I thought the cows came home....

Hello everyone! Today I am sharing a small update in the kitchen.  I have a corner sink with windows on either side (see picture in my header). I have been looking for the longest time for something to put over the windows. The problem is every piece of art I have found has not run horizontal but vertical. Well a few weeks ago I had taken my Mom to Rooms to Go for a new bed since she was down sizing.  There was a big sign on the door all accessories where 75% off!! Yes you read that right.  I hate to admit it, but my eyes glazed and I sorta abandoned Mom while I did a quick turn around the store to see what was available.

Sorry for the washed out picture, having camera problems and am using my point and shoot.  Anyhoo - I was so excited to find these cow pictures - painted on canvas, stretched over a box type frame and the perfect size for over the windows.  After admiring them on the counter top and then the Mister hanging them for me- well I loved these cows!! Now - how many of you have noticed there is only one cow?! Yes, it took my 14 year old son to point out that the one on the right is a bull!!! Much joking at my expense then took place - even though the Mister did not notice either!

 
Bull or Cows...it really makes this corner look more finished.  Oh, forgot that these pictures where only $30 each! I also picked up a few more bargain's that I will share soon.

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate your taking the time to leave me a comment.

Linking to:
Met Monday
G'Day Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday
Seasonal Sundays

New Color for Pantry Door

Hello!  This week is just flying, at least we are closer to the weekend.  After I did my kitchen tour , here, I was not liking the white pantry door.  I have been looking at getting a frosted glass door, but have not found one I loved.  But, now after looking at the picture I wanted something dark to go with the fridge on one side and the ovens on the other side.  It is strange that seeing a picture gives a better idea of how something looks vs seeing it in person.  Here is the before...

And here is the now...

I think it looks so much better.  It blends in better then having that big splash of white.  So what do you think? 

I will be joining:

Kim 's Wow Us Wednesday

Chari's Potpourri Friday

Kate's Flaunt it Friday

Kitchen Tour - Part 2

Happy Sunday!  It has taken me longer then I planned to finish up my kitchen tour.  If you would like to see Part 1 you can find it here.

Starting where I left off, next to the double ovens is the coffee station, the stove with microwave over it, then the part of the counter with knives, spoon rest and fresh fruit basket.  We installed the slate tile back splash in January. Well the Mister did I was just the helper. He did an awesome job.  I stacked the tiles the way I wanted them laid and he laid them up.  This was actually a small tile job compared to the first one we did. In our last home we gutted the master bathroom and started from scratch, including rebuilding the shower.  I am a lucky lady to have a husband that is not only a sweetheart but a great "handy man".  When I say "we" it means he did it, I was the helper. : )  This picture really shows all the beautiful colors in the slate. It makes me smile every time I look at all the colors.

Here is a close up of the coffee station.  The Mister was so pleased when I brought home this wire coffee cup to store his K cups in, no more going to the pantry to get coffee! 

Next we come to the corner sink.  I love this area so much - on one side it looks out over our back yard to the green space and the other has a great view of the neighbors flowers.  My Mom made the curtains for me - yes my signature red.  The pendent light I got last month from Ballard's.  We have the recessed lights in the kitchen, I really wanted pendents over the island also, but the lights don't line up over the island right.  We added this new black sink and oil rubbed bronze faucet when we added the granite. By the faucet I have my PB pitcher.  I love, love this piece.  It usually has fresh flowers in it, but not today.  Does anyone else have any of the dishes from this set?  I want to order a  setting for 8, but so far have been able to talk myself out of it, but it is just a matter of time before it's mine!

Coming around the sink is the largest counter space which is about 12 feet.  On this side I have my toaster oven, which I use daily or it would be put away, then some canisters, a very cute tea pot lamp then some wine inspired decor.

Here is the cute little tea pot lamp, it was a gift from my Mom years ago. Still love it.

 Between the island and the back of the couch in the family room is the breakfast table.

Under the table I have this indoor/outdoor rug.  I ordered in on line, which I was a bit concerned about not being able to feel it.  I read all the reviews and everyone agreed it was soft.  I was pleasantly surprised that it did not feel rough at all, very soft. 

I hope you enjoyed the end of the kitchen tour.  This is my favorite room in our home.  I think it looks very warm and inviting. It has all the elements that I love -  granite, stone (slate), rich wood flooring and pops of warm colors.  At any gathering people always are hanging out at the island.  Oh, it's not a bad place to cook also!

Thanks for visiting!

Toni

I will be joining the following parties:

Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage
Carrie's Amaze me Monday
Debbie's Newbie Party
Kate's Flaunt it Friday
Kim's Wow Us Wednesday
Honey's Potpourri Friday
Sherry's Open House Party
Marty's Table Top Tuesday
Cindy's Show & Tell Friday

Kitchen Tour - Part 1

Hello all, hope you had a wonderful weekend.  We had a great weekend.  The Mister went fishing, I did a little shopping, and J was a typical teenage boy, which means gaming!  I thought I would show you the kitchen today.  We have been in our home six years,  although we were able to pick all flooring, countertops, tiles, etc.,  the choices were not always what I wanted.  We have been slowly upgrading here and there, mostly in the kichen since it is the center of our home.  We have a very open floor plan.  When you come in the front door there is a foyer with the living room to the right and dining room to the left.  From the front door when you look into the dining room you can see all the way into the kitchen.

The picture above is standing just inside the kitchen area.  The showpiece of the kitchen is this 6x5 island.  The first update we did was add granite.  The builder had only about 8 choices and since I was not in love with any of them, we opted for laminate.  We have added "Red Dragon" to the island.  It is a beautiful red with black veining.

We painted the island black just before the new floors where laid a few weeks ago.  It really pops with the red granite and reddish floor.   This side of the island has six shelves.  As you can guess, I am always adding and removing items from this area.  Here is how it looks now.

On the other side of  the island, coming out of the dining room is the kitchen desk area.  This is where we charge laptops, i phones, i pods - you know all those things we cannot live without, but have those pesty cords! On all the rest of the countertops we did "Black Galaxy".

Next to the desk is the fridge,  pantry and then the double ovens.  I wanted black appliances, I know most people prefer stainless, just not for me.

Looks like I have ran out of room, so I will continue the rest of the kitchen tomorrow.  I hope you enjoyed the kitchen so far and will come back for the rest. Thanks for all that stopped by to see my Secretary and left such sweet comments.

I will be joining the following parties:

          

Water damage..

So a few Saturday mornings ago I woke up to a rather large puddle of water around the fridge, under the fridge and in the pantry . So of course, I yelled for the Mister to come downstairs NOW.  The water dispenser had dripped all.night.long. My hardware floors where waterlogged. Ughhh. The Mister was able to repair the valve on the back of the fridge which took care of the leak.  It's a bit hard to tell from the above picture, but the floor is now uneven and discolored.  The picture below is a picture of undamaged floor in the foyer.

The wood sample is Asian Hickory in cinnamon which will be  installed in the next week or so. I love that it has wider planks and the color has both lighter and darker reds with almost black streaks through out. Right now we have carpet in the formal living room, dining room and the family room. We are going to have these rooms also changed to the new wood.  I am so excited. Also a little worried about how dirty this process is going to be.  On the estimate in big, bold words " This is an extremely dusty process." And they estimate 10 hours of clean up. Wow. Ten hours! Wish me luck. Have any of you had flooring ripped and laid will a house full of furniture?  Any suggestion or comments are very welcome : )  Did I mention I am healing from a broken femur bone? Let the fun begin.

Thanks for all of  you stopped by and took a look at my roosters & chickens.  The comments made me smile and feel very welcome in blog land.  Thanks again.

PS - I will work on my picture taking skills.

Toni