Please excuse this intermission while we head on vacation.

I’ll be back soon.

And then there were four options for my kitchen island pendants….in no particular order…. ignore finishes that are pictured…

These four are available at widely varying price points….and I am trying not to let that affect my decision.  I fully expect that I could end up choosing one that is not shown above, but these are my favorites at the moment.

Like any of them?

A collection of images in my inspiration files……

photogrpahy by Michael Partenio

Susan Serra

Photography by Patrick Cline

Fiorella Design

photography by Ngoc Minh Ngo

Do you like the look?

Phew, glad last week is over.  I didn’t get over to the house too much…..I came down with bronchitis and Harry had a double ear infection so I was not able to take photos until Sunday.  First off, you remember the foyer at the beginning?  Well, here it is now….coming along.

The new stairway frame is mostly in.  We met with both the builders and the architect last week to discuss the aesthetics of the structure.  While it is structurally sound, there was concern that the step that jogs up to the right could look a bit puny….giving the perception of it being flimsy.  We went back and forth on options and have decided to almost create a little vestibule between the foyer and the family room.  So, there will be casing added under that step to match the opening to the family room beyond.  (To the left and under the stairs will be the relocated hot water heater and storage for the kids toys.  I cannot wait!)

Here is the view from the family room looking towards the front door.  The kitchen is to the right and the actual living space of the family room to the left.  The amount of light this change has added to the foyer is amazing (when I was taking photos most of the electric was off in the house……to give you an idea.)

Here is a view of the kitchen looking towards the front of the house on the day before demo started.  Behind those doors was a little bar.  To the left through the door was the foyer, to the right is the dining room and a pantry door.

And here is the same view now…..no more bar….the opening to the dining room has been expanded to mirror another opening in the room.  Powder room is at the end of the hall……no more walking through dining room or out into the foyer to get to powder room.

There will be cabinetry all down the left side of this hall….some full height for storing book-bags, shoes, etc. in lieu of a mud room.  The other 1/2 will have uppers and lowers, a wine fridge and countertops for entertaining, etc.

Here is a “before” view of the kitchen looking into the family room.  This photo is from the MLS photos before we purchased the home.

And here is the view now with the wall separating the two rooms widened.  It makes such a difference!  (The hallway to the foyer is just to the right beyond the new opening).

Speaking of opening things up….below is the “before” of the family room looking towards the living room (on the right).  Previously, there were two pocket doors between the living room and family room.  You can see above that the opening between the two rooms is now larger and more centrally located.

Below is a view of that wider opening and how it impacts the living room.  The first photo is the before.

And here is the view into the living room today.  Also note that we deleted the built-ins.  We will also be sprucing up the fireplace by removing the dated glass doors and adding gas logs.

Finally, here is the kitchen before the demo.

And here it is now.  All of the electrical is being re-done, the fireplace surround completely changing, french doors being added out to our driveway, new island will run more horizontal in the space, and a new pantry will be added.  We will also be painiting the cabinets on the perimeter white…..and the island cabinetry grey.

At the moment all of the trades are in the house (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, etc.) updating, re-working, moving things, etc.  Progress in terms of visual stuff to share is slower.  We are busy on things like choosing fixtures, hardware, colors, etc.   We are actually headed out on a much needed vacation later this week but I am sure there will be plenty to share when we get back.

A year ago today you entered the world and completed our little family.  I didn’t know what I would do with a boy…..and now I cannot imagine life without you.

From your sweet smile and belly laughs to your budding sense of humor, you make me smile and warm my heart.

I love you my sweet little Harry!

xoxoxo – Mommy

Phew, where did Monday go and now it is already Tuesday (but feels like it should be Friday)?  We had a super busy weekend with two birthday parties and a lovely dinner at some friends’ home.  But, my husband headed off to a conference on Sunday night and three fights of stairs here with two little ones and flying solo….geez…I am tired!  You should have seen me at the birthday party yesterday afternoon….Harry was a maniac crawling all over the place and he clearly isn’t a first child b/c I didn’t have any hand sanatizer on me…..and you know what, he is still here today!  And Maddie is still alive after a dinner feast of cheetos and cake!

In any case, did I ever update you on my stone saga?  (See here, here and here).  Here is a quick peak at the stone we selected.  I found one that I almost went with…..but then we went back to this which I’d seen first (and discussed in one of the links above) and immediately knew….this is mine.

Bianco Macabus Quartzite

Bianco Macabus Quartzite

I am really in love with this stone.  The other option has a lot less of the veining but was more on the warm side….where I am looking for cool greys in our kitchen.  Plus, I was able to see some photos of slabs standing up like this vs. cut and down on countertops to help make my decision easier.  Honestly, I haven’t looked back since making that decision which is a good sign since I have to live with it for years to come.

Now my next decision is whether or not to use this on the back-splash or do something different.  We have enough from the slabs we bought…so I guess I have some time.

I know where I am leaning.

What look do you prefer?