Okay so if you’ve been reading our posts, then you know we went from this:
to this, with visions of grandeur in our heads. {Windows + doors in our last post!}
Read: We’re building this addition for more space in our home to entertain = winning. We have our entire journey behind this little money pit, here.
{Pssst: You can get an idea of more before and afters at a glimpse, by checking out our spring tour with some before and afters. It’s like the CliffsNotes version of our house because aintnobodygottimeforthat. If you want it in real time, with toilet installations and septic tank grief, start at the beginning in the Money Pit link above. We promise not to disappoint with three years and going strong of antics galore. Wheeee.}
But all that to say, that streetlight is coming down, suckas.
It’s been such an eye sore, but I’ve actually grown a little fond of it.
Side tangent: We recently saw an overhead of our house circa 1983 – I was three. That blows my mind. Our neighbors are doing some historical footage for their work, and sent this over, which we thought was pretty awesome. We have yet to dig into the past ownership of our home, but we plan to do that soon.
Did I mention it’s definitely haunted?
But I’m sharing this to show you… we’ve lost a few trees along the way {so we planted some more this week} and that street light has ALWAYS been there.
ALWAYS.
AL.
WAYS.
Be gone, streetlight. I think the ghost resides there. CAROL ANNE! DON’T GO INTO THE LIGHT!–Anyone else traumatized by that movie when they were younger? I’m done rambling now. Reeling it in…
It’s so funny how things change when you’re planning out a space. I think we have pretty much scratched all our design plans for the inside, and some for the outside too, since we’ve officially begun. Choosing something for our clients is no big deal, and always turns out just fine if we do say so ourselves, but my overthinking takes over when I’m working on our spaces.
I truly believe that the first option is better.
But this is the best photo in the world, because all things Frogtape®. I truly need to keep a running talley of all the things we’ve now officially mapped out in our house and on the job, to make sure we’re on the same page with framers, electricians, drywall guys, etc. You get my drift. The other day, we mapped out the floor with all the furniture and their sizes, to make sure that the lights would be properly positioned. We had to get this one right from the get go, since we’ll be be planking the ceiling again.
I think that you can do computer diagrams all day long, but sometimes nothing beats a good old fashioned tape off. It’s our favorite tool. All that aside, we had plans for the fireplace that will function the same as our indoor fireplace. But here we are with this:
Not bad for mapping it out with a little frogtape, ey?
Yes, I am suddenly Canadian. {They’re such nice people.} Here’s our original diagram. The idea is hidden TV over the space, which worked out nicely for us in the great room…
Pssst: You can read more about that entire process, here.
But since that initial diagram, all the plans for the design have changed. Because I fell head over heels in love with this tile.
It’s so scrumptious, I want to make out with it, and I’m not even sorry about it. If tile were edible, it would get in my bellah… okay. You get the point. No need for me to make it weird.
It sparkles! It’s marble.
And I’m obsessed because it’s beautiful.
If I could be a tile, this would be me.
It’s actually a part of Jeffrey Court’s Trade collection, and a part of their Park Place line. It’s available through a dealer or designer for purchase so be sure to check out those options, here.
This is different than their Home Depot Collections, and not to be confused with those lines, which you can take a look at, here. But don’t you love this little sneak peek?! We love that the space is coming together!
Ps. It sparkles.
Oooohhh a Sparkly.
It’s a wonder we weren’t all traumatized by this movie when we were younger.
Perhaps more so than Poltergeist?
So we’ve come to a bit of a waiting game with inspectors, after the electrician came and did his bidding. The framing is also now officially done, {we passed our inspections!} and next is insulation and drywall, aka that part of the project that feels like it’s moving along quickly again!
Speaking of changing my mind, I talked a little about our plans for this abandoned Disney Movie set in the post on progress before our last one. I’ve decided the brick has to go, since it’s so incomplete. Read: I totally changed my mind.
We’re going for a seamless look in the addition, even though everyone knows it’s an addition. Sometimes, that’s unavoidable in older homes, but we’re going to rid ourselves of the brick since it feels so odd to me in the space, and I’m looking for a practical solution with labor and materials cost.
I had three options: the idea I presented in the last post, bricking it all in with a brick-look tile to try and match it up, or option three, which I’ll be sharing soon.
I wasn’t happy with the other two, and since we want it to look right… so stay tuned.
But I leave you with this.
Next steps coming soon!
As always, let us know if you have any questions.
We’d love to hear from you and thank you as always for stopping by! Have an inspired day!
Cheryl says
I really like your sparkly tile, too. It would be perfect in my kitchen. My colors are Repose Grey (SW), white and navy. Right now, my cabinets are still cherry. Trying to decide whether to paint white or leave them. They’re 13 years old and beginning to show some wear – especially the door to the cabinet under the sink. I can’t wait to see your fireplace with the sparkly tile. 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Sounds like your space is going to be awesome! 🙌
Cyndi says
That tile!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I know! Obsessed. ❤️
Wilma says
Tile is amazing. And if you want to be (a little bit) Canadian, it’s eh, not ey. 🙂 And yes, we do overuse it. Just like we say sorry. Even when we’re not.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hahaha well thank you for educating me! We southerners say sorry too much too ❤️
Renee says
Don’t take this personally….but….I’m confused as to why you’re going with more entertaining space when you have the finished basement area and the living room area??? Wouldn’t the Master bedroom addition be more important?
This is from someone who has a 1400 sq. ft. house…lol I just wish my fireplace was centered on my living room. What were they thinking back in 1955?
ashley @ the handmade home says
I absolutely agree! The problem is, getting the master approved is a more in-depth process. (See codes + all the septic rules here) We are in the middle of that process. We may not get approval. In the meantime, we’re adding square footage and value to our house, despite the rules so we can enjoy it. We say entertaining but it’s really for us. We made this decision based on the real estate condition in our area, and the profit possible. If we have to move after this then so be it, but our home has more than doubled in value since we purchased it.
In the meantime, we have made a very pretty profit a-la the real state game if we can’t stay here. We’re very much enjoying our home in the process. 🤗 I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s a multifaceted list of reasons and this is just the next step that made more sense from an investment standpoint. — Also, because of the master addition and it’s positioning with logistics, etc., its actually important to do this first.
Renee says
Ah…that makes total sense now. I forget about septic since I’m on a city line….that just cost me 4K to fix the P trap sewer line. I’m always surprised on the home improvement shows when they chose not to remodel the basement or attic because…sq footage!
GLoria says
I’ve been searching for more information about your fireplace since we want to add one to our main living room. Is it an electric fireplace? Gas? DId you just build out the surround in order to tile it? The finished product is beautiful!
Jamin Mills says
Hey, the fireplace is a ventless gas and yes we built it out from the main wall and then simply tiled and added the mantel.