Hello Lighting

This was a HUGE week in terms of progress on the house.  These past 5 days a lot of the larger finishes went in.  As of today, all of the tile for the floors, showers and tubs are complete.  The lights have been installed both inside and out, and all of the electrical is finished.  When you walk into the space, it now feels like a home.  Crazy what finishes do!

 

Another post for another day on the tile and how we thought we made a HUGE mistake in the Master Bath AND how we ended up saving Major Mullah on the lighting selections!

 

Here are a few images of some of the fixtures.  My kitchen pendants are on back order, so cross your fingers they get here shortly!

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Recipe Cards for Grandma

They're Here - Countertops

Introducing my new infatuation - our countertops.

If I could touch them right now I would be kissing every inch of these bad boys. I am in love!

It took a while to get to this point, but to see them installed in all their glory, it's exactly what Ryan and I wanted.  I couldn't be happier with our choice.

 

The countertops are a granite stone called Golden Exotica.  If you do a search for this particular stone, you'll notice that they come up REALLY yellow.  9 out of 10 times if you ask for Golden Exotica, it's going to be a yellow granite.  However, if you recall our granite post HERE and HERE, you'll see that these were an exception.  When we saw them in the stone yard, we had to have them.  Thank goodness it all worked out!

 

All the countertops went in yesterday, including our master bath.  Here's a quick view of the countertops in there, which I am also extremely pleased with!  Now that the main construction is done, it's time to focus on all of the finishes.  Today the tile should be arriving!

 



A part of me was sad yesterday when I saw the countertops in the kitchen.  I love them so much and I was sad because that stone stays with the house.  I don't know how long I will live here, but if I could, I would so take these with me :)





#imhoffhome

 



Allegheney Tour #3

Before the paint goes in, I thought you all may like a quick tour of the progress!  This is one of the last tours we'll do until the finished product on move-in day!  Woo whoo!  I will most likely do a quick video clip during tile after the countertops are placed!

#imhoffhome

 





DIY Monogramed Headboards

In preparation of the new home, there were a few DIY projects that I have been meaning to get around to.  And when I say meaning to get around to, I mean YEARS of keeping inspiration on my computer screen in hopes of getting to them when I had some "spare time."  I think we all know how that ends up working out :) 

 

Now that it's crunch time, I REALLY wanted to give the kids a room that would instantly make them feel like it was theirs.  We have moved some many times the past few years, that I know how hard it is to adjust once more, and this time, I wanted it to feel like HOME!  Easier said than done right?  For me, if they came into the house with their rooms complete, then that would help make the adjustment that much easier.  One of the items on my to-do list was these EASY, and I do mean EASY, headboards.  The hardest part of this whole project is getting all the items together at the store.  I recently completed this project for $150.00 total for TWO, and each one took me less than 30 minutes to complete!

 

Here is the list of items that you NEED + TIPS: 

 

** do not forget your fabric. When I took this photo, my linens were at the embroidery shop getting the kids monograms placed.  I knew I wanted them to be personalized when I started this DIY Project.  The monograming cost $50 for both.

 

* Batting :: Go cheap on this if you can since you wont see this on the outside and it will help to keep the foam straight.

* Foam ::  Instead of purchasing at JoAnne's, I used a queen mattress topper from Target, which cost significantly less.



Make sure to measure your bed size and find the correct height and length for the plyboard. Mine was 39x42.  I also used a heavier piece of wood.  This is ONLY because I sent my husband out to purchase the wood at Lowes and he came back with this because it was "nicer" and "on sale."  I think next time I'll just go do it myself:) 

 

Lay your fabric flat on the ground, then place your batting, then the foam and then the wood.  Use the adhesive to your plyboard so the foam sticks to it.  I did this step, then cut the foam to the correct length.  Using your staple gun secure the bating to the wood.  ** This is great when you have a little aggression to get out :)  Do this step again to secure your fabric.  Make sure when your pulling and stapling that your fabric does not bunch up on the other side.

 



It's really as easy as that.  Each took me less than 30 minutes to complete.

I did not mention about how I will secure them, because mine will not be connected until we move.  BUT, when we do secure them, they will be drilled into our bedframe using 2x4's. I considered using the wall, but I like to move my furniture too much for that to work, Plus they are heavy [because of the wood] and I didn't want to ruin our new walls! [Plywood would not be as heavy].

 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to comment below!  Happy DIYing :)

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend

I hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine's Day Weekend!

Although this weekend wasn't as rushed, we did manage to fit in two basketball games and baseball practice, along with some yummy baking!

 

Hubs isn't one for Valentine's Day, but he did surprise me with flowers, a hand written letter and my favorite meal - crab legs!  I couldn't have asked for more.  I hope your Vday was just as special as ours.

xoxo

Funny How Things Work Out ...

Isn't if funny how things work out.  Early this week, we had a call from purchasing saying that the granite we chose, and please remember, we did not have hardly anything to "choose" from [see post here] was going to be an extra $2,000.  Ummm, no, I do not think I will be participating in that bill! Thank you very much.  So back to square one it was.

 

Remember that granite that we loved, but was already taken?  Well, guess what?  The lady who had purchased this stone, changed her mind the day it was to be cut and made another selection.  We were the first on the waiting list and BOOM, just like that it was ours.  I headed back up there today to make sure I was good with the selection, and just like the first time I saw it, I was convinced.

 

SO, goodbye Snow Ice, hello Golden Exotica.  Although Golden Exotica is usually a yellow granite, this particular block is almost white with black specs.  It really is beautiful.  Best news of all, there is no additional bill!  Finally some good news!

 



#imhoffhome

Selecting Stone for Allegheny

Selecting our granite for Allegheny wasn't exactly what I was expecting.  Since I, myself, have never gone through the process, I have been relying on others stories of finding the perfect stone.

I wasn't until I got the call on Saturday that they needed us to come "as quickly as possible." when it started to get REAL!  Woo Whooo, finally time to choose the granite for our kitchen and bathrooms!  [insert :: start researching granite and how to make the best choice possible!]

That was about the height of the excitement.  Once we arrived it was less exciting and more daunting.  And not daunting like "whoa there are so many choices to choose from," more like - this is it?!  I guess it's just upsetting that I have been trying to go to this slab yard - their words, not mine, for a few months now.  I wanted to get this part of the selection process done, and yet I was told to wait, they will contact you when they're ready.  And then the rush of it all. The call on Saturday stating that we have to get there immediately or your house wont be complete on time .... I mean seriously?!

When we arrived, we quickly learned that there were not as many options as we had thought. The granite they had chosen for us was exactly what we did NOT want, not to mention the large RUST stain all over the slab.  Which I have since learned some people appreciate since it's natural stone.   Needless to say, we had to move a different direction.  Everyone we liked, was either tagged for another customer or was not available.  I know this seems so silly, but to me this was a big deal, a lot of money and a disappointment. I wanted to arrive and find THE ONE that was screaming my name ... which I did, I just couldn't' have it.  Which to me - was worse!

I think the slab we finally agreed upon is still a good selection and yes, I am happy with it, but I am still a little "iffy.".  I probably will have nightmares until I see it installed, which I hear is just in a few short weeks.

Stone we Wanted ... 

Stone we Selected ...

 



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