Just found out that the house has been sold...totally sad, but not really surprised. It has such potential it was only a matter of time. It's been a race between my learning curves and other people discovering what a gem this is for the price. The only thing I can hope for is that they aren't going to tear down this beauty, but fix it up like we were planning to do! I wonder how to find out who bought it??
Anyway, now I'm going to have to find another that I'm totally in love with that has awesome potential AND the perfect location, probably not an easy task. In the meantime it gives me some more time to sock away some cash and keep planning...might have to get a new blog?!
My journey to opening an inn on the deepest lake in Wisconsin. (A dream or reality? Well, we'll see!)
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Brand Identity...
Back in February I was inspired by this beautiful house on the lake. One of the true believers who continually supports this idea is my colleague Mariel. She's one of my favorite designers at the agency where I work and was my first choice to play around with my Brand ID. Lucky for me she was excited and inspired. Here's where we are today:
While we may make slight adjustments as we get further into this, I really love this shape, which brings a more traditional feel to a B&B Inn while being able to work really well with a more modern/contemporary interior and graphic design. The color and the type also help to make it more contemporary. The hint of tree branches in the background will show up where it makes sense, otherwise just the eggplant background.
As you're checking this out, you may be wondering 'why not green, for Green Lake?' My answer is that its too expected. I'd like it to stand out from everything else GREEN on/around Green Lake. I want the house to have the identity, not the lake. (although I reserve the right to revisit this question as we get closer to the reality of this project)
I think this actual logo will make a beautiful sign in front of the property. I plan to continue to extend this look and apply it to the web site, brochures, ads, etc...as soon as it becomes more real. (aka, I have the house) In the meantime, this logo has inspired the color palette for the interior of the house:
Continuing the descriptions from an earlier post, the rooms will each have a dominant color theme. The lighter values of the second floor bedroom colors are meant to be soothing, relaxing and calming in a contemporary/ecclectic setting. The main floor is meant to convey warmth and energy.
So, that's a quick snapshot of where I am today. Thanks again Mariel and I hope you're still in when we get moving for the real thing. Next on the design list will be to rough out the website...
Before that fun, I better get back on that appraiser search first!
Stay tuned...
While we may make slight adjustments as we get further into this, I really love this shape, which brings a more traditional feel to a B&B Inn while being able to work really well with a more modern/contemporary interior and graphic design. The color and the type also help to make it more contemporary. The hint of tree branches in the background will show up where it makes sense, otherwise just the eggplant background.
As you're checking this out, you may be wondering 'why not green, for Green Lake?' My answer is that its too expected. I'd like it to stand out from everything else GREEN on/around Green Lake. I want the house to have the identity, not the lake. (although I reserve the right to revisit this question as we get closer to the reality of this project)
I think this actual logo will make a beautiful sign in front of the property. I plan to continue to extend this look and apply it to the web site, brochures, ads, etc...as soon as it becomes more real. (aka, I have the house) In the meantime, this logo has inspired the color palette for the interior of the house:
Continuing the descriptions from an earlier post, the rooms will each have a dominant color theme. The lighter values of the second floor bedroom colors are meant to be soothing, relaxing and calming in a contemporary/ecclectic setting. The main floor is meant to convey warmth and energy.
So, that's a quick snapshot of where I am today. Thanks again Mariel and I hope you're still in when we get moving for the real thing. Next on the design list will be to rough out the website...
Before that fun, I better get back on that appraiser search first!
Stay tuned...
Appraiser? What appraiser?
Am now on the hunt for a new appraiser. My only question about this one is: Who wouldn't follow through on a job these days? Well, I'm sure this won't be the last less-than-awesome contractor type person I'll use in the future...one more check on the 'lesson learned' column. (Learning is great!)
Off to find someone new...in the meantime, enjoy the visuals in the next post!
Off to find someone new...in the meantime, enjoy the visuals in the next post!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
More Right Brain stuff...while I wait!
The entire indoor space will reflect an open, airy, coastal feel, which fits nicely since this property is right on the lake. The rooms are named after trees indigenous to Wisconsin and the decor of each pulls from photography of those trees.
The look/feel of the inside has been particularly fun to imagine...I can only dream of what it will be like to finally get out and start actually finding/touching objects to bring into the house!
Tomorrow I'll upload some Brand Identity...if I'm still waiting for appraisals, that is.
Man I want to stay at this place!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Two Weeks for an appraisal? Oh. Sorry. Now its Three??
I know I'm not the most patient person in the world, but if you tell me I'll have the information 'for sure the week after Thanksgiving' I can live with that...EVEN if its the last day of that week! But not answering my calls regarding the progress when it is clearly after the last day of that week makes me crazy...and unsure of your qualifications Mr. Appraiser. Just sayin'.
Maybe I need to jump to the RIGHT BRAIN for awhile, you know, while I wait?
(Insert decorations for the house as a calming device - how about the anthro chairs and some rooms?)
Aaaahhhhh, much better.
The two sides of my brain have been battling while planning to open the House on Green Lake:
LEFT BRAIN - Money. Figures. Charts. Lots of pages on the Target Audience. Answering all sorts of questions very specifically for business plan. Gathering tax papers, check stubs, assets. At this point my eyes start to roll back in my head and I absolutely need to put that aside and go to my
RIGHT BRAIN - Coastal colors and textures for the decor. Specific pieces of furniture for the main living area. Lovely garden ideas and sitting areas. Aaaahhhh, this is the life. Enjoy it while you can RIGHTY, the LEFT is sure to sneak up soon...
This is how it's been for the last 8 months. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth between each side...I sure hope it all comes together in the end, seems kind of unconventional this way. All that waiting time on the LEFT BRAIN stuff has to be put to some kind of positive, still-moving-the-house-forward kind of use, right? I think I have twice as much done as someone that can only focus on one side...at least I sure hope I do.
Back to the present time, still no answer from appraiser after another full day. I'll give him 'til Friday, but then that's it.................
Maybe I need to jump to the RIGHT BRAIN for awhile, you know, while I wait?
(Insert decorations for the house as a calming device - how about the anthro chairs and some rooms?)
Aaaahhhhh, much better.
The two sides of my brain have been battling while planning to open the House on Green Lake:
LEFT BRAIN - Money. Figures. Charts. Lots of pages on the Target Audience. Answering all sorts of questions very specifically for business plan. Gathering tax papers, check stubs, assets. At this point my eyes start to roll back in my head and I absolutely need to put that aside and go to my
RIGHT BRAIN - Coastal colors and textures for the decor. Specific pieces of furniture for the main living area. Lovely garden ideas and sitting areas. Aaaahhhh, this is the life. Enjoy it while you can RIGHTY, the LEFT is sure to sneak up soon...
This is how it's been for the last 8 months. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth between each side...I sure hope it all comes together in the end, seems kind of unconventional this way. All that waiting time on the LEFT BRAIN stuff has to be put to some kind of positive, still-moving-the-house-forward kind of use, right? I think I have twice as much done as someone that can only focus on one side...at least I sure hope I do.
Back to the present time, still no answer from appraiser after another full day. I'll give him 'til Friday, but then that's it.................
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