Adding Character

I'd say we're officially in the 'finishing' stage.  It's definitely the fun part for me--my purchases and design choices are being incorporated.  And I'm beginning to see if the visions I had are going to work out as planned and look the way I've imagined.  One marble fireplace is in, and parts for the others are at the house.  Dressers and tables, to be adapted into vanities, are on site.  Countertops are trickling in.  Bathroom and backsplash tiles are ready to go.  Painting and wallpapering has begun.  And an old Portland street light globe, made into a pendant, is the first light fixture to be hung.  Everything being installed is not unique.  But even commercial choices reflect the tastes of the homeowner.  Here are a few construction touches that also make the house distinct.  

The breezeway is supposed to have an indoor-outdoor, mudroom feel--with a brick floor, skylights above and double doors at each end for the 'breeze' to flow through.  We always had a window from the office into the breezeway--to let more light in, and to add interest.  I decided I wanted it to look like an outside window in an alley or something, so we gave it the same stone surround as the exterior windows.  (The mortar and sheetrock are not completed as of this photo.)

Below is a wall unit I designed for the pantry.  I have some big serving boards and baskets that I've never had space for in the house.  Out-of-sight, out-of-mind.  So this narrow rack should accommodate both large and small trays.

During the planning stage, I had the idea for a tiny window at the cottage entrance that would give a glimpse of the glow from inside.  I had a small leaded-glass window made.  It took the framers and  carpenters a while to figure out exactly what I had in mind, especially with the thick walls.  But it turned out as I planned.  Here it is from the inside and the outside.