Let's Stay Home | Building Updates

It's Thursday!!!

Today I'm sharing a few updates from the house that you may have seen on my Instagram.

But don't worry, I'm sharing a few new things too!

First on my list of updates is countertops!

I'm in love with them!

These are quartz countertops in a matte finish with a chiseled edge.

We did the same countertops and edge throughout the entire house and I couldn't be happier with that decision :)

And we have island lights!

We bought these lights 1 1/2 years ago!

I still love them and was so happy to see them hung :)

We have two bigger ones that hang in our dining space as well.

Not a big thing, and still a bit of an eye sore...

The brick was filled in where the old part of the house meets the new.

Don't worry, it will all get painted black so you won't notice the difference in color ;)

I shared this photo last week too, but it deserves another share in my opinion ;)

Those floors are even more beautiful in person!

So are the doors ;)

The glass was installed in X's bathroom and it so pretty!

I know, it's clear glass...but it still looks pretty!

Unfortunately, they installed a smaller size than what we ordered so they will be replacing it in the next few weeks with a bigger door.

The door swings all the way open so you don't have to have the glass in the way if you want to soak in the tub :)

Another view of the floors throughout the kitchen :)

Don't mind the junk all over :/

I don't share too much of the original part of the house that we kept because it won't be getting updated right away.

But they are laying the floors in there now.

I can't wait to get this room cleaned up, the brick painted black, and those dark beams removed.

And we are thinking about removing that buck stove and just making it a wood burning fireplace now that we don't need it to heat the whole house ;)

All the faucets arrived this week and I am anxiously waiting for them to be installed!

Here is a sneak peek of the one that will be in our kitchen :)

We walked into the house quickly on Wednesday evening and found the rest of the interior doors hung!

Loving that pantry door!

And that is all for the updates today!

Don't forget to link up your home related posts below :)

If you have any questions on products or finishes we chose don't hesitate to ask!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

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Let's Stay Home | My Amazon Store

Happy Thursday!

I can't believe it is time for another edition of Let's Stay Home!

This month I wanted to share something super exciting with you all...

I have my own Amazon Storefront!

What does that mean you ask?

That means you can shop my links from my blog or head straight to my Amazon store and see all the items in one place.

Yes, I get a small kickback if you decide to purchase from my links.

And it is greatly appreciated if you do so :)

My storefront just opened, but make sure to check back often for new items.

Right now I currently have sections for My Style, Home Decor, Pantry items, and This and That ;)

I am adding more items to each section and adding new categories daily!

Which brings me to a question I have for you.

Why are you here?

I know that sounds a little forward so hear me out.

I recently took a poll on my Instagram stories to see what my followers/readers visit or follow me for.

The options were Recipes, Style, Home Decor/Building, or Lifestyle.

The clear winner on Instagram was Home Decor!

But I want to know how my blog readers feel as well!

Out of those 4 main topics which do you come here for?

Why do you read X-tremely V?

Recipes

Style

Home Decor/Building Updates

Lifestyle - What we are up to!

Created with QuizMaker

Don't worry, there is no wrong answer!

I just want to get a better idea of why you take time out of your day/week/month to come read what I am have to say and share.

I also want to know how many posts on average each week you would like to see from me moving forward.

At the moment I plan on keeping the same format through the end of the year, but I may change things up come 2021.

How many posts do you like to see on X-tremely V each week?

1-2

3-4

5

Created with QuizMaker

Thank you all so much for taking a few minutes out of your day to answer my poll questions. 

I greatly appreciate the feedback so I make sure I am producing the best content on here for you!

Don't want to take the polls...no problem!

Just give me all your feedback in the comments below!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

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Let's Stay Home | All About Those Lights

Hello and Happy Thursday!
Welcome to the August edition of Let's Stay Home.

Today I'm diving into my lighting picks.
Why is lighting SO HARD to pick out!
We have had the pendant lights for our dining space and kitchen island picked out, ordered and stored for a good year now.

And we know the lights we are ordering for our exterior, we just have to hit submit on that order.
It's all the other lights that are driving me crazy!

Here is what I'm looking for...

Master Bathroom Sconces
Master Closet Chandelier
Xavier's Bathroom Sconces
Powder Room Sconces
1st Floor Sconces
Laundry Room Chandelier
Foyer Chandelier

I would love your feedback on the styles I am about to share below.
They are all ones we are leaning towards, but just haven't made the final decision.

For the master bathroom we really like this style.
We would have 4 of them since we have a double vanity.

I did know from the very beginning that I wanted some antler chandeliers and decor scattered through the house since we live in the woods.
I think this smaller version would be perfect for our master closet above our island!

Next up are the lights for Xavier's bathroom.
I just haven't found any style that I just love.
So your feedback is greatly appreciated!

With his bathroom being all gray and white, I was thinking of bringing in black sconces to play off the countertop.

I could easily do the same sconces in the powder room on the first floor, use the same as the sconces scattered throughout the first floor, or something entirely different.

Here is one of the options for the first floor sconces.
The tricky part with picking out these lights is that we have 9 of them!
And the space is pretty open, so they need to blend or accent the lights in the kitchen and dining space, as well as the chandelier in the foyer.
It's a tall order to fill!

These guys are GORGEOUS!!!
Not sure they will totally go with what we have picked out so far, but they are 100% our style!!!

I also like the simplicity of this style of light as well (in black).

Decisions! Decisions!

And then I'm thinking two fairly similar antler chandeliers for the foyer and laundry space.
Honestly, I want something different but I haven't been able to find much.
Any suggestions on where to look for a antler chandelier?
Stores, sites, etc. are greatly appreciated!

I am leaning towards these tones for both of the spaces.

So what do you think?
Again, I would love your feedback and suggestions!

And don't forget to link up your home posts as well!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

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Let's Stay Home | #TheRealBuild

Happy Thursday!

Today I am sharing a fun group that I think you will love to follow and even participate in!

I have teamed up with some amazing and absolutely hilarious ladies for a new series on Instagram stories called #TheRealBuild

Each week we will share our experiences about a different topic in the building process.
We just kicked things off this week and would love for you to check out our stories, follow our #, and to share your stories as well.

We are all different.
Our location, style of home, budget, etc. is all different.
It is a great place to get answers, find out you aren't alone on this journey, and to develop a great support system while building a home.
Trust me....you will need it from time to time from someone who can relate to what you are going through right now (not 40 years ago 😉).
So head over to Instagram and watch our stories, follow #TheRealBuild and join the fun!

Here is the topic for Tuesday, July 28th.

I would love for you to join us!
Just share your experiences in your Instagram stories any time that works best for you on Tuesdays, use #TheRealBuild, and tag me (@life_of_mvx) so I can watch!
If you just want to watch for now, you can head over to my Insta page and check out my highlights.
I will save every week there for easy reference :)

XOXO ~ Vanessa

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Let's Stay Home | Updates & Lighting

Hello and Happy Thursday!
It's Let's Stay Home time!
Today I am sharing some updates that have been going on at our house, as well as looking for some lighting feedback from you all.

If you are new around here, check out the posts below to catch up on our whole home renovation/new build process first.
You will be amazed by the before pictures!

Let The Remodeling Begin

Update #1

X's Bedroom

X's Bathroom

Laundry/Mudroom

Pantry

Update #2

Master Bedroom

Fall Decor

Master Closet & Bathroom

Exterior

Mini Update #3

Family & Dining Room

Kitchen

Mini Update #4

Let's Stay Home - Renovation Update #5
Let's Stay Home - Spring Decor Finds
Let's Stay Home - Outdoor Living
Let's Stay Home - Mini Update #6
Let's Stay Home - Insta Home Inspiration


Now on with the updates!

Both upstairs bathrooms have been tiled and grouted!!
I think the floor in X's bathroom is my favorite!
It is hard to tell in the pictures, but we went with a medium gray grout for the white subway tiles in both bathrooms.

Glass also still needs to be put in each shower/bath space.
And don't mind the fact that everything is super dusty right now ;)

Now that the tile work is done(for now)...
Our builder is working from the second floor and moving his way down, so I'm impatiently waiting for my pantry door to be hung ;)

All bedroom and bathroom doors have been hung and trim is now being put up as well :)
Everything will get nails filled in and a final coat of paint as well.
I am so glad we went with the wall color for all the trim pieces.

Loved seeing the windows in our closet with trim on them as well!

(Completely forgot to turn the lights on when I took these pictures, and to brighten them. #bloggerfail)

And here is the current state of the outside of the house.

That existing space will get tackled with new siding, shingles, etc. once the inside is all done.

Now onto my lighting question for you all.
Here are the lights we purchased to go above our kitchen island and dining table area.
We will have two of these larger lights (5 bulbs) above our dining table space.

And then three of this 2 bulb version will be above our kitchen island.

We have been storing these lights for a long time. lol!

Looking for lights is not fun at all to me.

Possibly, because I don't like about 95% of what is out there.

So based on those lights above, I need to find complimentary lighting for our sconces and our foyer light.

Here is a very beginner mock up of the lighting styles I am leaning towards.

Our foyer light isn't 100% in the line of sight with the wooden lights in the kitchen and dining room.

Also, those lights look much darker in person - more black than bronze on the metal pieces, and slightly darker wood.

Just the sconces will be near both lights.

We want an antler chandelier in the foyer, but I have yet to find one I love.

Thoughts?

That is all for today friends!

Link up your home decor, DIY, new build, etc. posts below.

And don't forget to give me your lighting feedback in the comments below :)

Have a great day!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

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Let's Stay Home | Insta Home Inspiration

I know most of us have been "stuck" at home, but it feels like the last month flew by!
Is it just me feeling that way?

Today I decided to take things a different route.
I wanted to share some of my favorite home decor accounts that I follow on Instagram.
And I would love for you to share the home accounts you follow in the comments below as well!
There are so many out there, so I know I'm not following them all...yet 😉

Here are some of my favorites that are giving me all kinds of inspiration for when we get back in our new house.

@The_Broadmoor_House

Stephanie and her family recently moved into this stunning new build.

She has a Building 101 highlight that is great to check out as well!

@BARCbyBrettandAli

I love checking out what they are changing up next!
And it's always fun to follow someone in Ohio :)

I have no idea how I found these next two ladies, but I am so glad I did!

I just wish I knew about them sooner!

Nina and Cecilia are twins living in Iowa killing it in the new build and home decor area!

While Nina is currently building a new home (you must check out her last new build), Cecilia is living it up and styling her current home (before she builds a new home across the street from Nina).

And they are so fun to watch on TikTok as well 😊

@NinaWilliamsBlog

@CeciliaMoyer

@OurFauxFarmhouse

Holly & Brad literally took a spec home and are making it a gorgeous farmhouse!
They are currently redoing their stairs and I am loving every minute of it!

@TheHillaryStyle

Another black and white dream home in my world!

@AHouseWeBuilt

I just love everything about this home!

And those cute cats making an appearance is always a plus :)

And last but not least...

@LeeAnneBenjamin

Lee Anne shares a bit more home and style on her account than most of the others.
But she recently moved into her new home build with her family and it is amazing!
You must check out the garage space and her two-story closet!
#goals

You can't tell that I like a good black and white house can you? 😜

Now let me know what other home accounts I should be following below!

And don't forget to link up your home posts today with me.

Anything from DIY projects to home decor, and more!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

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