Tap. Tap. - Is this thing on?

I know. I know.

Dharma, in the history of bloggers, you are the worst. Yes, it's true. I suck cheese doodles lately. Well, not lately per se but really for the last year really.

You probably even forgot I was on your reader. Well, surprise! I have dusted off the camera. I have rounded up the paint brushes. I have cleared the VISA and I am ready to party once more.

In my defense, we did try to sell the Casa Eclectica to no avail last summer/fall and I think I just got house-drain. If you DIY or decorate on a budget you know what I mean. The cleaning and tweaking and and and....plus the "dream house" I thought I wanted slipped away by each day our place didn't go off the market to someone new.

Gladly.

The "dream house" was a financial stretch and then the eldest announced he wasn't going to stay at home for college and instead was going off to University 2 cities away. 5 bedrooms for a family of 3? WTF? I was either going to start foster caring or we were in trouble with an offer on a house we didn't need. Sometimes life happens in the way it should and after 60 days our offer went stale. PHEW!!!!!

So I have begun with a renewed vigour around the ole Casa! I am reinventing spaces for boys here full-time and some very part-time. Those posts are coming soon.

In the meantime I shall tease you and tell you I have (almost got this guy hooked into delivery) purchased a Kijiji wonder a la this:

I have been looking for a king sized project for ever! This one would fit that bill big time. I do mean BIG!

So, welcome back, whoever is left. I missed you. I pinky-swear I am back.

Did you wonder where I went?

Family Room Moodboard


Hey! It's only been 7 months, what did you think I was up to?

After a failed attempt at selling The Resort, Greg and I have decided to stay on and that means I REDECORATE!

I know what I said...

I said I hated green....but I am digging this Kijiji find everyone! Would look so ca-ute with my retro buffet and hutch. Thoughts?

Bitchin' Kitchin!

So I started this kitchen redux about 2 months ago. I have shopped, arranged for installs and DIY'd it to death yo! If you forget where I started a couple years back...let me introduce you to my green machine....and the tulip light. My fave :)



Awwww yeah. You are loving it, I can tell. Well I didn't. The rangehood was white, that spray paint experiment should go in the "Why I don't drink wine..." pile. So I decided to try again. Meet my painted countertops that lasted a whole year :) They would probably last someone else a lot longer but we cook tons and I have sons trying their hand at the culinary arts as well. No bueno.

I know, I know. Better right? But still not quite there. So I decided to bite the bullet, make a list and budget and get crackin!

Welcome to Casa Stout now babies!

The list breaks down like this:

Remove kitchen drapery/rods & paint / make drape- CHECK ($20)

Replace diningroom drapes with the ones from TV room - CHECK

Replace pendant light - BOUGHT and READY to GO ($25)
Film on Door Window for privacy - DONE ($5)

Replace vent cover - DONE ($7)

Replace counters - DOUBLE DONE ($2400)

Replace sink with undermount and install Touch2O tapset - DONE-OLA (included with counters)

Backsplash behind stove - DIY'D & DONE ($75)

Install OTR Microwave - DONE ($250)

This was all done in concert with a number of other projects. Replacing all the knobs, locks etc in the house from classy brassy to stainless. rehanging draperies and patching and painting. Changing out all the towel bars and TP holders in the house. Rearranging the livingroom (AGAIN). replacing all the broken musty vent covers in the house. Cleaning, more cleaning and oh, did I mention I have cleaned?

Here's a pic of the sink:

OMG. Isn't that tap gorgeous? Remember when I won that at the Canadian Design Bloggers event last year? I have a lot of patience darling. A lot of patience.

The backsplash is peel-n-stick stainless tile from Home Depot called Aspect. I decided on one row to keep it simple and staggered long and short grain finishes for interest. 

A new Debbie Travis Aurora pendant light in a crackled glass is slated to go in and replace the giant tulip that hangs over my head on the peninsula.

The counters are a Formica180FX product in a finish called Soapstone Sequoia. I went with a straight edge to mimic slabs of actual stone. The slabs are one piece each so no seams for grossness to wander into. Our installers were great and they spent more time installing the taps than anything else. They were cursing my name I am sure as they drove away. Which is why I tip.

This is it so far. FINAL budget for my version of a dream kitchen = $2782.00

Momma is a happy girl.

It shoulda read “LIVE 2 EAT”

I do a lot of grocery shopping. I take my Mom weekly along for company and try to stick to some sort of a budget. I have made lists, meal planned, done a “Big Cook”…..see, my issue is I am a bit of a foodie. I live with a man who works with trained chefs all day and my kids eat a snack by tilting back the fridge into their gaping mouths. (Growing boys, ya dig?)

About a year ago my nieces and I were out treasure hunting through some local thrift shops and I can across this sign…I mean where was I ever going to get another sign that espoused the amazingness of “savoury piscatorial tidbits”??? It hung over my stove for a while but with the impending countertop reno and backsplash reno in full swing this week, it had to come down.

You will be seeing and hearing about that reno soon. Promise. Pinky swear!

I was thinking “self…how can you personalize this sign?”. I thought about those Live, Love, Laugh deals. I have some word art already in the home but I wanted this to really reflect my family.

So this is what I came up with. Love it. Some floating shelves for oils and spices and vinegars underneath….you’ll see it hanging with pride when I put up the renovated kitchen

 

International Women's Day

True Dat Madeleine! I am surrounded by and have been surrounded by amazing women my whole life. Cheers to you and to them :)

If you think I'm sexy.....

Lots of these homemade memes out there, just throwing mine into the mix to remind my Prince Charming that he is my world.....and the fact that he has been working like a dog to get all my crazy little projects done around the house has not gone un-noticed. Nor did the roses delivered to my office :)

Look out Mr. S.....someone is getting smooches tonight. I will be asking you to rewire a light first though.