Updating the Kid's Room...

Well...now that we have 2 kids, it's time to update their rooms.

It was just the Princess's room but since she can't go into the basement without "help"...they're going to have to share.

I've decided to do orange, light blue, and gray.  And perhaps some chalkboard paint.

Here are some cool pics I found online.  I'll put together an inspiration board a little later...

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I'm so excited to get started. 

I'm going to be stenciling a rug and yeah...a bit nervous about that.  But the rug in the last picture was stenciled so if she can do it and have it look so phenomenal...I can do it!  That's my motto...it they can, I can.  

We'll see if that works.  :)

Driftwood...Kinda Loving It....

So I was doing some online shopping for lamps to go on either side of the large dresser in our front room.  I want something cool and can make a statement.  Yet at the same time will fit in and not be overwhelming.  Is that an oxymoron?  I can't tell.

HA!

I wasn't finding ANYTHING I liked.  Many cool lamps are out there but nothing was really shouting "Pick me!  Pick me!"

Then I saw this...

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Understated...check.

Unique...check

Able to quietly make a statement...check

Will fit in to our color scheme...check

Yup...kinda loving driftwood at this moment.  Then I saw the price.  $319.00.  

YOWSERS!  

Um that's pretty much out of my price range.  And since I need 2...yeah, that would end up being a whopping $640.00...NOT including tax or shipping and handling.  

So.  I got an idea.  I'm pretty sure I can knock that lamp off.  I'm going to start collecting driftwood.  We live by a lake and a river and a park that all has a sizable amount of driftwood.  In fact...we're going out to Antelope Island soon for a sunset photo shoot and I'll just show up a bit early and start my collection.  That will make the lamps even that much more special.  

Lets see how much a lamp kit costs...

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Oh wow...look at that.  Only $6.61.  So I might (MIGHT) be able to come in under $20.00 with other accessories.

And...in making my own, I can make them as tall or as short and I want.  And can leave them the natural wood color...or stain them darker.  And can add any shade I want.  

Yup...this is a challenge that is too good to pass up.  

I will leave you with some other pictures of driftwood in decor.  I'd love to hear what you think of it.  Do you like it or hate it?  I'm genuinely curious...

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This one is my personal favorite...

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New Color Obsession...

Um ok.  I have a new color obsession and I am rather surprised by it.

Navy blue.

I always knew I wanted my living room to be green and blue but I always pictured a lighter blue.

Then I got a rug.  I can't find an image online of this rug...weird I know...but the colors are sage green (the EXACT green as my couch), a brownish mustard color, and navy blue.  And so my obsession began.

I LOVE this color combo.  Love.

So I'm beginning to think that my walls are going to navy blue in my living room.  A bit more bold than I was going to go but I'm way excited.  I'm just obsessing about it.

Here are some inspiration pictures...

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What a pretty bowl!

So last night was very eventful.  After a lot of tears and faux cursing (you know...things like DRATS!  DANG IT!  SERIOUSLY?!?...things like that...) on the Hub's side we finally figured out crown molding.  He's gonna do a tutorial on it 'cause seriously...everything we read just did.not.work.  Unless you're a contractor and this is what you do for a living.  Then I'm sure it would make sense.  We however....?  Are not.

So little brother saved the day.  I love calling my brother little brother...'cause he's 6 feet tall.  Not really so little.  He's skinny as all get out but does kinda tower over me...and I'm not really short.  I think he seems taller 'cause he's so skinny.  You know what I'm talking about?  ANYWAY!  I digress.  Little brother came over.  He had previous experience cutting and installing crown molding.  Yeah...we should have called him to begin with.  Then we would have had less of a reason to faux curse.  And I got to chat with sister-in-law.  And that was really fun.  And sister-in-law is quite possibly one of the Princess's favorite people in the world so she was a little angel all night long.  Even when she was rubbing her eyes towards the end.

BUT!  That is a post for another day.  And trust me...it'll be a good one.  The post for today is all about bowls.  In particular...these bowls.

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More particularly...THIS bowl...

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Um...I think I really really need a couple of these for my new kitchen.  I adore that gray with the blue lip.  Seriously...love.  

I'm also loving this one...

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And this one...

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Cause you know...I've realized the kitchen is going to be finished before I know it and I'm going to need some things to make it pretty.  And with my dishes being on open shelves....yep, I'm getting some new ones.  But I have a surprise for you in regards to that.  And I'm DYING to share...but I just can't.  So you'll have to just be surprised. 

And stay tuned...more on crown molding coming up this week with another sneak peek on how the kitchen is progressing...

Kitchen Update...

Ok...I have soooooooooo many pictures to post of our kitchen.  Problem is...I have no time to post them.  :(

Getting the hang of the whole "working blogger" is really hard.  BUT!  I can tell you that we're adding crown molding this weekend, building window seats, and adding a counter top...which also means a sink and dishwasher again.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!  That's a HUGE deal for me!!!!!

So this is kinda what I'm going for in regards to window seats...

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Pretty huh?

Kitchen Progress....

Oh my gosh...oh my gosh...OH MY GOSH!!!

My base cabinets are IN!  They're installed!  They make me sooooooooo happy!

It was a bit like taking a jigsaw puzzle and cutting the pieces to make them fit together...but it all worked out beautifully.  And since they were free...who can argue?

My brother came over today to help out and he and the Hubs were done with the planning, cutting, piecing, and installing by 8:45.  So from 3:30ish to 8:45.  Yup...they're super-hero's.  When you see pictures...you might think that was an eternity for just 4 cabinets...but when the Hubs tells what went into it...you'll completely understand.  Honestly...we're shocked it went so fast.

So.  What is left in regards to cabinets are the wall cabinets.  As a refresher...this is what we're planning on doing...

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I love when I find kitchens that have so many of the same elements that I have planned for mine.  

The ceiling in that kitchen is the same as mine, the white back-splash, the crown molding is lovely...It's almost exactly what I have already picked out.  But the thing that I would like to point out the most is the raised wall cabinets and the shelving underneath.  We are doing the exact same thing.  I have always hated how much space is wasted between cabinets and the ceiling so we're maximizing that space and doing the same thing.  

It's really one of those ideas that makes you hit your forehead and think "Duh!"  At least...that's what I did.  

So our cabinets are going to be painted a nice, crisp white (base and wall).  The bead-board is going to measure 2 feet from the ceiling.  The 2 feet expanse of wall is painted a beautiful cool gray.  There's going to be a lot of open shelving and additional storage solutions.  Here's another inspiration picture of storage...

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Love the stainless bar...that'll probably go on the wall with the appliances. 

I just love how I'm finally seeing the kitchen actually come together and it's better then I pictured.  There was a time when we were tearing everything apart where I thought..."We are crazy.  This is a mess and it will never be put back together.  What were we thinking?!?!?!?"  But it's all coming together and I just smile every time I walk in there. 

Oh...and just so you all know.  Due to a very positive feedback from the Hub's last post I am pleased to announce that he is now addicted to blogging and will be blogging again tomorrow.  :)  See?  Comments really do help.  So thanks to everyone that commented...he's hooked.  Hee, hee!

My Hubby is Funny...

So if you haven't read the last post...you should.  It was written by the Hubs and I have to say...he had me giggling out loud.

I married a funny funny man.

But for now...I will leave you with a picture.  We bought our countertops over the weekend.

This one makes me happy.

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That is totally the color we're staining our butcherblock.  

So pretty.

Pretty Pretty Kitchens...

I swear...I'm completely obsessed with kitchens right now.  I know it's because of our kitchen make-over but really...I can't get enough of pretty inspiration pictures because I'm able to take so much from every picture I see and see what I can incorporate into MY kitchen. 

I LOVE the creative process. 

So here are a bunch of beautiful white kitchens...they make me happy.

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