Come on baby, light my... house.

I've learned a lot about my style preferences as we've started the lighting selection process.  Apparently I'm 'Transitional'.  And prior to three or four weeks ago, I didn't know such a style existed.  According to Wikipedia (which obviously knows everything and is my go-to source for answers on the internet), "Transitional Style (also known as "updated classic", "classic with a contemporary twist", "new takes on old classics") in interior design and furniture design refers to a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, midway between old world traditional and the world of chrome and glass contemporary; incorporating lines that are less ornate than traditional designs, but not as severely basic as contemporary lines. As a result transitional furniture designs are classic, timeless, and clean."

You can't go wrong with classic, timeless and clean, right?  At least that's what I keep telling myself.  I think anyone who knows me would agree that I struggle to make a final decision.  I research things.  I analyze cost.  I re-research.  I ask opinions.  I buy something.  I return it.  I noodle on it longer.  I wait for a sale.  Then, maybe, I'll make a final decision and buy what I'm looking for (which may or may not have been what I previously returned).  I am so thankful for generous return policies.  And I'm even more thankful for a husband who puts up with my indecisiveness.

We've been looking at lighting for at least three months.  And, until the past two weeks, I'd avoided buying anything beyond three exterior lights (mentioned here).  It probably won't come as a surprise that I ended up returning those lights.  I figured if I wasn't totally sold on them, they weren't worth keeping.  When my Mom took E a couple of weeks ago, we made it a mission to make some progress.  Want to see what we picked out?

For E's bathroom, we're going to use two pendant lights - one over each of the sinks.  I love the pendant we picked out and despite holding off on buying it originally (it wasn't on sale!), I went back the next day and picked them up.  Of course, you know I'll be stalking the sale flyers until they're taken out of the box to be installed.  When I pulled the picture below, however, I just noticed that the description says "dry location".  Might need to think about this one again... [update:    We met with the electrician for our walk-through and he said vanity lights would provide much better lighting than the pendants.  I'm bummed, but quickly realizing pretty doesn't mean functional.  These will be going back and I'll be finding some new 3-light vanity fixtures.]

[Restoration Mini Pendant from Menards]

We're planning to use the same fixture in our foyer and above our kitchen sink.  Hubby has been a big fan of this light since we first saw it at Lowes.  I finally agreed to buy it when it was marked down and I had a 10% off coupon.  Compromise is a beautiful thing.  As much as we like the look of the Edison bulbs, I'm sure we'll eventually switch them out for something with better lighting.

[allen + roth 12-in W Bronze Traditional Pendant Light with Clear Shade from Lowe's]

I haven't actually purchased the light for our dining area yet... you guessed it, I'm waiting on a sale.  I'm pretty certain this is the one, though.  If anyone finds any discounts for Crate&Barrel, I'll be your best friend if you send them my way!

[Finley Large Wheat Pendant Lamp from Crate&Barrel]

We have a peninsula that somewhat separates the dining area and kitchen.  I'm not sure if we'll hang two or three pendants above it, but we currently have three sitting in our garage.  I was sold on the lights at the store, but after reading the reviews online I'm a little hesitant.  These might end up going back as well.... 

[allen + roth Mission Bronze Edison Mini Pendant Light with Clear Shade from Lowe's]

I'm not exactly in love with ceiling fans but Hubby is a hot head and insists we have them throughout the house.  And by throughout the house, I mean the great room and the bedrooms.  It just seems like everywhere.  We found the first fan, for the great room, at Home Depot.  I wasn't willing to pay the $219 asking price, but we were able to track down the exact fan at a discount website for $80.  Sweet victory!  The second fan is for our Master Bedroom and was a compromise on style and function.  Now, I just need to find two more fan/light combos for the other bedrooms...  Suggestions?

[Hampton Bay Altura 68 in. Indoor Oil Rubbed Bronze Ceiling Fan from Home Depot] 

[Harbor Breeze 60-in Saratoga Oil-Rubbed Bronze Ceiling Fan with Light Kit from Lowe's]

And remember how I mentioned that I'd returned our original exterior lights?  We picked up some replacements from Menards the same day.  I hemmed and hawed in the exterior light aisle for a good hour before finally making up my mind.  Sad, I know.  We had to wait even longer to leave because I chose a discontinued light and there were only three in stock - one being the floor model hanging on the wall.  Good thing my Hubby loves me!  Note that the link below is only for the replacement shade since the light itself has been discontinued.

[Patriot Outdoor Double Glass Wall Light from Menards]

Finally, we made a decision on the dreaded post light.  I still don't love it.  But, I'm sick of looking, and for $25, the lamp we selected is a fine interim solution (at least that's what I keep reminding myself as I search for other options online).  Just need to pick up the post, now...

[Maya 1-Light 14.75" Black Outdoor Post Topper Light from Menards]

Despite how big of a pile these make in our garage, I'm amazed with how many purchases we still have left to make.  Our electrician said he'd be ready to install everything in about a month, so I've got to get back in gear.  Next up: two ceiling fan/light combos for the bedrooms, an overhead light for the flex room, three overhead lights for the hallways, two triple vanity lights for the bathroom, another triple vanity light for the powder room, an overhead light for the laundry room, four sconces for the master bathroom and another overhead light for the master closet.  It sure would be a lot easier if I could get on board with the "boob light".  Speaking of which -- any suggestions for boob light alternatives?  I've seen a few I like but I'm not quite ready to spend the $70 a piece.  Especially when I need five.  Yes, I'm frugal (which sounds so much classier than 'cheap').

day 36

I started this post last Thursday (day 32), but was interrupted by life.  Imagine that?  E had a fever Wednesday evening and Thursday, so I stayed home with him for a sick day.  Hubby turned the big 3-0 on Friday and we headed out of town over the weekend to celebrate.  Unfortunately, I picked up a nasty bug while we were gone and am having my own sick day today.  So thankful my fever finally broke this afternoon and I'm starting to feel semi-human again.  Moving from the bed to the couch and getting a shower is progress, right?

Update through day 32:

Hubby was anxious to see what all they had gotten done since morning, so we headed back by that night when we ran to the grocery store.  I should note - the Lot and store are in opposite directions.  We're really just that excited.  It's like Christmas morning every time we go out there and see more done. "Look!  Another board is up!"  "Did you see that pile was moved?"  "Oh!  Another hole!"  It's actually a little pathetic.  Anyway, by that evening the roof had almost been completed and the windows had been delivered.

Update through day 36:

I took my in-laws by the Lot when they were in town on Friday afternoon (day 33) and, by then, most of the windows were hung.  Last night (day 35), when Hubby ran by again, he said all the windows were up, doors were hung and that some of the duct work had been started.  We also received an e-mail from the electrician today and set up our appointment to meet with him to do our electrical walk through tomorrow afternoon.  Fingers crossed I'll be less zombie-like in another 20 hours!  In the mean time, any suggestions on electrical solutions?  Things you did and loved?  Things you didn't do and wished you had?

day 27 (on day 30)

Finally some daylight photos!  As of Saturday, all of the walls were up and the roof trusses were ready to be put into place.  We ran by tonight and the sheathing is almost completely on the roof.  After months of nothing, it's crazy how quickly things are progressing now.

Without further ado, here's the tour as of Day 27:

[up the driveway]

[through the back door]

[laundry room - first door on the right]

[drop zone and powder room - after the laundry room]

[basement stairwell...well, sort of - after the drop zone/powder room]

[master bedroom - at the end of the hall - view from the door]

[master bedroom - view from the closet]

[master bedroom closet - view from bathroom toward back of house]

[master bathroom - view from closet toward front of house]

[view from back hallway - kitchen on left - dining area on right - great room straight ahead]

[left out of the hallway and into the kitchen - window faces front of house]

[view from the kitchen to the dining area - windows face back of house]

[view from great room to dining area - master bedroom in the background]

[into the great room from the kitchen - flex room on the left]

[looking into the great room from the front door/foyer - flex room on right]

[bedroom facing front of house - through hallway off great room]

[looking from front bedroom toward bathroom and back bedroom]

[back bedroom]

And from the outside:

[front - looking south - windows from L to R: bedroom, foyer, flex room, kitchen, garage]

[side - looking west - windows from L to R: bedroom, bathroom, bedroom]

[back - looking north - windows from L to R: master bedroom, dining area, great room, bedroom]

[back porch! - great room windows and fireplace]

[side - looking east - garage doors and window in master bath]

[front porch!]

[our Christmas decor! - under the kitchen window]

[stone is stacked and ready to go]

 

We made several lighting/fan choices over the weekend and even stopped by Menards tonight to pick up three more fixtures.  While there, we were able to extend our bathtub hold until the end of the month.  Crossing my fingers that we'll have somewhere to store it at the house by December 31; otherwise, it will be coming to live in the kitchen of our condo.  I've always wanted a bathtub dining table.

through the years

So many updates from the past few days, but I'm too tired to try to get through them all.  My mom took E for the weekend, so Hubby and I were able to work on house stuff and Christmas shopping.  Outside of getting up and getting ready in the morning, we were gone all day each of the past two days.  It was nice to be able to run from store to store without a toddler, but I was so glad to pick up my little man this afternoon.  He had a great time with Nana and we were able to get quite a bit done, so it was a win-win for everyone.

More detailed updates to come but since last Thursday we have: met with our Construction Manager, taken updated house photos, chatted with neighbors, looked at way too many light fixtures (and even purchased a few!), started decorating for Christmas and shopped til we dropped.  Phew.  I think I'm even more tired now that I've typed it out.  It was a crazy week at work for me, so I was glad for a full weekend of non-work activities.  And what a weekend it was - temperatures in the upper 50s/lower 60s...in Wisconsin...in December.  Such a treat!

[sneak peek of Saturday's progress]

Hubby put our Christmas tree up on Thursday night but we didn't finish 'fluffing' it or start putting ornaments on until tonight.  Please tell me I'm not the only one that tears up looking at old ornaments and remembering past Christmases.  Our life has changed so much in the past few years and I couldn't help but get teary eyed thinking of all of the Joy we've been blessed with.  The biggest change since 2010 has been this little guy:

2010

(5 months - First House)

 

 

2011

(17 months - First House)

2012

(29 months - "Temporary House")

It's hard to imagine that life used to exist without him.