Weathered wooden sign DIY

Happy Superbowl Sunday! Hope everyone is preparing to partake in excessive amounts of unhealthy food and drink. We're cooking up our famous cajun lime shrimp tacos and red velvet cake martinis—that means it's going to be a good night.<br /><br />But first, I'm here to share a quick tutorial on how I made my Tea Time sign:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZst9E5V2hKRQW51daUXAjgZCKeWqYeA5EbQiIupZuMqvDjcVeYDATkpvX6UNv8HqwTU2jOOJnFsFd0SNL5q1fKwDuWxlHQHQrfHOjpowTN741oq8_9pAcBZFPOIiQ9Hz0z4tdiXyJ5Le1/s1600/IMG_7304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZst9E5V2hKRQW51daUXAjgZCKeWqYeA5EbQiIupZuMqvDjcVeYDATkpvX6UNv8HqwTU2jOOJnFsFd0SNL5q1fKwDuWxlHQHQrfHOjpowTN741oq8_9pAcBZFPOIiQ9Hz0z4tdiXyJ5Le1/s640/IMG_7304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Believe it or not, no fancy machines or tools were used, and the whole thing cost me $0. Here is what you will need:<br /><br />A 1x5" board, cut to 18" long<br />A basic inkjet printer and paper<br />Sandpaper & paint (flat works best)<br /><br />That's it!<br /><br />When looking for kitchen sign inspiration online, I found <a href="http://diddledumpling.blogspot.com/2010/05/tutorial-vintage-looking-painted-sign.html" target="_blank">this</a> tutorial (one of the few that didn't require a silhouette machine). I loved the way hers turned out:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFJ2bOhd6HFK397K8sqpIOL4jidwcRhxx18nPOeYs4PPFjXEilQjAeHW8s-rELc1uGJEDEl_RnZcKXrhWcJivh3Y40qmu8n_a45jlN9xGtJocsW9Y7rFmtPAIzwi95xu9UGFCJL53G630/s400/b+(134).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFJ2bOhd6HFK397K8sqpIOL4jidwcRhxx18nPOeYs4PPFjXEilQjAeHW8s-rELc1uGJEDEl_RnZcKXrhWcJivh3Y40qmu8n_a45jlN9xGtJocsW9Y7rFmtPAIzwi95xu9UGFCJL53G630/s640/b+(134).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I followed her technique for my own. </div><br />I had a random leftover piece of wood from some project sitting in the garage collecting dust, and I thought it would make a perfect plaque for a new kitchen sign.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf29QyBU3ikld0K8AdwgRlw9k5v9xjjPFZgQebgMD1C8NWRaXwxHqoLnQVgyZn4haNFllptP6yO8-etR1WcvPZlh7QWe-hwuFg5wQPJJT7gmoHLdz8SpGq7LJfNE8GDC4SW1KNTSgq58Y/s1600/IMG_7165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf29QyBU3ikld0K8AdwgRlw9k5v9xjjPFZgQebgMD1C8NWRaXwxHqoLnQVgyZn4haNFllptP6yO8-etR1WcvPZlh7QWe-hwuFg5wQPJJT7gmoHLdz8SpGq7LJfNE8GDC4SW1KNTSgq58Y/s640/IMG_7165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Next came time for the fun part: designing it.<br /><br />I chose the words "Tea Time", and drew a little teacup for added interest.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh21pzrA2lvFsdMx7rO97wYfs_mW0lwjwCsAzYA7qfSo5hxxa5ZS1-9aR2jqxR1Wvs7alXE3bNGLLtrDEYbNccYvy79w_XurSQCLwAO4aZZDM1zlmPDbtjxdg71xEKLDFxnCcDupbKH2LP/s1600/TeaTime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh21pzrA2lvFsdMx7rO97wYfs_mW0lwjwCsAzYA7qfSo5hxxa5ZS1-9aR2jqxR1Wvs7alXE3bNGLLtrDEYbNccYvy79w_XurSQCLwAO4aZZDM1zlmPDbtjxdg71xEKLDFxnCcDupbKH2LP/s640/TeaTime.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In order to transfer the words onto the wood properly, I had to flip my graphic. Because it was too large to fit on one sheet of 8.5x11" paper, I split them up into three sections and divided them with a cut line so I could realign them correctly on the wood. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4oBdC1Kd_XEWevIji9gphlL_Mgyv1bfK2i8p-HJI4cT0ZNOOjwq_ursOWbzArWL6onQjB9ead0ntGOe1PHrlbYu6Lx5YNwi8Frqg6NrfnWPrI74UX-5uGlKgE49mbSQ6eVhu84TncltB/s1600/Template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4oBdC1Kd_XEWevIji9gphlL_Mgyv1bfK2i8p-HJI4cT0ZNOOjwq_ursOWbzArWL6onQjB9ead0ntGOe1PHrlbYu6Lx5YNwi8Frqg6NrfnWPrI74UX-5uGlKgE49mbSQ6eVhu84TncltB/s640/Template.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here they are printed out:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrwQdZQerDMAaFFyVzaPdtcUZ5vBMEu16CJu9KTdDLwfcZffGRSWaBz0aqG9xipg_yBpcgcpM-HgT99eSDF84tCWjLjImZyW4F6TNlzxEhNS23ANdscD1SX2lVsIYO0ayeB9iGV1zjr0l/s1600/IMG_7166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrwQdZQerDMAaFFyVzaPdtcUZ5vBMEu16CJu9KTdDLwfcZffGRSWaBz0aqG9xipg_yBpcgcpM-HgT99eSDF84tCWjLjImZyW4F6TNlzxEhNS23ANdscD1SX2lVsIYO0ayeB9iGV1zjr0l/s640/IMG_7166.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Next it was time to prep the wood. This is also a fun part. I wanted a distressed look, so I took a hammer and screwdriver and roughed it up a bit. Then I grabbed some white paint and dry brushed a few coats on.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczWDbHsAAwVa8wGrpXOFh6c34ivudF9zO9tPLUbHEfSg4wcHHLVjERX5We9UbfxPEL4OJOpka1hfbUpsBLpq-v-GeHud6CYHjDtLSluaawKyqiGe1YVV2HMwrId8yWXU80S6SHl861vFn/s1600/IMG_7167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczWDbHsAAwVa8wGrpXOFh6c34ivudF9zO9tPLUbHEfSg4wcHHLVjERX5We9UbfxPEL4OJOpka1hfbUpsBLpq-v-GeHud6CYHjDtLSluaawKyqiGe1YVV2HMwrId8yWXU80S6SHl861vFn/s640/IMG_7167.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br />Once dry, I lightly brushed a coat of light turquoise paint, and sanded everything down. There is no real technique to this... you just distress, paint and sand until you achieve the look you want.<br /><br />Finally, it was time to apply the letters.<br /><br />I laid my peices face down on the wood and secured them into place with tape.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPJXxwPfjnXl8buhFnuUJ8i4JVpOOZqu5aWJ8JUE3d9F0xhPDnDQZXnAkn31Bg0n1FhAF20DrTtkk1hCX5P3bDBzFBS_wXhRJOdQ2M2AgWm5NNeo8rAuRjkqaykr_UumF2E4SL0AAg3tY/s1600/IMG_7171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPJXxwPfjnXl8buhFnuUJ8i4JVpOOZqu5aWJ8JUE3d9F0xhPDnDQZXnAkn31Bg0n1FhAF20DrTtkk1hCX5P3bDBzFBS_wXhRJOdQ2M2AgWm5NNeo8rAuRjkqaykr_UumF2E4SL0AAg3tY/s640/IMG_7171.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Next, I took a brush, dipped it into water, and lightly coated the surface. In order to get the ink to transfer, I used a sharpie cap (any smooth hard surface will do) and burnished over the letters until every spot was covered. I don't have an in progress shot of this, but here is one from the tutorial I followed:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl_hvFXtttRafufB441qCSAHaTeq5OXqkQtfdFCMAbuXSoSlejXXkysKg_eoc0BTeOjx1ymE4HlZVJk5IoDUwk8UHYxy16U1hec_lt19BSnMCiwkSJT934GLnPv_yrU4Ta8TYFloYXBGF/s400/b+(129).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl_hvFXtttRafufB441qCSAHaTeq5OXqkQtfdFCMAbuXSoSlejXXkysKg_eoc0BTeOjx1ymE4HlZVJk5IoDUwk8UHYxy16U1hec_lt19BSnMCiwkSJT934GLnPv_yrU4Ta8TYFloYXBGF/s640/b+(129).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I ran into a few hiccups along the way... my paper had torn in a few spots and it didn't look like the ink was transferring well in others. This may be due to very thin paper? Not really sure. Here's how it looked once the paper was removed:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3makhgrfgfUEIZcN1tcltFiPUplGx3YaCx5oCSbTCETjFf6TCP8q56v3kCYPY4smLcEqsfcGBgBquh6q1NMDQYB8OxanvvaE8gMUPepDiH_mnV4CtiKJKsq4ENJoWEyErP_DvUYTngvy/s1600/IMG_7172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3makhgrfgfUEIZcN1tcltFiPUplGx3YaCx5oCSbTCETjFf6TCP8q56v3kCYPY4smLcEqsfcGBgBquh6q1NMDQYB8OxanvvaE8gMUPepDiH_mnV4CtiKJKsq4ENJoWEyErP_DvUYTngvy/s640/IMG_7172.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The darker areas are where the actual paper fibers had been transferred and stuck on... again, it must have been super thin the paper I was using. But I wasn't too worried—texture just makes it even more aged looking, right? <br /><br />I lightly went over the letters with a coloring pencil to fill it in some, did a final sanding, and it was done and ready to be hung!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub-UP18SiaqxqLRWbpWrp2Wzfqt359aK57nlsoJpd0ebKquXER2DuMKb69vr4kosIxrfmBWXmdXgFLq9ajYAQYOgcyRQgwZqhLzJfz1s124secOSlTMPOegZzUJETJ0XUhklIKRt1KzhZ/s1600/IMG_7175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub-UP18SiaqxqLRWbpWrp2Wzfqt359aK57nlsoJpd0ebKquXER2DuMKb69vr4kosIxrfmBWXmdXgFLq9ajYAQYOgcyRQgwZqhLzJfz1s124secOSlTMPOegZzUJETJ0XUhklIKRt1KzhZ/s640/IMG_7175.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7ilzLgC3KZTIk7bFsUES822P8QOhLdXTL4S7bJ1piZzAQiyIm72DktIfl8xCvc5Ek21ngCn82cROg5vwBdx8kM6rewg4VpLe6Ky33KLamH2IiZBDS6zPkakAhrahEnMop1qRufWZrxG2/s1600/IMG_7308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7ilzLgC3KZTIk7bFsUES822P8QOhLdXTL4S7bJ1piZzAQiyIm72DktIfl8xCvc5Ek21ngCn82cROg5vwBdx8kM6rewg4VpLe6Ky33KLamH2IiZBDS6zPkakAhrahEnMop1qRufWZrxG2/s640/IMG_7308.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg03k0kbwN2Jub1XVT4ARPGCyDruODJ5oSorUK8WPwA1lbm-IX2knEzZx3LT8pmOWninyykStNb4JOiAFmvHzceaawJ-Irg6tMzJc-KwTzPICJmQd05YkGvcUC3bFeqbsxzK5-HP-c-TtP/s1600/IMG_7319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg03k0kbwN2Jub1XVT4ARPGCyDruODJ5oSorUK8WPwA1lbm-IX2knEzZx3LT8pmOWninyykStNb4JOiAFmvHzceaawJ-Irg6tMzJc-KwTzPICJmQd05YkGvcUC3bFeqbsxzK5-HP-c-TtP/s640/IMG_7319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Oh, and see that flower bucket?<br /><br />It used to be this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1noDrfHGyG8tZF-MKbGUtJ3wMywhO9aenkKv3_OLFkTj9GMtqJC0SRUErJItTbDdm7ZCJkO7aHtbRCqzcWjd1r-BvwIhYiCnY9JI9gkQ3xo18EhqUoFfncAkRFsoglBQ9SE3Lk4RcdFF/s1600/IMG_7164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1noDrfHGyG8tZF-MKbGUtJ3wMywhO9aenkKv3_OLFkTj9GMtqJC0SRUErJItTbDdm7ZCJkO7aHtbRCqzcWjd1r-BvwIhYiCnY9JI9gkQ3xo18EhqUoFfncAkRFsoglBQ9SE3Lk4RcdFF/s640/IMG_7164.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />I picked it up at Goodwill for 99 cents. Sanded the candy cane striped paint, gave it a coat of white, a coat of turquoise (same shades from the tea time sign), and gave it a final sanding to let bits of metal show through. I like how they kind of coordinate.<br /><br />If you'd like to make your own tea time sign, I've saved the template for you <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/103947821536662652675/Public#5705721331211734162">here</a> (just click Download on the top left menu). It's already sized for your 1x5" board (which techically measures 3/4" x 4.5") and ready to print. The only requirement is that you must show me your completed project pictures!<br /><br />Alright... we've got some cajun shrimps waiting to be fried up... be back soon with my DIY Chalkboard tutorial!<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>

Weathered wooden sign DIY

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Friday Favorites: Pillows!

Pillow shopping is one of my favorite pastimes. But if you love this hobby as much as I do, you know it can be frustrating at times to find that perfect shade or pattern at your typical brick and mortar stores. And specialty online stores can get expensive. <br /><br />Enter Etsy... pretty much the solution to everything. <br /><br />Today I'm actually featuring a few shops, because I just couldn't decide.<em> (no, these shops did not pay me. They have no idea who I am.)</em><br /><br />I love the selection, price and quality of <a href="http://diypillows./">diypillows.</a><br /><br />Last year I picked up a set of two 20x20 covers in a teal lattice for the living room (the one on the right):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklOaorOxLT9XBz1R4IWxrb9xYkk8rkFVtITfS5X5pEqhU6pChthRSmTW0W1g9GcK9FOEP_GzCGWRNWk2dFYzUbo__m1yjVFm8lWhme7o3WU5JeL97EPOHzDtjhHwkvM1vNQUjfb5K-tNv/s1600/IMG_5556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklOaorOxLT9XBz1R4IWxrb9xYkk8rkFVtITfS5X5pEqhU6pChthRSmTW0W1g9GcK9FOEP_GzCGWRNWk2dFYzUbo__m1yjVFm8lWhme7o3WU5JeL97EPOHzDtjhHwkvM1vNQUjfb5K-tNv/s640/IMG_5556.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's held up great after several washes, and for $34 shipped for the pair I couldn't be happier!<br /><br />Here are some of my other favorites:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.307222744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.307222744.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.215920043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.215920043.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.220815869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.220815869.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />This next shop I recently discovered: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fabricjunkie1640">Fabric Junkie.</a> The prices are just as reasonable, and the selection is even larger. I don't even need any more pillows... but I'm eyeing this one for our bedroom (only $12!):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69889161/pillows-decorative-pillows-accent" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.226521951.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElemenOPillows" target="_blank">Elemeno Pillows</a> has hundreds of styles in stock... including these beauties:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.305298318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.305298318.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.282913970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.282913970.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.288708856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.288708856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I love all of the fun colors and patterns they have to offer—you really can't beat the price either!<br /><br />There you have it. Affordable, cute pillows in any color and style to match your space.<br /><br />I'll be back soon with a DIY wooden sign tutorial!<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>

Friday Favorites: Pillows!

Pillow shopping is one of my favorite pastimes. But if you love this hobby as much as I do, you know it can be frustrating at times to find ...

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The Big Kitchen Reveal

This day is finally here! Our kitchen is D-O-N-E. It's been many months in the making, so let's do a quick recap...<br /><br /><br />Here's how it looked when we moved in:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXUub2Cc9YrKfKAmcG_raOHdGXidIPYLljJG2I1CNpBAvMR2JyLWM7vqeco_DHpHjJ4SuSwCmmjxH8NVm4lNl5OfwQyZrQ2UNeT1m733rU5nCyl1BYViJ62Ye2JVj1ql7HMnfQtL6FFAe/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXUub2Cc9YrKfKAmcG_raOHdGXidIPYLljJG2I1CNpBAvMR2JyLWM7vqeco_DHpHjJ4SuSwCmmjxH8NVm4lNl5OfwQyZrQ2UNeT1m733rU5nCyl1BYViJ62Ye2JVj1ql7HMnfQtL6FFAe/s640/IMG_2129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Pink walls...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAU2343-MlPAnDEf2BDcLBB-HoTsErG0ME7U_BAvbN6mxJUEFv00Vcs1ZlwKm_jAZSYzU_4dFevGqrGFXwRiAbypAGPuI_glczdxYN2tOK3xP-XZXRCr73JNQ6iqHE1ekdJCY7XZxNHzl/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAU2343-MlPAnDEf2BDcLBB-HoTsErG0ME7U_BAvbN6mxJUEFv00Vcs1ZlwKm_jAZSYzU_4dFevGqrGFXwRiAbypAGPuI_glczdxYN2tOK3xP-XZXRCr73JNQ6iqHE1ekdJCY7XZxNHzl/s640/IMG_2113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Beige formica counters...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC7rQ3ALxvr0RBEFdZvVYk2bwRSLaQ2QPa0S4v9KIgdwr49NokxYJQyhs7sNiB7wJVDRh-30Zod9I30XOl4lxCQsFzeK7qlSDFyLzbdo8fEWr0x7b55VgenXo7MxXA8ZNGDRXIM_8-w_T/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC7rQ3ALxvr0RBEFdZvVYk2bwRSLaQ2QPa0S4v9KIgdwr49NokxYJQyhs7sNiB7wJVDRh-30Zod9I30XOl4lxCQsFzeK7qlSDFyLzbdo8fEWr0x7b55VgenXo7MxXA8ZNGDRXIM_8-w_T/s640/IMG_2163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFr-zvl5SsMarg7-gWtkqf4T8tJZP87Hy5BnM8ctdTt7Vy9EgUBUGWU1or_VudjK8k7O2zEjR0X1A8KJhbRSkp35yGAEvdXwO5o_g8dAYxpc_bZR8mM5OgkiYMOSHzkTAyMKkcf90xago/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFr-zvl5SsMarg7-gWtkqf4T8tJZP87Hy5BnM8ctdTt7Vy9EgUBUGWU1or_VudjK8k7O2zEjR0X1A8KJhbRSkp35yGAEvdXwO5o_g8dAYxpc_bZR8mM5OgkiYMOSHzkTAyMKkcf90xago/s640/IMG_2164.JPG" width="426" /></a><br /><br /><br />Outdated chrome and brass fixtures...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcBhE2f09DPj7_VD5SDzguXAtyJ5aZRhEG76TvpmaW8bkA5ZVG3_EAssNq158vCJIqpsysPND2hfyA1HrrcSPEsGI0cJi13bXSZulZs2W3qGfGLqI8tM-eoaJPs7bUX33kcdHRnyO1BQ-/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcBhE2f09DPj7_VD5SDzguXAtyJ5aZRhEG76TvpmaW8bkA5ZVG3_EAssNq158vCJIqpsysPND2hfyA1HrrcSPEsGI0cJi13bXSZulZs2W3qGfGLqI8tM-eoaJPs7bUX33kcdHRnyO1BQ-/s640/IMG_2171.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxnA47-bbYOVHM2Zm2B-5Zsbd7tcVGgMwpz0NmCBXwvHHPbW_1hcdFfwRmYvojLRfi_8lXHzqDnLR0us8Jkcu7_LakWBPmDO3pmAvMrKIlBA4AljeMVN1VmRJtBZDp_5l4yfU87ggzpa0/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxnA47-bbYOVHM2Zm2B-5Zsbd7tcVGgMwpz0NmCBXwvHHPbW_1hcdFfwRmYvojLRfi_8lXHzqDnLR0us8Jkcu7_LakWBPmDO3pmAvMrKIlBA4AljeMVN1VmRJtBZDp_5l4yfU87ggzpa0/s640/IMG_2128.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Empty, unused walls and lack of counter space...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBM9ylSOe7KUoU8XijGjFdFv6KJOzzpIE0PWARV0RQC2n4APGw-khB6jxJTcdOH56uXb-BOzxLG-JJT43RwNsgEmnm2WdksjcWXBrnjre0GwNg4QnsZ0093W8weYrnSZs6bEDTIsYovCh/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBM9ylSOe7KUoU8XijGjFdFv6KJOzzpIE0PWARV0RQC2n4APGw-khB6jxJTcdOH56uXb-BOzxLG-JJT43RwNsgEmnm2WdksjcWXBrnjre0GwNg4QnsZ0093W8weYrnSZs6bEDTIsYovCh/s640/IMG_2108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Whitewashed 90's oak cabinets...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwR2RHYpR3vqPpVAOf_WhiW9o8NtdNS1qpgUtjkrJk_j4d25VAgyPtKNqRINYj_9FfZZ2-qjg3ncuawaJvtJXkpNOY8YQa76sHgWlzuW2M5JEWLba5jewMKknhdmQTdooI7LT1VqUXfjG/s1600/IMG_2419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwR2RHYpR3vqPpVAOf_WhiW9o8NtdNS1qpgUtjkrJk_j4d25VAgyPtKNqRINYj_9FfZZ2-qjg3ncuawaJvtJXkpNOY8YQa76sHgWlzuW2M5JEWLba5jewMKknhdmQTdooI7LT1VqUXfjG/s640/IMG_2419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mismatched fluorescent lighting....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljorm57MS3HM8vIHpMXEAwYxzB0qmIYN7cyE-mbdlsfSrg8Ex2HIirnt9AgYOFNFINxRGsLNiWZxC_97o380hvfP0jf56Nplw9_gpbta-zTUsQRdLO21uGPdK2ySXNSDLyT_8RTLoCkT1/s1600/IMG_2104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljorm57MS3HM8vIHpMXEAwYxzB0qmIYN7cyE-mbdlsfSrg8Ex2HIirnt9AgYOFNFINxRGsLNiWZxC_97o380hvfP0jf56Nplw9_gpbta-zTUsQRdLO21uGPdK2ySXNSDLyT_8RTLoCkT1/s640/IMG_2104.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />White linoleum floors... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybA1rJQ_idT2OeokrF5ikR1kNKCkpYOWq4NMSuz_-ih_jyYgPWgm6ekaOX8Ger7BKbqohg5Vs_2uP29xMRtVdiKlEEb7jq-ZaSZXJI0jXO7Z78hxctAw-eqz5YkrohHZlAQFKfQun6uqE/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybA1rJQ_idT2OeokrF5ikR1kNKCkpYOWq4NMSuz_-ih_jyYgPWgm6ekaOX8Ger7BKbqohg5Vs_2uP29xMRtVdiKlEEb7jq-ZaSZXJI0jXO7Z78hxctAw-eqz5YkrohHZlAQFKfQun6uqE/s640/IMG_2131.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />and the list goes on.<br /><br /><br />Last summer we made a few big updates including recessed lighting, new tile floors, granite counters, stainless steel undermount sink, glass subway tile backsplash, and a built in bar area which nearly doubled our counter space!<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Cd5u06DN1FeixmlCIA_bCyBR1pT7b5li2BZRwDcPf1xOyKXuiu91JrhCY0gYGLcXIZzwhyphenhyphenzVT0vBPTII8nzjaDh75krRlsJpsgtpWgLTefpQPxs_y9No6GNhctsp0GM9VIQqq1WA1xEV/s1600/IMG_5431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Cd5u06DN1FeixmlCIA_bCyBR1pT7b5li2BZRwDcPf1xOyKXuiu91JrhCY0gYGLcXIZzwhyphenhyphenzVT0vBPTII8nzjaDh75krRlsJpsgtpWgLTefpQPxs_y9No6GNhctsp0GM9VIQqq1WA1xEV/s640/IMG_5431.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Tile: Giotto Grey, from Lowe's</em></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmeA1MBgWxx1TiZFdzrK2WvQ2Hap3_QwlXob6T6442nW5usPyS0SPmTonHmx43894mHectdSZxi3hwZAEZtV7tyPhij0pR91tavkyfSRW3dAlptn1QA6cx6V8WBhTgTL_vVwCeITFdAH6/s1600/IMG_5425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmeA1MBgWxx1TiZFdzrK2WvQ2Hap3_QwlXob6T6442nW5usPyS0SPmTonHmx43894mHectdSZxi3hwZAEZtV7tyPhij0pR91tavkyfSRW3dAlptn1QA6cx6V8WBhTgTL_vVwCeITFdAH6/s640/IMG_5425.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Granite: Kashmir White, from Lowe's</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z0LLJn0r-65_cy6CyHvMSIsD2-0_KYY8tE6pOQVq2kAvHWOJf0myfKJQBRSAGApAUXg0q8Jban05YDL9a972IzTMjVCHCxLM6kHgcBwsQbnKWs7ko7PKML4MnPHDOfJR0N7M66DEV7-m/s1600/IMG_5423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z0LLJn0r-65_cy6CyHvMSIsD2-0_KYY8tE6pOQVq2kAvHWOJf0myfKJQBRSAGApAUXg0q8Jban05YDL9a972IzTMjVCHCxLM6kHgcBwsQbnKWs7ko7PKML4MnPHDOfJR0N7M66DEV7-m/s640/IMG_5423.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Subway tile: Special order from Lowe's, Emser's Lucente in Morning Fog</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPVKL5lXJoFwmHSbjUfEEZFw37JAh-49KcqiM7_4pkTiPPLkrbax6nBE_NyBjlH-lSjXzv-KemTSzqH99MNDiDuKMA2DU9S5EeKOjnWjwEW6c2-s9oU4VnZcDfsTMMfbs1PA8xGpDoOXi/s1600/IMG_4848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPVKL5lXJoFwmHSbjUfEEZFw37JAh-49KcqiM7_4pkTiPPLkrbax6nBE_NyBjlH-lSjXzv-KemTSzqH99MNDiDuKMA2DU9S5EeKOjnWjwEW6c2-s9oU4VnZcDfsTMMfbs1PA8xGpDoOXi/s640/IMG_4848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX8e0eQ43rLg70wi_xf1ZW_5LhuiwzXK_cMHUynGtWBpnSBs1Xo3nhGPIyrZkU6zmTE08SRz0qWzWu7GU-aG6lvTjZV4AXPONCbonThks2l3Il7wwnxc9T1etlcTezZzyZvvydCBU7BB0/s1600/IMG_5426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX8e0eQ43rLg70wi_xf1ZW_5LhuiwzXK_cMHUynGtWBpnSBs1Xo3nhGPIyrZkU6zmTE08SRz0qWzWu7GU-aG6lvTjZV4AXPONCbonThks2l3Il7wwnxc9T1etlcTezZzyZvvydCBU7BB0/s640/IMG_5426.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YZUTK9BAnx6lOOitK-WKKwiWxSAGM716H1OV_2SOxkGcZCvRVee1q1e01Cnyn9vokaTzhjwvHEkEWaDxDngRrckfmbMKHZswzP7aHvv-14rz4ttai1caul-8wHg9hLyvRG21uf8MWg9d/s1600/potlights1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YZUTK9BAnx6lOOitK-WKKwiWxSAGM716H1OV_2SOxkGcZCvRVee1q1e01Cnyn9vokaTzhjwvHEkEWaDxDngRrckfmbMKHZswzP7aHvv-14rz4ttai1caul-8wHg9hLyvRG21uf8MWg9d/s640/potlights1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />We lived with it like this for a while... when last month I finally decided to bite the bullet and paint our cabinets. In addition, we had open shelving installed on the big empty wall. Here's what the kitchen looked like in the midst of all this...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnOBI8dE_I7UiV1vG-tLm3M15zUha9XbIS89s4Dy8k0B6C8l3VJOEhmpyUzigmGXxTTBCbvldbnrqh2RSCMDvj68D5FknzLmYV385xCZsZda74xB2Hde5jXwbn8wK0HBILcfXOidekY9H/s1600/IMG_7133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnOBI8dE_I7UiV1vG-tLm3M15zUha9XbIS89s4Dy8k0B6C8l3VJOEhmpyUzigmGXxTTBCbvldbnrqh2RSCMDvj68D5FknzLmYV385xCZsZda74xB2Hde5jXwbn8wK0HBILcfXOidekY9H/s640/IMG_7133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And now, finally, every last detail is in place and our little kitchen is ready for it's big debut:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpojTQlqZgS9i4JPH7ChlqBTI8ySR864Gb0I_sMFhHa9ex2sOmqgHSUysZ6_rvrDx4M4f4MnjLfbR36BLm3fsmDi2DuOlh4Sz3xgegDw9P-WvCx4pwUAhAblJJHdfNYNO5oqkXAEBE8y5J/s1600/IMG_7303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpojTQlqZgS9i4JPH7ChlqBTI8ySR864Gb0I_sMFhHa9ex2sOmqgHSUysZ6_rvrDx4M4f4MnjLfbR36BLm3fsmDi2DuOlh4Sz3xgegDw9P-WvCx4pwUAhAblJJHdfNYNO5oqkXAEBE8y5J/s640/IMG_7303.jpg" width="563" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOvDzsU3TJUfM_zeII1OBWl5hhqH_6EhrSIfXy-TpKurdwdmVnZ16oiRf861-5UcrrMwOLRuaaED6bp8SVgzydWiKLD3YYe1pJloVKlNKe95qvfGa8HoW7xCx-V9k-CuV0fyJ5j68ReRG/s1600/IMG_7293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOvDzsU3TJUfM_zeII1OBWl5hhqH_6EhrSIfXy-TpKurdwdmVnZ16oiRf861-5UcrrMwOLRuaaED6bp8SVgzydWiKLD3YYe1pJloVKlNKe95qvfGa8HoW7xCx-V9k-CuV0fyJ5j68ReRG/s640/IMG_7293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpojTQlqZgS9i4JPH7ChlqBTI8ySR864Gb0I_sMFhHa9ex2sOmqgHSUysZ6_rvrDx4M4f4MnjLfbR36BLm3fsmDi2DuOlh4Sz3xgegDw9P-WvCx4pwUAhAblJJHdfNYNO5oqkXAEBE8y5J/s1600/IMG_7303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrPZH90XC5rYpvtKDjOnaA_CGS-8Rr9EjJaL4Cvcb2AxCnz7Kdxau-0Ab2boWAnVQwNzart1NRX02esoaPHQpNAw1DxU7jh4ZVf7MWDTqhddz_KWhG_hRB7WWjG_HE8pCKTiWu9tgTPlJ/s1600/IMG_7299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrPZH90XC5rYpvtKDjOnaA_CGS-8Rr9EjJaL4Cvcb2AxCnz7Kdxau-0Ab2boWAnVQwNzart1NRX02esoaPHQpNAw1DxU7jh4ZVf7MWDTqhddz_KWhG_hRB7WWjG_HE8pCKTiWu9tgTPlJ/s640/IMG_7299.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Y9-FQ-0eUROc-i4921utbGBqIXP0toJu4wSD2IePXfC1d3tuTI2CBM_PtxwD8g8FlNWLm9xe9HuQ-uqmFGMSulj54blwSpyj7-QXAMXmrE50nsd1mq0JrFWqIzcTVLgg4dO7OGkWpufw/s1600/IMG_7297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Y9-FQ-0eUROc-i4921utbGBqIXP0toJu4wSD2IePXfC1d3tuTI2CBM_PtxwD8g8FlNWLm9xe9HuQ-uqmFGMSulj54blwSpyj7-QXAMXmrE50nsd1mq0JrFWqIzcTVLgg4dO7OGkWpufw/s640/IMG_7297.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20bYYtJWvByi6GZ8UlMWvRKAnr1oyF4naZL8PYCm_ziV9Nz4yK63tBbN5yvyKE-Mhm098EpoM_6WcKxakaYdpisGyHGLcwPiaHaMGAQNWeRRKk1kQmnJZijP3VeHOHG2XyL52hSZkt5Ka/s1600/IMG_7345-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20bYYtJWvByi6GZ8UlMWvRKAnr1oyF4naZL8PYCm_ziV9Nz4yK63tBbN5yvyKE-Mhm098EpoM_6WcKxakaYdpisGyHGLcwPiaHaMGAQNWeRRKk1kQmnJZijP3VeHOHG2XyL52hSZkt5Ka/s640/IMG_7345-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm_PnUyNK350iHVYHsx18Uic3ftQw4S9KM8uUlxUn0x8G_RkPd5NfhBtbtLf5mE54tf0gRHihPmO3SHDk8h-7RGd2rUwz2kZoRsNdNyh18361DZReCUxbRbPM7WezgVs8g-6vAYinjWf-/s1600/IMG_7327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm_PnUyNK350iHVYHsx18Uic3ftQw4S9KM8uUlxUn0x8G_RkPd5NfhBtbtLf5mE54tf0gRHihPmO3SHDk8h-7RGd2rUwz2kZoRsNdNyh18361DZReCUxbRbPM7WezgVs8g-6vAYinjWf-/s640/IMG_7327.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br />I was debating between oil rubbed bronze or brushed nickel pulls, and I'm SO glad I went this route. I picked up the entire set of 16 on Ebay for under $80 (after my Ebay bucks)!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMXCKcTXd5tpRKVgwiZJLroalk1FfDCOdM80o4Vr4mwhDHFCAL0CrXcqdv6aHcnAo2v_2LiXcRirXXEsVpZ6nMF-cHKJfh57pfkKQoO3UhamO75olsVjzgHLgW0OG3lyfojB2TyQLOIRF/s1600/IMG_7328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMXCKcTXd5tpRKVgwiZJLroalk1FfDCOdM80o4Vr4mwhDHFCAL0CrXcqdv6aHcnAo2v_2LiXcRirXXEsVpZ6nMF-cHKJfh57pfkKQoO3UhamO75olsVjzgHLgW0OG3lyfojB2TyQLOIRF/s640/IMG_7328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />We also ditched the old exposed hinges and opted for concealed "soft-close" hinges, which apparently is this new technology that allows you to just gently push the door in and the spring loaded hinge will slowly pull the door closed on its own (they've had this for drawers for a while, but the guy at the cabinet place said this has only been around less than a year for cabinets). The hinges were under $3 a pop each, so for around $100 we were able to do the whole kitchen. SO worth it.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YkRtqw6MZ69HZnydLQoU436RBMPb1F3VLiZJMo7LBiDwxBEB5xRLg2prQQQw72-oxQwp-_6zfdRzknjUaaDJfLU6RFZ3Gd1BewRNZ_upUtI-wsUl-K9XM1bYboIMZ7qz9p3X_Ayl6f_e/s1600/IMG_7331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YkRtqw6MZ69HZnydLQoU436RBMPb1F3VLiZJMo7LBiDwxBEB5xRLg2prQQQw72-oxQwp-_6zfdRzknjUaaDJfLU6RFZ3Gd1BewRNZ_upUtI-wsUl-K9XM1bYboIMZ7qz9p3X_Ayl6f_e/s640/IMG_7331.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-T2ONUqg1vPKij-wwcBekvUgYnsTZAbUVd0JLBCm6Askit2Z5c2y8gNvGJbl39An0z5BerQE3m5SvpPtIQ6gXooJeJN7YmDPte-KqWxi2R61igDmy2_-cXYuXueie4gXpp0GcQhozAli/s1600/IMG_7286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-T2ONUqg1vPKij-wwcBekvUgYnsTZAbUVd0JLBCm6Askit2Z5c2y8gNvGJbl39An0z5BerQE3m5SvpPtIQ6gXooJeJN7YmDPte-KqWxi2R61igDmy2_-cXYuXueie4gXpp0GcQhozAli/s640/IMG_7286.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIkDMjOHCpAEQCWAyx6rSXUUmzvhoTxuNRbEKm3AM_3XKBxjfZsr2UT5bhwpEZWtALsIPTkN0Fy0ILN3KIAKKFZlttxxC30t1EwvIHOIQTgqnbVL2vLcqutZarPmpMKntFuA9Y0Gl4WV6/s1600/IMG_7341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIkDMjOHCpAEQCWAyx6rSXUUmzvhoTxuNRbEKm3AM_3XKBxjfZsr2UT5bhwpEZWtALsIPTkN0Fy0ILN3KIAKKFZlttxxC30t1EwvIHOIQTgqnbVL2vLcqutZarPmpMKntFuA9Y0Gl4WV6/s640/IMG_7341.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />These open shelves... oh my goodness. They must be my favorite thing in the house. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7ilzLgC3KZTIk7bFsUES822P8QOhLdXTL4S7bJ1piZzAQiyIm72DktIfl8xCvc5Ek21ngCn82cROg5vwBdx8kM6rewg4VpLe6Ky33KLamH2IiZBDS6zPkakAhrahEnMop1qRufWZrxG2/s1600/IMG_7308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7ilzLgC3KZTIk7bFsUES822P8QOhLdXTL4S7bJ1piZzAQiyIm72DktIfl8xCvc5Ek21ngCn82cROg5vwBdx8kM6rewg4VpLe6Ky33KLamH2IiZBDS6zPkakAhrahEnMop1qRufWZrxG2/s640/IMG_7308.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br />I had so much fun accessorizing them...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULyGPoaO2LxjhR9ySooOgLyAjjh0Scd3AADv_mBYbQyBK2_ATG6yE3QZlFs5-ncx-mfqRADSB-K2EDEYSFZkEekJL4IL5sXjbxfD-ZVMVM7TwLZP6MFWnJFml25pr-KN-DOTczY1al6F_/s1600/IMG_7316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULyGPoaO2LxjhR9ySooOgLyAjjh0Scd3AADv_mBYbQyBK2_ATG6yE3QZlFs5-ncx-mfqRADSB-K2EDEYSFZkEekJL4IL5sXjbxfD-ZVMVM7TwLZP6MFWnJFml25pr-KN-DOTczY1al6F_/s640/IMG_7316.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZst9E5V2hKRQW51daUXAjgZCKeWqYeA5EbQiIupZuMqvDjcVeYDATkpvX6UNv8HqwTU2jOOJnFsFd0SNL5q1fKwDuWxlHQHQrfHOjpowTN741oq8_9pAcBZFPOIiQ9Hz0z4tdiXyJ5Le1/s1600/IMG_7304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZst9E5V2hKRQW51daUXAjgZCKeWqYeA5EbQiIupZuMqvDjcVeYDATkpvX6UNv8HqwTU2jOOJnFsFd0SNL5q1fKwDuWxlHQHQrfHOjpowTN741oq8_9pAcBZFPOIiQ9Hz0z4tdiXyJ5Le1/s640/IMG_7304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg03k0kbwN2Jub1XVT4ARPGCyDruODJ5oSorUK8WPwA1lbm-IX2knEzZx3LT8pmOWninyykStNb4JOiAFmvHzceaawJ-Irg6tMzJc-KwTzPICJmQd05YkGvcUC3bFeqbsxzK5-HP-c-TtP/s1600/IMG_7319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg03k0kbwN2Jub1XVT4ARPGCyDruODJ5oSorUK8WPwA1lbm-IX2knEzZx3LT8pmOWninyykStNb4JOiAFmvHzceaawJ-Irg6tMzJc-KwTzPICJmQd05YkGvcUC3bFeqbsxzK5-HP-c-TtP/s640/IMG_7319.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />DIY wooden sign tutorial coming soon (the flower bucket was a diy makeover as well).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzuyrhL0gdadpY_W2r0HbcM3J_TqlB3p-mFwCP6kg1oE55IjMs3EeBhWJAwpbuWLW1TuTOdgYiTriaFjF9HMsxbxXWuB5OSCKj9PHbOZXZeHWTJFe01nSlXhdI9wpiDmkg43Cu_ruSJP7/s1600/IMG_7312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzuyrhL0gdadpY_W2r0HbcM3J_TqlB3p-mFwCP6kg1oE55IjMs3EeBhWJAwpbuWLW1TuTOdgYiTriaFjF9HMsxbxXWuB5OSCKj9PHbOZXZeHWTJFe01nSlXhdI9wpiDmkg43Cu_ruSJP7/s640/IMG_7312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />How cute is this lil guy? It's an <a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/p-10222-owl-coin-bank-white.aspx">owl coin bank</a> from ZGallerie. Brad and I always seem to have loose change on the counters, so this was the perfect solution for the kitchen.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Eb01GWB-2ONNDa8CJeJX1vUwn1X_tFbBYDpKUnoyrGq85GPNbIjsF1BttzCF36lIdOfPUBRIyTbcqj-VnW8U39GKHPmcqJ0FArYwkAsdF7EPvOEjFnp8uQd21LnU0q8vLvRmF8GEz-xn/s1600/IMG_7322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Eb01GWB-2ONNDa8CJeJX1vUwn1X_tFbBYDpKUnoyrGq85GPNbIjsF1BttzCF36lIdOfPUBRIyTbcqj-VnW8U39GKHPmcqJ0FArYwkAsdF7EPvOEjFnp8uQd21LnU0q8vLvRmF8GEz-xn/s640/IMG_7322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Still loving my white canister set I scored at Goodwill for $4!<br /><br /><br />I did another fun project to fill a wall... a white chalk board using DIY chalkboard paint and an old frame...<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwz-0WwTiEsq6qQndvuYhW6eBuLmoylz3W-6B0mHrG1EP7Xt_VzBYZcnen2qo6MafLt-SErn1Z1jnoW3iM7Fu-6IcQ6niQloLImwF043juKitoXtQyDeXMDxtNMDrjIGv6pKgqmInJRnd/s1600/IMG_7324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwz-0WwTiEsq6qQndvuYhW6eBuLmoylz3W-6B0mHrG1EP7Xt_VzBYZcnen2qo6MafLt-SErn1Z1jnoW3iM7Fu-6IcQ6niQloLImwF043juKitoXtQyDeXMDxtNMDrjIGv6pKgqmInJRnd/s640/IMG_7324.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The metal bucket holds our colorful chalk</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1D5UgVkxe-FuOc87Ihj35ILO5-3J1ZplyX7qNJ8TD2oqEjYE45NNtXZYZIaHzjCA0NUseoEJ33-1YJl1unGV65OPS3vBF_rpL6jCvDOBs-uL8ul6l04-72BWJ2T3BNMKXMwsMzQin3RJ/s1600/IMG_7325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1D5UgVkxe-FuOc87Ihj35ILO5-3J1ZplyX7qNJ8TD2oqEjYE45NNtXZYZIaHzjCA0NUseoEJ33-1YJl1unGV65OPS3vBF_rpL6jCvDOBs-uL8ul6l04-72BWJ2T3BNMKXMwsMzQin3RJ/s640/IMG_7325.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Tutorial on this also coming soon.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I had been searching for the perfect phone charging/organizing station to put on our counter, because this is how it was looking every day:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKWyUBa8nPsYm7yK1SlatWw1Xq_IlUz_NiFOHDaVTOWmnUL4UkPhhiv4vlTczVFjfM8L3oVoO35F6PRh5JQz0ubydy6p7X_9HVfIdiwBRoV368DV8CG83eW3sRy7oVVVo0x2TVPZlQibJ/s1600/IMG_7222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKWyUBa8nPsYm7yK1SlatWw1Xq_IlUz_NiFOHDaVTOWmnUL4UkPhhiv4vlTczVFjfM8L3oVoO35F6PRh5JQz0ubydy6p7X_9HVfIdiwBRoV368DV8CG83eW3sRy7oVVVo0x2TVPZlQibJ/s640/IMG_7222.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><br />Not cute.<br /><br />I had brought home a wire basket from Hobby Lobby (on sale of course) with no idea what I was going to use it for... when suddenly it clicked:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNu7IwptztY5T-kavs3hcxYGv70NOqWjHK5m0g7dsEj4Mf_vRTZ9178eIGt_PTVnypGdRoLstlQzh3_daSUM9H7IupHB6qMZ5GYOHulsDha3N_E78S4HO_oR-8mQexs4aT4oCFPpW5vFn/s1600/IMG_7221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNu7IwptztY5T-kavs3hcxYGv70NOqWjHK5m0g7dsEj4Mf_vRTZ9178eIGt_PTVnypGdRoLstlQzh3_daSUM9H7IupHB6qMZ5GYOHulsDha3N_E78S4HO_oR-8mQexs4aT4oCFPpW5vFn/s640/IMG_7221.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Bingo! This does a good job of not only covering the outlet, but it serves as a perfect place to stash the long charger wires and keep mail/coupons/takeout menus/etc. Problem solved.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">And that is our new kitchen! I wish I was better at keeping track of costs.... but the rough estimate in my head tells me everything came in at under 5k (we had a ton of gift cards to Lowe's to put towards our granite install, so that helped a lot). </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Stay tuned for DIY wooden sign and chalkboard tutorials :)</div><div align="left"><br /></div><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><div align="left"><br /></div>

The Big Kitchen Reveal

This day is finally here! Our kitchen is D-O-N-E. It's been many months in the making, so let's do a quick recap... Here's how i...

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