Humongo print

You can see the kitchen progress has been stagnant for a bit. Figuring out the new counter tops put a damper on things then along came round 2 of the stomach flu (this time C had it) and colds for the rest of us. Lucky C followed up the stomach bug with a head cold...so yeah, not much is happening with that.

I did, however, FINALLY get the O'Keefe inspired drawing printed in a humongo size (24" x 36") and framed in a basic walnut frame. I haven't had time to get nice shots of it, but I'm so excited (and dare I say enamored) with it, that I want to show it off. A lot.

Sitting on a Stool Decision

I've added the Basil poster to the shop alongside the tomato one. Today I pick up a framed humongo print of Desert Scene...all gorgeous 2'x 3' of it, framed in a basic walnut frame. It will be the first time I've had a print that large in my grubby little paws. To say I'm excited...well, it's an understatement and I can't wait to take pictures!

In the meantime, we're still working hard on the kitchen (sloooowly). Plans keep changing based on affordability factors: with the wall one flat level, the back of the stove would show, so we opted in stair stepping it down. Also, Ikea no longer offers the oak butcher block counter tops that we have! They have a butcher-block-look-alike that is laminate over MDF, but it's just not the same. We mulled over a couple solutions, and I think what we decided on is going to be pretty cool in a Bauhaus sort of way. We made the decision through a series of text messages between C, who was working at home mudding and painting the walls, and me, supervising the young 'uns at birthday parties all weekend.

The stools in the mock up above are a possible Craigslist score (checking them out this afternoon). They are a mid-century Arthur Umanoff design for Raymor, but I don't know much else about them or him. I wasn't sure about even going to check them out, but kept thinking about them. Looking through my inspiration pictures (and then doing a mock up) I realized I'd better jump on the chance! The natural seat and airy legs will be perfect for an already busy area, keeping them functional and not as much of a focal point. We'll see!

More KTSD

Still making progress despite 6 inches of snow (no quick trips to the hardware store) and my week down with the stomach flu (C on full-time kid duty). The image just below was the plan. Then we realized a slide-in or drop-in stove would double or triple the cost of what was already in-the-distant-future stove. THEN... the snow melted and C schlepped the kids across town to Ikea, only to find out the oak butcher block counters we were counting on have been discontinued.

So I guess we can just nix that mock up. We're thinking of doing polished concrete instead, but adding another DIY to the to-do list, 2 young and energetic kids (meaning there's only 1 person who can work on the overhaul at a time), and the house being in shambles...Let's just say I'm not so sure about that.

Kitchen Trauma.tic Distress. Disorder.

This is what C accomplished in one weekend while I kept F/M out of the house.

We're doing this between the kitchen and the den.We're not ones to make traditional decor decisions, so we're basically marrying two crazy-looking rooms. Soon I'll be able to cook and watch/interact with the kids while they play (all without looking through exposed studs).

The studs are true 2x4s of southern pine. We're thinking of replacing them with new ones from the hardware store and using the old wood in a visible way, such as making a sealed butcher block style counter top for the bar area, or as the front underside of the bar area instead of gypsum. Perhaps a bit like this kitchen from an Apartment Therapy Home Tour...though we're keeping the vintage wallpaper in the kitchen, so our version won't be nearly as cleanly modern looking.