chicago – The Artesian Project

(boys baseball bedroom)

Now that the World Series is over, I thought I would extend the season just a bit by sharing my son’s baseball bedroom. Our son, Luke, bleeds Cubbie blue (takes after his Dad), so it only made sense to create a fun, bright space where he can pay homage to his favorite team. No joke, he replaces the names in that annoying “Mommy finger” song to “Kris Bryant finger, where are you?” and cried the day we took down our W flag.

Now in Luke’s room, the season goes all year long! It has quickly become one of our favorite rooms in the house; it hosts daily train play and nightly batting practice. The huge windows overlook the beautiful fall foliage and allow the sunlight to pour in, making it a cheery space even in these windy Chicago days.

It wouldn’t be a proper Cubs room without the Wrigley Field marquis that we ordered from FatHead. The red helped to counter all the blue in the room and added the perfect focal point above the bed.

This little book nook is where Luke picks out his bedtime stories and keeps his “buddies” when they aren’t hanging out in his bed. The cubbies (pun intended) and striped baskets were an easy and affordable storage solution (love that free shipping from Target!) to keep that area organized. The navy blue chair is vintage from my grandmother that I recently had refinished and the grey star chair is a Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere chair.

The iron headboard is from Wayfair and helps to tie the vintage nightstands together with the more current pieces in the room. The comforter and sheets are both from Target’s PillowFort line.

The blue lamps are from HomeGoods and add the perfect amount of height to the wall – and the perfect amount of light for bedtime stories.

The area rug is what really makes this room. It is super soft and a fun play on a baseball diamond. Luke loves to hit home run after home run on it or use the trellis as train tracks. I have ordered multiple area rugs from RugsUSA and have yet to be disappointed! They are always running great promotions and offering free shipping.

My husband had fun getting in on the Cubs decor and ordered this special signed scorecard from Kerry Wood’s 20K game that benefits the Wood Family Foundation. I was very happy to find this cool hanging frame that perfectly fit the odd-sized scorecard from Heath and Hand by Magnolia at Target.

Luke loves all forms of transportation, so when I found the vintage-looking fighter plane at HomeGoods, I knew we had to include it. We used fishing wire to keep it in constant flight. The ceramic hot air balloon actually hung on the wall in my childhood bedroom as well as my mom’s! Fun little heirloom.

It probably doesn’t look like it, but this Fiddle Leaf Fig tree has made a huuuuge comeback and is very happy in this room. Before we moved it, there was only one leaf remaining – and now it is growing a second plant at the base of the trunk!! Highly recommend Lechuza’s Self-watering planters for house plants. The drainage system keeps the roots from rotting out – and have saved two Fiddle Leafs in our house!

This is how we are currently positioning the room while our little guy gets acclimated to his big boy bed.

Wicker storage basket is from Target (similar here).

Our happy guy jumping on the bed while singing “GO CUBS GO!”

And now we begin the countdown until opening day…

Home Tour, Lighting

(master bath tour)

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but I believe your bathroom is the most important room of the day. A great morning routine plays a key role in getting your mood set for the day and ready to carpe diem that sucker – or whatever your motto may be. It is important to have a space you enjoy that sparks joy.

I LOVE our master bath. The cool tones, natural light, and fun light fixtures make me happy every single day. That and our awesome shower speaker that lets me blast Hall & Oates while I’m getting ready.

This room is full of playful textures that keep it interesting: the smooth and polished carrara marble against the hard concrete-replica porcelain Eleganza varese tile; the industrial lighting fixtures vs the soft capiz shell floral pendant; the classic shape of the faucets against very modern mirrors. It all works and it all makes me happy.

We were also able to triple our storage in this bathroom from our previous. A place for everything and everything in its place makes for an organized bath and an easy-to-navigate morning routine.

And let me tell you, morning showers in here are a complete dream. We splurged a bit here: we have a standard shower head, a rain shower head, and a steam unit which leaves your skin feeling like a baby’s butt. The glass panels allow a ton of natural light which makes waking up all that much easier – every bit helps on a Monday, amiright?

On the contrary, having different lighting options also help when going to bed. The sconces over the mirror are very bright – which is great for applying make-up, but can be rather harsh when getting ready to hit the hay. I am such a fan of this Pottery Barn Capiz Pendant because not only does it cast a magical shadow around the room, but it also radiates the perfect amount of soft light that you can brush your teeth, wash your face, and whatever you do before hopping into bed without feeling too awake — or reawake if you are like me and find yourself falling asleep on the couch most nights and just kinda sleepwalking into bed. Source list below.

Now carpe diem that day everyone!

Wall color: Sherwin Williams Gray Screen SW 7071
Vanity cabinet: Sherwin Williams Extra White SW 7006; Pyramid Cabinetry
Vanity counter: Bianco Carrara Marble; Stone City
Faucets: Moen Kingsley
Mirrors: T.J. Maxx HomeGoods
Sconces over mirrors: Restoration Hardware 20th C. Factory Filament Metal Double Sconce (on sale right now!)
Tub pendant: Pottery Barn Capiz Pendant (on sale right now!)
Shower wall/Tub tile: Arabescato Carrara Marble, 6×12
Shower floor: Carrara Polished Hex; 1×1
Bathroom floor tile: Eleganza Varese, 24×24

Construction, Exterior, Progress

(home sweet home)

We are now all moved in and could not be happier about it! It has taken a week to unpack and get settled, but it is really starting to feel like home sweet home. We are so glad we decided to take the new construction route as each and every decision in the house is reflective of us – from the floor plan and material choices, all the way down to the door hardware.

We are also thrilled with our location. Each of our commutes have been cut in half and the number of insanely delish local restaurants and coffee shops within a stone’s throw is incredible. Not to mention all the wonderfully welcoming neighbors we have met so far! Our block has a great sense of community and we are excited to become a part of it.

The next few weeks I will be going through room by room and detailing all of the finishes and the process so that you can nab some ideas for yourself.

Until then, have a great weekend!

Construction, Progress

(progress report: 2 weeks out)

Holy moly! We are now just two weeks away from moving in, so I thought I would share a quick progress report from our visit yesterday.

Cannot WAIT to move in! Hope y’all have a hoppy Easter weekend!

Houzz, It's all in the Details, Progress

(finding the perfect white paint)

Whoops! Looks like someone (and I’m not going to name names) forgot she had a blog. I have been super busy at work/ working on the house that I am a bit behind…

Anyways, I have been stresssssing out while on the search for the perfect white paint color for the walls. Who knew there are so many shades of white? Luckily, it seems I am not the only one who has faced this dilemma and found some great advice on the interwebs from the Hunted Interior, Thistlewood Farms, and of course Houzz.

Since there is already going to be a lot going on in the kitchen with the black & white cabinets/counter tops, I wanted to use white as a nice grounding color for those louder elements and let them breathe a bit. I, like everyone else lately, am a big fan of grey as a neutral, but did not want to add one more color of weight into the mix. Confusing?

Here is the space as it currently is – the progress has been amazing btw.

Plus the space is already inviting and bright with just the drywall that I would not want to take away the lightness of the space with a darker color. Alas, the white.

After months of deliberation (seriously wish I was kidding), Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008 is the winner. It has a clean, yet warm feel to it that will not contend with the black island and built-ins while keeping the room feeling airy. UPDATE: See how the Alabaster looks in our kitchen!

Here is a great example of what I am going for: Alabaster walls contrasted with a bright white trim. The black accent looks so clean and fresh against the color.

Photo by Cornerstone Architects. See more contemporary entry designs

Alabaster will be the color for the entire first floor to create a cohesive feel in the open plan, as well as the upstairs hallway.

Next stop, trim town.

Construction, Progress, The New Digs

(progress report)

Matt and I have been taking frequent trips over to the house for progress checks, but we’ve been careful not to go too often – a watched pot never boils (or however that saying goes). So we did our usual swing by and then grab dinner on Wednesday after work and were pleased with the how things were going:

Not bad, right? The foundation was poured and cured, the basement framed, and the floor/ceiling joists were just getting started.

Then after Sunday brunch with my parents at one of our Logan Square go-tos, Lula Cafe (delish – sit at the bar and order a fancy coffee!), we drove over to the house. HOLY COW was I thrilled with the progress!! In just a matter of a few days the basement/first level floor joists were completed as was the framing for the entire first floor – whoopie! It was finally starting to take shape and look like a home. There’s our front windows! There’s the front door! The fireplace will go right there!

So thar she blows! Our contractor said the second floor and the roof are en route and ready to go, so we are (fingers crossed) on schedule! Time to stop doing the happy dance and start making those decisions I have been putting off… 🙂

Mizzzz Penny Lane says:

Construction, Houzz, It's all in the Details

(mullin’ over mullions)

Now added to the list of things I never thought I would care about: mullions. Most of you are probably asking “What the h are mullions??” and a few weeks ago, I would have been in that exact same boat. Mullions, you see, are window grilles. But what the h are window grilles? Window grilles are simply the pattern that goes into (or not) your windows. Por ejamplo:

The first step of the process was to decide: do you want any mullions? Sure, why not? I actually have always liked the look without ever really knowing what they were. I like that mullions can add a bit of interest to your facade without being something so in-your-face. Just a nice delicate touch.

Step 2: what color do you want your mullions? Ughhhh. Well, the windows will be black, so how about black? But do you want true black or black bronze? Oye.

Step 3: do you want these mullions applied to your window, integral which is within the pane of the glass, or true separated light (meaning that instead of just adding a grid on top of one large window, the grid outlines 15 mini panes of glass – ie $$$ cha ching). How about applied? Oooh about that, we just looked into your windows and that’s no longer an option. Okay, integral it is.

Step 4: now where exactly on the house do you want these mullions? Everywhere? Okay, but that will cost extra (of course). Ooookay, how about just the front and back facades? But do you want them on every window on both facades? AHHHH!!

This is where I jumped ship because a la Jay Cutler I just “dooooon’t caaaaare.” Then I thought about it some more – well I will be living in this house…I want to enjoy it….maybe I would regret not putting these in.

Alas, Step 5: Research the hell out of Houzz and see if anything resonates with you. I was putting in search phrases which, surely, no one has ever bothered to type in the history of the internet: exterior french door ~~mullions,~~ ~~grilles,~~ window patterns; living room sliding glass doors; back of house windows; mixed window mullions. So here are a few of my favorite grillz that are awesome, but would probably never work on our skinny mini house:

Cape Porpoise Residence beach-style-exterior

Beach Style exterior design by portland maine home builders Bowley Builders

Farmhouse patio design by new york architect Crisp Architects

grillz | www.TheArtesianProject.wordpress.com

Bleeker Street Historic Renovation traditional-bedroom

Traditional bedroom design by denver architect Rybak Architecture & Development, P.C.

Do you remember when Brooke Hogan had grillz? Or let me try that again: do you remember Brooke Hogan?

Now I know you are on the edge of your seat after reading this really important, mind-bending of a story…SO we ended up going with Colonial style errywhere on the front and the back. All colonial everything.

Here’s hoping it all turns out!

Construction, Just because, Progress

(lessons in concrete)

Foundation Pouring | www.theartesianproject.wordpress.com — (day one of foundation pour)

While we had a great meeting with our contractor on Monday, we left feeling a bit apprehensive as to when the actual construction would begin because of two factors: 1. The building permit had not yet been approved at the time (the City of Chicago is not an easy place to build) and 2. the weather (with recent newspaper headlines scaring everyone about the return of the Polar Vortex next week, our chances were looking slim).

Low and behold, the foundation was actually poured on Thursday and to our luck – my brother, the civil engineer/concrete specialist, happened to drive by the lot just as they finished. Here is what he taught me about concrete that you are more than welcome to steal for tonight’s party conversation starter – I mean, right? Knowledge is power!

Pouring concrete is actually a chemical reaction of the water mixing with the concrete and, therefore, the temperature has an effect on the reaction. The lower the temp, the slower the reaction/crystallization, the weaker the concrete is.
Thus, you do not want to pour concrete if the weather is under 40 degrees or you will have a pretty crappy foundation. We sneaked by on Thursday with a 43 degree temp – huzzah!
After two hours of curing (drying), concrete can hold the weight of a human.
After ten days of curing, it can hold 90% of the structure’s intended weight.
Concrete does not fully cure until months later.
Based on the reinforced steel bars sticking through the foundation walls, this will be what is called a “two part pour.” I know you will be on the edge of your seat to see what THAT looks like.

So please keep your fingers crossed that this polar vortex does not show its face for at least another eight days. Hey, the more you know…

Happy Friday, y’all! Now Imma go get me a new winter coat.

Around Chicago, Construction, Progress, Real Estate, The606, Wow District News

(#WowDistrict write-up in the Trib)

606 Trail Wow District | — Chicago Tribune’s “Developers riding 606 trail deeper into Northwest Side”

This Sunday’s Chicago Tribune had a huge feature on the 606 Trail and the effects it is having on the neighborhoods it will be running through. For those of you not familiar with the “606“, this is a city project much like the famed High Line in New York City’s meatpacking district. Chicago will be repurposing a former elevated train track stretching for 3 miles between Ridgeway and Ashland Avenue, along Bloomington Avenue and transforming it into an elevated park with walking/jogging paths, lush greenery, and access points throughout the route. It will be called the 606 because all of Chicago’s zip codes begin with those three numbers.

Why do we care? Well, our new house will be just five houses down from the 606 and extremely close to the access point at Western Avenue. This was a major selling point to us because it was a powerful indicator of the change and growth it would bring to the Wow (West of Western) District neighborhood – and it will be very pretty and fun to use. The neighborhood was once owner of a stigma that advised pedestrians not to travel “west of western” for safety reasons (often unfound), but this jolt in development will be encouraging Chicagoans to now travel much further west of Western and will surely bring new business and a stimulated economy to the area.

The project was originally scheduled to be completed this Fall, but due to last winter’s Polar Vortex and the inability for any of the plantings to take root, it is looking to next Spring for its completion date – ie it will be ready upon our arrival!

To learn more about the 606 and follow its construction status, check out the 606 Facebook page.

606 trail chicago wow district | www.theartesianproject.wordpress.com — The 606 | from the 606 Facebook page

Around Chicago, Events/Sales, Just because

(happy h&o-ween!)

The Artesian Project | www.theartesianproject.wordpress.com — (no fear, it’s a candy cig)

Happy Halloween to all five of my readers out there (hi mom!). We are taking a break on the house stuff this weekend to get into the holiday spirit. Last year my plans to go as Wendy Peffercorn from the Sandlot were crushed by the frigid Chicago temps; as was my plan this year (sorry Wendy, but it’s snowing). Instead, we went as Chicago’s very own Smokin’ Jay Cutler and the Black Unicorn aka Martellus Bennett. Don’t know who Smokin’ Jay is? Check this out, but just know that Smokin’ Jay DON’T CARE if you don’t know who he is.

This year, we are going as only the greatest musical duo of ALL TIME: Hall &

Oates. {please turn on “you make my dreams come true” whilst reading remainder of the post}. Matt will be taking on the role of Mr. Oates with his thick mustachio and I will the hot blonde that is Daryl Hall. So far a mullet wig has been purchased and (sadly) the rest of the costume is in my current wardrobe (knew those electric blue acid wash jeans would come in handy!). I will also be wearing my badass H&O earrings – which coincidentally, I am also wearing right now at work – that I picked up at the Renegade Craft Fair from Leroy’s Place (awesome stuff; they have that Rick Ross keychain you have been looking allll over for). Matt is going to work on the brooding stare while I will be mastering the mid-air jump and point for the evening.

Hall & Oatmeal Stout | www.theartesianproject.com — (hall & oatmeal stout)

Fun fact: one the beers we brewed for our wedding favor was Hall & Oatmeal Stout because I love to love them so much. And the label I designed won label of the week on GrogTag. Big day for the Wagners.

And here is the full wedding brew line-up just in case you were curious.