Sorry I’ve been so MIA this week, but between work & moving I am dead by the end of the day. However, I am happy to report that we are 100% moved out of the tiny rental excuse-for-a-house we’ve been holing up in since June, & are currently the tenants of one of the loveliest rent houses in town! Do you need proof? Are these gorgeous, original, refinished-just-days-ago hardwood floors enough proof for you?
We spent our first night in the house Wednesday night, & waking up the next morning in the huge master bedroom with a nice big closet smiling right at me was one of the best things that’s happened in a long time. I feel so blessed that we were able to meet our current landlord, get out of our lease with our previous landlord, & that we are able to live in such a beautiful home for the next 2 years. I had completely braced myself for 2 years of living in a shoebox, but this home is like God is saying “Don’t underestimate ME!” I foresee my outlook on life improving by 100%. It’s amazing what hating vs. loving your living environment can do, especially when you work from home & are in your home so much of the time.
We’ve been busy busy busy – we agreed to do a lot of the painting, clean-up, & miscellaneous other things in a deal we worked out with our landlords. So between pulling up carpet, tearing down wallpaper, packing, choosing paint colors, painting, & cleaning – oh, & working full-time – I haven’t been getting too much sleep. I know it will all be worth it in the end & I’m trying to take one day at a time & not get overwhelmed.
This weekend we will be painting our kitchen, which has the most amazing floors (more proof):
I’ve decided (after quite the Twitter debate) that I’ll be painting my kitchen a nice light turquoise blue. Mostly because I’m really going for the retro feel & a lot of my kitchen stuff is red. Vintage/retro kitchens make my heart leap & I swear I hear songbirds (or maybe that’s Michael Buble?). I’ve found a lot of pictures I like with blue & red- not as many with yellow. So sorry Team Yellow, but I promise you’re going to love the blue!
Here are the photos from which I’m drawing my “Kitch-spiration” (yes I’m aware just HOW cheesy that is but I’m too tired to care at this point):
This kitchen was the deciding factor – isn’t it GORGEOUS? And it has the same sink & cabinets as ours (except our cabinets are white). Click here to tour the rest of the kitchen.
What are your thoughts? What kinds of kitchens are your favorite?
Happy Weekend! I’m hoping to be much more present next week & maybe even have some photos for you… here’s hoping. <3
Comments on Kitch-spiration.
From LCW:
I love it! I love everything about it, I’m glad you left it up to Him, He had great things planned for you. Enjoy your new house, the gorgeous hardwood floors, large Master bedroom and the new adventures and memories this house has to offer.
From Kim:
So gorgeous! I’m partial to white and blue kitchens myself…because that’s what my kitchen colors are. Enjoy your new digs and have a great weekend!!
From Jimaie:
Holy moly, we are soulmates fo’ life. I have had that same kitchen bookmarked for home ownership inspiration one day- I love it so dang much!!! I’m saving to order the ice blue kitchenaid mixer right now (almost there!!) and I can’t wait to add more red accents to compliment it! :D I’m so jealous that you’re painting the kitchen such a gorg color and holy cow!! Those floors!! Floors of my retro dreamssss. My husband has the same floors in his office at work and he loves to give me the jealousies and brag about how he gets to look at them all day, just to be a brat lol!
I am so elated for you guys, this house Sounds like such an amazing blessing! We worked out a similar deal when we moved into our current apt (painting, cleaning, etc) but since TJ did all the painting before we moved in he did everything white. Boooo.
Anywho, I can’t wait to see more of your pretty little place! Hooray for happy times! (and ridiculously pretty hardwood floors! Haha!)
From Marlena:
SWOON! Love the kitchen. A good kitchen makes a house I think.
From Cio:
THIS MAKES ME WANT TO COME VISIT YOU SOON! : )
From Rachel:
Right now, my kitchen, with it’s newly painted black cabinets, new stainless steel stove and dishwasher is my favorite. =) (Photos to be posted on facebook shortly, if you’re interested.)
I love your hardwood floors. Reminds me of our second house, also a rental, that had been remodeled, but was a 20′s style little cottage-type thing. I loved it! I can’t wait to someday own a home like that. I’m so happy for you that God showed you His definition of great. Sometimes I think we (at least I) find something that’s good enough, and are ready to settle for it. Then He comes in and shows us what He has. Way better! (My husband is one HUGE example of this for me!)
Anyways, I typed a book, and I usually don’t leave comments at all. Happy decorating.
From Kristen:
Ohmigosh!! I love love love that kitchen, cannot wait to see yours redone!
Happy renovating
From Victoria:
Hi Lauren!!!
OMG I LOVE your hardwood floors!!!! It looks great! Also Bed Bath and Beyond, is pairing up with Sherwin Williams and they have a coupon for Buy 1 paint sample get one free! And a $10 off coupon for a purchase $50 or more! I will email you the coupons if you would like!
I also found the PRETTIEST Platter, veggie bowl and matching salt and pepper shakers EVER TODAY!!!!! I will post a pic on FB for you to see! :)))
I am so glad that you are enjoying your new HOME!!!! :)
From Leah:
Yeah! We have matching kitchen floors. They are kind of a pain to keep clean but cute enough to be worth it!
From MelissaOklahoma:
Love that last kitchen pictured! And what beautiful refinished wood floors. Can’t wait to see more around your new place!
From Liz:
Oh Lauren its absolutely gorgeous!! And that kitchen? LOVE. I can’t wait to see what you do with the place.
From Taryn M. Peine:
LOVE the kitchen! This house is going to be amazing!! Mine is totally done in retro red as well (cherries!), but I’m trying to pull some more colors in because I think I got a little matchy with it. Your photos have totally inspired me to put some of my fave fabric through embroidery hoops to hang on the wall. THANKS! I can’t wait to see your finished product!
From KT:
Great floors! Being comfortable in the place you live, whether it is a rental or a home you own, is important. I’m glad you were able to find a place that makes you happy!
From Denise:
I love your inspiration kitchen. Check out the blog there is no place like home (http://marcusanddina.blogspot.com/2010/08/babies-make-it-hard-to-blog.html) Dina has the cute Kitch style and painted her bath with the most perfect blue call Spaqua. Reminds me of your ideas.
From Joanna:
Red kitchen appliances make me weak in the knees. Seriously, Love love LOVE the retro kitchens. I’ll be happy to come over and help you drink wine in your new fancy kitchen any time :)
From RootsAndRings:
Ugh… I like it. I really love yellow kitchens though…
From deiala:
The red chairs are lovely. And the turquoise looks perfect with the red. I’d never ventured to combine the two colors, but they really look great!
From Julie D.:
It’s probably habit for you to apologize for not posting for a week; but don’t forget about that one blog post you wrote about the woman who said she was going to focus on her family and home and not blogs so much. You’re settling into a new home; who can blame you? Live it up!! And I love the kitchen pics you posted! I have the same checkered flooring in my kitchen and bathroom in my apartment in the city except I’m pretty sure that the flooring has been there since the 50′s and it desperately needs replacing. Something I doubt my landlords would do. But your kitchen will look great! Love you!
From Erin:
I want to HUG those hardwood floors. And kiss them. And roll around on them. GORGEOUS! I can’t wait to see the finished product!
From Kaci Johanna:
SO excited and happy for you!
From Brooke:
Stumbled across your blog and just want to say I love your vision for the kitchen! That paint color will be adorable.
From Nora:
So I’ll bring wine + michael buble CDs and we can hang out in the kitchen which I know will be fabulous!
From AReelLady:
Stumbled onto your blog as well, and I LOVE that color scheme.
From Kimp:
LOVE the kitchen ideas. That seriously inspired me. Be sure and post (duh) after pictures so I can lurk.
love you, girl.
From E.P.:
YAY for such beautiful floors in your new home! And hooray for choosing such a beautiful, airy color for your kitchen! I cannot wait to see the final result… and I really want to do all sorts of home improvement projects now since you have posted this.
From Carly:
oh goodness, I’d die for the gorgeous hardwood floors. If I had to guess from the pictures I’m thinking this is an Austin house? One of those cute old houses that are painted random colors like yellow and orange.
I’m still in an overpriced Austin apartment. One day I’ll have that orange house ;)