DOUBLE KITCHEN ISLANDS?

I spotted this pic and it get me thinking...what about two kitchen islands like they have in this kitchen? That way if your husband, kids, friends, parents are helping with food prep you can each have a prep area on your own island. I think it makes for a nice work space within the kitchen, but I'm not sure I would do this in my own house. What do you think?

KIDS BATHROOM

I am excited to design the kids bathroom, but it might also serve as the guest bathroom as well. Can I go somewhat kiddie themed if it's the guest bathroom as well, or would you go more neutral because guests will be using it?

the only thing I like in this picture is the tub/shower. I have a personal aversion to purple

I can't tell if I love this bathroom or that cute little girl wiping her face (I imagine it's Caroline 2 years from now). I wouldn't do the coral color, but I love the turquoise and gray combo. I also like that it looks like a kids bathroom but is still stylish.

whoever thought of this cabinetry feature was a genius! this is a must-have for the kids bathroom.

PAUL RAFFERTY ART

If I had $30K to spend on anything I wanted but didn't need, I think I would spend it all on a painting by Paul Rafferty. Here are a few of his paintings that I have fallen in love with. Check out more of his artwork here...

CHAMPAGNE DREAMS ON A BEER BUDGET

As I'm looking at my blog and assessing the things I want in this house it is becoming more and more apparent how I honestly have champagne dreams on a beer budget. It's hard to settle for natty light when you see that beautiful bubbly champagne!

(And no, this is not an admission to drinking - I am still a liquor virgin)

FREESTANDING TUBS

What do you think about freestanding tubs vs. inset tubs? Jon and I are leaning towards a freestanding tub, but my mind is not made up. Any input? Anyone own a freestanding tub? This tub will be in the master bathroom where we will also have a walk-in shower...

? - I'm not sure how we would arrange the tub

?
I love this bathroom!

soaking tub from Bellobagno - Jon and I sat in one and it was heavenly. who doesn't love a hot bath in the winter after the kids have gone to sleep?!

COTTAGE AND BUNGALOW

In my design blog stalking I stumbled across a post about this home furnishing store called COTTAGE AND BUNGALOW . It's pricey - more than I want to pay, but it has some great things that I could probably reproduce or find elsewhere for cheaper.

(A big-girl bed for Caroline - I love that she can only fall out on one side :) )

(formal dining/living room or hallway)

(for Caroline's room)

(downstairs bathroom mirror - I'm doing a beach theme)

(these dining chairs are so great! I worry a little bit about how well they would hold up with kids)

MY NEW FAV WEBSITE - REMODELISTA (thank you chels)

Thank you so much, Chelsea, for referring me to the website REMODELISTA.COM. The piece they do on countertops has been so helpful. To anyone who is thinking about putting in new countertops I highly recommend you to follow this link and check out their recommendations: http://remodelista.com/posts/10-easy-pieces-remodelistas-kitchen-countertop-picks

REMODELISTA

The highest recommended stone was CaesarStone. I'm seriously thinking about CaesarStone for our countertops.

DURAT WEBSITE

Durat is also a great option that is environmentally friendly and can be sanded down if any wear starts to show. I love the clean look of this countertop as opposed to granite.

DUTCH DOORS

I love dutch doors! We stayed in a home in Coronado, CA that had a dutch door for the front door and I loved it. We could have the top half open for some air, we could answer the door without the kids or dog running outside. It was great. I'm seriously considering a dutch door for the front entry door. What do you think? You don't see these doors very often and I'm wondering if that's for a reason...

AND MORE KITCHENS!

More kitchen inspiration...

TAYLOR HANNAH

we like the white counter tops in this kitchen. is that too much white on white? the island might be a dark blue so the white would look good on the island but maybe not on top of the white cabinets...

TARA FINGOLD

we like the clean and simple look of this kitchen and the cabinets

MOLLY FEY

we might have to arrange our table like they do in this picture to get it to fit in the narrow kitchen space. I think it's a great solution.

TWO ELLIE DESIGN

we are looking at arranging our freezer and refrigerator almost exactly how they have them in this pic. I also love the cabinets on the island. it's a great kitchen. we love the symmetry.

KITCHENS!!!

Here are a few kitchens that I love for different reasons...(this is just a sampling of the hundreds of kitchen photos I have accumulated)

SOUTHERN LIVING
love the symmetry, the wood floors, the white cabinets and the set up.

COASTAL LIVING?
love the yellow and white combo. also like the range and hood

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST?
love the set up of the dining table right next to the island

COASTAL LIVING
love the wood top on the island and the white cabinets

?
love the cafe style hood and the yellow and blue tones

WOLF RANGE

WOLF 36" GAS RANGE

I have done a bit of research on the best gas cooktops and electric ovens and it seems like the WOLF gets the best overall ratings. Any opinions out there on the WOLF or other gas ranges? How important do you think a double oven is? I don't cook much as of right now, so I'm not sure. I think the 36" is the best option for our kitchen since space is somewhat limited. What do you think?
Please comment! Thanks.

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