Lincoln Avenue: The "sprucing" is starting

It's like the house is getting ready for the prom.

Here's what we've been up to. We are picking paint colors for walls, finishing floors, putting on countertops, assembling vanities and much more.

Here's how we paint swatches on the wall. It's hard enough to figure out colors on the wall. So we create swatches that are about 2'x2'. That helps create a big enough space to start to see what the color might look like. And it's always surprisingly different than you suspect.

These are two of my favorites. They are both really light although they don't look it here. They are cool tones with warmth (does that make sense?) And they are very calming.

Master Bathroom

This room was the one I was most excited about and has been the most trouble. Starting with the fact that the architect drew it into the walk-in closet so we had to reduce the footprint substantially. I wish to God it was larger, but it is what it is. There have been many more headaches which I'll skip for now.

I need a wall color that compliments these Carrera Marble tiles. These two colors on the wall are Benjamin Moore Silver Sage and Quiet Moments. I actually didn't go with either of them. I'm going with a more neutral gray that goes really well w… — I need a wall color that compliments these Carrera Marble tiles. These two colors on the wall are Benjamin Moore Silver Sage and Quiet Moments. I actually didn't go with either of them. I'm going with a more neutral gray that goes really well with the marble floors called BM Wickham Gray. But I am going to use Quiet Moments in the master suite.

Here's the color scheme we started with for upstairs. It's been toned down a bit.

So, Remember the kitchen?

Here is it now

Hardwood floors have been covered to protect the new refinishing. Cabinets have been installed. — Hardwood floors have been covered to protect the new refinishing. Cabinets have been installed.

And here are some fancy nooks in the island for cookbooks. More importantly, on the other side, there are wine racks!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE CARRaRA MARBLE ISLAND?

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Here's what it looks like carrying a 600 pound piece of stone. Geez! Don't envy them!

BEFORE (left), AFTER With marble and Sergio, our delightful fabricator (right). This marble is honed so the shine has been dulled down and it has the most marvelous feel. You just want to rub your cheek on it. In fact, you are all invited to the open house and welcome to try it out yourself!

HEATH TILE

For those of you that know about Heath tile, you'll appreciate what I'm doing below. For those that don't, please go to the site immediately. This is goooood stuff. http://www.heathceramics.com/

So, a few months back, Lance and I were up in Sausalito which means a trip to Heath Tile. The stuff is insanely expensive but they have this little room in the back. It's not highly publicized but its filled with tiles that are either overages or have imperfections. And perfect for folks like us on a budget.

We found a box of dark navy in this Chevron(?) pattern (below) which can be laid either way. Which do YOU vote for?

There wasn't enough of anything for the kitchen backsplash but we guessed that we might be able to do just the stove backsplash with one box. So, as you see below, I had to lay the whole thing out to make sure we have enough. We're close but I think we can pull it off if the tile guys sets them pretty wide apart, like 1/4". Hopefully he can do that.

But, just in the stove backsplash area (like this).

MINI KITCHEN MOOD BOARD

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So here's my little mood board for the kitchen, minus the kitchen counters which are a medium gray quartz. So we have the Heath tile on the left, the Carrara subway tiles for the rest of the back splash and the BM Navy Hale which will be the color of the island.

Remember? This was my kitchen inspiration from day one!

MASTER BEDROOM VANITY

Very excited about our bathroom vanities. We found vintage dressers and are adapting them in order for them to be functional sinks. The master is even getting a trough sink with two faucets. Here is our master fabricator, Sergio, putting the marble on top of the cabinet.

PORCH PAVERS

This is the material (above) that we chose for the all the outside patios. It's Charcoal Gray Slate which was shockingly inexpensive. (It's in the middle of being installed right now and hasn't been grouted or washed down.) It wasn't our first choice but we had a bit of a debacle (see below) and needed to find something in stock. It's classic yet modern. We think it will work!

BACK OF THE HOUSE

It still looks like a bit of a meth shack but it's coming along. You can see that the exterior trim has all been painted Chelsea Gray (love that color). The base of the back patio has been poured and final stucco will go on later this week. We are m… — It still looks like a bit of a meth shack but it's coming along. You can see that the exterior trim has all been painted Chelsea Gray (love that color). The base of the back patio has been poured and final stucco will go on later this week. We are mixing the house paint color into the stucco so we don't have to paint. Fingers crossed.

Luxurious task of the weekend

I put the gaskets on 30 windows. (This helps with weatherproofing and noise). Fun times!

Disaster(s) of the Week

First, we didn't order enough hexagon carerra tiles for the master bedroom. Now the company can not match what we have. No idea what we are going to do.

Next, the vendor that our building supply company uses to the pavers for our porches have not been made and they were promised to us a week ago. The company suggested we cancel the order so we had to change materials (see cottage porch shots).

Last, but not least, Lance and I had a come-to-jesus this weekend. Net Net: the house won't be ready before Thanksgiving. December is not the best month to sell a house. Oh well. Let's just pray for low inventories and that the election doesn't put the economy into a spiral!

Well, that's all I've got for now. Stay tuned for next week. The plywood is coming off the windows which will probably make the neighbors happier than anyone!