THANKS, BUT NO THANKSGIVING

Our move in date has been moved so many times, it's become a bad joke.  The current target is the end of October.     I have a hard time believing this, as there is still so much to do, before I can actually move furniture, or even set up my kitchen.         I'm very unhappy that yet another Thanksgiving is upon us, and we won't be enjoying it here.   I know I have much to be thankful for; but our choice of builders, sure isn't one of them.     We are thankful that at least we have a few people on the team, that actually care, and try their best to make things right.

The kitchen counters, are not complete, and the island has presented many challenges.   The glass has broken three times, it's just too large to install in one piece.   The only solution is to seam it in the middle; which is not the best look; but it's way too expensive to keep doing over, and over again.

                                  
The family room is being painted, Farrow & Ball, Dix Blue.   Mirror will be inset above the door, where I had it trimmed out to balance the profile of the kitchen window, and bounce some extra light around.   I really like this colour; especially when the sun is setting.   The October sky has a very moody look, here in Ontario, and the sunsets look spectacular against the vivid hues of the fall foliage.

                                  
The front door, was sanded as smooth as a baby's bottom, then painted Sherwin Williams, Basque Green.
I checked the colour before it was adjusted, and decided to stop, when it reached the shade I wanted.

We had the staircase and railings, painted using the electrostatic method, and I'm pleased with the results.
Now we can have the polished nickel handrail installed.

            
The glass block shower is finished, and the cabinetry is due to be installed.

My closet cabinets have been installed, but we're still waiting for the 'antiqued' mirror to arrive.    All of the doors, drawers, and trim will have mirror set into it.    I plan to mirror the back of the shelves also. My cabinet hardware has a little bling, and the square crystal, references the glass block.

GOOD LOOKING GLASS

 

I was so happy to see the counter surfaces installed in the kitchen today.   They're far from finished; but it's great to see some progress.    The glass surface is reflective, (see above photo) but not annoyingly so, and once the backsplash, and wall above the cabinetry is completed, it will really enhance the room.

                                    

BACK TO BUSINESS

I misplaced my camera, and once I found it, I couldn't find my download cable.   I  managed to take a few before photos yesterday before the sun went down, in case I don't  get a chance this weekend.  My kitchen counters are due to be installed Monday, and I can't wait to see how they'll look.    Regardless how they look, I have to live with them.  lol.   Forever.   I can live with it; that's if I ever get the chance.    This construction has  been like living in an endless joke, I just hope the punchline delivers, and I'll laugh about this one day.

Since the kitchen is the focus now, I won't bother posting photos of the other rooms.    My pictures aren't very good, and if I can manage to take better ones this weekend I'll post them.

The hardware in the pantry went in, and although I don't really love the scale of them in my photos , I really do love them in real life.

HELLO, HELLO

I can't believe it's been this long since I've posted.   This summer went by in a blink, and I barely even had a chance to enjoy it.
I've been sidetracked on an exciting new venture, and lately, much of my attention has been focused elsewhere.
It hasn't exactly been all work; I did manage to slip in a little play this summer, starting with, an amazingly fun Alaskan cruise, and ending with an unforgettable, food & drink fuel'ed, drama driven, make new friends along the way; week in a rented cottage in Provincetown.

Summer here in Ontario ended abruptly over the Labour Day weekend.   We went from almost unbearable heat, and humidity on the Thursday night, to lighting a fire in the fireplace, Saturday night.
My friend, Michael was visiting, and we spent the long weekend up at Summerhill, our cottage on Lake Simcoe.   Michael is fabulous cook, and a good sport; making  delicious meals, and signing copies of his book, 'Bringing Home The Birkin' for several friends who dropped by.

A happy ending to an all too short summer, as the weather obliged with one last sunset. Such a beautiful goodbye.

NORTH TO ALASKA

I'm writing this post on the balcony of a cruise ship.   It wasn't the best time to leave town, but this vacation was booked last fall, and as it turns out weather wise, the timing couldn't have been better!

So far, this cruise has been fantastic, except for the fact that my clothes are getting a little tight.

Meanwhile, back at home; Dino is grouting, polishing, and sealing our marble floors, and as soon as we get back home I'm moving furniture in.

Just before we left, I managed to move the $349.00  birds eye maple desk I found  at Home Sense, into the 'Orange' room.     I found a mirror, that I think pairs well with the desk, at Lisa's store, Equinox.

I also found a light fixture, that reference's one of my favourite Hermes scarves, featuring the 'bolduc' aka, the Hermes ribbon.  
I was wondering what to do with all of my ribbons, so this at least puts some of them to use.
I managed to take a few photos before the sun went down, and the light was terrible, so these pictures look pretty dreadful.
I don't exactly know where I'm going with this room; but since it only has to please me, I don't really care.  lol.

The rest of the photos, I took in our stateroom.
It was a wonderful surprise to begin our vacation, with a very welcome, Bon Voyage gift of flowers, and champagne, from the team at Dalton, our builder.
Thank You, for your thoughtfulness, everyone!

I'm sure you're all enjoying a vacation from me!  LOL.

(I didn't plan to post THIS many pictures of the room; but somehow they all loaded when I added them to the blog photo album.)

                              

ORANGE CRUSH

The painter started work on the upstairs, and one room, I've designated as a space to house my Hermes boxes.
I did a colour match of the iconic orange box; but knew I would not be happy with such a yellow orange on my walls, so I chose one I could live with. Sherwin Williams, Knockout Orange.

Orange is a tricky colour to use, and I have used it in one hue or another, over the years.
In Florida, I used Sherwin Williams, Rejuvenate. It is aptly named, it's so refreshing, and makes me sigh with happiness, the second I walk in the door.
Oddly enough, it looks kind of muddy to me here in Ontario, so I didn't even consider using it for the dining room, which I'm doing in orange, and green.

The orange I used at the cottage, I can't even remember which brand, after sampling a number of oranges, and painting the entire room three times.
I still need to hang up the other two tacky peacock wall hangings. What can I say? It's a cottage, where else can you get away with it?

I still haven't committed to my dining room selection. It's either going to be Sherwin Williams, Energetic Orange, or Sherwin Williams, Daredevil.
I originally chose Sherwin Wiliams, Hearty Orange; but the sample looked drab with my upholstery fabric, and I need it to look lush, and fresh.

As for my Hermes inspired room, my selections for the wall, and trim colours, worked the first time. The trim colour was computer matched from a Hermes, saddle, book cover. It's the exact colour, of the brown trim, on the Hermes box.

The room has a south, west, exposure, so it was the room I felt would show these colours in the best light.

I can't resist including a few shots of the breathtaking sunset, we had last night at the cottage. The sky was so orange. I need a better camera, that can take pictures in low light, like the new Cannon PowerShot. Perfect timing,and it even comes in orange! That's the easiest orange decision I'll ever make.