The Forest Modern Update, A New Book, & Why I’m Blogging Less
How’s that for a lot of content in one title? You may have noticed that my blog posts have become less and less over the past few months or longer. So many of you have reached out for updates on The Forest Modern. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me feel that you have invested that much interest in this home we are building. I know I told you originally that I would blog about all the details. We all like details don’t we? Well, maybe I’m the only one that likes all the details. I’ll dive into a quick update of the latest happening over there in a minute.
I just want to say THANK YOU to the overwhelming response of care and concern on our hurricane Irma post. A couple of months ago, Tim and I had planned a trip to Naples to celebrate our 20 year anniversary and the timing couldn’t have been better considering an emergent trip would have been necessary to check the beach cottage for damages. Last week we arrived and felt an overwhelming thankfulness to walk through our front door and see this.
The hurricane boards were still on the windows and doors and all the patio furniture filling the corners. As we drove into Naples from the airport, we could see neighborhoods and homes off of the interstate that were still sitting in water and completely flooded. Roofs torn off in pieces and trees down everywhere. This tree fallen just around the corner from our cottage. So surreal to see trees of this size just toppled over and bigger than the home next to it.
Not the original relaxing anniversary getaway we had planned months ago but happy we could be there to help others get their debris and fallen trees cleared. Tim even packed his chainsaw in our suitcase. The home improvement stores were wiped out of necessary tools like this so we came prepared. Tim managed to survive all his chainsawing with cutting only 2 fingers…and I only gained 30 mosquito bites. On my legs. Yes, I counted. Looked like I had chicken pox.
We ended our week by flying into NYC for a super quick 2 night trip. I love NYC! My favorite spot is Central Park and we walked out our hotel door and it was across the street. Perfect for a nice long walk.
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I made Tim take this quick photo because my T-shirt says exactly how I feel every time I’m in the big apple.
I was thrilled to be able to meet up with a few of my dearest blogging girls. They were there for the Better Homes and Gardens Stylemaker event so the timing worked out perfectly to meet up our last evening there! Brittany and I go back 3 years in NYC. The past 2 years, her and I hung out for the BHG Stylemaker event in 2015 and in 2016. Erin and I had just seen each other the previous weekend when she visited us in Colorado. More on that in a minute.
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Our hubbies all got to meet and share their “blissful” {ahem} stories of being blogger hubbies. We had an absolute blast laughing and chatting and sharing stories. I foresee some future couples trips.
As I mentioned earlier, Erin and Kenny came to our Colorado home the previous weekend on their way to a Steamboat getaway. I love when timing and trips just work out perfectly! Erin showed up in her eskimo coat, lol! In her defense, it actually was cold and raining like crazy that night when I took them out to see The Forest Modern. She has been my “house building therapist” since day one. I kid not. I have speed dialed her so many times during those moments when the stress level of building a home makes me want to go rock myself in a corner. She ends up making me laugh and has the most adorable giggle ever. Love her so much. If you’ve never seen her gorgeous San Diego home she built, you must check it out.
Speaking of The Forest Modern, let me catch you up to speed. The last update I gave you we were heading into the electrical phase. Fast forward and we are just now wrapping up electrical. So the house really looks the same, other than wires all over the place.
From my kitchen looking into the pantry.
Plumbing is finished too and next up is insulation and drywall. I have been waiting for drywall for what seems like a year! We ran into a few issues with framing and our roof recently so that has set us back some time to get those resolved before we can move onto drywall. When building a home it’s always something. There’s always going to be some hiccups along the way.
One thing I’ve found a little challenging is finding the right people to help make some of my design plans come to life. After the framing was finished I felt like our main living room and front entry/hallway space needed a form of delineation. I saw this inspiration photo posted on Instagram of this metal and glass transom and my mind was set. THIS was the perfect solution for our living room.
I sketched it in where it will sit in the space between the living room and front entry. I’m also wrapping it to another space in the kitchen. This is one of the design details of our home that gives me the tummy butterflies. I’m so excited to see how it will turn out!
I’ve finally found a good metal fabricator who is going to make the steel structure for us. Fortunately, he’s been working with me on making small samples to help me gage the thickness of steel I want and to make sure I’m getting exactly what I want. It’ll be painted matte black when done but this gives you an idea. It’s all part of the master design where I have exposed steel beams in parts of the home as well. Do you see the vision?? No? Maybe you’re like Tim who can’t visualize my crazy design madness until it’s done. I always tell him, “just go with me, it’ll be fabulous,” thank goodness he trusts me.
We are finalizing our hardwood floors this week too. Just a little sneak peak of what they’ll look like! I’m really excited to not have dark hardwood anymore. Although its beautiful (when it’s clean), it shows everything. Bye bye puppy paw prints. Human barefoot prints for that matter. It shows all!
Hopefully soon, within a month, I’ll have some nice pretty drywalls to show you. After that it will be TRIM, TRIM, TRIM!!! Lots of trim work, lots of exciting wall details to come. Although it may seem like not much progress has happened, a lot really has. More so in each room design that is now finally getting nailed down. I work full time on this house. There is always something to research, always a cheaper price to be found and always sketches going through my head.
Which leads me to why I’m blogging less. While my public “design life” on the blog and on Instagram has slowed down, my personal life has been very different. Aside from The Forest Modern zapping all my free time, we have faced some really sad life situations.
I’ve been watching my dad fail in his health over this past year. It’s been heartbreaking and puzzling to not know why he was so sick. He had been to numerous doctors and been misdiagnosed. Recently, we just learned that he has ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). It has already progressed rapidly to the end stages, he’s only been given a few months to live. With that said, blogging just hasn’t been a priority. When there is so much sadness and tragedy happening all around, I’m finding it so frivolous to waste any precious time on blogging. There is a time and season for everything, but when grief happens, perspective changes. I’m taking pause now to focus on what really matters which is my family. I know that next year, life will be looking different and my season of blogging may return.
Last, but not least, I’m so excited for my friend and New York Times best selling author, Melissa Michaels for the release of her new book Simple Gatherings.
I’ve read Melissa’s blog, The Inspired Room, for years and she was a huge inspiration in me starting my own blog (I wrote about that more HERE). Her easy design style and practical, simple tips filled with a bit of light hearted humor now and then is always good for my designer soul. In this book she addresses hospitality fears that some of us (raising my hand) encounter along with battling being a perfectionist (double hand raise here).
I’ve started reading this book and can tell you already it is such an enjoyable read. If you would like to buy a copy you can do so HERE. Call it an early Christmas present to yourself. While you’re at it, buy a couple for your friends too.
Until next time I can blog, I’m wishing you a happy fall. I hope your home is filled with scents of pumpkin spice and that maybe a few cute store bought pumpkins are on your porch.
Hi Shauna, I love reading and seeing your new home updates…but I love reading how you are prioritizing your life. I’m sad to hear the news regarding your Dad’s health. I send my prayers and hugs to you. May God bless you and your family. I look forward to seeing little glimpses of your design work as your time allows! Xoxo Lisa
Lisa, thank you so much for your kind words. I truly appreciate your love and support here on the blog and on Instagram. I’ll be sharing sneak peeks as often as I can on new house 😉
Shauna! I’ve been thinking about you all week! So happy to see a post up from you although I completely understand why they have been few and far between lately (as they should be!). It was just the best to spend time with you this month and it kills me that we can’t grab lunch together more often. Like every other day! 😉 Hang in there during this busy and difficult phase of life you are in. Breaks my heart to think about all you are going through with your dad. I’m sending a huge hug and reminder that you have a friend in San Diego who loves you and is just a phone call away from a therapy session – day or night. Although most of the time you end up helping me more than I help you. 😉 Love you cutie!
p.s. your house is going to be AMAZING!! Crazy amazing. Can’t wait. 🙂
Erin, I wish so bad you lived nearby! I’ll keep working on Kenny about that 😉 Thank you for being the biggest supporter on this new home journey. I don’t know what I’d do without you and all of your advice! Love you to the moon and back and miss you so much already!
xoxo
Shauna! The details are amazing already!! Love the floor and love the steel!! So good! Sending so much love and a really tight hug:)
Thank you friend! Can’t wait for you to come out and visit one day with all the girls! We need to make that happen!!
xoxo
Shauna, nice to read an update I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. That’s just heartbreaking for your family. Health & family issues are part of life & so not easy. I wish you all the best on this journey. I know about aging parents & that’s part of my world too. Big hugs!
Thank you Rhoda for stopping over and leaving your sweet comment. Big hugs to you too as I know you’ve been dealing with family health issues as well. I miss blogging, especially during the holidays! Next year I’ll be back with a bang! Happy fall to you friend!
xo
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad; that is an awful disease. Seems like everyday one of my friends’ parents are getting diagnosed with something. I guess it’s just that stage in life. Glad your cottage was ok and wow…that tree is a sight to see! Take care! Will follow you on IG.
Karen, you are so kind, thank you!
Hi Shauna, so sorry to hear about your dad’s health. You are right and should be spending all your free with your family. I have 2 parents in assisted living and it’s really tough. Everyday brings a new challenge and its so sad to see your parents at this stage. Thinking of you and praying. 🙂
Thank you Denise for your sweet words. So sorry to hear about your parents as well. Hang in there! Prayers for you too!
Lovely lovely lovely. . So sorry about the damage post irma… I missed your post on that… And yes i see Erin… God i love her.. she doesnt even know me but i think im her biggest fan.. shes lile the organizational woman on fleek !!!
I meant.. *shes like*
Thank you Rachel. Erin is definitely the queen of organizing! I’ll have to share your message with her 😉
So sorry to hear about your dad. Be with him as much as you can,you’ll be glad you did. Trust me people understand!!!! So glad to hear all was well in Fl. Your house is amazing take your time enjoy the experience. It will all fall into place. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you Debbie, I really appreciate your kinds words.
It is never too late to check into holistic doctors for your dad. I have seen mainstream doctors give a person only a few weeks to live and holistic doctors give them years. I no longer put my faith into mainstream health system. Blogs come and go but real life and family are first, always, so we might miss you but we certainly understand your dilemma. We will be patiently waiting for your next update!
Thank you so much Kelly! Happy Fall!
I am so sorry to hear about your father. I will be praying for you and your family. You are using wisdom in stepping back for a bit while you walk through this time.
Thank you Sherry for your kind words. Happy fall to you!
Just know I’m always with you in spirit and am always a phone call away – we can set a timer, haha. Glad to see that you and the girls + hubbies all got together. Praying for your Dad/family and much needed blog rest for you. Keep smiling. xo
Thanks so much Tana! I miss our half day long conversations…lol! Let’s plan a gathering for next year!
xo
Hi Shauna,
I’ve been following your blog for several months now and enjoying the step-by-step home building process you are so generously sharing with us. My fiancé and I are also embarking on the journey of building our custom home near Montreal, Quebec and so, your insight, amazing taste and experiences are definitely something I can feed on.
I also wish to extend my deepest thoughts and prayers to you and your family. ALS is devastating. I lost my beloved mother to the disease last year after a hard-fought two year battle and have yet to fully digest the magnitude of how this all came to be. I wish you all strength, courage and peace during these difficult times. If you need any advice or moral support, I’d be more than happy to help.
Kind regards,
Catherine
Hi Catherine, thank you so much for leaving me such a kind note. I’m sorry to hear about your mother. It’s very sad to watch ALS take a loved one. I truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Good luck with your new home as well. That’s very exciting!
Hi Shauna,
My prayers are with your father and your family. You are very correct, a time and season in all we do. Your family needs you and this season will be spent with those you love the most… you also need this time with your dad. When the time is right you will know and your blog will be back up and successful as you want it to be.
I have followed you for several years and love your posts. However, with my own life changes and many challenges in my own life, it’s been a while since I have had the time to read your blog. I thought of your darling beach cottage in Naples when hearing about the Hurricane…. very good to read it survived.
Also, very exciting to see you are building a new home, your Colorado home (not sure if your still living in it) is my most favorite home, and ALL the work you did in it. From the “mouse hole” doorways transformed ..to your green room Office, pillow addiction 😉 and as Christmas tree decorator, in LOVVE with your Christmas house posts!!! And how I wish I knew the paint color of your front door and your patio French doors.
I LOVED the cushion color of your bar stools and what blue color was your kitchen cabinets that matched the barstools??
I am a true fan and wish you good health and strength to do all you have to at this time.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family and look forward to seeing your new home. Your talents are abundant and cannot wait to see how you use them in the new design of this new home.
God bless you.
Katie, thank you so very much for your kind and heartfelt words. Oh my goodness you just put a smile on my face! You are so sweet to take the time to leave me such a nice comment. I wrote a blog post on my kitchen cabinet paint color which you can find by searching “Colorado Kitchen” in the search bar. The color is Benjamin Moore Gray. My front door is painted in Valspar- Lincoln Cottage Black.
Thank you for following along with our blog the past couple of years. I always love to hear from my readers! Happy fall!