Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Remodel 2012 :: Inspiration Photos and New Countertops

An inspiration piece or photo 
can definitely get the wheels spinning for a new project.
There is nothing like seeing the finished results before taking the risk
and beginning the project on your own. 
They can even help you discover your personal design style.

Most of the inspiration for our remodel began with the following images.

I have always loved white cabinets and wood floors.
In these pictures I loved the the contrast of dark and light,
in the floors and cabinets, countertops and backsplash, & hardware and cabinets.
Everything just worked together.

Laying wood floors was the first project of the remodel.
It was rough. We're hoping the rest go much smoother.




This picture lead to having glass front, lighted display cabinets built.
and recessed canister lights in the ceiling.



Love the subway tiles and dark countertops.


Our kitchen has soft blue walls, like this photo.  
So it was neat to see how they would look with the other elements I was considering.




Yesterday the granite was laid and today they're here installing the subway tile backsplash.



The transformation of the kitchen is truly incredible!
Can't wait to reveal the finished product!




Thursday, February 23, 2012

Remodel 2012 :: a summary of laying wood floors

I LOVE wood floors.

in my dream home they'll be everywhere!!
well, except for the bathrooms which will have heated, marble floors ;)
after this last project we now have wood floors in all the main areas.
totally obsessed.

Here are a couple of "before" pictures ...
Actually taken when we had the carpets cleaned a while back.
I will admit that I chose this carpet. ugh.



Now that we have that out there, let me follow it with saying that it is 
the decision I regret most in the 3 years of decorating our house.
Mind you, this is our first house and I didn't have too many opinions starting out. 
That face has definitely changed. Just ask Hubby :)
What I maybe hated most of all, 
was the weird jutting angle of the tile into the family room carpet.
(see first pic)
The house came that way, but it made the rooms so choppy!!
For the last two years I have been dreaming of laying wood floors throughout
the kitchen/ breakfast room/ family room.
This is the story of how Hubby made my dreams come true!


A few weeks ago I wrote this post to inform you of what craziness we were
embarking on.  It got crazier and crazier before the floors were finally finished.

ripping out carpet and busting out tile




Truly thought I'd never clean out all of the dust.
Truly.
Geez.
Hubby worked SO hard swinging a sledge hammer and using some crazy
power tool that I don't even know the name of.
I promised him I'd never ask him to do this again.
It was kinda terrible.



Round 1. Hubby laid all of the floors. He did an AMAZING job, even took a day off work to finish.
We walked around and noticed a few uneven areas.
Come to find our foundation wasn't completely even... 
(what?!??! I didn't even know that was possible.)

here are some pictures of the initial progress ...



















sometimes when people have traumatic incidents in their lives their brain basically erases the memory of what happened because it's too much to handle.
pretty sure that's what happened after this next set of pictures.
 i just don't remember a whole lot about the following.



Round 2. He ripped up half the floors and moved most of the furniture out,
throughout kitchen and breakfast room.
Then he laid the floors for a second time using one method to try and fix the floor issue.
but it didn't work.
(ahhhhhh!!!!!!)



I mean I can only complain so much, he did 90% of the work but
I got to live in the house all day, every day with two kids...

Round 3. Third time is a charm. He spread self leveling cement and re-laid the floors, again.
This time everything was much better.





but the process was still a nightmare.

It was a rough 10 days, but it was SO worth it.
Our wood floors have been laid and they're gorgeous.
Busting out tile, laying and relaying those floors was an incredible
act of love by my hubby, and I am so grateful that he did that for me.
He knew how much it meant to me and how much I'd love them! 
We both love them and even Cade, who is 2 1/2, says
"Mommy, I love your new floors!" 





Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Chiang Mai

In the midst of all the projects going on around our house,
my escape from the craziness has been working on my latest client's design board.

Her inspiration is Schumacher's Chiang Mai print, and
I have truly had a wonderful time pulling all of the elements together.
With her floor plan you can be in the living room and 
see through the kitchen into the breakfast room.
I included the items for all three rooms so she could see how they
complemented each other.


CJ Design Living Room/ Kitchen/ Breakfast Room


I love the different patterns & prints, Oriental accents, textures,
and mix of metals! Seeing it all in her home will be even better!

It would be my pleasure to help you design a room to fit your style,
and most importantly your life.
Check out my Design Services page for more information
and contact me with any questions you might have!

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