Well, well, well.....

So a couple weeks ago we learned we have 2 big things to take care of before we can actually start digging up dirt - well and septic permits.  We took care of the well permit and drilled last week - a whopping 60 gpm was hit at 200ft.  Yes, that was 60 gpm!  I don't think Jonathan (our builder) could have called with any better news than that!  Of course, needless to say, Mark is now looking at sprinkler systems.   This week I'm working with the engineers on the septic system...oh so fun..not!  The guys are so nice, but wow...I've learned I really have no interest in dirt, rocks and how septic systems work.  And yet, they keep going on and on...it's like listening to Charlie Brown's teacher!  I can't imagine them not noticing my eyes glazing over as they speak - but they are so in to it, I guess they don't realize I'm not.  I just politely nod and say "uh huh, uh huh, okay, so do you need me anymore?"

Fortunately, once we close these out, we should be good to go (finally!!!!).  I am getting a little nervous about getting the house started and closed up before the winter comes!

In the meantime, I continue to work with the kitchen designer (who is amazing...and not just because her name is also Andrea).   Frankly "kitchen designer" is an understatement for her.  She's so talented and creative, I've decided to have her sketch up just about every area in the house.  Here are some shots of what we have  so far....

Kitchen Design

I'm loving this!  I think the designer did a fantastic job of capturing my old farmhouse look. The house will have wide plank reclaimed oak floors - the one thing I did splurge on!  The kitchen cabinet perimeter is going to be a creamy white and the island a rustic knotty alder with a dark walnut stain.  And, it wouldn't be a farmhouse without soapstone countertops!  The cabinet to the right of the range looks funny here, but it's actually going to be a neat little spice cabinet with the old chicken wire style (made to look like a vintage piece).  My only concern about the kitchen is that people may actually expect me to start cooking.  So, I'll have to figure out how to manage that one gracefully.

Here's a pic of the banquette design....this will be off the sink wall.

And, here's a shot of the kitchen built-ins and fireplace...this is basically on the opposite wall of the banquette...I'll have a couple comfy chairs here.  Oh, and a TV above the fireplace that does not play ESPN in the mornings!

Dining Room

The Dining Room is going to have a coffered ceiling, paneled wall and the simple antique style mantel & fireplace. 

Between the Dining Room and Kitchen will be a small passage way with the butler's pantry cabinets.  There was this angled wall from the stairs and she suggested a barrel vault ceiling to hide that. I thought that was a great idea, so we are doing that, too.

Mudroom
And, possibly the most exciting feature of the house (at least for me) is the mudroom.  I'm counting down the days that I don't have sneakers, cleats and Nick's dirty socks piled up on my kitchen floor.  There's a small powder room in there as well.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with brick floors in here and the cabinetry will be this really pretty sage green.  The bench on this first wall is going to be made of reclaimed wood to match the reclaimed wood floors throughout the house.

We are still finishing up some additional spaces, so I'll post those once I have them.  But, that's all for now.  (I can't wait til they are actually real photographs!)