Rug and Updates

Sorry for the radio silence this month. I've been under the weather and not doing much. However I'm feeling better now. I'm painting the kitchen this weekend. I'm on the second coat of paint. I really dislike painting. It's such an easy and cheap change to your space. But I'm a messy painter. My wonderful brother is helping (well actually doing) all the cutting in. Painting around the cabinets and countertop made me very nervous. I'm glad for the help. I'll have pictures probably on Wednesday once everything is put back and I have good light for picture taking.

In the meantime, I'm dreaming of this rug.

It's a 10'x13' for sale on Craigs List. It would look great with my new to me living room furniture. I haven't showed my changes to you yet because I'm still tweaking things. My two new chairs are the same vibrant blue as the rug. The rug is $600 which for me is a small fortune to spend on just about anything. Remember I'm a bargain shopper extraordinaire (aka cheap). But I'm seriously debating purchasing it. What a statement piece. And I would finally have a platform for adding pink into the room. I'd love a sophisticated pink and blue room.

What do you think of the rug?

Thai Peanut Chicken and Rice

I was home by myself this weekend so I thought I'd try something new to eat. I LOVE Thai peanut sauce. I made up this quick meal using the recipe for the peanut sauce from here found via Pinterest.

I changed up the sauce a little by doubling the peanut butter. The sauce was way too oily and overpowered by sesame, even with double the amount of peanut butter. Blah. It's not a keeper.

The rest was simple. White rice and sauteed chicken breast tossed with the sauce topped by the sesame seeds. I continue my quest for quick and tasty peanut sauce.

Budos Band

I saw a reference to this band on another blog and had to check them out. They were described as "funky, groovy, instrumental afro-pop". I spent an hour or two downloading and listening to their music. Give it a listen, I think you'll enjoy it!




One of the comments about this song on YouTube was, "Sounds like the glorious soundtrack to a 70's film about hairy men driving fast cars, shagging chicks and punching bad dudes in the mouth. And it's one of the most amazing things I've ever heard." And I have to agree!

Kitchen Inspiration

Life is conspiring against me. For the second weekend in a row I can't paint the kitchen as I have other commitments. But NEXT weekend is the one, no matter what! I know its Easter weekend but I'm not going anywhere and will have Friday - Monday available to paint.

I thought since I can't paint this weekend, I'll share a little kitchen inspiration for my redo. Just to refresh your memory my kitchen has cherry wood cabinets and will have aqua paint with green accents. Here are the before pictures and my plans. To check out more of my inspiration you can view my Pinterest Kitchen Board here.

via Corbis Images

Retro Kitchen via The Kitchen Designers

Studio 26 Homes

via House Beautiful

by Loop Designs

Divine Kitchens

source unknown

Pillow

I am so freaking excited, I have to share. Look what I'm purchasing off Craigs' List for $30!

 

Yes, that is a Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon!!! For $30!!! I've been wanting one forever, but could never justify the cost.

I really hope I haven't just jinxed the deal. I pick it up Friday afternoon and cannot wait.

Screen as Headboard

I've been haunted by this image. Now imagine it with my emerald green walls and fluffy ruched duvet cover of my mood board here.  Except replace the above screen with this:

Pretty isn't it? I'm seriously debating purchasing it and using it as my headboard instead of the black chinoiserie upholstered headboard. But then I think I need to rethink my nightstands (they aren't purchased yet), and light fixture ... And so it goes.

New Kitchen Light

So I was a busy girl on Sunday. I painted the kitchen ceiling (3 coats of paint) and installed a new light fixture. It is so much brighter with the white ceiling! I love it.

The brown ceiling was hard to cover. I hope the wall paint covers better. I might prime the walls first then paint with a hope to get it done in 2 coats. I had planned to remove the ceiling medallion that was installed with the old light fixture, but found that there was an big indentation in the cement ceiling that needed to be covered. I didn't want to reuse the old 12" medallion because it had a wood grain texture I didn't like. I went to two home improvement stores trying to find a 12" plain medallion. I ended up with a 16" really simple one. It looks OK but is bigger than what I wanted. I didn't want to be without a light so I went with it (the old light was already down).

I had a little help with the new light fixture. I just couldn't get all the wires twisted together, hold up the fixture and screw it all together. I tried and tried. I got frustrated and called in the reinforcements. My brother came over for 15 minutes and got it done. (He's usually super busy but only lives a mile away so it was nice he was able to come help). A tip he told me was to attach the ground wire first and use it to hang the fixture (as long as it isn't too heavy) as you make the other connections. Then tuck everything up into the ceiling and finish the installation.

I like the new fixture. It's nice and bright. The old halogen light had adjustable heads so I was able to focus light under the cabinets. Now the upper cabinets create shadows on the countertop. I'm going to have to get some under cabinet lighting, I think. It's pretty dark on the counters. And to install the under cabinet lights I will need to switch out the current toggle switch for the exhaust fan to a switch and outlet combo. Hopefully that is something either I can do or my brother. I didn't budget for any electrical work. My pantry area is so much brighter with the new light. And the fluorescent bulbs will not heat up the kitchen like the halogen ones did.

Yea progress! I've got volunteer work and other obligations next weekend so I don't think I'll be able to paint the walls until the following weekend. I hope I have time to work on a couple smaller projects though.