Just back from a long and fun weekend in Boston. While I was gone the contract was finally signed by and delivered to all parties. Time to prioritize projects so we can get stuff underway this winter. We are hoping move in by the spring.

Priorities:

Rip out a not needed full bath on the first floor and recreate a powder room in a better place.

Turn ripped out bathroom into a full blown butler pantry with all the bells and whistles. I’m envisioning an early twentieth century pantry with glassed doors and lighting on the uppers, mahogany or teak furniture quality counters and back splash. Then a brass sink, a built in microwave ( no place for one in the kitchen), and tons of storage below. I see black and white marble floors, probably blue paint on the cupboards and lots of good lighting.

The powder room will be small and relatively simple: marble sink and backsplash, brass fixtures and exposed plumbing, great mirror, sconces, ceiling fixture, small freestanding piece for towels and the like. Hoping for a fabulous wallpaper. Floor will be the original oak in the room.

Create laundry in the basement. Currently no laundry in the house.

Extend existing wrought iron fencing to enclose most of our property for the dogs.

Stain and polyurethane all wood floors. The builder made them too blond. I’m looking for medium color to compliment the staircases.

Staircase runners for all the stairs. I want wool, possibly oriental rug style. Or a solid red or dark blue with a border. Of course I have to have those fabulous brass stair rods. The house totally calls for it.

We expect to close the first week of November. It’s all very exciting!

My husband found a 2013 photo of the house before the builder obtained it. I feel the builder honored the exterior fairly well. The inside is a mixed bag. But I feel I can correct a lot, my furnishings will soften it. The butler pantry will improve the first floor function.