I will be using subway tile in the kitchen. It's classic and never goes out of style, and I've always loved it. I thought that I would have it laid out like bricks, but then I saw it laid out a little differently on a couple of blogs...  I just had to play around with it in Illustrator, thoughts? layout of the east wall in kitchen ...

My friend, Sharon, told me she had a lot of sleepless nights when she was renovating her WHOLE house. Well I had my first sleepless night last night. I kept wondering did I buy the right thing at IKEA yesterday, was I supposed to buy the PERFEKT accessorie? Is it the right size and finish. Should I go out there again and get another one to go on the end of the peninsula... should I buy it in stainless steel? Will my buddies at IKEA now know me as the crazy lady with the blog, instead of the nice customer that thanks them for all their help......

So today, I'm told I need to take yet another trip out to IKEA for filler for in between the cabinets. No worries, the kids are busy so I head out to IKEA, note third time in a week, and go talk to my buddies in the kitchen section, they know me by now. While I was there I showed them my blog and they loved it! (note to Casey, I even mentioned Loop, they were totally impressed). I pick up my stuff and head back to the old homestead to find more crown molding up.  crown molding The window above the sink is in. A window that opens, imagine that! window above sink Below are a few photos of what the layout will look like. The space is amazing, can't wait for the first dinner party! view from dining room, disregard cabinet in foreground that is going on the wall standing by back door looking into kitchen and dining room standing in dining room looking to the left slightly The transom window also went in, what a nice surprise to find that ...

Anyone who has ever been to our house, notices the art. It's hard not to, and there's a lot more of it in storage. The problem that I'm starting to think about is I've lost a wall, totally had both sides of it covered with art and I've been told by Paul (photo to come) that he doesn't want me putting nails into the beautiful walls that have been re-plastered..... I don't think that's going to happen. Case in point the old kitchen I had my collection of state plates on the wall, I've been collecting them since high school, picking them up at thrift stores and estate sales in NOLA, Philly, BKLYN and Chicago. I've never spent more that $5 and most of them cost less than a dollar. I actually have post-it notes on the back of some them, where I bought them, what year and how much.  I've also had friends pick them up for me. I have every state and duplicates for some states.  Where in the world am I going to put them? 1/4 of the state pla...

Today was cabinet making day. The cabinets are from IKEA, yes some of you may cringe (pooh pooh on you), but for the look of cabinet I was going for, IKEA had the best price and it was a considerable amount less than some others I had priced out.  Besides we are doing this kitchen on a tight budget, I've got a kid going to college in a couple of years and she does not want to stay in the Midwest! The problem that came up today was the space above the fridge, see below. The cabinet that I forgot that I had bought, is 24" tall, and the one I bought last weekend is 15" tall. One to tall and one too short. The only other size that IKEA sells is 17.75". So do I keep the 15" tall and have the guys put in a filler? Or should I get the 17.75" and put in less of a filler? The width of either cabinet is perfect, it will look built in, as will the fridge. I have to go back to IKEA anyway tomorrow, b/c the gave me the wrong doors, ugh!  wall cabinet ...

Yesterday, the crew finished sanding the floors and put on the first coat of stain. Boy was that sander loud, thought the whole house was going to fall down. Unfortunately after loud, we had stinky, forgot how strong wood stain is to the old nose. Good thing is was nice out yesterday, left the windows open all day. 1st coat of stain in kitchen Today is beginning of the third week of renovation and things are going extremely well. It's hard to believe that demo started just two weeks ago.  All the drywall is up and the crew is finishing up the walls in the dining room, kitchen and studio/bedroom today. Only thing is, well...let's just say it's just a wee bit dusty in the house... Ruby and I rehung the plastic tarp in one of the doorways over the weekend, we sounded like sailors b/c the tape wouldn't stick to the plastic or the walls b/c of the dust, but we got it up. Chris from Loop Construction getting into his work! To get away from loud,...

Yesterday was exhausting. I ran back out to Global  http://www.globalmarbleil.com/  yesterday to  visit my new friend Monica, she is so patient with me, to look at granite AGAIN.  And I'm glad to say, I can check another item off the list! I've chosen White Fantasy . A lot of people were in on this decision making process, and I apologize for late night texts and showing up at your house unexpected, while you are having a get together, with my samples in hand. (Sharon, Alex and Paul) White Fantasy The peninsula/island will have Afromosia as the countertop. This a very durable wood and is similar to teak. I was lucky enough that my architect, Debra McQueen, who I met thru Alex and Sharon a few years ago, had a supplier with a piece from a previous job, that they wanted to get rid of, because of this I was able to get it for a good price, this stuff is $$$$. White Fantasy with Afromosia wood  The exhaust for the fan was put in yesterday. We had previously though...

Remember the electric box from Good bye #7 , well take a look at this big dog! It's twice the size of our old box. Nothing like updating the old electric. Maybe this time I will put labels on each breaker instead of drawing it out on a sheet of paper and then loosing the piece of paper... new electric box Take a look at the box outside! I can't wait to run a couple electronics at the same time, oh it's just the little things in life isn't it... Insulation was sprayed into the framing in the kitchen. kitchen east and south wall kitchen east wall   east wall and pantry pantry wall I'm loving this pantry. I had the electrician put an outlet inside the pantry, so that I can put a microwave in there, since we only use our microwave for heating up milk for coffee and of course Augie's burritos.  Tomorrow, I will be making a decision about the granite countertop, picking up my tile I ordered on Monday and ordering my kitchen...

Found a beautiful kitchen faucet at Algor — Kalia Elito Kalia Faucet I love the simplicity of this faucet, the slightly curved stem, I think it would be a good fit....

old electric breaker box Have you ever seen something so scary? We have had a lot of good times me and this box. I remember when I wanted to label all the breakers. We turned all the lights on in the house and the kids yelled down to me to let me know when I flipped the switch if the light went out.... good times. Of course most of the electric for the 1st and 2nd floor were on one breaker! #7, it was a powerful breaker that #7. You started to learn to live with not having the microwave and electrical kettle on at the same time. And for heaven's sake don't put a window unit in the living room! Are you crazy that's on #7. A fond farewell to you #7. Well hopefully it's gone today and a brand new shiny box will replace it. I hope to be able to keep it. I've got several art installations being planned in my old noggin with things I find on the job site. ...

I was told today by Stan, the electrician, that I may not have electricity tomorrow. I knew it was coming and I'd have to deal with it eventually, but I'm so not prepared. Hopefully we will have lights by the end of the day, so we won't have to do homework and eat by candlelight. All of the electric boxes seem to be in for the can, pendant and lighting above the dining room table. I won't know what to do with so much light! In the old kitchen we had a ceiling fan in the kitchen, which gave off hardly any light and one light by the sink that just stopped working one day. lighting for kitchen and dining room The crew skim coated the wall in the studio, it was bulging in a couple of areas, and it looks fantastic. I guess the question, I keep asking myself is, does the studio stay a studio or become a extra bedroom for guests. new studio wall door leading out to dining room I was a tiny bit worried that closing that back window, which got the morning ligh...