new construction – The Artesian Project

(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!

bathrooms, Construction, It's all in the Details, The New Digs

(tile style)

Now that all the tile is installed (!!), we had to head over to the house to choose the grout colors that will be poured next week. Here is a glimpse into the master bath (as it currently stands).

The photo on the left is a corner of the Master Shower, which I am very excited about. We wanted to create a calm oasis, if you will, and this arabescato carrara marble seems to do the trick. The photo on the right is a view from the entrance. The shower sits in the nook at the top left of the photo, with a tub (that we will never use) centered as the focus. Not seen: a window over the tub, which seemed like a great idea during the planning phase (yay natural light!), but in reality is a front row seat for our neighbors to hang out on their balcony and get a free show (note to self: make appt with a window treatment company immediately). The tile on the actual floor of the bathroom is an Eleganze Varese tile, which is meant to look like poured concrete. This should look pretty cool (fingers crossed) contrasting the hard and industrial concrete look against the soft and elegant marble. Next up: choosing the hardwood floor stain!

UPDATE: View the finished master bath on this post

Have a great week!

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!

Houzz, Inspiration, Kitchen, The New Digs

(kitch-inspiration)

Last weekend we ventured out to the burbs to work on cabinetry selections for the house. We had a great meeting (albeit both of us slightly hungover) and started to make some major strides in nailing down decisions for the kitchen. While we wait for the cad drawings, I figured I would share some of the inspiration I have been referencing that I found on Houzz. Warning: if you have never visited Houzz, make sure you clear yourself a solid 1 – 2 hour window where you can be totally unproductive before you do.

KITCHEN

>> This kitchen below is everything. I knew we wanted a white kitchen with some contrasting elements and when I stumbled upon this photo it felt like love. Black and white is so classic and sophisticated, yet the use of the mixed materials on the counters and walls relax the vibe a bit and lend themselves to a slightly rustic/beachy feel. This will be the main focal point of the house and where we will spend the most time – and I can already picture hosting some great nights around this counter.

Beach Style kitchen design by orange county interior designer Blackband Design

>> Here is another lovely black and white kitchen. This one feels slightly more refined than the above. I really enjoy the range hood pictured here – the horizontal orientation of the panels change up the pace quite nicely.

Transitional Kitchen transitional-kitchen

Transitional kitchen design

>> And one more for good measure. This kitchen is absolutely stunning and extremely dramatic, but I just don’t know if we are cool enough to pull it off — the brass hardware, black cabinets, and marble counter tops are beyond cool.

Transitional kitchen design by orange county photographer Jessica Claire Photography, Inc

So that’s what we’re thinkin. Too much?

The New Digs

(the waiting is the hardest part)

Cue the Tom Petty and the smallest violin in the world…

After leaving a meeting with our contractor a few weeks ago we were under the impression we would be breaking ground any day now. So, naturally, in my mind I was already moving in. Pottery Barn is having a sale – we need to go get a couch! NOT.

Turns out, we have until November 1st to look forward to – and a terrible winter (Polar Vortex part 2) that should surely bring about buckets of excuses as to why the house will not be finished on time. Gotta love winter in Chicago.

We have been under contract since April and will be breaking ground in November. Seven months of deliberation and anticipation building is KILLING ME (and probably Matt since this is all I can talk about).

full house animated GIF So when we were supposed to have our follow up meeting yesterday, which was changed to today, and then cancelled and pushed back five more days, you can imagine the steam coming out of my ears. We are trying our best to keep a positive relationship with our contractor, but man he is not making it easy. Anyone have tips on how to politely keep your contractor on schedule? Me and Stephanie Tanner are all ears.