Valspar Love Your Color Guarantee” – a new color assurance program offering a complimentary replacement color to anyone who does not absolutely love their first color choice. Through October 8th, 2012, if you buy a paint color and you’re not 100% satisfied, you can get another one, on Valspar."

I went on to Valspar.com to browse the colors. Here's what I'm thinking:

Valspar is working with Designer and HGTV star, Genevieve Gorder. I wonder if she would provide her opinion on this?!?!?!

"I JUST WANNA SEE SOME...

Palm Trees!" 

People have asked us about the title of the blog.  The inspiration was a song by Everclear called "Santa Monica"....where they talk about dreaming of the "West Coast", finding a new place...and of course seeing some Palm Trees!

Now our west coast is that of Florida, but it still works and this week's update is full of palm trees. Now most are still in their "Safe Mode" and tied up...but you can get the idea. Royal Palms dot the front while Queen and Fox tails begin to set up the luau style backyard we're after. There are also a few that we put on our private beach.

We hear we'll be getting grass on Tuesday, carpet on Wednesday and hopefully power by Friday! 

Come take a look!

Oh...and we put the song video at the bottom of the page for ya! Enjoy!

Royal Palms (still tied at the top) but do a decent job as an "anchor".



3 of the 4 Fox tails that line the back.  I wish this thing
was about to dig our pool!



A shot from the dock...Palms still all tied up

Only thing missing is a Hammock!!!!

Queen Palm...sun tanning!

All 4 tied up.  What IS it with palms that they like being tied up!??!?!

LIVE BESIDE THE OCEAN!

A-L-M-O-S-T

The House is FINALLY starting to look like a home.  Over the last month there have been some monumental steps towards completion...and although Megan and I thought we'd be moved in by now we've had all kinds of surprises over the last four weeks.

Everything from the Workers Comp surprise inspection, to a Smurf Blue "White" carrara counter...that needed to come out.  A light delivery guy that only quotes days of the week...but doesn't tell  you what week!  A newel post master carpenter that "Lost Power" and fell behind.  Oh...we can't forget about the driveway  that crossed the property line....TWICE...and is now being ripped out for landscaping!

So we are just a bit behind...but we hear closing is next week so we are getting excited. 

We are in the process of picking out some palm trees and finalizing the landscape design...which should tie in well with the title of the blog.   More to come by the end of the week, so look for an update then.

Check out what's happened since your last visit:



The rail for the family room.  Do you think the kids can fit
through those openings?



LEFT: A/C 1....CENTER: Hot Water "Tank"....RIGHT: A/C 2

Appliances!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kitchen Sink and Faucet.  Paired at birth.

My "Mouse Door".  The Entry To The Observation Deck!

Welcome to the Rooftop Bar!

Complete with it's own Dance Floor...and a Rail for those
who get too tipsy!

2nd story patio...also with a rail.  Something about county code
and kid dangers w/o it.

The Master Shower...LET IT RAIN!

Megan's Sanctuary...complete with Jets!

The finished counter...after the smurf was removed!

Those who stay with us...will see this a lot!

Kitchen nearing completion...can you see the hidden door?

 

Let there be light...(when there is power)

"Line Up":  Which one did it??!  The soon to be steps!

Our Welcome!  We'll leave the light on for ya!

Bathrooms, Tiles, Ceilings and More

This update is filled with Tongue and Grooves (ceilings), and lots of little squares!  In the last 2 weeks we've seen more paint go on the walls, but the real work taking shape is the Bahama Room ceiling and the tile everywhere.

Megan and I were sold on the stained wood ceiling after seeing it in the model...Tile all over the 1st floor however, is one where I lost the battle.  I must say...it does look nice now!

The Bathrooms are finally done and one that we spent WAAAAAY too long at the tile stores.  All in all they came out pretty good. I'm not sure I'm still totally sold on this "Band" thing everyone has going, but in the right places I guess it works. 

Take a look and let us know what you think.  We are going to start a coundown until the day we NEEED to be in the house.  Guests are coming and the end of July is the deadline...that will be a new feature to the site this week.  I'm not sure if it will make us more excited or get us more nervous.  Either way...it's coming!!!

Bahama Room Ceiling Going Up!

A view from the 2nd story into the Bahama Room Ceiling.

We have a window in almost every shower...did
we do that by design!?!?!?

I actually don't mind this one!



Can you see the band inside this window?



This doesn't do it justice...our basket weave in the
Master Marble.

One of my favorites!  1 X 2's

Our attempt at tieing in the basket weave...
No interior designer needed.

Literally the last tile being layed.

Look but don't walk!!!!!!!!!



Great...now we're gunna need to do something with
those steps!!!!



Time To Focus...On The Inside!!!!!

It's been 3 weeks since the last update and things are starting to move quickly...as are the decisions.  I would say that most of this house has been a compromise on things.  Though the roof-top observation deck is mine and the kitchen is Megan's.  Other than that, it's been a 'meeting of the minds' on everything else.

She's had a vision for this kitchen for a while...and it's now coming together.  Maybe all that HGTV did pay off...if you like this kind of thing!!!

Though the first picture is of the outside, this week's update comes with a focus on the inside!  A garage door , cabinets, base-boards and shower work have all begun...and some complete.  The cabinets are in...well those for rooms that we actually ordered.  Seems the 1st floor bathroom didn't exist until all the cabinets were in and people were scratching their heads...Uhhhh Yeah, we're gunna need another set of cabinets in there guys!

Tile and marble work has started in the master bath and should be completed this week...or so we hear.  Rooftop Bar and Bathroom work should be on the table for this week.  Stay Tuned.



Complete with Garage Door now.  (You'd be surprised as to the Garage Door Options)



Kitchen Cabinets...Kudo's to Megan on this choice.
Now if we only ordered enough for the whole house... 





Master Shower tile work starting.

Oh...cabinets did find a home here as well.  These got ordered!

Master base-boards are in!



So are Caroline's.




And the office.




No!!!!!  This will not be a storage garage.  Vehicle will go in here!!!



"A CHANGE WILL DO YOU GOOD"

It's been about 2 weeks since the last update...and you will notice some changes on this one.  We've gone from cinder block to stucco frame, to stucco, to painted!  Drywall is now hung and being finished.

Probably the most exciting news for us comes with the final pictures. Something we've waited over a year for.....Take a look!!!!!!

So this is how they make siding out of concrete. 
Evidently wood and sea breezes don't mix

Jax wants to know if he can "play on the jungle-gym"

The winning color...OH and the Roof is on! 

Drywall hung in office!

1st floor foyer

Uhhh....Did you guys forget the ceiling?
Nope, we have something special planned here.

Master is coming together.

Even the boat spots it!!!!

The boat beat us to the new home!