Archives for January 2015

I am being framed…finally


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I went by this weekend and got some additional photos and took some measurements.  As the various spaces are being framed in, it gives me a better sense of the size of the rooms once the renovation is completed.

It’s not much to look at…but it’s progress.  The ugly way, way before the pretty.

I hope you find some inspiration.

xoxo

Cindy

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Not quite the count down to Round Top…yet

 

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I’m not quite ready to start the countdown clock for the Round Top Antiques Show; it’s too soon.  But I supposed there is no harm in posting pictures from my last trip there.

Round Top is a small (very small, population 93 on a normal day) town in the Hill Country of Texas.  A coveted place to live, acreage is quite pricey.  I am told by my sister that Governor Perry is building a home in Round Top.

In the spring, the fields along the highways and byways are saturated with the color from the wild flowers, the blue of the bluebonnet or the poppy color from indian paint.  Long Horn’s gracefully graze as if it’s summer and the architecture of the old farm houses remind you of the German influence that settled in much of the Hill Country.

Twice a year, this sleepy little town  completely transforms into an antique mecca.  Dealers from all over the world, with price points that range from reasonable to ridiculous attract over 3 million people.  My sister and I go and make a weekend of it.  We stay in Belleville which is about 20 minutes away.  All the more coveted B & B’s have legacy bookings, with the same people booking every show, so it’s difficult to get something closer to Round Top unless blind luck steps in.

Here are a few shots.  Trust me when I tell you it doesn’t even begin to capture the sheer volume one can expect to see at each show, in the spring and fall.

I’ll be posting some updates for the renovation next week.  We’ll have some major framing completed this week, so the pictures can show the progress.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

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My One Renovation Splurge…

Let’s face it.  My renovation is largely budget driven when you consider that 70% of the budget will be spent on things you can’t see like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.  So when it came to finishes, we had to keep things simple and economical so no high end splurges on anything.

One area, though, I absolutely insisted on a splurge are my kitchen appliances.  So much so, I am purchasing them myself and not running the cost through an already strapped budget.

I settled on the AGA suite of appliances: range, fridge and dishwasher.  My decision really centered around the range.  I had a list of must haves and for the most part, the AGA Legacy Series of ranges checked of every box on the list:

  • 5 burners
  • dual fuel
  • two ovens
  • vintage look/feel
  • the proper finish option

Regarding the finish, it was important to have a finish on the appliances that melted in with the aesthetic.   Since I am creating a great room that makes the kitchen, dining room and living room into one area, I really didn’t want to go the trendy stainless steel route. The high contrast that the stainless steel finish would create between the appliances, antiques pieces, kitchen cabinets and furniture would fight the harmony I am trying to create so I have chosen an antique white finish for all three pieces.

Fortunately, AGA was also having a year end special whereby if you purchase the stove and fridge, they tossed in the dishwasher for free.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

 

Cindy

Antique white finish, two ovens and five burners.

Antique white finish, two ovens and five burners.

Broiler.

Broiler.

Two ovens and a broiler; convection heat.

Two ovens and a broiler; convection heat.

French Doors and bottom freezer.

French Doors and bottom freezer.

Full size deli drawer and filtered water dispenser.

Full size deli drawer and filtered water dispenser.

Simple styling with integrated, hidden controls.

Simple styling with integrated, hidden controls.