Dream House: Craft Room

I like all things crafty.  I scrapbook and (attempt to) sew.  I DIY household stuff.  Unfortunately, in our current house, my crafty stuff has been banished to a closet in Philip's Star Wars room.  In my dream house, I would have a room dedicated to all my DIY/crafty stuff.  Like these:

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Aren't they beautiful?  I love the white cabinets.  I want my craft room to be bright.  I'd prefer a pale green color but I think all of these look great.  I just want LOTS of storage space!  And preferably a big window to bring in lots of natural light!  :)

Dream House: The Dog Room

Philip and I have four dogs:

Jack

Cody

Jippy

and Daly.

At this point, they are our children.  Obviously we won't always have these four dogs.  I wish they would live forever, but they won't.  However, we will always have dogs.  I love dogs too much to be without them.  In fact, we will always have at least 2 dogs (they will always need a partner in crime!). 

Right now, they spend almost no time alone.  I work during the day and Philip works at night.  Usually the only time they're alone is when we go out on Saturdays.  When they are alone, they are in their crates in the basement.  It's usually just for a few hours, but I still don't like it.  

What if they suddenly have to tinkle?  What if they just want to walk around for a while (not likely -- we have the laziest dogs ever).  What if something happens to Philip and I -- who is going to let the dogs out (seriously, a truck pulled out in front of us a few weeks ago and my first thought in the split second I thought we were goners was, "if we die, who is going to let the dogs out and feed them?"  I know that's nuts, but we live a thousand miles away from my family.  How long would it take for them or one of our friends to find out and take care of the dogs?)? 

So, in my dream house, there will be a dog room.  This room will have tile floors and be tiled at least half-way up the wall (like a bathroom). It doesn't need to be enormous.  It just needs to be big enough to fit their crates (even if they aren't going to be locked in their crates, they still like to be in their crates... it's like their bedroom... their safe place), with a little room to roam around in.

It should also have an area to store their food and treats and leashes, etc.  And maybe even a doggie shower.  Most importantly, it needs to have a doggie door.  I don't really think it needs to have a full sized door, but they definitely need to be able to get outside.  And outside there will be a kennel/run for them to be able to do their business.  It doesn't need to be enormous; just big enough for them to walk around a bit and go potty in. 

Okay, enough chit chat.  On to the inspiration photos!

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This one just has sealed and glazed cement floors and aluminum paneling.  It's not really my cup of tea, but it's the same kind of idea for my tile floors/walls -- easy clean up!

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This one has the tile floors and walls, but since we have multiple dogs, I'd like it to be a little bigger... and less like a jail.  ha!  But I do think that might be a doggie door on the right side of the photo. 

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Did you know that dog doors don't have to be put into doors?  This one can be put right into the wall of the house!  They can also be put into any kind of door, even sliding glass doors!

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This is what I think of when I say kennel/run.  It doesn't need to be enormous.  Preferably just something to fit against the wall of the house for them to go outside if they need to.  

And that's about all I've got for this room.  It's next to impossible to find dog room inspiration.  Apparently I'm more nuts than I thought.  ;) 

Dream House: The Laundry Room

Yeah, I know.  I probably shouldn't care about a laundry room.  However, all of the laundry rooms that I've had in recent years have been incredibly inconvenient.  So, in my dream house, the laundry room will be everything I need it to be.  

When I lived with Joe, the laundry room was in the garage.  Totally not convenient.  It was cramped and if something accidentally fell out of the dryer or the basket, it could get garage grossness on it.  Not cool.  

The apartment I shared with Philip in Charlotte was basically just a closet.  It was really cramped.  It only had room for the dryer door to swing open.  It did have a rack over the washer and dryer for the soap and such but it was so high up that I couldn't reach it without climbing on top of the washer and dryer!  Not ideal.  

The washer and dryer we have now are in the middle of the basement.  They aren't enclosed.  They have a bunch of space in front of and behind them so they're really weird.  You can't use the basement for anything really because the washer and dryer are right smack dab in the middle of it.  And there isn't any storage around it.  On top of that, our bedroom is on the second floor.  So, dirty laundry has to be taken down two flights of stairs and the clean laundry has to be brought up two flights of stairs to be folded.  It's inconvenient.

So what does my dream laundry room include?  It needs to be a room in the house.  It can't be in the garage.  It can't be a closet.  It needs to be enclosed but not cramped.  It also needs to have storage/cabinets.  Reachable ones.  I'm only 5'3"... I don't want cabinets that are 7' up on the wall!  It also needs to have a table for folding laundry.  And a sink.  Also, if the house is more than one level, there needs to be a laundry chute!  You laugh, but this is my dream!  Anywho, let's get to the inspiration photos!  

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This one is just beautiful.  It's got so much natural light.  It looks clean.  It doesn't have a folding table, but it does have large countertops.  It also plenty of storage space (at my level!).  However, I don't want there to be an exit to the yard from the laundry room.  Also, I'm not seeing my sink.  

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This one isn't as visually appealing to me, but it does have a lot of the things I want.  It has lots of cabinets and counter space as well as a sink.  I still wish it had a table for folding clothes, especially since there isn't a lot of space between the countertop and the bottoms of the cabinets.   

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This one is pretty.  It's bright.  It has lots of cabinet/counter space.  However, the room seems narrow and I'm not seeing a sink (or table).  

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This one doesn't have the table, but if I just removed the right side of cabinets, I could put a table in its place.  After all, it does already have a lot of cabinet space.  And a sink!  I also like the natural light (hey... I've been stuck in a closet, a basement, and a garage!  Some natural light would be nice!).  

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This one is really pretty and unique.  I can't see the whole room, but it looks like there is probably more cabinet space not completely shown.  There isn't a table, but it looks like there would be room to put one in the room.  And it has a sink. 

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This one is really neat looking.  The photo was taken at night, but it does have a big window, so it would have natural light.  It has a ton of cabinets and countertops.  It even has a wrapping paper station built in.  However, it's missing a sink!

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This one has my table!  However, it's a lacking in cabinet space that I can reach.  Also, I hope I don't ever need more than one washer and dryer!  And, where's my sink??  Despite the things it lacks, it's still very pretty.   

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This one has plenty of cabinet space and a sink.  It seems dark though.  And it definitely needs a table for folding laundry!

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This one is pretty perfect.  It has lots of cabinet and counter space.  It has my table.  It has a sink.  It doesn't have natural light, but it's bright anyway.  I think the only thing I would change would be to add a little bit of color.  I like the whites, but it's a little overpowering.  Maybe add some grays or aqua blues (they are still light and clean feeling -- yep, still crazy).  

There you have it.  Laundry rooms don't have to be soul-sucking!  ;)

Dream House: The Pantry

A huge part of my dream kitchen is my dream pantry.  I already told you about the breakfast nook that I dream of.  Well, right next to that built in dream nook is my dream pantry.  

Do you see that door there next to the nook?  That's where my dream pantry will go.  Yeah, I know that I've put too much thought into something like a pantry.  Some people dream of walk in closets.  I dream of walk in pantries.  ;)  (Seriously, Philip uses WAY more closet space than I do!  And he even has a lot more shoes than I do!)  

I love organization.  It will become apparent through all of these dream house posts.  The pantry is no different.  In my current pantry, everything has a place (hence, Philip isn't allowed to put away groceries -- he puts them in the wrong places!  Don't worry... he doesn't mind!).  However, my current pantry is tiny and doesn't have nearly enough room in it (Philip and I have a lot of gadgets that we don't want on the counter 24/7.  Right now they're all cramped into a bottom cabinet.  I'd really like to be able to get to them easily without having to dig out a dozen other items to get to them!  Plus, I love to stock up on food so that I don't have to run to the grocery store if I suddenly have the urge to cook something!).  My dream pantry won't have that problem!  

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I love the door on this pantry.  I like the fact that you can see into the pantry.  I love the organization.  I just wish it were a little bit bigger (yeah, I'm aware that I'm nuts).   

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This one doesn't really appeal to me visually.  It's very bland.  However, I love that it's enormous and so organized.  I'd have to add a little pizazz to it.

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This pantry is beautiful.  It's so open and huge!  Our pantry would definitely have a lot more stuff in it though!   

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This one is not deep enough, but I do love the doors to this one.  I like that you can see into the pantry.  It's appealing.  My pantry would need more light though.   

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This one is so pretty.  I love the dark shelves.  However, I don't want to pantry to be open to the kitchen.  It needs a door... just a door that can be seen through.  Again, yes, I know I'm crazy.  ;)

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This one is just very pretty.  This one really would be a dream.  It's huge and beautiful and the organization is appealing.  I love the wine rack.  The basket drawers for fruits and veggies and whatnot are a great touch.  

So, basically, I want a huge, walk-in pantry with nifty organization that looks beautiful.  Oh, and it must have a door that can be seen into.  And it needs to fit next to the breakfast nook in the kitchen.  Yep, I think that about covers it.  ;)  

Dream House: The Breakfast Nook

I never used to think much of breakfast nooks.  I used to think, why do we need two dining areas?  But as I get older (and begin to think about future little ones), I begin to see the positives.  It's really nice to have a formal area for nicer dinners or holidays, but when Philip and I are eating some macaroni and cheese in the few minutes before he has to leave for work, it's nice to have a comfortable place to eat quickly and clean up.  

I also know that when kids come along, they'll be hard on a formal dining area.  I've seen that from having neighbor kids over for dinner!  

So, I really want to have a breakfast nook in the kitchen for more casual meals.  But, not just any nook.  I want a booth.  I love booths.  Philip and I always choose booths over tables at restaurants.  Besides, how cute are these:  

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The cabinets above the seats look really nice.  I love the light fixture and the window. 

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I love the window!  So much light.  :)  However, I'm not really feeling the colors... or the table.

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I love the neutral colors of this one, but I don't like that the tv is the focal point instead of a big, beautiful window.  

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I'm loving the window in this one (duh!).  I love that it's built in and I think the booth seats are cute. 

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Not to sound redundant, but I love the window on this one, too.  I think the seats and the table are beautiful, but I want the booth to be a bit bigger.  

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Oh, the windows!  Gorgeous!  I love the built in booth seats and the pedestal table.  

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While the colors aren't for me (even though they are very pretty), I do love just about everything else about this booth.  Of course, I love the windows.  I also just love the simplicity of it.  And, I love that it's big and open.  It just looks comfy.  Who wouldn't want to cuddle up here with a bowl of soup??  [One note: those wiry chairs have to go]

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I think this one is adorable.  It's so bright.  I do wish it had either a bigger window or more than one window.  I really love that it's built in.  It's like a nice little getaway right in the kitchen.  So pretty.

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Again, I love that it's built in.  And the windows.  And that it wraps all the way around (lots of room).  Although, I'd choose a different table... or at least a different color table.  

So, I guess it's obvious from all of those that the nook needs to be relatively big (preferably have 3 sides instead of 2), have big, beautiful windows, decorated in neutral colors, and be built in.  And it will be beautiful.  :)

And then the pantry will be right next to the nook (yet another important reason that the nook should be built in).  BUT, that's a post for another day. 

Our Dream House: The Kitchen

First things first here!  Let's start with the heart of the home: the kitchen.  It's my number one priority in our dream house.  I already have a list of things that our dream house's kitchen needs to include:

• Double ovens (it would make holiday cooking so much easier)
• Lots of cabinet space
• Lots of counter space
• An enormous island
• A big pantry
• Stainless steel appliances
• Cabinets must go to ceiling height
• Lots of natural light
• Open, not cramped
• Tile floors

On top of all that, it's going to be decorated in cream and dark red.  When Philip and I were on our honeymoon in Italy, we picked up 2 potholders and an apron.  They are red and cream and have our names embroidered on them (our first names on the potholders and our last name on the apron).  I plan to use them as decoration in the kitchen of our dream house and that will be what our color palette is designed around.  I love the idea that the heart of our home is designed around an element we picked up on our honeymoon.  :)  

Okay, enough talk.  Let's get to the inspiration photos!

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I love this kitchen.  It's gorgeous.  It's really open and not cramped.  It has lots of cabinet space.  Most of all, I LOVE that island.  It's perfect.  It's enormous and beautiful.  :)  

However, this is not my dream kitchen.  I don't want a white kitchen (white seems to be the "in" color right now for kitchens).  It really is a beautiful kitchen, but with four dogs (and hopefully eventually a few kids), it would be next to impossible to keep that darn thing clean!  Basically, I love the set-up of the kitchen but it would need to be in creams and reds instead of whites.  And replace the white cabinets with light or natural maple.  Like this:

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I love the color and the glaze really sets it off!  Beautiful!  

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This one is gorgeous, too.  I think I'm decided on having an "L" shaped kitchen.  No "U" shapes or hallway kitchens.  I want it to feel really open.  This kitchen has the double oven I want, but it needs stainless steel appliances.  It also needs tile floors instead of hardwoods.  I like the countertops but the kitchen feels too dark.  

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This one is just beautiful.  It's actually an Italian kitchen (pretty fitting!).  I love the details and glazing on the cabinets.  I also love the countertops and the big, bright window.  And, of course, I love that giant island and the tile floors.  :)

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These cabinets are about perfect.  They go to the ceiling and the color/glaze is just fantastic.  I like the giant island, but I'd prefer that it be more square instead of rectangular (hey, this is my dream house.  I can be as picky as I want!).  And, of course, I love the stainless steel appliances!  It just needs tile floors instead of hardwoods.  

Also important, I really want a big, beautiful vent hood.  And then I'll stash the microwave on my giant island.  :)  Like this:

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That sliding spice rack in the island is pretty nifty, too!  

And one final kitchen inspiration photo... This isn't necessary but I found this photo and just thought it was awesome.  How cute would backsplash like this be:

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I think it fits with a kind of Italian vibe, but I'm not sure it would go with the red that I have in mind.  

I think that's all I've got for right now.  I know I said a large pantry, but that gets a post all its own!  Yep, it's that important!

Our Dream House

Philip and I are going to be dealing with a lot of changes in the coming months.  To keep ourselves sane, we've been talking a lot of all the good things that will come out of these very stressful changes.  

We'll be close to my family (lately Philip has started saying "next time" a lot -- "Next Christmas we'll be opening presents with your family" or "Next year we'll be watching the superbowl with your parents" or "Next year we'll be able to ring in the new year at your parents' party" and on and on).  When it's all said and done, we will be in real, official careers (Philip will be in a job that he actually likes!).  When we're in said careers, we will be making quite a bit of money.  And that means that we will be able to start a family.  And that means we will need a house!

So, lately we've devoted quite a bit of time to discussing our "dream house."  We still have a few years until we're ready to have a mortgage, so our ideas may change by then.  However, I got an invitation to Pinterest a week or so ago, and I've been collecting inspiration photos for our dream house ever since.