Kitchen renovation update

 Hi Everyone!  

This kitchen might be the longest renovation we have ever done.  

There are always problems that come up, but it seems like everything we do in here turns into a huge addition.   

We replaced the countertops without to much problem.  We pulled the backsplash off and with it most of the drywall paper.  

That is getting covered with the new backsplash so it doesn't need much work.

We tore out the old pantry closet and found out it was framed all wrong.  So there was much more  repair than we anticipated.  

Luckily Nate is a drywall master.  He can literally fix anything.

We pulled up the ugly green floor to reveal even uglier green floor.  There was some water damage so the sub floor had to be replaced as well.  

Here we go:

We tore out the closet.

Revealed some of the ugly floor.

 

 

Tore out the rest of the floor and added the pantry cabinet (which still needs doors).  The boys don't like the green squares.

Toast is always on hand to help with demo!

 

 

You can see some of the water damage in this one.  

Here we are now.  You can also see the new countertops, sink and dishwasher in this picture. 

Nate is spackling now and after that I get to paint everything.  

We still have a ways to go, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Are you doing any renovations?  Have you run into unexpected problems?  I need to know I'm not alone. 😆

XOXO,

Heather

Kitchen renovation

 Hello hello!!  Happy New Year!  

I know I've been MIA for quite a bit.  We've been working on a project.

The Kitchen!

It's really just a refresh.  We plan to switch up the whole house and make the living room into a big kitchen...someday.  

We have to save our pennies (and dollars) first.

For now we are updating our current kitchen to make it prettier and more functional!

This is where we started (please ignore the horrible pictures.  These are from the listing when we bought the house.  It was so ugly I never wanted pictures of it):

Everything was different shades of green and the appliances were so outdated they started to die almost immediately. 

This is what we had updated too as the appliances died:

Still ugly, but at least we could cook now.  Also, we added the cute dog :)

We knew when we started this remodel that it wasn't going to be our forever kitchen.  After we add the new kitchen I would love to turn this into a laundry room.  Our laundry is currently in the basement and that's never really nice.  

That being said, this started out as just new countertops and sink...

then we decided to change the floor so we can replace the dishwasher...

then we decided that the cabinets are just not our style at all, so new doors will be added and the boxes will be painted...

then we figured if we were changing the floor and the cabinets we should move the stove over so it's not against the wall anymore...

Now we have quite the project going on.  But it will be worth it.

This is where we're going:

We have been working on it for awhile now.  That's why I didn't post any Christmas pictures.  The whole house is somehow taken over with this.  So I didn't get much decorated.  

Since the holidays are over we are full steam ahead and hope to finish in the next month.  I'll keep you posted on updates soon! 

Do you have any projects you're working on in the new year?  I would love to see your new ideas!

XOXO,

 Heather

Dining Room progress

 Hey guys!  How is everyone's new year going?  I'm getting back in the swing of things after the Christmas break.  

I love having off for the holidays but I never get as much done as I would like to.  

For example...the dining room.  We really had good intentions to have it ready to go so when our table gets delivered it will be ready.  But, life got in the way.  

Here  it is before new paint with the floor sanded.  Toast always likes to help.  As long as there is sun to lay in ;)
 

It worked out that we didn't get as far as we planned because our table has been delayed again.  We now expect it by the end of the month.  I hope it actually shows up this time.   

Nate is a rockstar and finished the floors.  They look amazing!  I painted and now we are still working on finishing the molding, building the cabinet I bought for in here.  Then we need to hang the curtains and decorate.

I really hope we have it finished by the end of January.  We'll see!

For now we have the floor refinished, the walls painted, and the grandfather clock got moved in and fixed so that is ticking away.  

This is what it looks like now:

(I'm building the cabinet I bought for here.  It's coming along nicely!)

I am very happy with how it is going to turn out!  I just can't wait to see it finished.

What do you think so far??  Do your projects ever get done on time?  I could definitely use some tips.

XOXO,

Heather

Things I Think I Love

Hello Hello!!!  It's been so crazy lately.  I just realized I haven't posted anything in months!  I really need to try to keep up a regular schedule.  Going forward I will give it my best.  

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Ours was very calm.  But, as always, the food was amazing.  Nate always goes all out.  It doesn't matter if it's just us or if we're having 10 people over.  haha.  It's a good thing we love left overs!

 So I've been buying some really random things lately and I wanted to share.  Take a look!

1. At Home Gel Nail Kit- this kit is amazing!  I don't have the time or energy to go to a salon to get my nails done.  If you follow these instructions they last for a good 2 weeks!  

 

2. Essential Oil Diffuser-I love having my house smell nice!  This is the easiest way for me.  Plus it's super cute.  I have been loving lavender and lemon but I think I am going to switch it up for the holidays.  Any recommendations? 

 3. Dog Bowl-this one is really random but Toast loves to spill water everywhere.  This bowl has definitely helped keep the kitchen floor much cleaner!  It is also easy to keep clean.  I just wipe it down with a damp cloth and once in awhile wash the whole thing in the sink.  I ordered the largest size because the boys share one bowl.  But it is available smaller.

 

4. Air Popper -I love popcorn.  It's no secret.  This air popper makes my favorite snack quick and easy.  

5. Wire Lights-I love twinkle lights.  These are great because they are battery operated.  I don't have an outlet near my mantel, so these add the perfect holiday sparkle without the hassle of trying to figure out how to get power to them.  

Are you loving anything right now??

I would love to see it!  I am always looking for new and fun ideas.

P.S.-our dining room is almost finished.  I will share my design board and info later this week. Then the finished room (hopefully) next week!

XOXO,

Heather

 

 

Closet organization

Guys!

I finally did it!

I went through my closet.

It felt SO good to purge all the clothes and shoes that I don't wear anymore.

It took me 2 days.  But, now it is much easier to see what I have and I actually use most (I will need to purge again soon!) of what is there.

Let's start with the scary before:

Yikes!  What a mess.  I have a nice sized closet.  But it was definitely not being used well.

With a few inexpensive pieces from the Dollar Tree, Amazon, and Target (along with a serious clean out) It looks so much better!

My trusty helper wanted to be in this picture!  That sweet little boy makes projects more fun.

Here are all the organizing pieces I used:

Bins - Dollar Tree
Bins - Dollar Tree
Bins - Dollar Tree
Hanging storage - Amazon
Hanging bar - Amazon
Shoe shelf - Target

That's it!  It's amazing how so few pieces can make such a difference.

 First I pulled out all my shoes.  I think I have a shoe hoarding problem.

I did a quick sort and eliminated about 15 pairs or shoes!

The boys helped again :)



Finally I went through all my clothes.  I think I got rid of about half of what I had.  There are 3 large bags that need to get out of my house!

and finally I put it all back:

 It's hard to tell in this picture but I sort my hanging shirts by color.  It makes it easy to find what I am looking for.

Look at all those extra hangers!  I even have a couple extra bins for my next organization project. 

I used 2 bins on the floor to hold shoes.  One for sandals and one for flats.

I also used 2 round bins on the top shelf for extra socks and stockings.  It freed up some space in my dresser!

Have you done any organizing lately??

XOXO,

Heather

Spring Projects

Happy Monday everyone! 


This weekend was so perfect in PA.  It was sunny and 70's.  I could not ask for better. 


That being said, I did not get any indoor projects done. 


I did start a bunch last week.  I've been painting more and more. I have also been organizing the basement.  That is going to be a long process though.


I was working here

This is my work station for now.  I do have a craft room, but for now there isn't a table in there.  So I work on the bar in our living rom. 

Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched?  I turned around and

Toast was watching me.  Who knows why.  He probably wanted a treat.  Either way, he was cute as can be.


Here are a couple of my works in progress:

This mailbox is going to go by the garden to hold gloves and a small shovel...anything that I might need but won't want to go to the shed for.  I'll post the whole process once I have it finished and hung it outside.


Are you working on any projects at the moment? 


XOXO,


Heather

New year new you?

Happy New Year! 

Let me start by saying that I love the holidays…I really, really do. 

But, this year, it all felt like too much. 

Maybe it was because we got Toast just after Thanksgiving and everything is hard with a puppy, or maybe it was because I’ve had too many years of too much, or maybe it was because Nate is getting his business up and running (Prolaserworks.com  Check it out 😉)and he was churning out orders right up until Christmas eve.  

A rare moment of peace

No matter what the reason, I just feel like I need a clean pallet.

I’m not really into resolutions.  Do you like the New Year New You thing? I feel like it is just begging myself to fail. 

However, after the holidays (every year, not just this one of “too much”) I have an urge to simplify and so this year I have one thought for the new year…

Less indulgence. 

In everything. 

Stop eating until I’m stuffed, cut back the alcohol, no more frivolous spending. 

Do you make resolutions? 

If you do or don't, I hope you make 2020 a great year!

XOXO,

Heather

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinosauruses
I only likes hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me, too

Is it even Christmas until you've heard this song?  

It cracks me up every time.   

In other news...I have not wrapped a single Christmas present yet.  

Are you last minute?  I am usually already done with everything and just enjoying the holiday spirit by this time.  But this year is a different story.

I didn't even make any cookies!  

I don't know how I can live with myself for that one.

 

The real chaos of our home:

I love seeing those two goofballs run around together. 

At least I got the house decorated.  What do you think??

Happy Holidays!  I hope you get a Hippopotamus!

XOXO,

Heather