Whelp. It’s been a while. I know y’all were all waiting with bated breath to see what on earth happened to our plans for this back addition {or not. I’ll go with not.} which has evolved so much that at this point, is no longer an all seasons room.
But if you were wondering, let’s have a quick little review before diving in, shall we?
You can see the intro to it all, here where we shared our initial plans. And our joyful announcement that we’re ready to begin, here. – wheeee permits! Then our last post on the entire dealio {yes, I just wrote dealio, no I won’t reel it in} was somewhere at the tail end of August.
{See all of our progress in our own house rehab/evolution a-la the money pit, in this little section, here}
Then we were swallowed up into the black hole that is fall, and never heard from on this topic, again.
So that was a while back, we know. And honestly, a little out of character for us. You must be thinking we be super slow. Or maybe you forgot about it or never knew about it in the first place {because we aren’t so self-important as to think anyone knows what’s going on in our little corner of the www, thus the links above}. The gist of the matter is, that we feel like we waited for a while to get started, and then we came to a halting stop.
Why?
Because we looked at each other, absolutely exhausted with the start of school this fall, and realized we’d {kinda naively} signed on for another big project at our own house, in the middle of quite a few big client projects. If you haven’t noticed yet, we like to bite off big projects at a time. It’s like this fun pastime for us ::insert sarcasm here::.
But two years ago, at this very time, we were absolutely scattered to finally get into our home.
And then last year at this time, we took on an outside rehab and had the basement finished, all in between fall and Christmas.
While those have been fantastic and we are oh so grateful, we did not want to repeat the history of the last two years, all over again.
We wanted to enjoy fall.
So with the demo complete {bubye 1976} and foundation finished and ready to go, it was then that we said, what if we actually DID enjoy fall? What if we concentrated on our family and business, and then maybe even took a vacation for the first time in 2.5 years, instead?
Crazy talk, AMIRITE?!
And then when we feel up to it, get started again.
And so we did. We’ve actually been enjoying fall with lunches at school with the kids, and Halloween parties and family game nights and a vacay. I guess we feel like time is flying and our kids are growing way too fast, so we just wanted to take a breather with our own home because it wasn’t exactly imposing on our lifestyle to have it finished ASAP.
Though we’re not quite there yet with the whole getting started again thing, I did decide to sit down this weekend and really think about what we really want from the space.
The big delay has given us time to carefully consider the new addition, and what we’re using it for. To make sure it’s everything we want in working hard for us all in the meantime. And I’m thrilled to be back today to talk a little about the inside plans.
Our outside will, in the end, look similar to this.
And the inside, will have a layout like this:
We knocked down the four rooms on our main level and made it one in our great room. This means we don’t really have a “traditional” dining room. When we first found this house, we basically purchased it for the yard and school with full intentions for all the construction phases. This is phase 4, and in this we hope to create an addition that allows for entertainment and a bit more dining space.
We’re slowly but surely falling in love with our lives here. So while we have plans for a future master addition, for now, we want to concentrate our efforts on all things entertaining and community.
I’m a big homebody. The older I get, the more accepting I am of that. I used to let people make me feel bad about that, when they didn’t understand why I wasn’t too keene to travel or sign up for a concert. Both Jamin and I, and our kids {maybe we’ve brainwashed them?} really enjoy down time at home. It’s essential for our being. But nothing makes us happier than friends and building lasting relationships by entertaining in our home. So this allows a little more space for the revolving door that is our home {especially during pool season!}.
One side will serve as our dining area, and another as a sitting/entertainment area. For anyone wondering ::cue the crickets:: We plan to have a small deck outside, later for outside shenanigans as well. But for now, we’re focusing on the inside addition. So while nothing is written in concrete yet on the design side, it has given me a chance to sit back and think about what we really want from the space as we build.
I put together a little inspiration board to help with all things visualization, and what we plan to use.
Out of order per usual:
The building elements –
14. Paint colors
Just like the great room, the ceiling will have beams going down the middle and off the sides, in a pretty grey stain with planked ceilings. We want to incorporate our existing inside colors {SW Pure White/Nebulous White/Diverse Beige} with some more of our fave hues in touches: Benjamin Moore’s Waterbury Green + Swept Away. {Stay tuned for a fun plan on the A-frame ceiling! Read: I haven’t quite made up my mind.}
12. Windows + Doors + Siding
Will match the rest of our house with the fabulous Window World. They’ve done such an incredible job on the rest of our home, we can’t wait to incorporate it into the addition. Think french doors and the same awesome windows we’ve used everywhere else. So excited to have such a light and bright room! It will also work hard as a painting studio for me, {another use for the space} which I plan to get more into with a new room to work in without having to spread out in the middle of our kitchen.
Which leads me to…
3. 9. + 12. Lighting
• These pendants in a set of three {from Kichler} around the seating area, but I have some serious measuring to do to make sure these are the right fit. ;}
• I can’t wait to incorporate these sconces {Kichler does it again!} around the room for some great night lighting. The same affect of cafe lights but with a touch of simple sophistication.
• I have a vintage light I wouldn’t mind rehabbing, but I’m also totally in love with this fabulous chandelier a-la Kichler for over the dining table. The more I see it, the more smitten I am for something a little funky like this light.
8. Tile
Remember the tile from our basement that we’re absolutely obsessed with? We love it so much, we’re using it again on the back porch.
We also plan to install some fabulous Jeffrey Court tile in combo with brick around a fireplace – likened to the one in our great room. This one will lack a hearth so I can move furniture around as needed to conserve space, but still make a beautiful statement on the wall.
I have some fun art planned for this area in a new oil painting to cover the TV when not in use. Because art. ;}
Oh, and {hopefully} a tin roof off the back {kind of like our small side entry} for the perfect rainy day reading. We can’t wait.
Furnishings –
5.+ 1. + 4. We’re going for super comfy here, so these are some quick images I’ve grabbed up either from current clients or things I just liked in terms of general style. But we do plan to build a swinging bed since I’ve absolutely always wanted one, and can’t wait to add mega comfort to the space. This will be the perfect room for that. We still have Aiden’s twin mattress from before his big room redo, so we’re drawing up the plans now and can’t wait to get started! Those mattresses are OH SO comfy.
2. Obsessed with this coffee table from here – {though I think this is just the top}.
11. Obviously we haven’t committed to furniture just yet, but we love the idea of these pieces, combined with of rehabbing some we already own {yes, they’ve been sitting in storage, waiting to be used because I would not part with them, and it’s a win for the hoarder in me because I found a use for the ones I held on to} – see our armoire. This was one of our very first purchases as a married couple and I was oh so proud, so for sentimental and functional reasons, this piece will receive a makeover {damaged in the move} to hold all things towels and extra dishes.
13. We also have a dining table I plan to refinish and use, to pair with and handmade banquette {we will utilize this for more storage} + cushions like these. Three of these are close to the length we need, and seamstress I am not. Since we can plan ahead of time, we will be building said bench close to these cushion sizes, and since it wasn’t a huge investment, kids with ketchup won’t be a deal breaker in the end. I also love outdoor dining chairs that should clean up easily
10. Of course, we do plan to add one of a kind elements like this awesome pool boy bell – I already scooped one up for our pool house project {coming your way oh so soon!} And we have an old swordfish Jamin has had since college, that we thought would be awesome to use, too. I promise it will look good.
6. Simple window coverings from select blinds are right up our alley with afternoon sunsets and family football games on the TV to block out the setting sun and light.
7. Pillows + Rug –
I scooped up a fabulous rug at the local flea market, which definitely has an indoor outdoor vibe, along with lots of color. {Photo in the circle with bright colors.}
Pillows and fabrics to pull in some color and tie in a fun vibe from here: 1/2/3/4/
Please note: items unlisted are to the trade only and I am not able to link them on our site since their websites are password protected.
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So this is our start on all things inside. As always, the plans may change with specifics, but it’s definitely the aesthetic / direction we’re headed, and I’m happy to have some meat on the bones of all things planning. Even if we’re slowly but surely dipping our toes back in the proverbial addition-at-our-house-craziness-pool.
Have you planned an addition to your house that kind of works like this?
Have you ever been ready to move on with a renovation and decided to take a breather, instead?
We’d love to hear any things that you’re glad you did, or you regret not doing. Stay tuned because it should get fun pretty soon over here.
Have an inspired day!
Diane@InMyOwnStyle says
The addition is going to look amazing when it is done. You are smart to take a step back and enjoy life. Soon enough the holidays will be over and you can get back at it. I smiled when I read about being a homebody and enjoying time spent at home without feeling the need to go out all the time. I am your kindred spirit – love everything about home, especially the cozy comforts of Nov and Dec at home. ENJOY your downtime.
ashley @ the handmade home says
I love fellow homebodies! And yes, you are so right! I need time to recharge at home. It’s so important! Hugs to you sweet friend
Alexis says
You guys, this looks so amazing! I can’t wait to see what you do with the space! You always have the best ideas.
Jenna says
Oh my gosh I totally get it. It’s so nice to wait and be patient and do what really matters to you and I love that you guys do stuff that’s important to your family. I have been a homebody all my life and caught flack for it for years. I don’t know why people don’t understand that I just want to stay home! You do your concerts and I’ll do my snuggly bed with a nice book. 😂