Before & After: Our Kitchen Renovation

There are times that looking to the past is a good thing.

 Renovations are examples. Going to an open-concept plan was a correct choice for us. Our kitchen became Light, Bright, Airy.  I am thankful to the Lord; and to Andy & Lucas the workers. 

Also,  better doing the project then, than now, with inflation nipping at our heels.  

More work around the house is needed, of course.  It seems endless, with lots of money involved 😐 Someday the projects will be completed, Lord willing and as He provides.

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MacKenzie-Childs: In My Kitchen

M-C ran a series of contests in July 2020 to appease the multitude of Fans who were disappointed in their cancellation of the annual M-C Barn Sale ('coz of Covid-19). First contest was to post pictures of MacKenzie Childs in your kitchen. Why, don't mind if I do!

CC Cutting Board

MC 3-quart Tea Kettle

Breezy Poppy Runner Rug

Courtly Check Owl

M-C Breezy Poppy Washable Runner Rug

M-C Parchment Check Collection

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Our Velux Skylight, Part 2

This is GORGEOUS!  Luv the picture below via Ashley Stark Kenner (she is the Creative Director of Stark Carpet and owner of Scalamandre.  Why is it that I tend to take note of the filthy rich when they post on decor or lifestyle?!  Aerin Lauder is another example, yipes). 

I wanted lots of light streaming in from a skylight, windows, and door; and a view of our backyard.

WoW!!

Realistically:  Had to stay within the footprint of what we already had. Stuck to what was practical and within our budget of approximately $25k. Got a herringbone floor installed at a different spot in the house. On sunny days, when sunshine streams in from the SW, our kitchen is wonderfully aglow with light.

I remain pleased with our choices.

Pictures of others' skylights 

Photo by Laura Butler-Madden 

Photo by Andrew Feldon

Photo by Roundhouse 

Photo by Eisenmann Architecture 

All things are artificial, 

for Nature is the art of God. 

- Thomas Browne

20 Kitchen Must-Haves From Houzz Readers

Wall Comes Down and a Skylight Goes Up in a Sleek New Kitchen

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Metal Pot Rack: Theirs and Mine in the Kitchen

The Brown's pot rack

I first set eyes on the above pot rack during a post-wedding party.  Maybe it was the great food and/or the great friends with whom I mingled, but I simply had to have this simple, useful pot rack and asked the hosts for its source.  Long story short, I got my own version within 3 weeks of the event through the kindness of a mutual friend's husband. This was a good deal on all fronts. Thank God for men of integrity. 

First,  young daughter painted the wall where it was to be installed.  There was once a strip of mirror running horizontally across near the ceiling. Paint primer was needed before the paint was applied.

Next, hubby measured and found the wall studs.  This rack was HEAVY.  Plus, we had to consider the weight of the pots, pans, glassware and other stuff we plan to put on it (such as the beautiful Courtly Check pot below).

MacKenzie-Childs 2.5 quart pot

Some time after this beautiful metal rack was installed, we renovated our kitchen.  The particular wall onto which it was installed no longer exists. The rack has been put away in storage till a proper place for it in our home is found once again. 

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Kitchen Renovation: Bold Backsplash Tiles from Floor & Decor

pc: Floor & Decor, Panda tiles

The search for the perfect kitchen backsplash! 

Unlike trending- design articles, I wanted colorful and/or bold.
Hubby loved the 17 x 17 inch mod blue tiles we found at Floor & Decor. Likewise!

 I thought it a better choice than the large black and white "Panda" tile he also wanted. Far toooooooo bold for even me, but stunning nonetheless. 

Photo by Yaya Mosaics 

Photo by Yaya Mosaics 

pc: Floor & Decor

pc: Domino Magazine

Floor & Decor

pc: Houzz

luv these porcelain tiles!

Modern Moon Blue Tile

New Looks for Cabinets and Countertops Emerging in 2019

What’s Popular for Kitchen Counters, Backsplashes and Walls

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Thankful for Teeny-tiny Apartment

Tiny (200 s.f) St. Louis apartment with kitchen-bathroom combo makes waves
by Paulina Dedaj, Fox News

A listing for a tiny St. Louis apartment has gone viral because of its unique layout in which the kitchen and bathroom are the same place.

The 200-square-foot two-room apartment in St. Louis’ popular Central West End gained notoriety after an ad with a photo was posted showing a kitchen sink and a bathtub separated only by a toilet.  

View image on Twitter

Jarel Loveless@jarelloveless

Have to love the St. Louis housing market. Combo kitchen/bathroom, $525/month

11:18 AM - Sep 1, 2018

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• 59 people are talking about this

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Harold Karabell of S.F. Shannon Real Estate Management said that the quaint apartment was rented out for $525-per-month and the new tenant loves it.

Karabell told the St. Louis Dispatch  that despite its unusual setup, the place is “a legitimate apartment” that’s “passed all city inspections.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

I am thankful to God for providing a nice apartment for our daughter. Her apartment has 3 bedrooms and takes up the entire floor of a private home.  It is approximately 6+ times bigger in size than the above apartment. The rent per month is almost 4x more (divided among the 3 Renters).  The kitchen and bathroom are adequately sized, separate, with a hallway between the two rooms, yay.

Tiny Apartment

Apt Owner Had to Appeal





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