The most wonderful time of the year. For reals.
9 years ago
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
New Years!
I can't wait to spend New Years with Lynnie and Cares who are coming to visit from DC and Seattle, via NYC! It's going to be a fun couple of days hanging out with these two superstars and their hubbies! Can't wait! I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Holiday! See you next year!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry {Early} Christmas to Us!!!
This morning our kitchen passed final its final inspection -- woohoo!! We began this project on November 9th and after being somewhat displaced, we're finally home and ejoying our new kitchen and couldn't be happier with how it turned out!! There are a few last minute touches that need to be finished up but other than that - its complete! Now it's time to find a dining room table and get decorating!!
My vision for this kitchen from day one was a very neutral space but cozy and inviting. I brought in warm beige tones from the granite to the tiled back splash to compliment our maple spiced cabinets and floors. I didn't want the granite or tile to overpower each other but I wanted each to stand out; I think it works!
Trust me, making big design decisions based on a 2x2 sample and trying to picture it in your kitchen is not easy! I definitely had the hardest time with the tile but as soon as I saw it installed in a picture, I was sold! The granite was pretty simple. I knew I wanted a lighter color with a lot of detail. The one we chose has black and garnet running through it, so I went with a brick colored accent wall to bring out the red tones. Painting everything that color would've made the room feel small, so I chose a creamy tan to soften it and tie everything together.
As far as the lighting, we went back and forth with how many pendant lights to do...2 or 3, 2 or 3....? Our island is 5 1/2 feet long and having 3 seems perfect. We splurged a little and had under cabinet lighting installed. I highly recommend it, it makes the kitchen look completely different at night {pictures to come!}
Contrary to what you might think, Kev did have a lot of input into our kitchen...he was on appliance duty :) His favorite part was picking out his "must have" beer + wine fridge that he was adamant about having in the island. At first I was against it but I'm glad he convinced me because let me tell ya, it kicks ASS!! I love to cook, but I'm no Ina Garten so having functional but not "over-the-top" appliances was the way to go. We went with the stainless steel look to keep the kitchen looking clean and high-end. For five years, our nasty old fridge didn't have a light due to some electrical snafu, so being able to see what's in our fridge now is strangely wonderful!! We went with Kitchenaid for both the dishwasher and fridge and GE for the smooth-top stove and microwave. We chose Grohe for our faucet and paired it with an undermount D-shaped Artisan sink.
We love having people over, so having a "bar area" of our kitchen was key. We wanted place we could fix drinks,store glasses, liquor, mixers - you name it! Since this area was sort of a seperate space from the rest of the kitchen, we threw in some honey colored crushed glass tiles in between the stone to give it some flare and stand out.
I'm very happy with all of the choices we made. It's everything we could've possibly wanted and more. We can't wait to host our first get-together this week with friends and family. I'll post pictures of the refinished hardwoods, new trim and paint in our bedroom soon! Enjoy the pictures!
Before:
After:
My vision for this kitchen from day one was a very neutral space but cozy and inviting. I brought in warm beige tones from the granite to the tiled back splash to compliment our maple spiced cabinets and floors. I didn't want the granite or tile to overpower each other but I wanted each to stand out; I think it works!
Trust me, making big design decisions based on a 2x2 sample and trying to picture it in your kitchen is not easy! I definitely had the hardest time with the tile but as soon as I saw it installed in a picture, I was sold! The granite was pretty simple. I knew I wanted a lighter color with a lot of detail. The one we chose has black and garnet running through it, so I went with a brick colored accent wall to bring out the red tones. Painting everything that color would've made the room feel small, so I chose a creamy tan to soften it and tie everything together.
As far as the lighting, we went back and forth with how many pendant lights to do...2 or 3, 2 or 3....? Our island is 5 1/2 feet long and having 3 seems perfect. We splurged a little and had under cabinet lighting installed. I highly recommend it, it makes the kitchen look completely different at night {pictures to come!}
Contrary to what you might think, Kev did have a lot of input into our kitchen...he was on appliance duty :) His favorite part was picking out his "must have" beer + wine fridge that he was adamant about having in the island. At first I was against it but I'm glad he convinced me because let me tell ya, it kicks ASS!! I love to cook, but I'm no Ina Garten so having functional but not "over-the-top" appliances was the way to go. We went with the stainless steel look to keep the kitchen looking clean and high-end. For five years, our nasty old fridge didn't have a light due to some electrical snafu, so being able to see what's in our fridge now is strangely wonderful!! We went with Kitchenaid for both the dishwasher and fridge and GE for the smooth-top stove and microwave. We chose Grohe for our faucet and paired it with an undermount D-shaped Artisan sink.
We love having people over, so having a "bar area" of our kitchen was key. We wanted place we could fix drinks,store glasses, liquor, mixers - you name it! Since this area was sort of a seperate space from the rest of the kitchen, we threw in some honey colored crushed glass tiles in between the stone to give it some flare and stand out.
I'm very happy with all of the choices we made. It's everything we could've possibly wanted and more. We can't wait to host our first get-together this week with friends and family. I'll post pictures of the refinished hardwoods, new trim and paint in our bedroom soon! Enjoy the pictures!
Before:
After:
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Happy 30th Birthday, Lynnie!!
Today is one of my very best friends 30th birthday!! Lynnie, I love you so, so much and cherish our friendship each and every day. You are the sweetest, most caring woman and I'm so fortunate our paths crossed freshman year of college. 30 is going to be your year and I know it'll be your best yet! We'll celebrate next weekend and then two weeks after that when you're here, can't wait! Love you! XOXO
* Pic from my 30th birthday :)
* Pic from my 30th birthday :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
"Ryan Mullin, THE Washington State University..."
Okay, so you know how on Sunday Night Football the starters from each team introduce themselves by saying their name, position and former school? Unmm yeah, that's going to be Ryan. I can totally picture him as one of those big beefy linebackers with far too much facial hair, a mean lookin' mug and biceps that could move a truck. This kid is destined to be famous!
These pictures were taken two weeks ago, one week before Ryan decided that stage diving off the couch onto the corner of a table was a good idea. Six stitches above his eye later.....low and behold he discovers that the couch is actually an indoor trampoline! He bounces from the top, to the cushion, to the ottoman to the floor. ...This little guy doesn't ever stop, god bless my bro and sis-in law! I keep saying he's that kid who will break every bone twice and will never learn; such a boy! That said, he is the cutest, funniest 2 1/2 year old I know!
We had a great time watching him go from the monkey bars, to the swings, to the suspension bridge, to the fire pole - which he did in true fireman style (see the boots?!)
These pictures were taken two weeks ago, one week before Ryan decided that stage diving off the couch onto the corner of a table was a good idea. Six stitches above his eye later.....low and behold he discovers that the couch is actually an indoor trampoline! He bounces from the top, to the cushion, to the ottoman to the floor. ...This little guy doesn't ever stop, god bless my bro and sis-in law! I keep saying he's that kid who will break every bone twice and will never learn; such a boy! That said, he is the cutest, funniest 2 1/2 year old I know!
We had a great time watching him go from the monkey bars, to the swings, to the suspension bridge, to the fire pole - which he did in true fireman style (see the boots?!)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
House Updates!
These past few weeks have been crazy to say the least! We moved everything into the basement and are currently staying with Kev's aunt and uncle who have graciously taken us in for a week or so while our floors are being refinished. Since beginning construction November 9th it's all gone pretty smoothly (knock on wood) and we're excited to start seeing it all come together!
So far we've had the wall taken down between the kitchen and office, had the new kitchen doorway widened, had the rough electrical, plumbing and framing completed, and are currently having the new hardwoods installed and refinished. Cabinets are being installed starting Friday - can't wait!
Here are a few pictures of the progress:
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
Wall opened up
Wall gone and doorway widened
Expanding kitchen and shrinking hubby (he's lost about 30 lbs!)
New hardwoods before sanding and finish coats
Ready to be plastered!
More updates to come!
So far we've had the wall taken down between the kitchen and office, had the new kitchen doorway widened, had the rough electrical, plumbing and framing completed, and are currently having the new hardwoods installed and refinished. Cabinets are being installed starting Friday - can't wait!
Here are a few pictures of the progress:
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
Wall opened up
Wall gone and doorway widened
Expanding kitchen and shrinking hubby (he's lost about 30 lbs!)
New hardwoods before sanding and finish coats
Ready to be plastered!
More updates to come!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Happy Belated 30th!!!
Kevin and I flew to DC on October 16th to spend our dear friend Erin's 30th birthday with her and also to visit Carrie, Erik, Ben and Mike. We flew in Friday night and headed to The Reynolds then out to a local bar near their darling condo in Arlington, VA. We drank delicious Hoegarden's out of mason jars and laughed our asses off all night.
Saturday was crappy weather but we made the best of it and headed to the Spy Museum, super cool. Later, we met up with Coff's cousins and headed to quaint little Georgetown to Filomena's to celebrate the birthday girl. Hands down THE best Italian food ever!!! It was such a great weekend, a nice change of scenery for a few days!
Coff, I just want you to know how much you mean to me. You're truly one of the most wonderful friends anyone could have. I hope your year is filled with everything you could ever want and much, much more! (Hopefully that includes a visit out here soon!)
LOVE YOU!! XOXO
At The Bungalow celebrating!
Saturday was crappy weather but we made the best of it and headed to the Spy Museum, super cool. Later, we met up with Coff's cousins and headed to quaint little Georgetown to Filomena's to celebrate the birthday girl. Hands down THE best Italian food ever!!! It was such a great weekend, a nice change of scenery for a few days!
Coff, I just want you to know how much you mean to me. You're truly one of the most wonderful friends anyone could have. I hope your year is filled with everything you could ever want and much, much more! (Hopefully that includes a visit out here soon!)
LOVE YOU!! XOXO
At The Bungalow celebrating!
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