Our Hemingway Layout - Ryan Homes Build

I realized I have yet to post the layout of the Hemingway. Overall, I love it. I look forward to seeing the walls go up and for it to take shape. I am so excited about the bonus room and just slightly apprehensive about the kitchen possibly being too "cut off" where the oven, fridge and entrance to the dining room are located. This is probably because the Hemingway model we looked at was not the exact layout we are building and it's so unknown. I truly loved the Steinbeck kitchen, but the home was not for us in any other sense and did not come with the rear-attached garage. As always, I know we are not going to have much of a backyard, but I am so excited for a different type of home!

Ernest Hemingway model in Charlottesville

This will mostly resemble our home. The builder is not allowing the neighborhood to build this model with the bay window nor will we have the white picket fences (that I LOVE!) or shutters. But this is the Elevation B that we selected because my husband liked the half porch, plus it then "bumps out" the front of the house where the porch is located making the living room and bedroom above larger.

We added in the windows that we could except the three in the garage and the two on either side of the fireplace because those are not available with the fireplace is on the side.

It tends to be somewhat difficult with the fact that we are so far from initiating the build and even further from closing, that the little "what if's" keep popping up. But we are doing the best we can with what we've got and are still enjoying this process.

The basement is not going to be finished at this time because we have future plans to customize this area more than what can be offered by Ryan. It will extend out as far as the dinette goes.

The first two floors offer exactly what we want and need at this point in time, so I could not be more optimistic and excited!

Part of my "vision"

Of all the "options" that I knew I wanted for this home, I'm struggling with the idea of how it will look when it is completed. Except, I'm completely okay with that because it gives me something to look forward to.

There are some things that have just "clicked" and I know they have to be a part of our home. One, is an amazing shower curtain (albeit super pricey). So mundane, I know.. but it will make the ultimate little boys bathroom. The other is just an overall perfect picture of what I would love to see my home mimic.












It is a home that was photographed by hiya papaya for designer Lindy Allen of Four Chairs Furniture. This home is one of many beautiful homes built by Cadence Homes out of Utah. I could not stop looking through their designs and models. If I were anywhere near Utah, I would hands down choose them. Modern craftsman style homes have my heart.

Unsure of origination on Pinterest

It is a little extremely out of the ordinary in this area to choose a white kitchen, but I am so excited we did. When we were looking to get a home in Wilmington, the one we fell in love with was a modern craftsman with a white kitchen with trim, coffered ceilings, and built-in's everywhere. It was one of the most beautiful homes we had ever seen and was by Bill Clark Homes. Some day, I hope this home of ours can some day mimic that style of that home as well.

After I saw this bathroom posted on Pinterest it gave me the idea for our bathroom. Our previous bathroom was nice.. tan, real tile on the floor and surrounding the shower and soaking tub with brown cabinets and standard white marble top. Except, I could not, for the life of me, come up with a paint color that suited that bathroom. I always found myself dreaming about what it would be like to have a bathroom with white cabinets. Fast-forward 1.5 years and we now have the plans for white cabinets in every bathroom. There's just something about white..

Kal Barteski on Wayfair

This bathroom above just draws me in. It seems so warm and cozy. The sink in our bathroom will be a standard undermount bowl. But all other features, the cabinets, granite, and tile work will generally be the as close as I could come to the same as pictured. I plan on switching out the mirror and framing in the window of the bathroom when time and money allow.

The shower curtain that I want for Kyptan's bathroom is one that I found on wayfair. It is much more not-so-little-boy-ish than what you would typically put in a bathroom for an three-year-old almost four-year-old. But when I found it, I just knew it would work for us. It fits the tile work of the bathroom which is something that will be timeless no matter what the age. And there is nothing wrong with being a little rebellious and entertaining the rockstar and superhero side of a little boy!

Ch-ch-changes - Ryan Homes Build

You know how there are times when it seems things just work out? That is the situation with this house. Before I get too ahead and jinx myself, I just have to say I am grateful and thankful. This buying/building experience has been awesome. Every day that passes I see more and more that everything happens for a reason. It can be interesting watching life unfold backwards.

New Caledonia (old) & Azul Platino (new)

We have had the incredible blessing at forging a friendship with our SR, who has been GREAT during this entire process. He has been an awesome soundboard and a great advocate. Since the development is still in its early stages, we had to meet with our SR to sign addendum's to our contract last Sunday. These changes on the addendum's? Another blessing. 

We finally got the order submitted for our exterior colors. We ended up going with a gray primary siding called granite, with accent siding called graphite gray. The trim will be white with a copper red door. There are not going to be shutters on the homes in this development, so we did not worry about that. We do plan on changing out our door and the color of it before an HOA comes into effect. I love the different color front door trends. :)

Initially we were going to go with New Caledonia granite because it was the closest match to what we envisioned when we realized the Azul Platino granite we really wanted was a level 2. It wasn't until this meeting that we realized the granite upgrade to Azul Platino was affordable at a $300 extra. Quite interesting how things just work out.

We also changed out the cabinets that go in the hall bath and bonus bath to the Sonoma Painted Maple Linen that we are getting in the kitchen and master bath. So all the cabinets in the house will match, not a big deal to some, but I am really excited about this change.. and thankful.

We added in two recessed lights over the fireplace and two additional outlets for the master and dining room tray ceilings. Our plan is to duplicate a look that we saw the Steinbeck model in MD have - rope lights on the inside of the tray ceiling of the master and dining room. We were also approved to have the master shower floor pan tiled - another huge expression of gratitude. I can't even begin to explain.

As we continue down this road, I cannot wait to see what else is in store. We are honestly just ready to see homesites be labeled and determine which one ours will be instead of just seeing a picture on paper. Our timeline for completion has been pushed back to December, but the wait will be oh so worth it. :)