Sunday, January 27, 2008

Kitchen Pics

First, this is the lovely gift I found waiting in the mail for me earlier this week. It traveled halfway around the world all the way from Australia! I just love the idea of that. The package was so beautifully wrapped, I almost didn't want to open it. Almost. Lee-Anne is so thoughtful she even tied it with ribbon in my favorite colors! Way to pay attention, girl.
She sent a sweet book for Mia's library and these cute little bibs. I love them both but my favorite is the pink and green ladybug one, of course. Thanks so much Lee-Anne! You're far too generous...but thank you for thinking of me. It made me smile. I'll be reminded of you every time I read this book or use one of these bibs (on myself as I'm drooling in my wheelchair at the nursing home still waiting for Mia!) LOL!
Here are the stencil pics as promised. I used leftover paint from the kitchen cabinets. It ties the colors together perfectly. Yes, I know the fleur de lis design is upside down. I did that on purpose. I liked it better that way. My kitchen has taken on more of a Tuscan look and I didn't want it to look too "ooh la la francais". But I loved the scroll design. So easy solution.... flip it upside down. Voila'. Oops....that's french, isn't it? LOL!

Check this out! Perfect for me, no? I saw it and just had to have it. Plus the colors match almost exactly.
This used to hang there but I never liked the matte color. It turned out much too purple up against the sun dried tomato color of the cabinets. So I'm having it re-matted with a green and will hang it in the dining room. You can also see one of the transitional colors on the wall behind it. That's the phase I was going through when I couldn't figure out the room.

Notice the new mugs, Mamacita? I copied her. She bought new dishes and posted a pic on her blog. They matched my new kitchen so I ran out and got them, too. Unfortunately, that means I now have 3 different sets of tableware. Time to downsize that a bit, I think.

I even did a stencil by the sink. Hmmm... just noticed that everything on the left side of the window sill was a gift from another blogger. Small world. Who knew starting this blog would lead me to so many new kitchen accessories? LOL!

So this is the reason why I want a new granite counter top. The pink C*orian is beautiful but was much better suited to the old style of my kitchen. It just isn't working for me anymore.

I think a nice black granite with some gold in it would be perfect. Dontcha think? I only have this one long counter top (about 26 sq ft) so I don't think it'd be too bad cost wise. What do you guys think? Black granite or something else?

This is the old look. The counter top matched the pink and green shabby chic thing I had going. This pic was taken right after I had the ceramic tile floor installed. Which is what set off the whole transformation of the kitchen. I thought when I picked the floor that it was pink enough to work. But in fact, it turned out to be way too dramatic and bold for that cottage look.

More of the old kitchen and all the stencil I painted over. The walls were sponge painted in a sage green. It was hard painting over all that. It took soooooo long to do. It broke my heart a little. All that work...gone. But it was time for a change. It had been this way for almost 10 years.

I really loved my old kitchen but it was definitely time for a new look. I love the new style! It's so warm and cozy in there. It's almost complete. I have a new light fixture that should be hung soon and then I'll need to re-paint the ceiling and do some other touch up. But unless I get a new counter top, it'll be done. Finally.....

28 comments:

Daniella said...

Wow- it's beautiful. I love the colors! Makes me want to come over for a maragarita :)

Anonymous said...

OK, I love the Tuscan kitchen!
And aren't you clever to flip that fleur-de-lis upside down?

I see what you mean now about the countertop - the pink isn't very Tuscan-ish. But granite would be great!

Unknown said...

these are awesome!!! and I love your gift pics

kitchu said...

Love the new look (!!) and what awesome gifts from Lee-Anne!

t~ said...

All that kitchen is missing is a Margarator!

Kim said...

Love the goodies...
And your kitchen looks WONDERFUL..
I really like the new look...
Have a Great Week girly..

Pug Mama said...

like the new look better. Looks pretty.
I clicked on all the pictures to see them enlarged and my heart swelled when I saw the pictures of all of us on your window!
so sweet..........

Polar Bear said...

I really REALLY like your new look!! I think you are right - new countertops would be perfect!

I have the Hope ornament hanging in my kitchen too! :)

Kayce said...

Love the new look!! Can you come over and help me with mine?? :)

Sandra said...

I really LOVE the look of your kitchen. You are using my favorite colors :-)

As for countertops, I think black would be nice, but something in a golden tone might look nicer, sonce you already have dark cabinets and a dark floor. Of course, that is JMHO; you need to get what you want; it is your kitchen after all.

Where did you get those mugs? I love them!

wzgirl said...

Your painting is amazing, K. REally-Truly. As is your patience. Not sure we can match that up in here.

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love the new look!!!!

Carla said...

I really like the yellow, er, I mean gold, with the cabinets. But, are you saying you bought new dishes, after I bought you canisters to match your old-new dishes just last Christmas??? Do you have a dishware fetish? Do you even cook? What the.....

cougchick said...

That was just the motivation I needed to get going on my house. It is in desperate need of some updating.
Love the new look! Good job.

My word verification letters were "tdloow". That cracks me up.
I have a friend that says that every time she says goodbye. (toodle-loo)

OziMum said...

I LOVE your new stenciling - very Chic! (yes thats french!!!)

Wow... I love your old kitchen! You are so darn clever with your painting!!! I'm a sucker for white though.

I think the black countertops will look very striking with the dark pink cabinets, but would it make the room look darker?

Robin said...

Wow.. you've been working hard and it's paid off. Love the new look. I agree it's very tuscan looking. Have to laugh at sea star's comment about the Margarator!! I saw one of those before she had purchased hers and posted about it and immediately thought of you :0)

Briana's Mom said...

The kitchen looks amazing! I have black corian in my kitchen (though I would love to have granite) and I love the color! I say go for it!

Anonymous said...

Really a nice warm look! I think your new look is much better. I say go for a new countertop if you want one. Maybe black might be a bit dark but you're the only one that has to like it. Silestone is very classy as well (no idea how price compares to granite, I would think less)Keep us posted.

redmaryjanes said...

It looks great! Very inviting.

dawn said...

I love the new loook. I want more colour here too but since this is only a temporary house for us we are not doing to much extra decorating. THe kiddies rooms are fabby but the rest....blah.

4D said...

Love the bright and colourful new look. Black would really set it off. Great job!!

Keep smilin!

Shannon said...

Oh my goodness you are a star at the decorating thing! Come on over and help a no-style girl? I'll pay in margaritas! =)

Joannah said...

Your kitchen looks fabulous!

Yoli said...

Everything looks so beautiful! What a lovely blog.

Yoli

Middle-Aged Moi said...

It's GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111 I love it! Those colours are JUST my style!!! Warm, cozy earth tones. Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marla said...

Love the new kitchen and yes, granite would look great in there. Love your blog!!

C's Mom said...

I'm in love with Lee-Anne....what an amazing chickie.

I'm still trying to justify costs in the kitchen just because "I want it" I'll do it eventually. I think I am holding out because after that the only thing left is tearing up the driveway and I can't begin to imagine what that'll cost.

Yup, that granite would rock the room for ya though....no pun intended. You've got one bitchen kitchen Ms. 180 Fleur-de-lis. It's beatutious.

Noemi said...

Liked to old one but just LOVE the new one...

Lovely gift...