The last of the shiny stuff and other random things

Or what I like to call the oopsie edition.

I am down to the last 3 totes of kitchen stuff, so... hooray for that! But I do have some perplexing things that I just can't explain. When unpacking my brand new dishes that I had purchased in July last year-which had been unpacked, wrapped in towels and stored in a rubbermaid tote--you know, to keep them safe--I noticed I didn't have any broken dishes. I had a missing dessert plate! How does that happen? I have no ideal. I have gone through all the remaining totes at this point and it is not to be found. I am also missing 1 area area rug, a box of my miscellaneous coffee mugs (or muglies as my kid would call them), and 2 of my cast iron skillets.  It isn't like I have a ginormous house or garage but this stuff is just...gone. Weird, huh?

So all the shiny stuff has been installed...all the cabinet hardware and the light fixture. Yay!!

There was a MAJOR oopsie when the hubbs was installing a cabinet knob. He began drilling in the wrong spot. I damn near had an apoplectic fit. The door had to be flipped upside down and hinges moved to the opposite side...Siiighhh.

Fortunately a little wood putty and some matching paint will take care of it. We still need to adjust the door a little bit, or I should say the hubbs needs to because I have absolutely NO patience for it.

Unlike my waistline, my kitchen remodel list is shrinking, yahoo! The majority on the list is either on hold due to budget or waiting for Spring weather. My window treatment had to be redone because I didn't like the fabric I had selected after all. No worries the fabric I purchased  can be repurposed for quilting. My DIY art project is coming along nicely. It is not difficult or time consuming but I have only had a few minutes intermittently to work on it.  It is mostly all about the pretty stuff and accessorizing. The good thing is I can shop my hoard stash chatchkes and bric-a-brac-- so no additional cost  is involved.

To see the original list  click here 

• REPAIR THE EXTERIOR WALL FROM INSTALLING A SMALLER WINDOW--IN PROGRESS On hold due to budget and weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Install sink (part of the counter top fabrication) DONE!!
• Plumbing! DONE!!
• Install garbage disposal DONE!!
• Paint and install the new entry door On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Purchase door hardware--DONE!!
• Install door hardware, including kick plate On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Add a peephole to the door since it is windowless On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Trim work (doors, the window, baseboards, crown molding and cabinet toe molding) On hold due to budget
• Purchase  additional tile for back splash--expanded project (aka scope creep), now need to tile sink aside and food prep/ cook side On hold due to budget
• Install tile back splash On hold due to budget
• Purchase shelves for open shelving storage between wall cabinet and pantry, as well as, above the sink. DONE!
• Install shelves DONE!
• Install the refrigerator DONE!
• Install the stove DONE!
• Purchase end panel for dishwasher installation--DONE!!
• Purchase and install a dishwasher--DONE!
• Purchase and install cabinet hardware----DONE!
• Purchase ceiling medallion--DONE!
• Install the ceiling medallion and chandelier--DONE!
• Decide on window treatment--DONE!!
• Order and SEW fabric for window valance/ curtains/ shade--IN PROGRESS
• Paint  mobile island/ cart and purchase/ DIY 1 or 2 kitchen stools Sadly there will be no island or bar stools due to space constraints
• DIY some wall art --IN PROGRESS
• Accessorize--IN PROGRESS
• Cook, bake and ENJOY the finished kitchen!

So...what is next??

The next project on the list is the dining room. I know I said we were gonna wait  but there will be (hopefully) minimal cost. The biggest cost will be leveling the floor and installing the vinyl flooring. I know it isn't a typical choice for a dining room but it is also the main entry to my house and there is a lot of traffic, so I want something easy to clean. I am going to repaint the entire room. I have a new light fixture which was FREE and it is GORGEOUS!  There is a repurposed furniture project planned for the dining room, I may try to make slipcovers for my 2 parson's chairs and I need to reupholster the 2 arm chairs. Oh and paint the table base. And organize the storage closet in the dining room. HAHA--so lots of things to keep me busy.

What is on your to-do list?

My Cozy Kitchen

When I last posted, we had installed the stove. I have the functional part of the kitchen finished. Now it is time for the finish details and make it pretty!

 I have a corner that is looking pretty darn good. My beautiful Chicago Cutlery knives/ block and bamboo cutting board are not only functional but they look nice too! I have  a command hook mounted on the side of the cabinet (above the knife block) to hang this cutting board when not in use, since it is rather large. I used the 5 lb heavy duty hook and it holding just fine. 

We still need to touch up the wall-meets-ceiling paint, add the painted trim around the window and finish installing the cabinet hardware. But this little corner? I LOVE it!

The shelves turned out better than I had envisioned. Of course, I am certain I will probably rearrange stuff a few (dozen) or more times, until I find just the right look.  Ha   

I had just enough space above the cabinets to display a few favorite things...It is interesting to see a vintage (large jar) Ball blue jar next to the reproduction (small jar); My thrift store find wooden dough tray; The rusty metal basket with vintage and reproduction milk bottles, as well as,  the stoneware crock.

The wooden recipe box was the hubb's woodshop project when he was in 6th grade. The birdcage "recipe" holder is actually a repurposed memo/ picture holder. I think I may give this a light rub of teal or vintage green paint for added interest. And I am super excited to have my glass jars out for storage. Functional and pretty!

The one new accessory is the cookbook holder. I bought it at Tractor Supply almost 2 years ago. It is a chicken wire mesh and with a wooden rolling pin on the front.

I even managed to tuck in my bakers rack next to the pantry cabinet. Then hung some artwork on the side of the pantry. No more big, blank expanse of white. I ended up swapping the artwork out for the Coffee and Tea canvas prints. I am telling y'all, command hooks are the best invention ever!


This weekend the hardware goes in, the paint gets touched up and fingers crossed the center light fixture will be installed.

Oh Yeah, I almost forgot to mention but I am working on my DIY art project and it is sooo cute! It involves scrapbook paper and modge-podge. Here is a sneak peek of the patterns/ colors.


What are you working on?

To see the original list  click here 

• REPAIR THE EXTERIOR WALL FROM INSTALLING A SMALLER WINDOW--IN PROGRESS On hold due to budget and weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Install sink (part of the counter top fabrication) DONE!!
• Plumbing! DONE!!
• Install garbage disposal DONE!!
• Paint and install the new entry door On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Purchase door hardware--DONE!!
• Install door hardware, including kick plate On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Add a peephole to the door since it is windowless On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Trim work (doors, the window, baseboards, crown molding and cabinet toe molding)
• Purchase  additional tile for back splash--expanded project (aka scope creep), now need to tile sink aside and food prep/ cook side On hold due to budget
• Purchase shelves for open shelving storage between wall cabinet and pantry, as well as, above the sink. DONE!
• Install tile back splash On hold 
• Install shelves DONE!
• Install the refrigerator DONE!
• Install the stove DONE!
• Purchase end panel for dishwasher installation--DONE!!
• Purchase and install a dishwasher--DONE!
• Purchase and install cabinet hardware--IN PROGRESS
• Purchase ceiling medallion--DONE!
• Install the ceiling medallion and chandelier
• Decide on window treatment--DONE!!
• Order and SEW fabric for window valance/ curtains/ shade--IN PROGRESS
• Paint  mobile island/ cart and purchase/ DIY 1 or 2 kitchen stools Sadly there will be no island or bar stools due to space constraints
• DIY some wall art --IN PROGRESS
• Accessorize--IN PROGRESS
• Cook, bake and ENJOY the finished kitchen!

Now you're cooking!

Well actually, I am cooking with electric, not gas. That is ok because NO MORE single burner hotplate!

When I posted the last update on the kitchen remodel- I was waiting on the hubbs to install the stove.  I wasn't home when the hubbs drilled through my floor and ran the line for the stove. My daughter harassed me into going shopping. I am pretty sure this was a diversionary tactic to control my neurotic impulses regarding this project. Either that or the hubbs bribed the kid to keep me away from making him crazy, haha!

There is hole in my new vinyl flooring...sniffle

The hubbs scrubbed the stove inside and out for me prior to moving it back in the house. Hello, my old friend how I have missed you...

Would it be weird if I hugged my stove?

My stove is  oooollldddd!  It was used when it became "new to us" 5 years ago. Based on the serial number/ id plate it was manufactured in 1998.  We know we need to update it sooner vs. later because the storage drawer is rusting out, the enamel is chipped in a few spots  and definitely shows it's age. Fortunately I have the hubbs to replace oven elements, terminal blocks, and stovetop burners to keep it going.

As you can see there is a black and white appliance mish mash. While I am not overly fond of it, the overall effect isn't horrible.

When the microwave needs to be replaced it will be changed to white. Also when we upgrade the stove, fridge and dishwasher those will be white as well. I know, I know--I am probably one of only a  handful of people that doesn't like stainless steel appliances. But I do like-no-LOVE the Whirlpool Ice Collection, which is white with stainless steel accents/ handles. Seeexxxyyy!

This is what I hope to upgrade to by the end of 2015.

Whirlpool White Ice Collection

Still moving forward and checking items off the list. How about you? Do you have any lists you are slowly checking items off?

To see the original list  click here 

• REPAIR THE EXTERIOR WALL FROM INSTALLING A SMALLER WINDOW--IN PROGRESS On hold due to budget and weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Install sink (part of the counter top fabrication) DONE!!
• Plumbing! DONE!!
• Install garbage disposal DONE!!
• Paint and install the new entry door On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Purchase door hardware--DONE!!
• Install door hardware, including kick plate On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Add a peephole to the door since it is windowless On hold due to weather. This is now moved to Spring.
• Trim work (doors, the window, baseboards, crown molding and cabinet toe molding)
• Purchase  additional tile for back splash--expanded project (aka scope creep), now need to tile sink aside and food prep/ cook side On hold due to budget
• Purchase shelves for open shelving storage between wall cabinet and pantry, as well as, above the sink. DONE!
• Install tile back splash On hold 
• Install shelves
• Install the refrigerator DONE!
• Install the stove DONE!
• Purchase end panel for dishwasher installation--DONE!!
• Purchase and install a dishwasher--DONE!
• Purchase and install cabinet hardware--IN PROGRESS
• Purchase ceiling medallion--DONE!
• Install the ceiling medallion and chandelier
• Decide on window treatment--DONE!!
• Order and SEW fabric for window valance/ curtains/ shade--IN PROGRESS
• Paint  mobile island/ cart and purchase/ DIY 1 or 2 kitchen stools Sadly there will be no island or bar stools due to space constraints
• DIY some wall art
• Accessorize
• Cook, bake and ENJOY the finished kitchen!