Kitchen Hood and Shelves Reveal!

Well, we've finally completed the kitchen (for now, I have more ideas for the new year)! Our hood project was so fun!  It all started here:

First we took down the existing microwave hood and cabinet above.

Then I ordered from Lowes a stainless vent hood (30" for $169).  I made sure all the off/on switches were located on the underneath side.  The husband then installed according to instructions and we vented to outside (so nice to not smell the pancakes you made for breakfast all day).  

Next the hood was boxed in with pine wood.  While this was going on I was busy staining 1x4 lumber in Minwax Dark Walnut.  It took about 12, 8 foot pieces, since I wanted the hood to go to ceiling. Then it was a matter of covering the box that was made and extending down from the ceiling (with attached 2x2s underneath). 

The finished hood with a Thanksgiving wreath!  I love how the wood breaks up all the white in the kitchen!  And to tie in to that wood we continued on to the floating shelves!

First, we removed a double cabinet above the backsplash, this really opened up my counter space!  What a difference!  Then we added planks and they were painted (Pratt and Lambert from Sears Off White).  Next my husband built the brackets (E-Shaped) and installed on the wall.

After the brackets were installed, he covered them with pine facing!  I love how much they store and the dishwasher is easily unloaded to the open shelves!  In all $60 for the three shelves!

Christmas Decorations

I'm keepin it simple this year!  I've concentrated on my front door, mantel and kitchen table oh and of course the tree but only 1 tree! Here are pix thus far!

The mantel is decked out in orange and turqoise! You can't tell by this photo but the bows on candlesticks are turqoise and so is the bowl full of oranges. I love the sparkly brown PEACE!

The tree got a new set of ornaments this year courtesy of after Christmas sale last year!  All brown and gold and silver- set of 36 and it filled up the tree nicely!

My kitchen table is my favorite! Not only did it get a fresh coat of white Annie Sloan chalk paint- but I just pulled up the pumpkins and replaced with little trees and berries! Before pic below-

Was worried about aqua door but had fun with it!  

Our Christmas tree farm was selling $5 greenery bundles and giving away the cuttings so I piled them high in my planter boxes!  I added birch sticks, berries and pinecones. I found these adorable lighted sticks at the craft store!

My tobacco wood star covered in lights!

Aside from candles in the windows- that's it folks! I'm keeping it simple and enjoying the season and celebrating the birth our Savior. Merry Christmas!

Stove Vent

Yet another project for the books!  I removed the microwave and cabinet above it over stove. Husband carried subway tile higher and installed this Broan vent (Online at Lowes for $169). I luv that it is vented to outside!

Now that it's installed we will be covering the entire face of hood with stained wood. It will be a sort of roof extending out from kitchen ceiling down and around hood!  Stay tuned for more updates!

Oh and where is the microwave you ask?  Husband and neighbor (Mr. Brown) installed outlet in pantry closet. Love that it is out of site!

Flea Market Extravaganza in Springfield

Soooo excited to visit for the first time the flea market in Springfield,OH. About a 3 hour drive from my house, two big events a year Sept. and May. Made my friend Erin come along for company and she was happy as long as I kept her fed and watered!

Lots of good finds at ok prices.  Here are some of my favorites:

Can't get enough Union Jack!

Hello painted on old fence door. 

Wood box that I can't wait to fill with pumpkins and moss!  Egg crates (1 for me 1 for mom). 

Industrial loft letters.  

Mums. 

Old windows and burlap. 

Rounded out our trip with a stop in Columbus at Spaghetti Warehouse-YUM!  We earned it after 3hours of walking and shopping!

Command Center

My command center is getting there!  Need to add cork to big frame and decorative metal letters are on order! Keep posted!

Pantry Update

Finally installed the IKEA Aukrum cabinets above my Billy Bookshelves! I love how they look! The cabinets went up easily on a track system. Crown was installed as well as some filler in the empty spaces. Next step will be to trim out with decorative moldings. And then I will start on the opposite wall for the command center(coat hooks and memo boards, etc!)

Blank Canvas

I recently sold a baby grand piano I purchased a few years back on Craig's List. While I loved how the piano looked and sounded, my kids weren't interested in learning!  

So on to my next project- my living room!  As you can see by the photo below it is a blank canvas. I have big plans! But I have to finish the pantry first, finish the pantry first, finish the pantry first! There I said it 3 times it has to come true!

Pantry & Command Center

My next project is tackling my former laundry room. A few months ago I relocated the washer/dryer to my master bedroom closet(my life is way easier since it's on the second floor)! 

It's been a dream to have a walk-in pantry!  Mine is located just inside garage entry so I can drop my groceries right at the door. 

While still in the planning and prep stages- I'll post these horrible before shots, the lighting is bad, it's a dark room. 

So far I have 4 IKEA Billy Bookshelves (1, 15" wide and 3, 36" wide) which are assembled and I used painted gray planks for backing. For upper cabinetry I'm using 3 Aukrum, white Adele cabinets. 

I also removed the interior door from the kitchen opening up lots of space on the opposite wall for a command center. 

I'll keep you posted as to my progress!  

Cloffice

I was desperate to get all of our tech gadgets into one place and give the kids and I a space to work in!  So I took the doors off a coat closet (we have mudroom for coats) near the family room and voila an office or "cloffice" as we like to call it. 

I started by adding wood planks or ship lap to the back wall to give it some character and then painted it gray.  I ordered floating shelves from Target which the husband easily installed (he's an attorney if he can install them anyone can). Then I needed a floating desk!  Took a two hour road trip to IKEA and found a kitchen table top.  Was able to easily cut in half to create my desk and cubby below! 

My desk chair came from Overstock.com and the little battery operated lights came from Home Depot. 

I found a shoe rack in the closet organizing aisle at Target and this houses the printer and extra paper. 

The best part- all cords come thru a hole in the desktop. All hidden from my view!!

Concrete Countertop

In February I installed Carrera Marble in my kitchen(I love them)!  I wanted a different surface on my island.  I was thinking butcher block but then I heard about Ardex Feather Finish!

Basically it is a cement underlayment floor guys use to install tiles.  Anyway the stuff is fab! I ordered mine from Amazon and it only took 1 bag and I had leftover. 

Here are the steps:

Before: laminate counter

These two tools will remove the laminate and leave a wood surface: heat gun and crow bar. It was an easy process and no mess. Just heat laminate at a corner and lift with bar! Keep heating as you pull. 

Bare counter.  You don't have to do this step you can just sand the laminate.  But I didn't find removing it hard!

Next mix your cement in a small bucket I mixed only 1cup cement to 2 cups water then I would add cement to thicken if needed. The best consistency is like icing on a cake. Then grab a big long putty knife and spread over counter. I used long swipes then re-mixed as I ran out of cement. *To do the edges: I actually spread it on with my fingers! Let dry for 24 hours!

After 24 hours this is what it looks like!  Now get your sanding block, a coarse and a fine and sand, sand, sand. Use a shop vac to help with the dust. After you have all the dust up repeat the whole cement process again. Then let dry, then sand!  I put three thin coats on!  It took a whole week -I didn't want to rush things!

This is the counter before sealing! At this point you could stain the concrete using concrete stain- I've even seen it look like wood. 

Next came the FOOD SAFE sealer. I followed the great instructions on the label. I purchased this also from Amazon. 

The sealer added a great shine and it's soft and satiny feeling. Aside from drying time and sanding this project went quickly- I'd do it again!  All for under $100!

Front Door Drab to Fab!

I've been trying to decide on the "right" shade of aqua/turqoise for my front door. Originally my door was stained and is a wood-grain fiberglass. After looking at many ideas I decided on Woodlawn Charm by Valspar in an exterior semi-gloss. Here is the before-I couldn't find a better pic and I was too excited to start painting to take one before!

Since the door was sealed with a clear poly I first painted on a coat of KILZ. I took off all my hardware and gave them a fresh coat of Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint by Rust-o-lium. I also added a kick plate and new doorbell. Total cost: under $100 for a completely new entry!  Now I just have to decide on a hanging light fixture!