My Home

A Belated After

Since I finished painting my dining room about two weeks ago, I figured I would go ahead and show you some after photos. We moved the furniture, rug, mirror, art and accessories back in, but I sent the draperies off to be dry-cleaned before I affix the Greek Key trim (which I still need to order). So, I just didn't show that unfinished side of the room. Without further ado, here it is . . .

Just as a reminder, here's what it looked like before . . . 

I love the richness of the deep, saturated Champion Cobalt (Benjamin Moore) paint. It makes the mirror, art and furniture really stand out.

As I mentioned, I still have to finish and hang the curtains, and of course, it will never be totally done as I keep getting new ideas. Exhibit A:

Wouldn't a little Chiang Mai on the side chairs just kick it up another notch? I know, I'm crazy. I'll leave it be for now.  I'll be sure to show the other side of the room (which is just a window) once the curtains are finished and hung. Unless I change my mind about them. Just kidding. 

 

 

My Kitchen Before and After

While cleaning up my email files yesterday, I came across these photos my husband took of our house before we moved in almost four years ago. Lots of people including dear friends managed to miss out on our old kitchen, so I thought I would share these before and after photos.


Here are a couple before shots (with the prior inhabitants' furnishings and accessories):

It's your basic cherry-stained cabinet suburban kitchen. For me, it was WAY too dark. I like light and airy. Can you see the counters? Wait, I've got a closer shot . . .

They are some sort of greenish-gray or grayish-green (I'm not sure) tile with gray grout. Next to the reddish brown cabinets. Not a good color combo. Several months after we moved in, we tackled a modest kitchen renovation.


We didn't have a ton of money to spend on a total kitchen re-do, and overall, the layout of the kitchen was fine. So, I went with what I thought would make the most visual impact. I had the cabinets painted and new counter tops and a new backsplash installed. Oh, and we got a new sink and refrigerator but kept the rest of the appliances (for now).


So, without further ado, here's the way the kitchen looks today . . .

Overall, I'm very pleased with my kitchen . . .

I would have loved to have had carrara marble counter tops, but I went with cream for the cabinets (white seemed too stark for this house) and I don't think the white marble would have worked. So, maybe in my next home, I'll go with the all-white dream kitchen. 

I must say my favorite part of the kitchen is the backsplash. They're hand-glazed caramel-colored ceramic subway tiles from some California-based company (the name escapes me now). I love them. Of course, there's more that could be done (pendant lights over the island, a gas cook-top and a fancy stainless vent-a-hood), but for now it makes me happy. 

 

Update: Here's an updated shot of our eating area with the vintage table and IKEA chairs: