A Charming Home

I recently found this home via pinterest which led to a new blog (at least to me) Trisha Troutz.  It is a very charming family home.  The fact that it hasn't been staged or decorated for a shelter magazine appeals to me more.  I adore the antiques and persians throughout mixed with the home's modern day to day finishes.

Charming, no?  And, original.  Love it!  Go check out Trisha's blog, she posts homes that she finds real estate stalking.  

Shingles: What Color?

First, thank you so much for your opinions on my roof vent quandary.  There were some good arguments!  So, in addition to the the roof vents, I also need to decide the color of our shingles.

We drove around town (again) to look at the various color options (our roofers gave a list of houses they've done in the past).  It was somewhat helpful; but, just like paint, the color looks so different when there is a lot of light vs. when there is shade.  It is hard to know until you see it directly on your own house.

So, I took the color swatches they had online and played around with them in Adobe Illustrator.  I realize it isn't a true representation (I still can't get the shingles to tilt in the software - very frustrating).   So here are the leading contenders:


Option #1: Oyster Gray

Option #2: Pewter Gray

Option #3: Fox Hollow Gray

Option #4: Charcoal

The charcoal is out - in my opinion, it is just too stark for our house.  Fox Hollow is the closest to our current shingle making it perhaps the safest bet.  However, pewter and oyster may be more versatile should we eventually paint the house a different color.

Fortunately, this will be over in a week and decisions will need to be made probably at the eleventh hour! :)

UPDATE:  To see the color we chose, go here.

Roof Vents: Decision Time.

I know ... this isn't the most exciting topics.  But this unglamorous topic is staring me in the face.  It's decision time and I'm torn.  See our house?

The middle window above the front door is the second floor kids bathroom; our master bath is on the backside of the house.  Since we are getting a new roof, we decided it would be a good time to put in bathroom vents to eliminate moisture.  Neither bath have vents (which is typical for older homes) and we think it is a smart move to make especially since we're re-doing the roof.  Note: having done our research, there is a small minority that say it's ok to vent to the attic (not outside).  But the vast majority of people say you should vent to the outside through the roof (or gables).  

The issue is this: if we put a vent in the second floor kids bathroom, the only place they can put a roof vent (that'll be effective) is on the front side of the roof.  

And, I'm worried it'll look ugly.  A lot of times it is form over function with me.  I hate to say it, but it is true.  But, the roofing guy assures me it won't be one of those ugly pipe vents that stick out like a sore thumb.  And, it'll be a flat square top vent that should be disguised, like this:  

Is this more than you wanted to know about roof vents?  Yeah, me too.  Anyway, I am still convinced it'll stick out like a sore thumb.  

So yesterday, my husband and I drove around our neighborhood to see if any houses have this flat roof vent on the front side of their roof.  And, we found one.  

Sorry, for the crooked picture, I took it while driving, but do you see the little vent above the top middle window?  That is it.  It is pretty small, no?  Is it really noticeable?  What do you think?

A Chic Brooklyn Heights Greek Revival!

  

I stumbled across this incredible Brooklyn Heights Greek Revival via CWB Architects.  This project entailed a complete structural and mechanical gut renovation of this four story, 3200 sq. ft. row house and extension.

The designer?  Jennifer Eisenstadt Design and Decoration, LLC.  Why have I not heard of her before?  Check out this incredibly chic home (I believe this might be her home.)

I am completely speechless....

Keep a look out for her use of modern and vintage light fixtures.  I believe this and the kitchen's fixture might be Lindsey Adelman's bubble light which I posted about here.  I am in love!

Pocket doors, brass fixtures, modern lighting, oh my!

For real? A leopard print runner!! Brilliantly done.

Black and white graphic wallpaper and mirrored furniture - I love it.  Do you notice the ruffle trim on the curtains?  Such a nice feminine detail.  And, the brass doorknobs?  I love the dark walls in the adjourning room.  I just wish I could see more of this bedroom.  

How chic!

The marble veining in the shower, the vanity's lucite legs, hexagonal floor and wall tiles and the brass hardware are all so wonderful!

I am so using balloon shades in our next house.  Remember this post?

So tastefully done.

Do you notice how glossy the trim is?

This is probably her office, no?  What an amazing space to work in!

And, just when you thought you were done with the surprises - she throws this into the mix!  Holy Cow!  She is incredible!  The mix of the chinoiserie wallpaper with the inlaid wooden chevron floor - crazy good!

I love the primary colors and the kilim rug!  

Oh my goodness!!  So amazing!

Okay, how incredible is this home?  I can tell you that I will be studying each and every one of these pictures for a long time.  I haven't felt this inspired in a while. 

Can some magazine publish her space so I can get all the sources, please??

Jennifer Eisenstadt is my new hero!

Giveaway Winner!

Happy long weekend, my friends!!!  The sun has been shining here in New England and it is such a treat.  I finished planting all my planters.  I spray painted the below terracotta planters glossy black to match our front door; I like how they turned out.

And, before I sign off for the long weekend, I wanted to thank you all for participating in the Olive Leaf Stencils giveaway.  The winner of this awesome giveaway is Elizabeth from The Mustard Ceiling! Congrats, Elizabeth....hope this makes your weekend!!

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Splash!

I'm loving this pool house that Jade O'Connor is designing for one of her clients!  If I ever had a pool, I would want a pool house just like this....yes, please! 

Our House: Before & After

Oh my - what a week!  My supposedly "part-time" job is more like a full-time job and has me super busy.   I am trying my hardest to balance it all so I bear with me as I try to gain some control.  Anyway, some of you asked how our tag sale went last weekend.  It went well, but I think it could've been better if it was in the summer.  I was excited to earn the extra cash to hopefully put towards one of these

but those dreams quickly vanished as I got pulled over the next day supposedly going 50 in a 40 mph work zone.  Oh, yeah, a big whopping $200 ticket!  Bye bye tag sale $$$!  Do these things only happen to me?  Well, onto some better news.  I finally have some before and after pictures to show you of our house.  Remember, I told you in this post we were finally getting our house painted and I was having a hard time selecting colors, but I finally found the perfect colors!  Well, it turned out better than I expected and I cannot believe what a difference paint can make.  Seriously.  See for yourself....

BEFORE

AFTER

It's a huge improvement.  I can't tell you how much I don't mind driving up to our house now!  It makes me happy.  As you can tell, my husband (and fellow neighbors) cut down the tree right in front of the house which makes a huge difference - it really opens it up.  Sorry, we still need to remove the stump.  Here is a before and after of our front door.  

BEFORE

AFTER

I love my new black door!  I took off the old storm door which I think makes a world of difference.  I am still not finished, I have a knocker I'd like to put on the front door, I'd like to change the numbers and sconces, but all in due time.   Well, happy weekend and happy halloween everyone!!  I've missed you guys this week - thanks for bearing with me!!!

Front Door Style

As we're in the midst of having our house painted (btw, it is looking great!), it has become blatantly obvious that our front door/stoop is in desperate need of a face lift.  So, I have front doors on the brain everything from color, door hardware, lighting, house numbers, door mats, planters and wrought iron railings.  My style?  Think classic with a twist!    Here is one before and after front door makeover that has me inspired.  

Before:

After:

via

This makeover is very classic which I like.  Knowing me, I'd add a little 'twist' in here and there (maybe some fire engine red peel off numbers for the door).  But, I do like a lot of things about this make over, mainly the over sized lanterns and the absence of the storm door.  

Here in New England, everyone has a storm door mainly because it's energy efficient (especially during the colder months).  Last weekend, with screwdriver in hand, I took off our storm door and I love it!  Now, I just need to convince my husband to keep it that way!