Kitschy Kitchen

Now, I make no promises that the kitchen is going to be remodeled anytime soon...though, how I wish that it were!  We still need to do the plumbing & electric before anything can happen in the kitchen.  But we've been seriously planning the layout, and I'm actually EXCITED about how it will look now.

We'd originally planned on keeping it exactly how it currently is...a U shape...but I then had an epiphany and realized, "If we're trying to make the house feel open, then we should open this kitchen up!"

Here's what the current layout looks like:

(The doors on the left & right side are pocket doors...

hence why it looks like there are things in front of them.

Also, that open space on the bottom left?  

That's the open space between the dining room and the family room.)

Feels kinda closed in, huh?  I thought so, too.  So here's what we're thinking...

The only difference in the two is the table placement.  The top one is the way I'd like to have it...a little breakfast nook...and the bottom one is the way we'd lay it out for selling it.  Drew made a good point that we're trying to sell to families and families don't always want *just* a nook...they want an actual dining room.  So the nook will not be built in, just pieces put together to look like built-ins.

Here's the general look we're going for:  hardwood floors, white cabinets, dark counters.

Okay, okay...so *I* am actually the one who wants all this.  Drew's not that crazy about the hardwood floors, but I feel like having all of our connecting rooms have the same flooring to give it that open/connected look.  

What do you think?

More Post-June Summer Projects

For the longest time now, I've wanted to rearrange my master bedroom because...well, because I was just never happy with the original set up.  At the time it made the most sense for storage.  But recently, with the purchase of a small dresser from a local estate sale, I convinced Drew (twisted his arm) to move the big dresser into the closet where he could hang his shirts and pants and still have tons of drawer space underneath.  Begrudgingly, he obliged.  (He has the entire closet to himself, as I moved all my clothes into the guest room closet.  That whole sharing a small closet thing is never a good idea.  Two separate closets = A happy marriage.)  :)

So with this being the last weekend of my summer vacation (sniffle!), we decided to tackle the rearranging.  It wasn't terrible, actually.  Though we did have to remove every single thing so we could move the rug over.  Totally worth it in the end!

Before ::

The dresser we moved can't be seen here, but it's against the wall to the right in the picture.

After :: 

Because we were able to take a huge dresser out, the room feels enormous now.  But by far the best thing about this redo is the ability to really enjoy the window.  With the bed being right in front of it before, we couldn't easily move the curtains to see our beautiful side yard and neighborhood.

I just adore my newly rearranged room!  Now I just need to paint and then find something to go above the bed.  Not a framed picture...something structural perhaps?

Ideas anyone?

Summer Projects I Should Have Started in June!

Such slow progress on this little house of mine...

We are at a stand-still when it comes to major projects and renovations, but that won't stop me from doing a little redecorating and reorganizing!

There's a bench I've had sitting around for quite some time just waiting for a new coat of paint.

Oh good ole Martha always comes through with amazing paint colors...

And it looks just lovely in my Living Room!  

After a day-long project, I figured I could take on something even bigger.  So I decided to try and conquer the Sewing Room.  This room was originally supposed to be a place for me to do my little crafty projects and such, but it really just turned into the "Let's throw it in there and worry about it later" room.

Oof!  My goodness...  This was definitely going to be longer than a day-long project!

But it was worth it in the end!

   

Ahhh...  It's starting to all come together!

Shady

As we pull out lots of bushes,
we're thinking of what we'll eventually put in it's place...

New Trees Anyone??

Autumn Blaze Red Maple

Red Sunset Maple Tree

GORGEOUS!

The Front Yard?

Right now our front yard is less a yard, more a big chunk of concrete.  Ick.  And of the plant-type things, we've gotten rid of the (dying) tree.

Okay, yes...we have a half-circle driveway which is nice, but I want a YARD!  With GRASS!!  Our side yard has grass and a nice little place to hang out.  Which is why we have our fun chairs there...

But I want my front yard and my side yard to meet up in the middle and make one HUGE corner lot yard.

So today begins Step 1 of probably about a BILLION to make our front yard an actual front yard.

Good-bye Hideous Front Bushes!!  I'd rather have nothing than your horrid ugliness!

Oh Yes, the boys got all redneck on me and started pulling out roots with the truck.  

Chairs & Sick Days

Awww...Sick Days.  They are a blessing and a curse.  While you get to be at home and read magazines and watch bad tv, you don't actually feel like doing any of those things because you're running a fever and feel like Crap!!  But I have popped some medicine and am feeling...okay, I guess...and can at least lay on the couch and type on my laptop with 30 Rock playing in the background.

So while I'm awake, I'll let you in on my latest house project.  Okay, it's a hopeful house project.  We'll see if I can get Drew on board.

When Drew and I moved into our house, I bought a few pieces of furniture from the original owners:  an old standing stereo and two tufted chairs.

And while the stereo is perfect as is, the chairs need a little (read: A LOT) of work!  Not only do they need new fabric, but the foam inside is solid...SOLID!  So solid, in fact, Drew and I both thought that they were filled with straw.

So my question is...what color/pattern fabric should I get?  The chairs will go in my living room with a dark leather sofa, dark wrought iron accessories and a red color theme with hits of green.

Here are some of the fabrics that I'm drawn to from Waverly...  What do you think?

Alana Stripe - 

These colors are an EXACT match to the colors already in the room, however, I'm afraid it might be a little too matchy-matchy.

Alto Grid -
This one looks so nubby and cozy!

Ballad Bouquet -
Think I could convince Drew to go with a floral?

Cacharelle -
Too Much?

Chissay -
Oooh!!  Velvet Stripes!!

Circuit -
Oooh!  More Nubbiness!

Cottage Vine -
Cute!!

Divine Damask -
Too Fancy?

Fireside Plaid -
LOVE THIS!!  How cute would it be to have the chairs in this one?!?!

Forever Yours -
Oh Yes, I likey!

Long Hill -
Cute!

Pantry Plaid -
LOVE!!

So far, I'm pulling for Fireside Plaid or Chissay (velvet stripes).  Though I do love the Ballard Bouquet, I'm just not sure if I could convince Drew of such flowery florals.

Also, how many tufts should I cut back to?  Having all those tufts put back in will cost a fortune...so I'm trying to figure out how many should be there.

Alright...let's get those opinions flowing!

Congratulations are in Order!

Speaking of being a wife...

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS deserves to go out to two of my very favorite people:  My wonderful sister, Christen & my dear friend, Julie!  Both of these lovely ladies got engaged during the Christmas holiday!!

I love you both and...