A Story about Renovating a Kitchen

It's hard to keep the faith when your kitchen looks like this for two weeks plus:  

You begin to think it will never end.  

You begin to think that burning it all down may be the best bet, including your awesome, Craigslist-score Five Star range.

Then you realize, it will all come together. And you start to chill.

New Doors!

Our house, built in 1963, came into our possession in a semi-original state. The original hardwoods are intact upstairs, the funny little doorbell chime box is still there and a few of the light fixtures have come around the bend into vintage-cool territory again.



However, our interior doors were in *bad* shape. They were those lovely flat panel, hollow core jobbers that were really closer cardboard panels than doors. They were also undercut at some point to accommodate browny-green shag carpeting. In the 1970s when people were on such huge quantities of drugs that shag carpeting in unnatural colors was in. I knew the doors had to go.

I ordered some doors from Lowes and we had our handyperson come over and hand them for us.  A job that's best left to the pros, IMHO.

Yay!  Real, solid, sound-blocking doors!  I'm all growned up!  I am in the process of painting them all Doves Cry.  I love the soft gray so much I might consider this color for our kitchen cabinets once we're ready to jump into that project.

One Outdoor Project 50% Done

Finished my rock walkway a few weeks ago. Now, the mulching and weed-management begins.


It's gonna take a lot of mulch; 7 bags of stuff from Lowe's barely makes a dent!

Boring Post

Stuff to be done:

• Get delivery of mulch

• Finish side yard project (landscaping fabric, spread mulch)
• Get wallpaper hung
• Guest room duvet
• Frame for parrot
• Repaint campaign dresser
• Drapes, guest room?
• Cowhide for DR
• Get stair fixed
• Quote for entryway tiling?

It's not much, but a list helps me feel organized. I called wallpaper guy today; can't wait to get that scheduled -- it's going to be awesome!

A small update

I painted the risers that lead from the entry way to the top floor (our house is a split level). They were an ugly beigy color that showed every scuff. Flat black is a bit more modern and will hide the wear and tear a little better. Eventually I want to get some kind of runner rug installed here for a little more coziness.

Burt's acting foreman on this job. My work passed inspection, I think.

Spring!

What a difference a week makes! Our azaleas just burst out in color this weekend due to the 80+ degree temps.

I love living in an older neighborhood filled with mature landscaping and tall trees. With the afternoon light filtering through the leaves, it's really a gorgeous place to be in the spring.

Open Up and Say Ah!

Our house, built in 1965, still has some *lovely* original details. Like these louvered slats in the living room.We'll I'm assuming these are original. I seem to recall a phase in the 80s where design elements similar to these enjoyed a revival. We have two sets dividing the dining/living areas and the others are on the wall overlooking the entry way pictured below. After being gifted a reciprocating saw for Christmas (thanks, Harriett) it was time to attack these babies.

Here's the before:

And the after! Doesn't it open up the space so much? Now we have to refinish the top of the 1/2 walls with a little wood filler and paint but that's easy-peasy.

We actually dig that light fixture hanging in the entry way. It's definitely original and one of the elements we want to preserve.

Next Project

As much as Jake hates it, I've got a new project brewing. We have some really sloppy paint in our long and skinny hallway. With popcorn ceilings, it's hard to get wall paint neatly applied in the corners AND the previous homeowners did a cruddy paint job. Sadly, it's a bit of a wreck. Solution! Crown moulding! But, its a little scary to put up. My Google-fu revealed high-density foam crown molding is available via vendors such as SoSimpleCrown.

This image is an inspiration, though I think I will stick with white trim for a simple look.

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I ordered some samples and am settling on a profile. Hopefully I can attack the bedroom first as a test and report back.

Wknd progress

Our home has some quirks - some great and some hideous. These Godawful brass light fixtures graced the hall and guest bedroom. These are practically the cheapest fixtures available in LowesDepot and they sure look it. The one in the guest bedroom was even falling apart at the (poorly soldered) seams, threatening to rain glass shards down on our unsuspecting guests. Welcome to our home, care for a scratched cornea? Ugh. Brass.

I finally convinced Jake that we could easily DIY this job and picked up some rubbed bronze flushmounts today. They are also cheap but much classier, no? After a small amount of CFL bulb drama, we triumphed!

How a week changes things. Our azaleas are really blooming now and our tree is looking nice as well. Also, a mowed lawn does wonders!

Blonde on Blonde

My awesome new dining table. Jake spied this at the Dorcas Thrift near our place and I knew it had to be mine. It has three!! leaves so it expands to a ridiculous size and it's in almost perfect shape. $75, baby!

The chairs are from our vintage cherries set as we don't have any yet that will match compliment the table. I am thinking a run to the Charlotte IKEA is in the cards this summer.

There's the rug I posted about earlier in the week. Now that it's in the room, it's waaayyy to much beige. I guess it will move to the guest room and the hunt for a dining room rug is back on. I need some color in that room...

More Living Room Changes

I hung a selection of our dog painting collection over the credenza. I need to get a few others re-framed before I hang them. I also hung drapes and took town the ugly plastic plantation blinds. From here the drapes look like silk but they are poly from JC Penney! I was surprised to find them; glad I didn't buy the Pottery barn ones I was eyeing on eBay.

The office is coming along...

Living Room Revamp

Before...institutional gray walls and strange furniture placement.

In progress.


Walls painted 'Milk Toast' (Martha Stewart). Yellow Hollywood Regency-esque credenza, old beige Pier 1 Sofa, thrifted lemon yellow chairs, rug from Macy*s, brown cabinet from yard sale ($3!) Lamps are from Target's recent home design event. Yellow ottoman from church rummage sale.

The louvered slats will be going at some point to open up the space. We just need to figure out how to take them down without doing major damage!

New Furniture for Casa Hampton Valley

I came across this awesome china cabinet and matching buffet and mirror at a consignment store in Cary. Both were on sale so I went ahead and bought them! It has a bit of a glam/Hollywood Regency look to it. Not sure what kind of dining set will match...but I'll keep my eyes peeled!

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I treated myself to the Domino book. I need inspiration for the house. I am determined to rise above our current mishmash of styles and furniture. First step, picking paint for the living room and dining room (and possibly bedroom). We need to paint straightaway before we move in.