Tile Decisions

Our home renovation is moving along quite smoothly.  In fact, my last decision (that I'm aware of) is what tile to go with for our backsplash.  I've narrowed down my choices to two options from The Tile Shop.  My two options are shown with the quartz counter top we decided on.

Option 1: Hampton Carrara Smooth Rectified Tile

Option 2: Hampton Carrara Cardine Tile

Our kitchen is a small U-shaped kitchen (we didn't add on) so to help the space look larger we chose a light-colored counter top surface and are going to compliment it with a very light colored backsplash.  The cabinets will be a dark walnut (white is out of the question for us since we live on a farm) and the flooring will be a wood laminate.  I like the classic look of these tile options because I want something that will look nice and still somewhat "modern" down the road. 

I'm stuck - I like both of these backsplash options!  Ahhhh!! What do you think?  I would love to get your opinion so please leave a comment below letting me know what you would choose!

DIY Jewelry Dish

It's been awhile since you've seen a DIY project from me so I'm excited to have one to share - especially for Valentine's Day!

I all of a sudden found a little inspiration while I was in Target last week!  I decided two combine two of the things I love - giving gifts and jewelry dishes and  Ta-da! A DIY jewelry holder!!  Little bowls are perfect for the bathroom, kitchen, your nightstand, dresser or nearly anywhere you take off your jewelry.

Here is the super simple how-to:

Step One| Gather Your Supplies

All you need is a dip bowl from Target (found in the aisle with the white dishes) and Sharpie markers.

Step Two| Create Your Design

My designs are definitely imperfect but that's on one of the things I love about handmade things!

Step Three| Bake Them

Put these dishes in your oven at 350F for 30 minutes. Let them cool when you remove them from the oven.

Step Four| Gift Them

I filled the jewelry dishes I made with some Dove chocolates and will gift them to some special peeps in my life as a little Valentine's Day gift! :)

Even though Valentine's Day is kind of a 'Hallmark holiday" it's still fun to give gifts and let people know how much you love and appreciate them!

Stay tuned for a Valentine's Day gift from me on Friday... :)

The worst kitchen in the world... besides not having one

Are you ready for this?  These before pictures of our kitchen may shock you.

Don't mind the packing mess... however it didn't look that much better when it was all picked up. This kitchen was an addition that was put on our house in (probably) the 60's or 70's.  Where the carpet meets the linoleum is where the original house ended.  The construction was poor on this kitchen addition... the floor slanted, there was minimal insulation (thus the reason I had to thaw a beef roast in my living room) and the ceiling rafters were not fastened down.  Oh yeah and we sorta had a mouse problem.  

Here is our game plan...

• Tear out everything to the studs (actually to the dirt floor underneath the kitchen)
• Refasten and level floor boards
• Add a new floor
• Change out windows
• Remove header
• Update waterlines
• Add spray foam insulation!
• New countertops and tile backsplash
• New custom cabinets
• New appliances
• New wood laminate flooring
• Adjust lighting

Here is the other side of our kitchen.

Don't judge. The wallpaper was not our decision.  And who, by the way, puts a bathroom in the center of the house?! It's super awesome to have guests over and everyone can hear them pee...

To do list continued...

• Remove the whole bathroom to to create an open floor plan
• Remove plumbing to the bathroom
• Replace the north-facing window with a larger window
• Extend the countertop under the window (ending where the current bathroom wall connects) to create a breakfast bar
• New paint

Here is how the kitchen area currently looks.

It looks better already, doesn't it?

Renovation Game Plan - Guest Bedroom Decor Plan

It's about that time that I start to think about how I want to decorate our renovated home - as if I haven't thought about it already, right?! However, it's putting the vision into play that is sometimes the challenge - like finding the exact item to create the feel you want the space to have.

Oddly enough, the one room I have a clear vision for it our new main floor guest bedroom.  I showed you what was all being done to the new guest room from a construction perspective, here is an idea of how the completed room to look.

  Most of the items I already own but there are a few I need to get including the light fixture (Lowes) and the sheets (West Elm).  The 'Goodnight' wall hanging will be a DIY project so stay tuned. 

For some crazy reason, I want a dark room in the house.  My husband is against it but he'll come around! :)  The room sits on the south side of our house so that sun shines in nearly all day long which will brighten up the space - I'm also going to compliment the space with white bedding, white/gray curtains, white light fixture and some white decor - like the 'goodnight' wall hanging.

If it doesn't work... I can always repaint!