CURB APPEAL

Today was our last day to back out of this house due to inspection, and since the inspection went well, we are on our way to closing on this house. As we have thought more about the house we decided we really want to spend some of our $ on the curb appeal. We will have to get bids to see how much it will cost to change the outside, but hopefully we can do some things to make it more of a New England style.

Here are a couple of pictures that inspire us...




Do you think it's possible? I sure hope so (I'm crossing my fingers)

AWNING

?

On the back porch we currently have white awning, but I love this striped awning. My only concern is if it's classic enough, and if it would be distracting. I really like all the colors in this photo though. Can you tell I'm in to WHITE, GRAY AND BLUE?

GREEN GRASSCLOTH WALLPAPER

?

Since I'm already giving my right arm for the navy blue chaise lounge I guess I will have to give my left arm for the green grasscloth wallpaper in this photo. Is this little office not a taste of heaven?

LIGHTING

Last night I was invited to a BBQ by a couple who just renovated a home. It was so helpful to talk to someone who had just recently done a remodel. She had great tips and ideas. But it also got me anxious about all the decisions I need to make VERY soon. She suggested I start with the lighting. I'm not sure why, but I will take her word for it. Below are some lighting options I like.

MARTHA STEWART

I actually love this chandelier for the kitchen or casual family room because of the playful color

RENOVATION LIGHTING
Maybe in the living room or dining room

NULCO LIGHTING
On each side of the living room fireplace or one of the living room walls

HOME DECORATORS
in the bedrooms

CSN LIGHTING
Living room or downstairs family room

CSN LIGHTING
dining room

BALLARD DESIGN
foyer or kitchen

HINCKLEY LIGHTING
foyer or kitchen

JONATHAN ADLER
hallway, downstairs family room, bathroom

GRAY + WHITE ROOM

M.ELLE.DESIGN

Here is a great example of pairing GRAY + WHITE. I think I will use this as one of my inspirations for the colors in the living room...

BLUE + GREY + WHITE = FRONT ROOM?

For the front room, which will be the semi-formal living room, I really like the idea of using either GRAY + WHITE or BLUE + WHITE as the dominant colors (with gold accents, of course). Can I can mix the two?

In the picture right below you can see the end of a beautiful navy blue chaise lounge that I would give my right arm for. Below that is the fabulous Restoration Hardware sofa that comes in this ultra stain resistant fabric that might be worth the splurge. It comes in other colors, but I like the color pictured best. It might look a little brownish-gray in the photo, but I'm pretty sure it's a true gray.

So I love both of these pieces equally. Can they live together in harmony? I ask, because there is no other room in the house that these two pieces would make sense.

VERANDA

RESTORATION HARDWARE
Kensington Upholstered Sofa in Army Duck Cotton (super stain resistant)

REFERENCES!!

DECISION NUMERO UNO: Who to use for kitchen design / cabinetry / appliances / flooring / windows / tile / wallpaper / woodwork...

Do you have any good references for any of the above needs? We need to start looking at kitchen cabinets / flooring / tile / appliances, etc. pretty soon. I guess a lot of those decisions need to be made BEFORE we start construction because it takes a while to order them in.

We are in a middle price range and of course want the best price possible for the highest quality possible. Your help is appreciated! And if it's easier to simply email me rather than comment, that's fine too!

Thanks!

I WOULDN'T MIND IF ANYONE REFERRED HIM!
just kidding, hunny :)

GOOD NEWS! WE ARE UNDER CONTRACT

We are finally under contract on a home! It has been a 2 year process (because we are picky and indecisive) but we found "the one" for us. The house needs A LOT of work so I created this blog in hopes that family and friends can help me, Miss Indecisive, make all the decisions that go into a major remodel.

Below are the pictures of the home. Keep in mind we are REMODELING, but the house has potential (we hope!).

And FYI: I named this blog WHITE + GOLD because those are my two favorite colors. I had to add "design" because whiteandgold.blogspot.com was taken. Don't worry, I know I'm not a designer, nor do I have unreal expectations of becoming one, but since the blog is about design it made sense.

FRONT

FRONT 2

ENTRANCE

FRONT ROOM/LIVING ROOM

FRONT ROOM FIREPLACE

KITCHEN

KITCHEN 2

KITCHEN/EATING AREA

EATING AREA

EATING AREA/2ND FIREPLACE

MAIN FLOOR BEDROOM

DOWNSTAIRS LIVING AREA SPACE

MASTER BEDROOM

MASTER BEDROOM

BACKYARD POOL/VIEW

BACK OF HOME/PORCH