Painted Cabinets....before and after

I recently gave my kitchen in my "not beach house" house a facelift. The existing cabinets were good quality and I generally liked the layout...but, the kitchen was dark. After summering in a bright white kitchen, I realized how light truly affects your every day life. So, I convinced my husband to paint the cabinets.  And, like every good project, it snowballed...slightly.  We ripped out the backsplash and floor tile,it was a pinkish terracotta, changed the granite and had a new island built by the talented cabinetmaker that built my beach house cabinets. I am a happy girl and love the way it turned out.  For months, I read blog after blog about painting kitchen cabinets- and decided on White Dove by Benjamin Moore.  It is a crisp white.  The walls are Edgecomb Gray, also a Ben Moore color. 

I decided to post my photos  because I found it so helpful to see other before and afters.  

Before:

After:

I had a bench seat made out of a greige vinyl - perfect for a busy family- just wipe off. 

I found this fabulous mirror at Pottery Barn- it is so pretty and fills the space...makes the banquette feel sooo cozy!

I have a few more things to add- like a valance for the kitchen window, which will be installed next week. 

It was such a fun project. 

The Beachy Bath

When I fall in love with a house, it is usually beacuse of two rooms.  Yes, the kitchen is an obvious guess..but I love a beautifully detailed bath.  The best part about a bathroom is that you can be whimsical, bold and really think out of the box. We see the ho-hum bathrooms every day- so when you see a new idea or fresh design, it makes the house so much more interesting. I remember vividly, a friends home in Connecticut where the ceiling was painted a vibrant metallic gold.....it was drop dead gorgeous.  Wouldn't a navy and gold bathroom be stunning? Gold ceiling...navy striped walls? Here are a few of my beachy favorites....

 Coastal Living

 Decor Pad

 House Beautiful.....more formal than my taste...but can you imagine walking into this? Lovely!

 Phoebe Howard

 Southern Living

Southern Living....love the antique medicine cabinets

Loving Color!

I am loving all the color throughout the house- really makes it feel like an escape 

               
       I will always love the Ann Sacks blue tile- perfect for a beach house kitchen.

The powder room.....love the stripes.

pulling it together

Spending the weekend down at the beach. 

Finally getting around to finishing up a few projects. Here is the foyer console before and after.

 The boys room.....added an adorable anchor ribbon on the lampshades (glue gun )- really happy with how they turned out. I found some darling accessories at Home Goods.

Derby Bound

I am headed to Louiseville tomorrow with friends to the Kentucky Derby. To tell you the truth, I can't believe it.  Having watched it for as long as I can remember, this seems like a dream.  The hat and outfit process has been a bit stressful- I mean, you really need the perfect hat. After all this is a once in a lifetime event. You just have to have the perfect hat. Actually I need 2 perfect hats.  Thanks to a friend's tip, I found a lovely woman who had a fantastic collection of hats in the basement of her store.   I made the one with the flower and ribbon- glue gun city :)





 On Friday,we will go to watch the  Kentucky Oaks (for fillies only.) Friday is pink day- and Saturday is the actual Derby.  Can't wait- stay tuned. Did I mention that Vineyard Vines is a sponsor this year?  Check out their Kentucky Derby collection. Heaven.

Gorgeous Grasscloth

The definition of gorgeous? adjective - splendid or sumptuous in appearance, coloring, etc.; magnificent.

Grasscloth fits the bill and can certainly transform a room- we first saw it in beautiful, natural and neutral shades.  I especially love it in a beach house, but it can go anywhere.  Modern or classic, but always fresh....

The deep blue with the dark bannister?  Perfection.

This is the perfect shade of blue ...

Fantastic entry way or upstairs landing.... I am in love with those sconces.

Below, it is in a boys room- I really like how it has a few different shades mixed in....this would be great in an office too...

Below, is our powder room (not in our beach house)....it is a soft carmel color- I will never tire of it.

Blue, orange......need I say more?   

Elegant, classic beach decor.....it makes a neutral wall feel so chic...

Amanda Nisbet

 I am constantly looking at design websites.  I stumbled upon Amanda Nisbet's work.  

If you know me, you know I love color- and wow, does Amanda do color well, or what?

Hello tangerine- I have heard that the design Gods have named you color of the year-

The zebra ottoman is beyond lovely.....

The banded roman shades are perfect.....

                           Doesn't every woman deserve a pink bathroom?

                                  My daughter would love this room....

                             

                                Thanks Amanda for those beautiful and colorful rooms......

Book Club

 Ok- so maybe it's a wine club. Don't judge :)   Either way, it was a great evening filled with laughter and friendship.  Seriously, if you met these women, you would put yourself on a waiting list to be included.  I have had the good fortune of meeting some wonderful friends in this town.  Bright, educated, kind women who freely give up their time and energy to make our community and schools even better.  Many of them work outside of the home, and still find time to volunteer and get involved.  This month's outing was at my friend T's home.  She just finished a massive kitchen renovation, and Robin has signed on help finish the project and design other rooms in the home.  The space is so beautiful and inspiring.  I am sure the photos will not do it justice, the lighting was dim, but believe me, it was like stepping into pages of a magazine.  What I loved the most is how they used modern elements to decorate an ultra traditional home.  It is a study in new- traditional.

     


                                      Check out the custom, round banquette.....

                             

                                 2 large, fabulous islands covered in thick creamy marble...

                       The french doors are everywhere....and there is a homework station tucked behind the banquette... LLOOVVEEE

           

                   Super- cool art...... and  the stop- you- in- your-tracks crystal chandeliers.....

         Thanks T for a great night....and thank you to my friends for just being my friends :)