Unexpected Twist

Today - writing as a mom - Ever have one of those stop in your tracks -tickle that life can change in an instant moment. We'll here's mine.

Last night - rounded up the gang for a dinner out to celebrate summer. All is bubbling along- appetizers are plenty and greasy - kids are filled to the gills with free refill strawberry lemonade- wine is chilled and just right .... when out of the corner of my eye- I see a flash and then a yelp for help. Unknown to me , the kids moved off the tick tack toe board to other games- the Blink Game - where brother and sister were taking turns making each other blink. Brother had swiped the utensil roll- and with a flick of the wrist had impaled sis - as the knife flew out of the paper roll and into sisters forehead.

What they tell is you is true- head wounds bleed alot - and we had a pumper . Needless to say we cleared the dinner guest around us . A good Samaritan nurse came to our aid and organized compression while I began to swoon. She calmly got myself and my family back in check, controlled the bleed and sent us on our merry way to the ER. A quick bit on Bondo glue and all is well and good- she is now a real Harry Potter look alike.

So - kiss the kids - give the extra squeeze, take the time , stare into their eyes, tuck in your ornery teen - as you truly never know.

Parade of Homes Final Weekend Home Tour

Join Us This Sat and Sunday

June 13 and 14-

12-5

Indy's Parade of Homes

Heartwood Custom Homes

Builder of the Year

Presents

13369 Winter King Court- Carmel , In

Home #10 on the tour

For more info http://www.heartwoodhomes.com/ . Tell a friend - get inspired - get the economy moving - be a recession buster as we move Indy out of the recession and you secure the best interest rates in history.

Parade of Homes June 6-7 and 13-14

Come Join me at 13369 Winter King Court - Glen Oaks of Carmel this weekend and tour my flagship home. This beauty is featured in the upcoming Spring Parade of Homes - sponsored by the BAGI - ( Builders Association of Indianapolis) . This never been lived in model is now ready to welcome you home.



We've been busy readying for you. Doors open at noon- so don't be late. Click the title and link to see preview photos. If you have early bird questions drop me a line.



See you there

Fantastic Kitchens by Heartwood Custom Homes

Heartwood Custom Homes Flagship Model Home

Receives National Recognition

Heartwood Custom Homes

Just had to share my first centerfold- HA- HA !! Fantastic Kitchens April 2009 , is featuring our kitchen and bar this month. This magazine is sponsored by Subzero/ Wolfe appliances and features designers from around the country and their work. They selected the Heartwood Custom Home's Kitchen and Bar - Recently winner of Best of Show in the 2008 Luxury Homearama Home Tour in Zionsville, Indiana.

I am blessed with a fantastic work group at Heartwood- Jeff Langston , my wonderful husband and business partner, Julie Baker , our team leader of design development & drafting and fantastic vendors who make this work both fun and inspirational- CONGRATULATIONS!!

HIGHLIGHTS

This kitchen has one of my favorite things - a large-over sized 1 level island with room for plenty of seating. In this case, I chose an acid washed Italian cream marble with a special laminated edge fabricated by Marble Uniques - Paula Ryden http://www.marbleuniques.com/ to be the perfect compliment to the Alder stained island cabinets.

Heartwood Custom Homes

Accent with plenty of light and reflective surfaces - crystal hurricane lanterns, glass front cabinets with interior lighting standard or to the ceiling , and plenty of tile splashes. If your dishware is shy - select glass to hide- seeded- ribbed - frosted or many of the thousands of patterns. Mathew Barker at Westfield Lighting and Amanda Smith at ICC Flooring are the BEST! http://www.wesfieldlighting/ and http://www.iccfloors.com/

Heartwood Custom Homes

Heartwood Custom Homes

Consider paneling your appliances for a built in look. Panels can be made for nearly every brand - dishwasher, refrig, refrig drawers- They allow the eye to travel the room and create a seamless and expansive effect.

Heartwood Custom Homes

Small appliances need a home and you can work to create zones within the kitchen - this one for beverages hot and cold - features the brew express coffee center - one of my favorites- http://www.brewexpress.com%20/ and refrig drawers for bottled water, chilling wine, or soft drinks.

Ready to Call this one home??

It's a beauty sitting on 1. 5 acre estate with 9,800 sq feet inside and unbelievable outdoor living areas. The home is available - drop me a line or link to my site - http://www.heartwoodhomes.com/. Locals can tour Tues - Sunday 12 - 5 or by appointment.

Special thanks to Clark's Appliances and David Smith - http://www.clarkappliance.com/ , Julie Braunecker of Shamrock Cabinets and the innovative product development team at Subzero /Wolfe whose products inspire http://www.subzero.com/

Staged to Sell - Master Bath Before and After

As promised - Just finished up staging the Master Bath - and under our $250 budget!!!! Thanks to all who commented earlier this week at the challenge. You'll see your ideas incorporated in the after shots. Couldn't have done it without you and the fabulous team at Heartwood Custom Homes . Thanks to all ! Enjoy !!!

Before

Heartwood Custom Homes

After

Heartwood Custom Homes

Heartwood Custom Homes

The Approach

The original bath had great bones- tons of natural light - ample size - and a monochromatic palette of creams - tile, paint, Italian marble counters and soft spa green glass mosaic tiles. The challenge was to create drama and overcome prospect buyers concerns for how to pull it all together and not get lost in the champagne haze.

Given the budget of $250 - the bones stayed and we layered for drama and cohesion.

This new bolder - more contrasted color way creates more visual interest and drama-The chocolate towels - dark bronze mirrors- espresso bench - pop in comparison to before.

Textures are contrasted - layers of crusty old dark pieces- shinier antique mirrored pieces - washed beach glass- pebbles- metal hurricanes sconce candles-

Finally the green was blended with the use of multi color green grasses, beach glass, patterned towels.

Heartwood Custom Homes

Sources

Hobby Lobby - my all time favorite for mirrors - wall hangings - catch the 50 % off sale week and you are golden. New vanity mirrors were listed $90 - got for $45. Amazing!!! Just shop the flyer - to get posted on their weekly sales http://www.hobbylobby.com/

Target / Kohls/Steinmart- The Triplets- A stop to any and you re sure to find a lamp, window treatments, accessories and bath towels, bedding. You just can't beat Kohls BOGO- Buy one get one sale-!!!! Not to mention the blessing of strip malls - each within a stones throw from my home.

Enjoy For more on this home go to

Staged to Sell

Here's your chance to play designer

Over the Next Few Weeks - We'll be Staging a Luxury Home together. We've been hired to stage this home to sell. It's in a great estate like area - mid price range for the hood - $950,000. This home is listed for $900,000.

Assignment : Master bath retreat!!

Budget - $250

Great Bones

Large natural light space

Niche style jacuzzi tub

Large his and her vanities with marble stone tops

New Antique Bronze finish plumbing and light fixtures - Goldy champagne

Stone floors with inlaid glass

Zen- green accents

Walk In Luxury Shower with jets and multi shower heads

Task -

Don't hold back , mind the budget and send in your thoughts by Wednesday. Keep accent colors, art, mirrors, plants, linens - in mind. Be as specific as you can be, if you have a link to a source - bring it on!!

I'll post the finished room by Friday and we'll move ahead to the next room.

Happy Home - Happy Life !!

Built In Coffee Maker Ideas

Love the smell of coffee to wake you from dream land- Thought you never could afford a built in coffee maker - Look no further - check out http://www.brewexpress.com/. Under $400!!! I love them and have been designing them into clients homes over the last 2 years. Great for masters - kitchen - bars- wherever. They work just like your current machine- only built into the wall- so they are off the counter and out of the way. They are easy to use and retro into existing wall studs for remodeling projects or new construction.

Photos shows you one I installed in a recent projects- Master bath -

Just remember to have a trash near by for grinds - and if the use is away from the kitchen you may also consider a space for coffee accessories ( sugar- cups- spoons ) .

Cheers !