I’ve been delaying sharing what we’ve completed hoping that it would be done, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. There’s odds and ends that still need to be done, oh! and money! Money helps.
I have this issue with sharing my projects that are unfinished. I don’t know what it is, or why, but it is what it is. So, if you could be so inclined to break down this psychological weirdness for me, I’d be forever grateful.
Until then, I am sweating and nervous to show you my kitchen, mid-transformation.
If you haven’t seen what it looked like when we moved in, here it is!
First of all, the lights. They’ve been changed out. Simple and inexpensive alternative to Teh Shit.
No more ceiling fan 6 inches from the cupboard!!
Now? Now I have sexy stainless steel a la KitchenAid.
No more broken-down-piece-of-ghetto-trash oven.
If you have a range when resembles the unit which was left here? My condolences.
The fridge looks freakin’ ginormous compared to the dinky cupboards, but trust me when I say: it’s normal. It opens to its entirety, which is more than I can say for the original fridge. Its door would hit that countertop protruding at the bottom right of this picture leaving it to only open half way. It was impossible and stupid, also boggles my mind how someone could live with that for ten years or more, which the previous owner did.
For those interested: my range, microwave, dishwasher, and fridge.
(And no, this is not a sponsored post for KitchenAid. I just love them and I’m really happy with them. BUT! If they wanted to send me small appliances in red I would not object. Just so you know.)
The lower wall area will be covered with tile backsplash; around the doorway still requires paint (which I’m doing today). I am still trying to convince Mike that we need penny round mosaic tiles. He’s concerned that if we do complete a full renovation in five years that we’ve wasted our money. But! I think it’s a way to make this space livable and beautiful for the time being and maybe even prolong the complete gut we’re saving for. And really? What a couple hundred dollars if it makes me happy.
Happy Wife, Happy Life! (That’s what I like to remind him on a regular basis. Very. Regular.
penny round tiles used in a bathroom
There’s tiling, baseboards, (hopefully) new linoleum, and finishing touches yet to be completed (like new blinds that are not metal mini blinds).
But the linoleum… oh, the linoleum.
It’s disgusting. It’s faded. It’s stained. It’s damaged.
The spot closest to the kitchen sink is so discoloured I can’t even scrub it clean. Trust me. I’ve tried. Hate.
But once again, Mike and I are wondering if this part could (should) wait. Though, five years does seem like a horribly long time to live with this shite.
I (just right now) priced it out and found that for less than $500 we can put down new sticky groutable tiles which give the illusion of tile. So yay! for new tiles!
Home Depot: Groutable Natural Concrete
Painting was a whole other demon. The thick and OLD wallpaper glue was a nightmare. After fighting for what seemed like FOREVER; washing and re-washing, sanding and re-sanding, we were finally able to remove the glue and get the paint to adhere to the wall without peeling off with each roll.
Paint colour: Cumberland Fog by Behr.
P.S. As of Sunday (yesterday) the high chair is gone. I can’t freakin’ believe it! He’s out of a high chair already!
Ahem.
This is where you come in, my dear reader(s?). I need help with artwork for the above wall.
I have these prints. I’ve been considering the red one to bring a bit of pop and colour to the space even though I am completely in love with the sage green one.
But, because of the awkward placement of the outlet I think I’ll have to break up the art a little and add some more items.
I need your ideas. I need your style and know-how to make this space work. I want to add a couple pieces that don’t necessarily match, but compliment each other and bring it all together.
So, if your so inclined, please fill my comments with suggestions: Etsy stores, your art, friends art, general ideas, prints from anywhere. I’m open!
I’m hoping my next update will be our main bath which is currently underway, and it damn well better include a conclusion to this kitchen. I am more than ready to have something DONE!
J. says:
First off, I’m with you on the not posting ’til it’s done thing, so I guess we both have issues. I’ve been renovating my LR since July and there’s still no pictures up yet. Soon! LOL …
Second, OMG GIRL! You guys have done awesome with the changes you’ve made. I’m in lust with your appliances. And perfect choice with the fixtures.
I think the red would totally pop in this kitchen. But think, retro red, ummmm … muted. Not bright omgfthatsred red. You know what I mean? Fiftys-ish. For the wall decor anyway. A few red appliances or decor items on the counter would compliment, and you can always pick up a few interesting mats to draw attention away from the bare floor that you hate. A nice chunky one in front of the sink would rock.
I love decorating
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November 23rd, 2009 at 9:51 am
C @ Kid Things says:
I have no ideas for you, mostly because I’m all ooooh! shiny!
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Amy @ Taste Like Crazy Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:04 am
You and I are totally on the same page.
After the fridge, I tried to read the words but kept scrolling back to the bright, shiny appliance.
I’m no help today. Sorry.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 10:09 am
mamatulip says:
Wow! It looks really good so far!
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Thanks K. There’s a mega shit ton of work to do still, but it’s slowly becoming mine, yanno?
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November 23rd, 2009 at 10:42 am
S says:
Check out my etsy site, I have several photographs that you might like
Shameless self promotion!
http://www.PrairieDreamer.etsy.com
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:01 am
Going to look now, but YES!!! That’s what I wanted: shameless self promotion. LOL
I’d much rather have something on my wall from someone I *know* and can support rather than just any old print from a shop, yanno?
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November 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
kgirl says:
Gorgeous! I am salivating, as my own horrid kitchen, 5 years later, still looks like your before. In fact, I think we have the same floor. Blech.
I love the art, I’d go for red.
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
You have the grandma wallpaper too? I have a couple extra rolls I found in the crawl space if you’re in need of a touch-up? *snicker*
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November 23rd, 2009 at 11:02 am
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
Depending on where you hang the photos, I think they would take the eye away from the outlet and make it disappear. No worries!
Tough decision on the print color. Red really pops and is vibrant and energetic. The sage green, however, is calming and peaceful. Ultimately, I guess it depends on what energy you need to have in your kitchen.
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Ya, I know what you mean. I’m still debating even hanging one of them in the kitchen… I just don’t know that the green matches all that well, and maybe the read is too strong… *sigh*
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November 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
J. says:
Oh, and along the same vein as your prints,
http://bit.ly/8uUNtU
but NOT in pink.
I just like the saying. Suits you
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November 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
Unplanned Cooking says:
Everything looks great! We did a similar thing — removing our ceiling fans. It’s so hard, though, cause the more you fix, the more stuff you realize needs to be fixed! Argh, it’s just endless.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 11:40 am
Tricia Honea says:
I love that you kept the cabinets the same. They are truly awesome. (I really do like them)
As for the pictures, I really like the Sage green pic. It’s seems to fit, to me.
All in all though, it’s beautiful.
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Ya, the cabinets grew on me. They’ll definitely be going once we completely gut the space, but they’re pretty awesome for now!
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November 23rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Twitted by mapsgirl says:
[...] This post was Twitted by mapsgirl [...]
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Claudia says:
Your lighting fixtures are PERFECTION.
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Really?! Thanks!
I was thinking more like, tolerable and basic. LOL Though, once we got them up, I was a little happier with them.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
samantha says:
I am seriously contemplating these embroidery hoops and colourful fabrics… Then I can pick like, five or seven different sizes and fabrics.
I may have to do it while Mike’s at work so he doesn’t bitch.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Chibi Jeebs says:
Oh, it’s gorgeous! And I *love* that tile (like, bookmarked it I love it so much). I also love the colour of the paint: that’s what I was going for, but mine ended up more of a robin’s egg blue (first home owner reno-lesson learned: NEV.ER. go by the colour of the paint chip under the dingy fluorescent lights at Rona… LOL). I’ve got chocolate brown accents everywhere, and the combo gets a lot of compliments. Other than that piss-poor excuse for “ideas,” the only other thing that comes to mind is framed black & white prints – might be too cold for a kitchen, though.
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I was actually going for even lighter than this. I still think it’s too blue, but it works. Ya, the paint sample for this one was really really light and sightly more grey. Didn’t turn out that way. LOL
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Chibi Jeebs Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Out of FIVE paint colours (hey, it was my first place: what can I say? lmao), ONE turned out like I thought it would. Luckily three of the remaining four grew on me (the fifth had to be painted over because my choice was so. god. awful.).
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November 23rd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Maddy says:
Ooo my. I have nothing positive to contribute other than to realize that we’re in dire need of similar work – love the duckie!
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I could do this forever. I am certain I missed my calling for interior design. Tho, I suck at actually putting it all together, I can envision it perfectly. Ha!
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November 23rd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Melanie says:
Oh there are so many ideas for that wall!! I think you should find a beach print that you love, and have it blown up into a canvas wrap.
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samantha Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Doood. Great idea! I have quiet a few beach pics I’ve taken a couple years ago I should dig up and see if they work.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Issa says:
Oh it’s all so clean and pretty. I love it.
On the picture, green. Only because the red will make the rest of the room seem so white. On other art? I was at Bed Bath and Expensive twice yesterday and saw some cool prints.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
pixielation says:
I love the kitchen – very clean lines and nice style!
And I love “Cumberland Fog” – gorgeous colour!
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November 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Cassie says:
My sister has an Etsy shop. She only has a few things up but she does custom work. Just give her an idea of what your looking for or even a photograph and she’ll paint it. She’s in school for an Art degree, so she has experience with a lot of different mediums. Check her out!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jakintheb0x
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November 23rd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
jennster says:
dude.. everything looks amazing so far!!! i LOVE the red one.. it will pop and look killer in there.
and i LOVE that paint color.. i think i almost picked it for something in our house.. i remember the name…
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November 24th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] says:
ohhhhh teh lovely.
LOVE LOVE it all!
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November 24th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Gabriella says:
i love the pictures; especially the wall color! And those prints I just saw them in the latest edition of House & Home…
can’t wait for more…
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November 25th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Mojo says:
If you’re still looking for artwork, feel free to browse my blog. I’ll be happy to help you out with a high res copy of your shot of choice gratis. Call it my thanks for all you did to help launch Violence UnSilenced.
And yes, I have some magnificent beach shots. (Everyone says so.)
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December 14th, 2009 at 2:28 pm