We’re Expecting

I’ve been a huge slacker lately about updating the blog with our recent progress…but I have a good excuse…

Once I can get some time to myself to get everything back in order I’ll update you on our Living Room, Sun Porch, and Kitchen progress.

Eat-In Kitchen Floor

I’m super excited about the potential of the eat-in kitchen since discovering that under the old floors (laminate wood, padding, linoleum, plywood, linoleum layer #2, and more plywood) there was real wood floors!

The final eat-in area will include built-in bench seating with table and a rebuilt wall with full-lite door (maybe another sliding glass door? or simple pocket door?) into sun porch.

I won’t know for sure exactly what to do with the floor until after I get it patched up and sanded, but here are some ideas:

1. Painted design over raw wood in similar color scheme. Source
2. Fully painted floor with design in reverse color scheme (yellow on white). Source
3. Stain on stain checkerboard in more subtle stain shades. Source
4. White washed fully painted floor with hand painted simple design in similar color scheme. Source
5. White painted design with full stain finish – This is my ideal direction, but if the floor looks too choppy after being patched up I’ll have to go another route. Source
6. Simple white and grey (or similar color to final cabinet choice) checkerboard full painted floor. Source

So, I’ve got lots of options and I won’t actually make any progress on it for at least a few months (everything else needs to be finished/framed/drywalled before I can start on the floors). But I like to plan and play with ideas. =)

Sun Porch Progress

We removed the windows and doors that opened into the sun porch. The living room / sun porch area will now be connected with a sliding glass door. The eat-in kitchen / sun porch area will have a new wall built with a single door entry. This will allow full access all around and still keep an open and light filled feel.

When removing the old flooring in the eat-in kitchen area we discovered hardwood flooring! This was the highlight of my day. =) It’s in kindof rough shape, so we probably won’t be able to just sand and stain like the rest of the house. I think I’m going to just repair and paint it (more details to come), which should bring a nice cozy / rustic feel to the area.

Main House Remodel: Framing

The kitchen is gutted. Drywall has been removed. Floors ripped out. Doorways moved and opened up. New kitchen framework started.

It’s amazing what a huge difference just a few days makes!

Kitchen Demo

Even though I haven’t been keeping up on posts, we have been making a lot of progress around the house.

We’ve started our kitchen / living room / sunporch remodel project. Here’s the demo stages!

And Then There Was Art!

I finally hung something on our bare white walls! The artwork is made even more special as it was created by my family.

1. Set of 4 (custom ordered) Chair pieces by my mother. Check out more of her items on her Etsy Shop: FiberArchitecture
2. Cupcake painting by my little sister as a reproduction study from a piece by Wayne Thiebaud. Check out more of her handmade items in her Etsy Shop:MMPKreations

Now I just need to find some time to put up all the other artwork I have planned!

Our First Christmas At The House

Happy Belated Holidays!

We’ve slowly been getting back into the swing of home repairs…and I’ve definitely been slacking on my updates. But, I first wanted to recap some of the highlights of our first Christmas spent in the house!

1. Our Christmas tree and presents! As an advocate of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, I’m not a big fan of buying a ‘real’ tree. Instead I picked up a Nordic Pine indoor plant which we’ll be able to use for years to come!
2. The newest addition to our household! Meet Ginger AKA “Slinky.” A very sweet little girl that Neil’s brother found abandoned out in the snow.
3. Winter wreath. My handmade book page rosette wreath (that I started 2 years ago and finally found the time to finish) finished with a red ribbon saved from last year’s presents.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and look for more updates, demos, renovations, and news soon!

Just For Fun

View from the backyard after a rain storm.

Autumn Decor

A peek at our Autumn decorated front porch. I just love Autumn! The smells, colors, decor, sweaters, it’s by far my favorite season.

DIY Autumn Wreath:

1. Wreath frame was created using grape vines found in the yard.
2. Faux flowers, leaf garland, and burlap ribbon purchased from Michaels.
3. I assembled everything as I liked it and secured items down with wire, so at the end of the season I can remove everything and reuse the wreath frame again…or reorganize this design again next year.

Now it’s time to add some pumpkins and gourds!

Guest Spot: DIY Chalkboard Backsplash

I certainly get my crafty, creative nature from my mother. Check out what she did for her kitchen backsplash!

Step 1 of her kitchen makeover: A perfect idea for people who can’t decide on one design. Creating a chalkboard backsplash allows you to change your kitchen whenever the moment strikes you.

Here is an example of classic black, but chalkboard paint now comes in a variety of colors, plus the many color options of chalk, the combinations are endless. Stencil or hand draw on designs and you’re good to go.