Thursday, March 31, 2011

Progress??

Hello there my sweet friends!
I hope that you are having a great week! Next week is Spring Break for the kiddos so I will be signing off for a bit to spend time with them and hopefully complete some things around the house that I have started.

I told you the other day that I made some changes in my kitchen. I am still playing around with things. There was just something about the my kitchen that just bothered me.
Do you ever get that, you change and rearrange but things don't seem to look like they do in your head?
I think that I finally figured it out though....I think......

Last Saturday I moved our banquette upstairs and brought back the wicker chairs that I picked up at Ikea many moons ago. I really love that style seating but I was starting to feel a little claustrophobic in that area so out it went. I will save what I am going to do with that for a later date. :) I then moved the hutch, brought in a sofa table and just shopped around the house for things.

This is how it originally started out.


Then I went to this.


And now we are here. :)

(my little scale is getting another makeover, that is why she is not in the pic:) )


I am looking for more prints for this wall so it looks pretty bare. I moved the hutch because I wanted to show off my faux plank wall. We worked really hard on it, why cover it up right!

It just feels much more open to me and easier to get around the dining table. I would love to get a rug to go under the table as well so I will add that to my ever-so-long list.

And since I don't ever know what to do with myself when I don't have a paint brush in my hand I also decided that the color of the bottom of the kitchen cabinets were just not giving me the look I was hoping for, so guess what?
YUP!
I am going to re-re-repaint them hopefully over break.
I really love the color but I am so drawn into the neutrals and the gray that I used on my trim (Smooth Stone from Glidden) will be covering the Tranquil Pond.

Whew!
This is long!
Sorry but a girl has a lot to say when she is going to be gone for a week. :)

I will leave you with some more photos of the family room!
I successfully made two pillows, still need to make one more, and arranged my little cozy corner.
The white pillow is from PB that I scored from Christmas gift cards.



I also hung up some photo ledges that I had from Ikea and put up a shadow box that I had purchased many many moons ago that I never found a spot for it but I knew I had to have it.
I really like its new home. :)



This is looking down our hall from our kitchen. You can see our entry way and the new jute rug I picked up from Kolhs for half off! Woo Hoo!

I will also be doing a picture gallery above the side table. I already found beautiful sailboat and sea shell pictures from Michaels.
Love my floors!!
(I am not quite ready for the whole reveal of the Family Room yet so bare with me, not that you are waiting on pins and needles :) )

I replaced the little table with this one that I had in our bedroom because a certain furry child of mine kept eating the fake grass!!


He really looks like he cares doesn't he!


I also wanted to welcome all my new friends and I appreciate you joining in on all my chaos! :)
Thank you so much to everyone for all your support!
I love you gals!


I hope you all have a wonderful week, it actually may take you that long to read this!
I am sure that I will pop my head in and out to see what you up to, but if not, I hope the sun shines on you and if you are traveling have a wonderful and safe trip!
See you in April! :)



HUGS!!!

Photobucket

93 comments:

beachcomber said...

your house is very cute and cosy..love all the white and the old doors! my cat loves the fake grass too..it ended up pretty wrecked!
have a nice break.
cheryl x

WobiSobi said...

Wow It looks soooooo Good. I would love to sit down at that table and have breakfast. I love a table too and that hutch beautiful :)

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

Kitchen looks great! The entire house is transforming quite beautifully. I love how airy it feels. Your floors are gorgeous!
Where did you find the great shadow box?
Have a fun week, Michelle!

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Hi lovely daffydowndilly,

I hope you have a brilliant break with your family. Well, I use the word 'break' very loosely indeed. I am in constant awe of the speed at which you move from one project to the next!!

The photo of you cat is FAB!!! That's what I call Catittude!

Sarahx

Jessie Saxton said...

Very nice, Michelle! You should check Overstock.com for rugs. I have seen some really cute ones for riduculously low prices!!

Have a fun week with your kiddos ☺

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

I really really love it all. I like the small table so much better. I didn't know it until I saw the change, but it was a good change. It makes the area so much bigger feeling and it seems to flow better. All the photos are so dreamy and cozy at the same time. Your floor looks so good. I am jealous. I am on pins and needles for the reveal!

D and G Stories said...

Um, your home is gorgeous as always!! Your pictures look like they're from a magazine. Love the updates - the dining room looks great! And that kitty is just hysterical. :) Enjoy your spring break with your kiddos!

Polly said...

Wow! Michelle it is all just looking fabulous!! So light and airy! I too am so drawn to neutrals, especially the grays and whites. I struggle when I try to step out of that comfort zone of mine!!

Have a wonderful spring break!!

xo

Polly

Erin said...

Sister, that is most assuredly GORGEOUS! You are doing a smashing job and your house should be on a home tour!!!!

Alison Agnew said...

i love how it's all coming together...very light and bright...and can i just come over and swipe that gorgeous beach print right now?

blessings,

alison
stuff and nonsense

Joyce - Quilted Nest said...

You are having so much fun. Love the lighter looks and I agree about the banquette. Enjoy!!

Pamela said...

LOVE it all girl!! What are your floors?? We are debating ripping out our wood floors up front and the carpet in the living room ourselves. Yikes! Your floors are beautiful!

Tricia said...

Wow, look at it all! Everything looks beautiful Michelle. I think moving the hutch into the dining area was a good move, it gives the room some nice height.

Love the photo of the kitty too. They're such mischief-makers aren't they? Mine was busy checking out the tulips yesterday.

~Tricia

The White Ranch said...

Progress indeed! Love all the white! You have been working very hard! Well done.........

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

MICHELLE! THE FIRST PICTURE WAS LOVELY ENOUGH, but then the second picture captivated me. THEN THE THIRD PICTURE...that is it. PERFECTION! You have been working SO HARD DEAREST! It all is coming together so nicely! We have put a hold on our next endeavor...to hang a very heavy plaster frieze above the arched entrance. It is beautiful, but requires special brackets that Ruben has to make. I was hoping to also do some leaded glass work (I need to explain)on the new windows, but Ruben needs to make me the template. I am however, working in my studio this morning to make a birthday gift, then I am off to a friend's house. Oh, what a great week of creativity. How are you feeling? EVERYTHING LOOKS LOVELY! Your cat...teeeeheeee...he hasn't a CARE in the world! HAVE FUN, Anita

tinajo said...

I think it turned out great, well done! Enjoy the time with your kiddos! :-)

Shabby soul said...

I like it very much! You have a so gorgeous home!
Have a good day
Silvia

Tonya @ Love of Family And Home said...

Love the changes to your dining area! It really looks great! That old scale is too cool...I can't wait to see what you are doing to it!! Love your new floors, they are just gorgeous!! Enjoy your spring break with your kids!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Michelle, I just found your lovely blog and I must say I love your style. I am now a follower.
Hugs,
Sherry

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I just love all the changes you made. Those chairs are great. Waiting for the humidity to go down so I can paint here! I have that same weather vane but it's a fox. I was wanting to take off the fox and put a boat on it. Need to figure that one out!

Pamela said...

Instead of a rug in the dining room how about a painted floor cloth. Easier to clean. They are inexpensive to make and fairly easy, since you are so handy with a paint brush you could do it! I do love your cottage, it is so "me". Enjoy your week!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Miss Michelle~ I just love your house! Love the floors, the colors and the fabulous beachy feel!!! It's gorgeous!! I love the dining rooms new look- I have to tell you I did like the shutters up on the windows too- I love shutters and architectural pieces. Enjoy your spring break with your kids! :)

A Vintage Vine said...

Love it...I agree I like the table and hutch combo....the hallway, table, wall it all looks so inviting!!! Have a great week with the kids! We will miss you!

At The Picket Fence said...

Hello my friend! Your new dining room set up is just absolutely perfect and lovely and I cannot wait to see the final result of your family room makeover. It is all looking just gorgeous and I'm so impressed with all of your plans for Spring Break and hope you still get plently of good family time together!
Blessings,
Vanessa

The Frosted Gardner said...

I love what you have done - each and every change. I do like the openness of it now and all of the white agains the wood floors - plus I think the white next to the grey hutch works wonderfully! You have such great taste! Cannot wait to see what you are doing to your kitchen cabinets! :) Always a treat over here.

NanaDiana said...

Michelle- I loved your kitchen all three ways! lol It is darling...but I love it with the hutch in there! Have a wonderul Holiday with your kids...they are only young for so long...and once they are grown you can paint to your heart's content...but you only have them at this age for a finite amount of time. Enjoy your break!! xxoo Diana

erin's art and gardens said...

everything is looking great, Michelle!! funny, I often have a paint brush wrapped in plastic inside my fridge. Isn't that what a fridge is for? lol. I bet you do too? Have a wonderful spring break!
Erin
xxoo

Unknown said...

I really like how it looks! Love the hutch near the dining table. And those floors! Drool!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Love, love, love your new dining room look!!!! All your photos are so gorgeous! It really looks like a home in a magazine!

dedeetsyshop said...

I love it! I have that same rabbit weathervane too! And that kitty picture- too cute! He looks thrilled!

Simple Home said...

I just want to come and relax in your home Michelle. It looks so peaceful!! Guess what my kitty eats...all my real flowers :-) I had some on the mantel and he was up there in a flash. Now, if I have real flowers, I have to put them up very high, or watch him like a hawk :-)
Thanks so much for your prayers for my nephew.
Blessings,
Marcia

Angela said...

I think you're coming close to perfection in every room. It looks fabulous!

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

Mein Freund das schaut gut aus! It is like out of a magazine. Are you sure you are not a interior decorator by night or something??? Totally beachy, crisp and clean.

Arabella said...

Well, you already know that we LOVE everything you do in your house, Michelle! Again, everything is so charming, beachy and wonderful - really words can't express how much talent we feel you have. We'regoing to share some of your pics on the blog in the very near future because to us you, you have the beach cottage feel down to a science. Love ya - hope you have a lovely weekend and splendid week with the kids. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Holy doodles girl! You are right you are never without a paintbrush.

The floors are spectacular. The little kitchen nook is great any way you have it. I could not decide which one was my favorite.

AND I think you paint that kitchen more than I did mine...since christmas I am on my 4th colour for parts of my kitchen...cant wait to see what you come up with!

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

It all turned out amazing Michelle!;) Love your little furry baby too~ My Claire always gets into my fresh flowers!lol~ Have a wonderful weekend~Hugs,Rachel :)

French Farmhouse 425

SLR said...

your kitchen looks so pretty and fresh...i love all your furnishings!!
i am painting my kitchen cabinets now, so we will both be in the same boat ;)
the end result will be all worth it though.
have a great spring break with your family and working on projects!!

Seawashed said...

michelle it looks so much better. I absolutely love all the changes you have made. Did you distressed your bedroom doors? The dark woods with white is what my cottage is mostly decorated in too. So of course your home is very comfortable to me. Enjoy spring break...ours is in two weeks. ox sea tidings.

Desire Empire said...

Hi michelle

I like all of your kitchen shots. You certainly know how to put it together, which ever way you go. It's fun to rearrange stuff. I could compete in a rearranging olympics if there was one. You could be team USA's first member. See you in the Olympic Village fof some jooshing good fun.

Happy Spring break.

Best Carolyn

Lara said...

Your white dining area looks wonderful! Looks like your pup is enjoying it! I love your distressed doors. Have a nice weekend, Michelle!
Hugs,
Lara

Sarah @ Cozy.Cottage.Cute. said...

I don't think I've ever seen your little kitchen nook but now that I have, I'm drooling.

Soooooo, so pretty. I'd list all the things I love about it but then I would just be listing every single thing in the room. :)

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

I don't know which dining room photo I like most! First, Second or Third?
The last one with hutch does look roomy and open. I love your faux plank wall- that turned out great.
I must say!
...and lastly. I love your floor too!

~ always finding inspiration at Emerald cove- Pat

Vicki said...

Have a great week with the kiddos. I like how this room has evolved.

Anonymous said...

I just love the way you changed your dining area! It looks so good! I love your hutch,and i love your home. It's gorgeous.

Kathy

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Wow...did I say WOW?!

Everything looks fabulous...love the hutch! Have fun with the kids...I am going back for another peek!

Brandi said...

Excuse me a sec while i wipe the drool from my chin...!!! Michelle everything is so beautiful! I love your plank wall! I love your new table and chairs. The beachy accents! Everything!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the new look..Great job..I also noticed in one of your photos the rabbit weathervane..I have the very same one..I love it and it looks great in your home also..I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve..Have a great weekend..

Marie said...

Oh my goodness Michelle! Can you please come over and pick up the lower part of my jaw from my floor? I just cannot get over how beautiful your newly remodeled home is looking. And for such a small amount of time. You are so talented, I would love to just powow with you one day and pick your design brain. And I notice that your hutch looks just like the hutch I just redid. YOU ARE AMAZING my dear!
-marie

Anne Lorys said...

I just discovered your beautiful blog, your home and your photographs are just gorgeous!

Love your fur child! :-)

Have a beautiful weekend!
Hugs,
Anne

Kelle Dame said...

Bahahaha! Your cat that seems to really care cracked me up!
You did a great job freshening everything up! I really like the area as a nook or with the hutch. I wouldn't be able to decide. It's good to have so many options!
I have the same pb pillow! It's right next to my ticking pillows too...crazy!
Hope you have a great week with the kiddos!
Kelle
xx

Fishtail Cottage said...

Hey there.....can you send me the color of the blue in the first picture? i love it & my daughter does too! xoox, Tracie

Vintage Home said...

Great job and I am waiting on pins & needles now!

Deb said...

looking good michelle! i sure love all your white walls and grey trim...can't wait to see the cabinets now too! have a great weekend! ~deb~

Valerie said...

Where to begin? I Love the jute rug, the table and chairs, floors are amazing, the oar in the corner with the plant is intoxicating (want oars bad myself), the throw pillow, and can't wait to see what you do with your cabinets if you have time!

Ticking and Toile said...

Everything loooks great Michelle! So I probably missed the post on your doors....it looks like you distressed them? Well they look great! All of it does :)

Low Tide High Style said...

Wow girl you have been busy! I love all of the changes, and I even love all of the befores! I can't wait to see the new cabinet color, and enjoy time with your kids over their break!

Kat :)

Completely Coastal said...

I love it all!! Can't get over how cool that box in the hallway looks. So simple!!

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I've decided that you do too much stuff on your house and it's making me feel bad!!! Would you mind slowing RIGHT down, please?!!!!

Missing you already, cutie patottie. xx

Cassie Bustamante said...

i think it all looks so lovely, michelle. i love the new more neutral and softer look of it all!

Jodie from Coastal Inspirations said...

I absolutely love your home! It is excactly how I wish my house looked.

beth said...

What beautiful rooms! I love your blog!
Beth x

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

First off, you make me tired. I wish had half of your energy :) Enjoy your kiddos this week and I am on the same channel as you with your decorating. I'm turning everything beachy and white...you are so inspiring. Take care!

Comeca Jones said...

Things are looking way fab around your house!Im still in love with your floors.

the fishermans cottage said...

I have just found your lovely blog, been doing a lot of ooing and ahhing :) I love your floors too. Great ideas and love your use of space, who would of thought a space between two doors could be so interesting! x

Stacey said...

Looks amazing Michelle! Love love love your floors! We just ordered our floors last week..I'm so very excited (however, I couldn't sway my husband to go with the older plank look) THANK you for the grey trim pictures...b/c i was just saying a couple of weeks ago to my girlfriend, after we lay the flooring, we are making our own trim and I want to paint the walls white with grey trim...she thought I was kinda nuts. Your proof that it's gorgeous!!!

Leo said...

Your house is beautifiul. I love your taste. I like the kitchen now but I also liked the before. That banquette is adorable. And I love the color blue of the chairs. But I like it white too! Hope you are having a great weekend and have a nice Spring Break!!!

It's a Wannabe Decorator's Life said...

Wow Michelle!! Everything looks so crisp and clean! The new look is wonderful!

Anne said...

The hutch looks fantastic there! and I bet you'll really enjoy having it to play around with displays. Have a great spring break and see you soon!

Heaven's Walk said...

Hey Sweetie! It's soooo good to be back here in blogland and I couldn't wait to see what trouble you've been getting in to while I was gone! lol! YOU, my dear sweet friend, are SO gifted with your decor talent! I adore the distressing on your doors, the beachy vignette on that little table, the hutch in the kitchen.....ok....just every single bit of it. lol! LUV LUV LUV!!!!! Luv you too! ♥

xoxo laurie

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

LOVE that hutch and the rest of your dining space...looks outstanding!!! Have a wonderful week off.

Blessings,
Linda

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Michelle- Really like the new dining room look - spacious and open! (and so pretty!)

Loretta

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

MICHELLE!!

How are you my friend? Did you have good weather this weekend? We finally had sunshine and warmER weather....not exactly shot weather, but warm enough to not need the heavy winter coat!!

Well, my spring break is over and it was perfect. AND...thank you for coming. I KNEW YOU WOULD LIKE THAT PHOTO of the starfish and the beach glass; I am glad I was able to find it because it reminded me of you so much!

I am off to get ready to go to school now; it feels strange to go back!

Have a quiet, productive and love-filled day dearest! Anita

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

Beautiful home! I love the casual, chic, beach inspired look! You have great style. I love the changes you made to the dining area. Isn't it fun to "shop" around your home? I do that too! Have a great time with your family. :)

Patti's Artful Design said...

So light, open and airy, Michelle...just love it! Thank you for stopping by meeting the Mertzes...oh what fun they are!

koralee said...

I love everything about your sweet little dinning area...the before and the after! You are so busy and your home looks amazing.

We are looking for a new home so I have not done too much around here lately...and I won't as we will be gone soon. But I so agree with you on paint...it can make one HUGE difference. I have painted this home soooo many times.

Hugs for a happy new week. xoxo

Holly Lefevre said...

I'd take your dining area any way you want to give it to me! Your eye for detail and style and design is just stunning. So I saw this:

http://twcpaintwithme.blogspot.com/2011/03/quick-tutorial-oceanic-painting.html

I totally thought of you! The colors and it is so pretty.

rjerdee said...

Michelle, you've been SO busy!!! Lovin' all the makeovers and isn't it fun when your style changes a bit and you can re-create your surroundings? It's a wonderful way to be creative. And you are so creative!

Desire Empire said...

Hi Michelle
I hope your Spring break is going great with your kids.
Congratultions on your feature over at Sally Lee by the Sea and thanks for visiting the Beach House.
Best Carolyn

Decorating Ideas said...

I love your kitchen. So sweet and airy! The transformation was beautiful. I also love the china hutch!

Ann said...

I really love your house...
and I think that any which way you arrange your furniture it just would look so dreamy and inviting, you've got style ♥

The Single Nester said...

What lovely spaces! I hear the ocean breezes as I write this.

Kindra-At Home With K said...

I love all the changes. You always inspire me to lighten up in my home. It would be a lot easier if you could just come over and do it for me since you have that paint brush permantly glued to your hand. LOL Miss ya in blog world. Hope you are enjoying your spring break!

Roeshel said...

Beautiful changes! I love how fresh and pretty your home is. I wish we had that much natural light in our home. I don't think there's one area that bright and happy. And your pets are so cute. LOL at the cat - yea, he doesn't look like he really gives a hoot about your fake grass. ;)

Have a wonderful weekend and spring break, Michelle!

Roeshel

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Beautiful Michelle
WOW... can't believe I missed this post.. I'm a bit behind in blogland..

But It all looks wonderful.. I like BOTH the afters.. the before after and the after after hahaha.. I like the chairs aqua too.. but the white on white does look fresher and roomier in a small space..

So I'm still in love with your floors.. want to send them over this way? you can pop them in the same package as that poster of Lake Michigan.. okey dokey? hehe

Sorry I was so late.. really your styling is lovely.. all the bits and pieces are perfect and just what I would like...

Have a wonderful weekend.. ciao xxxx Julie

Rose West said...

I really love the newness you've put into the room! Who says white can't be interesting and beautiful? I think it looks inspiring :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle, hope you're enjoying spring break and the rain has stopped. I thought I'd commented on this post, duh! Needless to say, but great to hear - loving every single picture of your home. You are so great at rearranging. Makes me so happy I'm not alone when it comes to the frequency of changing rooms.

x

Kendra@Creative Ambitions said...

Michelle... your house ...it's just beautiful!! I like the new arrangement in the kitchen!

Kendra

Debbie said...

Hi Michelle! Your house belongs in a decor magazine! So bright and fresh! Your dining area looks so much bigger now. LOVE all the beachy accents throughout your home.
Debbie@lakehouse

Jenni said...

Oh, your kitchen looks AMAZING! I love the things you have done to it! It looks so beautifully airy and open and fresh! And all of your pictures of the different spaces in your home look gorgeous! (JUST like a magazine!)I am really loving the new dark flooring with all of the white in your home, too. :)

I hope you have had a good Spring Break, having fun with your kids and getting things done that you wanted to do! :) I ALSO hope you have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Jenni

Martina said...

WOWWW, Michelle, your home looks so lovely! Love the dark floors with the white walls and all the maritime accessoires - it looks just like what you dreamed of, remember? Enjoy your week!

sandra said...

As always your place looks fantastic!!! I love the wall in your dining room....Another thing to add to my list of projects!!!

Keep up the good work!
xx
Sandra

Karena said...

Michelle I love the light and airy feel..so great for spring and summer! The pillows are lovely!!

I will have a new fashinable Giveaway on the 15th!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

SizzleandZoom said...

Beautiful job on the redo! Great photos.

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