Calm Before The Storm

While I am still trying to put all the pieces of my kitchen puzzle together.

Using some inspiration from this kitchen in a magazine...

with it's off white perimeter cabinets glazed in gray

and it's light blue island glazed in gray

and this Laduree shop

with it's huge amount of character and...

(Oh, everything about Laduree that makes me weak in the knees)

and my Nina Campbell Parakeet wallpaper.

I am getting closer to finding a ball that rolls.

Today

we went to a marble showroom in Toledo

and of course,

the saleswoman gave me an "Are you stupid look??"

when I told her I wanted to use

MARBLE for my kitchen countertops.

Like it was dumbest thing she ever heard.

Yet the MARBLE I want to use

has been used as floors and countertops

all over Europe for centuries!!

In spite of the naysayers...

Tomorrow,

we go marble hunting in Columbus

before I catch a plane to Texas.

While enjoying my little whippersnapper(s) in Texas...

my PAINTER will be priming my chocolate laundry room walls.

Getting them ready for a new paint color...

which has yet to be determined.

I only know that I am done with the brown...

and I never liked brown my whole life.

I am too old to be a "Follower"

That is why...I am taking my good ole time on this project...

I am "finding myself" :)

My painter will also be transforming my dining room.

Pulling this puppy away from the wall...

almost convinced my Banker that we should

sell it

and replace it

with a built-in beautiful banquettte.

Kidding...

(should've left the dishes in it)

My beige ceiling will be painted bright white.

And the walls; crown to baseboards will be painted

Benjamin Moore's Classic Gray

which really is a warm neutral and not too gray.

I cannot tell you how happy I will be

to get rid of these 2 toned walls

that remind me daily

that I cannot pick out paint!!

With my lousy camera

you get a glimpse of the Classic Gray with my new wood floors.

It will be interesting to see how it REALLY looks when I come home.

I have more than my fingers crossed...

I am asking for DIVINE intervention

on this One!

Until my Banker calls me home from Texas...

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Not So Mellow Yellow

A little yellow to brighten this gray day.

Courtesy: House Beautiful

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Decisions, Decisions

I know this photo makes my kitchen look pristine but trust me...

our floor is buckled near our frig from water damage and our 18 year old cabinets are chipping.

Hence the reason for our kitchen makeover.

I have been posting about it for a long time but have not been able to find a wood floor we liked, agreed on, or could afford.

Until now...

Here are our 2 final choices of walnut flooring.

The flooring will be going throughout our entire 1st floor.

We will be replacing the carpet in the dining room and his office with wood.

Therefore, since it is a HUGE costly decision...

we have been extremely picky.

However, looks like this latter wood floor is the WINNER.

Although, more $$$...

"Mr.Banker/Colorado Man" likes how natural it looks

and is SOLD on it.

And who am I to argue?

Decision made!

Lovin' It,

Lisa

My Little Pretties

Random Pinterest pics that caught my eye...

I just love this little hallway.

The dark trim framing the outdoors.

The wicker basket and floor aren't too bad either.

A very swank kitchen

that I appreciate but would never copy.

Too much for me

but I would love to hang out there with friends.

And a picture from my archives that I loved...

in honor of the Pantone Color of 2012

"Tangerine/Mango"

It's a color I would eat, wear and decorate with!

I love it! But always regret it's association with Halloween.

Because Orange & Black are awful

but I do love the color

tangerine/mango/ orange

without Halloween.

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Endless Possibilities

More kitchen inspiration...

like I need it :)

Lovin' It,

Lisa

My Skate

Pretty & Petite

Today,

I am visiting small kitchens like mine...

There are some mighty sweet small kitchens on Pinterest.

(And I thought I saw every kitchen on the web!)

This French apartment {above} was 1st featured in Cote De Texas.

So stylish for a small kitchen.

Then there is this little beauty...truly amazing!

It has so much character for a little space.

Is there no end to beautiful kitchens?

ooh...here I go again

THAT floor!

Killer cute!

Island envy.

Pinterest has so many kitchens I've never seen before.

Like the ones Ijust featured.

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Thin Ice

On Sunday, I visited Jeffery's Antiques.

I ran across a pair of old ice skates.

I thought they would be perfect for my front door this Winter.

If Winter ever comes?

Of course, Pinterest gave me plenty ideas of what to do with my skates.
I like that skates are Wintery without being Christmas.

Never knew what to replace my Christmas wreath with until now.

Darling.

I'll show you what I come up with.

Lovin' It,

Lisa

My Kitchen Saga

Last night while trying to sleep...

{sleep escapes me these days}

I thought about relocating my laundry room which would expand my sink wall

and add lots of windows to my present kitchen.

I love this look.

I love light & windows.

I found all these great pictures on Pinterest

for the Mr. to see (when he is done with his Arial Yoga class).

He is a visual kinda guy.

Relocating my laundry room would give me a wall of windows.

How sweet would that be?

How costly would that be?

No upper cabinets...just windows.

Always loved this kitchen.
Whoa!
The green plants may sell the MR on my new idea.
He is very green.
(When I 1st met him at a Toga party, he had a halo of rooted ivy on his head.
Immediately after the party, he placed it back into the glass with all the other ivy rootings.)
SEE, my idea may stand a chance :)

Love the windows and light.

A kitchen wrapped in windows.

I am glad I haven't made any kitchen decisions yet.

TIME is allowing me to really think about ALL the possibilities of my kitchen.

Now... to find where I can put my laundry room

haha

Do I really need one on my main level?

I would rather have windows.

PLEASE share your thoughts with me.

I need opinions.

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Blessed By Bloggin'

OK...

I understand that God moves in mysterious ways.

I love that He used a blog to talk to me today.

He is amazing!

I needed this more than you know.

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Party Time

I would like to have a party.

In this house...

Or build this house to have a party in.

(Had to blow the dust of this image...I have held on to it in case a builder feels generous)

It is the home I would build.

I would wear this exact dress...

and serve macaroons & champagne.

And these beautiful cupcakes.

Instead...

I am heading to my Beginners Yoga class.

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Tasty Treats

Who wouldn't love dining in this room?

With the doors open wide...

Simply delicious!

Banquettes rock!
Banquettes with killer French chairs...
Rock EVEN more!

I love Joni's dining room from Cote De Texas.

The large checked slipcover chairs are sweet.

Which was your fav?

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Zero Calories

Just eating up Landry in this picture!

Yum! Yum!

While at the lakehouse this weekend,

his daddy carved a cowboy boot out of a tree stump.

If you look closely... Landry's right fingers are crossed...

his mommy grew up doing the EXACT same thing! and still does!

Amazing DNA!

Eatin' Him Up,

Lisa

Welcome 2012

Hope you enjoyed your night...

(I did)
and didn't do anything too embarrassing.
(I didn't)

I am NOT a resolution type but if I was...

Here's my resolutions:

1. be more fashionable

2. be more fit

3. dream less/accomplish more

4. take a sleigh ride

4.entertain more

5. set a pretty table

6. use more pink

7. decorate bravely

8. take many bike rides

9. grow a green thumb

10. and buy a puppy (that doesn't shed)

Lovin' It,

Lisa