Rendering Vs. Reality

I can't believe how realistic the rendering was. Whatever software was used is fabulous!! I like the real thing better though :-)

The {Empty} Basement Reveal!!

The basement renovation finished up on Friday!!  We love the results!!  It looks just beautiful and we can't wait to start using the space.  It will take a little while to furnish, but at least we have a couch on order and an entertainment credenza purchased.  I'm most excited about the mudroom area.  It makes so much more sense for us to take coats and shoes off downstairs after coming in from the garage instead of walking all the way upstairs and into our foyer.

Here are some before and afters:

Basement Paint Selection

Floors were laid down yesterday!!  We are really happy with our floor and tile choices. 

And, after much deliberation, we have chosen Shaker Beige by Benjamin Moore for the walls.

Shaker Beige in action

via

via

Basement Flooring

Final decisions were made on our flooring last week.  We've decided to go a little lighter with the vinyl flooring and have chosen the lighter stained option below (the one on the bottom was our original choice).  We were just worried our original choice would be too dark for the space. 

We also choose a 12"x24" slate-like porcelain tile for the mudroom area. 

When the tiling is complete, it will look similar to the room below.  As much as I loved the herringbone pattern mentioned in my previously post, we thought it would look a little strange up against the vinyl/wood since the width of the tile would have been the same as the vinyl. 

via

Basement Clean Out

I love me some before and after photos!!  This was how we spent the weekend...well, Chris mostly.  The basement has already been transformed and most of the framing was completed today.  Yay!!

 

 

Garage holding what we have left....we can still fit one car since all of the junk on the left has been trashed.

 

Updated Basement Plans

Updated plans for the mudroom bench and storage under the stairs.  Can't wait to see how all of this turns out!!  Work begins on Monday, but our works begins this weekend when we have to clean out the basement...no fun.

Basement Color Palette

As much as I'm drawn to grays and golds these days (dining room, kitchen...and hopefully re-painting the living room and front entry soon), I would like to do something a little bit different in the basement.  I'd like a warm space but not too dark since there are only 2 tiny windows that will be exposed.  We will have lots of canned lights to brighten up the space, in addition to some ambient light so hopefully it doesn't feel like a cavern.

This room caught my eye and I really like the beige and blue combination.  Perhaps with white accent furniture instead of darker wood-tones.  My goal will to try to prevent it from looking too beach-y/nautical. 

Potential color palette:  Benjamin Moore Bleeker Beige, Hudson Bay and Simply White

This is the flooring we have chosen for the living area. It's actually a vinyl floor that looks like wood, great for basements and can take a lot of wear and tear.  We still need to go search for mudroom tile.  

Preparing to Finish the Basement

We are so excited that our wish to finish the basement is going to come true!!  Ever since Daphne was born and we lost our guest room, the need to finish the basement has gotten greater. It will be so nice to have extra living space, a place for guests to sleep and a mudroom....oh how I have dreamed of a mudroom.  Construction is set to begin on March 10th.  Of course, we aren't looking forward to cleaning out the basement, although I can't wait to purge and organize!! 

We received some preliminary plans from our contractor (the son of the builder who built our house) and it's exciting to "see" how the space will look once it's completed.  We will definitely be making some changes to this design, but for the most part it is a good representation.  The space isn't huge (since our garage takes up half the basement) but allows for a nice comfortable mudroom/family room.  We will most likely use the smaller back room as a storage area for now.   

Some elements I'd like to see in the space are slate like flooring in the mudroom, a functional mudroom bench and built-in storage under the stairs.  I can't wait!!  

Slate Flooring in Herringbone Pattern

Mudroom Bench with Hook and Shoe Storage

1, 2, 3, 4

 Under Stairs Storage

1 & 2, 3, 4

Have I mentioned I'm excited? 

Nursery Comparison

Daphne's Nursery

Some pictures of Daphne's nursery.  Many elements remain the same from Evelina's nursery;  the white hanging lanterns, the blue walls, most of the furniture.  Even so, it feels like a different room to me.  I love the purple and orange with the blue.  Of course, there is also the fabulous quilt made by Mimi. 

Daphne's favorite element of the room is the elephant mobile.  She loves chilling on the changing table looking up at the floating elephants. 

Evelina's favorite element of the room is the toy helicopter and books.  She frequently likes to choose which books I read to "baby Daph"and I can often find the helicopter taken apart all over the rug. 

Siby's Nursery Idea Board

In keeping with the spirit of my type A personality, I've started an idea board for Siby's nursery to keep me organized.  Here are some things that will be incorporated into her nursery:  

Click image to see larger

• Robin's Nest will remain as the wall color, with orange, lime/chartreuse green, purple and brown accents.   
• The crib, dresser and bookcase that is currently in Evelina's nursery will remain.  
• We will be purchasing a new chair in brown, which will be a glider/rocker/recliner combination.  A recliner is a MUST.  Gosh, I wish we had one now in Evelina's room, then maybe I could sleep in it during the really rough nights.  
• The crib skirt will be orange chevron and this time around we will use just a white sheet and a white breathable bumper, no need to waste money on a decorative pillow-y bumper that has to be removed at some point anyway for safety purposes, we only used Evelina's for about 5 months. I also plan to have changing pad covers made in orange chevron and the green lattice fabric. 
• We will be hanging an abacus over the dresser.  I've seen this in a number of nurseries and just love the idea.  
• The ABC print is being matted in purple and the other print in orange to tie into the color scheme.  
• During my first trimester, I was obsessed with "The Hunger Games" trilogy.  Man, was it addicting.  Even though I was exhausted because of the pregnancy, I would stay up all hours just reading.  Throughout the books, the dandelion was mentioned and represented a symbol of hope for the main character.  On one of my many visits to Etsy, I came across a pretty dandelion art print in orange and thought it would be perfect for the room.  I also love the wall decal as well. 
• I still need to find curtains, a rug, a mobile for over the changing table, a fun pillow for the chair and other accessories for the room, but so far, I think everything is coming along nicely...in my head.  We haven't moved Evelina into her "big girl room" yet, so we can't start putting the nursery together until then.  Can't wait!!   

PS: The letter 'D' does not have any significance, I just would like to add the first initial of Siby's first name to the room.  We are still working a list of name choices that we both like. 

Siby's Nursery Inspiration

The network at my office has been experiencing some issues over the past few days.  I have so much work to do, but without the means to do it I've been "forced" to spend some more time planning Siby's nursery. ;-) I love envisioning how it will look and researching elements for the room.  I don't think our bank account or my beloved hubby appreciate the network issues, though.  Oh well, 'tis life.  

The nursery will remain in its current location and Evelina will be moving into the guest room, her "big girl room"...more on that another day.  The nursery will remain the Robin's Nest color that it is now, but I've decided on a different color scheme to differentiate it from Evelina's current room. After searching around the inter-webs and Pinterest (my fave!!), I've decided that it would be fun to add touches of orange, lime/chartreuse green, brown and purple to the room.  Much different than Evelina's yellow and pink with owls combination.  Here a a few inspiration rooms:  

Love this color scheme, although we won't be using gray.  The green lattice fabric is a must.  LOVE.  I'm also really drawn toward chevron, I wish I could sew so I could make my own curtains. 

Via Pinterst

I really like the tree behind the crib idea.  Brown looks great with the blue walls as well. 

Via Pinterest

Even though this is a boys room, I really love how the lime green and orange look with the wall color.  This is the same paint color that is in our nursery now.  I heart the orange chair, but we don't want to get something custom upholstered this time around and all of the orange chairs I've found are super pricey. 

Via Pinterest

Playroom :: Almost Complete

We've made some great progress on Evelina's playroom over the past few months.  It's been slow going but it is really coming together nicely.  I love the space and Evelina seems to enjoy it as well.  She loves coloring at the table, reading books on the bean bag and investigating all of the storage baskets trying to decide what the toy of the moment will be.  We do still play in the family room and the area between the kitchen and family room as well since it is nice for a change of scenery. 

Without further ado, here are some photos of the {almost completed} playroom:  

What remains on the to-do list:

• Hang wire to display Evelina's future art projects - I think I've decided to put this on hold. I have some other ideas for displaying her art work in other parts of the house. 
• Paint A and Z bookends so they pop a little - I'm thinking red or even lime green to stay within the color palette. 
• Purchase and hang mirror for future dress-up activities
• Bunting for the ceiling - a good winter project (get ready Mimi!!) 

Click HERE for source list.