modern jane

Dreamy Peachy Mint Wedding ~ a Sneak Peek.

2013-05-23T13:52:00.001-03:00

Later today, I wedding shoot that I styled is going to be featured on Wedding Chicks. I cannot wait to share the photos with you! For now, have a look at this video from the of the day of the shoot, captured by Lowell Productions. It's 48 seconds of pretty:)

Backyard Progress.

2013-05-21T23:01:00.000-03:00

The add-on to the deck is almost finished! One board left to add on the left side and then it will have to be stained to match the rest. We will let the wood dry out a bit and it will likely be on my summer to-do list.

Did you spot Beaufie's little face? "Whatcha doin' out there mum?"

We also planted a few more things in the pea stone garden. The pea shrub was once on the side of the house where it didn't get much sun so we transplanted it here. It will eventually grow fuller and cascade downward.

We also added some blue oat grass along the path. They are tiny now but will fill out and look a little like these. We planted some last year and know they will do well in the stone.

via

I also put a Miscanthus on either side of the pea shrub and I'm now realizing they may have to be moved in a few years because they get rather large. Hopefully they will look nice and full for the first while, even though they are pretty puny right now.

via

So thrilled to see that my Japanese Maple trees are coming back and looking healthy. I forgot to cover them over the winter and apparently that's bad news. Oops! I'm relieved and learned my lesson.

The weather has been just fair this Spring in PEI. Actually, we nearly froze on Saturday, it felt like winter. The heat was back on in the house for a couple days last week. Kills me! Now we have rain in the forecast until the weekend. Makes it really hard to get yard work done and for things to get blooming. Patience I suppose... :)

Long Weekend Blooms and Finds.

2013-05-20T22:31:00.000-03:00

What a great long weekend! We got a few things done around the house but spent a lot of time relaxing and it was wonderful. Sometimes the weekends feel go, go, go and it was nice to have an extra day to sleep in after a night out with friends, catch a noon Crossfit class, unwind, watch some Netflix, make a nice late lunch and then skip supper. Love those days!

We did a little shopping around town on Saturday and I thrifted these brass candlesticks at $2 for the pair. Score! I had some peach candlesticks left over from a photoshoot and opted for those over my go-to white. Peach is a favorite of mine lately.

I could clean them up a bit but currently I find their aged, tarnished finish irresistable. I can't get enough gold and brass tones in my life these days. Peach and gold.. is this the 90s? Who woulda thought?

I have a plentiful patch of tulips on the side of my house. I'm sure they were planted years ago, long before I ever lived here. Some of them have blooms as big as my head. Or not, but you get the idea. Huge, I tell you! Among them were these pretty pink and white ones which I clipped and brought into the house. Might as well enjoy them while they are still here!

I also cut this lonely tulips blooming all by it's lonesome. Rarely do I see them with so many petals. So pretty! I'm very anxious to see some other things blooming. Peonies and rhododendrons are my favorite!

Back tomorrow with some backyard progress!

On My Mind.

2013-05-16T11:51:00.002-03:00

I'm realizing that I've spoiled my dog. He went from only coming up on the couch to snuggle if he was invited, to thinking he owns it. Time to show him who's the boss. Tough love time :(

I seriously think the #beautifulmess app is worth the 99 cents.

So many great options and fun to play around with.

Ordered this minty-green throw from Indigo. A steal at 60% off!

Hopefully Beaufort doesn't adopt it and suck holes in it. See above.

We booked our flights to the most magical place on Earth. Looking to rent a house that sleeps 6 with a pool in the Orlando area for a week in August. VRBO stresses me out. Any suggestions?

I've been eyeing my peonies very carefully, anxious for them to bloom. One of my most favorite flowers in prettiest of pink. Simple pleasures. Soon I hope!

It's a long weekend coming!

Peekaboo Table.

2013-05-13T21:03:00.001-03:00

I've been dying for a new coffee table for a while now. The one we've had was bought at a thrift store and I gave it a makeover with a coat of white paint. It was a large solid piece certainly did the trick for a while. We tried to buy a glass one at Structube when we were in Montreal in the fall but couldn't fit it in our car. Not surprisingly in retrospect, since we had everything but the kitchen sink packed into that car. There isn't much shopping in PEI so when I get a chance I take it very seriously!

cb2 peekaboo coffee table

However, I wasn't entirely crazy about the green cast of the glass anyway and decided it was a blessing that we didn't get it. What I really wanted was something completely transparent, which I found out, means you need to go with acrylic vs glass. There are some downfalls to acrylic though as it scratches quite easily but I was willing to take the chance. I sourced the peekaboo table from cb2 but assumed the shipping to PEI would be a lot and perhaps not worth it. Deciding to give it a try anyway, I called and found out they would send it for $34! I quickly jumped on it and it arrived within 4 days!

It's smaller than our last table at only 38 inches wide. It took us a couple of days to decide whether it was too small or simply that being smaller that what we had previously and the fact that is see through made it feel that way. We've decided that while we wish it were a bit larger it suits the space and it's really not too small at all!

Here is a shot of the thickness of the acrylic.

And another shot of how the clear glass shows off my chevron rug. I felt the last table hid the rug so this is a perk!

I styled it up with some fresh flowers, some of my favorite candles, accessories and magazines and it's quickly become my favorite part of the room!

Backyard Transformation - Part 2

2013-05-09T10:19:00.003-03:00

I've shared the above photo before. Last summer we constructed a new deck and chose to forgo traditional stairs in favor of a long layered walkway from the lower deck to the upper deck. We loved the streamlined look and call it "the runway". I actually may be my favorite part about the whole project!

What I avoided showing in the photos the best I could, was the ugly walkway leading from the driveway to the back door. (Shocking that a blogger shows only the pretty stuff!?) It's broken, crooked and we hate it! Tossed around the idea of removing it but those pavers are thick! It would have been a big job and while an interlocking stone walkway would have been stunning, we are pretty thrifty and wanted to spend elsewhere.

What we ended up deciding to do is place a similar deck/walkway as we have on the other side - right on top! Steph got to work on it over the weekend and got it all framed.

He was able to get some of the boards on this week but there are still more to finish up. The fence is also getting redone and there will be shrubs planted along the fence line. It's getting there but we are getting several days of rain starting tonight so it may be on hold for a bit. I am so excited to have it all finished!

I love summer projects!

Vintage Black & Whites

2013-05-08T10:11:00.000-03:00

I love black and white photos. Bonus when they are vintage! There is certainly a romantic mystery associated with them. They have such a timeless appeal that brings with it feelings of nostalgia in the stories they tell. Even for those of us who did not experience that particular time.

In our house, we have a few vintage black and white photos of our families, here and there.

Here is one with Stephane's grandfather. I tease him that that's where he got his sexy legs!

My mom and dad on their wedding day. I had these copied years ago and recently found them

in an album. I love having them tucked in the mirror in my bedroom,

where I do my makeup in the morning.

A photo of Stephane's grandmother with her guitar found a spot in our living room

gallery wall. It think it's a neat shot.

I came across the tumbler site, Rides a Bike, the other day and it made me want to get an old bike and cruise around town. Or at least dream about it... or buy the coffee table book. Here are a few of the photos I particularly liked.

Tell me you don't feel a little bit of nostalgia for Old Hollywood? It's pretty awesome, if you ask me!

A Favorite Home Tour.

2013-05-06T07:32:00.003-03:00

What a gorgeous weekend! There is nothing like a sunny day outside to put a spring in your step. Looks like sunny skies ahead for the week too!

While it was a busy weekend, I did have time to pour over the images of this home tour a few times. I've been following Danielle's blog for a while and share her design aesthetic, and her passion for Crossfit. I love reading about the process of decorating her Chicago apartment and her love for her rescue pup, Buddy. I celebrated her first unassisted pull-up at Crossfit and made a couple of her paleo recipes.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to finally see her whole home tour on The Everygirl (of which she is the co-editor). I love the soft neutral backdrop of white, grey and beige with small hits of color and gold.

Check out the rest of the tour here.

Around The House ~ Book Edition.

2013-04-28T22:49:00.002-03:00

We finally had a sunny spring-like weekend! Can I tell you how happy I was? Windows cracked, sun streaming in the windows, no jackets! I raked out my gardens and picked up a millions branches from the yard. I complain about yard work but secretly enjoy it. It's therapeutic and I love the way I feel after a productive day outside.

With the sunny weather it was the perfect opportunity to get my camera out and practice. For me, the hardest part about blogging is photography. Finding the time to shoot projects, shooting when there is good light, learning how to use my camera properly, organizing photos. It's a struggle for me. The light was so great that I thought I'd take some shots of little vignettes around the house.

It was only after looking through them that I realized that each one contained a collection of books. I'm a bit of a book hoarder. They say not to judge a book by it's cover but give me a beautiful book and I'm sold. In fact, I've been know to pass up on buying a book that I want to read because I didn't like the cover. (Hey, someone will loan me their copy, right?) Nevertheless, I make a point of reading all the books I buy. If I haven't read it yet, I'll get to it!

I recently finished Love Anthony by Lisa Genova and it was a great read! She also wrote Still Alice which I loved. Next on my list is Left Neglected. I also bought my first wedding magazine (since it's that thing you do when you get engaged). I must say, it was a bit of a letdown. I think I'll stick to Pinterest for inspiration.

Books, books and more books! I loved Nate Berkus' latest and I adore my collection of Penguin Classics. I read them all as a child and would love to read them again. Of course, Anne of Green Gables is my favorite. I read it several times.

Okay, so really it's just a glimpse at a couple of cookbooks but I wanted to show you my cute new bowls that I picked up at Winners. I wish there was a fourth pattern but I settled for just the three.

Starting to add a few little summer details. They sit atop Domino and a couple of Penguin Classics. I read Persuasion but I haven't attempted Tess of D'Ubervilles. Be honest, should I bother? Is it a good one?

I reread The Great Gatsby in anticipation of the movie. I'm quite anxious to see it. Plus, it's the prettiest book cover around!

A golden vignette. I admit, these are all books I have yet to read but they look pretty together!

What about you? Are you a book collector? Read any good books lately?

Framing Ideas.

2013-04-25T10:41:00.000-03:00

I need your advice. I love these prints by Anne Harwell that I have hanging in the dining room.There are actually four of them hung in a grid. However, I'm not crazyabout the white frame and mat. I think it may be due to the fact that there are a few hits of black on the other side of the room and therefore this side does not feel grounded.

Suppose I was to paint these framesblack.. or another color you may suggest. I found this as inspiration.

Or what about painting the mats black, or another color? I'm totally crushing on black mats lately.
Nancy at Marcus Design just did a great post with some fab images about black mats and gold frames. Gorgeousness. And Amelia of House Pretty recently framed some pretty art cards in black mats. So pretty.

How cute is that red bench?

So what do you think? I'd love your suggestions or advice!

Dreaming of Deck Days.

2013-04-24T09:27:00.000-03:00

With this rainy, dreary morning and similar weather in the forecast for the next couple of days, I've been dreaming about sunny days and warm evenings on our new deck.

We revamped the backyard last summer with a new deck and a bit of landscaping. I can't wait to get some more things planted and to get our furniture out. Last summer was the work and this summer hopefully we'll get more time to enjoy it. Although, there may or may not be a part 2 in the works!

If you missed it last year, you can check out the before and after here.

Curtain Call.

2013-04-21T18:10:00.000-03:00

For a long time I've had a black and white scheme in my bedroom and I've been trying to soften the look. I decided the best way was to add some texture with fabrics in grey and soft pink. I changed the art and added two new pillows to the bed, swapping out the black ones for grey and a patterned pink.

I considered taking down the ikat dot blinds in favor of a more relaxed roman shade. However, I had a pair of grey curtain panels that I had purchased for the dining room and hadn't worked out. I figured that was my most affordable option since I already had them. I hung them close to the ceiling using a thin black iron rod that I picked up a Walmart for 9 dollars.

It really changed the feel of the room. Perhaps a bit less cold feeling? You'll actually catch a peek at the gallery wall that is slowly going up across from the bed. It always drove me crazy that I woke up to a black white wall. I tried putting one large print but it didn't seem to fill the space.

We have a pile (seriously, it's crazy) of frames that weren't being used. My goal is to great an arrangement without spending any money. I didn't measure at all and just stuck up random frames until I found an arrangement I liked. There may be a few holes behind those frames! I'll be painting some of the frames and replacing some of the mats. Hopefully it will come together well but I'm not going to rush it.

I finally got to go out and get some yard work done this weekend. I cannot wait for the garden centers to open and for it to start feeling like Spring around here! I've got the itch to get planting and to spend some time out on the deck!

Have a great week!

Golden Goodness.

2013-04-17T22:56:00.000-03:00

Okay. So for a while I've been following the resurgence of golds versus silvers in interiors and fashion with great interest. It's now becoming a bit of an obsession for me. As in, I loooove it! I want to bling out my kitchen cabinets with gold hardware, add brushed bronze lighting throughout, heck, I want to dip everything I own in gold!

However, reality sets in and more than likely none of these things will happen. Which is okay. For one, I really am content with what I have already. Two, I'm not entirely sure gold/bronze is here to stay. Steph assures me it's just a trend but I think it has a little bit more staying power than he gives it credit.

The trick, I believe, is adding little accents around your home that keep you on trend, without the commitment or breaking the bank. I've rounded up some of my favorites. Affordable pieces that will work with what you have already. Remember... mixing metals is okay. In fact, it's awesome!

What do you think? Are you on board the trend? Have you starting adding hits of gold around your home or are you hoping it will fade away so you can go back to loving your chromes and brushed nickel? (which I still love, although it's sounds like I've jumped the fence)

I'll be back again with some of my favorite simple DIY projects from around the web that bring a little golden goodness into your life!

Lastly, thanks so so much for all your enthusiasm about our engagement! Each and every comment made me smile:)

News.

2013-04-16T19:07:00.001-03:00

There was a little part of our trip to Mexico that I neglected to mention when I did the recap. I've been hiding a little secret from my faithful readers!

Much to my surprise, on our first night there we got engaged!!! It's been so much fun sharing the news with our family and friends the old-fashioned way but I suppose it's time we made the social media announcement!

Some day soon I will get to call this sweet guy my husband. No plans in the works just yet but fun nonetheless!

I promise promise promise that this won't suddenly become a wedding blog. Although I did style an amazing wedding shoot recently that was my favorite yet. I'm dying to share it with you! Hopefully soon!

Rug Love.

2013-04-11T06:44:00.001-03:00

Thanks for all your comments and support for our bathroom dilemma. We are no further ahead in deciding what direction to go but we are weighing our options. The joys of home ownership!

My sister recently snatched up a gorgeous rug from Rugs USA's Easter sale. She sent me these photos last night and now I'm officially jealous.

It's big, it's bold and it's proof that a rug has the power to completely update a space.

Check out the before and after!

Fiddle Figs and Reno Woes.

2013-04-09T23:31:00.000-03:00

Marion House Book (I wish it were mine!)

I bought myself a fiddle leaf fig bush over the weekend. The beloved plant that's taken the design world and Pinterest boards by storm, stealing our hearts with it's big floppy green leaves. I've been dying for the tree version since I saw it over at Marion House Book.

I can't seem to find the tree around here. Prestige Floral, a local florist got some of the bush variety in stock so I snatched one up. Let's see how long I can keep it alive.. I always have the best of intentions. I found a guide online so I'll do my best to do what I'm told.

In other news, I've mentioned it here before but 2013 called for a long overdue bathroom renovation. Like really long overdue. Is there such thing as further than the back burner? We finally had our plumber in today for an estimate.

Insert reality check here.

I spent the rest of the evening feeling a bit dejected. Not about the cost (bathroom renovations are expensive and we knew that) but more so about the scope of the project and the reality that renovating a bathroom, when you only have the one, is extremely challenging, and disruptive over an extended period of time.

This led to an entirely different discussion:

What we want out of this home?
How long do we plan to stay?
Are there other options?
Should we add another washroom?
Maybe we should move! Nah:)

I wish I could tell you more but I don't know just where we go from here, just yet. All I know is that I want a new washroom! Like yesterday.

Our Trip to Mexico!

2013-04-04T20:34:00.000-03:00

We recently got back from a trip to Riviera Maya in Mexico that we took over my March Break from school. It was a very hot, relaxing, romantic and food filled week. We loved every minute!

This post is a bit picture heavy since I had a hard time deciding what to share. It makes my sad looking at them at hearing that PEI may be hit with yet another snowstorm this weekend. Will Spring ever be here? At least we missed two storms while we were away! We decided against lugging our SLR along with us so all the photos were taken with my trusty iphone.

We loved our resort. It was constructed within a jungle setting so it felt very lush and it was easy to find shade which was nice because it was really hot! The buildings were modern white constructions with lots of marble and open air spaces. A much different take than ones I've seen before in bright vibrant colors and more suited to my taste. The rooms had spacious patios with outdoor jacuzzis, made private with lots of greenery.

We loved the gym/wellness center. It felt very peaceful and zen. We planned to spend more time there but I only ended up taking in one yoga class and Steph swam in the lap pool.

My favorite day was when we left the resort early one morning and went off on our own to discover some cenotes. The first one was a kilometer walk from the highway and we arrived to discover we were the only ones there. We spent time swimming in the crystal clear water, snorkeling and jumping from the trees. I had a few heart attacks watching Steph do backflips.

Of course, we had to see the Mayan ruins. It was an incredibly hot morning and after walking through we thankfully discovered an incredibly beautiful beach. My favorite most refreshing swim of the week!

We also had the chance to swim with the sea turtles and a barracuda!, read a couple of books, had some great dinners out and had a few lazy afternoons under our palpatas. We discovered that we are terrible at taking selfies and when you are travelling just the two of you, this is the best shot we have of us together. Luckily this is before I spilled red wine all over my top!

All in all, it was great trip but it's always nice to come home. We missed everyone and our little Beaufort was lonesome for us. Of course. Till next time...

Softening Up for Spring!

2013-04-02T07:13:00.004-03:00

I've been bored with our black and white bedroom. I like that it feels clean and crisp with the white walls and I still love the floral wallpaper on the slant wall behind the bed. However, I want to soften the space with some color and texture.

First up, I moved my 'For Like Ever' print from another bedroom into ours.

I also added a little pink ikat pillow. I think I'll also ditch the black pillows for something a little lighter.

And I suppose that is all I really did! The question is, do you think I can pull off some panels on the window? I think it may provide some softness if they don't overpower the size of the window. (This is an old photo but it gives you an idea.) I have soft grey linen Ikea Aina panels that I could use.

I'd love your input! Feels good to be back to blogging. It's soon time to start planning our bathroom renovation!

Back At It!

2013-04-01T16:08:00.000-03:00

I'm back! Pretty sure this has been my biggest absence from the blog yet! I meant to take a little time around report cards and interviews then that fed into our trip to Mexico and now here it is April! Quite hard to believe.

I spent the weekend freshening the house up for Spring and touching up the paint on trim and moldings around the house. The mantel was quite scratched and chipped from Christmas garlands and my constant need to move items around. I gave it a fresh coat of paint this weekend and added some white tulips and a few more accessories. I try different things but I always come back to white. It feels fresh and serene to me that way.

I promise that I am back to blogging now so I'll here tomorrow with a small update to our bedroom!

I missed you all!

Bright Spring Color.

2013-03-14T08:57:00.000-03:00

For some reason, I can't get the blogging thing squared away lately! I suppose it's because I don't have much to share since we have slowed down on projects around the house. Things have been busy at work with report cards and parent-teacher interviews. Plus, I've been trying to do a few extra Crossfit classes and Steph has also joined. Seems blogging has taken a back seat.

I have many projects brewing in my mind though so I hope to get moving again soon.. That is, after we get back from our trip! We are heading to Mexico on Saturday for a week of sun and relaxation. I. can. not. wait.

Source: trendhunter.com via Nina on Pinterest

I plan on that being me but I think Steph plans on us being a little more active than that. On another note, I want a retro mint bathing suit! How cute is she?

I've noticed in packing my suitcase that I am attracted to bright colors this spring. Maybe it's dreaming of sunny skies but lately, the brighter the better. It's easy when it comes to clothing but much riskier when it comes to making it work in your home. Well... not for everyone but definitely for me!

Here is how I'm going to make the attempt this spring.

Lots of fresh flowers. Tulips are my easy favorite right now.

Replace some of my pillow covers with some in fresh spring colors.

I particularly like these ones from Caitlin Wilson Textiles.

Source: caitlinwilsontextiles.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I can't completely commit to color year round. I find it can get tiring after a while. Using flowers and pillows are simple and affordable ways to add pop to a neutral base. How are your bringing fresh spring colors into your home this year?

Birthday Photoshoot.

2013-03-11T06:41:00.000-03:00

Thanks for all your comments regarding the new island in the kitchen and a new welcome to new readers who stopped by yesterday from Centsational Girl to see the two tone kitchen cabinets!

Last week was Beaufort's birthday. He turned 5 years old. I dressed him up in his special occasion bowtie from LittleBlueFeathers and took some photos of him. Today I'm being that crazy woman who is obsessed with her dog and flooding the blog with photos of his sweet face.

Bear with me:)

That sun feels so good!

Ok. All done! Back to regular content this week. I just couldn't resist!

Have a great week!

Kitchen Island Reveal.

2013-03-05T18:15:00.001-04:00

I'm finally sharing the new addition to our kitchen! I've mentioned it here before that as much as I loved my kitchen, it was seriously lacking in storage and counter space. The room is quite narrow but long. It always seemed like a big waste of space to not have some sort of cabinet across from the main cabinetry. (You can see the opposite side of the kitchen here)

If you know my kitchen's story, you know that my brother built all the cabinets so in order to get them to match seamlessly, he would have to make them. Since that wasn't really an option at this point in time, we decided to go with something completely opposite in style. We also wanted something that would be movable and versatile. More like a piece of furniture that could work in different settings than just an island.

I really wanted something white and high gloss, however when we spied the high gloss wood grain finish we were intrigued. The result was a combination of the two. The cabinet itself is white and finished on both sides. The drawers are the same material but have the wood grain finish.

There is no hardware at all which gives it a slick modern feel. To open the drawers, you simply press on them and they pop open. Same goes for closing them. The mechanism is similar to the old stereo stands. There are six adjustable metal legs that make it looks more like a piece of furniture than a kitchen cabinet.

The counter top was a tough decision. Solid surface would have been ideal but we also wanted the option of being able to cut off the overhang, should we decide to use it outside of the kitchen. Using butcher block would make that a much easier job. In the end, while my heart wanted Quartz, I feel that the butcher block was the right call and I love how it looks and feels.

We added two Ikea shelves on the wall above the island. As a rule, I really don't like when things are offset. I'm a lover of symmetry! However, you would have bonked your head on the corner of the bottom one, should you be sitting at the counter. I let go of control and let Stephane hang them and it works! I don't mind it so much!

Since we added the overhang on the countertop, it meant we could have bar stools! So exciting! We scored these at Winners and I love them. Stephane loves to cook and I always felt I was standing around watching him. Now with the extra counter space, I can help out. Or.. plunk my butt down and enjoy a glass while I watch:)

So finally, there you have it. The addition to our kitchen. A cabinet and some stools that changed the whole feel of the room and the way we used the space. So far, a great decision!

Sources:

Cabinets and Countertop ~ Prestige Kitchens (Summerside)
Shelving ~ Ikea Lack
Wire baskets ~ Superstore
Bar stools ~ Winners/HomeSense
Custom pet portrait ~ Lesli DeVito Paintings

Inspiration ~ White Staircase.

2013-02-28T20:30:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time I wrote a post about my staircase. Where it began, how far it's come and what to do next.
Then..
I did nothing. I'm the queen of talking big and not coming through. I get distracted and onto something else.

Anyway, let's have another look shall we? Here was the staircase when I moved into the house. Actually, it's a pretty good example of how the rest of the house looked in general.

Pretty isn't it?

Right away, I had the treads refinished when the floors were done. I also painted the risers white. Looking a lot better.

I also did a little diy project by adding some moldings to give the look of recessed panels.

Over the last couple of years, I tossed around the idea of painting all the balusters and leaving the handrail white. Then I counted them all. Frankly, the thought of taping off each one so that I could paint, make me tired.

The good news is that I've realized I really just want the whole thing white. Every time I see white painted staircase, I'm even more convinced. Case in point, the latest edition of Style At Home magazine. I came across this photo in a spread about a beautiful Toronto home.

I'm sold. It feels so bright! Just what the hallway needs. However, there is a lot of work to before I could paint.

sand
tape the base of each baluster, at the tread. (I'm not a fab painter)
prime
Paint!

Now to find the time and the inspiration. I think it will be awesome.. what do you think?

*Update on the kitchen cabinet... I got a bit too excited. We had some issues with the drawers and they are coming back tomorrow to fix them up. If all goes well, I'll get some good photos this weekend!

Kitchen Changes.

2013-02-26T21:19:00.001-04:00

Remember I told you that we had a new cabinet made for the kitchen? I'll finally get to share it this week! We've had the cabinet for a while now but it was made with the wrong drawer fronts. The new ones are coming tomorrow, so it will be share ready!

This is how it looked before:

Cute, but seriously lacking in storage and counter space. A new cabinet, extended countertop, shelving and bar stools had completely changed the way we use the space.

Here is an small instagram peek at the change with more to come.

Can't wait to share! I'm in full report card mode this week so posting could be sparse.

I'm not the best time manager.. :)

New Bar Stools.

2013-02-20T14:10:00.000-04:00

I'm completely smitten with our new bar stools in the kitchen. I had sourced a few online and through a local store but hadn't taken the plunge and placed an order. We spied these at Winners one day last week and knew they would be perfect, especially at $129 a piece!

You are probably wondering where I need bar stools in the kitchen? Ah! A little secret I've been keeping from you. We needed more storage and counter space so had a new cabinet custom made for the little space we had. It's been great and totally changed the way we use the kitchen. I want to share it with you all but there was a little problem with its construction and we are still waiting for it to be fixed up. Hopefully soon and if not, I'll share regardless!

Here is a little look of them in the room though!

Anyhoo.. back to the stools. We had a few requirements on our hunt.

1. Steph wanted something somewhat modern in design.
2. I wanted them to be white.
3. Had to be counter height. (which eliminates a lot of options!)
4. Comfortable.
5. No skinny legs that would mark up our soft, already scratched floors.

So far we are enjoying them. They are very comfortable and I love sitting with my glass of wine while we are preparing supper. Hopefully they will hold up well.

Today was a snow day here on the island. I was able to get lots of marking done and doing a little planning ahead for Language Arts. Always a good feeling to get caught up!

Last night I got around to watching the finale of Downton Abbey. I'm still sad about it. So is Beaufie, he seemed depressed all day. Why would they do that to us? Weren't we through enough this season already?

If your in the storm zone, stay safe!