Merry Christmas!!  

So good to start hearing that again, we have made it a practice to sing it out loud and clear at the shop!!!   As I ponder what to write, all of the truisms come to mind.  Blessings of family, good health, a roof over your head, Plenty of good warm food  Things we sometimes take for granted are high on the list.  I wanted to take a look around at simple things sometimes taken for granted, a hearty laugh with a friend, the look your husband gets when he suddenly realizes he REALLY loves you, the energy you get from doing something you love to do  The sense of accomplishment from creating something no one can do exactly like you.  Then my eyes fell on my Molly Brown, still giving me unconditional love after 13 years. 

 

 

 

Many of you know her and look forward to patting her on her old head.  We shaved her this year in a very hot July to help her be more cool and comfortable.  The fur is not coming in at the same wonderful fluffiness we have enjoyed running our fingers through on a cold winters night, as soothing to us as well as her.  We have joked about comb overs, but it was also said she looked like the Velveteen Rabbit, so well worn and much loved, she was rubbed bare in spots.   This is the simplest form of love and devotion.  I am thankful for having her so many years and pray optimistically that she will be with us many more years.

 

 

When I was a child my father, who was instilled with the spirit of Christmas, would bring home a fresh cut tree from the downtown streets of Chicago, with a kitten, that was rescued, tucked into the branches.  I am sure that the love and appreciation of animals began with those unspoken lessons.  This year, even though it is challenging for many of us, I send along hope for a brighter 2012.  Remembering those who are no longer with us but live in the lessons lovingly taught, and are reminded of the pure and simple act of love.  Even though it is difficult at times, wrap yourself in the happiest of memories.   Many Blessings come your way from our family, the Seraph and Domus crew, and Molly Brown too!

 

YES.... WE ARE FINALLY IN TUDOR HILL!

Almost four years since we began this odyssey, but finally transitioned from a work zone to a home.
We are expecting to have some professional photos up soon so please keep posted.

I will be adding the fountain and the planters and urns, which we hope will complete a warm and inviting entry to all of our guests.

                             

Richard Harris is an artist with stone and he is creating the final touches on the entrance to the house by adding 24" of wall and a curved stairway.

                           

Antique Bench

                       Here are some of the photos with furniture in place, but there is a lot of tweaking.

                              

Butler's Pantry

Mike loves the new kitchen and the coffee machine.

kitchen Server

The real challenge is learning all the technical ends of running a home in the year 2011. Just learning how each TV operates, the dishwasher, (which is new for me), the stove, coffee machine, etc.,etc,.  

I am certainly not complaining, but it is a challenge for these two old dogs, learning all the new tricks.  It's different than picking up your TV and plugging it in, but we are slowly getting accustomed to our new digs and loving it more each day.

Kitchen Dining Area

                           

                                   

Master Bath Shower

The shower is on my list of favorites, along with the music system.

Formal Dining Room

Library

Door to Wine Cellar

Reclaimed Barn Board Walls in Wine Cellar

Mike's Office/Den

Gate to Patio and Gardens

Molly has found a new friend under the desk in the library.  We think she has found solace knowing there is another dog around. She loves concrete floors so much that she has given up on her beloved bed.

Thank you for joining us on this journey, we will keep you posted of any future news on the project.

Final Tweaking - Tudor Hill May 2011

Yes, It's been awhile, and no we are still not in the house.  We really do see a light at the end of the tunnel and if we do not have any unforeseen setbacks, we should be in by June.

Refrigerator and Range

There has been a lot of attention to detail  and that is so difficult to photograph.

Morning Light coming through kitchen windows.

Master bath vanity area with art deco biedermeir details

Lots of storage here. Notice entry to shower and gas fireplace

Gas fireplace shower entry area

Entry to walk-in shower

Tile work detail inside shower

Stairwell to guest quarters

True custom styling millwork by J Dana Designs 

  I have included some photos of the guest quarters that are almost completed.

The space has turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.  As we designed as we went along, so much attention was paid to the formal areas that we didn't give much thought to the guest areas. 

I am so delighted with the way in which we have created this wonderful little island, I have threatened to move into this space myself.

 I will be proud to share this space with friends and relatives.

Atrium dining area

We are starting to finish the furniture so that all of the items in the dining room blend and have that wonderful stripped aged wood finish  

Kevin Percy our decorative concrete craftsman will be back this week to refinish a couple of floors,

Master bedroom floor

 then on to deep cleaning and finish the wooden walls and trim 

Storage area near main entry doors.

and then MOVE IN after more than three years of dreaming.

We do have some more exterior  work to be done, but I am sure that this will go on for many years, tweaking until it is just perfect.  We will keep you posted. 

Best, Alex