The Kitchen Decision

After weighing the options between white kitchen cabinets or applying General Finishes gel stain and darkening my kitchen cabinets I decided the decision actually had already been made. Here I debated back and forth in my mind and knew that both would look beautiful. But the problem would have remained if I went with gel staining--my lack of light would be that much greater!

The next decision was how to go with the project of painting the cabinets. I thought about chalk paint. Some have done it with great success. But....I was afraid. Scared. Terrified. I was thinking I would ruin the cabinets and we would be in a complete mess!

It came down to hiring the project out. $$$. I am thrifty. I don't enjoy paying for a project if I think I can do it myself. But, my mother passed away in August. I was/am responsible for her estate. This meant I needed to go through all her possessions and pack, donate, store her things. I really didn't think I could take on the job of painting my own cabinets. (Good excuse--maybe)!

I found a contractor and he gave me a very reasonable estimate. Next, I had to pick out the color of white. Whew! There are so many colors/shades. I knew I didn't want a stark white-white. I wanted a warmer one. My contractor suggested SW Westhighland White. It proved to be the one I went with.

The original cabinets (version 2001) had gold handles and hinges. I wanted to pick up the colors in the granite so made the decision to use oil-rubbed bronze pulls, handles, and hinges. I ordered those on-line since neither Lowes or Home Depot carried the ones I wanted.

The doors were taken to the contractor's studio for prep. He would arrive daily to work on the cabinet boxes and island.  Yesterday he re-hung the doors and gave me my white kitchen.

 I do like the way the hinges, handles, and pulls really seems to be the jewelry!

I haven't had a chance to work on decorating and accessorizing. With Christmas in the works, I just placed a few things back and will play around with the decor after the first of the year.

The Ikea rod and World Market picture was a recent buy.

All in all, it has been a huge transformation! I have no regrets. I am trying to be very, very careful in order to let the paint cure. My contractor says it really takes about 2-4 weeks to harden. Now I am training Mr. Spouse in how to open and close the cabinetry using the handles and pulls. (We will see--stay tuned).

Decisions, Decisions, Basically Indecision!

Sometimes the best thought out plans actually become nightmares! After living in the same house for 30 years it is inevitable that changes will be made. Mine have come in small steps, at different times and years, and with different expectations.

Fifteen years ago we updated out kitchen cabinets from a cheap builder grade to custom cabinets. At the time--you may have already anticipated this--but we chose oak. It was in style. It WAS beautiful. They are really nice, solid wood cabinets. There is no cheap particle board anywhere! But, now I have grown tired of the oak. Probably a part of the unhappiness is the negativity of having oak as a cabinet color. Pinterest is full of cabinet makeovers from that oak to painted cabinets. My favorite bloggers have recently proceeded in this very change.

This is my current kitchen before the change of the floor. Not a great picture--not even a good picture. But you can see the solid, custom cabinets with tile flooring and granite countertops.

The hardwood floors were extended from the open concept dining room and living room. Actually the only areas on this floor of the house that aren't the hardwood are the bathrooms. I love the hardwood in the kitchen. It is so much easier on my feet and it expanded the spaces.

So, I am stuck in INDECISION. I go back and forth--with lots of self-doubt. I love this kitchen. The granite appears to be similar to mine. The cabinets are a rich color and look awesome! The difference is the flooring is light.

And the other choice--WHITE. It looks so, so pretty with the darker flooring. I think if I decide to be this way I will need a warm white. Babbling Abby's kitchen:

Instagram photos have given me more ideas to stress about this decision of indecision:

When I saw this picture I thought it was mine! It is so similar. This island has been darkened but the other cabinets are about the same shade as the floor.

Same hardwood but white cabinets/gray island.

And a before:

To after:

Cara (Pearls, Handcuffs & Happy Hour) had her cabinets painted--love this!

All dark--but lighter floors. Same granite as mine!

 A great before/after--with the addition of subway tile to set if off nicely!

Dark with dark floors--wondering how much natural light the kitchen has.

So, my stress level increases the more I look on Pinterest, Instagram, blogs!

What can I do to make a decision and move forward?

Coffee Day

Now I know there are lots of special days but it is only appropriate that coffee has its' own day too! 

What does it mean to me? I think I recognize coffee as a calming effect.
Got to have that "cup of joe" several times a day.

Thanks to Melonheadz graphics for this freebie!

Not so much that it has to be Starbucks--just the home brewed is fine with me.  Regular brew during the day and decaf after dinner. We drink a lot 

at our house! (coffee that is).

Babbling Abby posted this a while back and I'm not sure of the source--but it is my feeling exactly. Got to have that coffee. I certainly don't want to be known as a quitter!

The hunt for Rae Dunn clay products has kept me busy lately. The places where they are sold locally is at Marshalls and TJMaxx.  I live in a tri-city area which means a few drives around searching for another find.  If you are on Instagram you probably know that there are a LOT of others that are also searching. So--if one is found, consider yourself lucky. 

I added the canisters within the last week. Yesterday I actually saw several of the TEA canisters. I have NEVER found the coffee so I decided spent the added $$$ to buy via EBAY. (gulp) SHHHHH

I am sure I will find some others as I continue to drive, drive, drive around...

My first purchase was the creamer.

I think I will also add a Cookie one. I've seen this at several locations.

When I was in Florida last week there were many mugs and trays for Halloween and Thanksgiving. I didn't get any! Not one! Now the regret has sunk in.

Happy Coffee Day!

Holding On...

to Summer. I really don't want to say so long to summer, warm weather, green grass, flowers blooming, birds singing...

We took an unexpected trip to Ft. Myers, Florida. My MIL lives there and was recently hospitalized. Mr. Spouse and I did get a quick drive to the beach for lunch pier side. A little beach music playing and warm ocean breezes offered a chance to reflect on the changes--not in the season but of the years passed. We have traveled many times to Florida with little kids in the back of the van. Now we travel with out schnauzer (he is actually a lot quieter than the kids were!). Now the trips are to take care of problems acquainted with aging parents.

Yes, we have aged too! How can that be?

We were given a chance to view a lily pond while stopped on I-75 due to a traffic accident. Cool view!

I will miss my flowers. The butterfly bush has attracted butterflies daily. I guess the Monarchs will be making their travel south if they haven't already done so. It was cool and rainy this morning (55). Walking the dog will require a jacket soon.

I am attempting to dry some of the colorful hydrangeas. So far...so good. I just clipped them off and placed them in the pitcher with no water. They seem to be drying just fine. For some reason my one hydrangea that puts out blooms is full of buds right now. I hope they can have the opportunity to give me several more blooms to dry.

To autumn...you're coming! My idea of not decorating for Fall will surely keep it from arriving doesn't seem to be working.

A Little Office Update

Our home office really needed an update. It contained furniture that had been painted black, mixed in with some other old pieces. The home office is actually one of our bedrooms--the smallest one on the upper floor.

You can read all about the previous state of the "hot MESS" here!

The Before: My home office has been disguised as a big hot mess! But this summer I have been in a decluttering state of mind. The office was so bad that I usually did all my work either in the recliner or at the dining room table.  I attempted to paint the tall bookcase with Kilz primer but it ended up with a snakeskin effect. (Not what I was looking for at all!) I decided to order a tall white bookcase and a longer bookcase from Target. With the RedCard there is free shipping. This was my inspiration for a desk.

I decided to recycle my old desk instead and painted it with a white enamel. 

The tall bookcase is from Target.

As is the long bookcase (not styled yet).

Mr. Spouse loves flying so I added some prints of airplanes around the room.

I needed space for file folders in an attempt to become a bit more organized!

I ordered two of these from Ikea. I was even successful at assembling these (however I wish they would use some words with the picture directions).

I also found a little metal storage for pencils and a larger area for my Ipad.

This might or might not be the "other side of the room". All set for flying in case you were wondering! I understand there also is an issue with cord arrangement!

All in all, I am much happier with the updates. I have to admit that using the white furniture has made a small room appear larger.