Wednesday, March 31, 2010

A Few Pictures

Happy Wednesday, friends!!

I’m sorry I haven’t been posting much lately, but we have been working nonstop trying to get things done before Chuck has to go back to work, which is next week, so the crunch time is on!!

I have never done so much painting, staining and varnishing in my life!! lol I’ve painted the Kitchen, Family Room, stairway, a section of the Rec Room, stairway ceiling, two entry doors, Kitchen cupboards, plus other little odds and ends! I’ve stained and varnished over 40 pieces of trim, the inside pieces to all of the cupboards, plus 4 sets of louvered bi-fold doors!! And to top it off, all of the pieces that got stained, other than the cupboard pieces, had 3 colors applied to them – a few years ago, when we installed new windows, I had to use the 3 colors to match the color tone of the wood floors and the other existing trim. What I thought would take one day, took 3!!!

Well . . . . we’re finally about done with our Family Room!! All we have left to do is the base board trim, which we’ll do after the Kitchen is finished, and LOTS of decorating!! I have many projects planned to make plus a lot of other things that need makeovers, so I’ll have plenty of pictures to post in the future.

We are so thrilled with how this turned out!! It has made such a big difference!! To see some pictures of our Family Room before the renovations, click HERE.

This is a little peak at what my utility room looked like before we removed and built new walls, drywalled, painted, wallpapered, and installed a drop-ceiling:

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Can you say “ugly painted concrete blocks”? I have lived with these ugly walls since the day we moved in 22 years ago!! I even had to deal with painted concrete floors!! Ewwww!! It was the perfect “mud” room for dealing with 2 dogs after they came in from inclement weather and a husband that comes home from work looking like he either got caught in a dust storm or was playing in the mud! lol I was too embarrassed to ever show pictures of my utility room, especially after seeing so many wonderfully decorated ones posted in blogland! And that is why I’m only showing you a small glimpse of the “before”! lol

This is the view from the Family Room looking into the new section.

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( I forgot to “fluff” the recliner before I took this pic! )

Eventually, I’ll replace this chair below with a Wing chair, but for right now, I’m going to buy a slipcover to put over it. We have a 13 year old Dalmatian that, for some reason, has started drooling in the last year or two and it’s nice to be able to just take them off and wash them. Plus the plaids “kind of” clash! lol

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Below shows our “creativity” with the stairs. We didn’t have enough carpet left from what my mom and dad gave us to completely cover the steps and Chuck had already ripped out the old stuff. The fronts of the steps were pretty beat-up, so Chuck cut strips of 1/4” birch plywood and I stained and varnished them and then attached them with PL400.

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This is our new laundry area. I have a couple of projects that I’m working on to hang on the pegboard and I need to repaint the bench. There’s a little door that’ll be installed in the opening in the stairwell – it’s all ready to be installed whenever Chuck gets to it.

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I have a shelf that I want to make for above the benches and the tree will probably get moved elsewhere. I’m not happy with the display on top of the dresser – I don’t know what I want there yet. The lamp ( I need to paint the base piece!) and the picture are staying ( I think. lol)

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This area below is where we’ll come in and take off our coats and shoes. Also where Sam (our dog) will stay at night and when we go away.

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On the opposite side of the door is our freezer and bi-fold doors that lead into our furnace, hot water tank and storage area.

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And now for a couple of pictures of my kitchen!!! I’m having one heckuva time trying to get decent pictures!! They either come out too dark or there’s too much lighting and everything’s a bright haze and I haven’t had the time to play around with the lighting to get good ones. These are the best I have right now – just a few to give you a glimpse of what we have done so far.

This is my new tin-punched light that’s hanging over my sink. I’m searching for either new curtains or fabric to make new ones – I’m having a tough time finding something that I like. IMG_2512

This is a shot of the cupboards to the left of the sink area. Chuck made a boo-boo in the doors for the cupboard on the left, so he had to make new ones. They’re done, they just haven’t put put on yet. I like the look of having my spongeware exposed and wished I would have had a larger cupboard in the center for my spongeware and have 2 smaller cupboards on either side with doors. Oh well . . . . hindsight’s 50/50!

The color is called “Cottage Hill” by Ralph Lauren. It’s kind of a unique color – depending on the lighting it has an olive green tone, a brown tone and even a charcoal gray tone. Unfortunately, Home Depot has discontinued carrying that brand and I bought one of the final gallons of paint that they had left on the shelf. I was kind of panicking because I’ve already used 1/2 of the can just painting the upper cupboards and still have the bottom ones to paint yet. On the last of our many, many trips to Home Depot, I spotted a couple cans of the Ralph Lauren paint sitting on the shelf. As luck would have it, one of the cans was the base tint I needed for the color I’m using, so I bought another gallon to be safe!

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This is our new over-the-range microwave that we’ve installed. Oh my gosh, it is so much quieter than our other one!! You almost don’t even hear it running!! Eventually all of our appliances will be replaced with stainless steel. (When we hit the lottery!! – Boy, those things are expensive!!)

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Chuck has been working diligently on the base cabinets this week. Like I mentioned before, he starts back to work regularly next week, so the crunch time is on to get them done. They won’t get installed right away, though, because the existing concrete countertops need to be broken out and removed and then new ones will be formed and poured, and Chuck won’t be able to do all of that until we have a free weekend and if the weather cooperates. I’ll post pictures of the process when that happens.

It’s amazing how your body changes as you get older!! In our younger days, we could stay up as late as we wanted and just keep working away on projects to get them done.

Now. . . . this is how we feel at the end of the day!! lol Pooped out!!! With all of the renovations we’ve been doing, plus our regular daily chores of cleaning, laundry, cooking, shopping, etc. - we are worn out!!! lol

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Ahhhh. . . .To live the life of a cat! This is Lucy. Isn’t she a cutie?

Well, friends, I must get back to work!! I will be back on Friday with a wonderful recipe that my daughter, Kory, and her class made for all of the parents for a Spring “Break”fast, plus a simple, easy-to-do project.

Until Next Time. . . .Kris

29 comments:

  1. Mornin' Kris!....I need to go back to bed cuz I'm tired after just reading about all this work you've been doing WOW! But oh how wonderful everything is looking! LOVE LOVE LOVE your new kitchen cabinets!! The style of them is fabulous and yes that color is amazing! I am so tempted to paint our kitchen cabinets but am chicken to because they are maple that has not been painted....they don't go all the way to the top either which would be nice! I'm not sure why kitchen cabinets cost so much but they sure as heck do! Can't wait to see your new countertops as well!

    Lucy kitty is adorable!....I love that upholstery fabric she's laying on....would love to have my family room chair in that....my Katie kitty lays on her back like that sometimes too and it cracks me up!

    Have a great rest of the week and a very happy Easter!

    Janet

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  2. Kris, I am just blown away by all the work y'all have done! Everything looks amazing! I know you will be thrilled to have it all completed.
    I know all about how a body changes with age. I'm not that old, but man, I sure do feel like it at times! With every job, the soreness & stiffness follow! UGH! To be young again.....
    Hang in there and keep up the good work. You can always come help me when your's is done! LOL!
    Have a great week!

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  3. Kris.....everything looks soooo good! I love the color on the cabinets too. Will be looking for your new recipe on Friday.
    Linda/simplycountryseasons

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  4. It looks great. You ahve been very busy and it shows. I love all the changes but my favorite picture has to be of Lucy. Yes, what a cutie!

    Donna

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  5. Wow you guys have been super busy! But I loooooove everything you've done!!! You're family room looks so cozy...I am in love with it! I loved your kitchen before but it looks absolutely amazing now! I can't wait to see more pics! Try to rest a little...lol...I know that's easier said than done!

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  6. Oh Kris I just knew your kitchen was going to be amazing and the cabinet color is awesome! I love the open shelves with the spongeware. That was just a tease though :( Your family room and laundry look gorgeous too. You must sleep well at night after doing all that hard work! :) I have some websites with lots of curtains that I'll email to you. If you don't find anything you like then try Jubilee Fabrics. They have lots of gorgeous homespun patterns. Hugs, Loretta

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  7. Oh, Kris .... everything is GORGEOUS! I love having the chance to admire your handiwork and creativity. Such an inspiration. Well done, my friend!

    I hope you have the chance to sit back and enjoy it all soon. Just like sweet little Lucy.

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  8. I love everything you are doing! It looks soooooo prim! I bought paint months ago and we still haven't painted..ugh! So much to do to make my home prim but yours is fantastic! Enjoy it after all of your hard work.

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  9. Everything is absolutely gorgeous. Do you hire out? I am anxious to see the rest of your pictures.

    Lucy is cute.

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  10. love how your home is looking..love the cabients and the colors..and I love that photo of your kitty.now that is just precious..:) have a great day.:)

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  11. Everything looks great. Boy you both have been very, very busy!!!

    Can you come and do my Kitchen? lol

    Have a great one, Janie

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  12. Kris, I'm tired just reading all that you've been doing. Doesn't it feel great to get those home projects done? The kitchen cupboard paint is beautiful. It compliments the dishes I can see on the open shelving. Lucy is too funny - what a ladylike pose! ~Ann

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  13. Oh...I want more...LOL. So far from what you have shown of your kitchen, I LOVE it all!!! I also really like the color of your cupboards. You guys sure have been busy and I think accomplished alot since your last post.

    Looking forward to more pictures :)

    Happy Easter to you and your family!

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  14. Everything looks great! I LOVE the cabinets!!! Very nice color. Oh and Lucy the kitty is a real cutie!

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  15. Great pictures, Kris...that was a nice tour of the renovations. I love the stairs. I think they look so rich and wonderful. Can't wait for you to keep us posted on all the rest!

    Friends,
    Susannah

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  16. Oh Kris~I think the renovations are gorgeous!
    You and your Hubby work so well together.
    Have a wonderful Easter :)

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  17. Wow, just beautiful Kris! I can't wait to see it all finished. You guys do amazing work!

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  18. Kris,
    Everything is amazing. I love the kitchen & the open cabinet looks wonderful, though you said it's not staying that way. Love the color choice and can't wait to see the countertops. Your basement looks awesome as well, such a great place to kick back and relax. I know exactly what you mean about getting older, I don't get half the stuff done in a day as I used to & can't figure out why since there is just 2 of us here most of the time & the two dogs. Have a very happy Easter.
    Pam

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  19. Kris, your cabinets are gorgeous! Great job and I love the color. You have been a busy bunch! Your work always looks fantastic. I am looking forward to more pictures to come. Have a Happy Easter.

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  20. You two are amazing!! Everything looks fabulous. Do you feel like you're living in a new house? I hope you get to take some time off to enjoy Easter weekend and the beautiful weather that's finally coming our way.

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  21. oh kris i am not a blogger i love to run and out and read but rarely post but your home is wonderful bless your hearts your work all payed off big time beautiful sweetie

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  22. Kris..Holy cow have you been busy I LOOOVe the cabinets!! Everything is wonderful!! Love little lucy too!! Shes napping for you and your hubby-lol!
    Anne
    Oh yeah have a wonderful Easter!!

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  23. Kris - Yes, I have been truly enjoying this beautiful weather. I LOVE IT!!!! Pretty neat to see little Lucy. She looks just like a Lucy kitty that I use to have that passed away. Same coloring and name. Strange, but neat I guess you could say.

    I love your cabinets. They look beautiful and you should be very proud!! Hard work, but worth it - wouldn't you agree?

    Question for you... how do you go about taking a picture of something and using that picture for your background on your blog? I have this new runner that I got for my nightstand and would love to use it for my background, but have no idea where to start. Also how do you go about making your font on the side of your blog to match the font in the middle (body) of your blog? Any help and guidance would be much appreciated. THANK YOU. You can just e-mail me at primsfromabove@yahoo.com

    Take Care and enjoy the warm sunshine!!

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  24. Kris,

    Your family room and kitchen look wonderful...Your new kitchen cabinets are amazing.
    LOVE,LOVE,LOVE, the color. You have done a fantastic job on them. What talent!!!! Lucy kitty is a cutie...Have you been working her too hard??? She looks like she is taking a much needed nap. Oh the life of a kitty. Can't wait to see more pics and look forward to your post on Friday. Have a great week and wonderful weekend.
    Happy Easter!!!

    Blessings,
    Tara
    Primlover63

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  25. Everything looks amazing....really love your kitchen cabinets...
    Have a Happy Easter...
    Prim Hugs,
    Trena

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  26. LOVE the color you chose for your cabinets, Kris...it is a lot of work....but sooooo worth it!!
    It all looks so good....everything looks amazing!!!
    Fabulous job you two...whata team!! :)

    Have a wonderful day, enjoy this GORGEOUS weather...and Happy Easter wishes to you and your family!!

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  27. Wow! I am exhausted just reading about what you all have been doing! Everything is just beautiful! Nice Work.

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  28. Everything looks great Kris! You two have done an amazing job! Love the color of your kitchen cabinets! Wishing you a Happy Easter!

    Prim Blessings,
    Kim

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  29. Hi Kris...sorry I have missed some of your posts!
    I have seen the before photos of your family room/laundry area and your RE-DO is AWESOME...very nice and I like your hubbys idea for the steps...very nice.
    Great job.
    Karen

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