Light My Fire

The fireplace in the family room is only waiting for 

a family portrait or the ubiquitous hunting dog print.

Color My World

Everything from Hopsack to Squirrel Tail to Edgecomb Gray is being 

considered for the rooms in Barbie's Dream House.

The First Steps on the Path to a Better Life

Bluestone pavers are Barbie's dream sidewalk. The Dream House needs its own version of the yellow brick road, right?

Don't Fence Me In

This fence separating our yard from our neighbors' was installed before code dictated that the "rough" side of the fence must face the owner's house. So, we are faced with a dilemma.....

Caves Don't Have to be Chilly and Damp

"That lawyer from Chicago" wanted tile floors in the man cave (lingering nightmare from basement floods in our old house) but Joe had a brilliant suggestion: heated floors! And cool looking too.

This Is Not A Driveway, It Is An Inset Parkway

Leaving no stone unturned in the quest for the perfect landscaping for 

Barbie's Dream House, a paver drive with grass insets was selected.

It's A Dog's Life

Custom is the only option for the most important occupant of 

Barbie's Dream House: Sam Adams, yellow lab.

Bricks and Stones II-The Outdoor Version

Decision fatigue is beginning to set in; what really is the difference between these 

paver bricks for our drive and walkways?

Houston, We Have Backsplash II!

The second and final iteration of the kitchen backsplash tile.

Houston, We Have Backsplash!

Proof that what you see in the tile store display (that would be The Tile Shoppe)

is not necessarily what will be delivered and installed. 

After much agonizing,  this weird, greenish tile (and the drywall behind it)
was chopped up and dumpstered.

But not before many emails, calls and meetings 

with The Tile Shoppe reps drove me to the first 
change order to Barbie's Dream House!

Tile, Tile and More Tile or Tile Well Spent

All the hours spent comparing Barbie-size tile samples 

(with the expert help of Jane),

are paying off in awesome designs and colors.

Windows 2012 (and doors)

No leaks, drafts, smooth operation-new windows and doors 

work like new-who knew?

Bricks and Stones

Six of hundreds of stone and brick samples I tracked down and discarded
for the basement fireplace. Either too Flintstone or too early American
for That Lawyer from Chicago's mancave.

Sam Adams Inspects Our New Floor

Sam Adams wonder why we are bothering to stain the floor.
It would so much easier to hide the scratches in its current, unvarnished state.

Stairway to Heaven

Amazing! Led Zeppelin predicted at my high school prom 

"she's buying a stairway to heaven." 

Khaki is the New Black

My kitchen cabinets will be wearing a uniform of sorts. Khaki-painted wall cabinets with a stained alderwood island. Kind of like dress casual meets urban-farmhouse.

Fan of Green Gables

After much deliberation, including paint stalking all over the Village, 

Barbie's Dream House will be sided with Hardie Board,

in a Benjamin Moore paint, Sabre Grey.

Barbie Bakes and Broils

It's possible to stay warm and tan in the newly insulated 

spare room in the basement of Barbie's Dream House.

"R" Valuable Insulation

We have the aerosole mousse, pink cotton ball and the tanning booth varieties of insulation in Barbie's Dream House. A necessity due to Village codes and my preternaturally low body temperature.

And This Means You...

Special thanks to our builder, Joe, for making my wishes perfectly clear:

Chim-chimeny, Chim-chimeny, Chim, Chim-cheroo

Our talented and creative masons designed this "custom" chimney for the south side of Barbie's Dream House.

Getting Ready to Host a Garageband

"That Lawyer from Chicago" has taken on the challenge of making the most of our dollhouse-sized garage and its matching cupola.

Skipper, Scooter, Midge- Pack Your Bags

This is one corner of the third floor "aerie" (one of Barbie's new words) that will be furnished for the comfort and privacy of our guests. Really, drywall and flooring will make all the difference!

She's a Brick.......House

Barbie chooses to re-use, re-purpose and recycle when it suits her purposes. This is "antique" brick from a demolished warehouse in Chicago. "That lawyer from Chicago" doesn't believe a word of it, but who cares if our brick has a pedigree?

Can You Guess What This is? The Answer is a Shocker

Plumbing the Depths

Farrah "Faucet" has nothing on Jane, our builder's wife and design partner. Here are some of the cool fixtures that will be installed in Barbie's Dream House.

Windows Update

 Barbie's Dream House has the latest version of Windows.

Rooms with a View

First look at the interior of Barbie's Dream House! 

Wherever will we hang the pictures?