Over Budget: Necessary or Not?

Selecting Plumbing has been one of the most difficult processes during our building project.
Here are some of my final selections. We worked with Beth at Morrison Plumbing.

I liked Beth, but felt at times that I was directed to only high end items and not given a choice of finding a like item at a reduced price. They have a very large inventory on site to see first hand and Beth is an expert on all the things plumbing. So all in all, I was satisfied and went a little over budget on my plumbing selections.

Pool Bath

Pool Bath includes a rectangular travertine vessel sink,
a single lever faucet made by ROHL with extra height to stand behind the sink in antiqued bronze. I posted previously about my DROOG light fixture that was purchased while I was living in my old home that we tore down to build. I love this light, but I was afraid I could not find a place for it in my new home. I am putting it in the Pool bath. Everything else for the pool bath has been selected to highlight the Chandelier. I am crossing my fingers, hoping it all works together.

Master Bath

All I can say about these choices, wait till they are installed and see everything together! I love this Tub.

Powder Room

It is all about the sink! A beautiful 16" round mother of pearl vessel sink that can be mounted recessed on not, from Linkasink has been ordered for the Powder Room.
The drain cover issold separately, but well worth the cost. They have the best selection of drains I have ever seen. I never really looked for decorative drain covers. When we starting building the house, who knew you could buy such cute things. I choose only one for the house, the one above that matched the sink. They are costly but I needed some bathroom jewelery for my powder room. I have always wanted a standout powder! Let's hope it all works out.
Linkasink has a great selection of metal, stone, shell drains. Check it out!

Standard	All Metal	Metal and Shell
Metal and Cloisonné	Carved Stone

Train or Untrained?

Our new Puppy! We need a good local dog trainer that will come to our home.
Our puppy is adorable and good natured. We selected him from a litter that were left to die during Hurricane Ike.

Our neighbor is a wonderful lady who is part of a rescue team that help local Great Pyreness that have been abandoned or left. They are wonderful breed and we are thrilled to add Ike, yes his name is Ike, after the horrible hurricane that left Houston paralyzed for almost 2 weeks.

Fake or Real???

Busy making decisions and using the wonderful design blogs that are out there. I have only one design blog listed, my favorite and out of respect and out of awe she stands alone. If you are interested in design or just want to be entertained- visiting Cote de Texas is a must!!!

The house is coming along and should be done soon - 45 days! I wanted to post the whole process on this blog, but all the decisions, economy, kids and life got in the way. Currently I am selecting my Kitchen island lighting. The island was designed by Nikki - at Cabinet Innovations located in the Design Center. Love her!

The island is 121 1/2 x 60. LARGE!!! I was just told today by Rafi at, Olympus Marble and Granite, that I would have to order a Jumbo piece from Sileston. I wanted Ceasarstone, but I do not want a seam. Any suggestions? I will be researching this soon. Back to lights. I need 2 pendants. I really would like to purchase from Visual Comfort (Circa Lighting), not only are they produced by a Houston company where I live , in this economy I like to trade with local businesses as much as I can, but I love this design. They are costly $525 for the small.Restoration Hardware
Versus the copy from Restoration Hardware that are $250 each. Design is important to me.....Do I need to spend for the original? Yes? Another decision is Circa's has 2 sizes, small and large ($725). Which is best? Can you tell the difference?

Circa Lighting (Yoke Pendant)

Week 1 to Week 26

We are building a new House!!! These are photos of the day they plotted out the foundation.
We were so excited that first day!!! Week 1 -


Our excitement continued when the foundation was poured.


Then the framing.....

Oh no....the excitement is gone.....and we have trash in the house and the job seems to be stalled. Week 26.......no progress. Rain bad subs....
I am going to focus on the good stuff, pretty stuff...the design and finds for the house.
I would appreciate any comments and I will always ask advise.

Chandelier or Art?

Where do I put this Chandelier in my new home. I bought this chandelier 2 years ago because I thought is was great one of the most interesting pieces I have ever seen. It is a Droog Design, by Rody Graumans titled '85 Bulbs. It weighs 55 pounds. My husband hates it and I love it. In our old home it hung in the stairwell. That house does not exist anymore, we are building on our lot. (I loved that old house).

Hung in the old house. Notice the white exposed ball. I am not sure if this is supposed to be installed in the ceiling or left exposed. Any ideas or information on hanging this in the new house?