A House is only a Home with 'love'...

Merry Christmas to all. It is truly a great time of the year. Friends, family and fun is what is should be about. A time to reflect and give whatever you can, even if it is just your time, your prayers or your listening. These houses are neighbors or soon to be neighbors of Russell Street. The first one is a new,white birdhouse that Mom won at the last Lions Christmas Dinner as a door prize. The next picture is an existing birdhouse located in the lower right section of the back yard at Russell Street (tin roof and all). The last and most elaborate is the newest addition made of NC wood products from a craftsman in Deep Gap, NC. This was a wonderful present from my Aunt Mary. Thanks so much and it will find a special place with the rest at Russell Street. All of the houses will be closely guarded by angels. The newest angel, Victory, is stately posed behind the new birdhouse. Thanks to Feliet for the gift of "angels!"

All of these are wonderful houses and I can't wait for spring when they will be filled like Russell Street. Without love, these are just houses. A house is only a home with love!....Happy Holidays to all.

"Black and Blue!"

Last week proved true to the season with bitter cold mornings and mild days to damp wet days and cooler than normal temperatures. Tis' the season I guess. One morning, it was so interesting as I sat in the car waiting for it to dethaw. The image you see is what I saw from inside the car. The "blue ice" on the windshield made an interesting pattern and has nothing to do with the house except for a nice segway to "black and blue!" Speaking of blue, the new porch ceiling...uh hmm, enough about the porch ceiling, right, but I like it. Now on to the black. The painters began the interior painting this week of the doors. If my count is correct, there are 18 doors in the house. This has to be down from the orignial count because of all of the walls and open areas that have changed since the project began. Some are now black, one will have frosted glass, some will be stained back to the natural finish, one will swing, and some will open to new areas of the additions. I also have to mention black in the form of the new tile, while predominately white, the black trimmed accents make quite a statement period to the house. More to follow on black and blue to be sure.

When in doubt, paint it white....

It has been a week since the last post. Painters have been there all week finishing the elimination of the red roof. To date, I think there is only one small section left evidencing the former red color. The last few days of either bitter cold or downpours have halted them from the completion. But, no avail, they have been working inside. With the question of paint colors, I came to the conclusion and insured the painters, "When in doubt, paint it white!" One of the next pictures will be of a blue porch ceiling. Not a house in Charlotte, not in Winston-Salem or Charleston, but 242 N. Russell in Troy, NC. It looks great and is the perfect color of Haint Blue! Good job guys!

The rest of the activity has been centered around more crown molding, more baseboards and bead board. Mickey and the tile kings have been doing amazing work in the bath(s). White subway tile with black accent bull nose and pinstripe outline the lower master bath and stairway guest bath. The stairway guest bath is quickly becoming one of my favorite spaces because it was clearly a no nothing area before and now look at ya! A full bath with stall shower, potty, and pedestal sink with custom shelving and storage galore! This one has been fun. As for the upstairs master bath, I have selected a white over sized porcelain tile for the shower area. The powder room is going to have 1x1 honey onyx as an accent around the honey onyx vessel. I still need the furniture piece to hold the vessel. Better find something soon!

More improvements, as the new hardwood floors are quickly showing up throughout the house. First of course, they started upstairs and to date, the upstairs master bath, closet(s) are now done. The next project is the dining room, great room and downstairs master closet. Soon, we will be ready for rugs! Hmmm, wonder where those will come from?

Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities have been ordered and expected in seven days. Full speed ahead! The washer/dryer was delivered today to David's warehouse along with the previously delivered Sub-Zero, microwave, and dishwasher. Pics to follow soon.

By the light of the night...

I know this pic is a little dark. That is why it is so cool. After many months, years even, there are lights on at 242 N. Russell Street. It is amazing to ride by and see the stately white house lit even just a little. On the inside, the gang is working tirelessly to install the crown molding, baseboards and trim. Tile was also installed in the laundry room in anticipation of the new washer/dryer that may be coming this week-end. I met today with Mickey, the tile man and we picked out preliminary tile for all of the bathrooms except mine upstairs. Go figure as I am having issues deciding on what direction to take the massive bath upstairs. I want it to be a great space but not so much look like a huge, cold stark bathroom. There are plans for some furniture in the space to give it a nice transition from the upstairs master suite through the arched corridor, past the dual closets. It was interesting tonight with the installation of the old doors, the ones that were lucky enough to make the placement in my closet(s), were all three different colors. They looked really cool, one brown, one yellow and one orange. Someday soon, they will all be gloss black. Enjoy the spectrum while it last. Still finalizing kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. Also I have to come with a new front door lock with the old one seeing its better days. Enjoy the pics and more later.