Sunday, January 6, 2013

I Blame It On Blogging



It seems like I constantly have "one more project" in the works.

I had nearly 3 weeks off from school.

But, there is still so much I wanted to accomplish.

I blame it on blogging.

I finish a project, take some time to look at blogs and get inspired for an entirely new project.

Friday I was looking through a ton of blogs and saw so many beautiful rooms.

I especially love all the white kitchens that were popping up.

And, as a "color" girl, it's surprising that the white kitchens are what kept drawing me in.

We have white cabinets.

We have white tile floor.

So why can't I break away from all the primary color in my house and do a little white?

I have to point out that the kitchen is not my domain - at all.

I win the Gold Medal for World's Worst Cook.

In my defense, I love to bake, but I avoid it because I also love to eat sweets.

So, invading Steve's space has to be done slyly.

In October I moved the bookcase in the kitchen to the entry.



Don't want you to think we are major winos.

The magnum bottles are from Discoveries Wines and the labels are Steve's paintings.

He has given away all the bottles he originally received sio we bought the magnums as keepsakes.

I moved the cabinet in the entry to the kitchen.



I convinced Steve that it would add more work space for him.

And, it will when we add a butcher block to the top.

We found a shop that will custom cut the butcher block, but Christmas, birthdays and vacation got in the way so the butcher block is at the top of Steve's To Do list this week.

The goal of the latest project was to add shelves above the cabinet.

I wanted shelves with brackets like these in my dining room.



I bought them at Antropologie about 10 years ago, but I didn't think it would be that hard to find something similar.

Finding something similar proved really easy.

Finding something reasonably priced was not so easy.

The brackets I really liked were over $100 a bracket and I would need 6, so that idea was thrown out.

I found some wood brackets I liked and wanted to rush right out and buy them, but Steve wanted to go for a bike ride.

The whole time I was riding, I was thinking about new shelves in the kitchen.

And then it hit me.

I have a red shelf on the wall right now.


I have a little blue shelf with hanging Mason jars collecting dust in the garage.


And I have another shelf on a different wall in the kitchen.


I could unite them with a coat of Annie Sloan Old White.

They are all different widths, lengths and styles, but I don't care.

My house is a mish mash of pieces anyway.

I knew it was supposed to rain today so I contained my eagerness to get started and spent the rest of the day with Steve.

But late last night, after he fell asleep, I got busy.

Steve slept away totally ignorant of my actions.

 The only creature bothered by my work was Lolly, the studio cat.  

Lolly likes to sit on the workbench while Steve paints and she was put out that she had to 
move for me.

I pacified her with a blanket on the sofa so she would stop jumping up onto the workbench.


Steve had to stack a cord of wood that was delivered this morning and deliver two paintings to an art show, but he agreed to help me hang the shelves.

The shelves are hung and there are just a few touch ups to make.


One of the Mason jars is missing and the other is a little short, so I have to find replacements.


I am hoping Steve sits down on the sofa to read and falls asleep so I can paint the red cabinet white.

The removal of the white shelf from another kitchen wall has created another project.

I found a piece in the attic last night and I know exactly what I will do with it.

Steve asked what will be going on that wall.

I was non-committal and just said, "oh, I have an idea."

Unfortunately, my winter break ends today.

Everything will have to wait until next weekend.

But, it gives me something to look forward to.

And who knows, the original plan might change.

I blame it on blogging.

..............................

I am linked up at

Thistlewood Farms - Cowgirl Up Party

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

Under the Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase Party

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday

Be Different Act Normal - Show & Tell Saturday

My 1929 Charmer - Sunday's Best Features

15 comments:

  1. Love the changes. I also envy your time off from school. We had to go back on Wednesday. We did not quite have 2 full weeks. Now I am sick with coughing and fever.
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

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  2. I am visiting from Sunday's Best. I know exactly how you feel about the white kitchens and all the white rooms. I feel exactly the same way even though I have a lot of color. I want to try something new, but always end up the same. What really caught my eye was your little red and white cannister set. Saw the exact same thing in a store last weekend but didn't buy it. I think I will return for another look. I really think your white shelves look great and I blame it on blogging too..Happy Sunday..Judy

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  3. Don't you just love it when things hit you over the head like that! To think it was all there all along! It looks Awesome!!!! Love it!!!

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  4. I love it!!!! Love the cabinet you've brought in, the shelves are amazing, I have so many shelves spread all over the house, why didn't I think of stacking them? Great job, and I dearly love those pops of red ;) Mary

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  5. Good Afternoon Carol, It's lovely to meet you. Your red and white cannisters caught my eye and I thought I would pop over for a visit as I love the colour red. I love how you have created extra storage, my great ideas tend to come in the middle of the night, which is fine, but the problem is I have to try to get back to sleep again when I am excited about a project! I found you via The Dedicated House and have become your newest follower. Sending you Best Wishes from England, Daphne

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  6. I love the new look, and to think they were all there already. The cannisters are so bright and cheerful, I love the accent they bring. Your home looks so bright and cheerful!

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  7. I love the look! I am a fan of shelves too, they are always to fun to decorate with. I am hosting SHOW-licious Craft Showcase if you would like to participate! :)

    http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2013/01/saturday-show-licious-craft-showcase-14.html

    Happy New Year!
    Marti

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  8. Your colorful cottage is perfect! My fave is the yellow and white walls with those cute colorful chairs! Now following...
    ♥Linsey

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  9. Thanks so much. Sometimes I feel totally out of the loop due to so many "white" houses, but I'm also old enough to say 'do what you like, not what others like'.

    I'm glad you dropped by.

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  10. Great idea to combine the shelves. It looks good!

    Goedele

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  11. New follower. Love your red and white. Follow me back www.sewsweetvintage.com
    http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/01/diy-dollar-hats.html

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  12. From one color girl to another, I love the whites but I always return to my favorite colors...red, yellow and aqua. LOVE the paintings. I have an artist husband too, but he rarely enjoys his gift these days unless I trick him by saying I need help with a blog project. ;) It's my way of getting him to enjoy his art again.
    Okay, I've stalked your page enough now. I'll be back again soon.
    :)
    Marcia

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  13. LOVE this. love the mix of shelves and of course the red and white.

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  14. I love all the changes. You're right, one project does seem to lead into another one. Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  15. The shelves all look great painted white and hanging there together. Isn't it fun when something accidentally comes together so wonderfully?

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