the long awaited

If you’ve been a follower of my blog for any amount of time, you are well aware of the fact that I have been forever looking forward to the time when we could replace a few of our appliances and replace our laminate countertops.
I have been forever posting about my dream options and what I would do if/when I had the opportunity to make some changes.  If I mulled one option, I’ve mulled them all!
In case you are new to my blog or you’re grey matter is better occupied with items affecting your own life, allow me to mention a few details about our house.
Our house is slightly older than 130 years.  When we purchased it, the kitchen was a bright and cheery yellow with white cabinets and appliances.  It was lovely, but didn’t really suit my style.  Apparently, I am not “bright and cheery;” I am more dark and, (what?) depressing?  No, that’s not it (at least, I hope not).  Well, choose your own adjective, but be gentle, please.
First we painted (walls and cabinets), then we added ceiling tin for a backsplash, followed by a few other projects (details are here).  A new refrigerator happened.  A few years ago we added the new flooring. 
That was big.  We did it ourselves.  ‘nough said.
I have been struggling with the options available for our counter top choices.  The brief history:  I wanted marble (too expensive), same was true of the solid surface substitutes.  I loved the butcher block counter our friends, Glenn and Märtha had installed in their house, but they didn’t have a backsplash, which we needed due to the tin we had installed.
It took me far too long to come up with idea of using a piece of 1 x 6 and painting in black.  The idea hit me while flipping through an issue of This Old House magazine.  (I have spent two days looking for an image to show you, but I can’t find it.)  Once I had that all-to-obvious answer to my problem, the die was cast and we started planning. 
This spring, Darren let me know that he had set aside enough money so that we could purchase the remainder of our countertops and some appliances.
Okay—so, let’s cut to the chase.  The new stuff!
It started like this:
off came the counter tops and out with the dishwasher . . .

we have a large, cast iron sink—that will be back . . .

away with the white, only 3 working burners stove . . .

Then there was this:
Larry on the right and his son, Ryan, on the left—taking measurements for the sink . . .

Glenn doing his impression of supervisor.  He was actually a huge help throughout this process.

My contribution . . . painting the boards for the backsplash.

We had a bit of a scare when all of the counter tops were unwrapped and one piece was much lighter than the others.

They were purchased on three separate occasions—two pieces were purchased within a few weeks of each other, but the third piece was purchased by Glenn and Märtha several years ago.

As it turned out, two of the pieces had been pre-treated with the mineral oil recommended for the care of butcher block counters.  Once we added the mineral oil to the lighter piece it became quickly obvious it would take on the same patina as the others.
And, here they are!

I had started to put all of my stuff back in its place, then thought I better get a picture of them naked.

At risk of breaking my arm, patting myself on the back, I have to say they look as though they have always been here; exactly what I wanted.  I am happier than I thought I would be!

Then I returned everything to its place.  (I will be replacing that microwave soon.)

The new range and hood.  I am in love!

You can see the new, extremely quiet and large dishwasher in the left corner.

Here you see our wonderful sink back in place.  (I missed that dishcloth hanging in the cabinet—oh well, it is the most used room in the house and there is the evidence!)


Not able to leave “well-enough alone,” I have already considered a possible mini-project.  The cabinet doors under the sink are not hanging square anymore.  I am thinking of removing them and hanging some curtains instead.  What’s your opinion?  I think it will look period appropriate.  Would you remove the faux drawers and start the curtain there or would you just remove the doors?  I suppose if I just remove the doors, they could be replaced later, if desired.  I’d use something resembling vintage flax—the real thing is acceptable, too, but I need easy care as dirty hands will be accessing them.  I am interested in your thoughts.
Okay—this has been an extremely long and self-indulgent post.  I hope it helps someone with their remodeling project.  I just want you to know that it was a very inexpensive (as kitchen renovations go) update—less than 6K which included my appliances, counter tops, and the construction costs.  I had a very reliable, conscientious and competent team doing the work (Elite Renovations).  If you have any questions about my choices or how things are working-out, let me know . . . I’ve been there and now . . . I’ve done that!
More than ever, I thank you for your indulgence.

fall porch

No way!  Are you kidding me?!?  It’s already the weekend before the first weekend in November???

Well, that can mean only one thing . . . it’s time to pull-out the Christmas decorations at the shop.  argh!

Please don’t hold it against me.  We’ve got to play by some of the rules set-up by the big guys.  heck, if you gauge me by most of the “big boxers” you will find me lacking.  I’m sorry.  I am doing my best.

So, today it began and I am amazed at how much we were able to get done.

Around the house we are enjoying the warm glow of the fireplaces, but falling behind on the current holiday season, let alone the future ones. 

I finally got the front porch situated, sort of.  I hung a tobacco basket instead of my fall wreath.  I found several at the flea market a few months ago.  The really cool thing is that they were all marked with  Clarksville, TN.   I was already fascinated with the barns all over Tennessee.

I moved the wicker chairs we once used in the kitchen to the porch.  I tried wrapping the legs with sisal rope (the wicker wrapping has come undone); it probably would have worked if I started the process a little differently, but for now, they could stand a little more attention.

 

A few weeks ago, I participated in a wonderful barn sale hosted by Shirley and Knox Thomas.  When I went out to see the barn—prior to the event—I noticed stacks and stacks of tobacco sticks.  (These are the sticks the tobacco is hung from while curing in the smoking barns.)  Shortly after returning to my shop, I messaged Shirley to ask if I could buy a bundle of the sticks from them.  She happily obliged and even delivered them to me!  I’ve decided to display a bunch of them (7) in the rusty milk can on the porch.

 

Note the planter above.  This was an idea Patty found on Pinterest.  We used a vintage floor lamp and a wire hanging basket with a coco liner.  The Pinterest pic had the planter filled with succulents—it was lovely.  Mine is filled with ornamental cabbages and mums.

 

I need to find a better color for the wicker chairs.  I had painted them a greyish-taupe when they were destined for the kitchen.

 

 

Those tall flowers blocking the view of the porch were a mistake, but I cannot get rid of them.  I think if I took the time to cut them back before they develop those white blooms (which blow around like dandelion seed), I think we’d have far fewer, but . . .

 

The others, the peach colored asters at the front should be named Clarksville official flower.  There are actually more of them than the tall white-flowered things (can’t remember their names) in our yard—on Dog Hill—all over Clarksville, for that matter!  They are prolific.

My yard has more color in the fall than the spring.  Is yours like that?  I’d love to hear from you.  Thanks for sticking with me—especially while I’ve been a sporadic blogger.

Thanks for your indulgence,

A self check of resolutions

[This was my article for the Leaf Chronicle, published on Jan 7th.  I’ve had a few things going on, but I think I can catch-up.  (Yes—I realize I am ALWAYS saying that!)]

It’s 2012 and life is good. I’m still working on resolutions or, as I like to refer to them, “ideas that sounded good at the time.”

Every year I say, I’m not making any resolutions. Then I hear everyone ticking theirs’ off and I start feeling left out, then feel compelled to blurt-out something, which snowballs into a list of things that sound ridiculous and unachievable as I’m saying them. Then, for good measure, I go and post them on my blog! (Great idea—tell everyone how you plan to fail.)

This concept prompted me to go look at my blog post for the new year of 2011. Just to check myself. Last year, I sub-divided my list (or “goals” as I called them) into household, Hodgepodge and personal goals. Here’s how I measured up:

Household goal #1 was to finish my bedroom and I would say I’m satisfied, but there is some tweaking yet to be done.

(The mirrors and frame replaced the old doors that once served as our headboard—too much smoke damage to keep them after the fire.  New linen curtains replaced the burlap curtains I had made—burlap, by-the-by is apparently highly flammable!)

#2 was to finish claiming my creative space . . . umm , next!

#3 my goal of new appliances was admittedly lofty—I even said so in the original documentation. I have decided to let go of the marble countertops and have decided on butcher block counters, I’ve got about 10 LF already and need to acquire about 8 LF more, but that was progress. No progress on the appliance home front, unless you count the new four-slot toaster I got from the kids for Christmas. No new gas range (#6 on my list), but hope springs eternal with 2012.

(The butcher block already in my possession.)

(My kitchen as it looks now—notice how my white appliances blend seamlessly with my black cabinets . . .N O T!)

#4, Hurrah! Success! Hannah’s room is painted—she did it herself! (Cost a great deal in paint brushes and rollers, but worth it!) I even found new curtains that met with her approval and mine. (I think we get extra points for this one!)

(Hannah’s room—didn’t warn her I was taking this, so I decided not to include her unmade bed; her quilt was the inspiration for the colors.)

#5, I’ve bought the fabric for the new living room curtains AND I just found the number for a seamstress I think I’ll call (another one to migrate to the 2012 list).

Hodgepodge goal numero uno and only was to do what it takes to make my shop a success . . . a work in progress. This is a great opportunity, however, to thank my family—especially my husband—for their continued support of my dream. (Whenever I read something like that on someone else’s blog, I usually think, “Yeah, yeah—kiss up!” but I am very sincere.)

For my personal goals: 1.  see my goal for hodgepodge  ( I take it very personally.); 2.  to be the wife my husband deserves; 3.  to be the mom my kids deserve; 4.  to be the daughter my parents deserve; 5.  to be the sister my sisters deserve; 6.  to be the friend my friends deserve; 7.  to be the faithful servant my God deserves. (Not necessarily in that order.) Not really sure how to measure my success—you could check with my targets—but I’m sure they will all carry-over into 2012, too.

You’ll have to check my blog for list of ideas that sound good for 2012.

Thanks for your indulgence!

The Vintage Marketplace

Make plans to attend!

Our first day at The Vintage Marketplace  is complete, so I thought I’d give you some incentive to come see us—as if you need some encouragement.

Some pictures of our booth.  We’re here to represent Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, so we brought a cross-section of items we’ve transformed with this wonderful product.

And then, a few other vendors:

This is the Time Worn Interiors booth—it’s talented owner, Theresa Smith, seen in the picture below with her husband, Craig, who pieces together a lot of the industrial items you see, although I understand that Theresa is rather handy with the welding torch, too.

 

Lavender & Old Lace has beautiful linen recreations.  Donna Shannon uses old linens to  create beautiful clothing and home accessories.

Then you can wander over to visit with Jackie at Shambora Studios.  She has the most imaginative displays and the easiest disposition! You will enjoy visiting with her.

Then—oh my, oh my—Kim Boyd-Hughs of Bungalow has the most amazing vintage furnishings AND the fabulously feminine attire from Magnolia Pearl

Here’s Sue Whitney’s display—she gathered items from all of the participants.

And then, oh, then, you must peruse  the Recycled Recreations booth of Erika Cady.  Beautiful jewelry made from found objects.  I feel sure I won’t be able to leave without a piece.

But across from our booth, the entire event, we have been delighted with the ever changing display of Urban Farmhouse.  I have been following her blog for years.  What a delight to finally meet her!

I hope if you have some time today that you will visit us in Hendersonville, TN at The Vintage Marketplace.

Thanks for your indulgence!

One for the boys . . .

my article for the leaf chronicle on oct 16th

This is going to be a tough one to write. I had a request from a friend for a “man article.” I quickly rebutted that I thought he would look great in pink (if you read last week’s column—you’ll get that joke), but I don’t think he was satisfied.

So, all week, I’ve been thinking about a home décor column for men, but mainly for men who don’t care about decorating. Which I always find rather confounding—if most of you “don’t care,” why do most of the women in my shop say, “Oh, my husband won’t like that.”

Therefore, instead of decorating advice for men in general, I think I’ll give some advice to the “don’t care” men, because they’re usually married to women—like me—who do care.

1. How our houses look does matter; it matters to us. We matter to you, ergo . . .

photo source

2. If it really, truly doesn’t matter to you and you express that opinion more than once, you resign all rights of refusal when we bedeck our beds in floral prints and eyelet accessories. It’s one room in the house; we know you want peace, if nowhere else, in this room. Allow us this one.

photo from Taylor Linens

3. It’s just paint. We can paint over it (and you know we will) in the future (probably next month). If we want to experiment with some color—remember it can be changed.

4. Recliners are not the only comfortable chairs in the world. Let me introduce you to the concept of a nice big chair and an ottoman.

photo source

5. It is okay to have a piece of painted furniture. Yes—real wood is nice, but not everything in the house has to be the natural, exposed grain of real wood.

6. While we may balk at your choice of golfing attire—it is alright to mix patterns in a large room—even a small room, when done with skill. Don’t freak-out when we show you a plaid and a floral pattern on the same sofa; it works, that’s what the designers get paid for doing.

photo source

7. All art work does not have to portray a battle scene of significance in your life or any other. Save it for the man cave. That goes for the dogs playing poker, too—it’s funny, but not in the living room.

photo source

8. We will watch football with you—some of us even enjoy it—but your favorite team’s colors do not have to be the theme for our family room.

9. No. Blankets are not suitable dressing for our windows. We can easily alter sheets and make them into wonderful curtains which can be opened and closed—unlike your big fuzzy blanket with the face of the lion—the one you had in college . . . yeah . . . you.

10. If you could feign a little interest, you’d probably come to realize we’re doing it for your comfort, as well as our own—maybe even more so for you. We do want you to love to come home and we want you to be proud when friends and family come to visit.

Thanks to my exercise buddy at the Y for requesting this special article. I’m pretty sure this is not what he had in mind, but it sure was easier to write that I thought it would be in paragraph two!

As always, I’m running behind!  We’ve been transforming the shop for Christmas, so my blog has been neglected.  I’ll catch-up over the next few days and try a new approach.

Thanks for your indulgence!