Gettin' There!

This post is for those of you who don't hang out over at Facebook, which is my new hangout these days.  There are only so many places I can be at once, right?  ;)

Kitchen before I moved in:

I just finished laying these peel-n-stick 18" tiles from Lowes last week:

This microwave cart was my grandmother's...I hated to paint over the fabulous Contact paper with mushrooms circa 1972, so...

I had Kathleen do it for me!  Ha!

This was the kitchen before I moved in.  I think the homeowner was giving  a nice fresh coat of dark green paint to that faux tile wainscotting.  Yum!  NOT!

And this is what I've done with the place!  Morning Fog on the walls, white on the newly installed beadboard wainscot paneling, Ikea Lidingo kitchen cabinets, new countertop, a new stove, 

This was the kitchen when I first looked at the house...the tops of the walls were still yellow!

And here it is "after."  My plan is still to paint the hutch a dark raspberry red.  I have the paint.  I just have to sand down what's there, and get on task!  I may have to put some fun paper or fabric behind those shelves.  We'll see.

This corner is such a nice spot to sit in the morning!

...and here it was in the throes of renovation.  Note all the dark stained trim everywhere. 

...and now note all the WHITE painted trim everywhere.  It's amazing how much brighter the kitchen is now.  I love it.

Before:

After:

Tonight my friend Dwight is coming over to hang two upper cabinets for me, that he made out of vintage windows.  I can't wait!!!

Colonial Style

This is the view from my friend Donna's house, which is about 10 minutes from mine, but much more out in the countryside.  She has a great view of the reservoir.

She has decorated her house in colonial style, and it is SO pretty!  I asked her if I could take pics and post them on my blog, and she graciously said yes!!  

Of course, my memory card ran out of space while I was there, so there is much more to see, which I'll post another time.

I was there measuring her four-poster bed so that I can make a canopy for it, so when I go back to deliver her canopy, I'll get pics of the rest.  There will probably be leaves on the trees and green grass by then too!  Maybe even some tulips!!

Her husband built this built-in fireplace.  I love it!  I want one!

I'm pretty sure every light fixture in the house has some sort of punched tin on it.  It all looks very authentic.  Next time I'll get a picture of the exterior of her house, too, so you can put it all together in your heads.  :)

This is a crewel drapery panel and wing chair in corner of the dining room...a perfect place to sit and read in the afternoon.

Do you recognize the fabric bird?  I made him!  I love the way she put him in that simple wreath...it makes him look so special!

Have a good weekend, all!

Out of Sorts

*chair painting by Holly Farrell

This chair painting pretty much sums up the way I've been feeling for the last few weeks. I don't know if it's this rotten f-ing winter weather, or my work, or the fact that BF has been gone for four out of the last five weeks, or what....but I've just been in a weird way lately. It's been a time of introspection and reflection, which most of the time is a good thing for me, but of late has just brought up old wounds that haven't healed, and has made me feel sad. Maybe I have S.A.D.D. Who knows? All I know is I'm ready for Spring and a new perspective.

Yesterday was good. The sun was shining, and the temperature was actually tolerable--no coat necessary! Kathleen and I did a lot around the house, and had a very productive day. Then last night I went to see a performance of The Vagina Monologues with some friends, and that was a nice way to end the day. This morning we went to brunch at my friend Jennifer's house, and it was good to see her after not having seen her for a few weeks. I don't know. I guess I've been feeling out of touch or something. It felt good to connect with some "real" people instead of all of my pretent internet friends (I love you guys...but YOU know what I mean!). I've been spending too much time in my own head, and that can be a dangerous thing! I also haven't felt much like blogging, which you may have noticed! :) Sorry about that!

I should have some pictures to share over the next couple of weeks, as Kathleen and I crank out some pre-party house projects. We're having a needle felting party on the 21st, and then her 14th birthday party on April 4th. I can't believe I'm going to have a 14 year old kid. Maybe that's why I've been having so much fun catching up with old friends on Facebook? Makes me feel young again? Eh. Whatever. I don't feel old. I just feel depressed....lol. Some nice house projects may just be the cure for what ails me. I'll let you know.

Skating

After we cleaned up the yard (before the next snow!)...

Kathleen did some skating on our "pond"!