Katrina

I won’t compare the visit to my house on Thursday to Katrina victims returning to their homes because it would be a very inappropriate thing to do. It would be cold, insensitive, and heartless. But when I pulled up at the site, I admit I did have a moment of political incorrectness. It was the day after a big storm. The tarps that are now my window coverings and roof membrane were blown about and there was snow and ice everywhere. Needless to say there was more than a little water inside the house, but luckily it was pooling on the matching tarps used as floor coverings. Thank you, contractor Mitch, for coordinating!

I had come up to approve the color of the concrete floors before he puts the semi-gloss coating on it. As much as Laura Bohn advised (more like insisted) that I use the natural concrete color, I went with a darkish taupish color, and hopefully, I will like-ish it when it’s done. If not, I will hear about it every time Laura comes over. Thank God she lives in Pennsylvania.

Speaking of Laura, she told me that I don’t know how to use “cost-efficient” materials. Not true, I thought…until I went over the tile estimate. They didn’t seem expensive when I selected them, at least compared to the ones I use for clients. What a gift I have for choosing materials that don’t look expensive but are. Crackled subway tiles for the kitchen–how low key, right? That shouldn’t be expensive, unless you choose the ones I did. The honed-finish, Calacatta, gold marble for my bath is beautiful but too expensive. There is a beautiful matte porcelain tile I am using in the guest baths, and I guess it will be in mine also. Such a democratic house indeed, what’s good enough for my guests is good enough for me. By the way, if someone out there is looking for a good house warming gift, it’s never too early to send it, especially if it’s a honed Calacatta marble tile. I am hoping for a Calacatta vanity, but the price hasn’t come in yet. Ikea, here I come.

And the final design and materials have been selected for the fireplace. Here is the absolute last drawing. It will be made of smoke-waxed limestone with Grey Foussana bands. I want to order this right away, just in case…