Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Wood, White & Marble

Wood

Indigo & Ochre Designs

White

Cave Interiors

Marble

Horizon Habitats

I wasn't planning on finishing my powder room, prior to moving in. It felt like one more decision I would want to obsess over, slowly and endlessly, until I knew I had seen every possible combination of wood, white, and marble. Unfortunately, I just found out that I can't get a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) on my home without a sink in the small bath. 

I am under pressure to make a decision on a powder room vanity. 

Vanity

Do you have a favorite vanity? I would love a second opinion. 

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Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

House Update, California Style

Is anyone else having One Room Challenge™ withdrawal? I don't know about you, but I can't wait until October! I found so many ideas to borrow from the Wednesday, and Thursday groups. But for now, back to my project.....

When I think of what home feels like, my mind goes back to my childhood. I grew up in Southern California, the Valley, to be specific. Our home had wood floors, light colored walls, and lots of windows. I can still remember what the cool brick pavers on our front porch felt like under my bare feet. It felt like Summer. 
Not my house
Michael Kelley Photography
I definitely had a uniform back then, too. My daily wardrobe consisted of shorts, a t-shirt, and my favorite Vans shoes. About ten years ago, when that shoe became popular at my daughter's school, she asked me how I had heard about Vans? I gave the classic parent answer, "I was wearing them before you were born.....along with the surfers and skateboarders". I wanted to live at the beach.

Butler Armsden Architects
While reading Jennifer's series, Purposeful Design, I started thinking about the feeling I want this home to have........Summer......California Style. 

Sanctum Design
A place where the lines between indoors and out are blurred. 

High Shots Photography
A place where shoes are optional.

Bowley Builders
When I told my architect this was going to be my California beach house, he said that he was helping my neighbor build her Colorado mountain home. 

Adam Design
Thank goodness all these styles are welcome in my neighborhood. What style reminds you of Home?

 
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Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Naples Real Estate for Me?

I was trying really hard for today to be about our new home. Although we are getting close to some housing news, I am not able to confirm or deny my own gossip about finding a house. The truth is, the seller's son is being a real jerk a worthy adversary in our negotiations. It is taking more than a village to make this happen. It is taking the best team in real estate


I thought I would share with you some pictures of a stunning beach house that I can't afford. It's always free to look and dream. This home is one of the many listings my real estate agent, Michael Lawler, has on his site. 


A couple of months ago, I decided to take my own advice, and work with the number one agent in the area. You may remember when I featured this property, or a different version of this one.


I approached Michael and his team to take me on as a client. Can you imagine how I came across in person after unsuccessfully hunting for real estate in Naples for over a year? Not to mention the fact that they sell luxury real estate....and , well....I was trying really hard to find one level above a teardown property. Did I mention I was also trying to get on a GREAT street? Oh, and I could quote sale prices based on square footage value for every home I rejected. I was fun. 


Maybe he was too afraid to say "no"? From the moment I became a client, things started happening, fast. The very first home he showed me, became a strong contender. Unfortunately, that one was too much of a project. 


I worked closely with everyone on his team. They were amazing, heard what I was saying, and kept going....until. I almost settled on a property that was not where I really wanted to live. After visiting it three times, I just couldn't do it. The next day, a home on one of my favorite streets, came on the market. We were all over it, and within 48 hours, had it locked up. 


Since there are still some issues to be worked out, and it's never really over until closing, I won't be sharing pictures, just yet. 


Now, can we talk about the Charles Edwards lanterns in the photo below?! They remind me of the lanterns in my former dining room......that moved with me! Note to self, design a room and ceiling treatment around two pagoda lanterns









All Images Courtesy of Michael Lawler Real Estate
You can see more of this amazing beach house, here. And if you like looking at this type of real estate eye candy, Michael is now on Instagram! 

Happy Birthday to my Father-In-Law! He would hate it if I told you his age. Love ya!

 
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Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Blue & White Bash | Barclay Butera

I am so happy that the

Blue & White Bash

is back from its summer break. I love all the pretty inspiration available

in one place

. Because

Jennifer

first introduced me to

Barclay Butera

in

this post

of hers, I thought it would be fun to share more of his work in my blue and white post. 

All images courtesy of

Barclay Butera

Do you love his style as much as I do? He is also the author of these two books. 

Getaways and Retreats

For even more blue and white ideas, come over to the

Blue and White Bash at The Pink Pagoda

.

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Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Cedar Cove...Real Home


Have you been watching the series Cedar Cove? It's a total 'chic' show and hardly the most in-depth content, but none the less....I like it. Alright, admittedly, I have quite a bit of time on my hands as of late. Yes, I may have binge watched through the first season and after all these years, I still love Andie MacDowell


Although filmed in Vancouver, the show setting is the fictitious coastal town of the same name influenced by Port Orchard, Washington (Bainbridge Island). I love the scenery and wanted to see what a real home in this area looked like......don't you?

Here is a property listing from Bainbridge Island , WA.








If I can't find a home for myself, I might as well find something for one of you :). I promise, I will visit you if you buy this one

 
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