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.

And You Thought We Only Did Living Rooms?

This is one of our latest projects that we thought you would enjoy.

We were asked to do a nursery that wasn't filled with cartoon characters.

The recipient, a much anticipated little girl by the name of Kelsey.

So we put our best designing skills to work and here is the result.  

Gossamer curtains and princess touches completed this special space.

It isn't too over the top but we did a french gray and a sea foam green color scheme.

We even have a photo of Kelsey, with updates on the way.

 Hope you (and Kelsey) enjoy the results!

Fall 2010 - Alex's Update on Tudor Hill

Hello loyal followers,
 I know you must think we have given up on our new home. Never fear, we have marched onward and hang on to your hats, there are many things to share.

 It seemed that we had nothing new to write about for many weeks, then all of a sudden we realized a lot of progress was being made, but it happened simultaneously. So attached are many new photos and I am hoping that there will be more updates closer together.

The new stone wall in front of the house is in midstream and will be a wonderful addition to making the front age considerably and create a courtyard.

 Our hope is to make the front of the house to be more country manor
in appearance and I can see that emerging.

All the electric on the exterior has been run and the lampposts are set. Lanterns go in this week.

The most progress is in the landscaping.

 We have some walls left to build but all of the gardens are planned and all the cobble has been set in place.



Andrea is shown aging some of the exterior walls.



The plasterer will be here in a week or two and my wonderful faux artist, Andrea is back on the job on Tuesday to age all of the interior walls that have just been installed. We should start finishing the unfinished furniture soon.

On the interior, the Dana Family from J. Dana Designs have been working their magic.

You will notice the Tudor paneling going up the grand staircase is almost complete and the library wall, which is a Tudor castle library, benches included, is an interpretation of that wall.

You may not be aware, but Jeff Dana and Sons have joined us here at The Seraph and Domus. We are so happy to have them on board. They are quite talented and they can tackle any wood working challenge.

 From wonderfully creative kitchens and baths to mill work and custom furniture. Just a small example of their talents is exhibited in my closet area. We have designed a very malleable and ingenious system that is affordable and can be used in almost any space. We use it both in my closet room and Mikes'.

The chandeliers are hung for the dining area in the Solarium.  

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You can see Mike and I have already made a fire out on the Solarium. 

Two weeks ago the granite counter tops were installed and last week the kitchen and

 bathroom cabinets were installed.

Honed granite counter top on the island.

Kitchen Dining Area.

The Butlers Pantry is coming along.

We converted this stone bowl into a sink for the Butlers Pantry.

A garden urn with a vessel sink is installed.

Gate door to wine cellar.

Progress in the Wine Cellar.

Shelving system down in the Larder.

  Mikes' "Man room" has it's fireplace installed and his desk. So he should be toasty warm in his little corner of the cellar.

Skylight in Master Bath.

Fire place in alcove of the shower.

This week we will purchase all of the tile for the shower room. This room is truly amazing and I cannot wait to experience my first shower. It is my big "splash".

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 The bathroom cabinets, which is again an interpretation of an Art Deco room. I designed it to have radius doors in Olive wood veneer.

We were lucky enough to have our passage doors made to match.

You see, we haven't been just sitting around. I have to admit I am not a hot weather fan and this summer has been a challenge for me to get down there and work.  I hope to enjoy cleaning and working on the home in much cooler conditions. I know I have promised things to move along before, but I do have a sense of a light at the end of the tunnel. I am hopeful that we will be eating turkey in the little dining room this year at Thanksgiving. Updates will come more regularly from here on out so keep checking.

 Molly can't wait to move her new bed into the new bedroom.

Still hopeful and loving it,
Alex, Mike and Molly