Kitchen Remodel: Let's Get this Party Started

When we bought our house 7 years ago, we knew a kitchen remodel would be in our future.

But, there were little kids running around, other projects to be done and not enough money in the budget. So we removed the wallpaper and prettied it up with new paint.

There. All better. Well, except for the 25 year old appliances. 

We knew they wouldn't last forever. When it takes 30 minutes to boil a pot of water, you know the end is drawing near.

We decided that once the appliances bit the dust, it would be our cue to start the remodel.

Well, in July this happened...

The glass cooktop completely shattered, shooting pieces of glass everywhere. 

But, did we start the remodel? Nah. We just lived with two burners. (There may or may not be a lot of gourmet cooking taking place in this kitchen.)

Then in November the dishwasher caught fire. I didn't get a picture of that one. I was just trying not to be electrocuted.

My husband just happened to be in India on business when both of these incidents occurred. I think he is convinced that I was sabotaging the appliances. 

Anyway, we really couldn't ignore the fire. We got a new dishwasher, and started planning the new kitchen. I am currently gathering quotes from a few contractors, and hope to make a decision in the next couple of weeks.

I have a vision for the room, and I'm pretty set on most of the materials I want to use. I'll share the nitty gritty as we move forward. 

If you follow me on Pinterest, you've seen a lot of kitchen pinning going on! Here are some of my favorites…

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Okay, so I think you get an idea of the direction I'm heading. Definitely losing the dark cabinets in favor of something lighter and brighter. Shocking, I know! Our kitchen is so dark, despite its 8 million can lights! I need a change.

So, there are still little kids running around (although they are all in school now), and there are still other projects to be done (aren't there always?), and there still isn't enough money in the budget (is there ever enough $$?), but somehow we're going to get this kitchen party started!

Stay tuned for more details...

Decorating in the New Year: One Wall at a Time

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you enjoyed the holidays with your loved ones. We had family in town for Christmas, and spent the following week on Hilton Head Island (aka: my happy place). It was so great to be at the beach, riding bikes, playing tennis and frisbee, watching the dolphins, and enjoying quality time with my boys.

I can't believe that just a few short days ago, my view looked like this…

And today it looks like this…

Brrr! Winter is upon us, and the kids had their first school delay this morning. Here we go again… :)


I've spent the past couple of days packing up all of our Christmas decorations. I don't know about you, but every time I put away the Christmas things, I get the urge to start rearranging the house!


So, I started messing with this corner of the family room…

I removed the art with the heavy wood frame, and replaced it with these botanicals …

I also hung a painting on the paneled wall using 3M Command strip hooks so as not to leave any holes in the wood.

Ten years ago, we spent a summer on Bainbridge Island, WA. I brought home this framed print from a local artist as a reminder of our time there. It's been in an upstairs hallway, but I like the color it brings to this room. And, it breaks up the expanse of dark wood.

I bought the botanicals from Karen Robertson at the High Point Market this Fall.

Karen's work is beautiful. The ferns are actually decoupaged onto glass plates and finished with a hand-painted gold trim.

These are just a couple of small changes I've made lately, but a big change is on the way.

I've started getting quotes on a kitchen remodel. There will be lots of planning and decisions to be made, finishes to select, etc. If you care to follow the progress, I will be posting every step of the way. I'd love to have you along for the ride :)

Thanks for visiting! Cheers to a happy, healthy, peaceful and fabulously decorated New Year!!


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