Kitchen has arrived!

The kitchen has arrived!  We are missing pieces, but I have contacted Ikea about this, and hope to get it resolved soon.   In the meantime we have moved the pieces we have received into my office/cat room. 

It finally feels like this kitchen is really going to happen.

Xmas Tree 2013

When I can, I put up my Xmas tree on Black Friday.  This year, I changed it up a little by moving it to the office/lounge in the back of the house.  I went back to my usual white/silver tree. 

Nick hates the dove.  I'm not exactly sure why, but I love it.  I like that it's an alternative to an angel or star on the top of the tree.  I got this tree on clearance in February years ago, for $2.  It has survived 2 moves, including to Florida from Wisconsin.  It is starting to show its age though, a lot of lost "needles" and "twigs".  I may have to keep my eyes out after Xmas for a good deal on fake tree in the coming season.

Has anyone else put their tree up yet?

Cabinets are ordered!

The cabinets are ordered!  Ikea is offering up to 20% off your kitchen purchase until early December.  I know that they will offer another sale early next year, but only after we begin our kitchen reno, so I had to order the cabinets now.  They will be delivered in a couple weeks.  I originally wanted to only order the cabinets from Ikea, and get everything else from other sources, so our kitchen wouldn't look like an Ikea catalog!  To reach the 20% off deal, I had to order handles and a hood in addition to the cabinets.  Mathmatically, those are both free with the 20% discount so I'm not too bothered.

Cabinet fronts:

Ramsjo in Black/Brown.  Simple and traditional, and not too contemporary for our 1950s home.

Handles:

Varde Pulls.  These will add a little modern feel to the more traditional cabinets.  The round coins are optional.  I will try both on the cabinets to see which I like the most.

Hood:

Luftig Exhaust Hood.  This was not my first option for a hood, but it looks nearly identical to the first option. 

It will all be delivered in a couple weeks, at which I will show the pictures of the 173(!!) pieces, and what it's beginning to look like.  I will be spending the coming weekends until we begin the reno, looking for the right granite countertops.

New Front Door Color!

I've wanted to paint our front door from the day we moved in.  Over two years later, I have finally done it!

Before:

After:

 

Before and After

This is Swan Sea by Behr.  I love this color for the door.  It goes with the current exterior colors, but is a nice burst of color.

Glad to have this done after 2 years!

  

Pinning and Pining: November

After I took a break from Pinning and Pining, I found out Nick liked Pinning and Pining because he liked the ideas of gifts he could get me.  Isn't that sweet?

Since November=Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving=food, I thought food/cooking would be a good subject this month.

Pinning:

Pinterest

Cranberry upside down cake will be our dessert for Thanksgiving.  I hope it's as good as pineapple upside down cake.

Pinterest

I plan on slightly modifying this Brussels sprout recipe to have on Thanksgiving.  Yes, I like Brussels sprouts!

Pining:

Remodelista

I love how beautiful these teak measuring spoons look.  I can't imagine anyone would hide these in a drawer!

Amazon

I've been looking for some quality measuring cups to replace my cheap plastic cups.  These even have 2/3 cups, and 3/4 cups, which are often missing from other sets.

Next month: Christmas Pinning and Pining!

Backsplash

Since the beginning of the kitchen renovation, we have never wavered on the back splash option, stainless steel.  We like the look, modern, simple, neutral.

These are simple peel and stick tiles, which should be easy to install.  We also plan on having almost no gap for grout.  I'm very excited to see what it all looks like when its done.

New Toy

For years I have been talking to Nick about a chain saw.  He always told me we didn't need one, or we wouldn't use one.  Well, about a week ago Nick said he thought we could use a small chain saw and/or pole saw, to trim our trees, and take down bamboo that has fallen over a fence from our neighbor's property.  So, we bought a 2-in-1 pole saw with removable chain saw. 

It may be a small 10in chain saw, but I have one!  I can't wait to use it.

Cabinet pulls

I have been looking at cabinet pulls for the new kitchen.  I have three options, all are very different styles, but will be in brushed nickel.

Amazon

Ikea

Pulls Direct

I like all of them equally, and there is not a drastic price difference to favor any one over the other.  I have a couple months to figure out which style I like the most.
Which one for you like the most; top, middle, or bottom?

PS. Pinning and Pining will be back next month!

Testing a Kitchen Floorplan

A couple of weeks ago, I put some painter's tape down where I thought cabinets would be.  I also put tape up on the walls to get an idea of the opening that I want. 

It looks like the island is small, but I know once its installed, I will think that it's a big island.  I'm am so excited to get rid of this ugly tile!

Frankie likes being in the kitchen if someone is in there too.  Notice how he looks away from the camera.  Silly kitty!

PS. It seems as though some people use these weekly posts to ensure I am alive.  So the plan is to post every Sunday, even if it's a couple words, or an old picture, so these people (who shall remain nameless) can sleep at night.  :)

New Packers Print

I found a cool old print (seller claimed it was from the 60s) on Etsy.  It was in great condition, with no folds, tears, creases, or even rounded corners.  It didn't even smell old.  We believe it might be a reprint of the original, but it still pretty awesome anyway.  The print plus shipping was about $30.  I found the frame at Target for $20.  Not bad for $50!

We love Etsy to find old and awesome football items.  Nick visits Etsy often, and has even talked other men into checking out Etsy for sports items. 

Go Packers!