tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52944670703252155592024-03-20T03:04:40.855-07:00The Life of Brand SiasDIY, Decorating, and some Cooking tooLJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-56660006610840159202011-01-19T17:21:00.000-08:002011-01-20T08:49:53.180-08:00KITCHEN RENOVATION PART 2The initial demo and the beginnings of our new kitchen are in the preceding post so if you want the <strong><u><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #444444;">FULL experience then SHUT YOUR EYES AND <a href="http://laurabrandsias.blogspot.com/2011/01/kitchen-renovation.html">CLICK HERE!!!</a></span></u></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBXZ-uX9Lchin00l1uHSXhk9796Gxh102vg2ZZ0iemxoWh3gbYGZW2cuXWBfDBgR-10sfUbuFtQTZ8A9QrMGgeMWHn1Ht_yJn0SqCO08XBE_ZrZIjrXyh6bgdSBeLtmP07xm1YRhe6qU/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBXZ-uX9Lchin00l1uHSXhk9796Gxh102vg2ZZ0iemxoWh3gbYGZW2cuXWBfDBgR-10sfUbuFtQTZ8A9QrMGgeMWHn1Ht_yJn0SqCO08XBE_ZrZIjrXyh6bgdSBeLtmP07xm1YRhe6qU/s320/IMG_1479.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our New fridge. We flipped the surounding cabinets to open up the space and left just enough room against the wall so the door can open fully.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shot of the new floors highlighted by our new oven</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1XEHAmpWpZKiXm7Xxi3BoRPTe7cH__nnXQ2gygMOw1il2l9U-Tq_kDF-KGTo5WqcZ6g4LVGqVEY6aTnrAtHeztPOQpOIUTtHCd1IxyLRkvA_pWmwc6pGZpwvXK-xTptY1usPy-zZP4Q/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1XEHAmpWpZKiXm7Xxi3BoRPTe7cH__nnXQ2gygMOw1il2l9U-Tq_kDF-KGTo5WqcZ6g4LVGqVEY6aTnrAtHeztPOQpOIUTtHCd1IxyLRkvA_pWmwc6pGZpwvXK-xTptY1usPy-zZP4Q/s320/IMG_1481.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took the cabinets that used to make the "L" and bought some unfinished fill ins to make this island. So embarassed that you can all see inside my messy cabinets. At this point I had sanded all the cabinets to prep them for their makeover. Notice my mom and john in these pics... I SWEAR we did work!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EBB6zm2qOvLnBNbwnh4h9LeD-HCZ0QMi22y0GmL4xstPvDqo9ccy30ioHs0F7KPfxKwXhZm_sVvW1BjH0XGTvY_fNPfLUCwgxzsHYPYRoVkMfVSoKq9hrWiFZzWVmEp8ZK31czwHaXQ/s1600/IMG_1574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EBB6zm2qOvLnBNbwnh4h9LeD-HCZ0QMi22y0GmL4xstPvDqo9ccy30ioHs0F7KPfxKwXhZm_sVvW1BjH0XGTvY_fNPfLUCwgxzsHYPYRoVkMfVSoKq9hrWiFZzWVmEp8ZK31czwHaXQ/s320/IMG_1574.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like I said in a previous post, we lucked out with contractor pricing on floors and countertops which was such a blessing for a project this size. Trust me, we would never have been able to do this without that connection. Here are the templates for our new granite countertops!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSjGrQTDVc4cPQ71F31BzFd4SxJ5ljE8roZTAHHhTg_vpNCbhxoJG4D_ai5c930Xu-x3Y0mLKXHW7sXcfSjhN6wapy5p8Hco4NgHeOMtx0D11sYGPZo4r8X7dDrlDTyi8-KVRuiD9eek/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSjGrQTDVc4cPQ71F31BzFd4SxJ5ljE8roZTAHHhTg_vpNCbhxoJG4D_ai5c930Xu-x3Y0mLKXHW7sXcfSjhN6wapy5p8Hco4NgHeOMtx0D11sYGPZo4r8X7dDrlDTyi8-KVRuiD9eek/s320/IMG_1577.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice our cool prep sink sitting on the island</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp3vqGyf3wmsKQ-H2Eb-arNebEGH1G7qZlZ4sWSVEy82PxAbecm_b5dWhkI30UCu_AXSvzUIGhWUqJ43S6oJ0edWyA7WrLFeVAOoWBOQg91e89U2AGSip3T7jKdQ3o04-vLvk31tPT2g/s1600/IMG_1578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp3vqGyf3wmsKQ-H2Eb-arNebEGH1G7qZlZ4sWSVEy82PxAbecm_b5dWhkI30UCu_AXSvzUIGhWUqJ43S6oJ0edWyA7WrLFeVAOoWBOQg91e89U2AGSip3T7jKdQ3o04-vLvk31tPT2g/s320/IMG_1578.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let the priming and painting of the cabinets BEGIN!! I wish I could be happy about this project, but it was the worst project ever. It did turn out beautifully though... but took sooooo long!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LTRqu9KH2ZDh8NVerlUFvO9D_cQRvQmaJyURKzppEIuQNmwJBaO6HdIrpF1GosftlLmo74K0k3eQD15Ex6rz2O4YpkZ6dZgbxbtIHc3WuvFJDcAw1XL1dqQOgqHFqT-EI4bphEEIHAA/s1600/IMG_1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LTRqu9KH2ZDh8NVerlUFvO9D_cQRvQmaJyURKzppEIuQNmwJBaO6HdIrpF1GosftlLmo74K0k3eQD15Ex6rz2O4YpkZ6dZgbxbtIHc3WuvFJDcAw1XL1dqQOgqHFqT-EI4bphEEIHAA/s320/IMG_1581.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_T49cCgG8iKS2w1jeZ0chgpNqpdsoYhq1ziWHioAI9-ZeW_Z_83UsW9kdPCPFuG9ZVtfudW_0Kh8ag4k8LdhFJz93HAYHoo9-Tsha2Yvy3XUy5dmOcQrRRLw8QkwcU6Ppz2DSnk4NkaA/s1600/IMG_1583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_T49cCgG8iKS2w1jeZ0chgpNqpdsoYhq1ziWHioAI9-ZeW_Z_83UsW9kdPCPFuG9ZVtfudW_0Kh8ag4k8LdhFJz93HAYHoo9-Tsha2Yvy3XUy5dmOcQrRRLw8QkwcU6Ppz2DSnk4NkaA/s320/IMG_1583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you like our attempt at safety? Home Depot bags to alert us of the dangerous brackets!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see in some of these pictures how we solved our issue with trimming the bottom of the cabinets. The toe kicks on all of them were old gross black particle board that was crumbling. So we took the baseboard scraps that we had left over and used them. It turned out great and was a good solution.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikad9Z7zllXD_yzM76DodCRaUS-94QR8aTzPROJsNH6KKEprDPdSOY_gBOngdfwZGFLUXeIv5G76JceTYKF7r0yVDgB7EpNor3SETRsC_0tVlCjfYo5M_Jh5Bm0GUyNa9sEniBIusTIxA/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikad9Z7zllXD_yzM76DodCRaUS-94QR8aTzPROJsNH6KKEprDPdSOY_gBOngdfwZGFLUXeIv5G76JceTYKF7r0yVDgB7EpNor3SETRsC_0tVlCjfYo5M_Jh5Bm0GUyNa9sEniBIusTIxA/s320/IMG_1585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice the back of our wine fridge in the island. Good idea John! You can also see the awesome Pottery Barn lights over the island. They were a much appreciated gift from my mom and they are perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The countertops arrive!! I will admit, my mom and I got teary eyed when they were putting these in. John and Jim just giggled at us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJQLqFV2tZxoJ3bpiVTR0wEjSE7RuJw0j4av2hICNAfUUvDl1VRXH-tRGQF526Eyc6tFulvUqtoENBf-8sNXyoT1cyizZxTVhhsdvCr7RgNz9_WY_QxdYfv2VFoPhZZV9Pd0E69QZvdo/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJQLqFV2tZxoJ3bpiVTR0wEjSE7RuJw0j4av2hICNAfUUvDl1VRXH-tRGQF526Eyc6tFulvUqtoENBf-8sNXyoT1cyizZxTVhhsdvCr7RgNz9_WY_QxdYfv2VFoPhZZV9Pd0E69QZvdo/s320/IMG_1586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpcJEVZkZ3ax_6e8gt3MdB-6nmAg8IwuTJjCs-amYsBJCerus9QDDVRQ7Bcq0BiVqm1OakblVlJV-N9Uwfo78iaEVB15KvkdJ3GyIFdBuWR22dvLNqufpQXpoTi-1Y1FDVm_gfgot77U/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpcJEVZkZ3ax_6e8gt3MdB-6nmAg8IwuTJjCs-amYsBJCerus9QDDVRQ7Bcq0BiVqm1OakblVlJV-N9Uwfo78iaEVB15KvkdJ3GyIFdBuWR22dvLNqufpQXpoTi-1Y1FDVm_gfgot77U/s320/IMG_1599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Some details...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Wine fridge!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS903IWGIGmiZ1jDnxg1Dk5hffdvKPDRHLuHfaRtZV9UkqzQCrBoZugX_Ne7G5aEFuqduwhAbcqs5FKt82yE3lGNxyztR_SPvQOCmxsl2ORZmT_AaJbxcSyruT5WoEKzLaMv4aWb5kaY/s1600/IMG_1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS903IWGIGmiZ1jDnxg1Dk5hffdvKPDRHLuHfaRtZV9UkqzQCrBoZugX_Ne7G5aEFuqduwhAbcqs5FKt82yE3lGNxyztR_SPvQOCmxsl2ORZmT_AaJbxcSyruT5WoEKzLaMv4aWb5kaY/s320/IMG_1609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The chosen tile... more to come</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PWJqNGwg8j5LHFJUNzXfSlGKfVI1xS_NZSLKwseus3_Qxpu-JzxTc0gbTLrS37yv6OyLXrKQ3kp2B0M1oXWx19vMjpAkdy5sKc3ZYHT7yWCQ4hnXZFLaENv4Ze1gpHdvISIZkDp1tRg/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PWJqNGwg8j5LHFJUNzXfSlGKfVI1xS_NZSLKwseus3_Qxpu-JzxTc0gbTLrS37yv6OyLXrKQ3kp2B0M1oXWx19vMjpAkdy5sKc3ZYHT7yWCQ4hnXZFLaENv4Ze1gpHdvISIZkDp1tRg/s320/IMG_1610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The island prep sink and the awesome grain in our ganite. We chose a really nice piece for the island and then chose a simpler matching piece for the perimeter counter.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXl0IE6J2BblgFXDiDuemsNQvPUY0xLvtckxaiQ6Hcqfn70hPkD5zVRHF4Y7GnS0S8NyKYI-J9KnAn0UnbOs769f82-gzB_F2sYm5bVH2yRVQLLoIn1uK0FnKssIFu86wwcMjmrGrfi4/s1600/IMG_1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXl0IE6J2BblgFXDiDuemsNQvPUY0xLvtckxaiQ6Hcqfn70hPkD5zVRHF4Y7GnS0S8NyKYI-J9KnAn0UnbOs769f82-gzB_F2sYm5bVH2yRVQLLoIn1uK0FnKssIFu86wwcMjmrGrfi4/s320/IMG_1611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our base board trim solution. I love how the white conrasts with the dark wood floor</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtCIXOME5Rp6mbtZr5X96od64hyphenhyphenLeBHnCupr0EuWIyi-kuQVpVPak_zoOkkL0Y1F8LaOAJeKNb00zkghP4UBdDJneZgt5qrJOU555xxyd50UeUAkcrg8MMO_3B8mPrcSkkOL68ZOqUC8/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtCIXOME5Rp6mbtZr5X96od64hyphenhyphenLeBHnCupr0EuWIyi-kuQVpVPak_zoOkkL0Y1F8LaOAJeKNb00zkghP4UBdDJneZgt5qrJOU555xxyd50UeUAkcrg8MMO_3B8mPrcSkkOL68ZOqUC8/s320/IMG_1613.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TILE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will admit- by the time we had to install tile we were exhausted and the daunting task of glass subway tile around the island and the whole backsplash was too much. I found a guy willing to do it for $300 so I gave up!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH52WzBLwMSSRVXSdeYnhAReTJXX-1yklJuz8f82fBgxxx-7k54c0Vo1KkYNoL6ia0KxIy0mIomMtEJ2zC6LsG8jiomO81iVt2KbkjFDwcni7ThKGEtaE4CYZF1BzsMlAn1WouM2YLdQ/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH52WzBLwMSSRVXSdeYnhAReTJXX-1yklJuz8f82fBgxxx-7k54c0Vo1KkYNoL6ia0KxIy0mIomMtEJ2zC6LsG8jiomO81iVt2KbkjFDwcni7ThKGEtaE4CYZF1BzsMlAn1WouM2YLdQ/s320/IMG_1621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AND...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THE FINISHED PRODUCT!!!! sigh</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YLAKArdVU9YbkV_y-oI4t0lJ8dgOLHRzOcfnp1HyhI4Eqb2ttGSy8W6P8kvQ3nnqO4aj1zl5e6AeOnyJXCqvdzrYSpRD6gOUZcFwxiNKGE1TDW1shAYgwN2OHCzThg_L4F2ftYc_8p4/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YLAKArdVU9YbkV_y-oI4t0lJ8dgOLHRzOcfnp1HyhI4Eqb2ttGSy8W6P8kvQ3nnqO4aj1zl5e6AeOnyJXCqvdzrYSpRD6gOUZcFwxiNKGE1TDW1shAYgwN2OHCzThg_L4F2ftYc_8p4/s320/IMG_1636.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUy5xdtoV4g6phwrTmOOvPf7wP-wBy-P4DFkw-JvO02C5wkpFohcQKpW6AQp3TKy-pzs6jMN5Hf2krMHhrJCxtThN5tXnxBip7Zw5JcjT1rZVUNdm1lNrHEgqMLzY6brUghVNZh2yEqkM/s1600/IMG_1635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUy5xdtoV4g6phwrTmOOvPf7wP-wBy-P4DFkw-JvO02C5wkpFohcQKpW6AQp3TKy-pzs6jMN5Hf2krMHhrJCxtThN5tXnxBip7Zw5JcjT1rZVUNdm1lNrHEgqMLzY6brUghVNZh2yEqkM/s320/IMG_1635.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">notice the awesome curtains that my mom made out of Target shower curtains that I bought</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This shows the angle looking into the dining room and is a more recent picture. Obviously we were set up for a partaaayyy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">RIP Old Kitchen, you won't be missed</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-69094098571546711412011-01-19T16:28:00.000-08:002011-01-19T18:17:48.987-08:00KITCHEN RENOVATIONLast year we were able to start some renovations on our kitchen. We had a modest budget considering what most kitchen renos go for, especially given the fact that I have expensive taste (sigh). Well we decided to tackle it ourselves with the much needed assistance of my interior designer mom and her "jack of all trades" husband John. Here is the BEFORE:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLk1W_SIVmekT376omSCRItfGfB4H-WZPh0Fz3lFtHwulNj2GY2pV8lO_erMfgzj_o922otyliZGzv65sz4EhvWSAqvCojl3DsGMX72GTvlDCGX3BXzhnxWPDlvPMSaq667UdUyWDGhI0/s1600/new+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLk1W_SIVmekT376omSCRItfGfB4H-WZPh0Fz3lFtHwulNj2GY2pV8lO_erMfgzj_o922otyliZGzv65sz4EhvWSAqvCojl3DsGMX72GTvlDCGX3BXzhnxWPDlvPMSaq667UdUyWDGhI0/s320/new+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Don't you just love the canary yellow walls and the tin backsplash? That is sarcasm, but only for those who don't like it. For those that do like it: "It is beautiful, but we just needed our own touch!" <br />
We gutted the kitchen around Halloween which resulted in Thanksgiving dinner moving to my sister's house in PA.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZNAF3ukTvC9rCe_Yoe7U9QLMa11e6KLV9MSEPket21AZbretSqCp5LQyVLBySklrnB716Dn4wR3x5Wt-CcHBuqj8Wow1Bcj2Pv5O_9OksGZggJp-duwqbDVYMZ-DQxjFGh4x9TNZ6eI/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZNAF3ukTvC9rCe_Yoe7U9QLMa11e6KLV9MSEPket21AZbretSqCp5LQyVLBySklrnB716Dn4wR3x5Wt-CcHBuqj8Wow1Bcj2Pv5O_9OksGZggJp-duwqbDVYMZ-DQxjFGh4x9TNZ6eI/s320/IMG_1416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Introducing... THE HUBBY!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEK76R_gKNUCvGLCnMCk60BSmxA7c7a6RDdbBWnT4MdXZ42zL73mq_0ItAWlbrePsaH7J8Q-O2nSEzKP0J3ZYJpyMOJtAxMF5ktwIqeLP85Uzn2gWTjBAD-qw6agdOPXMPLSl-7TPeiOk/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEK76R_gKNUCvGLCnMCk60BSmxA7c7a6RDdbBWnT4MdXZ42zL73mq_0ItAWlbrePsaH7J8Q-O2nSEzKP0J3ZYJpyMOJtAxMF5ktwIqeLP85Uzn2gWTjBAD-qw6agdOPXMPLSl-7TPeiOk/s320/IMG_1417.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will notice that we painted the room a nice cool Tan and added some classic stripes to dress up the soffit (sp? even the correct word?) prior to the demo. We also upgraded the oven to a beautiful GE and installed an upgraded GE microwave. Unfortunately I don't have zoomed in pics of that, but I will put some up later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">John and Hubby aka Jim</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbhB5IWTys-bAWnhzZnJpwsiUSRJuDHjAsvpZZmxDRXMt4aM4r0w8nbRZrswNauOxgUpng4C7j_rhojjvpgk96kyKzZvDqC1HpaUFOi6OXl3d4BEcSDOvXdKkBaaGmRawKWsYkIfTYuo/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbhB5IWTys-bAWnhzZnJpwsiUSRJuDHjAsvpZZmxDRXMt4aM4r0w8nbRZrswNauOxgUpng4C7j_rhojjvpgk96kyKzZvDqC1HpaUFOi6OXl3d4BEcSDOvXdKkBaaGmRawKWsYkIfTYuo/s320/IMG_1419.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next we had to get rid of those wonderful fake wood plastic floors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bode is trying to help</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS7jdFDIYU6mXF61ukrpxfaibWdSBNx5gm-fifTSY9D5m-PJXsKjDJKUNECYi_ZyVI70HP6wz0MqQDZx-UMoPASBUEJ4LH-kPKhUMBbb8znYbCrkvohiC06PUI_KCUa_mwN1FPnxZjAs/s1600/IMG_1421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS7jdFDIYU6mXF61ukrpxfaibWdSBNx5gm-fifTSY9D5m-PJXsKjDJKUNECYi_ZyVI70HP6wz0MqQDZx-UMoPASBUEJ4LH-kPKhUMBbb8znYbCrkvohiC06PUI_KCUa_mwN1FPnxZjAs/s320/IMG_1421.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOtlNjmAa83pLO9YE6fSNXDW0Fa_5ei109pvLxQP27I6k5ZdNfYhYA1uTcS7Z3X9B5OVC92MgbcvcNEkDO74tiXAHhpRakwicwUVXW4v0tjcblUAJG-fwo3UaTf_Ya8yBayqThHvCD0c/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOtlNjmAa83pLO9YE6fSNXDW0Fa_5ei109pvLxQP27I6k5ZdNfYhYA1uTcS7Z3X9B5OVC92MgbcvcNEkDO74tiXAHhpRakwicwUVXW4v0tjcblUAJG-fwo3UaTf_Ya8yBayqThHvCD0c/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It went through the front hallway and into the back laundry room and powder room. Sounds like a lot but ripping things out is my idea of fun</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the floors we had to say farewell to the tin backsplash. Ripping that out was so much fun!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is Maclin helping out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Mom!! Let us in!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can also see our deck in this shot. We just ripped that out and got a new one so I will put that in a later post. You can see the boards that Jim had to put in because it was falling apart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKmai9-bS1VLPDddn_zeeTLwvjxOlzE92_eoN-8_rtqmn_ZgWNMx_vAuyYZmUWZxhkoKFjytvkEzjSUThdmv-kNtd8XsDZ5Vb_Ec4MXk6B0ZYIaXhU7RRYPWrILJNOuhGR8avfJ_Sc8Y/s1600/IMG_1438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKmai9-bS1VLPDddn_zeeTLwvjxOlzE92_eoN-8_rtqmn_ZgWNMx_vAuyYZmUWZxhkoKFjytvkEzjSUThdmv-kNtd8XsDZ5Vb_Ec4MXk6B0ZYIaXhU7RRYPWrILJNOuhGR8avfJ_Sc8Y/s320/IMG_1438.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shout out to Ved who helped rip up the sub floor. That job was terrible. I followed behind and pulled out all the nails and there were about 10 nails every 5 inches... uughhh!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwvJLFnOXG7U5uU7-Ppr6FbNbjTTJ38NvBDi3co7CCVolecgTfjENL9VWQ1mwY_oS9-UvLYTqWkMzlW44Mf5Poo_g3y2WW3GPLCGBh5Qx4b4PHgJHlv45IcGO77l8obKHk0apxX4nyu0/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwvJLFnOXG7U5uU7-Ppr6FbNbjTTJ38NvBDi3co7CCVolecgTfjENL9VWQ1mwY_oS9-UvLYTqWkMzlW44Mf5Poo_g3y2WW3GPLCGBh5Qx4b4PHgJHlv45IcGO77l8obKHk0apxX4nyu0/s320/IMG_1435.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice the cabinets missing from the wall and the lack of a fridge. Don't worry we used all of our cabinets and the fridge has a new home in the garage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Speaking of the garage... here it is acting as a temporary garbage dump</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjdyYjw1Z9dxn9C3yV_bu-16uPS2p3dcbGuuJq2u8NY3GjrRL12t8z-m01mhCo_X0N5I3yEQhBjG2smwDr8i2ALVrTj5okmW7siLElTbcGFeG0U7OnjZl8Wc6KTBHc632ejhXfGSnU6Q/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjdyYjw1Z9dxn9C3yV_bu-16uPS2p3dcbGuuJq2u8NY3GjrRL12t8z-m01mhCo_X0N5I3yEQhBjG2smwDr8i2ALVrTj5okmW7siLElTbcGFeG0U7OnjZl8Wc6KTBHc632ejhXfGSnU6Q/s320/IMG_1436.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You may notice the bathroom sink in there. We re-did the powder room while we were at it, but that will be a seperate post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mentioned before that we didn't have a big budget so I had to be creative and really find "connections". Our good friends hooked us up with some contacts for flooring and countertops. We were able to get contractor pricing and that was HUGE. We decided to get unfinished oak floors and chose a 4 inch plank. The price was so good we did the whole ground floor!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJp_9exZMHeWoXkQFf7CTzw7hrmg7FePPUfXRnyH1mJi5j13wAPyjgmeD4wyBywpsUYp1E9coHvJ78VkKParQbydZyk64LWH1QWWrDsRwrpH_R5zIw4xnm-_gUoINSEzb33r9lSBMX_U/s1600/IMG_1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJp_9exZMHeWoXkQFf7CTzw7hrmg7FePPUfXRnyH1mJi5j13wAPyjgmeD4wyBywpsUYp1E9coHvJ78VkKParQbydZyk64LWH1QWWrDsRwrpH_R5zIw4xnm-_gUoINSEzb33r9lSBMX_U/s320/IMG_1473.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://laurabrandsias.blogspot.com/2010/12/living-roomgame-room-before-and-after.html">LIVING/GAME ROOM RENO</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at all the DUST! We had to live in a dog friendly hotel for a week while this was getting done, but it was worth it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8k3OteCxMdz4KN5M8chgRMxhIf5MnItZizFy0V4-L_3YeXCU9T22_Npec03Evc39ls-q5_zVGleK9aAB5wSOh3faK1cNtZpTV_tmxKTblFsEmEQ4ZwUT0l53zDobNqfVyDsX-uPpaf1c/s1600/IMG_1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8k3OteCxMdz4KN5M8chgRMxhIf5MnItZizFy0V4-L_3YeXCU9T22_Npec03Evc39ls-q5_zVGleK9aAB5wSOh3faK1cNtZpTV_tmxKTblFsEmEQ4ZwUT0l53zDobNqfVyDsX-uPpaf1c/s320/IMG_1474.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://laurabrandsias.blogspot.com/2010/08/dining-room-before-and-after.html">DINING ROOM RENO</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next I had to pick the stain. I chose Jacobean because I love dark wood floors. Cleaning them is a pain with 2 huge dogs, but oh so worth it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekgEusrmid7FB4bQcxhP8-pbkQWtWMftKSS9HWnINIf_IrbBIk0hhfIjZgDcXGz9YxR-g4swEYcBY-K4wBBefv1jt2qaRG9P6Yv7A4xTi-NDau-m4kEX5b6r62QmNYVkrSxBrn350HLA/s1600/IMG_1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekgEusrmid7FB4bQcxhP8-pbkQWtWMftKSS9HWnINIf_IrbBIk0hhfIjZgDcXGz9YxR-g4swEYcBY-K4wBBefv1jt2qaRG9P6Yv7A4xTi-NDau-m4kEX5b6r62QmNYVkrSxBrn350HLA/s320/IMG_1475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDb0zm3174S9uoUtHSwQhOKl_PgqcEpfRO8XyOwooJtosNAXjXus3-40YOSE65xJsafYPCGu0RvOuMf2sX2ilaIjo91XbC3wIrAaT2Jk62MNwojf6PHgL4zkD797DH4jV9mzx7mqrYEk/s1600/IMG_1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDb0zm3174S9uoUtHSwQhOKl_PgqcEpfRO8XyOwooJtosNAXjXus3-40YOSE65xJsafYPCGu0RvOuMf2sX2ilaIjo91XbC3wIrAaT2Jk62MNwojf6PHgL4zkD797DH4jV9mzx7mqrYEk/s320/IMG_1478.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bode resting by the front door on his new floors. More to come!!!!</div><br />
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</div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-52752741682043435842010-12-23T10:39:00.000-08:002010-12-23T10:39:02.108-08:00Living Room/Game Room Before and AfterWell I finally got around to finishing the Game-Living-Man Room. It has been through a few transitions, but we have settled on it's best use. While the hubby was away watching his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers I got to work. Here is the Before and After:<br />
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<strong><u>BEFORE</u></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetgyuOqqtjGPTqAgc5D9QOpq6xzJbL35lZB2Qy69pth6ohiDpZDD6enQcIjeNo5R1OyvmraHUrgVh-4DuWupWwMfd-w5S6IFz9kPlkH5xErDA89CUFgLj9i20HXlhklQwQQLg2dTx48Y/s1600/new+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetgyuOqqtjGPTqAgc5D9QOpq6xzJbL35lZB2Qy69pth6ohiDpZDD6enQcIjeNo5R1OyvmraHUrgVh-4DuWupWwMfd-w5S6IFz9kPlkH5xErDA89CUFgLj9i20HXlhklQwQQLg2dTx48Y/s320/new+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong><u>AFTER</u></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wiLugYHqodXq6B5O6SVUpubvnSbAv4qBLTB-vIIoA-hEnUaRbDK15aUTPgsUXxyNiBaMiCppNeRxwqxfviO3tSlTmkzxjGBhihG-3Rf1M9QqqmJpVhCYOoLfcf7xhJflnXO3-ok4-R0/s1600/house+improvments+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wiLugYHqodXq6B5O6SVUpubvnSbAv4qBLTB-vIIoA-hEnUaRbDK15aUTPgsUXxyNiBaMiCppNeRxwqxfviO3tSlTmkzxjGBhihG-3Rf1M9QqqmJpVhCYOoLfcf7xhJflnXO3-ok4-R0/s320/house+improvments+043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsLEykiKJHu3xPNm9Hiv38_DBNX0y3UdzflRaRtkz8ZIjNjzqeIN1PX28IR4KDQHmCa2q_ja0KzwZ8a6H4NS_PMqc3Jq5xo3P9ARpvPc0OicmrV7XJXqOezHnAa1n61bmlEkj4FUpClQ/s1600/house+improvments+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsLEykiKJHu3xPNm9Hiv38_DBNX0y3UdzflRaRtkz8ZIjNjzqeIN1PX28IR4KDQHmCa2q_ja0KzwZ8a6H4NS_PMqc3Jq5xo3P9ARpvPc0OicmrV7XJXqOezHnAa1n61bmlEkj4FUpClQ/s320/house+improvments+042.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pictures turned out grainy for some reason... probably because I had just grabbed my camera from the cold car. I will add the after shots of the office and kitchen soon. Right now they are not fit to be photographed as they are filled with xmas gifts, wrapping paper, and baking mess. Happy Holidays!!!!!</div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-89053322492035744192010-09-14T16:54:00.000-07:002010-09-14T16:54:12.751-07:00Things That Make Me HappyHaven't made much progress on the decorating front. This is a crazy time of year at my job and I have no time for much else... sad. BUT! My friends gave me a beautiful and sweet vase that matches our new kitchen perfectly! I put an awesome flower in it. If you know what kind it is let me know... I have no clue, but I love it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF81yMZr0-gqRXZV_75y92_XuJd1__TgVwCjhEXcXTs3GKrSEtLh_SqJQTP9LGru02LkbLMngeKCi2OTCbda2WGWyc81Yev_jiS8U2j_NoL1lDf8PN98Q3xt-rMr0NNNjGFLDUFY4X78c/s1600/house+improvments+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF81yMZr0-gqRXZV_75y92_XuJd1__TgVwCjhEXcXTs3GKrSEtLh_SqJQTP9LGru02LkbLMngeKCi2OTCbda2WGWyc81Yev_jiS8U2j_NoL1lDf8PN98Q3xt-rMr0NNNjGFLDUFY4X78c/s320/house+improvments+010.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiUV4OgOb6yBv2QbiDoyiAL2CbCThzBLbOnwx76PlrByjRjxdXTqYYLgN52hL7zNtywzZPgReB9-f4I-6LAZcveoPphoh8I09HgibbgpaYEA3-RPfXXIgSVUAVFFxQ-ENlVhC6InlWRg/s1600/house+improvments+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiUV4OgOb6yBv2QbiDoyiAL2CbCThzBLbOnwx76PlrByjRjxdXTqYYLgN52hL7zNtywzZPgReB9-f4I-6LAZcveoPphoh8I09HgibbgpaYEA3-RPfXXIgSVUAVFFxQ-ENlVhC6InlWRg/s320/house+improvments+008.jpg" /></a></div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-45384987598770307192010-08-30T11:55:00.001-07:002010-08-30T11:55:19.463-07:00Somewhat SuccessfulThe weekend was somewhat successful. I got my long run done (it was not pretty) and we set up some of the game room, and my office is <em>almost</em> totally done... sooo pictures will come soon!!!LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-4473634632204781792010-08-26T06:39:00.000-07:002010-08-26T06:41:26.745-07:00HOME OFFICE<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plan for the weekend... after I go for an 11 mile run (YUCK!), do work, and go home to Philly for my bday BBQ!!!... is to get our game room and my home office squared away. The Game Room was a Living Room but we never set foot in it so we decided to add some "toys". The office has been painted and somewhat set up but the plan is to get them done this weekend!! Here are the BEFORE SHOTS</span><br />
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<div align="center"><u><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">GAME ROOM/ LIVING ROOM</span></strong></u></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCtKDUN-fkPyPD1y0xK_o6Uhr8zfCqr_irV2_SU8IdFR2nYWd2HqhCMQ3o6vf5gIxtMZH1Lw_fFcqXLYaUrddcFMsNiPWI0t007wr3YphwNrrQ2EzjieRIae55PzI93O2Mh-7yr49N4w/s1600/new+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCtKDUN-fkPyPD1y0xK_o6Uhr8zfCqr_irV2_SU8IdFR2nYWd2HqhCMQ3o6vf5gIxtMZH1Lw_fFcqXLYaUrddcFMsNiPWI0t007wr3YphwNrrQ2EzjieRIae55PzI93O2Mh-7yr49N4w/s320/new+019.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">OFFICE</span></u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAq7THhG8y5iNrS4tmgjh44fzic7-eX7f-TROmkDpq2mqzN9KBGDp6U6Q29_6Zuh2jcMz0S3oJruECAZ_nQ10I2_H3V4kl4stVOkRqgQeUbcIqXPIhUPkql22U2y3HSIN6qxP0DksCh0/s1600/new+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAq7THhG8y5iNrS4tmgjh44fzic7-eX7f-TROmkDpq2mqzN9KBGDp6U6Q29_6Zuh2jcMz0S3oJruECAZ_nQ10I2_H3V4kl4stVOkRqgQeUbcIqXPIhUPkql22U2y3HSIN6qxP0DksCh0/s320/new+017.jpg" /></a></div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-31446267673875079112010-08-25T16:11:00.000-07:002010-08-25T16:30:54.072-07:00Dining Room Before and After<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BEFORE</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3JPH-G0zEnc_yW7zb8bFjn6xWCU6pz5rQDvSbOFWuThyR8K96gy1LM5DRzaDIe3Z79Qjp0JprAfvAatSvlyGmqLl1r8ZQPXu8UJtPmwii-Dv3CuRHJcaaHVvlwow9QGhRETI6lAzT64/s1600/new+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3JPH-G0zEnc_yW7zb8bFjn6xWCU6pz5rQDvSbOFWuThyR8K96gy1LM5DRzaDIe3Z79Qjp0JprAfvAatSvlyGmqLl1r8ZQPXu8UJtPmwii-Dv3CuRHJcaaHVvlwow9QGhRETI6lAzT64/s320/new+018.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>AFTER</strong></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNZPzviZGYlPeraPDrPOe6ONk0GlN62pAQEF0Ky5PjIEq_BsTnBCASoWfkEnin0BAhQaMNSkftv1FfJ4vDEATHMG_Y-fKNMIZ8x6UIPMcgpCEwnd9xJQu2CmXSPy4w5LLPa_ioy5_l1k/s1600/house+improvments+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNZPzviZGYlPeraPDrPOe6ONk0GlN62pAQEF0Ky5PjIEq_BsTnBCASoWfkEnin0BAhQaMNSkftv1FfJ4vDEATHMG_Y-fKNMIZ8x6UIPMcgpCEwnd9xJQu2CmXSPy4w5LLPa_ioy5_l1k/s320/house+improvments+002.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipImGOtMLcmD3ClfpOlogopB6Ek5-JjzbO-OnT0fgGxmlALd1_7qecRv3ftvkSqtq9erD22ju7egRwMybBtxrzjWIeBOxVwfbPrpdbljLvt4Qp_ir_6uf9emZDQGHH4XEikjySA5IfugE/s1600/house+improvments+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipImGOtMLcmD3ClfpOlogopB6Ek5-JjzbO-OnT0fgGxmlALd1_7qecRv3ftvkSqtq9erD22ju7egRwMybBtxrzjWIeBOxVwfbPrpdbljLvt4Qp_ir_6uf9emZDQGHH4XEikjySA5IfugE/s320/house+improvments+004.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRhUBc1JDNsWbh63Dkx1ee0dn78ag9_iPjMYtBSRY1vyva5VSyUrWLlJjXWXfUL-ToCkjMWwxTqOTyIUqdZGWU-qZo8Po9IRY92rdRwqb7z8eH3OoEa_U1zJsNzQQ2Abolfoo4-Bnmhc/s1600/house+improvments+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRhUBc1JDNsWbh63Dkx1ee0dn78ag9_iPjMYtBSRY1vyva5VSyUrWLlJjXWXfUL-ToCkjMWwxTqOTyIUqdZGWU-qZo8Po9IRY92rdRwqb7z8eH3OoEa_U1zJsNzQQ2Abolfoo4-Bnmhc/s320/house+improvments+003.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>DRAPES:</strong></u> IKEA</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>TABLE/CHAIRS:</strong></u> CRATE & BARREL</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>BAR & LIGHTS:</strong></u> IKEA</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>WALL SHELF:</u></strong> IKEA</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>SIDE CHAIRS:</u></strong> IKEA</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>MIRROR:</u></strong> TARGET</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>PAINT:</strong></u> BEHR PLUM MERLOT</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>LAMP/RUG: </u></strong>HOMEGOODS</span></span></div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-65211096025445369752010-08-25T06:38:00.000-07:002010-08-25T06:38:13.900-07:00Provencal Seafood BisqueSaw this on another site, but sooo good!<br />
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Provencal Seafood Bisque Recipe<br />
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The soup is particularly good served with crusty French or Italian loaf bread for dipping.<br />
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Ingredients<br />
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3 slices of bacon, roughly chopped (can substitute olive oil or butter, 3 Tbsp)<br />
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1 medium white or yellow onion, chopped<br />
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1 large celery stalk, chopped<br />
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1 large carrot, chopped<br />
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2 garlic cloves, chopped<br />
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2 plum tomatoes, chopped<br />
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Zest of 1 orange<br />
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A pinch of cayenne <br />
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A large pinch of saffron<br />
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1 quart of shellfish stock, OR 16 ounces of clam juice plus 16 ounces of fish stock or water<br />
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1/4 cup heavy cream<br />
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Salt to taste<br />
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Method<br />
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1 Cook the bacon on medium heat in a 6 to 8 quart pot until it is crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot with a slotted spoon. Set aside on a paper towel to use for garnish later. <br />
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2 Increase the heat to medium high and add the onions, celery and carrot. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are translucent. Do not brown. Sprinkle some salt over everything as it cooks.<br />
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3 Add the tomatoes and the garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often.<br />
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4 Add the orange zest, cayenne and saffron, then pour in the shellfish stock or whatever stock you are using. In a pinch you could even use chicken or vegetable stock, but the flavor of the soup will be different. Simmer this gently – do not let it get to a rolling boil – for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. <br />
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5 Get another pot ready. Fill a blender half-way with the soup and blend it on high for 1 minute, or until it is well puréed. Work in batches to purée the rest of the soup. Pour the puréed soup into the clean pot.<br />
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6 Put the soup on medium-low heat and add the cream. Stir well and taste for salt, adding if needed. Do not let this boil! Or it might break. <br />
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Serve garnished with bacon bits or dill fronds, and alongside some crusty bread. A dry rose or light red wine would go well with this; I’d suggest a Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir.<br />
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Serves 4-6.LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-92070412731111929232010-08-22T08:11:00.000-07:002010-08-22T08:11:05.028-07:00Fireworks Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddsQQR33xfOwC6OGwSHG4NPuYeD_tT1IuZycypXCyu-YR4Xr51-oU1BLnFAcqLIp_aYWE-gs3yXn4J3-zGSRlUqAlrZYbU9MF_K6CshPviCoSPHG1xrJAv8_va3EWZU0GSZk6Hwz5VDY/s1600/IMG_6147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddsQQR33xfOwC6OGwSHG4NPuYeD_tT1IuZycypXCyu-YR4Xr51-oU1BLnFAcqLIp_aYWE-gs3yXn4J3-zGSRlUqAlrZYbU9MF_K6CshPviCoSPHG1xrJAv8_va3EWZU0GSZk6Hwz5VDY/s320/IMG_6147.jpg" /></a></div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-88209117221755464912010-08-19T16:47:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:47:35.634-07:00Cupcakes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkecdUTA2Lupbpdo9jaW1Oq-sRqKOuNhhNj5BYKKdgZOo-6ZwzB31DhRS5mYNHPKeBmYungszEjdQ4fNz7B82LRB0t2gfGT7vfjgWuWhp4eCrreMoHC_0PVsYUMFLiiE4e3K2RFICAaG4/s1600/cupcakes+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkecdUTA2Lupbpdo9jaW1Oq-sRqKOuNhhNj5BYKKdgZOo-6ZwzB31DhRS5mYNHPKeBmYungszEjdQ4fNz7B82LRB0t2gfGT7vfjgWuWhp4eCrreMoHC_0PVsYUMFLiiE4e3K2RFICAaG4/s320/cupcakes+002.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>Here is the latest baking attempt... cupcakes for a friend's birthday. I used vanilla pudding and they were pretty good. I'm not a fan of dry cupcakes!!</strong></span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDny0Evj00XmXTBEL686fxNOPIvprsjD0RFup1YgiQj83NAuEpNpWoIR-6zofQbXjFo6FIDZkyd6GDaO6tlwOn4MmtFbhawU6ilperxhTD7Uf-A_l86j_tBBJMuiF0cyb-ewlzqwXL-M4/s1600/cupcakes+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDny0Evj00XmXTBEL686fxNOPIvprsjD0RFup1YgiQj83NAuEpNpWoIR-6zofQbXjFo6FIDZkyd6GDaO6tlwOn4MmtFbhawU6ilperxhTD7Uf-A_l86j_tBBJMuiF0cyb-ewlzqwXL-M4/s320/cupcakes+001.jpg" /></a></div></td></tr>
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</div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-54818033107304341962010-08-19T16:38:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:38:49.210-07:00Maclin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtcN0skvXBnCaZ-puus3sABwxL1oq5GsK2xs1f8XHTCLJFX6I_OVUWcRTH1jYmtuO02sTvAKJUjYmSJC4OB9K5-oDtNNapyaG5Xqtjue2pYzltv70fmao4RleMbto3FZJI9StElWhW-U/s1600/cupcakes+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtcN0skvXBnCaZ-puus3sABwxL1oq5GsK2xs1f8XHTCLJFX6I_OVUWcRTH1jYmtuO02sTvAKJUjYmSJC4OB9K5-oDtNNapyaG5Xqtjue2pYzltv70fmao4RleMbto3FZJI9StElWhW-U/s320/cupcakes+006.jpg" /></a></div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-67007902358611372842010-08-18T17:16:00.000-07:002010-08-25T16:29:49.694-07:00Weekend Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was my weekend project to keep my mind off my sad dog. He just had a tumor removed and all he did was mope around all weekend. I couldn't deal so I went to work! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SAD DOG</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5TPWJ0hwpnZtsVtaRv60W-REEyjo3Fn45zPvOvTnipdjF3iviGjDTcCZWNnCj1cNNDUf_Gmp2V32GZ7vrnWNU2QG1Go9Tde2QSvGH1evU9ZOmE7W9Lgvtlv5dtvdub_fvlNGcf8JWG8/s1600/San+Fran+148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5TPWJ0hwpnZtsVtaRv60W-REEyjo3Fn45zPvOvTnipdjF3iviGjDTcCZWNnCj1cNNDUf_Gmp2V32GZ7vrnWNU2QG1Go9Tde2QSvGH1evU9ZOmE7W9Lgvtlv5dtvdub_fvlNGcf8JWG8/s320/San+Fran+148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BATHROOM B4</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaDvxQ6BQG7Eso-DeGOkOcTR_deRyY8ryShompJp7ujZnYbr1UNll5ODPFDvaVqgszlAis7LKJeFgNPel9m9TUtslP5QjgCiuyw7joE70I0ROy_udcsBB0dQ-12kAqiWRhHbPWYGy9YA/s1600/new+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaDvxQ6BQG7Eso-DeGOkOcTR_deRyY8ryShompJp7ujZnYbr1UNll5ODPFDvaVqgszlAis7LKJeFgNPel9m9TUtslP5QjgCiuyw7joE70I0ROy_udcsBB0dQ-12kAqiWRhHbPWYGy9YA/s320/new+025.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BATHROOM AFTER</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJlsVSMkEAYcchUes32wtdHyXZU1lhYTobmrUcoepnagTBPLYlxI5-lmpfsHo-gQ0-btae6qkdJzHY1-n5x_Z27raCTUPxh-jp3_YYPgyZIdaaLfdUbuwSDyvJ-KSRE96OtrhhEuzCVA/s1600/San+Fran+151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJlsVSMkEAYcchUes32wtdHyXZU1lhYTobmrUcoepnagTBPLYlxI5-lmpfsHo-gQ0-btae6qkdJzHY1-n5x_Z27raCTUPxh-jp3_YYPgyZIdaaLfdUbuwSDyvJ-KSRE96OtrhhEuzCVA/s320/San+Fran+151.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>WALL PAINT:</u></strong> Behr Puddle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>VANITY PAINT:</strong></u> Kilz Primer/ Behr Bitter Chocolate</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>VANITY HARDWARE:</strong></u> Crystal knobs and brushed nickel pulls Home Depot</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>MIRROR:</strong></u> Homegoods</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>TOWELS:</strong></u> Pottery Barn/ Bed Bath & Beyond</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>ACCESSORIES:</u></strong> Homegoods, Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel</span></div>LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294467070325215559.post-82954339358615588892010-08-18T13:36:00.000-07:002010-08-18T13:36:32.038-07:00wow... I AM my mother!I have always enjoyed decorating my house and doing creative things, but in recent months we have been lucky enough to renovate our kitchen as well as some other areas in our home. As a result I have spent more time painting, baking, etc... I am becoming my mother!! ha ha for those of you that know what that means it essentially means a Martha Stewart spinoff. Whatever it is I am thoroughly enjoying it.<br />
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As I spend more time looking up creative things on-line I find myself constantly searching blogs. So... I decided to start one of my own... For people that know me well... Well let's just say they are probably rolling around in laughter right now...LJBShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860898049792502942noreply@blogger.com2