The Kitchen Reveal

The time has finally come.

Our kitchen is complete.

Minus window treatments

and a possible change in light fixtures.

{Especially the one over our table}

If I have something too long or make an impulse buy,

I tend to change them down the road.

While I do like our pendants, I'd switch them out

for the Visual Comfort Sloane pendant any day of the week!

Maybe someday...

I'm pretty pleased with the final space.

It proves that you don't have to gut a kitchen

down to the studs to make it current.

Here are a few before shots.

Here's how it looks now.

It's not the easiest kitchen to photograph

 as it's broken into different work spaces.

I'm definitely not a professional.

The cabinets and walls got a fresh coat of paint.

The countertops were removed

and butcher block and honed marble were installed.

All hardware was swapped for polished nickel.

All the appliances were removed and replaced

except for the double oven.

A farmhouse sink was added.

All of these changes make for a perfect kitchen for our family!

Thanks for taking a looksie!

The Nursery Reveal

I tend to be the type of person who is never completely finished with a room.

Every time I'm out and about, my eyes are peeled

for something that may work in a particular space.

Carlo's room has been no exception.

If anything it's been more challenging for me to let go of and move on.

While some things may still change before his arrival,

for the most part this is the way it will stand.

Until his big boy room of course!

we hope you love it Carlo.

Mommy and daddy worked hard.



With May Flowers Comes Blooming Progress!

Today wasn't a "great" day.

I figured a little blogging could improve the evening.

The flowers around the cottage are beginning to bloom.

Of course they make me smile.

The smell of the flowers remind me of last year when we signed the papers.

pure bliss.

Our backyard. A lot of lovely green.

We can't wait to spend more time outside.

The weather has been up and down.

80's, rain, then snow.  Really?

This week sunshine is in the forecast. 

The yard has loads of potential.  We wish we could dig right in.

For now, the inside remains our priority.

Speaking of the inside, here is part of the grouted back splash.

I'm happy with my decision to stick with white grout.

While the tiles don't "pop" as they would with darker grout,

it doesn't take away from the rest of the kitchen.

We're continuing our work on the nursery.

Can someone explain to me why window treatments are so expensive?

It drives me bonkers.  Literally.

Here's a reminder of how the nursery looks.

Here are some window treatments that we're considering.

what do you think?

I hope you have a sunny week!



*photos courtesy of restoration hardware baby and child, restoration hardware baby and child, pottery barn

Tiling and Profiling

I wasn't kidding when I said we were ready to follow up our talk with some walk.

Things are moving quickly {yet slowly} around Hickory.

One side of the kitchen is almost done. 

 I didn't fool you, did I?

The other side of the kitchen where the sink and the main cooking space is located

is on hold until Monday.

Those farmhouse sinks are a doosey to install!

Here is how the one side of the kitchen that we have been working on is looking.

I'm pretty pleased so far!

We haven't grouted yet and boy has grout color been on my mind.

I've been mixed on whether or not to go white or gray.

I used gray in a past bathroom and loved the historic vibe that it gave.

Gray does make the tile pop.

I stood in the aisle for over 20 minutes...contemplating.

Rob fuming.

Fire engine red probably contemplating why I'm so annoying!

gray. white. gray it is. nope white with the butcher block.

In the end, I went ahead and purchased the white. 

I'm shocked by my decision.

I feel that the white will be beautiful yet subtle and won't

compete with our woody countertops.

We shall see.

The fireplace has finally been coated in a lovely shade of creamy white.

Things are surely coming along.

Pregnant lady nesting may have been what I needed to

give me necessary shove.

have a happy weekend!



The Beauty of Butcher Block

Rob took on the wall and won!

You go babe!

What a mess!  Kitchen reno is the absolute pits.

I can't imagine gutting the entire thing.

I have a new found respect for those who take their kitchen down to the studs.

We've done bathrooms, but something about your main living area being

under construction, is well, not ideal.

Despite the dust, I can't help but be optimistic and excited.

I know it will be be worth the hassle.

Here is a snap shot of the wood counters.

The counters are still missing the Waterlox, which we will eventually apply.

yay

Let's rewind.

yikes

I'm a happy camper.



Now, the satin nickel hardware has got to go.

It's not jiving.

We'll be purchasing the Restoration Hardware gilmore bin pulls.

We haven't decided on the knobs quite yet.

I've juggled the idea of glass vs. polished nickel.

what do you think?

We'd also love to add pendants over our island

{which is screaming for some honed stone}

I originally wanted an antique brass look.

Now I'm leaning towards good ol' school house pendants

or

some of this milky goodness!

The lights may come a bit later, but I can't help but envision the entire space.

With your help, I think we decided on subway tile.

thank you.

It's coming along...finally!

Glad your sticking around despite the few months of down time.

*photos courtesy of restoration hardware

Crib Catastrophe

Happy hump day!

I've got a crib catastrophe on my hands.

Horrible back aches and crib headaches.

I originally planned on purchasing the DaVinci Jenny Lind crib in cherry.

I searched the web and it's sold out...everywhere!

Numerous websites state that it is on back order and that

 it will ship at the end of June.

Because I'm an obsessed and paranoid first time mama, I investigated the issue.

According to the manufacturer, they are discontinuing the model.

WHAT?

How could they?  It appears to sell incredibly well.

Angel Line carries a similar Jenny Lind style. So that's one option.

I purchased this crib not knowing if I'd love the cherry finish. 

But I had to hurry...these were selling out like hot cakes too!

If I have to send it back I can.  It should arrive any day now.

Or we can opt for the DaVinci in the white finish.

I've been straying from this color, thinking it would

 be white over kill in the room.

The crib will be against the chalkboard wall. 

So while I don't want it to blend in,

I also don't want it to pop out too drastically.

And while I love this style from Restoration Hardware,

I don't think I can rationalize spending that for the crib.

I'd rather buy the big boy bed from there.

Pretty, no?

I'm planning on using all white bedding for the crib,

which I think will look lovely against the cherry wood.

I'll either indulge and buy this or

 have something just as perfect made.

Here are some photos of the room so far.

little peeks.

What do you think?  Cherry or white?

...and the rocking chair we purchased that's on the opposite side of the room!

Help me end my crib catastrophe!

My husband will be indebted to you, I'm sure.

*photos courtesy of wayfair, wayfair, restoration hardware, layla grayce