the perfect shade of blue.

  My grandmother loved cobalt blue glass.  I'm not sure where she acquired it from, but it was always displayed in her guest bathroom.  As a child, I remember being mesmerized by this glass because (obviously) I was only allowed to look... not touch.  I thought it was the the most fancy glass I had ever seen, with such a beautiful color.

When my grandmother passed, that was the only thing I knew wanted from her house.  My grandfather, eight years later, is now ready to start letting go of a few in their home.  I was practically giddy when he remembered how much I loved the blue glass.  He asked my parents to pack it up and bring it to me the next time they visited.   

Once I had an opportunity to unpack the glass (and give it a good wash), I set up the blue glass in my own bathroom.  It only seems fitting that it belongs there.  I had the perfect empty shelf that needed this blue glass.   Years later, I am still mesmerized by the beauty and the memories this glass collection holds.  

The perfect shelf:

And they are so perfect to photograph.

A fancy glass shoe.  It "says" my grandmother so perfectly.

The only damaged piece is a vase with  a small crack. The glass is so thin, it makes me wonder how old it could be. 

Aren't the lines on this vase just perfect?

This little vase might be my favorite.  It has such personality.

My grandmother loved glass baskets.  She had many though her house.  I'm so glad there was one in cobalt blue.  

Another shot of the sassy glass shoe. 

Since this collection is living in my bathroom... I thought I would give a few of them bathroom "duties". Enter q-tips and cotton balls.  

This photo is from the husband's vantage point when he's standing in front of his sink.  Not too shabby. 

(and yes, we plan on eventually hanging something on that huge, blank wall.  eventually.  I guess I was subconsciously waiting for the cobalt blue to inspire me.)

I plan on adding to this cobalt collection.  I will be keeping my eyes peeled for estate sales and antique shops that have this beautiful shade of blue.  

If I'm lucky, when I'm long gone, someone will remember the fancy glass in my bathroom... and it will hold equally wonderful memories.  I can only hope.  

Master Bathroom. Update!

Finally, Finally, FINALLY I can post about how my handy husband put up our master bathroom mirrors.  During the construction process I made a point to tell them not to install the large "wall to wall" mirrors that are common in bathrooms.  I think separate mirrors seem much more custom and give a bathroom a lot more character.

I purchased a mirror right after we moved in to test out size, color, style.  I started with Martha Stewart's Saranac.  We found it at Home Depot for under $50.  Check it out, here.  Immediately, I knew it was a good fit for the bathroom - but handy husband was pretty overwhelmed with all of this projects (and cash draining from his wallet...) so I waited before buying the second one.

For the last two months we've shared that mirror, propped up on the counter.  It's been okay - but it looks pretty, um, unfinished.  So last weekend I went ahead and purchased the second mirror we needed for the master.  Handy Hubby did such a great job in the guest bedroom - I had no reservations he could do this one... it was just if I could convince him to do it.  Handy Hubby HATES being handy these days.  

Sunday was the day.  He got to play soccer, we went to the lake, I made his favorite dinner, and I finally talked him into hanging mirrors!  And I have to say... it looks even better than I imagined.  So much better than the wall-o-mirros the builder uses!

before...

....after!

detail in the mirror

These hooks are awesome.  I use them to hang just about anything around the house!

Crazy hair day.  

Shopping Mania.

Saturday was crazy.

The shopping extravaganza was even more than this pro could handle.  I was completely wiped out when we got home.  Thankfully, Dominos delivered pizza for nourishment, so I could daze off into space for the rest of the night as my brain (and feet) recovered.

Good news:

I think we narrowed the refrigerator choices down to one (or two... cause there is a Samsung that I keep looking at too...).

I think we found great mirrors for the master bath.

I think we a good options for the guest bath mirror situation.

Bad news:

Blinds are expensive.

Refrigerators are more expensive. 

They STILL haven't broken ground on the house.  grrr.

We are most interested in purchasing a refrigerator from Best Buy (if possible) because we already have a credit card through them - and they offer 18 months no interest on large purchases.  We love the 'same as cash' kind of financing... so we were hoping they would have the goods we needed.  

We also looked at Lowes and Home Depot.  Lowes had an great deal on a Samsung refrigerator we really considered... but using our 18 months no interest ended up outweighing the extra savings of the Best Buy fridge. (Plus, I later read online the Samsung ice maker is like a "jet engine")  

And here is our winner:

The LG LFX25976ST, 3 door Refrigerator with Ice and Water Dispenser.

"Smart and Handsome.  If you've ever been frustrated with a refrigerator this LG unit may be your answer.  We freed up that valuable top-shelf space by moving the ice maker to the refigerator door.  The water dispenser is extra tall so you can fill nearly any size container.  And it comes iwth a 4-compartment crisper system for extra convenience.  Oh, an dit comes with your own Exterior/Interior Styling Package, so it's quite stylish too"

(says the LG website)

We didn't purchase today, because The Husband and I love a good sale.  With Memorial Day being just about one week before we close on the house, we're hoping they will knock a couple Benjamin's off the price during that holiday weekend.  It will also give me some time to be sure, sure, it's the one. (aka: obsess about the comparisons between it and the Samsung) 

I stopped by the model home this morning and took some measurements of the mirrors in the bathrooms and made my best guess on scale of what individual mirrors should be.  Armed with my 'best guess' we hit the stores to find something as close to my numbers as possible.  

Here's what I found:

Guest Bathroom Option #1:  Hemnes Mirror (Ikea)

It's 23 5/8'' x 35 3/8'' and I could hang two of them, vertically.  My only real hesitation is the 'black-brown' color they show.  It looked black in the store - but it was difficult to tell.  However, it's 100% wood - so I could (theoretically) stain them if it really bothered me.   I think I'm going to keep looking before I pull the trigger on this one.

Best part:  $49 each.

photo from ikea.com

Guest Bathroom:  A non option... but I love it (Lowes)

It is an espresso finish (makes me happy!), and is 32'' in diameter.  Sadly, it is about 1.5'' too large, and won't fit in the guest bath... but it too small for the master.  This photo doesn't do it justice... I wish I had a place for it. It is $79.98 each.  Ouch.  But it's so pretty. 

photo from lowes

Option one and only for Master Bathroom:  Martha Stewart, Saranac (Home Depot)

It's 30''x36'' and I would hang two of them, vertically, over the sinks in the master bathroom (photos of the model home set up).  These are a little longer and just about 2 inches thinner than I imagined... but I think they will work really well.  And I love the color.

Also something awesome:  $49 each!

photo from Home Depot

We were so overwhelmed with the blind pricing/options - we're unsure.  All I know is the Lowe's people were super nice to us 'newbies', and that sure counts for something.  We were so tired, I think we'll attack the blinds another weekend.  We're also starting to wonder if it's not just cheaper to pay the builders to do the blinds.  With the cost of installation - we may come out even, and we *could* just bring that extra money to closing to make up the difference.   I need to do more measurements and math (not my strong point) to be sure. 

I feel really good about mirror and refrigerator selections.  I'm going to hold of on buying until I see sale.  I've done my spreadsheets - and the 'decor' budget we have set over the next year or so is going to be tiiiight... and I want to spend as little as possible on items like this.  

(As I'm trying to ensure we can squeeze a mac daddy sectional and some master bedroom furniture into the budget, eventually).

The Tour, Part Three

You have now seen the floor plan, the empty lot, entry way, dining room, planning area, kitchen, and family room.  

Moving towards the back of the house into the Master Suite.  Ohhh la lahhhh.

It's hard to see where the Master bedroom entrance is.  My expert photoshop skills enabled me to create this graphic to make it much more clear:

Awesome graphics, Right?

Anywhoo... There is about three feet in the back of this photo (behind the wall... in the area where that fake tree is) that is tiled.  It's great, to me, because people can pop off their shoes and or not worry about tracking something directly onto carpet.  I'm a fan.


Master Bedroom:
 This is the view from the door.  I love the color on their walls... too bad that green would look heinous with my blue duvet...

awesomely large windows in the master.

Master Bath:

A post is coming soon about my internal struggles with that mirror.  (You can see the separate potty room on the right.  Apparently the fancy word for that is "water closet".)

Tub and Shower.  

I'm honestly not totally in *love* with this setup... but you win some and you lose some.  I'm  hoping the Oil Rubbed Bronze fixtures and shower surround will make it more my style.    

Cue the Trumpets....

This is the closet.  This photo doesn't even do the size close to justice.  It's seriously probably as large as the 2nd bedroom.  Gigantic.

The husband and I had a fight disagreement last night about this closet.  He insists the christmas tree and tubs of holiday decor must live in here (because it's so huge) - enabling him to never, ever, get anything out of the attic.  

I freaked the eff out calmly disagreed, and told him holiday decor will "junk up" my beautiful closet.   I'm planning on this closet being a fantastic retreat.  That giant green tree will not interrupt my feng shui.  

p.s.  Compromise Complete.  The stupid tree and all the stupid tubs that go along with it will be stored in the guest room closet.  Not ideal, but isn't that what marriage is all about?!? :-)

I think the husband may have been scarred as a teenager being asked to fetch things from his parent's attic.  I guess it will take a while before I can get to the bottom of this "issue".  We've got at least another 60 years of marriage ahead of us... I'll figure it out, and report  back... Stay tuned.