The Week in Review | August 26-30

Here’s my favorites from the blogging world for you to peruse over the long weekend! Enjoy!

Week In Review

  1. The DIY Network’s blog Made+Remade featured some incredible stone fire pit inspiration pics. There’s no denying it- fire pits rock. But a fire pit on the beach is simply the best.
  2. Melanie from My Sweet Savannah completed her dreamy master bedroom makeover. I’m completely jealous of her barn doors into a closet and bathroom. How fun!
  3. Paloma from La Dolce Vita pondered different options for her client’s stair runner. We’re not planning on a runner in our home but this pic above with its lovely tie downs definitely got my attention. Future project?
  4. Ashley from Rustic Living turned a simple wooden side table into an adorable piece all designed around those cute bird pulls.
  5. HGTV’s blog Design Happens made me really want an invitation from Nicole Richie to a backyard barbecue. I’ll bring the veggie burgers Nicole!

 


Want to Feel Better about Buying a House?

I know it’s getting pricey out there but what if you or your spouse had your heart set on the most expensive house in America? Want to know what that looks like?

Copper Beech FarmIt’s Copper Beech Farm on the Gold Coast of Connecticut. Forty feet above sea level in Greenwich, Connecticut, the next owner of this estate will come home to a 1,800 foot driveway, two islands, a mile of shoreline, walled gardens, a 75-foot pool, grass tennis court, greenhouse, stone carriage house, and cottage all for the low low price of…

$190,000,000

Copper Beech Farm Greenwich Dining at Copper Beech Farm Back Porch Copper Beech Farm Pool with Ocean View Greenhouse at Copper Beech Farm

So that’s what the one and only fifty acre waterfront estate looks like. Just in case you were in the market. Pity there’s no helipad on the roof. Wherever would my pilot park the chopper?


Yes, Another Kitchen Post

Are you getting sick of our kitchen remodel yet? I’m not! It’s getting better and better every day! After tiling the entire bathroom, Jared brought his mad tiling skills to the kitchen. We purchased these 2″ x 3″ beautiful marble tiles from the Tile Shop. They have subtle blue, green, and grey tones that look gorgeous next to our white IKEA cabinets.

9592628611_fa6cb815dd_o9592628913_330197f034_o 9592629447_57fb2508d5_oWe carried the tile all the way up the wall around the kitchen window for a big impact. The window will be trimmed with the same rosettes and belly casing as the rest of the house but have a large sill made with the same butcher block as our countertops.

DSC_0032And did you catch the cabinet hardware? I’ll forever be receiving marine catalogs thanks to my order of 38 four inch galvanized steel boat cleats. But they’re super cute and really functional. Again, it’s all about textures. I love the rigid steel next to our sleek white cabinets. Plus, if anyone needs to dock a boat by our house, we have a couple tie ups available!

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House Stalking

When improving your own home, it’s impossible not to notice homes around you. I’ve always loved walking in random neighborhoods, looking at different homes, seeing the way people keep them up (or don’t!) So when my friend Jamie and I set a date to meet up for a stroll every month, I knew she’d be up for a little house stalking!

This time, the neighborhood was just outside my door. Winthrop is full of interesting homes. Some new, a lot old, grand estates, and tiny cottages. In fact, Winthrop used to be filled with cottages. It was settled in 1630 by English Colonists as Pullen Poynt but later got it’s name from John Winthrop, the second governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Bordering East Boston, Winthrop is a peninsula with 7 miles of shoreline. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Boston Harbor to the west, Winthrop became a popular vacation spot and summer weekend retreat for prominent Bostonians. Many of their cottages have been remodeled and almost all winterized to become year round residences but the town retains it’s coastal charm.

Take this lovely front porch for example. I love the nautical lanterns and sky blue door and porch ceiling.

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This home has an adorable cupola with a lighthouse weather vane perched at the top. The pergola surrounded by greenery seems like the perfect little quiet retreat.

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Another cupola above the garage. I think this one was a lobster. Oh sorry- lobstah!

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And talk about an ocean view. Most people in town would recognize this beauty of a home complete with it’s own pier.

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There are so many great porches in Winthrop- like these lovelies.

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DSC_0007 DSC_0019And looks like I’m not the only one obsessed with a statement mailbox. We saw a couple of these old bronze letter boxes.

DSC_0013I think a prominent front door is key. It’s your home’s first impression. Make it a good one! Love this cedar looking front door and steps.

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And this turquoise door is a cheery surprise.

DSC_0020I hope all homeowners didn’t mind my photos and compliments! Kudos to you Winthrop homeowners! You make us look good!

 

 

 


Before & Current

We’re not quite at Before and Afters but we’re pretty close. Here’s those same angles from the day we got the house back in April and this past weekend.

View in Living Room looking into Dining Room2013-04-15 14.51.23DSC_0028

View in Dining Room looking into Living Room

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View in Kitchen looking at sink & basement door

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View in Kitchen looking at Front Door

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And finally, here’s the view from my gorgeous flowers that my gorgeous friend Jamie brought over this weekend! It’s amazing how much more the house is feeling less like a construction site and more like a home!

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