Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sunday showhouse.....and you're invited!! Plus house updates

Happy Sunday! My thoughts and prayers continue to be with those in Japan, still surreal what is going on there while things are so normal and routine here. May God light the way of the very dark road they have ahead of them......
 A few house  picture/updates....got the latest batch of limestone and am thrilled with how its coming along....still in the rough stages but thought I would share anyway as it is quite exciting to see the house inch forward to completion! Also got part I of III of the main staircase...so far they have installed the basement to 1st floor part and it came out amazing...pictures first then onto my Sunday post.

1st batch of marble to arrive for son #1's bathroom
Stairs from basement to first floor

Part of "stair tower"
Limestone work beginning on the rear of the house
Another shot
I love Indiana Limestone.....
This is one of my favorite parts so far! 
Love the cartouche.....
The limestone arches are hard to see with the plastic but they came out even better than we could have imagined!
Another view
Other side of the house (walk out basement side)
Living room sheetrock starts tomorrow
1st floor hallway/gallery
Future library
Dining room ready for sheetrock


***Also I have been asked to guest post on one of my absolute favorite blogs, Party Resources tomorrow...please be sure to visit me there and check out Kate's amazing blog, always full of entertaining eye candy! (www.partyresources.blogspot.com)***

Well we all know what Sunday is around here...a much coveted (at least for me) day of pure relaxation, a lazy day if I so choose and alas a day to do exactly as I please. Today's showhouse Sunday features three incredible homes, any of which I would be delighted to call home! First we start off in Quogue, the low key charming village just outside of the fabled Hamptons, then jet over to Washington DC and last visit the lush countryside of the Santa Ynez valley in California....I would be happy as a clam to spend a getaway weekend in any of these lovely abodes! How about you...do you have a favorite?




 First stop is the glorious Hamptons, Quogue to be specific and to this stunning shingled 12,000 sq foot "cottage" designed by Penny Drue Baird. The gorgeous roof lines and subdued exterior are just the beginning, once inside, the spectacular interiors perfect the vision of the ultimate beach house. The main goal in decorating this house was to keep the large space warm, inviting and comfortable for entertaining...looks like they succeeded!










Then we are off to Washington DC where this fabulous Venice inspired villa got the European touches the owners desired, both in and out. Stephen Shadley did not disappoint in his flawless execution of blending the old with the new. The result is nothing less than fabulous.....











Then we hop on over to the lush valley of The Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara, California....no you are not in Tuscany though this magnificent European influenced estate had Tuscany in mind when it was being designed. This spectacular oasis is on 56 acres and is an organic vineyard estate. This home was painstakingly executed down to the most minute detail to recreate a home/vineyard reminiscent of the Provencal countryside. As pretty as a painting.....







Well, that's it for the Sunday showhouse...would love to know if you have a fave! I don't know about you but those sweeping vistas of the vineyard above have me yearning to spend a month there, though each of these homes is spectacular.  Hope whatever you do today, is exactly what you want to do! Happy Sunday....


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30 comments:

  1. kathiMarch 13, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    You are indeed a lucky girl. Your house is.............I'm speechless. My favorite of your 3 house tours is the California house and I especially love the pizza/bread oven in the kitchen.
    Best..........Kathi

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  2. Carolyn@Sweet ChaosMarch 13, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Wow! You must be so excited... your home is looking beautiful! And, I've learned a new word... cartouche :) Love the Hamptons house best, but maybe with the California kitchen. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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  3. mwaxterMarch 13, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Tina the work on your house is breathtakingly beautiful. I cannot believe how gorgeous it is....wow you must pinch yourself every time you see it. I can only imagine how incredible it will be! I dont' think the others hold a candle to yours but between the 3, the one in California is the most amazing mostly having to do with the land and the setting though they really did an oustanding job inside in keeping it with that European vibe....really beautiful.
    Still gaga over your house, though:)

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  4. AnonymousMarch 13, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Prayers for Japan.

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  5. TerryMarch 13, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    Thanks for the work in progress tour. I enjoy those so much. I'm cheering: Limestone, Limestone, Limestone!!!

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  6. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    I think we'd all volunteer to spend a Sunday relaxing at your beautiful home. Even in the skeleton structure you can see how spectacular it is going to be!!!

    I would be thrilled to spend a weekend in any of these homes. Have always admired Penny Drue Baird's designs!

    Enjoy your Sunday!
    xoxo

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  7. Acquired ObjectsMarch 13, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    While each home is stunning I would have to pick the last home to move into, so beautiful. The outside is as amazing as the inside. Love all the stone work going on in the master bedroom. Your home is moving along and I can't imagine what a job it was to retro fit the staircase, beautiful, you'll feel like a queen every time you walk down the stairs. The limestone, OMG, such a work of art it's breathtaking! Enjoy a relaxing Sunday Tina!

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  8. carolyn bradfordMarch 13, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    As usual, every picture is breathtaking! I love your staircase! After our first trip to France we fell in love with beautiful, old, winding staircases that we saw in the Paris flea markets and were so tempted to bring one back! Of course that about did our builder in and we promised him we wouldn't! We ended up having one built and we have been very pleased....all of that to say, I loved seeing yours! I posted my website on my last blog if you want to check it out....thanks for the kind words!
    Carolyn

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  9. Verdigris VieMarch 13, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    You must be so excited watching your home come together, it's really beautiful. The Limestone is going to be spectacular.

    alright now - take me to California for that Tuscan inspired estate..

    Happy Sunday..
    Vie

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  10. Renée FinbergMarch 13, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    unbelievable...
    i could write an essay on each image.
    i am thrilled for you that you are building yor dream house from the ground up.

    it is truly exciting.
    xxx the the marble for the boy's baths

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  11. Marie SöderbergMarch 13, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    OMG OMG OMG what a lovely house a LOVE every piece of it..it amazing,stunning,fabulous georgeous at the same time..a princess castle..Im so happy to follow this project../Marie

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  12. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereMarch 13, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Tina, The staircase is fabulous and I love all the limestone details. Once the sheetrock goes in it starts looking like a home. Enjoy the process! I love, and want the Tuscany style home. What an amazing kitchen!
    xo,
    Sherry

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  13. Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid SassMarch 13, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Can't choose on the homes. They are all beautiful.
    You home is amazing! I know that you are so excited.
    Can't wait to see more as time goes on.
    Have a nice day relaxing.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  14. Susan @ Real Girl DesignsMarch 13, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Your home is coming along beautifully, Tina!

    Thanks for sharing the three houses for this week's Sunday showcase - for me, the Hampton house is my favorite, because I love that kind of architecture.

    Have a wonderful Sunday!

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  15. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Love how your home is turning out. That sweeping staircase is wonderful. Love the limestone. You must be so excited. Thanks for the look!

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  16. MarianneMarch 13, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Your home is coming along beautifully. The limestone is beyond gorgeous. You are one very lucky lady! Love all of the updates.

    As for the other three, I think I'll put my house on the market and move on into the one in California. Do you think they'd mind?!

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  17. Nita StacyMarch 13, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Your house is coming right along...What a beautiful shape to your staircase! Isn't this fantastic how we can all enjoy the progress of your home. This is truly unusual to watch a house being built from the ground up. So enjoyed the Sunday show houses...especially the one in the Hamptons. But I'd gladly live in any of them.

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  18. Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living March 13, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Happy Sunday dear Tina! Okay.... am I the first to ask you this question?......are you a princess? Your home is like a beautiful castle and I can only imagine a sweet princess living there (or me :0)) It's so dreamy and elegant and exactly what I would build if I were a queen....Queen Desiree...I like the ring of that! Anyway thank you for stopping by and I love all of your sweet comments and your lovely, lovely blog! Maybe one day I can visit when your house (beautiful castle) is complete and we can have tea or lattes! Kisses! have a beautiful day!

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  19. Town and Country HouseMarch 13, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    Ooh, once the drywall is up things move quickly! Enjoy!

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  20. The Preppy PrincessMarch 13, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Congratulations on the progress thus far, it is really coming along. I adore the staircase, and the limestone is just beautiful.

    As far as the other houses, i can't pick, too many pretty elements for each one!
    tp

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  21. Penelope from Meyers Inc.March 13, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    The house is simply breathtaking. OMG I cannot imagine such a palace home! Congratulations on it, cannot wait to see more as it moves along.
    As far as the other three, love the interiors of the DC house, the grounds of the California estate and the exterior of the Hamptons house....beautiful all three but not nearly as pretty as yours!

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  22. designchicMarch 13, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    I cannot begin to tell you how much I love the attention to detail in your home...it is absolutely exquisite!! Loving the Hampton's house for my getaway ~

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  23. KarenMarch 13, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    I love the beautiful villa in Santa Barbara! But your new home could absolutely rival any of the three! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your building photos. Thanks for sharing them!
    Karen

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  24. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    The work on your home is amazing! The shot of the basement...it hardly seems right to call it a basement..the whole thing...WOW~
    As to the others, by far...my favorite was the Quogue home!

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  25. Pinky at Designs by PinkyMarch 13, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Following along with you on this build is SO exciting! Your home is magnificent! The limestone is GORGEOUS!!!! Of the 3 homes, my fave is the California home. Breathtaking in all the details! Thanks for the tours!!!! Pinky

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  26. UnknownMarch 14, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    Tina,

    How exciting for us to see the progress ad much as it is for your experiences in forward motion of your beautiful home to be. Love the tiles for the bathrooms and the limestone outside and sheet rock ready interiors. So much to dream about so exciting for you and your family.

    Congrats on guest posting and sharing the love...how fun!

    Of the fab three homes I think it's too difficult to select one. I like many qualities in all three and would be over the moon to stay in any of these beauties. Design has afforded so many lucky people to build their dreams one home at a time. Being part of Sunday Showhouse is a privilege and all here are deserving.

    Thank you clicking over to ideezine and commenting.

    Bette

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  27. quintessenceMarch 14, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    You're making great progress - so exciting! And as for the houses, it's a toss up between the Hamptons and Santa Barbara for me.

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  28. Helen YoungMarch 14, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Your house is coming along! Every space is just so beautiful!!!!! The staircase looks breathtaking. What a lucky girl you are to be able to build your dream house and do everything right.

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  29. SHERRY HARTMarch 14, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Whoa...your home is going to be beautiful....I am sure you are excited and can't wait to design the interiors!!!

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  30. Greet LefèvreMarch 14, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Tina,
    Your home will be (and is already) gorgeous, fabulous, amazing,...superb!! I just love it! It is one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen!!! And I mean it!
    The staircase is wonderful! And it is so nice that we can follow the process!
    Thank for that Tina!
    xx
    Greet

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!