My Husband: My Client

So we are going to look at a house on Thursday. It's a 1600 sf shirtwaist with 2 full baths and 4 bedrooms. For me, it's like a design meeting with Michael as my client. I can walk through a house and picture it remodeled and awesome, but in order to really discuss it well, it must be drawn in 3D, right?

I sent him these rough drafts today. The idea is, it's 400 square feet less than we live in now, but if it's planned out well, with efficient square footage, it can work. I love, love, love the idea that this house could have glass along the entire back. So we could stand at our sink and look out into the back yard. I also love the sofa with chaise lounge off the kitchen...a great way to socialize around the kitchen. All 3 kids can have their own room on the 2nd floor and we can have the 3rd floor which has French doors to a balcony. 

Please ignore the vehicles...they may be out of scale. I was doing this very quickly! Also, I haven't been in the house...just took the few room measurements from the listing and total square footage and worked in the other spaces. If it's anything like I've interpreted it, it'll totally work!

I'm just hoping the foundation isn't caving in like the last house we saw. 

Kristyn

House: Potential Buyers + My Game

So we've had some recent interest in our home. One individual would like the refrigerator in the kitchen, and a 2 car garage. So here was my response! "Yes ma'am, let's put that refrigerator in the kitchen...here's where it'll go! And go ahead and do that 2 car garage, lovely. I'm totally with you on that!" (Note: She didn't ask us to do these things, but these were her concerns...and our realtor replied on my behalf.) 

Then there are some other folks that must sell their condo first. 

Then there's me, over here, playing this game that Michael loves...

"Honey, what about a simple house like this...can't you see it...

This...

Could become this...(with a definite imagination...pop random windows into upstairs bedrooms...open 1st floor with windows/doors across kitchen and dining...deck across entire house and terrace big steps down into yard...)

This...

Could become this...

This...

Could be a symmetrical version of this...(or be asymmetrical if we build it out slightly into the dining room, also remove both windows, beams, paint woodwork or remove (yes, I said it.)...)

This...

Could house this...



I mean, isn't this game so much fun? For the low price of $19.99 each of the photos above could be turned into the photo that follows. I wish. But really though, we are either looking at bigger houses where wires have been pulled and plumbing is missing, or way ugly, slightly smaller, finished houses like this one...with wires and plumbing and HVAC, just lots of aesthetic remodeling to be done.

Thanks, Michael, for appeasing me by playing along in this exciting game.

Love,

Kristyn

The Pursuit Of: Homes

For over six months we've been in the pursuit of...

This...

And for a little while this...

(Master Suite has amazing views of nearby park, and rooftop terraces would be so fun for parties!)

But Mostly This...

For which we designed this...

And thought of things like this...

None of that worked, (insert sadness...especially with the brick building) but then we considered this...

This one has a 3rd floor master suite that would be amazing. It's finished up to the drywall, and is ready for kitchens and baths...plus a double lot. But not best location.

And the search goes on. In the mean time we are LOVING our new air conditioning, and thankful for this wonderful home. Hopefully someone will aslo fall in love and purchase it soon! 

Love,

Kristyn

Large, Lovely Home: Historic Urban Neighborhood

New Reduced Price + New Central AC!!!

• NEW PRICE of $199,950, NEW 5TON EFFICIENT CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING 
• 3250 Square Feet of Historical Charm with Modern Touches
• 4 Large Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, Ample Living Space
• Nice Corner Lot on Wide Streets
• Solid Brick Home (3 Layers Thick!), Good Roof, Updated Windows 
• Fully remodeled Kitchen with Open Plan and Exposed Brick Walls
• New Back Deck, Back Fence with 2 Gates, Custom Fire Pit, and Sand Box
• Updated Lighting on Dimmers
• Large 2nd Floor Laundry Room with Deck Access
• Huge 3rd Floor Mother-In-Law Quarters with Full Bath, Full Kitchen, and Deck with Views (This space is a huge bonus!)
• Gorgeous woodwork throughout home with huge pocket doors
• 3 Beautiful Original Fireplaces
• Solid Stone Foundation, Large, Clean Basement (Never Damp!), New Water Softener,  New Radon Mitigation System Installed
• 300 AMP Electrical Service
• Large Efficient Furnace 10 Years Old, Recently Serviced and in Great Condition
• New 1st Floor Bathroom is a Must See
• Large Closets and Storage Space Throughout Home
• Playground right across the street
• Acres of Park, Trails, Frisbee Golf, and Rock Climbing 2 blocks North. (Cliff Drive)
• Amazing Local Bakery within walking distance. (Boulevard Bakery)
• Summer Farmers Market within walking distance. (New Roots for Refugees)
• Taco Trucks with the best food, Authentic Mexican Grocery Stores (Limes 5 cents, and Cilantro $1, and home made tortillas!!!)
• Bike Ride to River Market
• Quick Hwy Access to get Anywhere in the City
• And did I mention GREAT PRICE and oh yeah, BRAND NEW 5 TON AIR CONDITIONING!!!!!

This is what I call a lotta bang for your buck folks! No midtown home can compare for this price! Our neighborhood association is very active, a good group of folks. Our neighbors are nice, and our street is quiet. I'm here all day and keep my front and back door open over half of the time (on nice weather days)!  

So go ahead and send your Family Friends, Creative Colleagues, and Aunts from Atlanta on by...they won't wanna miss the opportunity to buy this home.

Why are we leaving this lovely home? We love design/build and are excited about a new project. We want to get closer to Michael and Tegegne's schools. 

Contact Eric B to schedule a showing. 816.529.7171

With Love and Anticipation,

Kristyn

Mom + Designer: And After Hours

So I'm not quitting my day job (that's good news, isn't it kids?), but I'm not quitting my night job either.  Even though the clean clothes haven't found their drawers, dinner has been simple, and I'm pulling off the pony tail, I have so enjoyed working on these design renderings the past 5 days. I love, love, love being at home with my children. At the same time, I look forward to the days when design becomes a day job again. That will officially be when Baby Fields is in kindergarten. However, Tegegne starts kindergarten in a few months. I'm sure I'll pick up several more projects once he is a full-time school boy. 

Speaking of which, I was just thinking that I should start looking for items for his school uniform. And of course, some jazzy new shoes! 

There is much going on around here, but in honor of Lent the kids and I are trying to be as unplugged as possible. With that said, writing here is one of my favorite things so I'll be back soon with more thoughts and sharing of life's adventures with the Joneses.

P.S. Highlight of my day just happened. Fields, you finished eating and look up at me with a bashful grin that makes your shoulders shrug. Then squealing and laughing. Thanks for making me feel so awesome. It's hard to hold onto stress with your innocent joy and laughter.

Love, 

Mom (Often want to sign off as Design Mom, but remember that Gabrielle snatched that up years ago.)

Interior Design Tips: From My Home to Yours

Tip #6: It all comes together in the details.

Pretty simple topic here. Each of these living spaces have mixed color, pattern, and texture well. Yes, they started with good bones. Meaning the sofas have nice shape, tufting, colors and patterns. But I want to draw your attention to the details. The accent pillows, the framed art with objects mixed in (second to last photo), books, bowls, trays, flowers, driftwood, that little bronze squirrel you found at the flea market...the details...ya know?

I would encourage you to do this. Take a photo of your own living room. Then examine the photo. What do you think? Could it use a few more details? Think pattern, texture, color. Does it need a shiny object, a textured pillow, or a patterned rug?

P.S. I am helping a friend redo our "Mama's Sofa," the nursing mom's room at our church. This weekend we are on the hunt for a sofa, and hopefully some of the details to make the room feel like home.

Our Home: For the Holidays Part II

Details, details, details. I learned that it is fun to go all out and decorate for Christmas!  And to add our eclectic taste in the details! 

The one thing I wished I had found or made was a nativity set. One that the kids could interact with and play out the Jesus story. Tis the season for making things merry and bright, for teaching the children about giving. We have gotten into the Advent season and it's good to share the traditions and the meaning of Christmas with the children. This morning we did a Centering Prayer together. We took deep breaths then said, "Jesus, over and over." What a sweet moment. Hearing their little voices say the name of Jesus. Each week of Advent is focused on something different. The first week is Centering Prayer and Morning Prayer. 

Love,

Kristyn

P.S. All photos by Aunt Deanna!

Our Home: For the Holidays Part I

The Pendleton Heights Holiday Homes Tour was a success. Four hundred and eighty-eight tickets were sold, and children under 12 were free. That made for a steady flow of people from noon to 5 in our house on Saturday! It was quite enjoyable to share our labor of love with family, neighbors, friends, and other folks. Thanks for coming on the tour! Thanks friends and family for giving the tour (we had docents in each room telling history, remodel stories, saying where artwork and furniture came from, etc!) Having people we know and love here made it all worth while. Several families and students from Michael's school came through as well. That made his day! 

Hensley, you enjoyed a special day with Gramma Debby, as you are least interested in greeting many people. Tegegne, you greeted with me and told folks that our house was built in 1905. (but most of the time you entertained people as a cheetah in the front yard). That was until your cousins came. You have talked about Ava non-stop since she left! Fields, you also were held by family and friends all day.  

Thank you so much, Aunt Deanna, for documenting the day!

Love you all and Merry Christmas!

Kristyn