Kitchen cabinet makeover, before and after photos

This view is of the island prior to trimming it out.

As you can see the tower that houses the microwave and oven stand off the other cabinets, this gave me the idea that I could paint it to look as if it were built separately as a single unit. The lowers on the dishwasher side were also to be designated as dark.

The doors were removed and everything got a prime coat.

The island trim pieces I picked out at Lowes. My island does not have much of an overhang on the lip of the counter so I had to be mindful of that fact when choosing trim.

At the base of my cabinets all I had was shoe moulding. It was very scuffed and blotchy from years of mopping and very scuffed up. We trimmed all of the cabinets with moulding followed by shoe moulding on top. I remembered thinking how tiny the island looked when it was in this stage.

I ordered my knobs and pulls from Lowes. When we attached the knobs they were too big, so I exchanged them for these lovely ovals. Love them so much. As you can see the old white cabinets are slightly distressed. The knobs have a lovely beading detail on them. I am very pleased with how they look.

The pulls add such charm to the drawers. I had already installed an oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucet by Delta and these match perfectly. I also have the oiled bronze look on the ceiling fan, which in Texas you cannot live without. (I have a fun upgrade to the fan I will share soon).

I hoped to capture the dark cabinet look. I think my painter has the knack, don't you?



I am so very pleased with my two-tone design look. I think the dark makes the white appliances pop! The new color on the wall is Sherwin Williams Virtual Taupe. I usually stay away from Taupe because of its tendencies to lean pink, but I really love the rich tone this color has. It matches my Corian counters, grout and tile perfectly. The counters look amazing without going to the expense of granite.

Finished island close up.
For me, the contrast of the dark against the white appliances makes all the difference. I don't think I would have been near as happy with the cream next to them.

I love being in my new space. Now I have to begin on my windows and bringing back some accessories and adding in a few new I have picked up as the kitchen was underway.
I hope if there are those of you out there thinking about whether or not to paint your cabinets that mine will serve as inspiration to help you make up your mind! :)

Kitchen makeover, starting place

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am changing my decor to a more cottage, shabby look. My kitchen transformation took a little longer than anticipated but I am very pleased with the results.
I searched far and wide trying to decide what would work in my kitchen transformation.
My cabinets are standard builders grade maple which had yellowed.

Here is my starting point photo. After 12 years I was ready for new paint and a cabinet facelift. The result is "remarkable" in my humble opinion. It's all about our individual tastes though right?
I would love to know what you think. Stay tuned for progress photos.

Ikea storage drawers good for so many things

My Ikea storage bins were covered in varying scrapbook papers to match the French theme in my room. They just happen to fit perfectly under my roll out table and store my scrapbook goodies!

Work station set-up

What's inside you ask?

I purchase little square acrylic bins to sort embellishments in.

These little plastic containers with pinch lids are available at Hobby Lobby in the beading section.

Lots of Brads in there for creating memorable small ablums for loved ones.

Vintage Suitcase Decor

There was charm left in it, I just knew it. When I brought my mom to live with us I brought a few of her things along. Not much in the way of big things because of the distance.
This suitcase I believe belonged to one of my uncles that my mother cared for up until his passing. It's old and grungy. I wiped it down and applied leather conditioner to it and it had been sitting up in my game room until I saw a lovely display here: http://lavenderandash.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/home-ideas-trunks-and-suitcases.html I love all of Ashley's cool ideas!
Here is my version:

I had purchased this little table some time ago for my small hallway coming in from the garage, but wasn't quite as tall as I wanted. It is perfect placement for mom's old bag and to perch my cute little birdcage on top. I'm happy, what do you think?

Changing my decor to Shabby Chic, cottage, farmhouse

I'm shaking things up at my house!
Like so many others I had the country look in the 80's and into the 90's. Then we moved and I totally switched gears. I went with more of a Tuscan feel and felt very comfortable there with my greens, and earthy tones and some splashes of deep red. Must say looked really nice at Christmas!
After being in my house for more than 10 years, I have finally grown tired of my Tuscan (eclectic) look. I never got rid of my antiques so I have a good base of things as I collect and turn the corner to my new design.
I have been playing with Annie Sloan chalk paint and have numerous things on my list to attack! I have already posted my dads little table previously.
My next project was my sofa. Mine isn't that old and is still very pretty.

My hubby gave me a decorating budget for Mother's Day! Yippee! However, note the word budget...
I hired my paint man to give my kitchen cabinets a facelift. No new counters, floors or appliances. But you will see all of that soon as we progress.
So my plan was to incorporate the lovely soft blue greens by changing the pillows on my sofa. I ended up finding my perfect choice of fabric and used Jo-Ann's Store half off sale to buy my fabric. I used the stuffing out of my old pillows to keep from having to buy that and am keeping the two silk pillows that match the sofa.

I purchase the three small throw pillows on sale at Steinmart. I love the look and am on my way to my new look.
The den is keeping its current color and my silk draperies in there stay.
Stay tuned as I venture along shabby-ing up the place!

Lego Gift Book Tutorial

Welome to my first tutorial for a fun gift book I made for our grandson Braden who is turning 12 and loves Legos and books!

I began by cutting a backing for the money. Started out with cardboard but switched to black cardstock for a better look. The front cover was cut to the same size in red.

I asked the bank for new bills, but they were only able to provide the best they had. So I ironed them with great results.

I punched out red 1" circles for my Lego bumps

Used pop dots to make them stand proud.

I downloaded the Lego logo and glued it to the book to save time.

After carefully aligning the edges, I clamped them with binder clamps and painted the left edge with Elmer's Rubber Cement. I let it dry for a couple of hours.

6 tips to enjoy your weekend

or....restating the obvious?
Sometimes we need reminding though huh? Me included. Lets "O" (organize) the weekend.

1. Get the yard and other must do's out of the way first thing. Even better during the week. Remember eating the elephant one bite at a time, especially if you work outside your home like so many do.
2. Shop ahead. Have food and drinks, ice in the house. If you have entertaining plans especially. 
3. Check the weather, make a back-up plan for rain, or take that downtime and wallow in it.
4. Check your calendar, make sure you haven't forgotten an event.
5. Read up on local events, or put reminders on your calendar for things you don't want to miss.
6. Plan so R & R. It's ok to turn your back on some of those have to's that can wait. Just put your feet up and be.

Have a no fret Friday! :) As we say in Louisiana, "Come sit"  

I saw this lovely shelf recently while out browsing. Such cute rustic style. I think it would look great over a bed or used as a mantle. What a great way to display some of your finds or special keepsakes. This is a pretty easy DIY project!

Scarve Storage

When in doubt Accessorize!!!
Whenever you dilemma-ize over what to wear turn to your belts, scarves and jewelry! You've heard me say it before right? For the past few years I have rolled my scarves and lined them in a drawer in my jewelry cabinet. But I found myself unrolling and re-rolling several as I decided on my outfit. Sometimes being in a rush they were waiting for me when I got home. As I was putting away winter things I happened onto my newest storage idea for my scarves. There they are in plain view, ready to be draped across my hanger holdup until decision time has arrived. As you can see this is a regular hanger with the clips to hang a skirt or pants. They have them for sale at The Container Store if you don't have any in your closet. I used the clips to hold square ones. They also sell them at Wayfair using this link, but you have to buy them by the dozen there. "Crystal Clear Skirt and Pant Hangers in Clear (12 Pack)" I must admit I don't have a dozen of these filled with scarves but I have a few and I'm working on it! :)

Wayfair (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just halving them taking the folded end and sticking it through the hanger and pulling the loose ends through is keeping them all lined up and from slinking off onto the closet floor.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, my first experience

Making old things new is such fun! I recently discovered Anne Sloan chalk paints and I'm addicted. I have a whole list of items to do. I love the look and want to share my first project with you. This little table might not look like much to you, but this one and a magazine table, (my next project) belonged to my dad.
I love how it turned out This is Old White with clear wax.

Organizing a closet with slanted ceiling

I was recently on Tip Junkie's blog and saw a comment from Joann asking about utilizing a closet with a slanted ceiling. I identify that it is not always easy to utilize the space.
This featured space was added when we were choosing paint colors for our gameroom/media room. While I'm cocking my head sideways at the sample colors on the wall my husband is knocking on a corner space saying he thinks he found some storage space behind the wall!
Then he gets a hammer and knocks a hole in the area. My eyes were like saucers!
But behold, there was definitely space there that could be used even though the roof slants in the area.
I wish I had photos of him with his hammer!

I group like things together. As you can see the shelves are graduated lengths to utilize all space available as the ceiling slants up. The puzzle stacker is awesome. I got mine at a garage sale, but I have seen them at teacher supply stores. I use bins for legos and other toys that need to be sorted. My grandkids love Geotrax. They seem to appeal to wide age range. 

 As you can see we also store our buckets of wheat here, otherwise there would be tons of space on this side of the closet for more storage. It works well to stack the large toy pieces on top there.

But here is the finished result.

Garden Glove Storage

Tis the Season...

For gardening that is!

I have sought the perfect garden glove for ages and I think I may have found the "one"!

My goatskin gloves are wonderful.

What I like about them is:

1. They are soft and subtle. Best of all they stay that way when you get them wet.
2. Available at Lowes
3. Protect my hands
4. Last longer than cloth or canvas gloves.
5. Leather has a tendency to get stiff after they are wet.

I recently saw where someone posted on Pinterest showing magnets being sewn into the cuffs of the gloves to attach them to a metal bucket to keep track of them. One reader pointed out that the magnets would stick to the side of washer or dryer. Good point I thought. Someone else mentioned that she clips hers with a clothes pin to her plastic weed bucket! 

I love this idea!

As for drying out my gloves if they have gotten wet? I simply place them over the top of my lopers to allow air to circulate through and they wave at me when I'm looking for a pair. Tell me about your gloves or other gardening equipment. I will be posting my own tried and true methods too!

Window Boxes

Love those volunteers!

Window boxes from Ikea. Mirrors in old window frames add character to the side of our pool house. Snapdragons and Asparagus Fern do not require much care. Sometimes the plants that volunteer to come back are the best!

Awaiting Spring

Do you long for warm weather? I count down the days to guessing if all the freeze possibility has past. My bulbs don't care though they bloom when they are ready and make me smile. Daffodils already bobbing their heads give me hope.

I'm a lover of flowers and live for Spring!

Getting ready on those unusually warm days can seem overwhelming and the urge to run out to the garden center and buy all those beautiful spring flowers before prepping is finished is hard to control. Trust me I have done the process in reverse and at times have lost plants while I'm preparing the beds.

So to organize plantings, start with a rake and some gloves with a trash bag in tow. Assess what made it through, what is likely to come back and then step back and plan. I like to mulch now, even though you can after you've planted. (your preference)Make a list of what you think you need along with starter solution and plant food. But don't buy more than you can do in one day.

Simplify your Life week

I just learned that the first week of August is "Simplify your Life week!" I love these crazy little holidays that give us a reason to act, right?
Let's all post this week one thing we will do to simplify our life. You cannot deny that we all need this. It can be as simple as cleaning our your glovebox in your car. Are there really any gloves in there? Old outdated car insurance cards?
How about cleaning our your purse or briefcase. How about that lap drawer on your desk? hmmm the simplifying is endless.
So, I'm giving you a week to think it over.....come on post blast me. :)

Sorry I've been missing!

Hi to everyone!
I apologize for being gone. First of all I got locked out of my blog somehow and I didn't take to time to try to figure out what I did. I was trying to put everything under one umbrella and sabotaged myself in the process!

If you check my link you will see that I have been busy with a new endeavor! I just seem to like too many things...photography, home staging, organizing, writing, reading, starting a new business.

http://shecompany.com
A new venture my daughter and I are pursuing! I hope you'll stop in. We are stocking product like I write my blog, only tried, true stuff and such fun! :) Please check it out and comment. We can take it.

Well, hope you are still tuned in and willing to wobble with me as I talk about all of my interests.

by the way loved "The Help" Cannot wait for the movie!

Love my All Clad

Primarily, all of my cooking days raising five lively busy children were spent with a hodge-podge of cookware. I have always loved to cook....and bake.....and eat! :) I even loved going to the grocery store. As I moved into "Empty-nestdom", I found myself dreading those tasks. Not baking because we were bulging,  trying to cook healthy was a challenge.
In order to encourage myself to eat out less, I decided new cookware might inspire me. I deserved it right? Another little deciding factor for me was questioning whether aluminum in some of my pots and pans could contribute to Alzheimer's. I know the jury is still out on this. As I cared for my aging mother with this disease, I found myself doing research to do anything to avoid this heartbreaking ailment.

I soon discovered the cookware I wanted was All Clad. The construction heats food evenly, clean easily, they polish up beautifully and they are very sturdy. They appear to be the chefs choice. When having lunch with a friend, the conversation turned to cooking. We were both considering our purchase of All Clad! So following lunch we skirted over to Williams Sonoma to check them out firsthand. That is where I ended up purchasing my set. They are less expensive if you buy a set rather than by the piece. Then you can add pieces you want to add.
So if you were wondering, (some were) about the cookware living in my pull-out drawer, that is my set. I simply love cooking in them. They are a bit pricey, but an investment you will only make once in a lifetime. In fact my youngest son has already laid claim to them when I am resting in a place where there is hopefully no fire, and no need for pots or pans! lol But I think maybe he might have to fight his sisters for them! :)

Don't they just look pretty?