Cookin' Up More Kitchen Ideas

As you know from my last post I am up in the clouds dreamin' about the kitchen.

Lighting updates are needed big time.  We have this god awful ceiling light - it kinda looks like a spaceship or a saucer and that isn't the worst part, it is a fluorescent light.  Yikes.  I never turn it on ... when I say never, I mean n-e-v-e-r.  I rely on a nice recessed light over the sink and the stove light to get me through.  And, that recessed light needs to be replaced with the perfect pendant light.  Here is what I am thinking ...

Our existing light totally reads un-identified space craft ...

And what I am thinking in its place ... each type comes in both finishes

The Springfield Linen Shade Light

The Urban Loft Ceiling Light

Now, lets be honest, recessed lighting would be fab, maybe one day ...

The recessed light that will be replaced ...

... with maybe one of these?  All the below are from Restoration Hardware

If I go all nickel

Or maybe bronze with a coordinating flush mount?

The milk glass would tie in the white cabinets and white subway tile nicely

Or all glass?

Another milk glass option

And, just for good measure, might as well talk about the rug desperately needed in the kitchen.  Stripes it is, and in blue.  Right now I am loving this rug from West Elm

{via}

Too bad I haven't been able to find those cabinet hinges I need yet ...

A Kitchen Stalled : Hardware Hunt

Since the end of June little has been done in way of the kitchen update.  It hasn't been on purpose.  One itty bitty or humungous reason are the darn hinges.  After doing some online research and seeing some hardware in stores, I've decided on polished nickel hinges and bin pulls - I like the shiny warmth of it all.  Knobs are still up in the air ... maybe something a little different and that doesn't match the nickel motif.  But, for the life of me, I cannot find polished nickel overlay hinges.  Since this is a kitchen reno on a budget, we are re-using our cabinets (which I have painted) and need hinges that pretty much match the existing.  I have found satin nickel hinges from the Home Depot, which are a great price but don't have enough of the polished look I want.  Arg.

But, details, details my friends.  Lets get back to what I am going for and the 'real' hardware I am loving.

How Nautical does this get!

Anthropologie Compass Knobs {via}

And I love the square-ness of these bin pulls.  I thinking of using these on both the lower doors and drawers and between 4" and 6" long like my inspiration picture

Restoration Hardware Deluth Bin Pulls {via}

Inspiration Picture {via}

But alas, I am holding out until I get the correct hinges ... keeps me in line ;)

Inspiration : Bathroom

I'm back.  Vacay was fab, work was busy, this weekend was beautiful.  Back to the swing of things.

I will say that the bathroom updates (and maybe a reno?) are definitely toward the bottom of the list of 'to do's', but that doesn't stop a girl from dreaming.  While eating my Kellogg's and reading the latest Crate & Barrel magazine I came across something that knocked my socks off.  Blues, grays, and whites are what I have been thinking about for the bathroom.

The first two images are from C&B's latest mag - white subway tile and gray grout looks nice, some blue walls, and a white and gray shower curtain.

The next image is Bower Power's new laundry room and they lovely blue paint - Kerry Blue by Martha Stewart.  I am always drawn to 'deep' blues but I like that the Kerry Blue keeps it 'peppy' and light.

{via}

Tucking these away in my 'idea book' for later.

Away on Vacation

Kinda reminds me of posting an away message on aim back in the day.  Hubs and I return tomorrow after spending Wednesday through Sunday at the beach.

Basement Inspiration : Laundry Room

Since we have dove into the deep end and gone full speed ahead with the basement renovation, its about time I share (or come up with!) some decor inspiration.  Today, it is all about the Laundry Room.  Honestly, it is one chore I absolutely despise doing in all shapes and forms.  Blah.  So, lets just say this itty bitty room better kick a$$ and be the most welcoming room e-v-e-r.

Here are some great looks that I found on Pinterest and have seen on the interwebs which will work great for our space.  Check out my Pinterest for sources.

I think this one is my fave though!  Maybe it is all the decorations that will likely never make it on my shelves (a girl can dream though!)

{via}

You get the gist though
1) Definitely front load washer-dryer so that a countertop can be installed.  Need plenty of workspace.
2) Some type of backsplash or fun wallpaper/paint.
3) Shelves, shelves, shelves.  I think I will forgo cabinets.  Shelves will keep the room looking airy and open.
4) Light colors, to keep with the 'airy' theme
5) A built in drying rack / clothes hanging space is a must.

I may be convinced that doing laundry is actually 'fun' if I have a space like one of those above!

Let There Be Light

We worked on the basement this weekend ... its our 'thing' these days.  I had to work Saturday and came home to a handy Hubs chugging along on installing recessed lighting and wirin' em' up!  Of course I jumped in on the action.  We got pretty far I would say.

Here's a recap:
1) 95% done with installing all the electrical boxes
2) 90% done with installing and wiring the recessed lighting
3) 80% done with installing the back boxes and wiring for the wall sconces
4) 40% done with wiring for switches
5) 10% done with demoing all the old wire

What's left:
1) Install a couple more electrical boxes
2) Finish installing (3 more) and wiring all the recessed lights
3) Install the last wall sconce (it needs to be centered between the bathroom and laundry room - we don't have the wall up for the laundry room yet)
4) Pull wire for remaining switches and wire all outlets
5) Connect all switches and outlets
6) Demo all old wire - this is going to be a doozy!  We have old rag-wire for the upstairs (original to the house from 1951).  It definitely needs to go (possible fire hazard) and while the ceiling is open and available we are going to get er' done.

Whew, still lots to do.  In the meantime I will relish in what we accomplished so far.

First up, what our lighting plan looks like from our model ...

Recessed Lighting Plan

And, a glimpse inside the model.  The eye height is set to about 5'0" and you are standing behind the couch looking at a projector screen ...

And, now for the 'real' work.

Action Shot! Stripping the wires for connection to the recessed lighting.  I am standing in about the same location as the pic above (behind the couch)

Wha-La!  First Light On!  Oooo-Ahhhh

First Row of Lights Done. Oh hey there Mr. Grouper! Grouper is right in front of the couch in the model. 

Working on the Straps for the Wall Sconce Boxes

Wall Sconce Boxes installed and wired (The white fixture is just temporary for additional lighting)

Recessed Lighting and Wall Sconce Lighting Turned On

Another Shot. From where the projector screen is in the model

Wiring Switches

Oh Hey Grouper :)

 And, as you should always do, celebrate and eat beer can chicken dinner!

So Studly

We have studs my friends!  Stud framing is about 95% complete in the basement.  It really didn't take too long.  Only about a day.  I was mainly responsible for taking measurements and sliding the studs into place.  Hubs made all the cuts and screwed them in place.

The next two pictures are of the interior walls which are 3 5/8"; mind you that the entire exterior wall at the insulation has 2 1/2" studs.

Looking at the Storage and Bathroom

Looking at the 'Nook' and Bedroom

Basement Design Reveal

What we have been working long and hard on ... finally revealed!  Our basement design, which has been in the works since the day we bought it.  Oh believe me, I was already dreaming up ideas and designs in my head before we even signed the papers on the house!  Once the deal was signed, sealed, and delivered, Hubs and I talked through the design concept, took plenty of measurements, drew up schematics, and then finally took time to put pen on paper, or in this case, clicking away in Google SketchUp.

(Click on each picture to see in larger size)

Oh Yes We Did ... Basement Fun

Why wait till winter to start another big project when you can start now!  That's right, Grande Project #2 has started.  Basement Renovation here we come.  I will have to say that the most humid and hot weather of early July definitely helped us snap to it.  Who wants to sweat just sitting outside when you can grab a light jacket for basement fun!

I'll catch you up:
1)  We did some light demo.  Mainly taking down the wall paneling in the future bedroom, the walls around the furnace and hot water heater, and the wall between the 1/2 bath and laundry room.

Working on Demo

Wall Demo between 1/2 Bath and Laundry

2)  Hubs added some fire safing between the floor joists and exterior wall.  Mainly to help insulate along the exterior wall.  Doesn't hurt to have added fire protection too!

3)  Hubs did some dumpster diving and grabbed some rigid insulation out of the construction dumpster.  They were throwing this stuff away!  A little dirt never hurt anyone.  The blue board in the pics below is what was grabbed.  It is 3" R-15 rigid board.

Blue Board Up On the Walls

4)  Unfortunately there wasn't enough blue board to laminate all the walls.  So, we headed to his fave store Home Depot and got some more rigid insulation.  It is slightly different.  2" R-13 rigid board.  Hubs used Liquid Nail to glue these babies on the wall.  We also used Tyvek Tape to tape e-very single seam (that was my job).

R-Max Up On the Walls

5)  Then we started on layout and installing the top and bottom tracks for wall construction.  A laser is definitely key to accuracy and ease of installation!  Hubs used a powder actuated hammer to secure the bottom track to the concrete floor; screws for the top track to the floor joists.

Working on the Wall at the Future Laundry/Bath/Storage Room

 That pretty much sums up our current status in the basement.  Looks pretty cool huh ...

More to come - our basement floor plans and 3-D model, design ideas and process, budget, schedule ... and more!

K, I am out ... Hubs is messing with the wiring and electrical panel downstairs.  I feel like I need to be supervising haha :)

Mirror Magic

Yes, I call it magic that I actually completed the mirror in a timely fashion and ended up blogging about it.  Ha.  A DIY Success!