Kitchen Chronicles: Planning Stages

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>I realize we don't even own this house yet... but we're impatient, dangit!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's <strike>9pm</strike> <strike>10pm</strike> almost 11pm and I'm exhausted from my 14 hour workday, but so much has been happening around here and I owe you guys an update!</div><br />Our loan agent is a rockstar and the home buying process is flying by. Originally we agreed on a 30 day escrow, but we're signing the loan docs tomorrow and closing by Tuesday or Weds (just two weeks after we made an offer!)<br /><br />Not only have we been dealing with appraisals and inspections and insurance and loan stuff, but we've been trying to plan out all of our major renovations and purchases so we can get a jump start on them as soon as we close.<br /><br />Our #1 concern: the kitchen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPUwqaJRJHkvqeIE4QfzMQ5TrCYd0dYCvqsa50WqUGKNwFYCYh9ryN2xj7OjWt6QCmxkg_XewqWezYZpBjoQqqEIIF2zvFbsdKdpg-JPx0aPD0KFtUB3U_Dg6b2LJotOvu4PDQ727e06k/s1600/IMG_1223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPUwqaJRJHkvqeIE4QfzMQ5TrCYd0dYCvqsa50WqUGKNwFYCYh9ryN2xj7OjWt6QCmxkg_XewqWezYZpBjoQqqEIIF2zvFbsdKdpg-JPx0aPD0KFtUB3U_Dg6b2LJotOvu4PDQ727e06k/s1600/IMG_1223.jpg" /></a></div><br />I finally took some wide angle pics of the space so you can get a good idea of the layout (sorry, they're kinda dark).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEydIiRB9YbsjqrbfRdkNwWbrgYCLI0Nqv1wXHqFNYKf6J2IKvwXX0oUbJxGCZ1bSPI-4h2RUuMZtaJyxG9KFt1T4b4Im410cGZiM4gHOY8Y0IhxGseBCipwP-jjsc5IXokPfqit6eGGSY/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEydIiRB9YbsjqrbfRdkNwWbrgYCLI0Nqv1wXHqFNYKf6J2IKvwXX0oUbJxGCZ1bSPI-4h2RUuMZtaJyxG9KFt1T4b4Im410cGZiM4gHOY8Y0IhxGseBCipwP-jjsc5IXokPfqit6eGGSY/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQLT65l5kTKmvtyvqzjtZzgoHWMqZOfgtQo7vra3rJ39kYa1sDBcCqfkUZBvIVXwAj4GL-xgI39jPVywqZOVW590hFmZkI2G9z6XKBOPaKoMEgOeNEJJuzM-0kOvhE_iKGAjsarlEwvCe/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQLT65l5kTKmvtyvqzjtZzgoHWMqZOfgtQo7vra3rJ39kYa1sDBcCqfkUZBvIVXwAj4GL-xgI39jPVywqZOVW590hFmZkI2G9z6XKBOPaKoMEgOeNEJJuzM-0kOvhE_iKGAjsarlEwvCe/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Peekaboo to the dining room...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusbJoQ9xcAkV6xBvhSTxpdjeZSzoE7yJhMA58Zqrn6iWLVB4HY6b-y_QbU8UnsY7bVdBZwZFxKTnDv3Hr4fKlLwwL-I_WatkYCKp3j304rI_0Mt_dTWEg2GoecOBKDGgXj4w-MiRvuBFO/s1600/IMG_1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusbJoQ9xcAkV6xBvhSTxpdjeZSzoE7yJhMA58Zqrn6iWLVB4HY6b-y_QbU8UnsY7bVdBZwZFxKTnDv3Hr4fKlLwwL-I_WatkYCKp3j304rI_0Mt_dTWEg2GoecOBKDGgXj4w-MiRvuBFO/s1600/IMG_1225.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Why is this partition wall even here?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DrH3n7yrjkHpukGEqV__m4iv1dVxxr0wrmIfKNZBir-UzH40mrair9iXyzhCGYFIm1PdwNUiY6VZYpY6Jdn36sewrZn8HUJDvesexUXFmDx4byrjfA50Xa-cXhxImRX7j9F7YrNtMUj6/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DrH3n7yrjkHpukGEqV__m4iv1dVxxr0wrmIfKNZBir-UzH40mrair9iXyzhCGYFIm1PdwNUiY6VZYpY6Jdn36sewrZn8HUJDvesexUXFmDx4byrjfA50Xa-cXhxImRX7j9F7YrNtMUj6/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDQ9I4vaCsxDRQuMjz_8vTALzLPgPldEwR5wkArsZ9TGTjkyJ5ZDknfA4geL_hgU31O8xiLwRY80izbsDQ7m17Md2zyuCm0DQ5l2IKS9o3Q7QGjDLG1P1kpXJV1KV4JEkIjO0zgcEzTPH/s1600/IMG_1219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDQ9I4vaCsxDRQuMjz_8vTALzLPgPldEwR5wkArsZ9TGTjkyJ5ZDknfA4geL_hgU31O8xiLwRY80izbsDQ7m17Md2zyuCm0DQ5l2IKS9o3Q7QGjDLG1P1kpXJV1KV4JEkIjO0zgcEzTPH/s1600/IMG_1219.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And then there's this bar in the dining room... it's the first thing on your right when you walk in:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4dOul4lsN3v2ZRRC-8lO_XLCFO8D_oH2Opcy0KqdnPQCV1jiZRWwUEV2hn5R1RUBTH4MXX5_CyKXM7APBTZnvTI53K3WNNH8tD107XSN42-InDA_seOQXuKYv6bbUV_ALX_-QEEhTSHP/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4dOul4lsN3v2ZRRC-8lO_XLCFO8D_oH2Opcy0KqdnPQCV1jiZRWwUEV2hn5R1RUBTH4MXX5_CyKXM7APBTZnvTI53K3WNNH8tD107XSN42-InDA_seOQXuKYv6bbUV_ALX_-QEEhTSHP/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Brad wants to keep it and update it, I want to demo it and turn it into a buffet nook.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25QiPVbO5YdmhJWfAV3Yv6G3LQJLQ8KWz-GxITZGZV1K_Agvwr1FeAKROjStvSAy9CDuUXDxdzm5lfT1yh7R9lvQP8pZfoK9SKwsOk_f613CTpVD6qYfy86veOwxknlplkSGAr3CKssNP/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25QiPVbO5YdmhJWfAV3Yv6G3LQJLQ8KWz-GxITZGZV1K_Agvwr1FeAKROjStvSAy9CDuUXDxdzm5lfT1yh7R9lvQP8pZfoK9SKwsOk_f613CTpVD6qYfy86veOwxknlplkSGAr3CKssNP/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />What do you guys think?<br /><br />Tough decisions...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfMTvyAiRkasavLYRCeHAZ1NlD4sdiL1ZlJ1qRxvxwaaV_vSEapm6-NpkcjFsIomrqXdUheFT4ASzNotlhXhJxhk6V3h2SIcQ3MeUdz_y6YZ1Zds4MjV9UvNxAVuRB-vHwA55g07OkFC9/s1600/IMG_1229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfMTvyAiRkasavLYRCeHAZ1NlD4sdiL1ZlJ1qRxvxwaaV_vSEapm6-NpkcjFsIomrqXdUheFT4ASzNotlhXhJxhk6V3h2SIcQ3MeUdz_y6YZ1Zds4MjV9UvNxAVuRB-vHwA55g07OkFC9/s1600/IMG_1229.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The living room is behind that wall of railing. I love how open everything is.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXIoqsCS-v_3I25q5Mu5fBYgRG84bxXxrNLWGFNvRHybLL2rd7Etlk3qWDSzPHB3P3MVukVyqbAQQ9nHLTFw4WlqDgi7HSyQOyhyphenhyphenakgDw8qnJb3rBoYdfi_3qpnfQ1pKXwEaiZW1eAzyL/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXIoqsCS-v_3I25q5Mu5fBYgRG84bxXxrNLWGFNvRHybLL2rd7Etlk3qWDSzPHB3P3MVukVyqbAQQ9nHLTFw4WlqDgi7HSyQOyhyphenhyphenakgDw8qnJb3rBoYdfi_3qpnfQ1pKXwEaiZW1eAzyL/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And the best news we received all week came from the inspector when he crawled in the attic and told us that the wall dividing the kitchen and dining room is NOT load bearing. Praise sweet baby jesus, that just saved us a few thousand dollars in permits and plans and frustrations.<br /><br />The day this place closes we'll be there with sledgehammers knocking that baby down.<br /><br /><br />What do we have in store, you ask?<br /><br />Well I've been on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/jennasuedesign/kitchen-%2B-dining/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> obsessing over kitchens and accumulating quite the collection of images.<br /><br />Here are some of my favorites:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/bc/46/f2/bc46f2364477350332afea42106fe56f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/bc/46/f2/bc46f2364477350332afea42106fe56f.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/152207662380216499/" target="_blank">Source</a><br /><br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i0.wp.com/www.lizmarieblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/6f6dd3a7dfc9e3300bf7a010f79817d1.jpg?resize=500%2C555" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.lizmarieblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/6f6dd3a7dfc9e3300bf7a010f79817d1.jpg?resize=500%2C555" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/06/open-shelving-inspiration/" target="_blank">Source</a><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/2d85f47b2757db85f8b36d1779d2d372/tumblr_mvxe5tFWEL1qd8ykto1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/2d85f47b2757db85f8b36d1779d2d372/tumblr_mvxe5tFWEL1qd8ykto1_1280.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bourgeoisbohemianism.tumblr.com/post/66340559222" target="_blank">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/1f/f9/d91ff9e4977dcecd5e7634ef6a829da2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/1f/f9/d91ff9e4977dcecd5e7634ef6a829da2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/152207662380216497/" target="_blank">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/8fd1aa5b0e7284de_8-4530/contemporary-kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/8fd1aa5b0e7284de_8-4530/contemporary-kitchen.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/296004/Bay-window-kitchen-nook-contemporary-kitchen-san-francisco" target="_blank">Source</a><br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3280/2825833486_9611c1a53f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3280/2825833486_9611c1a53f_o.jpg" width="514" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/decorology/2825833486/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />As you can see—there's lots of white and gray, high contrast, modern mixed with rustic/farmhouse touches, bright and open, cozy seating areas. That's the plan.<br /><br /><br />Since we're gutting and changing the footprint of the room, we had to start from scratch with a custom kitchen.<br /><br />My first thought was Ikea—and lucky for us they're having their semi-annual 20% off sale (we would just barely make the Dec 1st cutoff).<br /><br />I am drooling over this kitchen—these are the cabinets I'd get:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoEsHvjWwFgIQteGgHF1NPhdEDXjMg55gzlenluoMogsBRSkajyMpv0k7fjrIORq3XrJ5b9ykbHtBoRNz-TEixTUOIjRJ7X-hWGXFBT4sRGjBjXNF0O2w5A6W5-oDjsHbcPrtG1iS7NgF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+9.36.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoEsHvjWwFgIQteGgHF1NPhdEDXjMg55gzlenluoMogsBRSkajyMpv0k7fjrIORq3XrJ5b9ykbHtBoRNz-TEixTUOIjRJ7X-hWGXFBT4sRGjBjXNF0O2w5A6W5-oDjsHbcPrtG1iS7NgF/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+9.36.44+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's surely our cheapest option (even without the sale), so I gave them a call to ask how their kitchen planning works—since this is such a huge project and we don't trust ourselves to take care of it on our own.<br /><br />Unfortunately, they don't offer any measuring, planning or installation services for our location because we live out in the middle of nowhere. We'd have to hire someone who would be willing to deal with cabinets in 5,000 pieces.<br /><br />I did some research and found that people were overall very happy with their Ikea kitchen, but it took them <i>days</i> of meticulous work, not without any delays or challenges.<br /><br />Not something I want to or really am able to deal with right now, being the busiest four weeks of running my <a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/" target="_blank">business</a> (not to mention the upcoming holidays and all the other projects we have to tackle before moving in).<br /><br />Knowing that Lowe's offers free kitchen planning services, I figured I'd take advantage of it and have them come up with the best configuration so I could compare it to Ikea.<br /><br />After taking precise measurements, we handed them over to the Lowe's kitchen planner and watched him work his magic for 2-3 hours:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTovUI7XrDECuenmjat6Pq4iDpWHSr55rSHV4gwgWmppwbCPfPc4Q0Qsw7G2DvHA1jqnB2ui1UmHNxnxOyLDZcTHBHuz9xBBzO1lnxDILHW6zxiQjy-AadrdvIcIC4bQcVQfZqsuY5GBa/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+8.11.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTovUI7XrDECuenmjat6Pq4iDpWHSr55rSHV4gwgWmppwbCPfPc4Q0Qsw7G2DvHA1jqnB2ui1UmHNxnxOyLDZcTHBHuz9xBBzO1lnxDILHW6zxiQjy-AadrdvIcIC4bQcVQfZqsuY5GBa/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+8.11.01+PM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />It was an exciting evening.<br /><br />Here's the general idea of what we came up with...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojtw58g39LLO5lM7oMb4e8rVV3AsSoWeSnhb8DHhS-U-JcQC0pJjUQ6S1HzRIirO59S8Eo70LnW6hWkYEuZ6q8ul0MlKGWioEa9twFfU4K8SadYKIl0TAdiS5PcOGq93www37EKoPS1Pc/s1600/diermann1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojtw58g39LLO5lM7oMb4e8rVV3AsSoWeSnhb8DHhS-U-JcQC0pJjUQ6S1HzRIirO59S8Eo70LnW6hWkYEuZ6q8ul0MlKGWioEa9twFfU4K8SadYKIl0TAdiS5PcOGq93www37EKoPS1Pc/s1600/diermann1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />It's pretty rough and missing some elements, but basically there's going to be a huge island where the existing wall is. Just to the left of the fridge is the door outside. The sink and dishwasher are under the window, and we'd put an oven with a separate cooktop and microwave in the island.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF_84HZUEZjybg9FQHElduQbH2hoi54yItaUGJFjKBe2rbiNVPsja9wcrcDnYRYvkRucxU_6LSaykVmAj4OZXk5Qx_kxt9_EVkb_fp42d9BmBRpQaCxU5PRdD_uGDRyAy1mbzv_hyphenhyphen4YRw/s1600/diermann2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF_84HZUEZjybg9FQHElduQbH2hoi54yItaUGJFjKBe2rbiNVPsja9wcrcDnYRYvkRucxU_6LSaykVmAj4OZXk5Qx_kxt9_EVkb_fp42d9BmBRpQaCxU5PRdD_uGDRyAy1mbzv_hyphenhyphen4YRw/s1600/diermann2.jpg" /></a></div><br />The three cabinets sticking out of the back of the island is going to be a seating area. I'll make cushions and have a big table in front of it, with chairs on the sides. I'm the most excited about this part!<br /><br /><br />Closeup of the island, but I think this might change a bit: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tUhMOYWeR9BTYeZkVX1fz7LG9a0pjzDIDxSoP1Sxo-mchLGHbvYeLyOSRBcrQcm341d3Lb9DXYkDJ-3MrErAQv6SBD23tPB3tspnp5BVj4a4N5VAEQvFTuo5JEbagXJCSdgbysN8y-eY/s1600/diermann4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tUhMOYWeR9BTYeZkVX1fz7LG9a0pjzDIDxSoP1Sxo-mchLGHbvYeLyOSRBcrQcm341d3Lb9DXYkDJ-3MrErAQv6SBD23tPB3tspnp5BVj4a4N5VAEQvFTuo5JEbagXJCSdgbysN8y-eY/s1600/diermann4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NZQYY1h3EZPFYURDK3VmdMwgT_szXofb0OOO6UZbvuUJCrOg6TwpJ61YuDbm47fR9oiNIv6zIHcpdzGSVVN84b2VWXYUdQqFav90PX-_SKQ0yBiGkhlPGpeHCiCQmQroFHEMSp9LBEV2/s1600/diermann3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NZQYY1h3EZPFYURDK3VmdMwgT_szXofb0OOO6UZbvuUJCrOg6TwpJ61YuDbm47fR9oiNIv6zIHcpdzGSVVN84b2VWXYUdQqFav90PX-_SKQ0yBiGkhlPGpeHCiCQmQroFHEMSp9LBEV2/s1600/diermann3.jpg" /></a></div><br />From this viewpoint, you're standing where a pantry cabinet will be. I'm most likely going to use a shallow wardrobe from Ikea and give it a built-in look. On the right side of the sink window will be open shelving (which our kitchen planner can custom build himself)<br /><br />As for colors—they aren't accurate in this program at all, but the cabinets up against the wall will be a light gray with white countertops, and the island will probably be white cabinets with dark gray countertops (not sure which type of counters yet).<br /><br />Our planner talked us in to using one of Lowe's better quality cabinets, Kraftmaid, and upgrading to "all plywood construction" which is the best they offer. They're always running sales with $1k off plywood construction so he said it would even out in the end (I don't think that's entirely true, but still worth it).<br /><br />I was expecting this to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $15-20k, so I was pleasantly surprised when the quote came back in the $9,xxx range. It's a very rough quote and we haven't finished planning all the way, but he said after the discounts and sales they are running, we should be able to get it in the $8,xxx range.<br /><br />Plus, they do complete installation and project management for under 2k, and if we use their services we aren't charged any sales tax on the entire purchase.<br /><br />Of course, we still have to buy appliances (planning on getting those at Lowe's on Black Friday), countertops, backsplash, lighting, flooring, etc etc etc....)<br /><br />In the end we figured it'd still end up in the $20k ballpark, which is totally fine by us to get our dream kitchen. Especially since we bought the house way under budget and planned for this.<br /><br /><br />Just for fun, I decided to give Ikea's kitchen planner tool a spin this afternoon.<br /><br />Here's what I came up with:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigcv112fy5kE5jxqabmR9ARu5phcADSGMgW6w-tB7Ky-DanmOAXECa1_2dOfJO_2EhetFIb_pod-zlX6cvmdl4Ng7vjPwz9IzF-H4kkbefJ6gqNOmh6B4D8cia5A1UnVHqKCDR2ei8ToE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+4.28.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigcv112fy5kE5jxqabmR9ARu5phcADSGMgW6w-tB7Ky-DanmOAXECa1_2dOfJO_2EhetFIb_pod-zlX6cvmdl4Ng7vjPwz9IzF-H4kkbefJ6gqNOmh6B4D8cia5A1UnVHqKCDR2ei8ToE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+4.28.05+PM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I used mostly the same measurements but had trouble in a few areas (like the panels around the fridge—it wouldn't let me make those tall enough).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbWyhEBz_gGEIhtLxMTowXslVOOUJj_gycizPA59O7sJVN4u3BG4p_3o2aWGS81lAetW21lLfrd__T3t3MPiIEIL5s-rtsni-0NJwrUvqSJ4vTUwq3wwngC9W6qDFrjpnML7gbSSWuXfi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+4.28.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbWyhEBz_gGEIhtLxMTowXslVOOUJj_gycizPA59O7sJVN4u3BG4p_3o2aWGS81lAetW21lLfrd__T3t3MPiIEIL5s-rtsni-0NJwrUvqSJ4vTUwq3wwngC9W6qDFrjpnML7gbSSWuXfi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+4.28.47+PM.png" /></a></div><br />The island didn't have exactly what we wanted (an open cabinet for a microwave), but everything came really close.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx29Y19hXf0iLnO3A4D_kEC-9cIHABHafbhDtLVXTSIOw1at3UUKemrbOGkYn9fjKJzMcZgyGTtbrVbj3FsYf09RKhJwWoYNkkwwUoMdXtUbJOV6S_lD0Zkzb1GGbLHvwECIjdO1VMFX-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+4.26.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx29Y19hXf0iLnO3A4D_kEC-9cIHABHafbhDtLVXTSIOw1at3UUKemrbOGkYn9fjKJzMcZgyGTtbrVbj3FsYf09RKhJwWoYNkkwwUoMdXtUbJOV6S_lD0Zkzb1GGbLHvwECIjdO1VMFX-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+4.26.33+PM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />One thing I love about this kitchen is the farmhouse sink. If we went with the Lowe's kitchen, we probably wouldn't have the budget for this type of sink (considering Lowe's countertops almost always include a free sink). Maybe I can talk Brad into it though.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8klyZ8oAImKmRu3zgEwLxOc0FK7BEfJpvcANOz4uTExS9QoRelJif7tIAArBZZEdlxHgVtLmy2ZX9y6fpWbhZDiP5PaCB9nVNFcqqKQvwLUc2fsPCl1pOYeu135h4zi_3JnOFLfHzSsyK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+4.25.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8klyZ8oAImKmRu3zgEwLxOc0FK7BEfJpvcANOz4uTExS9QoRelJif7tIAArBZZEdlxHgVtLmy2ZX9y6fpWbhZDiP5PaCB9nVNFcqqKQvwLUc2fsPCl1pOYeu135h4zi_3JnOFLfHzSsyK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-21+at+4.25.00+PM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />These aren't the style of open shelves I plan to build—they're just there to illustrate (excited about these too!)<br /><br /><br />Ok, so guess what the rough total was for this kitchen—including the countertops, fridge, sink and dishwasher?<br /><br />$6k! So cheap.<br /><br />But you know what? The more I think about it, the more I realize that it's just not worth dealing with. I get a headache just thinking about trying to figure this all out on my own, spending a full day at Ikea hoping they are ordering every little part correctly, and then spending 50 hours with boxes and bags of parts, hand tightening Ikea screws with those dang little wrenches.<br /><br />I'd go insane. At this point in my life, I believe my sanity and peace of mind is worth more than the thousands (gulp) I'd be saving on an Ikea kitchen.<br /><br />And I think it'd be the right choice for us in the long run—in terms of quality, customization, overall look and feel. We want something we won't have to worry about down the road. Installing a kitchen is beyond our DIY abilities and we are totally cool with spending more and leaving it to the pros (of course we'll <strike>stalk</strike> watch them very closely to make sure everything is up to par).<br /><br /><br />Alright, that's all I've got left in me for tonight. By next week at this time we should be the official homeowners and preparing to brave the Black Friday sales to score us some appliances (we need<i> everything</i>—fridge, oven, cooktop, dishwasher, microwave, washer & dryer!)<br /><br />Oh—and if you're looking to get started on some holiday shopping of your own, tomorrow (actually, today if you're on the east coast) is my biggest sale day of the year: <b>Blue Friday</b>. Keep an eye on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jennasuedesign" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for the official announcement!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jennasuedesign" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1476097_546642225411178_347800717_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Have a happy and thankful Thanksgiving, everyone!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />

Kitchen Chronicles: Planning Stages

I realize we don't even own this house yet... but we're impatient, dangit!It's 9pm 10pm almost 11pm and I'm exhausted from my 14 hour workday, but so much has been happening around here and I owe you guys an update!Our loan agent is a rockstar and the home buying process is flying by. Originally we …

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New house reveal...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Did I leave you hanging long enough?<br /><br />Right after we signed the papers last night we went back to the house just as the sun was setting. It was gorgeous. I took a photo from the back deck and posted on <a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign" target="_blank">instagram</a>, and someone finally guessed right: <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnW6PNM6vQhL4Wc6hX9LAXm7kHRvNB1bxIZZpygGPTURi6E3Fqs9-3O94sEZrsqotNRxLYZp8vFi0mA0P9sOEZutj-ijc-antegHoMAvaBlK8mfmgPJ6Kc1NilDWiQOjlkXK_q55LZDHI/s1600/IMG_3090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnW6PNM6vQhL4Wc6hX9LAXm7kHRvNB1bxIZZpygGPTURi6E3Fqs9-3O94sEZrsqotNRxLYZp8vFi0mA0P9sOEZutj-ijc-antegHoMAvaBlK8mfmgPJ6Kc1NilDWiQOjlkXK_q55LZDHI/s640/IMG_3090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It's house #3!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwpkEOPqgKGbhr7GTubx31Nqac3PjGIUOGTz3dNHDkVbcwAMpPmHAIf8rChLgvz_Q5yyiyJVb4YBoGT3d9iT1UFumsZpGDer5N5aLZN2CSfsZuylP8Bnh0hl4wvi4jwPn0puOXwVoV677/s1600/IMG_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwpkEOPqgKGbhr7GTubx31Nqac3PjGIUOGTz3dNHDkVbcwAMpPmHAIf8rChLgvz_Q5yyiyJVb4YBoGT3d9iT1UFumsZpGDer5N5aLZN2CSfsZuylP8Bnh0hl4wvi4jwPn0puOXwVoV677/s1600/IMG_0098.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAHcIL_YQfSxWA8naKtUAnwnM3kTx5xxm3GYdVtJtvSsoFasY1PKmC0ToJkLEv8XQA8KtM0P5vlmEoQi6RQhu4iNcvVb5Dcu14-iIca4uKGcE-DvIpYQYi0yTr2AaS8lQA9SD1LRN5_0h/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAHcIL_YQfSxWA8naKtUAnwnM3kTx5xxm3GYdVtJtvSsoFasY1PKmC0ToJkLEv8XQA8KtM0P5vlmEoQi6RQhu4iNcvVb5Dcu14-iIca4uKGcE-DvIpYQYi0yTr2AaS8lQA9SD1LRN5_0h/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br />Back when we<a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2013/10/house-hunting-adventures-part-1.html" target="_blank"> first looked the house</a>, we had decided against it because it was old (built in 1978) and needed a lot of work. It also has a strange layout and we just couldn't figure out to do with certain rooms. Well, honestly, I saw the potential but Brad wasn't into it so I conceded. <br /><br />But then the MLS went quiet. There were no new houses coming on the market... at all. The slow season is approaching and prices and interest rates are going up. One day we noticed the price on this house had dropped and decided to give it a second look, this time with an open mind.<br /><br />Once I really started to visualize what I could do with each room, I knew I could make it work. It took some convincing, but Brad finally jumped on board and agreed to put an offer in. We got a counter almost immediately, countered back and they accepted.<br /><br /><b>Our top 5 favorite things about the house:</b><br /><br />1. The view (duh)<br />2. The neighborhood—it's nice and quiet on top of a hill, and walking distance from my parents (and our current rental), and just 10 minutes from Brad's work. Perfect location.<br />3. The price—it's 175k under our budget!<br />4. The potential. I've already planned out what I'm going to do to this place and I think it's going to be pretty amazing. I love the open concept/split level layout and overall it should work well for our needs.<br />5. Great investment. The other houses in the neighborhood are worth more, so we'll increase the value by much more than what we put into it when it's all said and done. We don't plan to sell it, but it will at least bring in good rent one day when we move.<br /><br /><b>Our least favorite things:</b><br /><br />1. The master bathroom is very small. If I can convince Brad to let me knock down a closet wall in the future, we'll be able to get a little bit more room out of it, but it's never going to be our dream bathroom.<br />2. Textured walls. Ahhhh! I hate them.<br />3. It doesn't have my wood beam ceilings. But I have a plan to add them.<br />4. The room that I'm going to convert into my office is small. It's going to be a tight fit.<br />5. No yard. This doesn't matter so much right now, but it would have been nice for potential kids in our future.<br /><br /><br />So, there you have it. We've been brainstorming nonstop since before we even put an offer in about what exactly we're going to do to this place.<br /><br />Want to hear what we've come up with so far?<br /><br />The first order of business, before we even move in, will be tearing out this kitchen:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH3b1UZOJjfIx5MDNqKM3y0bUc92CHlnEihHHr7a0bzKMr62t-AhaMIUYt4y7K3JdPi5Osvw36I1lfcB6PcgLPCbP4EqplSAZ1b3Dnzu0P-6IqXXlQDEJnx2hnu10EoZj-Wl5fCvtN7Lc/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH3b1UZOJjfIx5MDNqKM3y0bUc92CHlnEihHHr7a0bzKMr62t-AhaMIUYt4y7K3JdPi5Osvw36I1lfcB6PcgLPCbP4EqplSAZ1b3Dnzu0P-6IqXXlQDEJnx2hnu10EoZj-Wl5fCvtN7Lc/s640/IMG_0100.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><br />We're ripping out the entire thing. Down to the studs. Opening it all up so it's one giant kitchen/dining area when you walk in. We'll be using Ikea for the cabinets—haven't chosen the counters yet.<br /><br />In the dining room (just to the right of the kitchen) we're ripping out this bar area. I'll put a buffet in the empty nook.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsL2vu5rdcPKxvJzykaEYqVwLGF_l4T0Gq8ogysAe_AmbTnayJFgJT8mzVHojSqBe4vCQtH8-7U2dEJTUhtvkuoWnoIxqwKhszi_MO7L5qOaKw89EX1LiLxyS1cr-jL4QXbVKKqZ1g8ud/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsL2vu5rdcPKxvJzykaEYqVwLGF_l4T0Gq8ogysAe_AmbTnayJFgJT8mzVHojSqBe4vCQtH8-7U2dEJTUhtvkuoWnoIxqwKhszi_MO7L5qOaKw89EX1LiLxyS1cr-jL4QXbVKKqZ1g8ud/s640/IMG_3049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Back to the foyer... right when you walk in, you're staring at my new office.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32lSBjVDw76qo2TdPp2q3KzHELH477EmWvBdRaX6iXtAOywjcLhVW_2X9zGuQkrHVEm1hrpl4i3UYT5glaH15lLBOgqKjCUYRigx4xivNKoRH0zQ_W93aCYSk2TU-XHXAog_4ENqwA36M/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32lSBjVDw76qo2TdPp2q3KzHELH477EmWvBdRaX6iXtAOywjcLhVW_2X9zGuQkrHVEm1hrpl4i3UYT5glaH15lLBOgqKjCUYRigx4xivNKoRH0zQ_W93aCYSk2TU-XHXAog_4ENqwA36M/s640/IMG_0099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />I don't have a solid plan on the layout yet (still need to take some measurements) but I think I'll have to remove all the built-ins around the window (unfortunately)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJkkBreyB1KvpgBg1S9ssr1QysD8_eselgOL8FLE1woalgkbzmUzwPR2YgEIjlCUUTplDtjq36b348kdSuepbsqWu0jwh24yBjVTE5C3SenG18eCgTkxuSKIXmpjjKfPQi9bsQLLbmYUV/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJkkBreyB1KvpgBg1S9ssr1QysD8_eselgOL8FLE1woalgkbzmUzwPR2YgEIjlCUUTplDtjq36b348kdSuepbsqWu0jwh24yBjVTE5C3SenG18eCgTkxuSKIXmpjjKfPQi9bsQLLbmYUV/s640/IMG_3047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'll probably also have to fill in this wall—at least the bottom half—so I can utilize the space with my large desk.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14Qt4DRJuZZh3AaY7GnXAkTue4Id0koigIEGxosMR3xkbJcsOawbhPscsY_Q-XyaC2YXYl0rRaH7kRA68uI3hmO-wV8OSBJXnYkHcCrE3SnxCp6ojDrXYqt5PrSSk74mskd68vU6-7ed9/s1600/IMG_3043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14Qt4DRJuZZh3AaY7GnXAkTue4Id0koigIEGxosMR3xkbJcsOawbhPscsY_Q-XyaC2YXYl0rRaH7kRA68uI3hmO-wV8OSBJXnYkHcCrE3SnxCp6ojDrXYqt5PrSSk74mskd68vU6-7ed9/s640/IMG_3043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />In addition, I may need to extend the wall where the main opening is to fit my printer. A lot of work to be done in here.<br /><br /><br />Moving to the living room...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lfQ6PErEEIrllbyXpKxvFd0EgBnUKlUjlbqFapvJpwG5Y8nIV2AvGB3BA5002zerf-DwQ-MqUTD1lsZXNbwRjcmKc-9j6AdAZ7v4Gyi_kba15EglMC72FCUtKn4_s4bGViFPJyYV1QYy/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lfQ6PErEEIrllbyXpKxvFd0EgBnUKlUjlbqFapvJpwG5Y8nIV2AvGB3BA5002zerf-DwQ-MqUTD1lsZXNbwRjcmKc-9j6AdAZ7v4Gyi_kba15EglMC72FCUtKn4_s4bGViFPJyYV1QYy/s640/IMG_3048.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br />First things first—carpet is coming out and hardwood is going in. We're actually installing hardwood throughout the house, except for the downstairs/basement area.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k4ajHxjKPe523yZKZjRkl9IQ-Q2uLFB52Q9N28rhWVIBnoOfYyqI8kRgb1rKixpezAXqIkXcf7n_6DEyB54jEyDKiIhYmppdUgQjpZCdTfFyzFhyphenhyphenWvIBb1wepHNFwyDDjypq0XKbzKWc/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k4ajHxjKPe523yZKZjRkl9IQ-Q2uLFB52Q9N28rhWVIBnoOfYyqI8kRgb1rKixpezAXqIkXcf7n_6DEyB54jEyDKiIhYmppdUgQjpZCdTfFyzFhyphenhyphenWvIBb1wepHNFwyDDjypq0XKbzKWc/s640/IMG_3055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The railing also needs to be updated.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iSSMLMg7OjlKJyzMfeBtSvbmjtRjGudkpNbQFY4ffmCEbe9g9MW7KKVcIoq2CfkI81UC-1PlUs_cKNVn8rUTwyl6azEnyuJlqG2f5GilkeTSff1WrwQORB3u_NWzCnpT-WQHOMhIuqBb/s1600/IMG_3068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iSSMLMg7OjlKJyzMfeBtSvbmjtRjGudkpNbQFY4ffmCEbe9g9MW7KKVcIoq2CfkI81UC-1PlUs_cKNVn8rUTwyl6azEnyuJlqG2f5GilkeTSff1WrwQORB3u_NWzCnpT-WQHOMhIuqBb/s640/IMG_3068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />On this wall, I'd love to remove the brick and cover the whole thing with stacked stone (all the way up to the ceiling)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOB7_XKIik5v-jWhmSg9WD5d7lsMK4hTW4NsQcwtP4bGNdslXHQg-1hhJp4oTeDLqL3jV-FZlzy6GCzh_U9E45Qk1ZWOaXcQGipJD-NHA10SCZnwqrCC1bZFEmUOdC-iF0hiq10FZpVxy/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOB7_XKIik5v-jWhmSg9WD5d7lsMK4hTW4NsQcwtP4bGNdslXHQg-1hhJp4oTeDLqL3jV-FZlzy6GCzh_U9E45Qk1ZWOaXcQGipJD-NHA10SCZnwqrCC1bZFEmUOdC-iF0hiq10FZpVxy/s640/IMG_0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iSSMLMg7OjlKJyzMfeBtSvbmjtRjGudkpNbQFY4ffmCEbe9g9MW7KKVcIoq2CfkI81UC-1PlUs_cKNVn8rUTwyl6azEnyuJlqG2f5GilkeTSff1WrwQORB3u_NWzCnpT-WQHOMhIuqBb/s1600/IMG_3068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Kinda like this...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chictip.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/263478ad-468x700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.chictip.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/263478ad-468x700.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chictip.com/dream-homes/dream-home-the-orchards-by-tigerman-mccurry" target="_blank"><i>Source</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />With a big chunky mantel too.<br /><br />All of the blinds will come down, and on the left wall of windows I'll add either woven or roman shades with long white curtain panels in between. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfmPBcQf-tgFCgvFVX2iAetKVICA_CJs5eJ9Y-361n5eMQu1u_qJn1Kndr4B4DHIPUnQ5hH9iFa9HMtSeHtqjN_eDeHsNltHMVOsR7oNexbuLKsstXEDlzhyphenhyphenqa83OCSNIop8mSrhUmyZr/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfmPBcQf-tgFCgvFVX2iAetKVICA_CJs5eJ9Y-361n5eMQu1u_qJn1Kndr4B4DHIPUnQ5hH9iFa9HMtSeHtqjN_eDeHsNltHMVOsR7oNexbuLKsstXEDlzhyphenhyphenqa83OCSNIop8mSrhUmyZr/s640/IMG_0101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And the vaulted ceilings will get wood beams, like this:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/f56da735483ecd9702b0245a4f45bbb3/tumblr_mthtztItSl1sfzs9lo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/f56da735483ecd9702b0245a4f45bbb3/tumblr_mthtztItSl1sfzs9lo1_1280.jpg" width="481" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/f56da735483ecd9702b0245a4f45bbb3/tumblr_mthtztItSl1sfzs9lo1_1280.jpg" target="_blank"><i>Source</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Depending on how much of a pain it is to DIY wood beams, I'd love to carry it throughout other rooms as well (especially the kitchen/dining room area).<br /><br />Here's our future bedroom...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyqsB8yqGwmHDnbShEw0AhlLN79H2eV5fpGe250SW59ZMjCfReg9_e9FE9IRTddST9oNEjZaIHlG2ycm9IzBbNWcK-vwvrwUz3gCJCNx7WCET7SSlFXSSxLV93dl1YVzHsNBt-jgUgUgs/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyqsB8yqGwmHDnbShEw0AhlLN79H2eV5fpGe250SW59ZMjCfReg9_e9FE9IRTddST9oNEjZaIHlG2ycm9IzBbNWcK-vwvrwUz3gCJCNx7WCET7SSlFXSSxLV93dl1YVzHsNBt-jgUgUgs/s640/IMG_0113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's actually a pretty good size—comparable to the master in our Florida house. I'm the most excited about this room, because I've already planned out exactly what I'm going to do.<br /><br />I don't want to give away too much but it will consist of built in wardrobes, a plank wall, a seating area, and a new dresser. And perhaps some molding. The colors will be grays, natural wood tones, white and navy, with possibly some pops of tan/cream.<br /><br />On the other side of the wall is our bathroom and closet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KVuWd-AkShmSB-KxsvdSF7nvmaXuz6rApIXX64UIFjVJW1infbhPIyaAT9glo1WbsqCjMc6RUDbrI5ED3qViLxsv3QYboc47hB0xUic_vUxEvmsNFjvh3CgbQU69gIfoOoOxZFI2_jzG/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KVuWd-AkShmSB-KxsvdSF7nvmaXuz6rApIXX64UIFjVJW1infbhPIyaAT9glo1WbsqCjMc6RUDbrI5ED3qViLxsv3QYboc47hB0xUic_vUxEvmsNFjvh3CgbQU69gIfoOoOxZFI2_jzG/s640/IMG_0114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Down the line I'd love to break down a wall or two and change the layout, but right now I'm picturing sliding barn doors. How fun would that be?<br /><br />Finally, let's move on to the area that left us completely scratching our heads... the downstairs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp8CKgwy5QREDIQ-fhnH1tjcYQUgtFUY_tSWy8sBFYVhwpkn1vY898R0R8ROhhDDQ-XjMrccSEfDXU5ZD2CkXMpXX4xzFYkKVjYgMwZg36EYRn_eLOI4RoZ-EVhsjoE7rlgbw1nw0CByd/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp8CKgwy5QREDIQ-fhnH1tjcYQUgtFUY_tSWy8sBFYVhwpkn1vY898R0R8ROhhDDQ-XjMrccSEfDXU5ZD2CkXMpXX4xzFYkKVjYgMwZg36EYRn_eLOI4RoZ-EVhsjoE7rlgbw1nw0CByd/s640/IMG_0109.JPG" width="478" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />We had no idea why this strange, narrow platform area existed or what to do with it...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHKiedEJ1kMDe2EhbJkxfu3VM7YPJdfAkpZmaFdqxHkXdICt2_waqkKOpwS_bCHoxw_mPJAvQza5qNl8ATO3wgdVTK34SJd8U6erbT4pGEbQhRSc5muLMeb7iHMuCCJq9-Z_3MZWf6XZf/s1600/IMG_3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHKiedEJ1kMDe2EhbJkxfu3VM7YPJdfAkpZmaFdqxHkXdICt2_waqkKOpwS_bCHoxw_mPJAvQza5qNl8ATO3wgdVTK34SJd8U6erbT4pGEbQhRSc5muLMeb7iHMuCCJq9-Z_3MZWf6XZf/s640/IMG_3057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Instead of tearing it out, we came up with a really fun idea: a theater room.<br /><br />Tell me if you can picture this—a big screen TV mounted on this wall (below the vent), with speakers and electronics that are also flush mounted: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20g9J5Tbk4vtNBzJUgOPdZpoX7VDtHS1UR96h2RDUxlrePcUb1GUKsN2-MpucwDn7DTo3UrMjmiFSGHtouu6OoNg4Xiz5YOqH7HCFqvBiQmZ2x2OxUZmOHO70qGlLFUmS5F4Nbv-PiDSI/s1600/IMG_3060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20g9J5Tbk4vtNBzJUgOPdZpoX7VDtHS1UR96h2RDUxlrePcUb1GUKsN2-MpucwDn7DTo3UrMjmiFSGHtouu6OoNg4Xiz5YOqH7HCFqvBiQmZ2x2OxUZmOHO70qGlLFUmS5F4Nbv-PiDSI/s640/IMG_3060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />In the recessed area in the middle and the back platform we'll have our lounge seating.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp8CKgwy5QREDIQ-fhnH1tjcYQUgtFUY_tSWy8sBFYVhwpkn1vY898R0R8ROhhDDQ-XjMrccSEfDXU5ZD2CkXMpXX4xzFYkKVjYgMwZg36EYRn_eLOI4RoZ-EVhsjoE7rlgbw1nw0CByd/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp8CKgwy5QREDIQ-fhnH1tjcYQUgtFUY_tSWy8sBFYVhwpkn1vY898R0R8ROhhDDQ-XjMrccSEfDXU5ZD2CkXMpXX4xzFYkKVjYgMwZg36EYRn_eLOI4RoZ-EVhsjoE7rlgbw1nw0CByd/s640/IMG_0109.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br />There will be two chairs in the center (so there's an aisle) and a couch along the back wall. We'll fill in the two walls on the outside (between the beams and the existing walls) so the room is closed in, and hang curtains in the center.<br /><br />The room will be carpeted and painted in a deep gray, and there will be rear speakers mounted on the back wall, dimmable crown molding lighting, and possibly curtains around the perimeter to help with the sound. I know it's a bit confusing to visualize right now, but it's going to be awesome, I promise.<br /><br />On the outside of the newly built walls we'll hang movie posters and Brad wants to build some marquee lighting for the full theater experience.<br /><br />As for the right side of the room, we'll having a seating area on the back wall under the window using the daybeds from the sunroom, possibly a bar in the center with stools (or a free standing fireplace if I can swing that somehow?). I'm just throwing ideas out, this part of the room is up in the air right now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbT2jBZJn7MG_4iLFE_ETsQe8pWIH7C6CF1E9qYJsUJDs2hBrJ3GMkTwOi8zeDPEpGjG2hFK4loiQhCk8xEEvpqnSp1dAfCseeRCjI8faiMlrVt84iYDQUGTNKv1Nm-DThm-6o-rIWBLu/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbT2jBZJn7MG_4iLFE_ETsQe8pWIH7C6CF1E9qYJsUJDs2hBrJ3GMkTwOi8zeDPEpGjG2hFK4loiQhCk8xEEvpqnSp1dAfCseeRCjI8faiMlrVt84iYDQUGTNKv1Nm-DThm-6o-rIWBLu/s640/IMG_0108.JPG" width="478" /></a><br /><br />And and maybe a dart board or some sort of game at the other end.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S48fEj8P8meNaZhEXZ5tjpgLQGAYvcwXvFsPQuc4a3yDqONB38ijfjlZngnoVRVGkc5NnxBfXnNb7ya7tLOkhkw6y8pJWHP89bUthPL8Gv7-CBRWk9Yf6GXj-sCgV43GPqqSVlgbOPZV/s1600/IMG_3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S48fEj8P8meNaZhEXZ5tjpgLQGAYvcwXvFsPQuc4a3yDqONB38ijfjlZngnoVRVGkc5NnxBfXnNb7ya7tLOkhkw6y8pJWHP89bUthPL8Gv7-CBRWk9Yf6GXj-sCgV43GPqqSVlgbOPZV/s640/IMG_3058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbT2jBZJn7MG_4iLFE_ETsQe8pWIH7C6CF1E9qYJsUJDs2hBrJ3GMkTwOi8zeDPEpGjG2hFK4loiQhCk8xEEvpqnSp1dAfCseeRCjI8faiMlrVt84iYDQUGTNKv1Nm-DThm-6o-rIWBLu/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>It will be an interesting room to decorate, for sure.. I can't wait to try something new!<br /><br />That pretty much covers the major plans we have going on right now. We've already had a floor guy come in and measure upstairs so we're hoping to have the wood by the time we get the keys. We're not wasting any time here—this blog is about to get exciting!<br /><br />I hope you'll continue to follow our progress and share your ideas/opinions/suggestions along the way. Let's get this party started!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

New house reveal...

Did I leave you hanging long enough?Right after we signed the papers last night we went back to the house just as the sun was setting. It was gorgeous. I took a photo from the back deck and posted on instagram, and someone finally guessed right: It's house #3!Back when we first looked the house, we …

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