Hello my friends! I hope you are all doing well.
This week has been a bit of challenge for me in more ways than one.
First it is the painting, which I am over halfway done and it will get done so that isn't too much of an issue. The second one is however. I told you a while back that my daughter has some sleeping issues but never really went into detail about it. She has been diagnosed with severe separation anxiety that presents itself mainly at night. This has been going on for over 5 years now and I am pretty certain it stemmed from my heart attacks and surgery. It is emotionally and physically draining at times. I know we all have our struggles but I feel like I can share this with you and you will understand.
Anyway, we have been doing everything that we can think of for the last five years and this week has just been bad for us. I know that some of you know about this and I thank you so much for your help and support (Mother Warrior).
Why am I telling you this?
I am telling you this because I have been a bit scattered brained and absent and not able to do what I love to do, which is visit you. So if I am here and there that is why. I know that we will get through this but there are just some weeks that are better than others and this is a bad one. Honestly I think that I paint and re-re-do just to get my mind off of things and I seriously think I have creative ADHD and can't sit still. :)
I didn't tell you this for any pity or anything like that, I just wanted to let my friends know where I am coming from. I know that you all know that there is a life behind our blogs and we live and deal with everyday things whether good or bad.
Thank you for letting me get that off my chest, I truly love you all!
Now, why do I need your help?
This is why...
When I finish painting we are putting in a new floor and here are some samples that I picked up.
I tried to get them in the light and the above picture is pretty close to what they actually look like.
I really like the darker one, not only for the color but I love the grain and rustic appeal it has to it.
However, this is what they look like up against the floor that is in our kitchen.
My question to you is do you think that I need to match the floor in the kitchen (they don't make what we have anymore) or do you think that a bit of a difference is ok?
The rooms flow into each other but they are definitely separated by a wall, I don't have an open concept home.
Anyway, thoughts, concerns, questions about having different colored flooring throughout the house would be wonderful!
Thank you again for everything!
On a side note I want to thank my friend Marie from Sally Lee by the Sea for featuring my beach bedroom on Monday. Her and her family share so many wonderful beach, ocean, and coastal inspirations and will take you on a vacation without having to go anywhere! If you have not met them, please do! :)
Also, my friend Anne from Bird/Like is have a mood board party Monday. Click here for the details as well as a wonderful website that you can make your own mood boards! I checked it out for a minute last night and I can see that this is going to be fun to play around with!!
AND, you won't want to miss Sarah at Modern Country Styles Inspiration Journey party this Friday! Click here for those details!
Thank you again for sticking around listening to me and for all your wonderful advice and friendship!
I will leave you with an image of my little Baja, she looks like I feel this week! :)
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54 comments:
Dearest, I will email you. Anita
Awww ... Baja is sooo cute!
I like the middle plank, Michelle. I'm going to be facing the same dilemma (kitchen floor)soon, and will try and get as close as I can to my dining room floor.
Hope this helps a little :)
S
xo
Baja is a beauty!!! I love the darker wood = )
I like the darker one as well. I think it's better to go different than try to match or get close to the other (kitchen) floor since it always seems to come off as "wonky"...
~Chris
Hey Michelle!
Yes, there is life before our blogs. I'm sorry that it's been a rough week. I'm glad you shared your heart and you know I'll keep you both in my prayers. Painting is such a great outlet. My grandma always said if you keep your hands busy you will keep out of trouble. I don't even know how that applied but just know I'm thinking about you.
Oh, and the flooring. That's a tough one! If the floors don't flow or aren't as visible together, I'd say... the darker color would be beautiful and rich looking. I love dark floors with light colored walls.
Big hugs! ~M
I understand the decorative ADHD! I like the larger sample that is more rustic. I don't think it's a problem to have two tones of wood, as long as it looks purposeful. Best wishes!
I like the one you picked as well! I don't think that flooring needs to match totally, especially since it's a separate room. You might try to change the transition strip in between to something completely different - a really dark stained wood piece maybe - just to create a border. We did this in our old home (where a tile floor met a carpeted one, and the 3rd material made the transition actually look better.) Hope that makes sense. :) Good luck, I know whatever you do will look fabulous!
And thinking happy thoughts for you and your daughter!
Michelle-
Praying for you & for your daughter! Hope that your week gets better girl! As for the floor...I have the same dilemma as well. Carpet throughout our home except for the kitchen & now wanting to replace the carpet with wood & they no longer have my flooring that I put in the kitchen. I am just biting the bullet & replacing it all!! I wanted a darker wood with my newly painted cabinets anyway. As for your dilemma..I would try to match the floor up as best you can although I really love the darker one! Sorry...I'm no help!!
So sorry to hear you are having a rough week. There are always issues going on in our lives that can sometimes be masked by our blogs. We are here for you!
The flooring is tough. I would probably try to pick the darkest tone out of your existing floor and go with that. It might help it transition better.
I love the dark! And you totally do not have to match your kitchen floor. I think that by going a lot darker it will look intentional, as oppossed to if you went lighter, it may look like you were trying to match the existing floor. AND I totally understand about your daughter. Our son has autism and slept in our room or bed until just recently. He still struggles to stay asleep, and we sometimes find that he has been lying awake for hours in the middle of the night! I went through a bit of separation anxiety myself after my little bro was born (still have a problem with it). My mom had to be in the hospital for five days, and I remember thinking that she was never coming back, because at that time they wouldn't let kids visit the maternity wing. It carried through to my teen years and I couldn't even go on sleepovers. It is wonderful that your daughter had a patient and understanding mom, because that is what matters. My mom was, and still is, the best. Hope everything gets better, and you are definitely in my prayers.
Oh, dear friend! I am soooo sorry you and your precious girl (and hubby too I'm sure!)are having such a hard time right now! But, I am so glad you shared it with us...this blogging thing is just all fluff if we don't feel like we can really do life together. I can only take so much "fluff" frankly and need to be in a community of folks who really care about each other. So, on that note, just know that you are on my heart and in my prayers and that He knows every thought and every worry and wants to give you peace even in the midst of it all. It doesn't always go away, but at least we can rest in knowing that we aren't alone! :-)
And I totally agree that decorating/painting/flooring can be the perfect escape for our minds! On that note, have you ever thought about staining your kitchen floors at some point to match whatever you choose now? Otherwise, I would probably go only a shade or 2 darker. Just my 2 cents!
Hang in there!
Vanessa
I so so understand... I have the same problem with both my kids... 11 year old girl and 7 year old boy... Also from the heart attack, Lupus and now spinal surgery..on top of the fact that I run an all male lockdown psych ward...where if you weren't religious walking into.. you are once you leave. There have been many phone calls of "mom's in the ER..nothing big.. a few bruises, cuts, sprains, cracked ribs..." On top of the divorce battlefield they
live in.. since we are both still "co-habitating" together... I just want my OWN bedroom back.. no more panic attacks if I am 2 minutes late... or a thousadd texts while at the grocery store..... I so so feel your anguish... but if it makes you feel any better... I am ADD.... unfortunately.. I have so much on my plate right now..instead of being able to multi task and get it done.. i chase my own tail.. but I had my time where you could walk into our home... and what was once done in blues... may now be in greens.. from walls to furniture... pure madness! It is an outlet.. as long as your not going spend crazy... painting... does no harm.. it soothes the soul.... we actually do art therapy for a lot of our patients.. coloring is one of the best de-escalators..... or you could get a mandala book... but get one that describes the cycle... and what the colors mean... after you already colored it... it is pretty cool...
Now.. I can't even remember what you asked about floors...
So.. whatever it is you pick.. I am sure it will be stunning!
Ok.. my wrist hurts..
Love ya sweets... hang in there..
Cricket
Love you dear friend...so very much. xo
Always close in heart..
As for the wood, I love the dark wood..I have that in my kitchen and dining room, although the living room is a lighter hardwood...which may soon be be a new floor that we paint white :)
Love, love, love you,
Deborah xoxo
Oops I forgot..give Baja the biggest hug for me..he is adorable Michelle!
xo
Hi Michelle....I'm sorry about your rough week. I'm so blessed by all of you here in blogland..sharing what's in our hearts is a way to connect with each other. I'm glad you were able to get things out...
The flooring doesn't have to match, does it? If it's a different room..then go with whatever brings you joy.
Looking forward to Allegan!
Hugs,
Debbie@lakehouse
I like the dark rustic one. Surprise, surprise! Hey, don't you worry about any of us. We all have things going on from time to time where we have to put ourselves someplace else. We are your friends and we'll still be here!
Brenda
Big hugs to you and your daughter darling girl. Do what you need to do, and don't rush to get back here. Everyone will still be here ready to say hi when you are up to it. As for floors, we've had major drama's with ours, so I'm not the best person to ask. But I would try to keep it close to what you have in the kitchen.
Hugs
Lisa xx
Michelle~
these things will pass. Spend the time with your family.
Your cyber friends can wait and we'll be here -- never worry about sharing too much. Especially if this is an outlet, You know?
Moving on to flooring~
I like the dark (small) piece.
Better than trying to match but it does pick up on the dark in the other floor-- so they go~
But, what do I know?
I can't pick paint colors!
here for ya
Pat
first of all, i had no idea about you having heart attacks and surgery, or your daughter's SA because of it. i am so sorry- that has got to be scary for her and hard for you.
secondly, i also like the dark and think as long as the tones are similar it's fine to have a little different.
Ohhhh....sweetie.....my heart breaks for you and your little one. It must be so difficult for you to know how frightened she feels. Is she pretty strong in her faith? Would praying with her after those spells help at all? Tell her that I will be praying that she is always surrounded by God's protective and loving embrace. He'll NEVER let go of her no matter what. ♥
This is becoming quite a Extreme Home Makeover, isn't it? lol! To tell you the truth, those white painted floors are really cool looking! lol! But I would definitely go with the darker wood on the right of your photo. The grains at least look similar to what you already have in your kitchen, and it's a darker color like you're drawn to. I wouldn't go with the one on the left. The grain is way too different and the contrast would be pretty drastic. The sample in the middle is kinda blah and boring. My advice would be the one on the right. :)
Baja is ADORABLE! What a darling little face! So sad and humiliated looking! lol! Must be that she doesn't like baths any more than my Maizie - which will be receiving her bath tomorrow so she'll be smelling good for her babysitters! :)
Love you sweetie - and give a big hug to your sweet daughter, too. ♥
xoxo laurie
Hi Michele, I'm sorry you are going through a rough time. I will say a prayer for you and your daughter. Decorating is such an outlet for me too! I am so glad to have found so many creative people to share with. This is just a thought, I like the dark floor too, but have you considered running it horizontal instead of vertical? We did that in the last house we built. It was all the same wood but at each doorway or entry, we switched the direction to give a more added on look, like we had lived there a long time. It is a new farmhouse and I thought the floors added to the character of the house. Just a thought... Take care of yourself and I hope you get a good nights sleep. About the sea glass, it truly is a treasure isn't it? ;)
Debbi @ the beach
I'm glad you shared Michelle. My prayers are with your family right now. Please take as much time as you need, whenever you need it. Everybody will still be here for you my friend. Take time for you and your family!
Kim:)
Hi Michelle! I'm so sorry to hear that you're having the week (and it sounds like it has been more than just this week!) Thinking of you and your family.....
Now on to your questions: I definitely like the darker option. First, like you, I like the color the best, as well as the texture and finish. Also, I like that it is obviously different from your kitchen floor color. If you can't match it - you might as well pick something that looks like you chose it on purpose, not something that almost matches but not quite. Whatever you choose - you're going to make it beautiful I'm sure!
xo, Melissa
i am so sorry about all you have on your plate right now and i wish you peace and strength through it all, and for your sweet girl as well. i bet you are one tough cookie though...that's just my feeling about ya!
I say go with the darkest option and possibly paint the wood floor trim between the two floors a pretty coastal blue to unite the two different wood colors of the floors...just an idea, maybe it's a kooky one ;)
XO
Thank you for sharing this Michelle. Anne at Na-Da Farm Life just had a beautiful post about family, and how that comes first. It has to for all of us. Never worry about not visiting :-)
I wish I could help with the flooring, but I just kept looking at them, and changing my mind about which I liked best. I will narrow it down to saying I liked the darker ones better than the light one. The tone from the smaller dark one seemed to match the dark colors in your own flooring a little better, but I'm looking at a photo, so it might be different in person.
I'm sure whatever you decide, it will be beautiful!
Blessings,
Marcia
I´m sorry she´s having trouble sleeping and I sincerely hope it will work out in the best of ways.
I prefer the darker floor a little bit - I liked the look of that! :-)
Michelle,
I'm so sorry that this week's being so hard for you. Lack of sleep is so awful. I seriously turn into a horrid grumpy lady so I think you're doing incredibly well. *big hug* to you, my lovely friend.
Re: flooring, is it possible to put in some kind of divider in the flooring between the two rooms so that the different woods aren't butted up against each other?
Sarahx
Sarahx
Oh, and thank you SOOOO much for mentioning my Inspiration Journey party. I REALLY appreciate it.
Michelle, First and foremost, I am sorry about the rough week with your litte sweetheart.I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.The darker flooring will add great contrast and a great warm feel to the room. Hope this helps doll!
I like the darker sample too. My thought is if you can't match then go completely different or it will look like you tried to match and failed. I have 110 yr old floors that cannot be matched so we went darker when we renovated our kitchen. Looks great.
Best wishes for your daughter.
Michelle,
You know I am always here my friend. Look at the incredible support you have here, hopefully that helps some. I will email you as well.
As far as the floors, I am going to go against the grain here and say I think you should go for the middle one. I get how beautiful the dark one is, but I think it could be too visually jarring to go from a light to dark floor. Also, that drastic of a change you be a factor if you ever resell your house.
Two other things, the darker floor show EVERY bit of dirt and lovely Baja foot print. I know, because my floors as very similiar. As much as I love them, they are a lot of work. Second, I think with the "beachy" element that you have executed so well in your home, a lighter floor is a great option. Just my opinion since you asked! Take care, Laura
I hope it gets better with your daughter soon. We've been having our own sets of issues at my house so I know what you mean about being overwhelmed and feeling helpless.
My niece had issues after a tornado hit my hometown. So any kind of storm gets her pretty anxious. I know with counceling it has helped a bit.
I pretty sure we have the same flooring in your new bathroom like the far right one you shown. I do like the middle one the best to kind of go with your kitchen flooring.
Hi Michelle,
I'm so sorry to hear of your daughters sleep problems. When our children suffer, we suffer. It's awful to see our children in any kind of physical or emotional pain. I wish I could do something to help. I'm praying someone in blogland has ideas that could help.
Regarding the floor.....I love the dark floor! I think it would be fine for the floors to not match since you don't live in an open concept type house. I have never had a house with hardwood flooring and I just love the way it looks (and functions). Maybe I'll get lucky in my new house. I get so sick of scrubbing my beige carpet all the time!
Hope you week gets better my friend! :)
Hugs,
Lisa
Michelle, I had no idea about your heart issues at all. I am so sorry, but glad you're ok now. I have not heard of this separation thing happening due Mom's health issues, but it sure makes sense. That being said I want to commend you on sharing this with all of us.It's nice to see that not all in blogland are wearing the "rose colored glasses" and post about a "perfect life" which we all know is not true. I have never bought into it, life, presents, a lot of bumps in the road. You, and I are human. We all are, so just know, I am here if you ever want to talk. Second, you are one of the kindest ladies I've met during this entire blog thing. And one of the reasons I continue to blog. A few like you, it's all I need. Third, your floor...I agree with Jennifer, if you go with the dark, which is your choice I think you said, it will look intentional, and not like you were trying to match, but...I do fancy the middle one. Given the choice in my home, I've really started liking dark rich wood. But you've got a Beachy thing going, and that usually presents "light and airy" feel. Hope that helps. Sending you lots of hugs, xoxo tami
Michelle,
I'm so sorry to hear that your week is not going good for you...please know that I will keep you and your daughter in my prayers. Now about the floors...I would go with the darker one. Take care:)
Blessings,
Linda
I'm so sorry to hear about all of the issues you are having with your daughter. That must be so hard for you all of you. Don't feel bad about not visit people's blogs or being a little bit absent...we all have real lives and understand. You know, I hope you are not spreading yourself too thin, you always seem so busy. Make sure you take a little time for yourself too.
Okay, as for your floor, here are my thoughts. Is your flooring wood or laminate? If if is wood, you could install new unfinished floors and have the old floors sanded down and the whole things finished to match. I did this at my house and it all matches perfectly. If you can't do this, I would try not put the new right next to the old if you are trying to be matchy, that never works. Maybe you could install something darker or have a darker border with a lighter color in the middle.
Hi Michelle...if anyone can balance a full life it is you! I think I know a little about what you are going through with your daughter. My son experienced something similar when my husband was in an accident years ago and spent 8 days in ICU. Jake was only 6 and it was very tough on him to be missing his Dad so much and to have him come home from the hospital so frail. They formed a special bond as Jake was a big help to his Dad. He also took over the temporary role of Man of the House, having to watch out for his Mom...we too have a special bond! Keeping you in my thoughts!
BTW...love the darker floor!!
I can so relate to the sleep issue thing. Our daughter has had sleep issues since the day she was born (3 1/2 yrs old now.) She had acid reflux, and perhaps a bit of colic. She cried for 18 hrs a day for the first 6 months. And we did everything we could possibly do to help her. I REALLY feel for you, with the exhaustion part. And that poor little girl. I won't even try and say that I understand what she must be going through, having her mommy/momma go through the heart issues. Probably scared the poor thing horribly! I am SO sorry!
As far as the flooring, I personally like flow, and would be really tempted to take up the kitchen floor, but since I'm also very frugal, the other choice, and obviously a lot more practical, would be like at least one other blogger commented. I would go totally opposite, as in much darker, so that it doesn't look like you ran out of flooring material and had to buy some more, but could not get the original anymore.
Just my thought. Take it for what it's worth. But judging by your other decorating, I get the feeling that your end choice will be just right!
i am SOOOOOO happy i found ur blog and get to read all about ur loves in life - humm with the wood - maybe going drasticlly different will be better, b/c then it won't look like u actually tried to match the wood?
~LAST DAY 2 JOIN CUSTOM SIGN GIVEAWAY~
*kiss kiss*
Erika @ ~Tiptoe Butterfly~
Aw the doggy! That is how I feel, too.. lack of sun here is making me feel so tired.. not to mention kiddos waking up lately at 6am! Thank you for the comment on my berry cupcakes, yep, they were almost too esthetically pretty to eat.. but I ate like 4 anyway. ;) Kudos to you guys on doing your floors. I am sure you have gotten some great advice! I just had a contractor in here last week to get a quote - I am hoping to expand the light red oak we have out to the liv/dining room soon.. we could never do it ourselves - no patience here. :) Right now we just have hardwood floors in entry, kitchen, and the powder room. Take care!
Lara
P.S. And I love this font! :))
I am so sorry to hear what you and your family have been going thru Michelle~I had no idea that you had a heart attack before~You and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers~
On another note:I like your floor choices, the darkest one is really my favorite,but I think anyone will be wonderful~Hugs,Rachel
French Farmhouse 425
Michelle, we all have trial and tribulations in our "real" lives so you should never feel like you have to explain when you are away for a while. I'm very sorry your daughter is having a tough time and that you are having a rough week. In answer to your flooring question I really like the darkest one too. I think that the contrast will be nice actually. And your dog is too darn cute!
Kat :)
I am so sorry to hear this has been a tough week for you and your daughter. I did not know about your health issues and I can imagine how hard that must be for you and your family. I have a very dear friend who has similar issues.
Regarding the floor...I think the different woods will work just fine.
I didn't know about your health issues either ♥
I've always had issues with not being able to quiet my mind, or sit still -- it takes a toll on you! As you know.
The time will come when ya'll will start having a peaceful night sleep -- keeping U in my thoughts ♥
Baja's photo sure made me smile. :-)
Hi Michelle,
I am sorry you have had a setback with your daughter's sleeping. She was making progress and I think she will again. You are such a loving kind person I know you will be able to help her through this. I like the dark rustic flooring too!
sorry i am a little late in seeing this post...i am sorry your daughter is having trouble. my daughter used to have night terrors caused fron seperation anxiety and a "mean" first grade teacher. just know that eventually she will grow out of it with your help and love and faith (perhaps some counceling). she will develop her own coping mechanisms with time. a "worry doll" might help. something she can project her worries onto, like a small stuffed animal or perhaps one of your handkerchiefs, or a necklace...something small she can keep with her all the time. it should come from you,so she has that connection with you at all times. with time, things will get better. i totally understand how hard it is to see your child suffer. hang in there, and keep decorating away...YOU need an outlet just as much as your sweet daughter.
bless you,
erin
p.s. i love the idea of mismatched flooring for a cottage look! actually, i rather like the white painted flooring :0)
If you can't match the existing floor I would say that you should go with the most contrast - so the darker the wood the better.
I love the darker wood. On to more serious matters I dont need lots of words to say I will Pray for you.
Sorry, I forgot to tell you, I like the dark wood flooring as well. It's the look that will compliment your 'style' perfectly, IMO.
*hugs*
Michelle, I am so sorry that this has been such a rough week! I know you must be very worn out. Don't worry at all about not visiting, we DO know that there are real lives being lived, with sickness, exhaustion, busy-ness, etc! You are such a sweet person, and I am pulling for you over here...and I'll be praying for you as well! Are you able to catch a nap or two during the day? (I'll admit to you, I did that today for three hours, just to catch up a little!)
Thank you also for visiting and leaving such kind thoughts regarding my sickness post! It meant a lot!
I hope this weekend is both restful and fun for you all!
Blessings and hugs,
Jenni
Oops, I meant to also say that I LOVE (I mean, truly love) the wood sample with the darkest stain! And I do not think it has to match what you have in the kitchen at all, since it is not an open floor plan! I can't wait to see what you choose! :)
I love dark wood, so what I would do is pick the one with the grain most similar and then stain them both a darker colour.
I hope your daughter is feeling better, and you can move forward soon:)
My dearest Michelle, I am so sorry that this week has been difficult for you. I am thinking of you and your little one. I hope and pray that she's feeling better soon. Sending you a big hug, Brandi
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