This one from last week is my new favorite! So perfect for us -
Sunday, November 30, 2008
i love this
I pretty much had a spaz attack when the "love is" comics stopped being posted online a couple of months ago. I've always said the little cartoons look just like Dan and I - short guy with dark hair and short girl with light hair and freckles. :) Lucky for me, someone got them back up and running on a new site, which I stumbled on the other day. Yay!
This one from last week is my new favorite! So perfect for us -
This one from last week is my new favorite! So perfect for us -
right on track
Well, we've officially learned one good thing about having a teeny kitchen - it costs a LOT less! Case in point - our countertop, which we went to HOBO to order tonight. We decided a long time ago that we don't have the money (or need) for a fancy granite top, so we already knew we were going the "cheap" route. Originally, they estimated the cost around $400 for a laminate, which included a "professional" measurement and installation... not a bad price. But, we decided to wander around a bit tonight since there was a line for help in the kitchen & bath section, so we went to check out the precut stock countertops. Wouldn't you know it - they typically come in 96 inch sections, and thanks to our tiny tiny kitchen we only need 92 inches! We have no corners or curves needed, so who needs a professional measurement? The first one we saw had a brown and reddish marble look to it, which we figured would look great with our colors, complete with a backsplash... for $42. Yes, I typed that right - $42.
Needless to say, we bought the insanely cheap counter, and after watching some poor kid working at the store get a lesson in wrapping the thing in plastic wrap, we were on our way!
Doesn't it match well?!?
Here's a good closeup to show the color -
We solved the base cabinet issue earlier this week by returning what we had and buying a 9" base instead. The cabinet is small and meant for cookie sheets and things of that sort, which will be nice to have.
Dusty got everything set up for the dishwasher today, and we'll have the plumber come by to finish up the water line this week. Then Dan will cut the sink hole and install the counter, and with that... *drumroll*... we will have a finished kitchen!!! Just in time to make Christmas cookies with Manda - YUM!
We also took a trip out to Ikea tonight and came home with something I've been really excited about - track lighting for the kitchen! I'm hoping that by being able to direct the lights in different places we won't have the major glare on the wall that we have now, and spreading light from the 5 bulbs on the track will help brighten up the room.
We still need to buy a desk and finish up in the dining room but with the completion of the kitchen all of our major projects will be done! Our goal is to be fairly settled in time to relax a bit for the holidays, and then I'm sure we'll have plenty of little projects to keep us busy in the new year. :)
Needless to say, we bought the insanely cheap counter, and after watching some poor kid working at the store get a lesson in wrapping the thing in plastic wrap, we were on our way!
Doesn't it match well?!?
Here's a good closeup to show the color -
We solved the base cabinet issue earlier this week by returning what we had and buying a 9" base instead. The cabinet is small and meant for cookie sheets and things of that sort, which will be nice to have.
Dusty got everything set up for the dishwasher today, and we'll have the plumber come by to finish up the water line this week. Then Dan will cut the sink hole and install the counter, and with that... *drumroll*... we will have a finished kitchen!!! Just in time to make Christmas cookies with Manda - YUM!
We also took a trip out to Ikea tonight and came home with something I've been really excited about - track lighting for the kitchen! I'm hoping that by being able to direct the lights in different places we won't have the major glare on the wall that we have now, and spreading light from the 5 bulbs on the track will help brighten up the room.
We still need to buy a desk and finish up in the dining room but with the completion of the kitchen all of our major projects will be done! Our goal is to be fairly settled in time to relax a bit for the holidays, and then I'm sure we'll have plenty of little projects to keep us busy in the new year. :)
Monday, November 24, 2008
me and my mama
While the guys worked in the kitchen on Sunday, my mom and I went out shopping to find a shelf for next to the fireplace as well as one for by the stairs to hold mail and whatnot. I've found a few over the last few weeks that I liked, but I'm cheap and most of them were around $100 a piece... and I knew I could find something for less than that. I mean really, Caili doesn't call me the Queen of Deals for nothing! :)
Luckily, my mom is just as much of a bargain hunter as I am (I had to get it from somewhere!) We headed out to Menard's first, and found a gorgeous "mission-style" bookshelf in their ad on sale for $39.99. There was also a smaller one (perfect for by the stairs) for $29.99. YES! Unfortunately... they didn't even have the small one in stock, and the tall one only came in a light wood, while I was hoping for a cherry finish. We left with the ad and decided to check out staples, who carries the same shelves and will usually price match competitor ads. At Staples, we found what we were looking for right away... but also found out that they didn't want to price match for us since their prices were currently $79.99 and $59.99. Well, my mom and I don't back down on a deal and after talking to a manager walked out of the store with BOTH shelves for $76 total! I've said this a million times but I will say it again - i LOVE a good deal. And, I love the shelves even more just knowing that they I didn't break the bank buying them.
Here's the tall shelf in the (messy) living room. Also note the beautiful mantle that Dan finished staining a couple weeks ago!! (Sorry for the dark picture)
Another project my mom has been helping me on is recovering the dining room chairs with the fabric Manda and I picked out at Ikea. So far, even the guys that see the finished chairs are complimenting them, so I think the pattern worked as well as I was hoping!
I've really loved having my mom over to help me around the house. She has been a HUGE help with cleaning and getting things organized, and I definitely couldn't get the chairs done without her. We're both antsy to set up the dining room set and see it all put together... I think she'll be the first person I'll have over for dinner when it's finally all done. :)
One last picture... the bathroom all finished with the new vanity and medicine cabinet!
Luckily, my mom is just as much of a bargain hunter as I am (I had to get it from somewhere!) We headed out to Menard's first, and found a gorgeous "mission-style" bookshelf in their ad on sale for $39.99. There was also a smaller one (perfect for by the stairs) for $29.99. YES! Unfortunately... they didn't even have the small one in stock, and the tall one only came in a light wood, while I was hoping for a cherry finish. We left with the ad and decided to check out staples, who carries the same shelves and will usually price match competitor ads. At Staples, we found what we were looking for right away... but also found out that they didn't want to price match for us since their prices were currently $79.99 and $59.99. Well, my mom and I don't back down on a deal and after talking to a manager walked out of the store with BOTH shelves for $76 total! I've said this a million times but I will say it again - i LOVE a good deal. And, I love the shelves even more just knowing that they I didn't break the bank buying them.
Here's the tall shelf in the (messy) living room. Also note the beautiful mantle that Dan finished staining a couple weeks ago!! (Sorry for the dark picture)
Another project my mom has been helping me on is recovering the dining room chairs with the fabric Manda and I picked out at Ikea. So far, even the guys that see the finished chairs are complimenting them, so I think the pattern worked as well as I was hoping!
I've really loved having my mom over to help me around the house. She has been a HUGE help with cleaning and getting things organized, and I definitely couldn't get the chairs done without her. We're both antsy to set up the dining room set and see it all put together... I think she'll be the first person I'll have over for dinner when it's finally all done. :)
One last picture... the bathroom all finished with the new vanity and medicine cabinet!
inches away
WE HAVE A KITCHEN!!!!!! And, it is absolutely wonderful and beautiful and I couldn't be happier about it. Our progress below... with pictures! :)
Dan and I primed on Friday, and painted 3 coats over the course of Saturday. I'm really kind of tired of painting and glad there's not much of it left. The color is "Cinnamon Cherry" and looks kind of overwhelming in the pictures, but it's actually a really pretty muted dark red. It's only on the 2 cabinet walls and the wall around the window and door... the long wall that leads through the kitchen and hall will be a beige/tan kind of color that I had custom mixed, but I'm not tackling that one until Dez comes over to help me with it :)
On Sunday, my parents and Dan's parents all came over to help, which definitely helped things along! With the dads helping Dan in the kitchen, the wall cabinets went up pretty smoothly -
So, no big project can happen without any minor setbacks, right? We definitely had a few, which was to be expected with the teeny space we're working with. First off, we had to lose the windowsill to fit the stove all the way to the wall, which I'm actually happier about because now there isn't a gap next to the stove for crumbs to build up... and really, what's the use of a windowsill anyways?
Next, the one base cabinet that we were going to have won't work. Sigh. It's crazy how the entire kitchen layout literally depends on an inch here or 2 inches there. We went back to the store tonight and figured out the best way to fix it, and we may or may not end up with a base cabinet in the end, but we put all of our dishes away last night and so far it seems like we would be ok without it.
Either way, we put all of the appliances in place and with the exception of the base cabinet issue everything fits perfectly... and looks great!! Here's most of the kitchen, not showing the fridge (which goes on the left side in the picture)... doesn't it look pretty?!? -
We'll use this week to figure out the base cabinet situation and get the counter top ordered, but the major work is done and our appliances are able to be used! No more eating out every meal!! I never thought I'd be so excited to eat at home, but I really can't wait to stock the fridge and use the new stove.
I'll post more pictures when it's completely finished... and then I'll invite everyone over for a dinner party! ;)
Dan and I primed on Friday, and painted 3 coats over the course of Saturday. I'm really kind of tired of painting and glad there's not much of it left. The color is "Cinnamon Cherry" and looks kind of overwhelming in the pictures, but it's actually a really pretty muted dark red. It's only on the 2 cabinet walls and the wall around the window and door... the long wall that leads through the kitchen and hall will be a beige/tan kind of color that I had custom mixed, but I'm not tackling that one until Dez comes over to help me with it :)
On Sunday, my parents and Dan's parents all came over to help, which definitely helped things along! With the dads helping Dan in the kitchen, the wall cabinets went up pretty smoothly -
So, no big project can happen without any minor setbacks, right? We definitely had a few, which was to be expected with the teeny space we're working with. First off, we had to lose the windowsill to fit the stove all the way to the wall, which I'm actually happier about because now there isn't a gap next to the stove for crumbs to build up... and really, what's the use of a windowsill anyways?
Next, the one base cabinet that we were going to have won't work. Sigh. It's crazy how the entire kitchen layout literally depends on an inch here or 2 inches there. We went back to the store tonight and figured out the best way to fix it, and we may or may not end up with a base cabinet in the end, but we put all of our dishes away last night and so far it seems like we would be ok without it.
Either way, we put all of the appliances in place and with the exception of the base cabinet issue everything fits perfectly... and looks great!! Here's most of the kitchen, not showing the fridge (which goes on the left side in the picture)... doesn't it look pretty?!? -
We'll use this week to figure out the base cabinet situation and get the counter top ordered, but the major work is done and our appliances are able to be used! No more eating out every meal!! I never thought I'd be so excited to eat at home, but I really can't wait to stock the fridge and use the new stove.
I'll post more pictures when it's completely finished... and then I'll invite everyone over for a dinner party! ;)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
everything but the kitchen sink
Long time since my last post, and now I'm updating from the comfort of our all set up extra bedroom! We took the chaise from our old couch and brought it up here since it was always my favorite place to sit, and also added Dan's old dresser and the extra tv with the gamecube Brendan gave us. It's working out great and it's been nice having more than just our bedroom to hang out in since so much of the rest of the house is still being worked on.
So, lots of updating to do! Currently, the living room is pretty much ready to go, but we still have the couch under plastic since everything else on the 1st floor is dirty and dusty and all together a big mess. The mantle is refinished and looks AMAZING, and I love the paint color, which I had custom mixed at Lowe's.
Dan painting!
In the dining room, Dan finished patching the hole that was here when we bought the place... but then found some water damage and had to tear out and replace a whole other section of the wall. Sigh. Luckily, that is now also done and we just need to sand and add one more coat of compound before that room will be ready for paint.
The kitchen is still non-existent, but now coming along a bunch this week, which I'm excited about! Kevin helped Dan with the patching last night, so just like the dining room, that will be ready for paint in the next day or two. I picked up my paint last night and we have our cabinets here waiting to be installed (hopefully this weekend!)... so we are literally ready to go with everything but the kitchen sink, which we still need to pick out.
Here's the guys hanging out in the kitchen:
Most exciting for me... I started painting the bathroom last night, and it's my all time favorite color - TURQUOISE!!!! "Tropical Waters" to be exact - it's bright and fun and I absolutely love it. And, it will match the shower curtain I want from the post below PERFECTLY. Dez came over and we got the first coat up, and as we got more and more of the walls covered we got more and more excited about the color. Dan is a little overwhelmed with it, but has been wonderful about letting me take the lead on decorating this place and continues to say "Whatever makes you happy!" THAT statement alone makes me happy :) It's great that he's trusting me with the looks of our house even if I am pushing the limits a bit. I've had people tell me that they're afraid of color and would never paint rooms as un-neutrally as I am... but I figure it's just paint and if it ends up being a disaster it's an easy fix! This entire process of having a house is a whole new world for me, and I decided a long time ago to have as much fun with it as possible. Either way, the bathroom is shaping up to be a bright and cheery room, and I can't wait to see it finished. We picked up a new vanity tonight and already have a new medicine cabinet - we'll put all of that in after the painting is done.
Here's Dez painting... the color matches her shirt!
SO, this week is shaping up to be really productive and so far, a lot of fun. Hopefully I'll have lots more pictures coming in the next several days as we get further along in the kitchen and start to REALLY finally settle in. I'm looking forward to hanging things on the walls, decorating, and starting to have this place feel like a home and not just a house we're crashing in!
As a promise to my mom, who is my most avid follower... I'll be posting more often now that I have internet at home! :)
One more picture before I call it a night... Dan's new nephew!!!! I absolutely cannot wait to visit with him! Meet Michael the Baby, born November 12 to proud parents Mike and Kim.
(I picked a sleeping picture because I think it is absolutely PRECIOUS. He is adorable!)
So, lots of updating to do! Currently, the living room is pretty much ready to go, but we still have the couch under plastic since everything else on the 1st floor is dirty and dusty and all together a big mess. The mantle is refinished and looks AMAZING, and I love the paint color, which I had custom mixed at Lowe's.
Dan painting!
In the dining room, Dan finished patching the hole that was here when we bought the place... but then found some water damage and had to tear out and replace a whole other section of the wall. Sigh. Luckily, that is now also done and we just need to sand and add one more coat of compound before that room will be ready for paint.
The kitchen is still non-existent, but now coming along a bunch this week, which I'm excited about! Kevin helped Dan with the patching last night, so just like the dining room, that will be ready for paint in the next day or two. I picked up my paint last night and we have our cabinets here waiting to be installed (hopefully this weekend!)... so we are literally ready to go with everything but the kitchen sink, which we still need to pick out.
Here's the guys hanging out in the kitchen:
Most exciting for me... I started painting the bathroom last night, and it's my all time favorite color - TURQUOISE!!!! "Tropical Waters" to be exact - it's bright and fun and I absolutely love it. And, it will match the shower curtain I want from the post below PERFECTLY. Dez came over and we got the first coat up, and as we got more and more of the walls covered we got more and more excited about the color. Dan is a little overwhelmed with it, but has been wonderful about letting me take the lead on decorating this place and continues to say "Whatever makes you happy!" THAT statement alone makes me happy :) It's great that he's trusting me with the looks of our house even if I am pushing the limits a bit. I've had people tell me that they're afraid of color and would never paint rooms as un-neutrally as I am... but I figure it's just paint and if it ends up being a disaster it's an easy fix! This entire process of having a house is a whole new world for me, and I decided a long time ago to have as much fun with it as possible. Either way, the bathroom is shaping up to be a bright and cheery room, and I can't wait to see it finished. We picked up a new vanity tonight and already have a new medicine cabinet - we'll put all of that in after the painting is done.
Here's Dez painting... the color matches her shirt!
SO, this week is shaping up to be really productive and so far, a lot of fun. Hopefully I'll have lots more pictures coming in the next several days as we get further along in the kitchen and start to REALLY finally settle in. I'm looking forward to hanging things on the walls, decorating, and starting to have this place feel like a home and not just a house we're crashing in!
As a promise to my mom, who is my most avid follower... I'll be posting more often now that I have internet at home! :)
One more picture before I call it a night... Dan's new nephew!!!! I absolutely cannot wait to visit with him! Meet Michael the Baby, born November 12 to proud parents Mike and Kim.
(I picked a sleeping picture because I think it is absolutely PRECIOUS. He is adorable!)
Friday, November 7, 2008
dreaming
i haven't posted in awhile mostly because we haven't had time to set up our internet at home yet, and what's the fun of a post without pictures? oh, and i've actually been really busy at work and don't have a ton of time to blow off writing in my blog :). and speaking of work - i'm switching client teams! i'm really excited as i'll be working on a variety of clients that are more print-heavy in their work... right up my alley. and, it'll be new people, new projects - a nice change of pace.
we ARE finally getting internet next wednesday when comcast comes to do our install, and i can't wait to post a bunch of pictures then. i'll leave the update on everything until i have photos to support it :).
in the meantime, i've been drooling and dreaming over all kinds of fun stuff for the house that i plan to buy slowly as i make a little extra cash babysitting. it's, of course, all unnecessary, which i understand completely... but it all fits into that "vision" i have for the house, and then i just can't help it! and what better place than my blog to post things like that?!
today, it's all blues.
beautiful bedding... i wasn't sure anything that would match my colors so perfectly even existed!
interesting added elements... i think something like this would look really neat in the living room, in front of the fireplace or something
funky shower curtain...
actual pictures of our progress coming soon! :)
we ARE finally getting internet next wednesday when comcast comes to do our install, and i can't wait to post a bunch of pictures then. i'll leave the update on everything until i have photos to support it :).
in the meantime, i've been drooling and dreaming over all kinds of fun stuff for the house that i plan to buy slowly as i make a little extra cash babysitting. it's, of course, all unnecessary, which i understand completely... but it all fits into that "vision" i have for the house, and then i just can't help it! and what better place than my blog to post things like that?!
today, it's all blues.
beautiful bedding... i wasn't sure anything that would match my colors so perfectly even existed!
interesting added elements... i think something like this would look really neat in the living room, in front of the fireplace or something
funky shower curtain...
actual pictures of our progress coming soon! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
