Kitchen Remodel Update

Our kitchen update is moving along smoothly and faster than we expected. We couldn't be happier with our contractor and his team. They have been ahead of schedule the entire time even with our last minute changes. I cannot wait to share the before and after images in the coming weeks. I purchased the above light fixture from Lumens which I think will fit perfectly with our updated look.

The new oak top nail wood floors match the rest of the homes 86 year old floors. This was the only part of the renovation we did not like. In fact, we spent 2 nights away at a hotel until the strong varnish odor went away. It was a dusty,loud and smelly process but a necessary to get the floors to look like they were part of the original wood floors throughout the home.

This is a sample of the soft white cabinets with a antiqued metallic gold glaze finish. However, I have since contacted the cabinetmakers to ask that the gold is rubbed out a bit more for a more realistic aged patina. Brush chrome cabinet knobs and pulls to compliment the stainless steel appliances.

Sample of the granite for the counter tops scheduled to be installed tomorrow 9/30. Although this stone is beautiful and I know we'll be happy with it, it was not our first choice. We really wanted Carrara marble but it was more expensive and our friends and some neighbors aware that we are heavy(and sloppy)red wine lovers thought it would be a messy marriage. We thought this white stone was a good compromise. I just hope I don't kick myself when I see or visit a home with my dream marble.

A sample of the glossy white subway tiles with accent rope for the backsplash which is scheduled for installation this Saturday and possibly Sunday.

I found and purchased this ceramic high relief online from Anderson Ceramics located in Round Rock, Texas. The artist/owner Neal was very nice and accommodating to my last minute request in getting the piece to me in a week. This will be the backsplash over the cooktop.

This wallpaper(Pattern#:SS21303 ) is from the Cottage English collection by Sandpiper Studios. Because of the small size of the kitchen, there isn't a lot of visible wall space which is why I thought a large pattern would compliment the kitchen beautifully. No one in our circle of friends and family share our love for wallpaper. They consider it either too over the top or something grandma would appreciate. We're hoping to prove them wrong.

This wallpaper, also from the same Cottage English collection will be the background for the glass door cabinets below.


Please continue to stay tuned and visit me again for the final reveal.

The Chateau de Bagnols

The Chateau de Bagnols is situated between the River Saône to the east and the River Azergues to the southwest in the Beaujolais region which is considered one of France's most beautiful and historically rich areas.

It is approximately 40 minutes from Lyon. It was built in the 1200s as a medieval fortress that offered refuge for its owners and the villagers throughout times of violence.

By the 1400s, Lyon was a prosperous commercial center and the château was embellished by its new owners, the de Balzacs. In 1490, two years before Columbus sailed across the Atlantic, King Charles VIII visited the de Balzac residence.

To honor the king, the royal cout of arms was carved into the stone fireplace of what is now the dining room. The fortress like aspect of the chateau was lessened when large windows were cut into the exterior walls in 1509.

(Salon)

This change was possible because the violence of the medieval period had passed into the peace of the renaissance. The transformation of the Chateau continued in the 1600s with the addition of tapestries and wall paintings and the removal of the draw bridges.

(La Salle Gardes, Main Dining Room)

As silk manufacturing grew in Lyon, the interiors of the house were influenced by the italian artisans associated with the industry. By the French revolution, Bagnols was an elegant country estate.

(Le Cuvage, Wine Cellar for private parties)

Aside from the revolutionaries' attempt to erase the royal fleur de lyes symbols from the fireplace in the dining room, the chateau remained unscathed.

(Appartement aux Boquets, room 6)

Today, guests can enjoy the enduring historical grandeur of this chateau with its 5 star accomodations. There are 21 bedrooms with 6 apartments in the chateau and 2 apartments in the Residence.

One of Britain's philanthropist couple, Paul and Helen Hamlyn, acquired the landmark estate in the late 1980's and spent 4 years restoring it and filling it with stunning architectural and decorative details and objets de art.

(The Joseph Hessler room 15)

The public areas and guest rooms are richly appointed with ancient wood panelling,marble,fine antiques,art and textiles imbuing true classic french architecture and style.

(Ann Dugue, Room 12)

Of course, the luxe accommodations are not considered cheap or even reasonably priced. Rooms start at about $321.00 U.S. Dollars per night.

(Boutechoux de Chavanes, Room 16 )

However, travel enthusiasts and critics all agree the price is well worth it.

(Madame de Sevigne, Room 5)

For more information about reservations or historical facts, visitwww.chateaudebagnols.co.uk

Kitchen Remodel

Today we finally began construction on a long overdue kitchen update. The demolition crew arrived at 7am this morning. The loud banging followed 40 minutes later non-stop until 3pm. Our poor chow chow Cocco refused to come in the house until the workmen left for the day.

The overall look of the kitchen will be French Country inspired with a soft white finish for the cabinets, some with glass doors. cream granite countertops, oak hardwood floors,white subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. The original design above consisted of a free standing stove with a 2nd separate over. However, we have since changed it to a cooktop with a double wall oven. The current completion date is scheduled for the end of September(yeah right).

This photo I found via a google search which became the inspiration for the new kitchen. I love the elegant yet warm look. Please stay tuned for future updates and before and after photos.

Inspirations For Traditional Living- Houzz Idea-Book

Lately, I've been spending a lot time on Houzz browsing my favorite interior style, Traditional, for inspiration. I want to share some of my favorites that I added to my Idea-book folder. Enjoy.

Traditional spaces design by NewYork interior designer Lauren Ostrow Interior Design, Inc

Traditional dining room design by Bridgeport architect Austin Patterson Disston Architects

Traditional dining room design by New York interior designer Marlene Wangenheim AKBD, CAPS, Allied Member ASID

Traditional spaces design by New York interior designer Lauren Ostrow Interior Design, Inc

Traditional dining room design by DC metro architect Harrison Design Associates - DC

Traditional living room design by DC metro architect Harrison Design Associates - DC

Traditional dining room design by New York interior designer Robin Muto

Traditional dining room design by Atlanta architect Kenneth Lynch & Associates

Traditional dining room design by Philadelphia interior designer Meadow bank Designs

"Breathtaking Indoor Gardens" by Arcadian Home Decor

Provided by guest blogger Jacob Hamilton of Arcadian Home Decor

Got a serious case of green thumb? Or maybe you live in an urban city and need to see a bit of greenery every so often? Whatever the case may be, bring the beauty of nature inside your home with a beautiful indoor garden.

An indoor garden can accent even the simplest of home décor; use colorful or patterned pots in addition to bright flowers to add lots of fresh color.

Apartment Therapy via

If you’re blessed with this kind of space and natural sunlight, why not use that to create a sort of gardening nook? Potted plants of various sizes and plant varieties, including a lemon tree, add certain freshness to this space.

House Beautiful via

Plants, plants, and a few more plants combine to make a very interesting indoor garden. This garden, located in the hall outside the mudroom (sort of a separate room for dirty shoes), must certainly brighten the day, coming or going. And you can tell Susan Zises Green really loves plants. In addition to all the potted plants, the wall art contains prints of leaves, as does the wallpaper!

Real Simple via

An indoor garden was created in the corner of this home and you can do the same if you have an empty corner near a window. Potted plants of various sizes and types brighten up the space, while a terrarium is used for table decoration. There’s even a little potted plant on the wall. Too cute!

Shelter Pop via

If you’re truly pressed for space, you can still create a lovely indoor garden. These Wooly Pockets are lined so you can water and mist your plants without causing damage to your walls or floor. Filled with botanicals, grasses and moss, a miniature garden like this would look really pretty in the bathroom. Or if you have a sunny kitchen you can grow your herb garden there.

Mondette via Bosske

Another option for indoor gardens in small spaces is a sky planter. These upside down gardens save space and add a really unique touch to any space.

Apartment Therapy via

Instead of a few large potted plants, another great way to create an indoor garden is to create rows of several small potted plants. This is a great option for someone with a more advanced green thumb -- someone who knows how to care for lots of different types of plants.

Just in case you don’t even have a green thumb, here are some tips to care for, and cultivate, your own breathtaking indoor garden. Go for easy-to-care plants to like succulents, air plants, Phalaenopsis orchids or Aspidistra elatior. Take the basic maintenance techniques of watering the soil and misting the leaves/flowers and these plants will last about a month. Good luck!

Content provided by Arcadian Home Decor, a site that specializes in top quality home accessories at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!

Missing In Action.......A Sincere Thank You

Thank you all for the kind emails regarding my absence from blogland. I was so moved by your messages expressing well wishes and hope for my return to blogging. It's been an incredibly busy summer with most of the attention on the little American.

The older he gets, the more activities we become involved in. My respect for stay at home parents continue to soar as my head spins trying to juggle maintaining a home while also giving a demanding 4 year old my full attention. Getting to the computer has been a challenge these days as anytime the little guy sees me on it, he's pulling at me to turn it off.

Updates:

Vacation house hunting-

Aside from the daily grind, we have been spending almost every free weekend in the Russian River area. Back in November, I mentioned a vacation home on the market there we really liked and we submitted an offer. Unfortunately, the home inspection report revealed much more repair work than we could afford to handle so it was back to ground zero. 3 potential properties later, we still haven't found the right fit for our family. However, we are hopeful that the perfect property will come up soon as we continue to search. I will keep you posted.

Four Seasons Flatware-

I am still pursuing a license agreement. I did submit my idea to a Lifetime Brands marketing agent back in April who seemed to like it and even said that he would present my idea in his next meeting with Lifetime Brands.

Unfortunately, 2 weeks later, he indicated they were not interested. I really wished I had been allowed to make the presentation.

I have since received lots of great advice from people in the industry which has inspired me to continue pursuing a deal. I was disappointed to learn that I missed an opportunity to attend the International Licensing Expo this past June. It is the perfect venue for meeting and presenting ideas directly to licensing agents and manufacturers. I will definitely try to be there next year. Hopefully, by then I will have a proto-type of the concept to present since I have learned it is extremely important when you only have a few minutes to win your prospects over.

Meanwhile, back at the house, I have been working on several trim projects. While the Little American might be able to interfere with my blogging, he has had to tolerate my decorating. Recently, we added chair rail and picture frame molding in the living room and rear foyer. I revealed that project in the last design post I shared.

Below is a sample board with the fabrics and pieces for the living room.

Please stay tuned; I will share the final look of the room in the coming days.

Also, please continue to follow me to see the following projects:

Dining room remodel (started 8/1/2011)

Kitchen remodel (planned start date 8/20/2011)

How Persian Rugs are made

Fathers Day Lunch At Bogle Winery

Happy Fathers Day!! We had a wonderful Fathers Day picnic with good friend Kerry, Dan's twin sister Dana and her husband Steve at the Bogle Vineyard in Clarksburg, California.

Project Trim For Metamorphosis Monday

Happy Metamorphosis Monday!

Before: This is the center foyer located between our formal living room and family room. It was used as an extended seating area for my partner Dan's office which is also adjacent to the room. I used blue prep tape to outline the picture frame and chair rail moulding in the room.

After: The wood picture frame and chair rail moulding were purchased at Lowes. I used a 1 1/2 inch trim(colonial pattern) for the picture frame and a 3 inch chair rail(basket weave pattern) for this project.

The room furnished

This room metamorphosis cost approximately $300.00 for labor and materials. Dan and I painted the molding after it was hung and caulked by a professional.

Dan's home office is adjacent to the center foyer on its east side. Bay window seating to the left of his desk has views of the backyard.

I am not looking forward to moving the bookcases and cabinets in this space in order to add the same trim.

I also added the trim work in the formal living room. However, I want to share more of this room with you after empire valance window treatments have been installed and the 2 green velvet chairs (Craig's list finds) have been reupholstered. Please stay tuned. For more Metamorphosis Monday projects, please visit Between Naps On The Porch hosted by the lovely and talented Susan.