Soapstone vs. honed granite

My friend, Alyssa, an interior designer (is that right Alyssa) gave me her opinion on soapstone vs. granite.  I want the look of soapstone, uniform color, charcoal gray, square edges, not too polished and shiny.  I think we are going to go with honed dark grnite and get it cut with square edges.  I really want soapstone but everyone says it dings, could I live with dings?  I don't know, I'd love to see one in a real kitchen. 

Her thoughts:
I love soapstone too - it is gorgeous! I don't tend to specify it much because it requires a lot of maintenance and it scratches easily. Granite you only have to seal once a year, whereas soapstone you need to wipe down with mineral oil once a week for the first year and maybe 4 times a year after that. It also tends t...o scratch/chip easily - so it tends to be better as a 'museum' than a work space. Granite is much denser, so you don't have to worry about the chipping/scratching. I saw a gorgeous honed granite the other day that was dark grey with some white movement to it and looked soft like soapstone. I'll find out what it was for you.

Check out her blog, I think her favorite topic is kitchens!  Thanks Alyssa.

http://persephoneirenedesign.blogspot.com/

Bring Us Your Building Problems

I just found our house on the CA Historical Resources Database and found pictures of it before.  I don't know what year, I'm guessing in the 80's.  Found out the original builder which is kind of cool - Edward A. Daniell. See his bio below.  I really want to find a picture pre-stucco. 

Our house is a non-contributing house and according to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service - US Dept of the Interior - "this Craftsman bungalow's integrity is compromised by non-original stucco exterior wall cladding."   To this I say, WOOHOO!  Can't wait for this ugly stucco to come down so we can see the shingles underneath, I will wait with bated breath. (Corrected, thanks Kathy!)  It will be like seeing your new girlfriend for the first time without make up and heels, hoping it is just as pretty, if not prettier underneath that mask.  I'm a girl so that is how I think, not sure if that even crosses the guy's mind! 

Edward A. Daniell home, who went onto to become a very well-known designer/builder in Pasadena and San Marino. Built in 1916, this home was probably one of his very first of over 5,000 he built. As a prominent and well regarded builder and designer, The Pasadena Star News even commented in May 1936: "Daniell maintains the high standard of design and quality for which his homes are recognized." His advertisements proclaimed "Bring Us Your Building Problems." See attached building biography for more information.

Bungalow Heaven

The area we bought in, Bungalow Heaven, is a historical area of Pasadena.  Here are some links where you can learn more about Bungalow Heaven as well as see some of the homes located here.

Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association:  http://www.bungalowheaven.org/


L.A. Places:  http://laplaces.blogspot.com/2010/04/bungalow-heaven.html
All content below is from LA Places blog. 
Bungalow Heaven is a lovely neighborhood in Pasadena comprised of almost 1000 one-story Arts and Crafts style bungalows. With its quiet tree-lined streets, pretty gardens, and centrally located park, Bungalow Heaven is one of L.A.'s most charming neighborhoods. Most of the houses in this area were built in the 1910s-1920s and include characteristics typical of the American Craftsman style including low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, and beautiful, handcrafted stonework and woodwork.





Bungalow Heaven is bordered by E. Washington Blvd. to the North, E. Orange Grove Blvd. to the South, N. Lake Ave. to the West, and N. Hill Ave. to the East. Every spring, the Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association organizes a home tour with 8 different restored bungalows open to the public. For more Pasadena Arts and Crafts pictures, check out my post on the Gamble House.

I see the light...almost!

So, I was REALLY excited about my choice for lighting in the kitchen.  I want the schoolhouse pendant lights to go in the center of kitchen and adjacent laundry room.  I REALLY wanted it for over the farmhouse sink but I looked and we put the light box in the wall, not the ceiling.  Anyone have ideas of a light fixture that would compliment the schoolhouse lights?

This one above shown is from www.schoolhouseelectric.com.


Also, I'm thinking one of these flush mounts on the patio.  We have a box for a wall mount too but I'm not sure I want both.    www.houseofantiquehardware.com

Now, you guys get to help!! This is the fun part...but expensive.  Seriously, can't I just register now???  

Loving www.rejuvenation.com as well!