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This blog post is going to be a little different than my normal post. Argentina. This one of a kind East Grand Rapids home has been the object of my affection, and the subject of my nightmares for so long. I first saw this house back in January, and since then i have been emotionally and mentally invested in every single detail of this home. Unfortunately, during the final stages of this renovation i was forced to move on to other things, so i was not able to see out every detail that i had so meticulously planned for this home. A bittersweet ending i had not been expecting. Therefore, the paint colors, master bath tile, mirrors, faucets/plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, hardware, guest bath vanity, staging, and the most heartbreaking of them all.. the kitchen sink, are not my design selections. I will be including what MY selections were (in the form of my original powerpoint slides and personal photos) and what would have been different in the follow photographs, so try to visualize what i had dreamt for this home when looking at these photos. The kitchen layout, cabinets, flooring, builtins and over all flow of the house is true to what i had originally designed, but as you will see many things did not end up the way i had hoped. Do not get me wrong, this house is still very nice, and has come a long way. As a designer it is always hard to let go of something you dreamt of and see it come to a conclusion in a different direction with a different designer. Its almost like a relationship. You love someone, you have hopes for your future together, but something isn't working, so you break up, move on and you see them get similar things with somebody new, just not the way you thought it would happen, and its not happening with you. so enjoy this home for what it is, but know if i had my final touch, it would be a masterpiece... not just a piece of art.     The drawing below is what i had designed.  This is what actually happened. (below)     The drawing and pictures below is what i had envisioned for the fireplace builtins, mantle, and surround.   Custom mud room builtins i drew and designed. (below and above)    What happened in the 1/2 bath (below)  What i had designed for the 1/2 bath (below).  My original design plan for the kitchen which included herringbone backsplash and copper elements. (below)  The gorgeous, thrifted, 1942 American made, Crane cast iron sink (below) with drainboard. I had this sink refinished and paired it with a unique matte black, Danze (pictured above) 3 piece faucet. In its place, installed, was a very small under-mount stainless sink with a standard brushed nickel run of the mill faucet. ( not worth a close up photo if i do say so myself.)        (below) These are the paint colors i had originally decided on. A bright white for the walls, Carbonized (a dark charcoal for the doors, accent wall, and fireplace builtins) and Pussy willow (grey) for the bathrooms. Instead a very generic grayish-beige was forced upon these walls against their will.    I had high hopes for the master bath. A large soaker tub, oil rubbed bronze plumbing fixtures and white, unique tiles for contrast. Instead, mid 2000s travertine and cheap brushed nickel was the choice for this "could have been" sanctuary.      The upstairs full bath was supposed to have character and be fun for kids and guests. Instead it was plagued with, yet again, some very mid 2000s finishes. (below is my design)  What was actually installed (below)        I originally planned on painting the exterior of this house a nice clean white, to contrast with the black doors and windows and give it a classic, yet clean look. Instead a muddy gray now covers this beauty.  What breaks my heart the most is the kitchen sink, the exterior color is a close second. I hope to learn from this experience and grow as a designer. If theres anything i can take away, it is that staying true to yourself is always the best bet, even if in the end, you didn't win.
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