Basement Walls

I thought I’d answer some frequently asked questions I’ve received since starting this process:

1. What kind of house are you building? – I think I understand this question, but the answer is still a little dependent upon who is asking. We are building a one-story, 3bedroom/2bathroom ranch with a full-walkout basement.
2. How big will it be? – It is 32’x48′, or just over 1,400 interior square footage.
3. Did you design it? – We’ve been discussing the possibility of building for a while, so I knew the basic idea of the floor-plan that we liked and reviewed over a thousand online. So, it is a compilation of a few floor-plans that I liked the most and input from Tommy and his dad. As far as the sketch of actual floor-plan, yes, I designed it.
4. Can I buy your in-laws’ house? – I doubt it, but you can talk to them about it.
5. When will it be finished/When are you moving? – I’m always afraid to answer this question because when I do, people often tell me that it will take longer than I expect. So, we are aiming for Christmas of this year – I know – it could be later!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram – @whitewallsmatter – for more updates!

May 16, 2016

May 17, 2016

May 18, 2016

May 19, 2016

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Open Concept

Before Joanna Gaines became famously known for knocking down walls and opening the space between dining rooms and kitchens, I have loved an open concept floor plan.

You will notice that technically our “front” door opens into the dining area, but the main entry that we plan to use will enter through the living room.

Here are a few examples of an open layout, from the perspective of the living room.

Beach Style living room design by boston architect Hutker Architects

Rustic living room design by architect Carney Logan Burke Architects

Farmhouse living room design by san francisco architect Nick Noyes Architecture

Transitional living room design by denver home builders Brookfield Residential Colorado

To see my entire Living Room Ideabook on Houzz, click here.

As I mentioned in my Designers to Follow post, I have too many Instagram screen shots of ideas and inspiration on my phone. Here are a few open concept ideas I have saved:

Click on any image to enlarge.

Design & Live

Sita Montgomery Interiors

Home Decorating Ideas

Home Inspiration

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Featured image from: Restoration Hardware – purchase exact sofa here!

Mid-Mod Townhouse

My sister and I have similar design styles. In fact, this past Christmas I noticed a candle-holder on her mantle. She said, “I thought you would like it. I actually bought it for you, but decided to keep it for myself.” Only sisters can get away with that.

This house was vacant for five years before the church – where Nate is working – renovated the house for staff housing.

Living Room – Before

Living Room – After

Their living room looks like it came straight out of my Living Room Inspiration! Compare their living room with one I saved for our house:

Midcentury living room design by adelaide interior designer One Small Room - OSR Interiors & Building Design

I guess you could say we think alike.

Another similarity we have is our searching of Craigslist for a good deal. We drove to Burlington, VT together to pick up this modern farmhouse dining room table. The two clear acrylic chairs in the dining room and the white leather chair in the living room are also more great Craigslist finds. The buffet is from the thrift store; all it needed was a modern face-lift!

Nate and Cherith moved to this house from Brazil. Before moving, they sold almost everything, but they kept a few things that reminded them of Brazil, including the two authentic cowhide rugs in the living room and master bedroom.

Thank you Cherith for sharing these inspiring photos of mid-century/modern decor ideas!

 

Modern Basement

The first project Ashley and I worked on together was a secret mailbox, hidden half-way between her house and mine. To build our mailbox, first we found an old tree stump, then dug out the rotted wood, placed a metal coffee can inside, and covered the can back up with pine needles. We were destined to be successful architects.

Now, twenty years later, we are both in the process of building our first home. Ashley and Erik, much further along in the process than we are, offered this advice for first-time home-builders:

• Make your plans as detailed as possible
• Get as many prices for products from several different sources
• Establish a relationship with a reputable sales rep from local building suppliers.
• Limit your time running after supplies by making detailed lists

  

  “We just finished siding and now just have to finish grading in the front. As for the interior, the upstairs radiant is almost finished, then we can tape and paint and put a floor down and we’ll be ready to sell!”

What makes their situation unique is that they are living in the basement, while slowly building the rest of the house. Ashley said, “We are doing it all with cash, so it’s been slow, but we are almost there! We should have everything done in the next couple of months, and then we plan on putting it on the market and hopefully selling right away! And then we will do it all again…It has been a bit slower than planned, but it’s worth it!”

Two of my favorite design details about this basement are the mid-mod living room and the Edison-bulb pendants in the bathroom.

“We’ve been living down here for the past four years and plan to finish the upstairs by spring and then put the house on the market.”

“We both have basically the same taste, so we designed it together. I’ve helped as much as I can, where I can, when it comes to the building process, but it’s been pretty minimal! I built a few walls!”

“We found this house online years ago. We liked the exterior and then just laid the interior out together…We don’t actually have blueprints, Erik just went off of the outside dimensions and built away!”

 

Good luck, Ashley and Erik! Thank you for sharing pictures of your beautiful home!

Living Room Inspiration

The color palette that we will be incorporating into the entire front room – living/dining/kitchen – will be mostly neutrals, including (but knowing me, not limited to) black, gold, green, brown, and, of course, white.

You will see a few blue tones in the pictures below, but using blue in decor scares me and makes me think of jean jumpers and old china sets.

Eclectic living room design by austin photographer Heather Banks

Eclectic living room design by orebro interior designer Monteliushome

Farmhouse living room design by calgary interior designer elena del bucchia DESIGN

Eclectic family room design by photographer Adrienne DeRosa

Eclectic living room design by austin interior designer erin williamson

Eclectic living room design by photographer Adrienne DeRosa

Scandinavian living room design by melbourne furniture and accessories Nathan + Jac

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To see my entire Living Room Ideabook on Houzz.com, click here

Featured Image from: The Taxidermy Store – purchase the exact mount here!