Not EVERYTHING.....

......needs to be 100% finished or EXACTLY what you have been dreaming of before your newly built home can be deemed "finished" or ready to move into.

I plan to leave gaping holes.

Not in the floor or anything. Inspectors don't really like gaping holes in floors.

I mean gaping holes that might usually be filled with cabinetry, expensive doors, or built-ins.

If you dream of doorways with transoms, large butler pantries, and amazing built-ins like myself, you may soon realize that you can't always squeeze them into the budget right away, but you can plan on incorporating those things in the future. 

Besides, compromising to meet a deadline, and rushing around like a crazy person to find that perfect piece that has to fit very specific measurements is often not a good idea. And anyone who has searched flea markets, antique shops, and stores alike, can attest that when you are LOOKING for that magical piece you won't find it. That's because magical pieces FIND YOU when the time is right. 

SO, I plan on leaving gaping holes.

Like, one right between our vanities in the master bathroom.

I left a gap of about 31" for the perfect little apothecary cabinet, hutch, or secretary.

I am envisioning a painted piece with glass cabinets on top and closed storage below. 

Like these:

Or even a secretary hutch!

You don't see THAT every day!

I might even already have one!

Another idea would be to incorporate a huge antique mirror between the vanities:

That huge Rococo style mirror is amazing! 

Finding a piece like that and incorporating it into a bathroom as lovely as this is nothing short of pure design mastery. 

I would sleep in that tub!

Another area that you can leave a hole for something interesting to come later is if you have an area in the kitchen for a closet pantry, a side buffet, or desk area.

Instead of going with typical cabinetry you can incorporate something more interesting...

With our kitchen design at the moment I do not have room for anything like this but I wish I did.

If things move around and I have room, I am totally doing it!

Another area is the mud room. 

This type of built-in is nearly standard now days...

Of course I want something different and something that hides clutter a little better because as nice as these pictures look....

They are not reality. 

When I see these in people's homes they are usually so filled with stuff that I can't even see the pretty woodwork and details.

Some hooks with mostly closed storage  is better:

image via David Sharff Architects

Incorporating pattern and color as well as beautiful lighting is even better! 

You could even leave the mud room blank for the day that you find a magical piece like this!

The beauty of an armoire, or pieces of furniture that offer closed storage, is that you can hurry up and cram everyone's crap in them right before guests arrive instead of having to clean out an entire space in 10 minutes.

Just close the doors!

I wouldn't know anything about that!

I am most excited about the gap I am leaving in the bathroom.

Here are some inspirational images:

Packed with turn-of-the-century charm and unexpected pieces....

I think I am most excited for the bathroom because I have never worked on my own bathroom before.

Seriously.

We just painted the vanities in our old house and called it a day.

They were never a real priority even though I had dreams for them.

Now I have a few bathrooms to do and I want them to be awesome.

Even if that means having some empty areas and cardboard boxes for storage for awhile.

Have you seen any random pieces in a new home before? 

I would love to hear about them or even better, see pics!

Until next time.... :)