inside my brain: the kitchen

Warning: This is only the beginning of the decor ideas I have going on inside my brain

Here is what our kitchen looks NOW:

 

A couple of things that I would like to do {on a major budget}

1. Paint the chairs a light blue / teal color. I might paint the table too. I'll have to see how it looks after the chairs are painted. I love it when people mix match the chairs, but I might just make do with what I have for now.

 

2. I want to make this super fun Anthro knock-off light to hang over our kitchen table. {I already bought the basket that I am going to use}

 

3. I might make a doily table runner like this one. Not sure yet. Probably will.

 

 4. Tear out the kitchen cabinets on the to the left and the ones that bend around (to make a bar ... but there is absolutely no room to put stools up to it. So now it is just extended countertop that takes up space and make the table feel super cramped.

After I tear out the cabinets, then I will need to tear up the floor. Then, I want to extend the flooring that's under the table into the rest of the kitchen. I hope that I can match the color. I have the name of the manufacturer, but I haven't looked into it yet.

 

5. Next on the list, replace the existing countertops with these butcher block ones from Ikea. These are the same coutnertops used in the kitchen with the wire basket lamp, and I think they turned out great. This is a very inexpensive alternative to granite or even laminate.

 

 6. Next up, paint the cabinets all white. I am also going to leave the doors off of the top ones, just like in this picture. I love how much more open it makes a kitchen feel.

7. I also want to get rid of our microwave cart that is shoved in the corner, and put a new microwave above the existing stove.

8. While I am at Ikea, I am also going to pick up a couple of this clamp on lights.

 

9. For the lighting over the sink and bar, I am thinking about one of these pendants. Which one is your favorite?

 

10. Maybe not right away, but someday I would also love to buy a large natural fiber rug for under the table.

11. On the large wall behind the table, I am going to add a huge chalkboard like this one.

12. {I told you I had a lot stored up there in my head} I would also love to start collecting and fill my cabinets full of depression glass.

13. {It just keeps coming} I would also love to add these to the bottom cabinets.

 

14. And ... if I find an extra $185.00 I will put in one of these Ikea versions of a farmhouse sink.

15. Since I am taking away some storage by ripping out the cabinets to make room for an island, I want to add a set of vintage lockers against the left wall in their place. So far I haven't had a lot of luck finding vintage lockers in Lexington. I found some on ebay that are reasonable, but I would really like to see them first. I also found a lot of new lockers at a good price. Maybe I will just have to go with new and vintage them myself. Keep your eyes open, ok?

16. One small thing ... I am going to add a strip of molding to the top of the cabinets. I hope that this will make them look a little taller and add some detail.

Can you see it now?

I know you are all thinking, that's all? I know I know I have a lot of ideas. One of my resolutions was to make my kitchen cooler this year and I am bound and determined to make it happen. Not sure yet about the start date. I will need to save a little bit more cash. Unfortunately things like ... pay off the car ... were also on the resolution list. Boo.

I would LOVE to hear from you. Any suggestions, sites, or ideas that you think would fit with the things I have shared :) Or any of your expertise on renovating a kitchen without spending a small fortune.

a sad monday

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn't want to leave you guys hanging. I just wanted to let you know that there will be no giveaway this week. {Warning, now you're going to hate me even more} ...  E and I will be leaving for the snowy slopes of Colorado later this week. Don't worry though, I will faithfully return with yet another fabulous giveaway next Monday. Enjoy your weeks :)

a look into the past year {our home}

For two people that know practically nothing about remodeling or renovation, I think that we made a few major advances on this place we call home.

In the past year, we turned this ...

Into this ...

 

 

A spare bedroom that actually has function.

And we turned this ...

 

Into this ...

 We gutted everything! Our bathroom might be my favorite room in the house.

And lastly

 This...

 

Into this...

Since we turned the nasty, poor excuse for an office area into a spare bedroom, we used some of the laundry room space for office area.

It is truly amazing what a couple cans of paint (we've painted walls, furniture, chandelier, you name it!) and some homemade window treatments can do. That part we could do on our own, but when it came to the bathroom we were clueless! Thankfully we had an amazing couple from our church that helped us in unmeasurable ways.

I'll be back soon to share some of my plans for this years' changes. I bet you can guess ... our kitchen is DEFINITELY included in those plans!

and the winner is ... and a date

This week's giveaway goes to Ms. Jennifer! Congrats to you! Don't forget to stop by L S Colletions  ... and don't forget to stop back on Monday as there will be another giveaway. This might be your lucky week. Thanks again to all the sponsors and readers for your amazing support.

Here are a couple of my other favorites from L S Collections.

 

I hope that each of you enjoy your weekend. If were you live got a little snow, then I hope you stay bundled and warm. We did get a little snow here in Kentucky, and this morning my work was on a 2-hour delay! I was super pumped. There's nothing like an extra two hours of sleep to start off a Friday.

Tonight I am taking  E on a date to see It's Complicated. Has anyone else seen this yet? Is it one of those flicks that both sexes can appreciate? I'm hoping. I think it looks fabulous. You know what else looks fabulous? Could you read my mind? Yes, the gray clawfoot tub!

And last but not least ... a Friday tune. An oldie for you. It's so strange how the words are so terribly sad, but for some reason the song makes you (or maybe just me) feel good.

turquoise

On this blustery cold and snowy day, it is nice to look at pictures like this one and think ... it will be warm again someday. Someday there will be warm open air and pretty pink flowers ...  someday! For now I guess I should enjoy the pretty snow ... and hope for an early dismissal from work.

this will be the year ...

... that i will get organized.

Along with healthy eating habits, exercise, and budgeting, I believe that organization is up there on most people's resolutions.

There is something so relaxing about a clean and organized home. Call me a little OCD, but I can't lay on the couch and relax if I feel like things are messy or cluttered around me. I am definitely not pefect about it. My greatest struggle is with things that are hidden. Open a pantry or cabinet doors in my house and there's no telling what might fall out.

I am really going to try to live by the "everything in it's place." I am really going to try to cut out the junk in my house and get rid of the things I don't need. Simplify! Hopefully this will help me to save a little cash along the way as well!

What do you guys do to stay organized?

Here are a couple bits of organization inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing that I saw in a magazine the other day was the idea of a trade / swap party.

{I am not talking about swingers here}

The idea was you host a party with your favorite people, good food, drink, and other girly things. Each friend brings a couple of things from their house that they no longer want or no longer use. The number of items is set before the party. Each item is tagged at the door. During the party, each guest is given a couple of clothes pins with their initials on them. If you see an item that you like, simply put your clothes pin on the tag. If more than one person picks an item, then you can pick a number or draws names from a hat.

Everyone leaves home happy & no spends a dime. Why didn't I think of this idea ??? 

I would love to have a party like this! Anyone else want to join me?

a cozy little 180 sq. ft. kitchen

Before

{prettiest thing you have ever seen right?}

And after ...

 

 

 

Who knew so much warmth, character, and charm could be nuzzled into 180 sq ft?

so lovely

Can you tell that I have kitchens on the mind??

getting back to the normal

Tomorrow is my first day back after about a two week va-cay. I am feeling super depressed. I know I should be thankful that I have a job, but for some reason I cannot pull myself out of my self-pity pit. I really need to snap out of it. Today has been one of those days where I feel like I can't do anything right. Ever had one of them?

Oh well ... there will be days like these right? I couldn't even bring myself to take down the Christmas decorations. I think it was half laziness and half sadness. I will muster up the motivation ... I promise I will not be that person with their lights up in May.

For now, I am off to snuggle in my bed with my heated mattress pad {one of the greatest luxuries in the entire world} ... and read a little Twlight {Eclipse to be exact}. I will be back tomorrow with a new lovely giveaway.

my list

After a little pondering & reflection, I have created my personal resolutions.

I really tired to stray away from the vague and make each resolution somewhat measurable. I figured that doing it this way would help me to better keep them.

If you have not already made your list, then I hope that they inspire you at the beginning of this decade.

Here ya go ...

1. Memorize one biblical verse each week.

2. Sew something.

3. Practice yoga at least once a week (anyone want to join me?)

4. Run a 1/2 marathon (already singed up for the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, OH)!!

5. Travel and leave the continent of North America.

6. Follow God's instruction and live debt free.

7. Learn to can the veggies from my garden (can someone can to my house and teach me??)

8. Make my kitchen cooler (my little brain is bursting with ideas).

9. Read all of the Chronicles of Narnia.

10. Write a gratitude list once a week (this is something that I have had my clients do & I have been humbled to realize it would be highly beneficial for me as well).

11. Invite friends and family over for dinner more often.

12. Watch the final season of Lost (Feb. 2nd!!)

13. Spend more time being intentional about investing in the lives of high school girls.

14. Cook a turkey.

15. Watch a broadway show. 

16. Spend less (I know everyone says this, but I am really going to try!)

17. Talk with E about being a parent someday.

goodbye 2009

Last week, I took this picture of my aunt's Christmas tree. When I was looking through the pictures today, I was struck by how the clock ornament reminded me of the end of the year.

I set several resolutions last year, but unfortunately I lost the paper I wrote them down on! I do remember that a couple things I stuck with was ... plant a garden ... run a half marathon ... and finish graduate school.

A couple of things that I think were on there ... that I did not stick with ... go to bed earlier (definitely didn't happen) ... read all of the chronicles of narnia ... travel to Tanzania.

I am really bummed that the last one end up working out. A couple of E's friends were living in Tanzania this time last year. They've been back in the states for the last couple of months, and tomorrow they leave for France. This year, I am bound and determined to make it to Europe in the Fall. This also means that I need to set myself up on a budget savings plan ... umm now.

...................................................................

What about you? 

What are some of your resolutions for the new year? 

What are a few of your highlights from the previous?