Saturday, September 12, 2015

Farmhouse Renovation Update

Hello-
A current update on our farmhouse renovation is long over due!

I'll begin by sharing our inspiration for the exterior improvements we are working on.  This rustic little farmhouse had a similar layout with the look and feel we wanted to achieve.  So this is what we came up with.....


Dirt was moved to build up and create a pad next to the home to prepare for the building of a terrace. Fortunately we have plenty of dirt on our 21 acre parcel here, so didn't have to go far to get all this.




What was once the side of the home will now be the front. Placement of a new front door, new windows and dormer with new roof will help re-orient not just the outside but will also make better use of the interior floor plan.  This home has a garage underneath so access was up a flight of stairs via a deck wrapped around half of home.  The big ugly deck had to go!! 
Footings and foundation are in progress before terrace walls can be built


The relocation of the back door will require new stone steps and some retaining walls but with a large portion of the deck removed it looks better already.  Once the new doors are in and new windows installed the rest of the deck will be torn down. Can't wait for that day! 


The wood siding will be stripped and the entire exterior replaced with a rustic color coat stucco.  We want to experiment with mixing multiple colors of stucco as it's applied for a very aged rustic appearance so Tom will likely take on the application himself.  We'll experiment with colors in several test applications as we get closer and see what we can come up with. 

 
Our favorite french country cottage was the inspiration for a new dormer to be added in the roof above the new front door. We stayed here in July during our shopping trip with Sharon of My French Country Home. It is such a charming little place.


and we love the look of several structures sharing a courtyard or terrace as in the photo below. If we ever add on at some point in the future the improvements we are making now can be incorporated into a future design.





 I'll continue to update on our progress and post photos to instagram as well.
 
We also ordered the vines for our vineyard. 3 to 4 acres of Rhone Varietals will be planted next spring so  Tom is also organizing the preparation of the water storage tanks and irrigation system for the vineyard. A small wine production facility and tasting room venue is also planned in the next phase of this project.




With several projects in various stages going on, Tom cut his "real job" work schedule back to three days a week so he can spend time at the site managing the progress. I continue to work full time and live 5 days a week on the Monterey peninsula gathering  inspiration and planning the interior renovation which we will dive into once the major exterior pieces are in place.   Stay tuned and yes, we are an ambitious couple!!

Cheers!

Friday, July 31, 2015

A Beautiful Summer Wedding!!


Our to do list this year has been long. In between completing and selling our Pebble Beach home and preparing for renovations on our property in Amador County, one of our daughters was married. Somewhere in there I planned a wedding- and it was a beautiful June wedding!!


This was Briana and Robby's special day!


All photos courtesy of Willow Rose Photography.


We began with the perfect venue-Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, CA. You can see my post from last year on this beautiful place here




We chose the wedding colors based on the venue and how it would look in summer. It was going to be the background in every photo so I wanted to make certain the colors complimented the beautiful oaks, manicured lawns, lush green vineyards and surrounding gardens that would be in full bloom in June.

  We chose a pastel pink chiffon dress for the bridesmaids in varying styles


My beautiful niece!


and a gray tuxedo for the groomsmen


My handsome son!



I had an Etsy Artist paint a fun wedding map and it became the centerpiece in their invitation suite. They really liked the little banner so it was used in the ceremony programs and the menus too.







Christine Cater floral design picked up on my desire to use old french urns and wire muscle baskets at the ceremony site and knocked it out of the park with her version of rustic floral displays. They were absolutely breathtaking!   The same color scheme of varying shades of green foliage and soft blooms  in rustic silver containers were chosen to compliment the ongoing color scheme.










The ceremony site during summer is lined with white poppies. We knew they would be in bloom and tall, so green foliage and scant white blooms were also used in my urns. The view from that site is really amazing.



An ivory lace wedding gown was the Bride's choice and she wore it beautifully on her big day







My uber talented Mom made her veil, the wedding cake, and crocheted a small wrap for her bouquet. My Mom made my wedding gown and my sisters weddings gowns back in the day. We grew up around her designing, sewing and decorating just about anything.  I am forever grateful for her creative influence that most certainly had a impact on me:)
 
My Mom and I below helping Bri get ready.





The brides bouquet






The groom looking handsome and a little anxious:)

























Pretty Cake!






The ring bearer (our grandson Mason)  had a case of shyness aka extreme fatigue and chose not to participate in the ceremony.  He looked so cute :)!





The garden patio where we dined was pure rustic elegance!  The hacienda's exterior is clad in a creamy carmel stone so I chose ivory linen for the tables which let those pretty floral centerpieces pop.  All linens are from La Tavola Fine Linen, Tuscany Linen in eggshell.  Their linens are divine!





















Tom made the grape stake gate for the escort card display.




The venue has a variety of rustic seating areas and they were perfect for cocktails after the ceremony.




It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed the celebration with family and dear friends. Best wishes to the newlyweds and may you enjoy many many years of happiness together!








Wedding Gown: Allure
Veil: Custom
Bridesmaids: The Dessy Group: Dusty Rose Chiffon
Groom and Groomsmen: BLACK by Vera Wang in Gray
Flowergirl: Nordstrom
Ring Bearer: Nordstrom

Vendor List:
Venue: Holman Ranch & Vineyard, Carmel Valley, CA
Photographer: Willow Rose Photography, Santa Cruz,CA
Month of Wedding Coordination: Sonia Gosline- Lucky U/Coastside Couture, Carmel Valley, CA
Floral Design: Christine Cater Event & Floral Design- Carmel, CA
Linen: La Tavola Fine Linen- Tuscany Linen in Eggshell-Napa, CA
Invitation suite: The Quill- Pacific Grove, CA
Paradise Catering-Carmel Valley, CA

Cheers!!

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Let the Land Clearing and Renovations Begin!



A bulldozer spent days clearing several acres of land to prepare for the spring planting of our vineyard. Many trees were cut down and piles of brush burned for weeks!








A water storage system and deer fencing will follow, but for now we are getting a clearer view of our beautiful heritage oaks.


We will also begin renovations on the house in the next few months.  Building permit is in and new windows have arrived.   I am excited to begin the transition from little red barn house to rustic european farmhouse complete with stucco exterior, new roof, windows and a terrace.


The existing house has a horrible deck around part of it that will be torn down and entrances in front and rear will be relocated to make better use of the existing floor plan.  It sits on top of a hill and with more land clearing in the fall will have even better views of the foothills and vineyards below.



We will be traveling to France in July to shop for pieces to use in the renovation and for use in future development on the property.  So excited about this trip!!

I am now on instagram at  #europeanfarmhousecharm and will begin posting photos on our progress.




 Cheers!!

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