Inspirational Bedroom Designs; Which is Your Favorite?

Greetings Everyone!

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas Holiday.  It has been a busy one around here! Now we have entered the time where we are all suffering from post holiday guilt; mainly from eating one too many pieces of fudge, and visiting the dessert table one too many times.  Thankfully the new year is right around the corner and we can again make a resolution to exercise more and eat healthier foods; just like last year right??

Today we find ourselves indoors, far away from post holiday shopping.  We aren't the only ones, as a blizzard is currently taking place just outside our window here in Indiana.  I am sure the local merchants are disappointed, but for us it makes for a perfect day of slowing things down, and enjoying time with each other.

It was also one of those mornings where you just didn't want to get out of bed.  In honor of staying longer in bed, we have decided to show some of our favorite, cozy bedroom spaces.

Which one makes you want to sleep in a little longer?

CHOICE 1

Love the blue used in this bedroom.  The canopy over the headboard really gives the room height.  Also love the little secretary in the corner as we have one that is very similar.

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CHOICE 2

I know this picture has been floating around for a few years, but we still love it! The entire space has a rustic french style, from the beams to the arched french doors.  If I am correct, this has some hints of a Jack Arnold designed home.



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CHOICE 3

Another elegant bedroom with what appears to be a matching baby bed also under a canopy.

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CHOICE 4

Love the dimensions of this bedroom and sitting room.  Again we love the blue color used on the wall and some of the fabrics.  If I had a sitting room this large I may never leave my bedroom!

L

Source Luis Aceved Interiors

 

CHOICE 5

This four post bed with canopy gives a more masculine vibe with darker colors and woods.

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CHOICE 6

Who wouldn't want to wake up next to this roaring fire? With a blizzard outside, this may have been as far as I made it today.

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CHOICE 7

Maybe it is just us, but we never seem to get our beds to appear as cozy and fluffy as the photographs.  Would love to spend all day rolled up in this bed. Love the molding detail along with the often seen French yellow and blue color combinations.

 

 

This is one shot of our current master bedroom.  At the new house we intend to use this set in our guest bedroom, and go with something similar to the first photograph in our new master.  This duvet and bench were great Pottery Barn finds!

Now that some of the holiday craziness is over we plan to return to house planning.  January is the final push to get all of the bids and estimates completed.  Depending on the circumstances, we could be sharing construction posts within the next few months.

Wishing everyone a safe day!

- Tonya and Rob

Our French Inspired Fireplace Mantel

Greetings Everyone!

We can't believe it has been over a week since we have visited all of our blogging friends!  We have literally had no time to focus on anything "home construction" related, and can only assume that this trend will not change until the beginning of the year.

That being said, we did make one selection last week regarding two of our fireplaces; the mantel surround.

 We have chosen this cast stone mantel made by Dracme

It is appropriately named; Louis XV

Our Rumford firebox will take up the entire area inside the surround.  Rumford is known for creating tall shallow fireboxes, which causes more heat to be reflected into the room.

Source Dracme Cast Stone Fireplace Surrounds 

The debate over if we should use a solid masonry fireplace has been put to rest.  With all of the new developments and improvements in firebox inserts, we find no benefit in using solid masonry. 

Initially we felt that solid masonry would add to the aesthetics of our fireplace, yet in our design everything but the firebox opening is hidden behind the wall. The herringbone pattern visible inside the firebox insert is masonry. 

We felt we needed solid masonry to get a large firebox, which is also false.   Our firebox will have a 48" by 43" opening starting at floor level.  That is huge!  

We also felt that we needed solid masonry to achieve the proper exterior aesthetics, which is also false.  Our two chimney stacks will still be framed to the same size as the masonry chimneys and will have stucco or brick applied to the exterior for a completely authentic look. Wait until you see the chimney cap options, which are worthy of their own post!

The benefits of using an insert over a masonry fireplace; We will achieve the same look both inside and out for about 1/3 of the price of solid masonry.  Our fireplaces will also be more energy efficient.  Nobody will know the difference, unless you follow our blog!

 

One of the gas log sets we are considering is by Ramussen.

Rasmussen makes this Tipi Gas Log Set for larger Rumford fireboxes.  The Tipi set is designed to be tall so that the flame fills the entire firebox.  

Source Rasmussen "The Gas Log Company" 

Love this tall Rumford firebox insert.  This unit, like ours, looks just like an authentic masonry fireplace. Love these tall fireboxes!

 Source Rumford

 

 

Rumford also makes great outdoor fireboxes.  Take a look at this beautiful outdoor room featuring a large Rumford firebox as the focal point.

Source Rumford 

This outdoor Rumford Fireplace also has a large opening with a Tipi style fire wood stack arrangement.



Source Rumford 

For the serious outdoor cook, Rumford also makes great outdoor kitchen units. Check out this design that incorporates an outdoor pizza oven.  Who wants this on their patio? I do!

Source Rumford

 

 

That's all we have for this past weeks home construction selections.  If you like these fireboxes, you might enjoy thumbing through other inspiring images on Rumford's Website.  You can also check out and price cast stone fireplace surrounds on Dracme's Website.

Wishing everyone a great start to their week!

 

- Tonya and Rob

French Style Fireplaces and Mantels: Which is your favorite?

Good morning everyone!

The most recent discussion with our builder has focused around if we should construct four full masonry fireplaces. As with anything there are pro's and con's.  Our builder no longer recommends that solid masonry fireplaces be constructed due to energy efficiency.  Our state has enacted energy codes that all new homes must meet.  Since masonry fireplaces are responsible for a great amount of energy loss in our homes (especially during a cold Indiana winter), it has been recommended that we use sealed inserts.  Additionally our design only calls for the mantel to be exposed so the design of a solid masonry fireplace would go unseen behind the walls.  The debate goes on!  Let us know your experience good or bad with solid masonry fireplaces.

To the more exciting part of today's post......we want to choose a mantel style before searching the yards and warehouses for the "perfect" mantel.  There are so many great choices, but we want to know which is your favorite.

CHOICE 1

We really like the look of this Limestone mantel.  The design has what I call a rustic elegance.



CHOICE 2

This cast stone mantel has a more traditional look with defined columns and a french arch.  Our ongoing full masonry debate is evident in these first two choices.  The first choice has no insert and is open.  This second choice has an insert (notice the black trim going around the firebox) which is covered by the fireplace screen.

CHOICE 3

Love the large cooking fireplace.  Okay so this won't go in our living or family room, but its still a fun choice.  A similar picture actually lead to our desire for having a mantel like hood over the kitchen range.  Look at the size of logs you can fit in the firebox!  The arched limestone ceiling is also amazing.

CHOICE 4

This limestone mantel looks great with the rustic stone.  I can't get over the height of the firebox.  This is certainly on our list of favorites, but would not work with an insert.

 CHOICE 5

We took this photograph while touring a Jack Arnold home in Colorado.  This cast stone fireplace mantel style is high on our list, in addition to choice 1

CHOICE 6

We really like the angle above the mantel in this fireplace.  We also like the rustic wood beams and ceiling in this photograph. How great does that wood arch look? -Barbara Gilbert Designs

CHOICE 7

Another great limestone mantel.  I see this being used in a very formal setting.

 CHOICE 8

This fireplace mantel seems to encompass the entire firebox.  A very simple design.

CHOICE 9

Another simple and elegant cast stone (limestone?) mantel used in this bedroom.  This scenario is very similar to ours.  If the mantel and firebox were not there, it would be difficult to detect a masonry fireplace behind the wall.

 CHOICE 10

This cast stone fireplace is obviously for a grand space with tall ceilings.  We have 21ft. ceilings now and are over them.  Still like this formal look. This appears to have matching limestone shelving.

 CHOICE 11

If we had to do a stone fireplace, this would be the one.  Such a rustic pattern and love the blue colors in the stone.  Does anyone know what kind of stone this is?  If we build a solid masonry fireplace this is the kind of detail we want to bring out of the wall.

 CHOICE 12

Our bedroom has a corner that could accept a nice cozy fireplace.  We also have a wall that could benefit from the small limestone mantel shown in choice 9.  We thought this would be a different approach to creating a corner fireplace.  What do you think? Like it or no (the design not the stone)?

CHOICE 13

We like how the firebox is lifted slightly up off of the floor in this design. 

 CHOICE 14

Another great solid masonry fireplace that showcases all of the stonework.  The stacked wood next to the firebox is both functional and looks great.  Maybe we need to build a lodge in the country also?

Hope you enjoyed some of our mantel design style choices.  We are curious to hear what you like.

Also we have updated "Our Favorite Blogs" shown in the right column.  We removed some that have quit updating, and added new blogs that we currently follow.  Check to make sure your blog is there and let us know if you would like added.

Hope everyone has a great day!

- Tonya and Rob