Interior Paint | Ben Moore Navajo White, Carrington Beige and Quiet Moments

Come on in!  Yesterday, I shared the exterior paint photos and today is the day for interior.  Warning, there are a lot of pictures.  Most of the interior is Benjamin Moore Navajo White - trim and walls.  It is different than Sherwin Williams Navajo White - the BM doesn't have quite as much color.  It was the same color that we had in our old house, and is my favorite warm, off-white.  It just seems to work everywhere.  It has a lot more color than most whites, but I think that makes it seem richer, and more neutral, rather than just white.

After saying that, I have to admit, paint is so hard!   I almost lightened it up.  But, I stuck with my instincts, knowing that I wanted our big open room to feel warm and cozy, not stark.  I wanted color, and I wanted a bit of contrast of whites.  It helped me to start thinking about layering whites, creams and ivories and treating them as colors, themselves.  Hopefully you'll agree ; )

This the front foyer.  We opened this area up and lost a little closet, but it now matches the more open, bigger house.

Paint : Ben Moore Navajo White - Trim in Satin, Walls in Eg-Shel

Love this picture light!

Here is our old living room.  As I talked about in the exterior paint post, I love tone-on-tone matchy paint.  Something about it looks more like those colonial farmhouses I love.

I wanted to change the color to be a bit deeper, so it felt cozier, since the rest of the house is bright and open.  There is also a lot of light in the room from large picture window, so it could handle some color.

BM Carrington Beige, Satin on trim, Eg-Shel on Walls.

I really love, love this room.  Since both mantles are the same design, I wanted the paint on the mantle and in this room to feel different - and the paint does just that.  

From the old living room into the new big room and kitchen.  More tone-on-tone.  I wanted the millwork and beams to stand out in a subtle way, so I kept the colors the same.  I think that if the trim is "accented" with a light color then all you see is the color - I wanted to see the detailed millwork.  I really love this entire room... and can't believe I will get to be cooking here next week!

Ben Moore Navajo White, Satin on Trim and Cabinetry, Eg-Shel on Walls.

And chandelier for dining area!  Sources coming later.

This is the first glimpse of the wood island top (more details later!) and Cape Cod Lanterns over the island!

The floor guys were there - here is sample of new color.  I wanted to match old floor color (all floors will be re-finished, I just liked what was there before), so we ended up with Mixwax Dark Walnut. 

Back to view from kitchen area - you can see Mike's office/library (man room...) thru the french doors where our old garage was.

This is the mudroom behind kitchen - also Navajo White, satin on walls and trim in here for easy cleaning.

Shaker pegs!  We re-used the old lights in our old kitchen and I (still) love them.

Back to big room - where the dining table will go.  We will be using our old table for now, but the hunt (and the saving...) has started.  Mostly saving : )

And view into library.

The Pine paneling is stained Jacobean.

Stained wood is hard to photograph the true color - but it looks greats, especially with the brass sconces on the bookcases.

Ok, up the stairs!

Stairs and landing are all Navajo White, too.  You can see our old bedroom is now our "Blue" room, and the door with the glass is the laundry.

You'll notice that one bedroom is missing in these photos - I'm saving Emma's pink wallpaper room for its own post!

The 4th bedroom is painted the same as old Living Room - Carrington Beige, Satin on Trim, Eg-Shel on walls.

Our "Blue Room" is Ben Moore Quiet Moments, Satin on Trim and Eg Shel on walls.

Secret passageway!

This is our bedroom - sort of a dark photo.  This is the old Cape Cod Lighting Co. lantern that hung over our dining room table.  The paint is Navajo White.

Here are our closets!  I will talk about hardware, too, at some point - maybe a big resources post later.  They are Schlage Oil Rubbed Bronze - a "living" finish, so they will patina and age, to show bronze through.  I wanted some contrast with all of our creamy paint and brass lights.

My favorite part- view into bathroom.

Ahhh.  Moment of serenity.  Especially in rooms like this, I'm so glad we went with the wood interior grills on the windows - they add so much architectural interest.

Wait, maybe this is moment of serenity.  So many times when we've been covered in mud as we've been in the back yard, I wanted to come up and take a soak!

Paint is all Navajo White in Satin.

View back into room.

And glass shower doors and plumbing fixtures this week!

Ok, thanks for making it to the end - I almost didn't... did you notice how short my captions got?  

I will definitely share lighting post very soon with all resource links.  

Officially 1 week from move in day!  I wish I could drink champagne with all of you : )

Happy Wednesday!

Exterior Paint | Sherwin Williams Muslin to match Anderson Windows Canvas

We are so close to being ready to move back into the house - only one week left.  It doesn't seem real.  At all.  Ah!  Of course after waiting and waiting for so long (patiently?) I feel like there a million things that I need to get done between now and then!  Not today.  Today, I'm taking the morning "off."  I'm drinking my coffee in my PJs and writing blog posts and enjoying these photos.  We've been working so hard on the yard (and new DIY patio, details coming soon!) that I've earned a break in front of the computer today - away from the mud.

The interior and exterior painting were finished last week.  I haven't been able to share many details of the paint because the house was really off limits while the painters were working.  Then the day they finished the electricians swooped in a started hanging light fixtures.  So, you get to see a lot today!  I started with putting interior and exterior photos on this one post as well, but it was getting very lengthy, so I'll post those tomorrow.  Promise - writing it today.

Here we go!

As you know, so much of the design inspiration from our house came from our time in New England.  I love the early american, farm and coastal architecture there.  In fact, it was what I loved most about living there - but I didn't like being away from our family.  So, we thought, we'll just build a New England-esque house at home and have the best of both worlds.  Okay, so I don't have the beach, mountains and all of the colonial history minutes from our house... but, I can pretend : )

Below I talk a little bit about our various travels and where the inspiration for the paint scheme came from.  We knew we wanted a white-ish house, but with a little more warmth.  So, creamy.  But not too yellow, not too warm.  My favorite off-white is Benjamin Moore's Navajo White, which we used all over interior for walls and trim in main areas of the house.  I thought it would be a perfect match outside, too, but we needed to match our clad Andersen Windows.

Note : we are still waiting for the shutters, which will be painted to match the front door, SW Iron Ore.



As you may recall, I chose the Canvas color for the exterior clad of the Windows (Andersen 400s) because I knew I didn't want the house to be white-white.  So, we upgraded the windows from the 200s to the 400s to get the Canvas color option.  Andersen provided the exact match for the window color in Sherwin Williams Muslin, which is just a shade more saturated than Navajo White.  I tested the colors next to the windows and it worked perfectly.

*I mentioned before (this is non-sponsored, by the way) that we ordered our Andersen Windows from Home Depot.  We saved almost $4K compared to a local Andersen dealer.  Crazy.  Highly recommend!

I was a little nervous that the house would seem light beige instead of off-white, but I really think it turned out perfect.  I love classic white houses, but all of my favorite houses of all time were a little more creamy, so we took the risk.

Another risk was leaving the dormers and garage front in natural cedar shake instead of painting them like the rest of the house.  I'm so glad we did.  I feel like it really transformed the house from a standard looking cape to a charming cottage.  We wanted to do a cedar roof, but the cost was a little crazy, so adding the cedar element to the dormers and garage added that cedar element.

To make the final decision, we went back and looked at some inspiration photos :

This is was a house that we both loved that we found on our trip to Nantucket (more photos of our trip to here) last fall.  Note the very creamy trim, black shutters and natural cedar.  During the building process we kept coming back to this photo for inspiration.  It helped to have something to show subs and the builder, too, to help them realize you aren't crazy : )

Another house we've always loved was the Bedford Post Inn in Bedford, Ny.  We visited there a couple of years ago when I went to the Martha Stewart Show and toured her offices.

They have a lighter trim, but still same creamy siding.  You can see other photos from our Trip to Bedford Post Inn here.

Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill Home, old (when Martha owned it, above) and renovated (by new owners, below).

I really wanted to do the trim and the siding the same color - there is something about that tone-on-tone look that I love.  I love how subtle it is.  I love how it makes the millwork around the windows and door look.  For me, it lets the millwork stand out on its own, without relying on an "accent" color.  Her color is more grey/beige than ours, but I like the way it looks.

This is the renovated color.  It looks very much like our muslin, but not sure what the actual color is.

Side view of the new Turkey Hill.

Another point of inspiration (especially for tone-on-tone paint) was our trip to Deerfield, Mass.  In coincidences of all coincidences, as I was explaining my inspiration to our painter he told me he went to boarding school in Deerfield.  Yes, our painter in Kansas went to boarding school in Deerfield, Mass.  Such a small world.
More photos from our trip to Deerfield Mass.

Ok, back to our house.  Here is a glimpse of the landscaping I've been working on.

We ordered another Concord Lantern in Antique Brass (this one a wall mount) from Cape Cod Lighting Co., another nod to our time in Concord and on the Cape.  We had a lantern from the same collection over our dining room (that will now be in our bedroom) and I had two smaller ones made for over the island.

Also, I forgot to take a photo of the Barn Lights above the garage - also from Cape Code Lighting Co.

I really like this perspective of the house - see that big window?  Above the tub!  I really think the exterior grills on the windows make a big architectural impact on the house.   You can see how the house looks the same as it did from the front, but grows subtly out the back - just what we wanted to do.

Then, when you get in the back yard...

An entirely new look - but still colonial inspired.  

I forgot to take a full photo of the back after plastic had been removed, so this is one from my phone. 

Here are the copper lanterns on the porch!  There are 3, with 2 fans in between.   These are from Sandwich Lantern Co., also handmade on Cape Cod.  The owner is so awesome (and funny!) to work with.  Just talking to him on the phone takes me back to the salty air.

You can see another glimpse of the garden coming along.  This photo is a little outdated as we finished the new patio yesterday!  Mike and I (with Emma's help) built it ourselves in two days - I'll share the details later this week... after sod is in!

Interior photos coming tomorrow.  Thanks for sharing in my excitement - it has made it such a fun journey!  I can say that now that it is almost over : )

Mr. Darcy's Collection | Dog Beds, Cookie Cutters & Toys

Mr. Darcy.  He was my first baby - he was even mine before Mike.  Remember his baby pictures?  (here)  The idea for this collection started with me spotting an adorable (I mean handsome...) dog bed in a boutique window.  We've never had a dog bed for Darcy, he's more of a my bed or couch sort of guy.  

In the new house we are setting up the mudroom as his room - doggie door and all.  Don't worry, we have a dutch door between mudroom and the rest of the house to keep him from coming into the house with muddy paws on wet days.  My studio and computer will also be set up in the mudroom, which he will love, as he is always laying about 4 feet from me while I work.  I plan to set up a really comfy place for him, with a new bed, toys, food and a view of the backyard - all of his favorite things.

I'm sure not everyone thinks about how a dog bed or toy look, or that the color coordinates with their home decor, but here is my theory - if it is laying in the middle of my floor, or on my bed, why not be cute as cute as possible?  I know I'm not the only one that doesn't like florescent orange and yellow dog toys or a not-so-cute dog bed lying around their house, right?  

This entire collection is from Harry Barker, except for the cookie cutter.  I love their branding and logo - everything is artfully made to coexist and compliment your home.  Everything they produce is eco-friendly.  For example, the dog bed fill is made from recycled water bottles!

Bone Copper Cookie Cutter, $15

I've always kept a dog bone cookie cutter hand and whenever Emma and I bake sugar cookies, whether it be for Valentine's or Halloween, we always make one for Mr. Darcy.  This week was Darcy's birthday, so we made him some special dog treats (basically oatmeal and peanut butter cookies...) with this copper cutter.  Working with something as beautiful as these handmade cutters make even the most basic activity really special.  These copper cutters are handmade and will last for generations of puppies and kids.

Linen Dog Beds

Let's start with the dog beds.  I'm carrying two different styles.  This linen looking bed is so beautiful. The dog friendly linen-looking fabric is very sophisticated, especially with the handsome leather label.  It comes in Small, Med or Large and (top to bottom) Grey, Green, Natural or Brown.  I ordered the Natural (second from bottom) in Medium for Darcy that he is pictured with in the first photo.  It looks just like the natural linen fabric on our sofa and ottoman.  I think it will go great in our new hearth room, right by the french doors so he can look out of the window.

The fabric is a Jute & Poly blend that is both eco-friendly and mildew resistant.  The filling in the bed is made from 100% recycled water bottles!

Vintage Stripe Dog Beds

This collection is call "Vintage Stripe" - isn't it so great?  There is something that feels very chic and European about it to me.  I also love the laurel wreath logo.

I plan to order a black stripe one for the mudroom for Mr.   I think it will look great with all of the cream paint, brass and oil rubbed bronze fixtures.


Harry Barker Toys & Tosses

Mr. Darcy has loved these new toys.  I love that they are nautically inspired and come in great colors.  Everybody wins!

Tug & Pull, Large, Natural :

D and Emma have never really "played" too much together, but the Tug and Pull has been so fun for them - he's dragging her around the floor... and she likes it! 

Seagrass Soft Squeaker, Large, Aqua :

This soft large bone is a pillow toy that D loves to lay his head on and it has a squeaker - always a favorite for the Mr.

Knot Toss, Medium, Blue : 

Great for throwing and retrieving... also looks very nautical!

Rope Bone, Small, Light Blue : 

This is the perfect little bone toy to add to a gift for a dog lover.  Emma really likes to throw this one - it is just her size.

I hope you puppy lovers out there love some of these new products!  Emma and I plan to make more Dog treats today to share with you (the recipe at least) next week.

Browse the entire Dog & Puppy Collection, here.

Happy Weekend,
Jenny

Landscaping and Garden Design Plan | Hydrangea, Boxwood, Peonies, Lavender...

The time has come for us to actually be doing some physical work at the house.  After months and months (7, but who's counting...) of doing walk-thrus and watching subs work, I actually get to get my hands dirty (and my fingernails...) and do some work, which thrills me.  I'm not a very good observer - more of a doer.  Being able to "do" for the last week has made me feel so rejuvenated.  Rejuvenated and ready to move it in just a couple of weeks; )

You can browse through my plan above to see where I'm going.  I'll share photos of my actual progress later in the week.  This is a finished project plan drawing.  I'm picking and choosing what I'm working on this year to start.  I've already put in the front landscaping - boxwoods and hydrangea.  I've planted the hydrangea hedge in the back left, along with the dogwood.  The cherry tree and lilacs are also in.  I transplanted some very old peony bushes in the back right that I'm so excited about - more on those later.  

As you can see from the design plan, I'm doing a lot of symmetrical beds - my style.  I'm trying to incorporate some curves and some flowing places, too, to create movement and natural lines - a little out of my comfort zone there.   Just making the plan has helped me feel a little better - and helped curb my enthusiasm to do everything at once.

So, this is where I've been for the last week.  Our old new yard.  Okay, actually, this is where I've been for the last week...

This is a major Before picture standing on our back porch.  As you can see, we have an overgrown fence line in the back that is our neighbors.  I like the natural backdrop, but want to put a pretty cedar fence in front to hide where their chain peeks thru.

The previous owners didn't do too much in the back, so we are left with a nice blank slate.  I do wish we had some more mature trees like our neighbors to offer shade, but we'll have to plant small and let them grow the old fashioned way.



To my left, very charming south neighbor's yard.  We'll be matching her fence for our gates and back fence line.

To my right, North side neighbor's privacy fence.  We'll be adding landscaping to soften.  The first think Mike did was rip out the bush to the left.  I think it was just a giant weed.

I assure you after a week of work it already looks better than these photos I took a couple of weeks ago.   In fact, here's your first sneak peek of the exterior paint color.  

You can also see the stepping stones (some of them) headed to the new patio area.  

We still have a ways to go.  There are a couple of things that will help tremendously :

1) New back cedar fence to match south side neighbor.  Mike and my Dad worked on it over the weekend and should be ready very soon.

2) New sod everywhere - something Mike has been dreaming of for a long time.

As always, I've gathered a lot of inspiration... I'll be pleased if I can somehow create even just a glimpse of these luscious gardens in our yard.  Hopeful, but not entirely sure : )

We are doing pea gravel for our patio and I'd like to put some big pots scattered around the yard, too.

We all recognize this garden.  This is an older photograph of the Barefoot Contessa's.  I love the wild mixed with the hedged boxwoods.

Newer photo.  Purple and white.

And an arial, just because it is interesting to see the structure.  We will want more play room in our yard, but maybe I'll do some hedged square beds, too?

I want our front walk to be spilling over with hydrangeas like these.  The boxwoods will be more for the winter months when the hydrangea are sticks.

Wish me luck!