Getting Settled: Decorating

We now have a beautiful driveway! Parking in the garage is the best thing ever!

We have talked about getting a golf cart for months, but never thought it would actually happen.  Don’s uncle had one that was in great shape it just needed some batteries. We got her running, and I don’t know how we ever made it without one.  It’s nearly a necessity around here.

Blinds are all installed!

We had our final light fixture installed this morning and it is AMAZING!  Since the wine barrel was on back order for some time, I had the chance to pick out something different.  It is wonderful how things worked out, because this fixture turned out perfect!

Curtains….:) This is not my expertise!  I wanted something very simple and classic with a touch of rustic flare.  I love the cast-iron rods with rings and the crisp white.  They are beautiful in the dining room. We will be putting up the same curtains up in the living room.

We finally put the curtains up in our bedroom!  They look so elegant and sophisticated.  The perfect compliment to the taupe accents in the pillows.  Being that we are in the South, it’s pretty much a given to have something monogrammed!  I LOVE our pretty little accent pillow! It totally completes the bedding!

I love personal touches throughout the house that have meaning.  This is a sketch drawn early on in our house plan journey by Don’s dad, Mr. Otis.  It is so special to us that he took several months to create our home with us from the very beginning.

I finally got the last missing piece of furniture this week.  Mom and I found this iron headboard at Pier 1 for the guest bedroom.  Stay tuned for the finished product.  Hopefully I can talk the hubby into putting it up this afternoon!

I’ve been eyeing this rug at Joss and Main for months.  I knew I wanted it somewhere in the house, but I just couldn’t decide where.  It’s also a lot harder than I thought to find the measurements you need for your space.  I’m putting this pretty thing in our hall off of the garage!

I literally have the sweetest friend in the whole wide world.  She is so thoughtful and constantly doing for others. Knowing my love for Joanna Gaines, Jackie contacted her store Magnolia Market about this beautiful cake plate and also explained to them how much she inspires me.  I will cherish this charming piece forever!

I had the best time making these easy sugar cookies! My husband and I share a love for sweets, so I am always baking or snacking on some sugary treat.  These would make the perfect cookies to whip up and let the kids decorate!

Construction Week 22

Finishing touches are starting to take place in these final weeks.  Some days are full of more exciting changes than others.  Each job is equally important to make our house come together.  We are only a few weeks away from being finished (fingers crossed) and we couldn’t be more excited.  Don and I are so thankful to all of the people who have helped us make this dream a reality.  It truly has turned out more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.  I have to thank my Mother-in-Law & Father-in-Law for welcoming us in their home for these past few months.  I know it couldn’t have been easy completely changing up your daily lives for us, but we have really enjoyed our time together under one roof!  I couldn’t have made it without your love and support going through this process.   You’ve been there to share the excitement, and provided me with comfort through the times of overwhelming stress.   We will forever be grateful for all that you’ve done for us.  We love you with all of our hearts and look forward to being just down the drive from our parents!

With the help of our family, my sweet husband worked all memorial weekend putting in an irrigation system and laying sod.  I didn’t realize just how much it would complete the house!  The yard is looking so nice, and I can’t thank the guys enough for all of their hard work!

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Light fixtures are going in and they are absolutely fabulous!  All of the planning and time browsing through hundreds of lights has totally paid off!  I couldn’t love them more! I can’t wait to see the rest!

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The guys from Gene’s Flooring started on the tile shower Wednesday and it looks amazing!!!

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Until Next Time!

Halfway Finished

The columns are looking great!  It is amazing how the little things really complete the house!  

Love the back porch! I’m ready to go ahead and put some furniture out there so we can enjoy this Spring weather!  

The door stain took a full team to nail down.  My best friend Lindsey had the Sherwin-Williams rep drive by our inspiration house in Daphne to see what stain they used on their front door.  He even knocked on the door to ask the owner and the sweet wife said she would have her husband call him with the details! After four of us trying to match the stain, he called to let us know it was Special Walnut! The great thing about living in the South is most people are always so hospitable and eager to help!  Problem solved and I can sleep better at night knowing the door will be a perfect match!  

 

Shingles are going up this week.  Driftwood has a great mix of green, brown, and gray.  

We are currently trying to decide our Stacked Stone for the fireplace.  We have narrowed it down to these two stones.

Pinehurst

Mossy-Creek

Ready for some brick & mortar!

The Foyer

Dining Room

Vent Pipe for the Range Hood

 

The Breakfast Nook

The Kitchen

The Back Doors

 

The Fireplace is installed!

I have to give a special thanks to Sorina with A & W Lighting in Mobile.  She has been so patient and a huge help with picking out our fixtures.  I can’t wait to see them all come together!

Guest Bedrooms

Guest Bathroom 1

Guest Bathroom 2

Master Bedroom 

Master Bathroom 

Master Bathroom

Front Porch & Garage 

Front Porch

Breakfast Nook

Kitchen Island

Foyer

Dining Room

 

My husband was determined to move the red dirt around the house before they started on the brick. Any excuse for him to get on a tractor! It really is important to keep any red dirt away and keep pine straw around to protect the brick from being stained.  

Brick & Shingles are starting today! I am beyond excited to see!

Let There Be Light

Lighting Fixtures….Wow!

This was one thing I thought would be a breeze, but boy I was so wrong!  There is so much more than just picking out “cute” lights.  You actually have to pay a little attention to the amount of light they give off.  That is the main purpose for them, although I’m more into how pretty they are.  You also have to pay close attention to the size.  The rule of thumb to figure out the size light fixture you need is to add the length and width of your room and convert to inches.  For example, if your room is 12 feet by 12 feet your light should be somewhere around 22 inches in diameter.  Pretty neat!  I met with A & W Lighting in Mobile to decide on fixtures throughout the house, and I will be meeting with them again on Tuesday.  This process has been super overwhelming to say the least.  It’s hard to not get caught up in the super trendy lights and try to remember these will be around for quite a while.  I am incorporating a little of the rustic style Don and I both love.  I will also be getting a few lights from my all time favorite store Pottery Barn! I can’t wait to see it all come together.  Here is a look at some possibilities so far!

Foyer Options

 

Dining

Kitchen Island Pendants

Breakfast

Bedroom

Master Bathroom

 

PUTTING DOWN ROOTS….

The weather was absolutely beautiful today, so Don and I decided to go to our local nursery and pick up a few fruit trees to plant.  We planted a Scarlet Beauty Plum, Methley Plum, Satsuma, Kumquat and a Morning Glow Camellia.  I can’t wait to see them grow over the years!

 

These are how Morning Glow Camellias look when they bloom! LOVE!