Kitchen Reveal...(sort of)

Hello again!

I know you have all been anxiously waiting for the big kitchen reveal (I know I have)...and you will need to wait a bit longer...sort of. 

I reallllllly wanted to have the kitchen completed before I shared the big 'ta-dah' moment with you BUUUUUT if I actually waited until we were completely finished you could be on the edge of your seats for quite sometime. Reno's are expensive friends and I can only make so many trips to Ikea without wanting to pull my hair out (more on this later).

Let's press rewind and start back at the beginning.  Here is what we started with - a standard builder's kitchen; no bling!

look at that UGLY light

and here's where we're at!

Amazing - right!?!? 

I need to thank Hubs for suggesting we open it all up, it changes everything about our main floor and I.AM.IN.LOVE! 

Still lots left to do, but we're thrilled with how far we've come and how awesome it looks! We did a lot of the work ourselves (translation: I supervised, arranged for the talented and skilled workers, and provided approvals ;)). 

Massive To Do List: 
- finish the toe kicks along the bottom
- put the corner cabinet door on
- install cover panel on the end of the pantry
- install the hood range
- install remaining handles 
- install moulding on top of cabinets
- pick a back splash (and install it)
- install remaining baseboards
- find a pretty light (with lotsa bling) for over the table
- DECORATE!!!!! (in 50 years from now when funds are replenished;))


So there you have it, where we're at and where we're going.  As mentioned super duper thrilled and can't wait to show you the actual finished project. 

Happy Thursday!

Sneak Peek!

I have some big plans coming up this week - organize!

It is time, we have been living through our kitchen renovation for an eternity a month now, and the "stuff" everywhere is driving me BONKERS! Everyday I ask hubby "is today the day we're going to finish and maybe hang that shelf?" 

*sigh*

I have been dreaming of filling up these BEAUTIFUL new cupboards since I saw them in the store.

SNEAK PEEK ;)

Look at all of those pot drawers, aren't they wonderful? I'm giddy inside, I can't wait.

PS: that counts as your sneak peek...right? 

In anticipation of moving all of our things back into the kitchen I have been reading up on organizing in general. Don't judge, I am usually a very organized person, just not right at this very minute. After reading, looking and and skimming for ideas I have realized that there is a whole new level of organization out there that I was not aware of - look out hubby, I'm coming after your t-shirt drawer! 

Anyway, here are a couple of ideas that will most likely make their way into our lives.

Source

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Hope to share some more kitchen pictures with you next week :)

New Appreciation...

...for the kitchen sink!

Yes, you read that right, I have a new found appreciation for the kitchen sink. I also FINALLY understand the meaning behind "they packed everything; including the kitchen sink" I'm never leaving it behind again - EVER!

Hubby and I have been diligently working on our kitchen main floor renovation for the past 3 weeks...and well, we're exhausted, and also can't wait for the end.  We're so close we can both see it.  When I say close, I mean close to something functional - something that has a kitchen sink ;)  

Which brings up my dilemma - what kind of sink do I we really want!? I'm pretty sure we will go with a single one, I really like the look of it but there are so many shapes and sizes!  What to do, what to do; I've shown some of my favourites below.  

Guess I better decide soon, we're going to pick out our counter top tomorrow! 

Home stretch!

Our Honeymoon

Newly Acquired Hubby and I patiently eagerly waited for take-off for over 6 months before we went on our honeymoon!  But we made it - 3 connections and a LOT of airport lounge hanging out time later - we landed in one of the most breathtaking places I've ever seen - Bora Bora! 

Our pictures barely capture what we saw.  Rather than tell you I thought I’d reminisce and share my favourites. 

First glimpse of paradise - view of Moorea from our resort in Tahiti

the water was crystal clear - I liked the colour of this guy

Sunset in Tahiti

of all the airports I've been in - none compare to this

waited 6+ months for this picture

*sigh* 

2pm feeding everyday for these guys; scared us on day 1 when they just appeared

rain on one side, sun on the other

tranquility

shows just how far away from home we really were

picture postcard 

final glimpse of our resort *tear*

I did ask if I could stay...I was forced on the plane against my will...swear!

We're always asked the same questions to which the answer is always the same.

• Was it worth the wait? Absolutely
• Would we go back? Absolutely (once we save our pennies again)
• Should 'I/we' add to our bucket list? ABSOLUTELY move it to the very top!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures, it really was the trip of a life time and the perfect "delayed honeymoon"! 

Kitchen Plans!

It’s here it’s here…it’s finally here!  It's time to renovate our kitchen, and by kitchen I mean our entire main floor…and you know who I blame for this?! Hubby, that’s who…he put this silly little idea into my head and when I get an idea I just run, run like the wind until I’ve turned the idea into a reality.  So, yes, hubby is to blame. J

Here is what our kitchen looks like right now. 

 Standard builder's cabinets and fixtures

it's pretty tight for 2 people

There really isn’t anything wrong with our cabinets; they just don’t work for us and we need more space!  We have actually donated these cabinets to our local Restore (more on this later).

Here's what the rest of main floor looks like.

I got a little excited and started taking things down before I remembered to take pictures!

 

If you know me personally, you know that the carpet in those photos is my nemesis; I should have taken it out when I moved in 4 years ago but I didn’t; and now I am so VERY excited to take it to curb, you have no idea just how excited I am! We haven’t really used the carpeted space in a functional way…it’s a mishmash of furniture and things with no real purpose, except an extra spot to watch TV and a place for  Miss Manola to sleep.  I’ll keep you posted on how we’re going to tackle this space...right now just removing the carpet will make me feel so much better.

Here are a couple more photos to capture the ‘before’.

Until we make real progress, here’s a bit of inspiration so that you can see where I’m WE (we’re in this together) where WE are heading ;) 

look at how pretty and wonderful it will be

The plan is to open the kitchen up and create an 'L' and include a small island around the wall next to the dishwasher (we can't move that sucker, it's got duct work and a support beam).  All of the tile and carpet will be replaced with hardwood and nasty lighting will be removed right after the carpet is at the curb ;) 

I’m so giddy, I can’t wait to get started!  Wish us luck J

Burlap Planter

Heya!  I've got a very small and simple project to share with you today. I'm a farmer's daughter and have a mother with TWO, yes TWO, green thumbs...so you would think that I too have the magic touch for growing things...while I don't. That's what makes this project so amazing - it's actually still alive! :D


A while back I found this and it was instant love with the burlap and I needed it to be on my porch ASAP. 

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I picked up a liner at good old Home Depot for $6 and grabbed some plants while I was there.  

I already had left over burlap from my wreath project and found some ribbon at the bottom of my crafting bin. 

I cut the burlap in a large square around the liner; and added the flowers and potting soil to the liner; final step was to wrap the burlap up around the liner.  If you have a second pair of hands you may want them for this step, otherwise you may struggle like I did;)  It took 4 tries before I was able to properly get the ribbon tied around the burlap.

As we all know, I am terrible with pictures, so here's a few showing off my plant that is STILL ALIVE!!!

It looks super cute on the porch with my other flowers (that are also still alive) - OK I totally rely on my mom coming by each week and picking at them and hope that water does the trick ;)

Total Project Cost - $21!!!!
- $6 for the liner
- $15 for the plants
I already had the burlap, ribbon and potting soil.



What do you think?  I like it! It's simple, cute, easy and effective!


See that chair in the background, I'm thinking of spray painting it, but not sure of the colour, any suggestions?