September 7, 2009

Done!

Finished!

Complete!

(sound of angels singing "Alleluia!")

The remodel of our house is done (well, except for a couple of lights and two mirrors on back order, and the window shades that aren't installed yet) and it turned out really well, even if I do say so myself. Do I know how to decorate or what? If CCI doesn't work out for me I think I'll seek a change of career as a home remodel designer. Who says dogs are color-blind?

I did a great job of picking out tile and paint and lights and accessories, according to all the friends and neighbors who stopped by to admire the house this weekend.

The guest bath is super hip with its color pallet of black, gray and white tile and the sweet pea green on the walls sets it off perfectly. I found a rug shaped like a black Lab for the floor. The guest room is a deep moss color, and I found beautiful pillows, a comforter and a rug that make the whole room quite welcoming and restful. I'll be taking naps in there, count on it.

The master bath is painted a soothing pale aqua with grey and white tiles, and a beautiful aqua and white glass tile as accent. Marianne LOVES the countertop I chose that is dark gray granite with shimmery flecks of blue. It all goes nicely with the deep gray on the walls in the master bedroom. I found another rug with a black Lab at the seashore that is perfect in the bathroom, and some oriental carpets in greys and tans for the bedroom to coordinate with the slate blue and chocolate brown comforter.

The kitchen is a cheery bright pumpkin color which sets off the light cabinets and the black granite (with a subtle copper fleck) counters. The dining room is a wonderful lighter shade of apricot that sets off the stacked stone fireplace like you wouldn't believe.

And the living room! Oh, my. I really had to pressure Marianne to pick out the deep yummy teal blue, but she says she's glad I persisted because it is gorgeous. It looks wonderful with the cherry wood bookcase and entertainment center that I asked Dave & Javier (our contractor and our carpenter) to build. Dave wasn't sure about the cherry wood but I convinced him to try it, and he admits I was right. John loves the creamy beige stone countertop I chose for the bookcase in the entry because it has actual fossils in it! I wasn't sure the humans would notice a small detail like that; I guess their eyesight is better than I thought.

I enjoyed choosing lighting to coordinate, and the wall sconces in the halls and master bath are getting rave reviews. I'm a little disappointed that the pendants for the kitchen and the two spotlights are on order still, but they will be FABULOUS when Keith (our electrician) installs them.

OH! I almost forgot my favorite part. One day I was noodling around on the Internet and I found the PERFECT knobs for the kitchen cabinets by a talented woman named Rosalie Sherman. I chose a variety of dogs, cats, birds and one giraffe. Marianne thought they might be too whimsical (she's kind of a stick-in-the-mud) but I ordered them anyhow and now she says they make her laugh every time she walks into the kitchen. So there.

Yup, all that shopping that I forced Marianne to do paid off. The house looks great and we can't wait to move back in this week. I wonder what Meryl and Mina and Dewey will think of it?

Chow for now!

Ross

P.S. If you want to see my choices and some helpful references, click here.

Questions or comments for Ross? Send him an e-mail!

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence or perhaps be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to CCI for details.