Hello from Naperville

We moved from Lewes, DE to Naperville, IL the middle of October of 2016.   Because we were building a new house, we lived at a hotel for 4 weeks pending completion of our home.   Finally on November 16th we closed on our Chesapeake Lane home and spent the night on a camping mattress in an empty house.   That's how ready we were to be at home again.  Fortunately the moving van arrived the next day.

It has been a busy few months but the house is finally coming together.  As promised, here are some photographs.   Although we still need to paint very white walls with more color, finish window treatments and hang a little more art, it is about 80% there.

Here is a picture of the front and the floor plan of our house.    The front faces west and the back faces east, so we enjoy southern sunshine in the main living spaces along the right-hand side of the plan below.   Even on a gloomy day, it's bright.   Note:   There is no wall between the sun room and living room (an option we didn't take).

Foyer:

Just inside the front door is this little bench and a photograph signed by an amazing photographer and very special friend, Ron MacArthur.   We love seeing a little bit of Lewes's Kalmyr Nyckel when we walk in.

The painting on the left is by Lewes artist Steve Rogers and the one on the right is of the Texas Hill Country - both very meaningful to us.

This little rocker was my great-great grandmother's.   Can you imagine how small women were then?   Our grandchildren just fit!

Living Room:

My favorite feature is the French blue velvet sofa.   Really great for napping!  And thank you (again) Janet Davis for finding the French trumeau mirror which reflects the pond.   Most of our favorite vintage treasures originated through Janet's planning and/or shopping!

The kitchen plan is great for entertaining.    Food preparation takes placed on one side of the island/counter and food buffet service is convenient to the left of the center island.

This photograph shows the "food preparation" counter top with Pure Butter dish, over the upper bar and into the buffet part of the kitchen.

If and when we cook.....   A pretty hand-made cream subway tile back splash is going in this week.

This section of the kitchen is perfect for serving buffet style food and displaying blue and white pottery.

This is a view of the breakfast room from the kitchen.   We spend a lot of time in there.

I love the pantry (and especially the etched glass door)- 

Breakfast room (front of the house)

Here's our pretty Welch Cupboard that Janet Davis found for us MANY years ago.   The back panels have been painted often, and we love decorating it seasonally.

 

We enjoy beautiful views of the wetlands and pond from these windows.










The sun room is where we spend a lot of time.   Out back, we overlook the 24th hole of White Eagle Golf Course and along the side, we overlook natural wetlands and a large pond.   It is very easy to relax in these spaces, rain/snow or shine!   A new deck and terrace will be constructed this spring (thank you son Todd).

Dining Room:

Master Bedroom:

Our bedroom and bath face east so the morning sun is bright.   Black-out shades are the only way to sleep in in this room!   The carpet is taupe,  NOT lavendar despite the lighting in this iPhone picture!

You guessed it, there's a whirlpool bath in this house and it gets used (almost) daily.

Our powder room is patiently awaiting vibrant  "A-Twitter" wallpaper.    The problem is - we can't find the wallpaper purchased in Delaware and (hopefully) moved to Illinois  :-(

Coming soon (hopefully)

This photo is of our vintage French vineyard table which provides a bit of separation between the sunroom and the living room.

Thank you Jeff West for suggesting this placement.   

There have been lots of fun card games played in this spot - mostly with my granddaughter who beats me at "Battle" every time (wink wink).

Not pictured, but coming soon, is John's study, our den/media room and my studio.   They're works in process and not quite ready for prime time.


But most of all, this is a home filled with sunshine AND love.   There is no sound quite like "Mimi, Papa, we're here" when the girls arrive.   We'll hear that sound from our little grandson when he visits for the first time in March and we can't wait.    That makes all the packing and unpacking worth it.

Much love...