Things I am loving Thursdays and house update!

Last day to be part of my wonderful giveaway and what a giveaway it is! Will announce the winner tomorrow!Please look at the bottom of this post for details.
As promised, I am including some "update pictures" at the end of this post below. Camera battery was low so took as many as I could......More to be added in the future as we near the "fun stages" which is just around the corner...... I decided to set aside one day-Thursday (barring of course any urgent decor matter or musing that would have to take its place) to talk about things I am loving at this very minute...week to week, day to day. I am constantly and frequently inspired by so much that on any given day, I have a new love, new obsession or new object of my desire. Sometimes its a look, a theme, a room, a designer,  or an actual item...so today I have listed the things I am loving this week. Let me know if you feel the same about anything on my list or if you care to share what you are love this week, would love to hear about it....one never stops learning!

ORCHIDS AND FRESH FLOWERS. I was lucky enough while I was sick with the flu to be the recipient of some beautiful flowers from dear friends...maybe that started the "flower bug". It can also easily be chalked up the miserable and dreary winter, but I am craving any sign of life....in the form of flowering petals. So my husband bought me a gorgeous potted orchid, and I picked up a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers! Love the instant life it brings to any room or space.  I LOVE orchids, have always had them in my homes, in my kitchen, living room and occasionally when I am feeling very indulgent in my bathroom. So with my new arrangement of flowers and my new potted orchid...it gave an instant lift!

CANDLES. Moving right along, picked up Charlotte Moss's new candle, Virginia, not only is it a beautiful candle but its smells and burns wonderfully. So this is another item I am loving this week. Get your hands on it if you are a candle connoisseur like I am.

BATHROOMS. I have been working on the bathrooms....no easy feat. I am making great progress but still have two left to go. One thing I am l am loving this week, for a very small powder room off the library is onyx. I want it to be dark and luxurious (remember this is a very traditional home and off the library), so think onyx could me gorgeous there! I love this rust colored onyx, its so rich and old world looking and you don't see it coming and going. It also has some green running through it with a hint of honey. In person its quite exquisite and I am imagining it with beautiful moldings, a small dark wood demilune vanity chest and some beautiful old sconces. Then finish it off with a rich dark wallpaper by Schumacher...which one do you like? What do you think... would LOVE to hear your feedback if you love one over the other! I am really loving all three and could use your expertise!

                                            

Moving on...

How cute are these little pagoda style salt and pepper shakers? (Horchow)

SOAP. I am also a serial soap addict....love great soap. Mistral is one of my favorite lines..not overly "perfumey" as some are, but just has enough fragrance. This one is the Lait or milk scent and it is so soft and wonderful...smells like a freshly bathed baby! If you aren't familiar with this line, I highly suggest you try it. Its an inexpensive indulgence...who knew that a little bar of soap could make me this happy!

BLUE AND WHITE. And last but not least.....I am really in a serious blue and white state of mind. It's like my blue and white radar is on and I just cannot get enough! So......I ordered these gorgeous blue and white jars! What do you think....I can use them anywhere, but am thinking either in the living room or in my bedroom.....but they will look great anywhere! They are tall bout 24 inches and really wide, which is why like them about 20 inches at their

 widest...love them!

SEATING. What do you think about the idea of having a settee or small love seat incorporated into part of the seating at a breakfast or dining room table? I really like it, it makes it look so inviting and cozy.....its along the lines of banquette seating which I also really like, below are two images..what do you think?

Two love seat type pieces flank a round table and two chairs...its different and interesting.

Love the colors, the lushness of the comfy banquette and cushions, the lantern, the floors and the gorgeous hewn beams.

So that wraps up what I am loving today.....of course tomorrow is a whole new day! Too many pretty things in this world. Then of course having the Internet makes it all so instantly gratifying even if it  means just keeping a picture of something you lust after to put in your online wish list or photo album....the next best thing to actually owning it! Would love to know if anything here really made you swoon......

House update- started sheet rock, it looks a little boring but soon enough these bare white walls will come to life once we start the mill work and bathrooms!

Finally finished the roof on this side!

Side view of the garage side

The future covered porch, its a great outdoor space with an outdoor fireplace, we are waiting for the limestone to finish it

Future family room, a beautiful room with 22 foot ceilings!

Love these lattice type windows, we have them in several of the kids bathrooms

Love our windows, 5' swing out french casement...they are so wonderful!

Gorgeous water jet borders for boys bathrooms by New Ravenna

Part of master suite walking into my bathroom

Master sitting room looking into bedroom

Part of master suite, the french doors will go out to a Juliette balcony

Sample of husbands waterjet floor for his bathroom by New Ravenna, my favorite line!

Part of living room with the mahogany french doors

Looking from living into dining room

The 20 foot tall breakfast room, flooded with light even at 4 pm on a winter afternoon!

Part of the 3 story stair tower

Part of the front foyer looking into the "front to back"

Downstairs gallery/hallway

Rear view of the house...all we are really waiting for exterior wise is the rest of the limestone, roof is 90% done!

LAST DAY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE GIVEAWAY (DRAWING IS TOMORROW)

Safavieh Home Furnishings

has generously donated this brand new fabulous french occasional chair!

(Retails for $395)

Gorgeous painted Provence chair, ideal for a living room, dining room or a dressing area.

 (The picture is a little blurry, working on getting a clearer one but here is the link to get a great picture and be able to zoom in and get the details... http://www.safaviehhome.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_44&&noborder=noborder&newPath=44&products_id=2695

Go to www.safaviehhome.com and scoll down for links to their facebook and twitter:

• Join Safavieh on facebook and leave a comment on their facebook page on what your favorite item is from their site (one entry)
• Follow Safavieh on Twitter (one entry)
• Leave me a comment anytime today telling me what your favorite post is since I have been blogging about a month ago.....good luck! (one entry)
• Last day to be eligible is today, Thurs. Feb. 17th
• Actual drawing is Friday, Feb. 18th and I will announce the winner that day on my post

I will use random.org to pick the lucky winner..... this wonderful giveaway will take place on 

Safavieh's warehouseHave a wonderful day.