Hear the Bells Ringing

Priorities, folks! No, we don't have the toilets, much less the faucets, ordered, but what do you think about this doorbell? Do you think it is a suitable tribute to my Canadian, salmon-loving Wonder Husband?

(Image from www.craftsmandoorbells.com)

Romantic Notes....

The subject line of the first e-mail I received from Wonder Husband this week read:
"Link to Toilet seat on Lowes".

Sweet romance. Sigh.

Design Teaser II:

Master bath lighting: Restoration Hardware Devon Sconce in Chrome (on clearance, baby!).

Secret: sometimes I say "scones" instead of "sconce".

Image from Restoration Hardware

Design Teaser:

Powder room sink and unmentionable (Carreen told me I can't say that word at the dinner table). They are from the Archer line by Kohler. If you zoom in on the prices I can promise we aren't paying that much. This photo (by moi) was made at Fergusons, the Showroom with Cookies, and ours will come from Ye Olde Lowes or Home Depot (which sometimes has popcorn and our local one has an Italian sub trailer out front).

I just put the Hound on there again because he still cracks me up! "Your t.p., madame."

How much can a woman bear?

In the midst of a major house renovation, when a woman is plagued with thoughts of faucets, duct work, and sudden (urgent! with no warning!) requirements to select door hinges, should she also be plagued, each time she looks in the mirror or her hair brushes her chin, with the nagging reminder that Melba cut one side of her hair at least 1/2 an inch (if not more) shorter than the other side? How much is one woman expected to bear?

I hereby task Wonder Husband and my Brownie with the duty of not allowing me to return to Melba. Yes, Brownie, because I know you will ask - this is the 2nd time Melba has apparently taken this approach to haircutting.

I now return to monitoring the e-bay auction for an antique door knob.

Many, many updates...

There are many updates. Exciting updates. Mundane updates. But I am too tired.

It is a busy time at Hill House. As you know, Super Dad and Miracle Mom were visiting last week and did perform what seemed like miracles in the current abode: a clean, evenly painted radiator! bookcases that are not crammed with books, but instead have enough books to make us look tastefully literary, but stylish in our placement of interesting objets d'art; clean laundry!; dinner ready when I came home from the office! Sigh.

Wonder Husband has safely returned from abroad. With the sniffles. I think I caught jet lag from him. Can that happen?

Hill House progresses! I promise I have lots of photo updates. And one decision has been made. The Elizabeth Classics Exposed Pipe Rainshower (with optional handheld shower) in Chrome will grace our master bath. Once it clears back order (don't tell John the Builder--he's holding his breath waiting for it.)

I'm definitely not going to tell him the other faucet is on back order till mid-December.

Image from Shop4Classics who has THE MOST RESPONSIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE e-mailers ever. And they are patient. I may have needed to ask 6 questions before placing my order. And then 2 afterwards.

Hardwood Floors II and House Progress

Here are some photos of the hardwood floor samples with the satin finish poly coats...Thoughts? I'm still leaning toward the middle color on the 4" plank. I also included a shot of Sally & Lucy on the couch viewing the hardwood floor samples. I need to make a pronto decision on the hardwoods as the nice guys from Cherokee called me today to let me know they are placing an order tomorrow for a shipment and after that they won't get more of the flooring I am considering till 'after the holidays' = yikes!

House progress - big news on the basement front, well, the basement floor! I haven't shared too much about the basement because there hasn't been much to share other than dirt, new underpinning and darkness. Doesn't that entry photo look ominous? But it shouldn't! I'm feeling good about the basement! I visited it Monday morning and was impressed with how much light comes into the front half moon window and then found out that the back bedroom windows are going to be really wide. I envision it with the nice Berber carpet and the glow of the recessed lights...It's going to be a really nice apartment. On the progress front, today they poured the concrete for the floor!

I didn't visit, but Super Dad went over yesterday and today to check things out. He was impressed with the basement floor progress and observed them pouring the concrete (no photos due to serious rain). He also found out the plan for pouring the concrete for the parking pads. Since the big truck won't fit into the alley, the concrete truck will park out front and they will run the hose OVER the house. OVER the two story row house. Should be a good scene.

Super Dad also inspected and approved the bathtubs for the apartment and the hall bath. He was impressed with them, so that bodes well! Hopefully they remember to repair the little hole that is currently in the bathroom wall before they install the tub...