I'm dreaming of a white kitchen . . .

White kitchens, they just speak my language. Bright, airy, classic, industrial and shabby shic all tied up in a bow.

My kitchen is anything but.

Introducing the fugster:

And please don't tell me it isn't that bad (as so many have been kind enough to do) because it really is and we all know it.

We have recently painted the walls an ivory color, which is an improvement over the green. The issue is, of course, that the ivory makes the counters look that much worse. Oh well, at least it is less ugly, but at the end of the day, it is still fugly.

We currently have a 2012 goal of ripping off the back half of our house and opening/extending a new kitchen, mudroom and small office downstairs, and creating a large master closet and bathroom upstairs. Hmm, that sounds insanely expensive. So maybe 2012 is not a reality, but when we do it we are going to do it right.

Must haves:

• white cabinets to the ceiling
• carrera marble counters (i love the staining, actually)
• viking stove
• sub z
• center island with a massive french chanderier overhead
• diamond pattern subway tile
• pantry

Kitchens to aspire (sources, unknown):

Done drooling?

I hate today.

Here I am, working late as usual, while the rest of the world snuggles at home (my husband and child included), and then I hear the last of all good shelter magazines has gone under. Domino was my literary crack each and every month and the only non-wedding magazine I subscribe too.

WTF else I am going to read?

Wah!

Damages

Happy for me, sad for Visa, this weekend was not without financial damages:

1. I ordered my lamps! But considering they were on sale and I was able to find a 15% off coupon on-line, I had to take advantage. I can't wait to get these babies in my living room. We need the light bad!

2. After three separate Gaps, J.Crews and BR visits, I bought this shirt:

to go with a vest similar to this one

for our upcoming headshots in Feb. Damn you J. Crew for making such nice clothes that unfortunately fit well.

The last time I bought a white blouse was 2002, so it was really much needed. I can't believe I even wear the other one, it's so gross.

3. Then, when wandering in Anthro I spotted a mirror on the wall that spoke to me for our bathroom. Even better, it was 50% off. It looks similar to this and the price couldn't be beat:

Eventually, that bathroom has to be redone and when we do so, I would love to paper that bathroom all trippy like this. As featured in Domino.

I also virtually shopped these shoes for one of my two headshot outfits as well, but will have to wait until Feb to pull the trigger.

I'll post photos of our new bathroom facelift soon!

Final Decisions

Why can't I be the type of person to go to Bob's and buy the coordinating 8 piece sofa, loveseat, chair, ottoman tables and lamps package for $799 AND be happy???

Ugh, why is decorating so hard.

Anyway, the lamps are definitely a go. I love the contrast against the dark furniture, so I think that makes my side table decision a little easier. And the gold with my starburst mirros will be nice too (I hope).

The four table finalists, all reasonabley priced:

For my room here. The table will go to the right of my couch:

And here I play:

Initially, I was thinking PB pedistal table all the way, but now I am not so sure. Must mull on this a bit.

Any thoughts?

Yuck Room #2 . . .

Behold my dear friends . . . .the dining room.I'm not entirely sure what is worse . . . scraping off horrid layers of floral wallpaper, or dealing with nasty faux paint that requires serious sanding. Regardless, it's a big ole mess.

The single redeeming quality of the room is my chandelier, which although I believe to be hung too high, is vintage 1950s and from Italy. Of course, it was spotted by Erin, who also was able to get me a discount from the dealer. I can't lie and say that my dear husband wasn't pissed when he heard how much the chandlier cost, BUT after he found out that it was Italian, all malice was put aside. He is head over in heels love with it, which works out great for me!

The dining room I am thoroughly obsessed with is this one, as done by Domino and featured on Ballard Designs. I am going for a mix of feminime and masculine, plus it has to do dual duty of family and formal dinners, evenings at the computer, bill paying, ect.

Since I would prefer not to spend, no wait, invest, $500 per chair, I am hoping I can score some on ebay or craigslist, especially since they would without a doubt get wacked by the Radio Flyer and other annoying sound making toys. We shall see . . .

Living Room Before & WIP

Put on your blinders . . .the color before was . . .painful. In fact, minutes after our new neighbors came across the street to introduce ourselves, they asked us if our living room made us angry. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeh.

This could be one of the few instances where the photos make it look better than it actually was, and that is not saying much.

And, here is how it has turned thus far. Although very much a WIP, I think we are on the right track, it's light yet cozy and as sophisticated as you can possibly get with two leather sofas.

View from the entrance. If only I hadn't encouraged my husband to upgrade from the 42" to 50". We all make our mistakes.

Back corner:

And dead on.

My favorite piece of furniture in the entire house. By Palecek, purchased at Chapter 1 Outlet for a STEAL.

And while I have had a few boutique store decorators turn up their noses at me when I mentioned I had a sofa and a loveseat (the horror), I have to admit it's much more ideal for movie nights (hubby on one sofa, me on the other), than a sofa and two arm chairs, although that certainly would have looked much nicer.

Within the room:

Sofas: Nutuzzi, purchased via Domain (RIP)

Campaign Table: Vanguard, purchased from Stickley

End Tables: Oly, purchased at Homeward Bound (I obsess over this store)

Zebra Rug: Pottery Barn

Mirror: Ballard Designs

Silk Drapes: Restoration Hardware

Chair: hand me down, desperately in need of a make-over :).

List of to dos:
Frame map of Paris
Develop and frame b&w photos from Europe
Buy these or something along these lines for near wicker chair (def mirrored)

Purchase another end table
Purchase set of lamps
Figure out accent chair situation

Comparing Ikats

For a chair like this: