Tuesday, October 29, 2013

A COUPLE OF SMALL CHANGES

When the kitchen was repainted recently, I chose a light blue for inside of the glass cupboards. (Click here to see the kitchen redo project.)  I wanted to tie the color into the attached dining room, so we painted the back of this cupboard the same blue.
This was what it looked like before.
So much lighter now!
 
 After much discussion, we decided to become a two-computer couple.  After purchasing the lap top, we had a need to set up another work station.  We found this English desk with wonderful patina at a local antique shop to use for the lap top. I was much more thrilled to find the desk than to buy a second computer. 
Maybe I'll like the lap top better once Bob corrals all those wires for our new "wireless" system!!!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

KIDS, FLOUR, AND FROSTING!

We might as well inaugurate the new kitchen with kids, flour, and frosting.  It was a real mess!
 The grandkids and I made Halloween mummy cookies --
 And witches hats.
Five years have passed and Caitlin's hair is still not under control in the kitchen -- please, call the kitchen police!  Oh my.
Left - Halloween 2008             Right - Halloween 2013
Such concentration!
Have you made a mess in the kitchen with your favorite goblins  lately?

I'm joining the following parties:
Creative Home Expressions for The Creative Home and Garden Hop Sunday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
The Vintage Farmhouse for Creative Things Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
DIY Vintage Chic for Friday's Five Features

Friday, October 11, 2013

KITCHEN REDO UPDATE


First, a tour of the metamorphoses of our kitchen.
Below is what it looked liked when we bought the house in 1997 -- plain with carpet on the floor, but lots of storage and counter space!
 It was the 1990s -- I couldn't leave it alone.  Had to have wallpaper and a border that I personally cut around every last one of those paisleys.  What was I thinking putting in a dark blue countertop when the kitchen was already dark?  We also replaced the sink, laid hardwood floors, added glass to four of the upper cupboard doors, and changed out the appliances from beige to white.
The darkness got to me -- here are new light formica countertops AGAIN, the addition of six new can lights,  and the start of the removal of the wallpaper.
Here's the mid-2000s metamorphosis - lighter wall paint and crown molding.
Still too dark - painted the cupboards a cream color and added a chandelier.  Also, in this reincarnation, we built the microwave in above the stove.
I thrive on change -- so here we go again in 2013!  It all started with a discussion about getting a new sink.  The old one was losing its sparkling-clean look.  Decided it was time to upgrade from Formica countertops to a solid surface product with an integrated sink.  That required a new backsplash, also.
Countertops and integrated sink - HiMacs 'Tambora' solid surface, fabricated and installed locally by Dan Madone of Cedar Rose Wood Works.
I was ready to change out the 1980s cathedral-design cupboard doors, and wanted a simpler Shaker-style. 
Demolition and mess; new soffit trim before painting and before new doors and drawer fronts.

Interior of cupboards painted 'Blue Sonata' from Color Place (Walmart)
Backsplash - American Olean subway tile from Lowes, installed locally by Craig Hayden Tile and Flooring.
Also, I would have loved to have a new refrigerator; but the budget made me choose between the doors and the refrigerator.  No new appliances this go-around.  They will be updated as a need arises.  
We have never had any knobs and pulls on the cupboards and drawers -- time for a little bling.  The new doors also have concealed hinges.  
Cupboards and walls painted 'Pure White", Pro-Classic by Sherwin Williams; towel bar is a Moen grab bar from Lowe's bathroom section.
Cupboard doors and drawer fronts made and installed locally by Matt Micci (woodworker, contractor, friend).
I wanted to demolish the soffit, but that was nixed!  So, we just beefed up the molding to make it more a part of the cupboard architecture.
We contracted out the cupboard doors, countertop, backsplash, plumbing, and electrical.  In our younger years, we have done a lot of DIY renovations; but now that we are older, it seems wise to hire some stuff out.  As the saying goes, retired people have more time than money, but sometimes more money than energy! 
Replaced the falling-apart shutter with new curtain. Fabric from JoAnn's.
We were very pleased with all of the craftsmen that contributed their talents.  Bob and I (mostly Bob - after all, he's 26 days younger than I am) took care of demolition, painting, molding construction, moving stuff out, dust removal, sewing, and cooking under unusual circumstances (example: go find the oregano, please -- I think it is on the floor in the living room!).  Still need to install some of the hardware, and we are in the process of washing every dish, pot, and pan that goes back into the cupboards.  However, the end is in sight; we love it; and it was worth it!
Please check out the following for a plethora of inspiration:
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Creative Home Expressions for The Creative Home and Garden Hop Sunday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
So Much Better with Age for Give Me The Goods Monday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesdays Treasures
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

SEE WHAT GREW IN OUR GARDEN WHEN WE WEREN'T LOOKING

This week our favorite granddaughter turns 17 years old!
 This is the only house and yard that she has known as Grammy and Papa's place.
Our hope is that she experiences many very special places and events in her life.
But, that she cherishes the ordinary days, too.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Cait!