@Little Bird if you are still looking for a wood tray, there are some nice things here. I hope you are enjoying your magical powder room!

https://www.heritagelace.com/store.cfm/Products/list/All-Brands/Serving-&-Entertaining

Ooh, nice trays! Thanks for the tip, KW! I do sometimes wander into the powder room for no reason, just to look at the magical animals! Construction in the basement should be picking up, now that the waterproofing is done. They’re coming to measure next week to see if I can even get a fireplace slab down the narrow basement stairs. If not, I’ll have to pick out tile instead.

My table and chairs finally arrived for the sunroom. I never knew it was so much fun to swivel in a chair! This is a great spot to have breakfast while listening to the kids play cello

What a great little space! You have such a knack for decorating.

Perfection! Love the chair cushion color in that space.

Well, you guys did help me pick everything out. I’m grateful for all the good advice! Stay tuned for more on the basement. The walls just got framed and insulated. Next is finalizing the fireplace stone, then picking paint color for the walls. That’s going to be a tough one, since they want to paint the walls before carpeting, and I haven’t even seen the wood slat samples yet.

Wow - great progress on basement. It looks so clean & brand new. Maybe the upside of your water disaster is that your family will use & enjoy the basement space more than before since it will have all the beautiful custom finishes. Great timing too for getting this project complete with cold weather and family holidays coming fast.

Seems like wood blends well with so many different colors so for sure the fireplace stone needs to come before paint color selection. If the lighting color is all set then maybe paint color will be easier to choose since it’ll be mostly viewed under artificial light vs natural light - I mean that both kinds of light need to be considered then.

Wonderful art in your house… So great to see more of it.

I love that little eating space! The artwork takes it to another level.

Thanks! I just realized that the white table and chairs have that same trumpet shape as the gold tables in the living room, except skinnier. Sometimes we don’t know why we are attracted to certain things, but I bet that was why I subconsciously I liked them.

KW, good point about checking the lighting before picking a paint color. I think I definitely need to make sure the paint goes with the fireplace stone and the carpet in my location, not just looking at little swatches at the store. The drywall is up, and it shows that gray would probably not be the right color for the basement. Need something lighter, probably cream or a very light beige-taupe.

I would need reams of white paper to cover the floor in order to decide on paint color. Unless, that is, your carpet will be same tones as the tile floor it will be covering. I do think the existing flooring will affect your vision of colors you consider. But, next decision is the fireplace surround, right?

Yes, these are two slabs I’m considering. I like the subtleness of the first one, Dolomite del Sud, but it’s in a satin finish that makes it kind of look fake. Also, it will be going the long way vertically, and I’m seeing a potential for the slab to look like two different halves with a line going down the middle. I like the Michelangelo Dolomite that has a stronger pattern and has a nice honed finish. That one is 3cm, which I’m waiting for the contractor to get back to me about whether that will be harder or more expensive for me to get down my narrow stairs. Apparently they charge per stair going up to the house, and also going down to the basement. I don’t know…what do you think?

I’m trying to visualize these slabs standing on end / vertical. That’s what you mean about the potential for the slab to look like 2 different pieces joined? If I’m understanding then I do see what you mean about the 2 sides of the Dolomite but I think the Michelangelo has that potential too but less so. Question - will one entire slab be used for the front of FP? And, will there be a cut out for the FP opening in the middle of one end of the slab? If yes, then it seems that you should be able to ’control’ the design by determining which end of slab has the cut out for FP opening. A piece of cardboard the size of FP opening could help you do a mockup for a visual of which end to have cut. Another question - is entire width to be used? I think yes, since the FP had to be reframed to match width - so no cutting off long end of slab, right?

Oh, that’s such a good idea. I’ll have to bring the cardboard to see if that makes a difference in the look of the slab. So my two hesitations with the Dolomite del Sud, is that it sort of has a dark half and a light half when you look at it vertically. Maybe with the right placement, it wouldn’t be so obvious. But also that it has a satin finish that reminds me of the porcelain pieces I saw. But you see that same half/half in the Michelangelo slab too? I think we are trying to buy just one slab, so it looks like there’s only enough width for the front and one side of return to the wall. The other side would have to be pieced together from the extra height leftover (ceiling is shorter than the length of the slab).

Oh, here’s the fireplace framed out, which can still be changed. The opening is 12” off the ground

“ But you see that same half/half in the Michelangelo slab too? “ No, I didn’t mean to say that! Just that the Michelangelo has lots of variations too. Now that I better understand how one slab will be used I’m thinking you can make a decision you’re comfortable with by planning the layout. Which end should have the FP hole cut out & which end of slab should be cut off & used for the pieced return? Maybe the end with less pattern to make piecing easier? Which side of the slab should be cut off to use for the one piece return? Which return will be pieced? The least seen one? The most important decision might be which part of slab do you want front & center of FP - the point just above the fire box hole & at eye level on front of FP. Thinking about those points might make the slab choice an obvious decision. Lots of measuring needed to figure that out for sure!

All good questions, KW! I feel like the “designer” at the design build we are using should be telling me the answers. But she mostly coordinates ordering materials, and doesn’t provide design advice. In fact, you guys are my designers! I’m still waiting to hear back if this slab will work to fabricate…

@Little Bird are you saying you want book-ended slabs?

Hi kl23. No, not bookended. Ideally I want just one slab across the front, with enough to wrap around to the sides. But the slabs aren’t big enough for that. I might be able to wrap it around to one side, but I’ll have to piece together the other side with the remaining height of the piece thats leftover. Otherwise I’ll have to buy 2 slabs. It’s so slow, waiting for them to respond to me about whether this will work or not

This is kind of a fun thing - a local magazine came to take photos of the library, foyer and powder room. I didn’t want to be in it, so they photographed the kids instead. Much cuter!

OMG @Little Bird!! This is better than being in Architectural Digest!! I did find the full photo of your first pic. Your daughters - beautiful! I knew you had 2 but not that they are twins. I have twin nephews - so much fun being their aunt! They’re identicals so that adds to the fun. Were the photographers totally impressed with the powder room & foyer murals?

What an honor! Congratulations! We all know how beautiful your home is! And that it will continue to beautifully !🎉🎉🎉🎉😉

You’re a firefighter?? You are full of surprises. 😊But, that point and your community volunteer activity should have had top billing to reflect more of the many facets of your personality in addition to being a creative. But, their focus is design - or at least for this piece it is. For the foyer picture, maybe they wanted the grand staircase & ceiling light as a backdrop for your photogenic girls. In the powder room shot - I like the jugs on the floor & the wood trays on counter. Can’t believe how much of a difference the new floor & wall treatment makes the marble counter shine!

What a really great picture of you LB. Thank you for sharing. I admire your courage for working in a profession that calls on you to be a first responder and a public safety caretaker.

@Little Bird I am delighted you liked the hammered wood tray from Heritage Lace in Pella Iowa. I learned that Heritage Lace also sells through Amazon if that makes the purchase easier. https://www.amazon.com/Heritage-Lace-HR-001-Artisan-18X14X2/dp/B089QCJTWH

I didn't know you had a hammered sink. Can you show a picture?

Yes, that is a beautiful picture of you!❤️

Amazing, beautiful, talented and giving, what a combo!!!

aw, shucks, thanks for always being supportive, guys!

Yes, your house and daughters are true photogenic and magazine worthy! The library looks so inviting in that deep blue. I agree the photo of the powder room should have had more of the stunning mural.

Thank you for being a first responder.

They didn’t want the toilet to be in the magazine, so they could get only slice of the powder room. As least I close the lid now - we used to just leave it open, unaware that people thought that was gross 🤣

Very funny about toilet lid etiquette! Lid up or down is as important as which side the toilet paper comes off the roll - top or bottom! For me, seeing a toilet lid up is distracting when viewing a beautiful bath space. Sort of like seeing an unmade bed in a beautiful bedroom. And, these days with soft close lids being the norm, it’s really not a big deal to close the lid. No telltale big bang noise coming from the powder room. What’s even worse than leaving the toilet lid up is leaving both it and the seat in up position. Yikes!! 🤣

I saw this post when it first went up - and even commented on it. I've stopped by every once in awhile - but realized today that I hadn't pulled it up for quite awhile. So, I did.

I was surprised by the mural! I was expecting some wallpaper - and instead saw this hand painted creation on your walls! I'm sure that wallpaper would have looked nice - but this is much more unexpected.

It's funny - my nana (noona - but many people don't know the Italian word for grandmother) had the most beautiful hand painted mural in her formal living room. I used to stare at all the different elements in it when we'd visit (we moved away when I was five - so, I only saw her a couple times/year). Her sisters/brothers all had hand painted murals in their homes (at least one).

It makes me sad to think about it being painted over - I'm sure that it was after the house was sold.

Not many people would add the little "creatures" - a fun surprise for someone the first time he/she visits your powder room!

Did your daughter draw/paint the little mice/rats that you posted below? If yes, does she ever make paintings for people? I was just thinking that it might be fun to have her do something for my grandson's new room. My daughter is due with her second child in January - so, Parker will be moving into his "big boy" bedroom soon (he will be three right before Christmas). Maybe something where the rats are dressed up in different team's uniforms (nothing elaborate - they just have a few teams that they follow - plus, they are HUGE KC Chiefs fans - who might be the first team to "three-peat" as super bowl champions).

I knew that the powder room was going to look beautiful as soon as I saw the stone slab sink/vanity (that's what I'm planning for my powder room)!

Hi Dani, nice to hear from you. Do you mean these rats? My daughter did paint these. She used to do pet portraits, but these days she is so busy with school, she probably wouldn’t have time to do custom watercolors until the summer. So if you’re still looking for some art then, come back and let me know!

I do mean those! I will check back with you once school is over for the year. If she does pet portraits, I would like to discuss that with her also. I unexpectedly lost my little baby boy (he was 13 - was there when he was born - and he passed away in my arm on way to vet hospital). I'd like to have a portrait done of him also.

Actually, Dani, my daughter says she would love to do a KC themed rat watercolor, perhaps over the holidays. I’m trying to figure out how to use the message feature, so I’ll send you a message when I figure it out!

Hello friends! I found this pretty watercolor of irises at the local antique shop. What do you think? Does it improve the area by the stairs? Should I hang it up? Center with the table, or off center? Or is too much clutter?

Definitely hang it.

LB, very pretty frame on that art & is great with the ceiling light & I like that it has the same lines as orchid.. I’d hang it & maybe a bit off center or lined up with right edge - away from chair. I wouldn’t want the orchid to cover any of the iris. Do you have a small lavender / purple pillow you could put on the chair to replace the one that’s there? I think that would unify the colors of chair/orchid/iris. I love watercolors!

Thanks, KW and liasch! So hang it at normal wall height (eye level)? I wasn’t sure if you were supposed to put art closer to the table for it to relate, but then that’s way below eye level

Also, great idea about adding a purple pillow - I’ll be on the lookout!

Yes - eye level - or there abouts. I’m 5’4” & I think you’re not extra tall either!

I love that painting it is nice with the chair and staircase it really adds to it all

Yep, I’m a midget. I love the subject of the painting and the frame, which seems to go well with the foyer decor. But…is it actually a little too small for the table/chair? Better off somewhere else? It actually came as a pair. Here’s the other one, which I like in this little nook of the beverage kitchen. Perhaps I should move the irises to another nook like this somewhere else in the house?

Love, love the Parrot Tulips you’ve got in beverage kitchen! I might like it even better with the chair & orchid - it’s the colors. The frame size looks @ 12” x 18” or so? Think about hanging both in foyer. Mock up placement with pieces of paper cut to size. When standing close to front door, you see the Korean jacket (can’t remember the proper name for the garmet) and on the right you see the large art & the convex glass piece is right at the front entry. My point is there’s one piece in each spot. It might be nice to break that pattern & hang both of the floral watercolors on the stair wall. They aren‘t ’heavy’ images but are light & airy. The wall is certainly large enough. I’d try hanging them staggered so they mimic the angle of the stair wall. Just a thought….

Have you tried switching the plant and the painting? I think the artwork close to that magenta,chair will be beautiful. And the flower a bit away will balance it.

Or it will look totally wrong, but I’d try it.

Oh, good idea RedRyder, I’ll try switching the plant and painting. KW, I’ll try putting both paintings there too. I’ll need the twins to help me hold those up! Good point about varying the art size /number in each spot. I do tend to just buy art that catches my eye, rather than fully thinking through where I might put it in my house. 🤣.
In case you guys were wondering, there is no basement progress. Seriously, they first installed the gas fireplace in October, but made a mistake, then another mistake, and another, and now we are almost into a new year and it’s still not done yet. But at least we have an actual date on the calendar for the stone surround to go on, so maybe around….March, I’ll have updates photos to show you guys and get advice on finishing the space!

LB, I did wonder about that basement project! Sometimes post update notifications don’t show up & site has been so glitchy lately I sometimes can’t find things. Good thing that space isn’t your primary living. Too bad about the FP as it’s just the season to be using it. I think the way you acquire art is exactly right. We see something that makes our heart sing a bit & we bring it home knowing we’ll find just the right place for it. That’s what makes the things we hang on our walls much more than hotel decor. You could still stagger the 2 pieces using RedRyder’s suggestion. With orchid on outside end of table the art would be high enough above the table. I wouldn’t worry about lining up with edges of table either. I’m thinking the height that daughter in purple top is holding might be about right for first piece - slide to left towards stair trim so it’s almost under trim on step #9 up from the landing or where the railing starts.

Yes, and we haven’t been able to use the gas fireplace upstairs either because they turned the gas off! One thing I like about getting art at the antique and used furniture stores, is that they’re already framed. So when you get home, you can just pop it right onto the wall. Also, you get more variety in framing styles. If I had to pick all the frames myself, I’d probably repeat the same style due to limited imagination. But having been framed at different times over a hundred years, there are many more styles than I would come up with at the local frame shop.

Absolutely agree with already framed & different frame styles. It’s a great way to have frames that look best with the art too. I always have the room in mind when choosing frame molding & have to remember art first, room second. Can’t tell you how many $50 prints I’ve spent $250 + framing. 🙄