Kitchen Details: You Vote!

Hi there, friends.

It's Thursday and for some of you that means a long weekend ahead!

woohoo!

I think we have chosen a fire clay sink to grace our kitchen.

That was stressful.  Those bad boys are pri-cey.

I've made some sacrifices in my dream kitchen. 

The apron sink was one finish my husband and I weren't willing to let go of.

I'll let you know when it's ordered.

now I need your help.

It's the little details that often make a room special.

The hardware and fixtures are the jewels of the room.

the cherry on top.

I've got my eye on a few bridge kitchen faucets.

Again, if i could splurge for a perrin and rowe faucet, I absolutely would.

I haven't ruled it out entirely (ha!) but I found a few economical versions

that I believe would serve the purpose and look lovely.

I'd love your opinion and preference!

I found this giagni chrome faucet for $149 on overstock.

This is the glacier bay lyndhurst and could be found at home depot for $104.

Very nice price.

I know which way I'm leaning, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Now, the backsplash.

Beadboard vs. subway tile.

My husband and the carpenter are swaying me from beadboard.

Why?  I think it would work fabulously with our butcher block counters.

Here are some photos of subway tile.  Another classic look I fall for

time and time again.

That faucet...gah!  Drooling over here.

You really can't go wrong...right?

I'm all ears, ladies and gents!

I'm still planning on using a skirt under the sink.

And I'm back to chrome hardware on my drawers.

That will be tough pickings as well.

One thing at a time...!

hope to hear from you.

*photos courtesy of overstock, home depot, bhg.com, nest egg, sarah richardson, the inspired room, house of fifity, a lifes design, unknown, for the love of a house

Farming For a Deal!

Yesterday can be described by the image below.

Last week my stepfather and my husband removed the notorious built-in fridge.

There she is...remember her?

Needless to say, that wasn't an easy task.

In fact, it was quite scary? Comical?

Yesterday we had our carpenter stop by to take a look at the space

that now surrounds our new refrigerator.

If you can remember from previous posts, we decided to purchase a

traditional counter-depth model rather than the built-in look that was muchas $$$.

Our chat started out great.

I asked if he could build a dish rack above our refrigerator.

This wasn't a problem at all!

Here is our inspiration.

I wanted to keep the kitchen airy since we don't have much open shelving.

Over the weekend we took a trip to IKEA and purchased

numerar butcher block countertops.

Rob and I decided that we would stain and install wood

on the perimeter countertops.

The butcher block gets delivered today! Wahoo! 

We plan on installing honed stone on the center island.

The carpenter took a look at the wall-mounted apron sink

that I found awhile back for a steal.

Seeing as we will need to choose our sink before cutting the counters,

this was an important step.

The sink won't work.  How can that be?

I knew that our window was going to be an issue but for some reason

I've been living in fantasy land.

The issue at hand?  The sink would be too low

and I'd be breaking my back trying to wash the dishes.

He even joked that my child would be able to wash the dishes in a year or so.

boo.

I hope I can use the sink somewhere else in the house.  We'll see.

I can't seem to part with it and sell it.

Now I'm on the hunt for a farmhouse sink...and I need one fast.

Thus, farming for a deal.

I'm aware that IKEA sells an apron sink, but it's not the look that I'm going for.

Obviously, I'd like to order a Rohl.  But that's not happening.

anyone have any suggestions on places I should look?

I'm really looking forward to seeing some progress in the kitchen.

I've talked the talk but haven't walked the walk....until now!

My day got worse when I couldn't locate a cherry Jenny Lind crib.

Sold out everywhere.  Really?

Guh.

Argh.

Meh.

Ugh.

Gah.

I'm still on the hunt for that, as well.

Rob convinced me to keep the chalkboard wall in the once office,

now nursery.

Here is a sneak peek of the wall.

Rob and I spent some time putting our favorite bedtime prayer on our babe's wall.

More to come.

A lot ahead!

*photos courtesy of crush de cul de sac, patina white blog

Sit Down and Stay Awhile

Two more work days and I'll be off for a two week spring break.

amen.

I'm looking forward to relaxing and spending some time focusing on the house.

Inside and out.

This 80 degree weather (in March!) has me feeling the urge

 to revamp the flower beds and take on some serious

spring cleaning on the interior.

The other day Rob and I took a stroll and ended up at Restoration Hardware.

A very rare occurrence, since my baby carrying days have me acting

 more like a home body than the full-fledged

shopper/window shopper that I once was.

We stumbled upon a gorgeous adjustable linen chair on casters

 with hand turned legs.

holy canoli.

It's being advertised as a office or library chair.

However, we are using them in the family room on opposite sides of our sideboard.

They are much larger then they appear online.  I'm a happy camper.

While the nursery is our priority, Rob and I would like to get the family room

and kitchen (ugh... the ongoing kitchen) in order before the little one arrives.

The next items on our list are the crib and the rug for the nursery.

We're leaning towards the DaVinci Jenny Lind crib in cherry.

The spindles are amazing. Love.

I'm on the hunt for a oval shaped jute rug.

Something with vintagey goodness.

Here is some nursery eye-candy for those who enjoy rooms for little people.

The wallpaper, the mostly white back drop, and the peaks of the ceiling

create such a sweet resting ground.

I need to find that bunny.

I can't wait to get to work.  I'll start snapping pictures over the next few days!

Stay tuned!

*photos courtesy of restoration hardware, kaboodle, unknown, unknown

Fallin' for Walls

These walls are worth taking a look at.

Sometimes adding texture to a wall with either paneling or tile

can make a huge statement in your home.

I would love to add some of the following details to the cottage.

Hope you all enjoy!

This foyer is perfection. 

I'm loving the classic white walls with the dark trim

and the smokey charcoal sideboard.

Check out those beams.

The dark drapery panels pop against the creamy paneled walls.

I'd LOVE to do this in my kitchen.

The subway tile with a little extra...goes along way.

I can't stop staring.

Dark paneled ceiling and white paneled walls.  Good stuff, people!

Marble all the way up.  Yes, please!

I've always loved this home.  The varying color of wood is stunning.

The corner concrete beam and wall mounted sink is gorgeous!

Oh my lord.

Go ahead and paint your paneling!

Make one wall stand out.  Loving this in a bathroom...or a nursery!

Hmm... 

I'm fallin' for walls...what about you?

*photos courtesy of atlanta homes magazine, atlanta homes magazine, unknown, decorpad, haute indoor couture, house of turquoise, houzz, things that inspire, unknown, with two cats blog

In God's Hands

Some days it's hard for me to believe that things will eventually get better.

I've heard...

"Ashley it's so worth it."

"As soon as you hold your child, you'll forget all of the pain and suffering."

{i trust you but it's hard for me to believe...right now}

"Yes, you'll have another one."

{are you sure about that?!}

"The morning sickness should pass?"

{yeah, yeah...i'm well into my second trimester and see no relief, but thanks}

I came across the above quote the other day.

It's not anything I haven't heard before. 

Everyone says this in so many words, right?

But it hit. 

The plan for my life far exceeds the circumstances of my day.

I plan on staying strong for our little nugget...

and will not allow myself to get down {as hard as that may be}.

I promise this won't be the topic of my blog for long.

I'm sure a few of you don't mind the baby talk, but when it's all I'm doing

it can be a bit, well, repetitive.

If you could bare with me, that would be wonderful!

While I'm laying in the hole I've imprinted on the couch

I've done some daydreaming.

I could go on for days...

Stay tuned to watch our nursery come to life!

Thanks for all the support and kind emails!

*photos courtesy of mango watermelon love, crush cul de sac, unknown, unknown, urban grace interiors, unknown, littegreennotebook, unknown wanderings of a wannabe, apartment therapy, amy meier design, pinterest

Hello Blog, It's Me Ashley!

Boy, they're not joking when they say time flies.

Rob and I have been busy.

Tomorrow will be Rob's first day off in 13 days!

Can you believe it?  I miss that man, like crazy!

When it comes to home renovation, we're a team.

I've been patiently waiting for a day off together to search for countertops

among other things that we are in need of.

I know they say to take your time when it comes to chipping away at your house.

Unfortunately, there are certain things we need to get done before summer.

It seems far away considering we just got our first big snow fall,

 but I know better.

The refrigerator gets delivered tomorrow.  That's great news!

The new fridge is going to be chilling out in the garage

until we can remove the built-in, rearrange the plumbing and fix the woodwork. 

That's the bad news.

Patience, Ashley.  Patience.

I'm hoping that tomorrow gives us some closure on our countertop dilemma.

Marble?  Veiny white granite? Quartzite? Quartz?

And not to confuse things more, but check out these photos that have

sent my mind on a soapstone daydream.

Since the hardwood floor in our kitchen is darker and because our cabinet

color tends to jive so well with lighter stones, I haven't really considered a

darker honed granite or soapstone.

Not seriously, anyway.

This kitchen designed by Melanie Davis is flawless, in my opinion.

Am I crazy for loving the pairing of gray with the darker stone?

I'm totally loving the window trim painted

 in a slightly darker shade than the cabinets.

This kitchen has also pushed me into wanting

 to paint our walls a lighter, truer white.

Here's another photo of darker cabinetry paired with a dark countertop.

Oooh, the rug and the skirt beneath the sink really complete the space.

I'd willingly do laundry all day long.

So, we'll see what they say tomorrow.  I'll keep you posted.

A few things that have caught my eye recently...

The palma stripe dhurrie runner rug from Pottery Barn

would be the perfect addition in front of our kitchen sink.

I love the idea of hanging a clock in the window.  Nice, Pottery Barn!

I'd like two of these sabine spindle armchairs from PB, too!

I'm looking so forward to a day with Rob.

Regardless if it involves shopping or lounging on the couch.

I hope you enjoy your weekend!

For those of you who have Monday off, enjoy the extra long weekend!

*photos courtesy of the cottage mix {first three photos}, pink wallpaper blog, pottery barn {last two photos}

Cool as a Cucumber

After much deliberation, Rob and I finally settled on a refrigerator.

The decision took much longer than expected due to our ongoing conversations

on whether or not to splurge on a built-in model.

We realized that the kitchen as a whole needed much more attention and would

require our piggy bank to be as heavy as possible.

Spending $7,000 dollars on a refrigerator just wasn't in the cards.

While the free standing counter depth model we decided on was in no way

inexpensive, the money we would save with this model would give us

 more wiggle room when it came to choosing counter tops.

{which, we are currently on the hunt for!}

Here is the model we chose for the cottage.

{bosch linea stainless steel sxs refrigerator}

One thing I wasn't thrilled about was the exterior water dispenser.

I guess you can say I'm not a water dispenser gal.

I prefer a seamless look.

What we did like was the long doors and hidden hinges.

Glass shelves helped seal the deal for us.

There is nothing worse than opening up a fridge and smelling plastic.

I'm odd, I'm telling ya!

The final factor was having a side by side model.

As lovely as french door units are, we weren't willing to deal with

one again.  It was a bit of a hassle for us.

Our carpenter who completed our fireplace ensured me that it would look built-in.

We shall see.

Since we currently have a 42' built-in model in it's place,

 a lot of work is in order.

The new unit will not be as tall or wide.

Since we don't have much/if any open shelving in our kitchen,

 I'm leaning towards keeping the space above the new refrigerator open.

It could be a great place to store my cake dishes

or display ironstone pieces and milk glass.

I realize that some these spaces aren't above a refrigerator

 but they inspired me for our work.

{copper kettles both old and new look pretty snazzy!}

{white cake stands and pitchers look lovely}

{i'm digging the separation between the cake stands}

Cookbooks could be another option.

{canisters filled with an assortment of kitchen essentials}

{cake pedestals, tureen's and darling bowls}

During my search for a built-in look, I came across another idea I'm considering.

{especially since the carpenter will be around...tee hee hee}

This may be sort of tricky to see in the picture or explain well.

I'll give it a try!

I like the idea of adding crown molding even though there is a soffit that

separates the cabinet and the ceiling.

The molding really finishes off the look, in my opinion.

This may not work in our kitchen due to some of our unique ceiling angles,

but it's worth asking about.

I'm a little hung up on counter tops at the moment as

no one in the area carries quartzite.

I adore the look of marble, but being as ocd as I am, I'm not sure I could

handle the natural patina.  I wish I could say I was one of those people.

I'm considering light granites, like river granite, but I'm not sold.

Any suggestions would be appreciated more than you know.

Or those of you who have honed marble and can testify I'm good to go,

I'm willing to listen!

How do you clean those awful spots?

thanks for reading, friends!

*photos courtesy of bosch, country living, country living, martha stewart, all the things that make a house a home blog, pinterest {unknown}, cote de texas