My two cents on the Jefferson Square

A new model, Jefferson Square, just opened up in a Ryan community not far from us.  I was very excited to go see in person what the new "improvements" to the layout were.  All I can say is Thank God we picked the Jefferson.  When we signed our contract last December, our SR told us about the Jefferson Square and said if we were interested we could get it.  I reviewed the floor plan at that time and was not interested and now after seeing it in person, further confirmed I made the right decision.  Issues I noticed: the lack of windows in the family room, the smaller kitchen, smaller formal dining room, smaller formal living room, no vaulted ceiling in the morning room or the master, smaller bedrooms, no double door closet in any of the other bedrooms, hall bathroom on a weird angle, smaller basement.  While the downfalls are numerous, there were a few good things: more windows in the master bedroom, shower in master bath has two shower heads, larger office space.  There are two walk-in closets in the master, which would normally be a good thing but these walk-ins are on a weird angle making any sort of custom shelving design near impossible and downright awkward, and if you like the laundry on the 2nd floor then this would be a plus.  I thought I would prefer 2nd floor laundry until one, I heard how the spin cycle shakes and rattles the entire house, and two my muddy, filthy boys come home from football practice and need to strip down and put those clothes immediately into the washing machine (and they wash up in the laundry sink).  Could you imagine them walking all the way upstairs with those clothes, dripping mud and who knows what all over the place??? Or even worse, they use the kitchen sink to wash up in.....OMG I cringe just thinking about it....

Overall I was shocked at the differences.  It will be interesting to see how long it will be before Ryan will make changes.  I can't imagine it will be as popular as the original Jefferson.

Wireless keypad for garage door

Has anyone added a wireless keypad to their garage door opener??  After a quick google search it appears to be fairly simple to install and cost about $30.  I wish the one that you get from Ryan had this feature but it doesn't.  I now fully understand why some people elect to get there own garage door opener after closing.

Newest additions to the morning room

The morning room is nearly finished.  Thanks for all of the suggestions about window treatments, I'm think I have made up my mind but haven't found what I'm looking for just yet mainly because I have not had much time for shopping.  Here are the latest updates, rug and 4-tier shelf in corner.  The rug really makes a big difference.

 

Morning room window treatments??

I am still undecided about how I am going to dress the morning room windows??  I have seen a few variations in Ryan home models.  The model in this community uses valances.  The community down the road uses curtains.  See examples below:

I not so sure I like the little dinky curtain rods.  The problem with the valances is the patio door.  Can't put a valance over that.  So put valances over the other windows and nothing over the patio door??  Ladies and gents too, please help!  I don't want to cover these windows up because I love the natural light but leaving them bare just doesn't seem right either.  What have you done in the morning room??

Patio door and other morning room windows:

A few issues

Congrats to everyone who has recently closed!! Also to the new bloggers, welcome! I apologize for not posting any pics yet but the furniture company has thrown me a curveball.  In April, my husband and I picked out furniture for the morning room and family room.  In July, some of the furniture was delivered.  Keep in mind we also purchased and had delivered two other rooms of furniture in the meantime.  In late August we were getting rather irritated and had to continuously call them to find put when the rest of the furniture would be delivered.  Long story short, the accent chairs we picked out to go on either side of the fireplace were discontinued.  What!?!  What if we hadn't called, how long would they have waited to tell us??  Since then I have looked at 10,000 chairs and haven't seen any that I really like.  Time is not on my side either.  My son plays football, husband coaches and I'm in my final semester before graduation in December.  Free time?? I have no concept of those words right now.  I was waiting for the accent chairs before I picked out window treatments, rug, and the wall decorations.  Now I'm in a holding pattern and I don't like it.

What I can show for now is my most favorite piece, the server in the morning room...

And here is the sectional in the family room...

I'll post pics of the bedrooms and media room later.

Summer storms = Power outage

Well so much for enjoying the first weekend in the new house.  Severe storms came through Friday night and the power was out until Sunday.  Had to throw out all of the food that was in the refrigerator, had the alarm go off and not be able to stop it because the keypad was dead, the ice left in the ice maker melted and left a pool of water on the kitchen floor, it was crazy!  It was a real learning experience, coming from our townhouse where the power was never off for more than 2 hours in the past 6 years of living there, I am now suddenly in the market for a generator.  Any tips?

Closed!

We have signed the dotted line (many of them) and the keys are ours!  The process went very smooth.  Afterwards, we made a visit to the furniture store and our bedroom set will be delivered tomorrow?  Wow, we were not expecting that fast of a delivery but we'll take it!! Still need to purchase a mattress so we'll have to get that accomplished tomorrow too. Things are moving fast and furious now.  I'll post pics hopefully over the next few days as things are moved and furniture delivered.  Exciting times!

Countdown

Closing is tomorrow, moving company comes on Sunday, Verizon on Monday, Guardian on Wednesday.  After closing, visit furniture store.  I'm very excited about getting a new mattress.  I went a few weeks ago to test some out and I have fallen in love with the Stearns and Foster brand.  The sales rep said wait till 4th of July sale starts for a better deal.  I love when sales reps don't give you the run around.  Now I have to convince the hubbie.  He wasn't with me when I went but I'm sure once he tests one out he'll agree. 

Thank you

I want to say a big thank you to everyone for all of the nice comments on the house.  Closing is next week and we very anxious to get the keys.  There has been a lot of progress on other's houses; I look forward to watching them come together.  In the meantime, we are packing and unpacking from our vacation.  I have to say if you like to cruise, you must try a Disney cruise.  You don’t have to have kids to enjoy the incredible experience.  They really cater to everyone young and old and every detail is taken care of.  We had 7 days of pure relaxation, entertainment, and just plain fun.  Now it’s back to reality and moving into our new home.

99.9% complete

The house is almost perfect, everything looks great.  Minor things here and there will be finished by closing next month.  Here are the latest pics as of this morning:

3 days later, many changes

We had an opportunity to stop by after work to see what changes have occurred since Tuesday.  Luckily the patio door was left unlocked and my son was able to climb up and get in otherwise we would have been "sol."  This is what we saw....so exciting...

Kitchen (love the island)

Railings are up

Office 

Master Bath

Dining Room (trey ceiling, crown molding, chair rail)

Front steps

Media room (hubby's favorite)

Kitchen

I was extremely happy to see our kitchen is taking shape.  Cabinets are in, double oven is in and so beautiful, one of the countertops is in, floor is in....it all was breathtaking.  The dishwasher is sitting in the morning room for now.  Crown molding is up in some of the rooms, doors has been installed in most rooms, the railings are sitting in the living room for now so I am assuming those will be in this week.  It's all really coming together so well.  

Cell phone pics (while eating an ice cream cone) not the best but all I have for now.....

Floor (kitchen, morning room, laundry room):

Kitchen:

Railings:

Master bath cabinets:

Crown Molding in foyer:

Guest bath: