My Kitchen {Moodboard}

So there's this house.

I love it. My husband loves it. It's perfect for our family and is even the right price.

But we're not ready to buy a house yet!

If we DID buy it though, it would need some work--part of why it's perfect for us. Just for fun, I created a moodboard of what I'd like to do in the kitchen. Because some day!

That kitchen in the center? Love it! I want to include so many things from that kitchen! It's a Fixer Upper kitchen, so of course it's dreamy. I like the gray lower cabinets with white uppers, the island shape and size, the stools, the range hood and the shape of the pendant lights. I might choose something less glam and shiny though.

The backsplash in the main picture is amazing, but it's not really me. I would prefer beadboard for the backsplash. Our upper cabinets would be plain white, not beadboard, so there's the balance.

There are two windows in the kitchen of the house we're not buying. I would add bamboo blinds. I love how the color warms up the gray. There are wood floors so that would warm it up too. I love the look and practicality of butcher block counter tops, but I'm not sure I'd want them with the wood floor. Suggestions?

I've wanted a farmhouse sink forever, and I like how it looks with the gray cabinets. We have a black fridge that is brand new and the house we're not buying has a black oven. I'd love to build, I mean, I'd love to have Gary build a hood over the stove like my inspiration picture!

The rustic shelves are just perfect. I'm not sure they'd end up in the kitchen, though they made it to the inspiration board! Gary has been wanting to build us a farm style table and I like the mix of the metal Tolix chairs and benches.

So now that it's all planned out, all we have to do is wait! For the right time to buy, for our baby girl to join the family, for winter to pass, and for the house to still be available. Right?

A girl can dream!



To give credit where credit is due, here are the sources for the pictures I used above:

Bamboo blind: Young House Love
Farmhouse sink: HGTV {Fixer Upper}
Table and chairs: Apartment Therapy
White and gray kitchen: HGTV {Fixer Upper}
Rustic shelves: Our Vintage Home Love
Butcher block counter: Newlywoodwords
Black oven: Navy Bean Lane

Our New Faucet

Sometimes there are big things to blog about; sometimes they are small. Today I want to share with you a new faucet my husband installed in our rental home. I know in the grand scheme of things a new faucet isn't a big deal, but I'm all about celebrating the little things!

As you might have seen from earlier posts on our kitchen, it's bright and white, functional and organized but clearly done on a budget. The cupboards are particle board, the counters are laminate, and the backsplash is chalkboard paint.

Here's where we were before. Nothing wrong with our faucet, though it did leak a little at the base. I've just been spoiled by a gooseneck faucet for several years at our old home in Iowa. I missed being able to fit large items under the faucet, missed the pull-down spayer (even though we had a separate sprayer) and I missed the built-in soap dispenser! I know, first-world problems.

I bought this faucet a few weeks ago. It's a Delta Savile Stainless 1-Handle Pull-Down Sink/Counter Mount Kitchen Faucet. It's at Lowe's for $189. When I bought it, full-price was $199, but since the box was damaged I got it for $180. I would have probably picked out a cheaper faucet, but I ran into the Delta rep when I was browsing... and he's good at his job! I felt good about my choice and the discount helped, but what really sold me was that three people told me what a great faucet it was as I was buying it--the guy in the faucet section who approved the mark-down, the Delta rep who said he just installed it at his mom's house and was saving for one for his home, and the lady at the check-out register raved about her faucet too!

My husband is so very handy! It didn't take him long to take out the old faucet and install the new one. 

Yup. I love it! Love that it's taller, love the pull-down sprayer, love the built-in soap dispenser!

What about you? Any small changes around your home that are making a big difference?

(No, this isn't a paid post. Delta doesn't know I exist! Just love a pretty, functional faucet!)

Kitchen Renovation {Moodboard}

My brother- and sister-in-law are in the beginning planning curious stages of their kitchen renovation. We chatted about some options and interests and even took a trip to Lowe's to check things out. I'm still trying to figure out the layout--there's a tricky corner involving the sink and window lining up. But for now, here's the moodboard I developed with the ideas we talked about.

This renovation will most likely happen in stages. The current cabinets are falling apart, so it will require a full gut job. Everything will eventually be replaced, from the flooring to the lighting! I think replacing the appliances is the last thing on the list.

Let's start with the kitchen sink. Missy currently has a very deep, double sink in porcelain. I think this farmhouse sink would be a nice update and would give her the same functionality that she is used to. Their kitchen has a great big bay window with display shelves in it. The cabinets will probably be the unfinished ones from Lowe's, and at the last conversation we weren't sure if they should be stained a warm brown or painted creamy white. I put this board together with the brown because it seems more durable to their active lifestyle with three children at home.

For flooring, Glenn and Missy would like ceramic tile that looks like wood. Because of that wood tone and that of the cabinets, I chose a basic laminate counter top. Other options such as granite add a lot to the already stretched budget and laminate is durable and forgiving. I paired it with white beaded board that you buy in sheets from Lowe's to use as a backsplash.

The family would like to add a corner bench (with storage!) and table to their breakfast nook. I chose one in off-white for some contrast in tones in the room. Missy likes oil-rubbed bronze finishes, so I included a light for over the table, track lighting and a light for over the sink. The drawer pulls and knobs are also oil-rubbed bronze. Missy is also a fan of red, so I chose a red rug, towels and canisters for the moodboard.

I think it would be nice to paint the walls a light tan. It would look nice with beadboard on the bottom half of the walls, if the family likes the look. The kitchen is not on the sunny side of the house and the white walls would add dimension and brighten the space.

So there you have it! Are you considering a renovation or make-over soon? Let me know and I'd be happy to put a design board together for you!

Glenn and Missy, thank you for the opportunity to work on this with you! I'd love to know what you really think and work with you to tweak the things that don't feel right or new ideas you have.

Have a groovy Tuesday!

Top 12 Posts of 2012

I'm having fun seeing everyone's lists of popular posts and projects for 2012. I was thinking of not compiling a list this year, but I decided to just check and see what would have made the list and, well, now there's this post.

Basically, I was really encouraged. Sometimes I feel that no one reads because no one comments, but when you look at the stats you see that's just not the case! So thanks for reading guys, whether it's every post or stuff you find via search engine or Pinterest.

So here they are, my countdown of Top 12 Posts of 2012!

Number 12: DIY Father's Day Sign. This sign was super easy with the help of my little Cricut machine. Stickers would work too.

Number 11: DIY Giant Ruler. I can't wait to hang this in our next home! I did copy down the dates/ages/names/heights of our little guys before we moved so we didn't lose that information that was written on a door frame in our old house. Love this ruler and the concept! I didn't use my Cricut for this one--just stencils and a ruler.

Image via Country Living

Number 10: Inspiration Files-Home Libraries. Sometimes it's the collections inspired by Pinterest that get the attention! Here is a collection of fabulous home libraries. I've always wanted a library/dining room. What about you?

Image via Martha Stewart

Number 9: Inspiration Files: Tree Stump Tables and Stools. Here is another collection that got lots of attention! I still haven't been able to make (or have my talented husband make) one of these, but it's a great idea! Would you do it?

Number 8: Guest Post-Organizing Children's Spaces. My blogging friend Katie from On the Banks of Squaw Creek and I did guests posts for each other and it turns out her post was one of my most popular! Her ideas are fabulous, simple and unique. If you haven't checked it out already, you won't regret it! (Thanks again, Katie!)

Image via builderhouseplans.com

Number 7: Inspiration Files-Modern Farmhouse Part 2. All that PINspiration inspired me to make a mock home tour of this beautiful modern farmhouse. Strangely, Part 2 is more popular than Part 1! Just in case you're curious here is the Modern Farmhouse Tour, Part 1.

Number 6: DIY Canvas Portraits. I still love how this project turned out! I got to see the cute little trio both at my mom's house and at my in-law's house recently. See? Everyone loves it, it's super easy and really inexpensive too! Go check it out and give it a whirl!

Number 5: DIY Wood Sign. Honestly, I think this post gained much of its popularity through spam. Oh well, I like the sign and it was another really easy one. Click the link to find out what my secret weapon was on this baby! (Don't you hate it when bloggers do that? Ha!)

Number 4: How to Make a Cover Collage Using PicMonkey. I had no idea this was a popular post! It has hundreds and hundreds of hits and only about two comments. I still use PicMonkey all the time, but they finally started charging to use a good portion of their options. Sigh... You can still make an awesome cover collage or blog header though!

Number 3: Our New Master Bedroom Tour. I miss this little room! It was so welcoming and peaceful. Given the chance I would do it very similarly again! There are a ton of great related posts--the barn wood headboard, the easy drop cloth wreath, organizing the closets, making striped curtains and drop cloth valances... And tips on organizing too, as this was a tiny room!

Image via BHG

Number 2: Inspiration Files:15 Pretty Breakfast Nooks. It seems I'm not the only one looking for pretty breakfast nook inspiration! Thank you, Pinterest!

And my Number 1 most popular post of 2012 hands down: Crown Molding, Decorative Trim and Duct Tape! Yeah, still proud of this idea! The white duct tape trim really makes the room, doesn't it? This concept was featured a couple places too, which doesn't hurt at all. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat, though I still don't know what happens when it's time to remove the tape.

So there you have it! What was your favorite post of 2012? I sure hope the place we'll be living this year allows for some creativity and DIY projects. Thanks for reading and for sticking with me into 2013!

Kitchen Upgrade {31 Days of Moodboards}

You know that kitchen in your new place that is a few years old, a little dated and boring but perfectly functional and there's no money for a renovation? This is the answer to the kitchen blahs!

I love the story in the last Cottage Living issue (2008) where someone gets tired of her boring kitchen and can't swing a full reno, so she does this:

You can read more of the story HERE. Seriously, if you just copied this kitchen, you'd be great! The main ingredients are these:

• raise the upper cabinets up to the ceiling and add trim at the top and a shelf underneath
• paint upper and lower cabinets (in this case, white and gray-green, although many other combinations would work just as well)
• add cabinet hardware
• update lighting
• install new appliances
• install new countertop and maybe a new sink
• display pretty things on your new shelf

This kitchen upgrade could be done in stages as money and time allow, starting by raising the upper cabinets. If you just did that, painted, install the shelf and fix or change the backsplash, no one would recognize your old kitchen! A new counter, sink, lighting, hardware and accessories would be icing on the cake.

Let's find some less expensive alternatives, while we're being careful with the budget.

The inspiration picture includes a solid surface counter top. You could use a dark laminate for the same effect or go with butcher block. IKEA has great prices on butcher block, and while you're there you can pick up the new apron front sink! It's just over $300 for this double bowl style, and if that's too much, just upgrade your faucet. ($300 is a great deal on that style of sink, btw!) Our inspiration picture also has a tile backsplash, but if you're not afraid of power tools (i.e. a saw) beadboard would be cheaper.

Another difference in my moodboard is the oil rubbed bronze elements. I just like how it looks with the green cabinets and butcher block counters. You could go with oil rubbed bronze as your finish of choice and your standard white appliances would look just fine. If you did want to use stainless appliances, it's fine to mix metal finishes so you could keep the ORB or switch the light fixtures, knobs and faucet for stainless as well. Pretty pretty!

I threw in a pretty area rug just for fun. It would look nice in front of the sink, or get it in a runner style for a U-shaped or galley kitchen. It could also go in your eating area of an eat-in kitchen or it would look really cute under a kitchen island with wheels.

The last two things on my moodboard were because I originally was working on this for my Mom's kitchen. I'm not at all sure this is her style--it's definitely mine and we can be very similar, but her condo has a more modern feel than I ended up with here. Anyhow, Mom's kitchen sink doesn't have a view, so the window frame with clothespins would mimic that, and instead of looking outside, Mom could gaze at her favorite grandkids (all 4 of them!), an inspirational saying, or whatever else she'd like to hang there--like recipes! The chalkboard was just a fun way to paint her pantry door. I like how the black works with the other colors, and Mom's more of an artist than she'll admit. It would also be a great way for guests to leave their mark!

So there you have it! With a little work and a little paint, you could really change the look of your kitchen!

Please let me know if you have any ideas or specific rooms you'd like me to create a moodboard for. Hope you're enjoying this series!

Spa Bath {31 Days of Moodboards}

I'm having so much fun with this series! I hope you are too. I'm spending my evenings creating beautiful spaces and design ideas at a time that I can't do it in real life. This way is a lot cheaper and much faster which makes it very gratifying!

I put this moodboard together as an idea of how to take your average home's outdated (or just plain bland) bathroom to something fun, comfortable and unique without breaking the bank. It starts with a focal wall of horizontal planks painted white. The other walls get a coat of something like this "silver sage", a blue-green-gray that reads as a neutral but SO much prettier! Then you tile the floor with small pebbles, install a rustic wood vanity with a farmhouse sink on top, hang a round bronze mirror and an old-fashioned basket pendant lamp. Next comes the fun stuff: hooks and a shelf for your bathrobe, a ladder shelf for towels or magazines, a frilly curtain, a wooden bathmat for the tub and a fuzzy white rug for the vanity. The basket pictured above is for laundry, but you could use it as inspiration to create a trash can. Then just sprinkle in a few extra touches like a woven basket (hand towels? toilet paper?), fuzzy slippers, loofahs and sponges and a convenient place to keep them while bathing.

So there you go! Blah builder basic to beautiful bliss!

I hope you enjoyed Day 6 of this series! You can make requests for moodboards for certain rooms or send me a picture of your existing space and I'll come up with a plan that works for you!

Have a great day!

Our New Master Bedroom

Our master bedroom is done!

It's such a good feeling to have a finished space, a little sanctuary, a place where we just love to be! It's simple, rustic and cozy and full of fun details and meaning.

We love a fan running while we sleep in the summer. It helps us stay cool while not worrying about the power bill! My husband's mom made the block quilt. It's heavy and warm, made from corduroy pants. We love how cozy it is in the winter, and the colors work well in this room. My grandma made the afgan on the foot of the bed. She passed away in 1999, so it's a treasure of mine. The large, square pillows are couch pillows that our couch is more comfortable without. The bedskirt (and matching shams) are a microsuede set I bought with a gift card from our wedding. The rug is a bath mat, but it's so soft!

My husband made the barn door headboard from an old fence he tore down on our property. The iron bed frame is one I bought when I bought my first home. I love how they look together! I made the wreath from drop cloth canvas scraps.

On her side of the bed is a narrow table. It was just waiting around downstairs for some purpose in life (our living room is too small right now), and I thought it might be a good idea to carve out a desk area for myself. So I did! And I love it! As you can see, my computer likes it here too, so I've been blogging from this little desk.

Here is the view out this window, just for fun!

This little table works well as a bedside table as well. The small basket on the desk is full of lotions while the one below the desk holds magazines, an extra throw blanket and my camera after I've downloaded pictures.

On his side of the bed there is just room for a night stand. I'm under the impression that my dad made these. Even if they're just something he bought, it's fun to have something of his. I may paint them (there's a set) one day, but for now I like it as is.

Here is the wall on the far side of the bed. I used my Cricut to cut out the quote and put the vinyl letters around canvases of my husband and me during our wedding. "I have found the one whom my soul loves."  Aww...

Here is the view out this window to the west:

On the wall opposite the bed is our line-up of dressers. The closet is tiny, so we rely heavily on these dressers! You'll notice that they match the narrow table; they were part of a set I bought at Pier 1 about 10 years ago. Styles and tastes have changed, but we like these distressed pine pieces of furniture just fine. 

His dresser is in the corner with the dreaded alarm clock, a box with mementos from his grandpa and a tray with a plant, a tiny Bible and a bowl for little things--tie pins and a watch, mostly. There is quite a bit of 'kid' left in my husband, and he has a line-up of matchbox cars on display! The mirror is another Pier 1 find. 
 

Her dresser has some decorative votive candle holders and a tray of out dated pictures. The canvas art is a picture of the Arch in St. Louis, the place my husband took me on our first date.

Beside my dresser is the door to the room, or, since we're in the room, the door to the hall. You can see my next project in progress! I painted the hall side of the ugly door in slate black.

Above the door I hung a piece of barn wood with our anniversary date stenciled on it. Here you can see a close-up of our duct tap trim as well!

Just for fun, I covered the back of the ugly door with newspaper.

This little space of wall between the door and the closet I had thought was big enough to put a hanging shelf with hooks for our robes. I'm so glad it wasn't big enough! I stole this small wrought iron shelf from another place in the house. It goes so well in here!

I put some books on the bottom shelf, a plant, some candles and a picture frame on the other shelves and was excited to finally have a home for this vintage suitcase! This is something a friend of mine gave me several years ago and I never had the perfect home for it. This might not be the right post for it, but I keep my hair dryer, brush and curling iron in this suitcase. If you look closely you can see the cord--it's always plugged in for easy use. Our bedroom is steps away from the bathroom, but there always seems to be other people using it, so the only girl in this house needed to find a place for doing hair! 

And if you're doing hair or just getting dressed for the day, you need a mirror!

This is the tiny closet that the two of us share. I decided it would be easier for both of us to access our clothes and shoes if the sliding doors--where only one side can be open at a time--were removed and curtains hung instead. I sewed these striped curtains from drop cloth canvas and corduroy. There's a ruffle on the bottom that was my first ruffle ever and I love it!

Sharing a closet this small takes organization and neat folding, but it works! I painted the closet the same blue as the ceiling.

That concludes the tour of our master bedroom! I hope you've enjoyed it and been inspired by a thing or two!

The blue ceiling is 'calm misty sea', the walls are similar to 'rural fairfax gray', and all trim (with exception to the stripe around the ceiling which is duct tape) is off-the-shelf white trim paint, all by ColorPlace which is Walmart's paint brand.