Landscape is moving along

Our landscaping project is moving along. The workers are working their tails off in the 100*+ weather. I don't see how they do it. We are so ready for everything to be complete. As you can see from the pictures, the yard still looks pretty bad, since it is just a big pile of dirt!

Above are some pictures of the mister system in action, the slate pattern used on the patio (didn't they do an amazing job?!), and the BBQ area that has been framed. The mister system is amazing and cools the patio off by about 20*, a huge difference in AZ summers!

Front Entry

Our front entry is set up! We found this great painting by Kurt's uncle. I think I'm going to have it reframed.

Oliver's Room

There was no place else for our best art, so Ollie got it! It looks great in his room. I'm looking for something with some age to put over the two beds. I'd love to find old really big letters and spell out Oliver on the entire wall. The ceilings are really tall, so we need something on the walls that will take up space.

Fountain Selection Day

I need some opinions. I went to a place that sells lots of Cantera stone to choose a fountain for our entry courtyard. I planned on going with a traditional 2-tier fountain with a 6-foot round basin. But the Kentucky part of me fell in love with these horses! They are planning to put them on top of a fountain over a large bowl (similar to the assembled fountain shown). Kurt is scared . . . so of course now I am having doubts. Please help!!

Kitchen Table

I just placed the order for my kitchen table. The top of mine will be oval with a dark wood color and slightly rustic. I love the metal base combined with the wood!! Thank God for my designer friend who is giving me a nice discount:-) Now I just have to decide on the chairs. White slip-covered would be lovely . . . but alas, I have a toddler!

Cedarworks playset is ordered!

Here is the final design of the indoor playset that we designed! It will be such a great thing to have when we are stuck inside during the hot Arizona summers. Can't wait to have lots of playdates!

Landscape

If we don't have an dog or child escape the house, I'll feel like a complete success. With all of the workers in and out, both dogs have managed to get out already. Fortunately we found them quickly.

Landscaping demo begins next week. We are building a gated courtyard in the front. We're tearing up the saltillo tile and replacing it with slate, adding a 3-tier cantera stone fountain, and doing some planting.

In the back, we're ripping out the strange center planter and the walkways that lead to it. We're replacing it with sod so that we have a nice grassy play yard. We're adding a dog run on the side, so that the dogs have a coyote-free zone to potty that will keep them away from the escape gate!

I really wish I could include the blueprints for the design. It's going to be amazing! Instead, you'll have to settle for a before picture. This picture was taken from the doors off the master bedroom. On the left is the kids wing, and the separate structure is our tiny little guest house.

Lighting

I can't wait to switch out the lighting in this house! Above are pictures of the existing lighting (hall sconces, breakfast nook lighting, and kitchen island light). The pictures were taken with the previous owners' furniture in the house.

Below are pictures of the lights on order! The chandelier will go over the breakfast nook. The giant pendant will go over the island, with an identical one at the entry foyer. I'm using the same hall sconces I used in our old house. I loved them too much!

Playroom

The room I am most excited to do in the house is the playroom! I am going to do an indoor playset for my little climber. I want it to be spacious, fun, and modern.

Here's the empty space. I'm not crazy about the built-in niche. One day, I hope to do some custom cabinetry on the tv wall, since a playroom definitely needs some storage. Please ignore the bad entry light. It's gonna go bye-bye.

Also, some pix of a sample playset from Cedarworks and the Verner Panton Junior chairs that I am ordering today!!

The Paint is Dry and the Workers are Gone

Finally! After living with workers in my house for 3 weeks, they are gone . . . well . . . at least for a few days anyway. The paint is on the walls. But most importantly, the giant comfortable sofa has arrived, and it's starting to feel like a home. I even met some new neighbors yesterday.

I'm sharing some before pictures of the house. These were taken when the previous owners were still living here (explanation for the kinda ugg furniture). If you saw my previous house, you know that this is not totally my style. Let the exciting challenge of transforming this place begin!

Photos in order: Family room; Dining room (removing the chandelier happened within the first five minutes of ownership); the playroom (they used it as a billiards room); wide hall in kids wing; random room that will be my little office (think pink and girlie); master bath; pool (fence was installed ASAP for child safety), the back of the lot . . . what the heck are we going to do with an acre?!