Narrowing Down the Final Ideas

New Year, New Ideas and narrowing down the final likes. While Einy and I failed to get into the house this year, we have made it a goal to enter into the home by 2012 Christmas. But once again, I can't hold my breath as I do not know what all the year will bring and how quickly things will move along.

List of Things Left
Gut the Kitchen and Bathroom
Remove the nails from Wall and Ceiling Studs
Remove remaining 2 chimneys
Remove floors
Fix Basement Drain
Rewire
Re-plumb
Re-gas
Extend 2x4 walls into 2x6
Move Front Door
Add inside Basement Stairwell
Fix Basement Crawlspace
Fix underside of Porch
Replace all windows
Replace attic vents
etc....

Yes, the list is LONG and is quite a task to accomplish when all you have are warm weekends, and long daylight hours to work by. Einy works till early evening, so it's hard for him to come home, change then head back out to go work on the house, then come back home shower go to bed then get up the next morning to go to work. That's like a 16 hour day for him and rather unfair to expect him to jump and do when he just gets home.


BUT let's escape from the depressing drone of daily life and look at the images I've gathered in the mean time.

First set is dealing with the final window look. I was hell bent on grills but the more I played with the grills in paint, got some second opinions about windows and looking at smaller homes I realized that I liked being able to see out more than I did having a pattern to look at. So, these are the two window looks I've narrowed it down to. Whether or not Einy approves 100% is still in the air, however I don't think he'd mind too much.

The second picture shows more of the style I think we'll go with. The left side of the room where you have the transom over top of a slightly curved top set of casement windows I believe is how we'll go with the look in the Living Room, Bathroom, and Bedroom. With the transom on the right wall, how there are 3 of them across the top will be in the bedroom on the upper portion of the front wall to give light but free up wall space so the bed or wardrobe can move to any 3 walls and not just have it permanently in one spot.

Below is a photo of a floor that I very much like as well as Einy, but as to what type of boards they are is beyond either of us. I'm tempted to send the photo to Baird's Brothers, which is where we're looking to get our flooring from, and see if they can tell us what type it is or kind. It's worth a shot even if we do end up finding out that it's just reclaimed lumber and some buffing, with tinted primer gave it the patina that it shows.  

The second photo to the right above here, with the black doors and Lilac's is my absolute favorite photo. I don't know why it is, I just really enjoy the bold color of the door, the simple wood flooring and the white walls. It's both elegant, and laid back at the same time. I'm highly tempted for that to be the final look I base the house off of.

Okay next photo, going to drop down through the floor into the Basement. This picture taken from a Horchow magazine inspired me for the ugly little basement. Keeping it industrial looking with metal pipes, the nifty basement lighting from earlier posts, I thought the half brick exposed, half smooth stucco look would be a nice addition to the basement. To, A) Brighten it up B) Give it some character and C) Not make me want to set the thing on fire or loathe going down there to do laundry till the new bathroom is finished.

Back up stairs! Before I spoke about stained glass transoms above all the doors. I still very much would like to pull that off, but just in case I have two back up plans. Back up plan one (left photo) a panoramic picture in a frame over the door. A painting preferably, or something without a glossy poster finish to it. Back up plan two (right photo) the crown moulding transom above the doors. Not in THAT heavily of an ornate style but still one that gave the door a nice look.

Also, in the right photo, notice the glass transom above the stained door. I Love that front door. But as you'll see in some future posts, I have A LOT of doors that I love and would want in the house. However, I'm stuck as we only need 2 exterior doors, 2 interior doors. And the kitchens two glass french doors.

Final piece is the photo to the right ---> Featuring Moroccan Lighting. The first picture with the dark pink curtains and clear and black lantern is what I want to have as the main light in the living room and in the bedroom. I'm honestly thinking of carrying the look throughout the house as I really like being different. Having some elegance with freedom to decorate from all cultures. Who knows, maybe if I keep my cards right I'll have the Tiny Toilet House featured in a magazine.