MUD ROOM

There is certainly no shortage of mud over on the "hill" and it will only get worse with the spring thaw.
I have lived for years with a tiny space to contain the  boots, shoes, coats, book bags, dirt, and junk that finds its way through the door.
Some days it is like picking your way through a land mine field, trying not to trip over all the shoes left wherever they were  kicked off.

It was very important to me that in this house we have a spacious mud room.   I wanted plenty of storage, coat, and broom closets, a bathroom and a "slop" sink.   I wanted  room for a large capacity washer and dryer to wash any mucky, yucky, messiness I wouldn't want traipsed through the house.
We were going to install a walk in refrigerator but I found some stand alone appliances from True that will work better in the cooler room leaving me space for a prep area and sink.   Most important though was an area to feed and wash the dog.  
We have a very large 130 lb. dog; a female, Black Russian Terrier   She is very messy and I affectionately refer to her as "Boris The Peasant Girl", because there is nothing remotely feminine about her.  When she eats she collapses on the floor and kind of hugs her bowl burying her face in its contents.
When she drinks she holds the water in her mouth leaking it across the floor as she walks, until she shakes her head spraying everything in a three foot radius.
I chose a metallic silver porcelain tile that has a bit of texture, to give the dogs some traction and prevent slipping.
Because she is a guard dog she needs to have access to go outside so we have to install a dog door.
This is such a wonderful breed and we are searching for male BRT now.
Because this breed can reach 170 pounds, we won't regret having devoted so much space to a mud room.

These are pictures of the garage, mud room, mud room porcelain tile, plus a few shots of "Boris."

PRINCIPAL SUITE

We used to call them the master suite, now magazines are referring to them as the "principal" suite.  I guess the term "master" started to sound politically incorrect?  

I must admit that when I'm home here in Canada I spend much of my day in our principal suite.    I have my desk and computer, television, telephone, bar, beverage fridge, plus I'm surrounded by all my personal stuff.
I am exactly the opposite when I am at home in Florida; if I'm out of bed, I'm out of the bedroom.
Maybe it's the weather?

I imagine I will spend much of my time in the principal suite in the new house too, and I know I will enjoy my little reading nook.

We are also installing a Napoleon Tureen fireplace.  I am so looking forward to having a night cap with my husband on a cold and rainy night  in front of the fire.

We are still trying to finalise the plans for the walk in closet behind the fireplace wall.
The bathroom will have a walk in shower and a Kohler Archer tub built out on the wall looking towards the window.

In Florida we have the Kohler Sok tub and my first thought was to duplicate it in this house.
I hope I am not sorry that we didn't?
  

HELP WITH A DOUBLE H

I took this photograph inside the Hermes FSH store in Paris.       I admired the ironwork in Paris and when I saw this double H, I knew I had to incorporate it somewhere in our own ironwork.

I have named this house Hillwood and our architect Thomas Moore, thinks the name is too pedestrian.      I wanted a name that began with an H and since the house is on a hill and 53 acres are woods, I thought Hillwood was a fine name.

After seeing this double H I new I had to find another H term to add to Hillwood.

I was talking it over with my friend Michael Tonello, and he suggested Hillwood Hall.

It works for me!     Tomorrow at our regular Wednesday meeting I will see if Tom thinks this name is less pedestrian? 

Thanks Michael, now if only I could have a butler to go with it? lol

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND

Bob Dylan was right; the answer is blowin' in the wind.   I just wish we had our wind turbines running today.  The wind was so strong blowing the snow around that at times it was hard to see.  I tried to capture it in the last picture.

It is also bitterly cold.    It was sunny though, so if we had our solar panels in we could really be cooking with gas!

I am so glad we decided to go green, even though it cost a $h*t load to do it.  There sure is no shortage of wind up here on the hill.      insert own comment here

 Haha, very funny.

I am getting used to the look of these turbines.   I am even starting to  like them now, they're  kind of peaceful looking.

I am sure I will love them once we see the difference in our hydro bills!

STILLWATER, STILL WINTER, SUNSET

I just posted pictures on my other blog that I had meant to post here.  I didn't notice until after I had published the post.

If you click on my profile it will take you to my other blog.

I took pictures this evening as the sun came out just in time to set and cast a warm, and beautiful glow upon the snow.

From the terrace here at Stillwater Farm in the winter, while the trees are bare we can see Hillwood.

Tonight as the sun was setting here on Stillwater Farm, Hillwood  was shining luminous and bright in the distance.

STILL WINTER

I feel like it is always winter.   I barely remember coming to the job site in the summer on a beautiful day.
The weather has been against us this entire build.
Due the permitting delays and all of the environmental studies that needed to be done we were already months behind.

Things are starting to really move along now.   The five wind turbines are up; but not operational yet.
The towers are 32 feet high so they are very visible from a distance.    They are not too bad looking although  I would have preferred a location  where they weren't so noticeable.    The top of the hill was the the ideal place since they need to be 80 feet apart.

The insulation is almost complete and the drywall is being installed.   The rooms look so much bigger with the drywall.

Oleg has started to install the staircase.     There is still so much work to do welding the railings and  various applied iron details.      This is very heavy iron and it is quite amazing that Oleg makes it look almost effortless.     He really is a very talented artisan.
My big concern is falling down or more likely for me, up these stairs.    Either way it will not be good.
I am glad we put in an elevator now.

I took a picture of our house here at Stillwater Farm, or Stillwinter Farm as I have been calling it lately.

AT LONG LAST

the insulation is finally going in.   Now things should really start moving along.    The crown moulding has been chosen and Neff has taken the kitchen measurements.

We did not get the wind turbines up in time before the ground froze so the base forms are going to stay inside the master suite until spring.

The columns for the verandahs also have to wait until spring. 

The weather has worked against us from the day we received our permit to build.  Our original  target date  to move in was December 2008.   Due to the weather and a few other snags the new completion date is June 2009.

Our house here at the "Farm"  is looking more like a storage warehouse.    I used to have a living room around here somewhere?  I  just can't find it under all the "stuff "       I am starting to feel depressed living amidst of all this disorder.     

I can be messy at times; but I really need to have a place for everything.    I can drive myself crazy  repositioning a pillow or accessory should it be moved from it's exact place.

Now I just have a glass of wine, and try not to flip on my husband too much!

So if you were wondering why I never invite you over any more?   Now you know.  LOL

DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS

We had to make some final decisions on appliances so the bids could go out this week.    Some of the appliances are ones I am already using and duplicating in the new house.   Some are completely new to me, and I have to admit that my choices were based on advertisements.
Looking over the list, most people would think I am crazy to need so many washer/dryer locations!
I need them for the convenience of not having to carry laundry all over the house.   I decided this time to go with steam washers and dryers in a few locations and I am excited to try them out.

The kitchen is a top priority since it is one of the most costly rooms in any budget.   We chose Neff Kitchen  of Toronto because of their superb finishes and fittings.     I still have to nail down colour selections for the cabinetry, that surprisingly is the hardest decision.

The kitchen surfaces were an easy decision.    I wanted  something with sparkle and easy to clean.
In the past I have used marble, granite, corian, tile, and formica.    This time I wanted something different.
I decided to go with a mirrored cracked glass on my counters and backsplash for a deep, seamless look.
On the island I chose a man made quartz product with very tiny and subtle particulates of mirror.  This product is not as "in your face" as Silestone or Caesarstone , the flecks of mirror are like sugar crystals.

We are also using this product on the stair treads and as insets in the entrance hall tile pattern.

It is impossible for me to take a good picture of this product.

EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT

I have been afraid to go in the basement and getting in anyones way.    I finally took a look when everyone was off work this weekend.    It is pretty overwhelming and way beyond anything that I recognise, save for a breaker box or water tank?    
The geothermal is installed, and so is the radiant heat.     The wind turbines will not go in until spring, along with the solar and photo voltaic paraphernalia.    Wow!  Who knew going green would require all of this and more?

I took some photos but I don't know what most of this stuff is, or does?