Psychology 101

I am on the search for the perfect marble.

More like...

I am soul searching for what feels right.

The marble in this kitchen is pretty

but not 100% what I envision for my own.

WHY?

who knows?

maybe because the marble tooks more new

than vintage Paris patisserie?

Now this marble isn't 100% my idea either.

Pretty sure it's Calacatta Ducale.

The gold veining is prominant.

However,

I don't think I want gold-ish marble

ALTHOUGH...

I DO want gold hardware and lighting.

So...maybe I should seriously consider it?

It's definitely beautiful!

And the homeowner looks so happy :)

Another

Calacatta Ducale I saw yesterday?

with lots of movement

or powerful veining.

Some people LOVE the movement...

in fact from what I am learning

most peeps do.

Normally,

I don't prefer it

but I DO love this kitchen.

Which makes me wonder if I should love movement?

Now...here is Statuary marble.

It's the whitest marble with strong gray veins.

I learned that the whiter the marble...

the higher the cost.

Also strong veins don't cost more than weak veins in the same type of marble.

The Statuary marble I saw yesterday was my favorite.

However,

revisiting it today in "REAL" kitchens...

it may be boring?

Statuary marble.

Do I like it?

yes and no.

Here is a slab of Statuary

that I saw yesterday.

Gorgeous.

Another piece of Statuary that was hidden between slabs

was my front runner.

I was able to see enough of it to know it was my style

but not enough was exposed to take it's picture.

This slab would make someone very happy...
just not sure if that someone is
ME?

I also liked this slab of Calacatta
It looks most like the marble in the 1st kitchen picture I posted.
Less distinct veining which I happen to like
BUT...
it does have some gold.
However...
not as much as this next one...

Calacatta Ducale was amazing.
It has VERY distinct gray and GOLD veining.
Can you believe God made ALL this marble?
Makes me speechless...
and a part of me wants to display some of His most glorious artwork
in my kitchen.
Maybe...I need the distinct colors and movement?
This Calcatta Ducale is almost identical to the marble shown
in the 2nd gorgeous kitchen I posted.
BUT...
is it what I should do?
I don't have the answers yet.
But today's blogging has been very therapeutic for me.
thank you...
Lovin' It,
Lisa

Twist My Arm

My son-in-law asked me to design their master bathroom.

Jeremy promised that if I design it...he will build it.

PINCH ME!

Here I go...

Since their home is a 1940's colonial...

I think some black white tiles would be nice?

And this floor above is a calm version...

Love this gray-blue finish.

And the baskets....

and marble (sigh)

but we're not doing that here.

This is pretty much the perfect sink,

color walls(matches their new Matlasse coverlet)

& I especially LOVE the beadboard!!

And Jeremy,

I like the next ceiling too...

(and the light)

Would love a clawfoot tub for them but too pricey...

and I like the small tiled floor

BUT Jeremy says laying mini tiles is a nightmare.

He's been there and done that.

They have a 6foot window on one wall that brings in TONS of sunshine

Blessed, huh?

I like how the previous curtain is hung to let the light in

& maintain privacy.

HOWEVER,

my favorite window treatment is this next one...

Shutters!

Just so happens...

where their master bath will be located,

they can get away with ones just on the bottom.

Like this!

Again, love the floor

but mini tiles are out.

I had to throw in this laundry hamper

from Pottery Barn.

too cute!

(Hint:I will take one for Mother's Day)

I have ALOT of designing to do these days

And I am...

Lovin' It,

Lisa

75 & Sunny

This amazingly warm day has me dreaming of Summer.

I am smitten with this outdoor dining set

by Restoration Hardware.

(The pea gravel has me hyper venilating)

And this scenario isn't bad either.

I LOVE the look.

And this table with zinc top...

is a dream.

But priced at Restoration Hardware pricing...

$4000

I cannot indulge in such foolishness.

WHO can??

Since Restoration Hardware chair pricing is just as discouraging...

I have found some better priced alternatives.

That I think hold their own.

This one is actually gray wicker.

I think it looks awesome.

But now for the table??

I may know someone who can replicate

it? at a more reasonable price.

WOW

This glorious day has me outside

& dreaming.

I don't even care that the wind is blowing

my tape measure

all over the patio.

Lovin' It,

Lisa

California Girls

One of my favorite bloggers, Brooke, from Velvet and Linen

is moving from SantaMonica to Ojai CA.

She just listed her small home for

$3.9 million.

On her blog,

she has posted even more beautiful pictures of her home.

Doesn't this kitchen have that signature Californian vibe?

Her husband is an architect

and they are building

what they lovingly refer to as the

Patina Farm in Ojai.

It is worth your time to check it out.

Follow her blog

and you can join her design & building journey.

It will be a very simple European farm house.

This is their breakfast room:

doesn't it look like CA out those windows?

Love that giant old tree.

A full view of that lovely tree

and lovelier backyard.

But not very big for the buck.

Their realtor held an Open House today

from 11-2.

Guess potential buyers

in that price range

don't have to work??

(courtesy:Prudential/Dave Offer)

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Landry

Poppies & Mason Jars

I HATE Pinterest!

Seems like you have to have a Facebook account to join??

So this morning I joined FB

and immediately un-joined FB because it creeped me out.

Cannot believe that I instantly had 4 creepy male profiles "requesting" to be my "friend"

Creeped me out...

FB also supplied me with a VERY accurate list of people I may know on FB.

With nothing but my LEGAL name that most people do NOT know.

Facebook already had too much information for me to feel comfortable!

The instant connections creeped me out.

Therefore,

I had to go on someone else's Pinterest account

and blog to create this:

Poppy and Mason Jar Wedding Board

Future Bride: Outdoor Fall Wedding

Future Groom: West Point Military Man

(which explains my 1st photo)

Bride adores poppies...
and mason jars...

and the outdoors.

Cute placecards,huh?

I love weddings.

Wish I could design Weddings Boards on Pinterest.

Lovin' It,
Lisa

A Banker and A Banquette

We've had this conversation before...

I love banquettes.

Truth be told...

when there is banquette seating available at a restaurant

everyone wants to sit there

because it's comfy and cozy.

That explains why people are using them in their homes.
Comfortable and cozy.

Quiz:

Where would you want to sit at this table?

In one of those chairs?

or the banquette?

All of you will answer:

The Banquette!

A banquette snuggled between two walls

with lighting is heaven.

I really don't think that they would be that hard to build.

Quiz:

Where would you want to sit at this table?

Same answer:

The banquette.

There are all shapes of banquettes.

I especially love this space.

I wish I could see the rest of this kitchen.

It looks like a kitchen that is focused more on beauty than function.

Which I totally understand.

I am favoring beauty over function in my own kitchen.

It's like wearing a pair of high heel shoes...

They aren't practical

but BOY! do they look good!

Take these bookshelves

add to a room with a banquette

with a cup of French pressed coffee...

and you have created perfection

Which brings me to this photo:

No Banquette

but a couch snuggled in between wrap around book shelves and "Kelly's" lights.

Which made me think about the nook in my OWN dining room.

How awesome it would be to move my china hutch

some where else??

and build a banquette in that cozy area.

See the nook behind my hutch between the two sconces?

No doubt that I have the perfect space to build a banquette...

Don't you agree?

Now

how should I share this idea with my "banker"?

I think I could lure him with the promise of...

French press coffee

while sitting in his new banquette.

Lovin It,

Lisa

Kitchen Stuff

While my boys are together in Big Sky, Montana

doing what I'd never do...

I am doing my kitchen "research"

Since my cabinet makers just gave me a July date for my kitchen cabinets,

I am not in any hurry now.

I am purposely leaving one wall void of upper cabinets

which will allow me to add open shelving.

Not sure if I will do metal industrial type shelving

like this killer kitchen above...

or even hang some artwork
or use some type of bracket shelving

I love this look.

Very cozy.

I plan to get a black Viking stove like this one.

But will opt out of a black hood.

This kitchen is amazing.

Crazy about the island and the ceiling.

wow

Elizabeth at The Enchanted Home has a new black stove.

and an incredible kitchen and home

Today,

I am leaning toward doing my perimeter cabinets in

Benjamin Moore's Classic Gray

(same paint in my dining room)

I am really liking it.

Can't believe that I finally chose the right paint color.

Another cute kitchen with a black stove.

I am trying to create a European feel

and I read that a black stove is one way to do that.

I agree.

Lovin It,

Lisa