Kitchen Reno: Chapter Five

Ok, I know its been over a week since we showed any progress in the kitchen but David and I are about 95. 9% done! We have finished painting, granite has been set, done with electricity & gas, installed the appliances, etc. etc. Take a look at our almost-grand kitchen!

Isn't it nice? We have a few more things to do however. As you can see from the photos, we still have our backsplash to tend to. I had thought that I wanted to do that project myself, but I really would like to just get it done. We rather pay someone to do it right in a day than it take us a week or so to do an OK job. We need to purchase cabinet hardware. I think I am now gonna go with a brushed nickel as oppose to the bronze, it will coordinate with the over head light in the kitchen. David will need to center the kitchen table light over the table because the refrigerator extends into the eat-in-kitchen area a little so we had to adjust the placement of the table so walkways could be accessible. Hang curtains and blinds. Install countertop lighting above the sink and above the work prep area. And then the big elephant in the room...the floors. We haven't decided on what to do about the floors yet. We want to install hardwood but I think we are only gonna have a little over $2,000 in our budget when its all said-and-done. We'll have to crunch some numbers. 


Things to do in the kitchen before we can take a break:
1. Install Backsplash-spoke with tile dude and getting estimates today
2. Purchase hardware-look at Lowe's to find something we like, find it on-line for cheap!
3. Install countertop lighting-no biggy, Dave's job.
4. DIY project: entryway (cork board, chalk board, & magnet station) on fridge cabinet. 
5. Move and hang kitchen table light
6. Hang blinds and curtains
7. Prime & paint entry door from the garage/basement-done today!
8. decide on floors...


I think that is almost everything though I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Here are some detail photos of the kitchen for you too. Look a real dishwasher!

Kitchen Reno: Chapter Four *Sneak Peak!

Good morning! Although I'm a little under the weather and I'm afraid its gonna turn into bronchitis, I'm very excited because our kitchen is slowly but surely coming together plus its getting a little warmer outside. Our carpenter came on Monday and installed new doors, drawers, and extra cabinets. We went ahead and had him put up crown-molding in the common areas of the house too. David and I have lots of painting to do now! The gas company came by as well to move our gas line for the new gas range which is still in its box since November! David is at the house this very second waiting on our granite countertops to be installed. We're just gonna have to ignore the floors for a bit unless we stumble into a pot of gold in the next day or so. Seen any leprechauns around? But it is gonna be nice to cook something and not have to put it back in its box. Can you imagine that we have gone without a dishwasher since October! Yup, our dishwasher has been in its box as well. I think we were starting to forget what our appliances looked like. Well, enough chit-chat. I know you want to see some pictures. REMEMBER-these cabinets haven't been painted and don't have the top molding on yet. Here's your sneak peak!

So theres the new layout. We have 23 doors (amount of knobs I'm gonna need to purchase) and 10 drawers (number of pulls I'll need). Below is a photo of the kitchen faucet that we went with, Moen. If you don't remember the kitchen we had before, let me refresh your memory! More updates will be coming soon!

Going Green

A few weeks ago I picked up my old desk from my mother's home which was also her desk when she was growing up. It's gonna go in our guest room to be use as a desk, of course, and a bed side table. Originally it was cream and gold, very vintage, and then when I got it when I was a little girl it was painted white with an inter-changeable trim. Its been pink, blue, and black. Since its completely mine now, I decided a go a little bit more bold. Green. I went with Behr's Asparagus. Here is how it turned out!

 

Here is what it looked like before.

 

Our guest room is almost done. I just need to hang a few pieces and change out the light fixture and I think that room will be pretty much complete. Here are some images of the desk in the guest room. That is one of my paintings by the way. It needs to be framed. I still need to finish up the desk with some maintenance to a draw or two. 

Before & After: Lamps

Check out the finish product of the DIY lamps that I purchased from TJ Maxx for a steal! From "just okay" to Wow! I sprayed them with Valspar's soft blue satin spray paint for any surface and then I sprayed them down with a high gloss clear coat. I think they turned out pretty great.

Here is the before and after detail shots.

Kitchen Envy

Good morning! Since David and I are in the middle of our long kitchen renovation, I decided to post a few kitchen inspirational photos to jump start the weekend. Yes, I've already spoken about my possible kitchen design plan and on Monday it will come to life! Usually I'm ecstatic about the weekend, but I'm excited about our Monday morning, thats a first in a really long time, maybe ever! Anyways, our house is gonna see some big changes in the next week and we can't wait to see how it all turns out, but in the mean time we can only show our kitchen envy! 

Enjoy your weekend, hope its sunny!

Defining My Style

I think I'm still trying to find my particular style of design. I took a quiz once on My Home Ideas or Martha's website. No, it wasn't that. It was on Real Simple, take your own quiz here. Great magazine by the way, but here's what they said. I'm a completely equal split between Sophisticated Classic and Cozy Casual. *Weird side note: although I don't take much stock in astrology, I'm a Gemini (the twins) so I can kinda see it. So what does this all mean? 

Sophisticated Classic means: I'm drawn to timeless pieces and luxe materials. I love rooms that offer an elegant blend of refined traditional furniture, jewelry-like accessories, and pale hues, pairing patrician old-world elements with cleaner Art Deco shapes. The look evokes a more formal lifestyle. Think Grace Kelly, Tiffany & Co., and Charlotte from Sex and the City. Here are some rooms that show this style.

 

 

So what is Cozy Casual? Cozy Casual means that I'm all about comfort and warmth, favoring warm, traditional rooms made for relaxing with family and friends. My ideal decor draws on English and early-American furniture designs, as well as laid-back country, cottage, and farmhouse styles. Weathered, low-maintenance furnishings are easy, inviting, and built for daily life. Think golden retrievers, fuzzy slippers, and just about any movie by Nancy Meyers (Father of the Bride I/II, The Holiday, Something's Gonna Give, What Women Want, It's Complicated-pretty much any "feel good girl movie.") Here are some images of rooms showing this particular style.

So I'm a mix between sophisticated classic and cozy casual. For shopping purposes, I should stick to stores like Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, ZGallerie, West Elm, and Ballard Designs. What's your style personality? Find it here.

Luck of the Irish!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all! I wish everyone well and hope you take a minute to celebrate today! Here are some fun Irish sayings/blessings/proverbs for your enjoyment. 

There are many good reasons for drinking,

One has just entered my head.

If a man doesn't drink when he's living,

How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,

May good luck pursue you each morning and night.

May those who love us, love us.

And for those who don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if he can not turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles,

So we may know them by their limping!

May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.

May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland's faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness
May love and faith abide.

Dave and I seem to have a bit of luck ourselves. We got our first time home buys credit with our tax return and our kitchen should be finish by the end of this month! We are busy painting and finishing up any prep-work that might need to be done prior to the carpenter installing cabinets and tile man placing our granite. We are very excited and can't wait to show pictures soon!