A Sight for Forgetful Eyes - Ryan Homes Build

I had a weekend-day off and as a family we had nothing planned - finally! So as a spur of the moment thing, we drove to Maryland to visit the Ernest Hemingway model. I did not realize this model existed until reading through Brandon's blog [building with Ryan Homes - Park Place] about the journey of building an Ernest Hemingway alongside his wife. Literally the only blog that I can find in regards to an Ernest Hemingway model. Where are you EH builders?! :)

Anyway, it was refreshing to see because it's been a few months since we've seen the home. The other EH model in Charlottesville is honestly almost the same. They are different elevations with the one having a half porch versus a full porch, also one has an attached garage (no bonus room) and the other a detached.

The front entrance to the model was locked, so we walked around back and went in the back door that led directly to the kitchen. Directly is an understatement because I about walked right into the bar extending from the kitchen. If there is no dinette/morning room, there is what seems to be a foot in between the door and the bar.

It was awesome to see the double ovens in person. I was a bit skeptical about how they would look because I assumed the area would just feel so cramped losing the extra counter space. Completely opposite. I am excited we went with the double ovens now.

I fell in love with this dining room. I have two very different ideas floating in my head now. I am literally not going to know what to do until I am in my own space. Originally, I was thinking of doing a beadboard type dining room which we have seen in another model and it was incredibly stunning. But after seeing this model, it was so light and airy and just the most perfect shade of blue that I fell in love. Very tastefully done! We got the level 2 trim specifically for the fact that I did not want the wainscoting because we would remove it to apply the board and batten.. I have been second guessing myself since signing for the level 2, thinking of the level 3. Although, I know all the extra trim is very easily completed as a DIY, also.

It was extremely difficult to get a picture to do the Master shower justice. This is specifically the bathroom that we will be getting with the 4-bedroom layout with the shower only feature in the Master. We did request the shower pan be tiled which did get approved and I cannot wait to see that! The bathroom does appear as a hall in a sense - when you walk in the bathroom the closet is on the left and the double sinks on the right. When you walk through to the "next section" the shower is on the left and the toilet on the right. The window you see in the shower is just a reflection, as it is actually a square window located between the shower and the toilet. When we go to our pre-construction meeting we are going to request that the drywall that separates the shower/toilet combo from the closet/sinks be either raised or changed into an arch, because it really makes the room feel crowded. I'd like to take the most advantage of the 9ft ceilings as possible. The other bathroom pictured is the hall bath. I'm really crossing my fingers that the tile in the shower goes above the shower head.

We took a different way home so that we could stop by the model that mimics our kitchen cabinets, granite, and flooring. It was so refreshing to see as well!

There is no way to do the flooring adequate justice in pictures. I can not for the life of me determine the true color of it. Misty Gray is such a misleading color name, because there are hues of black and brown in addition to the gray.. and I LOVE it! It also appears so different in certain shades of lighting.

We have kind of put to the side the fact that we chose the metal balusters until we saw them in person again. Another exciting feature that I look forward to seeing in my own home. Our stairs will be wooden and stained to match the hardwood throughout the first floor with white baseplates. Another unknown of what it will look like in person, but I can't wait! :)

We continue on with the waiting game while the crew finishing laying the plumbing/sewer and road for the development and then, with fingers crossed, we will have our pre-construction meeting! I'm sure it will be mid-August. Simply enough, I will just continue to be patient because it is going to be so rewarding in the end. We cannot be grateful enough for what the future holds! :)