Kitchen Chronicles: The counters are in! (+ pendant light and faucet preview)

This is how our faces look right now...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSPz98pJkhCzOFqTIlB3GgHJXiY6YWsSn_Hk2GdRO-6yywOF3H6i7xWSHQ_3oZ-LIM-9LY1Mstz4v6zEhK_uk365XJqP5T0uz9YvcWZALvHhHxpvmbFuPqT-VxaB1zrN5IGicmmbi0Rng/s1600/IMG_1844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSPz98pJkhCzOFqTIlB3GgHJXiY6YWsSn_Hk2GdRO-6yywOF3H6i7xWSHQ_3oZ-LIM-9LY1Mstz4v6zEhK_uk365XJqP5T0uz9YvcWZALvHhHxpvmbFuPqT-VxaB1zrN5IGicmmbi0Rng/s1600/IMG_1844.jpg" /></a></div><br />Yes, we're happy campers because after weeks of anticipation, our counters are in!<br /><br />Before I show the results, a quick breakdown:<br /><br />We purchased them at Lowe's six weeks ago (they didn't measure for them until 3 weeks ago, so the production time was really only 3 weeks).<br /><br />They are both Silestone Quartz. We chose 'Marengo' which is a deep gray for the island, and 'Blanco Maple' which is a speckled white for the sink area, both 2cm with an eased edge. We needed 51 square feet, and the total including installation came to $3254.<br /><br />Why quartz instead of granite or any other type? Well, Brad had strong opinions on this. I mentioned butcher block or concrete, both of which I love the look of, but Brad was not a fan of wood and we both agreed concrete might be too much of a hassle. I also really wanted white against the gray cabinets.<br /><br />There were a couple granite options we liked but the quality ratings and ease of maintenance were a bit better for the quartz, and they weren't that much more expensive so we went for it.<br /><br />Here's the Marengo up close...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJH2DJ1cxUG7Ww7c26E0cvvDLyvh95a5warzz3onlQkSuHgTZGagrqP_EjC3rr6fKlDWRr8sr1JNMOMMICSyJUHclb6LpKzom9ymo6jOpAx0YCsMEiu2JMAVp87RJfNMKzL1RY1_48M8oE/s1600/IMG_1859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJH2DJ1cxUG7Ww7c26E0cvvDLyvh95a5warzz3onlQkSuHgTZGagrqP_EjC3rr6fKlDWRr8sr1JNMOMMICSyJUHclb6LpKzom9ymo6jOpAx0YCsMEiu2JMAVp87RJfNMKzL1RY1_48M8oE/s1600/IMG_1859.jpg" /></a></div><br />It reminds me quite a bit of concrete, but it has the durability of quartz which is great.<br /><br />Here's the Blanco Maple:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm6-1sq75P5u6D5HkJb3pL1jiD344c7O44N0xSy41ubnVnUw4H1UE5Gncb5pG-Bj8jExXcz8aOoT4-sq909oU8qnm8mnrzxkUBwk9Imsv-SF_1Jb_YtkJSyBY8NUqlfu76RY77OHmpnxm/s1600/IMG_1862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm6-1sq75P5u6D5HkJb3pL1jiD344c7O44N0xSy41ubnVnUw4H1UE5Gncb5pG-Bj8jExXcz8aOoT4-sq909oU8qnm8mnrzxkUBwk9Imsv-SF_1Jb_YtkJSyBY8NUqlfu76RY77OHmpnxm/s1600/IMG_1862.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This one is my favorite. I love all the little flecks.<br /><br />Back to the island... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtSc2eRM-7_hI8oDpjoG9njr3wE2rbws1eGsosvZS-EfU9dFQVxuyLZqjCiWpsh2E7TNiu9v98KPW71SZIhrW07XYi2Z47PzMNktJcBPsrYoqOmxnm_cAnm3nwf3ulLbRmPRzfVoErxpz/s1600/IMG_1858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtSc2eRM-7_hI8oDpjoG9njr3wE2rbws1eGsosvZS-EfU9dFQVxuyLZqjCiWpsh2E7TNiu9v98KPW71SZIhrW07XYi2Z47PzMNktJcBPsrYoqOmxnm_cAnm3nwf3ulLbRmPRzfVoErxpz/s1600/IMG_1858.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />With the counters in, we were able to get our new cooktop installed as well!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox7P3jQG3YOklmxQa-VtQVVpma3TjXjAVBbq9cuPFpl_Wh8P-DZHrNGCMf70gvTmhaEBbJ8pWPWzw-DbTAKcn6L5C2ebDHfQPf38NJ4XLdus7hRdExiMRSBey1usNx8mtkGyzb3KSSnv9/s1600/IMG_1856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox7P3jQG3YOklmxQa-VtQVVpma3TjXjAVBbq9cuPFpl_Wh8P-DZHrNGCMf70gvTmhaEBbJ8pWPWzw-DbTAKcn6L5C2ebDHfQPf38NJ4XLdus7hRdExiMRSBey1usNx8mtkGyzb3KSSnv9/s1600/IMG_1856.jpg" /></a></div><br />It still needs to be wired up, but I can't wait to start cooking on it (let's just hope it stays clean...)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR11SHlkWCemYjRzfHQk4uLb3GzVdeY2F5pyKeWBK-hSDSNeJqhwXiFqCGmGsE7Lq__y-42Yxas4pZ4C1YcFfab8NYaCPDnPlA13YllU9HlAkKMA1xpkxIeqdPMKwYSE8s4owCtPs1dE-c/s1600/IMG_1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR11SHlkWCemYjRzfHQk4uLb3GzVdeY2F5pyKeWBK-hSDSNeJqhwXiFqCGmGsE7Lq__y-42Yxas4pZ4C1YcFfab8NYaCPDnPlA13YllU9HlAkKMA1xpkxIeqdPMKwYSE8s4owCtPs1dE-c/s1600/IMG_1855.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Now we can also set up our faucet. It's a Price Pfister "Cagney", purchased online at <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_199980-330-F-WKP-400B_0__?productId=3878672&Ntt=cagney&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dcagney&facetInfo=">Lowe's.</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUYovY7hi_w2HUQ4tbgwBXbEeUnbh_dp_Q9x0t7CcE5hJDrqJN-gohNLv44j5Zqfk0r1CZ0OGGLHfp18SnLgs0CAUrBHB5pfKJxra86AMpIf2NorT6Ks5341qiXmvk7saIiEc_D6Hx_7j/s1600/IMG_1869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUYovY7hi_w2HUQ4tbgwBXbEeUnbh_dp_Q9x0t7CcE5hJDrqJN-gohNLv44j5Zqfk0r1CZ0OGGLHfp18SnLgs0CAUrBHB5pfKJxra86AMpIf2NorT6Ks5341qiXmvk7saIiEc_D6Hx_7j/s1600/IMG_1869.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The plumber should be here to hook everything up in the next couple days. For now I just placed it in to get a visual.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWJ3CJttMkpv_oavDmSNuHxXxTkaTxU_6N_c9-whkYVMnz9JeZawgoRV6B9KvzHmlIqYkEvUWhoSJTsEfruV9DNKlQmJff4VmYs0m_8097F3x_EFrBwXi2u9a8NQwIBwluqwUZoDXSLxV/s1600/IMG_1864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWJ3CJttMkpv_oavDmSNuHxXxTkaTxU_6N_c9-whkYVMnz9JeZawgoRV6B9KvzHmlIqYkEvUWhoSJTsEfruV9DNKlQmJff4VmYs0m_8097F3x_EFrBwXi2u9a8NQwIBwluqwUZoDXSLxV/s1600/IMG_1864.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And one more thing we tackled last night—our <a href="http://www.lamps.com/feiss-p1252dbz-dark-bronze-urban-renewal-mini-pendant.html">sink pendant light:</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9Pjkmj776QxckLIH6_4_hkPOc1914tB4zlB7hvRExaie-3-rMYWyjWNVzzxuf29p23QfTskWqncJ9lyqCtZocwy4RLmOeen2notvJwBfd0AiZIQdzMxHkxhmhv9SOphNaT9J4FKVO4IZ/s1600/IMG_1845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9Pjkmj776QxckLIH6_4_hkPOc1914tB4zlB7hvRExaie-3-rMYWyjWNVzzxuf29p23QfTskWqncJ9lyqCtZocwy4RLmOeen2notvJwBfd0AiZIQdzMxHkxhmhv9SOphNaT9J4FKVO4IZ/s1600/IMG_1845.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />We ran into an issue though—when we installed the electrical box, there was a stud right above the  center of the sink, so we had to either push it back or move it forward. I was concerned about it being too close to the window, so we moved it forward.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mj5ES5d0w9rvpT5uEhr40P-6dt_CV0QvnL41k45icjy8sgeFa4Bngvb50tkSgvTGLC7IcHQGH0C-B5RoKGFoCCujw7BZGS9CHGRUMT3OduPoUskhec1XGoEfWDUcIIShgVA7wUOCzz-F/s1600/IMG_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mj5ES5d0w9rvpT5uEhr40P-6dt_CV0QvnL41k45icjy8sgeFa4Bngvb50tkSgvTGLC7IcHQGH0C-B5RoKGFoCCujw7BZGS9CHGRUMT3OduPoUskhec1XGoEfWDUcIIShgVA7wUOCzz-F/s1600/IMG_1846.jpg" /></a></div><br />But if anyone over 6' tall wanted to use the sink, they'd bump their head if they leaned forward. Not ideal.<br /><br />Luckily, the light came with different sized rods, so we just used a shorter one...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuUpij33Z2TwCOUs4Pv3fkqGR_SLCw2oaCl4zGEMKO72GIMBHI39Fa8I0ArrVtdb-M1kCZpNLY8-fycsxrqZfMD0qiXEoYuPenn3KMxFGoaaO3o1N3r_-vqZlFw_EwovQBHIBJqwecbY2/s1600/IMG_1868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuUpij33Z2TwCOUs4Pv3fkqGR_SLCw2oaCl4zGEMKO72GIMBHI39Fa8I0ArrVtdb-M1kCZpNLY8-fycsxrqZfMD0qiXEoYuPenn3KMxFGoaaO3o1N3r_-vqZlFw_EwovQBHIBJqwecbY2/s1600/IMG_1868.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><br />Much better!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc4Whj5lOKJHVyvpA81swkfFlhp9VPuqNj5mntZVeW7QBNXPzs9ORycFH0CfNXZQz76BuKKjpskS4g4uFOpmW2jU3RH5BqPlz7JY6cEC1lWskSJZLhA-K3n8dBRW0P2gdeCxPtNzJikrQ/s1600/IMG_1867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc4Whj5lOKJHVyvpA81swkfFlhp9VPuqNj5mntZVeW7QBNXPzs9ORycFH0CfNXZQz76BuKKjpskS4g4uFOpmW2jU3RH5BqPlz7JY6cEC1lWskSJZLhA-K3n8dBRW0P2gdeCxPtNzJikrQ/s1600/IMG_1867.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I plan to replace it with a more suitable bulb... something vintage like this would be amazing:<br /><br /><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="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/49/24/48/492448aa6b9e248000cb10dda3d11671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/49/24/48/492448aa6b9e248000cb10dda3d11671.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/83782214/upcycled-industrial-edison-bulb-cage"><i>Source</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> I'm loving the industrial touch it adds to the space. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQNL-iSof1YkgUtzfbTNfcjiTK4TTr3DeIFy3Ncj2nBAMRLoj5q3s1aQGaj6R4m7yUzZPo30Z8h4LuwXWGMWzlp3zDlIADggVY_yeq8fiYOM0XTVguDJXY-KsURv3FoJOY17ij_kLeIAp/s1600/IMG_1865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQNL-iSof1YkgUtzfbTNfcjiTK4TTr3DeIFy3Ncj2nBAMRLoj5q3s1aQGaj6R4m7yUzZPo30Z8h4LuwXWGMWzlp3zDlIADggVY_yeq8fiYOM0XTVguDJXY-KsURv3FoJOY17ij_kLeIAp/s1600/IMG_1865.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One last photo...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1sB7xYODbIA9VFS9khGtBp4ea1tUlelDueOALmQ1JJyXQmBcD4cUBFoh75Sva9qH5W8eaCs8vG9H-N2dykpaFcSkz_nd4hlnHUhmdq0dVtXLcl3I_JSoRIJcVW_w-BoEoqTnEFGAC0xd/s1600/IMG_1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1sB7xYODbIA9VFS9khGtBp4ea1tUlelDueOALmQ1JJyXQmBcD4cUBFoh75Sva9qH5W8eaCs8vG9H-N2dykpaFcSkz_nd4hlnHUhmdq0dVtXLcl3I_JSoRIJcVW_w-BoEoqTnEFGAC0xd/s1600/IMG_1870.jpg" /></a></div><br />Next up for the kitchen is to get the dishwasher/garbage disposal/faucet and cooktop functional so we can finally cook and clean instead of going to my parents house for every meal (as much as they love having us over 24/7).<br /><br />We're going backsplash shopping on Saturday, and our Ikea delivery is scheduled for next week, so that's when the <i>real </i>fun begins...<br /><br />But before any of that, we have another plank wall to install...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPep9qeW9vO8Xob-GWj_Fbe5n8y0YjiFOSZf13kicKmRDUYhxAjXQlj-oeFyeMg70RXbf2jUHm6FrmZyQN9oZ0QGiAd8Q2b3AUgOsQPAK2O80ptqrVhRxhHZpPfHaCcXfASpTxHcGzIc_G/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPep9qeW9vO8Xob-GWj_Fbe5n8y0YjiFOSZf13kicKmRDUYhxAjXQlj-oeFyeMg70RXbf2jUHm6FrmZyQN9oZ0QGiAd8Q2b3AUgOsQPAK2O80ptqrVhRxhHZpPfHaCcXfASpTxHcGzIc_G/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This one should be our biggest challenge yet. Hopefully I'll have results to share on Monday. Better get to work!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Kitchen Chronicles: The counters are in! (+ pendant light and faucet preview)

This is how our faces look right now... Yes, we're happy campers because after weeks of anticipation, our counters are in! Before I show...

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Kitchen Chronicles: New Hardware & Paint

It's kitchen update time!<br /><div><br /></div><div>In <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/02/an-up-to-date-house-tour.html">my last post</a> I showed a photo of our new door pulls and knobs. I had my heart set on the cup style pulls paired with simple round knobs, and found <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/200373378920?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649">these</a> great inexpensive ones on Ebay. The seller was having a free shipping special so it came to just $38 for 25 pieces... can't beat that!</div><div><br /></div><div>They were exactly what I had hoped for in person, and the knobs went right in.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVDxumwcR_K3iY8CvyYigEPUqcauNKU94HzhrOH_nhUlHW3siMemPBfaDJb7tHI8E9yqM_HwW_-YI278mDXRsYIncjnm70TPUrNnrRrKV16lBk0PG6Bttcs0DaC1rKAWsXUGOuvPQzzm0/s1600/IMG_1814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVDxumwcR_K3iY8CvyYigEPUqcauNKU94HzhrOH_nhUlHW3siMemPBfaDJb7tHI8E9yqM_HwW_-YI278mDXRsYIncjnm70TPUrNnrRrKV16lBk0PG6Bttcs0DaC1rKAWsXUGOuvPQzzm0/s1600/IMG_1814.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div>But then we got to the drawers and found an issue... they are double layered so the screws were too short (this one had 3 layers!)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4DRpQizyc_KQvigaoJJDT9dnhx3oXhyphenhyphens-l3z02DmKbdKMoTcAdPq2b6Q6m5iEuHct87O1U2lRY-6Gihf6c9r_ayBuULeXUef_gfyJxg_NU7fT_PVYJbeazBpaHDlMgF4yeWWIQEP0m_-/s1600/IMG_1812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4DRpQizyc_KQvigaoJJDT9dnhx3oXhyphenhyphens-l3z02DmKbdKMoTcAdPq2b6Q6m5iEuHct87O1U2lRY-6Gihf6c9r_ayBuULeXUef_gfyJxg_NU7fT_PVYJbeazBpaHDlMgF4yeWWIQEP0m_-/s1600/IMG_1812.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing a quick trip to Lowe's couldn't fix. Once we had our 2.5" long screws, we built a jig out of scrap wood since the pulls had two holes and they had to be positioned exactly the same every time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRq0-0s8J6x-2kK2bIbR2QAtHXkmanCvSPPQJyHq5-yMDWOVWMthnHnGcJlLVsX1WxaNv1fX3Vp3U5sOVbWvWKimOSSqtkJbm8Y9Rkvip18yZcCL5hlZTgP3d01gwD4FYxebySQDTuj-I/s1600/IMG_1823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRq0-0s8J6x-2kK2bIbR2QAtHXkmanCvSPPQJyHq5-yMDWOVWMthnHnGcJlLVsX1WxaNv1fX3Vp3U5sOVbWvWKimOSSqtkJbm8Y9Rkvip18yZcCL5hlZTgP3d01gwD4FYxebySQDTuj-I/s1600/IMG_1823.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After centering it on each drawer, we drilled our holes (using a drill bit larger than the screws so they could just slide on through).</div><div><br /></div><div>It worked like a charm, and now we can actually open our doors!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4W8DqGavJLJjN6KjtFPgVFsphuscivyRxWiWi8NHPe_1bgZ1qggmuvdUlfpmFNUhk4JHdTcCptlW2TSg285zENtwwaJsarddWsKHWMMYsdNSdhpUhGTBfszDP-vMTOWgM_oFgmubZW_o/s1600/IMG_1825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4W8DqGavJLJjN6KjtFPgVFsphuscivyRxWiWi8NHPe_1bgZ1qggmuvdUlfpmFNUhk4JHdTcCptlW2TSg285zENtwwaJsarddWsKHWMMYsdNSdhpUhGTBfszDP-vMTOWgM_oFgmubZW_o/s1600/IMG_1825.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm especially fond of the black finish against the white cabinets.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLyqanblSfCNIXiUWDIgXG79Kb53m_UWGpCU_SjqG4t3HQfjzEeiZsskZnZRigAHscE-h32KcHpmifx4sOYqJJRwzAcnZldecLBgScCY9chXEGvqw1AdvN5adRo_nCHf4ChDIfw65kiZ6/s1600/IMG_1826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLyqanblSfCNIXiUWDIgXG79Kb53m_UWGpCU_SjqG4t3HQfjzEeiZsskZnZRigAHscE-h32KcHpmifx4sOYqJJRwzAcnZldecLBgScCY9chXEGvqw1AdvN5adRo_nCHf4ChDIfw65kiZ6/s1600/IMG_1826.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oWsca7tpIoCJVq4Cc-3RhdhtMerQi2wQp7bMX29CS5jlojUCiD3ErVpfi5hrw6Vl7vHjh2lxd73gPAElBgmm1VlMliqF44QIbnldFT96XfsTLP8uac57JspD8dQdUW0TMPZEEq_0ZWAJ/s1600/IMG_1827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oWsca7tpIoCJVq4Cc-3RhdhtMerQi2wQp7bMX29CS5jlojUCiD3ErVpfi5hrw6Vl7vHjh2lxd73gPAElBgmm1VlMliqF44QIbnldFT96XfsTLP8uac57JspD8dQdUW0TMPZEEq_0ZWAJ/s1600/IMG_1827.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>While we were on a roll adding touches of black to the kitchen, I figured I'd tackle something I had been wanting to do ever since I laid my eyes on this...</div><div><br /></div><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="http://24.media.tumblr.com/2d85f47b2757db85f8b36d1779d2d372/tumblr_mvxe5tFWEL1qd8ykto1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/2d85f47b2757db85f8b36d1779d2d372/tumblr_mvxe5tFWEL1qd8ykto1_1280.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.hgtvremodels.com/interiors/rustic-farmhouse-kitchen-remodel/pictures/index.html">Source</a><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am obsessed with this photo. I found it while browsing Pinterest and it has become one of my biggest kitchen inspiration photos for this remodel. There was no hesitation—I was painting my door black.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtXIkI3gNU8AqQGHjXDTFFdD3XwzWXWA8UietAIup4_S20dKPBvkEY1f55X3QT4c_9-m9dunYet5_QlNwf8-PQ0KkI7ygY0jKuD39Eo19M9NrvTNf2iA6Ru_04EoP3JP-l0PBfju-4mL0/s1600/IMG_1788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtXIkI3gNU8AqQGHjXDTFFdD3XwzWXWA8UietAIup4_S20dKPBvkEY1f55X3QT4c_9-m9dunYet5_QlNwf8-PQ0KkI7ygY0jKuD39Eo19M9NrvTNf2iA6Ru_04EoP3JP-l0PBfju-4mL0/s1600/IMG_1788.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course I needed to paint the wall too, and that horrible plastic swamp cooler.</div><div><br /></div><div>I painted the walls in the same barely there gray as <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-studio-is-ready-for-business.html">my studio</a>, then moved on to the door. I had to spend a good amount of time prepping—scraping texture overspray, scrubbing, taping, patching, sanding, caulking, before it was ready for paint. </div><div><br /></div><div>I picked up a gallon of Valspar's best exterior paint in Dark Kettle Black (not exactly cheap, but highly recommended). It's a soft smoky black in semi-gloss.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrODSIbyrCuQTQhx-5HPLvjSfSHbMbKuyfLVghO7LTBppONgOZEx376JPdUtygAbbcRkA9fxtULjtPJcrYNHyb4JoZTJe26Ls0IZcZa3g-TtM3dBZ9gq1Y-wsNg_JUZ6mNYm-PeMraxFw/s1600/IMG_1801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrODSIbyrCuQTQhx-5HPLvjSfSHbMbKuyfLVghO7LTBppONgOZEx376JPdUtygAbbcRkA9fxtULjtPJcrYNHyb4JoZTJe26Ls0IZcZa3g-TtM3dBZ9gq1Y-wsNg_JUZ6mNYm-PeMraxFw/s1600/IMG_1801.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was a little nervous after the first coat—it had a slightly different consistency than what I'm used to, and didn't seem to cover that great (of course it's black over white though...)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0iXmJ9bHh4KhdwCD22NJ9XnkpGe86HVyrAg7xyR2oGJhsIL8FJrluuhuDNXPLBYWbPJ7L-57bYFLNdqNsA1VuE7y7Hw-GmIGe8BXcOpKpfLo1-3IduZDoiM6QYynrzcWgCXrQMzporX2/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0iXmJ9bHh4KhdwCD22NJ9XnkpGe86HVyrAg7xyR2oGJhsIL8FJrluuhuDNXPLBYWbPJ7L-57bYFLNdqNsA1VuE7y7Hw-GmIGe8BXcOpKpfLo1-3IduZDoiM6QYynrzcWgCXrQMzporX2/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>But the second coat changed my mind.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kpgw_yILxLCGo1e9yKzYJfidUv20-WNRSRrJAH1lNMDsJD2oSpTjzuMwsxWjOT41KOI6tYpwADXF4Q3a-joSGcL5ga_JG74vO6xrKPwHzfcRWfeCdSZFKLSY3r60w8unjczIhHskjA1N/s1600/IMG_1800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kpgw_yILxLCGo1e9yKzYJfidUv20-WNRSRrJAH1lNMDsJD2oSpTjzuMwsxWjOT41KOI6tYpwADXF4Q3a-joSGcL5ga_JG74vO6xrKPwHzfcRWfeCdSZFKLSY3r60w8unjczIhHskjA1N/s1600/IMG_1800.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Three coats was all it took. I painted the outside as well.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t7e6BmG_pzOVOBaHDxCkf7dvdQlL9UJ6zO_QDkL6pOO8bnvPPLUvlLZuUmkWv3GVbJTdIrlJVg6_8LjsxRvb-ODx19ZN1t_hPIWO1rCdI8iTruoKNYhgHMOVYl_E4H7ot7jJItbFrZFO/s1600/IMG_1803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t7e6BmG_pzOVOBaHDxCkf7dvdQlL9UJ6zO_QDkL6pOO8bnvPPLUvlLZuUmkWv3GVbJTdIrlJVg6_8LjsxRvb-ODx19ZN1t_hPIWO1rCdI8iTruoKNYhgHMOVYl_E4H7ot7jJItbFrZFO/s1600/IMG_1803.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the first coat again for fun.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAu5VJHrpwBfNc1l9LCB31jF7N4aiYyk-R5i7v3bHaOAR34RH3GggmKCFDiHJPDRY_N2tI-sUkoRh85MQ6TLRLiHPjGoZh55YcbUlmr7Sxdh9FuFe1lNRCZoDWlBP1QQT9ZFq6Vxl6VYp/s1600/IMG_1804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAu5VJHrpwBfNc1l9LCB31jF7N4aiYyk-R5i7v3bHaOAR34RH3GggmKCFDiHJPDRY_N2tI-sUkoRh85MQ6TLRLiHPjGoZh55YcbUlmr7Sxdh9FuFe1lNRCZoDWlBP1QQT9ZFq6Vxl6VYp/s1600/IMG_1804.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While that was drying, I moved my attention to this eyesore.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgYX7rBCS63SzMakKxCagfNiF0ySpd-OViqJ7Lh40d3uwIgSfcgIhyAV4rTITrUGuA_GA7AGbcm4_WnG6ktzqStuM6YbatrVEDXEWemYGNY4uFBnLLP0ngWDjdcJq7pDNLH-UuKJ03DqV/s1600/IMG_1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgYX7rBCS63SzMakKxCagfNiF0ySpd-OViqJ7Lh40d3uwIgSfcgIhyAV4rTITrUGuA_GA7AGbcm4_WnG6ktzqStuM6YbatrVEDXEWemYGNY4uFBnLLP0ngWDjdcJq7pDNLH-UuKJ03DqV/s1600/IMG_1792.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I had to address the inside part too...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwpL9HWhDMoKrZS2_VBXZX7iJ-KKCu-KyfXH1cOvClk0g3aFCvnErRS5d_OkHTqwb8tl-umZUw23Kz1H-TMqsVkB-jl0pOU4xA6km71CTKOruSra7wj60vIgws_1693DqA2UxjLfvAu9j/s1600/IMG_1791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwpL9HWhDMoKrZS2_VBXZX7iJ-KKCu-KyfXH1cOvClk0g3aFCvnErRS5d_OkHTqwb8tl-umZUw23Kz1H-TMqsVkB-jl0pOU4xA6km71CTKOruSra7wj60vIgws_1693DqA2UxjLfvAu9j/s1600/IMG_1791.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I debated on whether or not to paint it the same white as the trim, or the wall color. In the end, the white won out.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkSqs8AgUhTjupZBhHPu8CPnCC7ofqrg9zjDdo8N7UoZvaLqwkLxuHn2EX1GOL-B0e_WvZH0xqSFYg9-aCc_9a4j2FxORXn-pyR_ojbRTOSyvHb4FEH5RUudqQstapAgS6086AmAJfJvS/s1600/IMG_1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkSqs8AgUhTjupZBhHPu8CPnCC7ofqrg9zjDdo8N7UoZvaLqwkLxuHn2EX1GOL-B0e_WvZH0xqSFYg9-aCc_9a4j2FxORXn-pyR_ojbRTOSyvHb4FEH5RUudqQstapAgS6086AmAJfJvS/s1600/IMG_1793.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Plastic isn't easy to paint (with latex paint and a brush/roller, at least). It took many coats.</div><div><br /></div><div>And this part was a nightmare. It didn't go on smoothly so I had to just keep piling the paint on in hopes it would eventually cover the beige.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5wiFfRtrYuBEsUY_h7erXFnzP26pk-baThkAbGk_5GnyFrayrltiVIu5wYBElPLDCS7Rw7m-n_rIv60-7zcw7QojrN6GIZfhxAauQQWV9HcXhDuWrAwpbWRmQd8VNypnz53eZj2oaCC3/s1600/IMG_1794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5wiFfRtrYuBEsUY_h7erXFnzP26pk-baThkAbGk_5GnyFrayrltiVIu5wYBElPLDCS7Rw7m-n_rIv60-7zcw7QojrN6GIZfhxAauQQWV9HcXhDuWrAwpbWRmQd8VNypnz53eZj2oaCC3/s1600/IMG_1794.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In hindsight I could have spray painted it, although the whites wouldn't have matched—so it's really a toss up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally I decided it was good enough and I'm happy that everything matches now. We still need to shorten the wire before plugging it back in, and replace the baseboards so ignore the unfinished parts.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemjWNerrk2wnA-VukGhKnHiFO97ms15zZXpq1vmdhrS4epYKSrORzjF2hNy3z4UqNL8YcsP1cfOkUxH_-50YG2U4LaVudStCVjpxfShiGjR-vvpwWjx0HehaO9pjqrlx0Ok4KsBV0eYwA/s1600/IMG_1832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemjWNerrk2wnA-VukGhKnHiFO97ms15zZXpq1vmdhrS4epYKSrORzjF2hNy3z4UqNL8YcsP1cfOkUxH_-50YG2U4LaVudStCVjpxfShiGjR-vvpwWjx0HehaO9pjqrlx0Ok4KsBV0eYwA/s1600/IMG_1832.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the whole wall:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrRmGxAD0gjacAcbley9fXEyOWMOQ3Bm3baBJ2DxV5zj6tn1s4DE1ZdeCZm_m2RkxPt6g_z6w2MwzaPfu2q0xWJkyQ-mIaSgmP3_iT76r1-TY_hGb2z-0IpT0Bjdtbg5sOUfX5NUGqGIO/s1600/IMG_1831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrRmGxAD0gjacAcbley9fXEyOWMOQ3Bm3baBJ2DxV5zj6tn1s4DE1ZdeCZm_m2RkxPt6g_z6w2MwzaPfu2q0xWJkyQ-mIaSgmP3_iT76r1-TY_hGb2z-0IpT0Bjdtbg5sOUfX5NUGqGIO/s1600/IMG_1831.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't worry, I've already ordered new door hardware to replace the polished brass.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiRQjPPCn-ICJxtYiwzLYbT87tBCdv63jKJ9qyYdftae37NZYFitdohOCVoLFSM_huGDjs0uTuu9GE3DOrsSKnluRH63npCSeAL33kOCX6OUaEKhqr4m6zVOnWodqxv2clrNKAJTrv1Kz/s1600/IMG_1833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiRQjPPCn-ICJxtYiwzLYbT87tBCdv63jKJ9qyYdftae37NZYFitdohOCVoLFSM_huGDjs0uTuu9GE3DOrsSKnluRH63npCSeAL33kOCX6OUaEKhqr4m6zVOnWodqxv2clrNKAJTrv1Kz/s1600/IMG_1833.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUY3TR7dyWsAW2rZEgzmy6DpexP8ZT6ZOBI3RcAA31BVxDRWEDP49zVQjFrnpr70rk5YqAibpp_ncQv2DQMwmzdvew_YO3u9nuYuyTYYqzyIVbmwO0SJh1iz__qwLM_cKTtglDNGN-9fQ/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUY3TR7dyWsAW2rZEgzmy6DpexP8ZT6ZOBI3RcAA31BVxDRWEDP49zVQjFrnpr70rk5YqAibpp_ncQv2DQMwmzdvew_YO3u9nuYuyTYYqzyIVbmwO0SJh1iz__qwLM_cKTtglDNGN-9fQ/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I love the contrast against all the white & grays.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8UqyDEjvD6yivND9aYZ47CR-8tm74Bx_VeREo0a_oF6FvVyAjSHtDNXHraiz0O3vGQV3pA5G49UifGZ_OSkv5mwJ2rtNgAJ1mmn9aEa9ghyphenhyphenApXB7RA6tJ2J_xLVmPgzaU6QzZ8I6wPBL/s1600/IMG_1835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8UqyDEjvD6yivND9aYZ47CR-8tm74Bx_VeREo0a_oF6FvVyAjSHtDNXHraiz0O3vGQV3pA5G49UifGZ_OSkv5mwJ2rtNgAJ1mmn9aEa9ghyphenhyphenApXB7RA6tJ2J_xLVmPgzaU6QzZ8I6wPBL/s1600/IMG_1835.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItlBB0XLz_pUFV3DK23fc_4LoBdGC-2ieu5j3ViiI9_mW5laVFr8VGCQLeD3xCgAy42BB3QmlYTTjWpIYJijwSi3txRX1Yt1wP7my4eRUXrwPwqpCT9R0Zrv-CF2PqK-6ZpbxoliO1ZzN/s1600/IMG_1836-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItlBB0XLz_pUFV3DK23fc_4LoBdGC-2ieu5j3ViiI9_mW5laVFr8VGCQLeD3xCgAy42BB3QmlYTTjWpIYJijwSi3txRX1Yt1wP7my4eRUXrwPwqpCT9R0Zrv-CF2PqK-6ZpbxoliO1ZzN/s1600/IMG_1836-2.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I bought enough paint for the front door, so that's next!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, I have a personal update...</div><div><br /></div><div>If you follow my instagram, you may have seen <a href="http://instagram.com/p/kdUr2IPQ0_/">this video</a> from Saturday.</div><div><br /></div><div>This cat has been meowing at our door for the past week now. While I was painting the kitchen door, she came up and started meowing "Hewwo? Hewwo? Hewwoooo?" (seriously, that's exactly what she says). So I said hello back and gave her some food. She devoured the entire bowl in seconds and I knew she didn't have a home.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yyqC5y8tiLBitYv5ox6kNdRk5j8aInNsxefCcHktzIyRhjQzxqXevSRdVUdbTw6hAKBVf8RxAqCoUSHYFj4Q3RJ3Ptl3OmFQCoY1XvNt8memIHi0CNq_pmB1BVX1gvt8h4lK745xMEhw/s1600/IMG_1796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yyqC5y8tiLBitYv5ox6kNdRk5j8aInNsxefCcHktzIyRhjQzxqXevSRdVUdbTw6hAKBVf8RxAqCoUSHYFj4Q3RJ3Ptl3OmFQCoY1XvNt8memIHi0CNq_pmB1BVX1gvt8h4lK745xMEhw/s1600/IMG_1796.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>She wasn't feral—very affectionate and wanted to be inside so I have a feeling she had a home before and was abandoned. Our neighbor said she has been around for a while and didn't belong to anyone—we think she's been living underneath our house (our subcontractor said he found evidence of a cat living there a couple months ago). My heart broke for her.</div><div><br /></div><div>How could we say no to this face?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPER-iyQABAFFiWIN0hyphenhyphen4RdmelGvQ8DK0fRYAvCI9lj9YF4D_BZyjE9Sw0rAymfMHOadJ2MS9M5rCy9osrvizHWPiLCAK6bh4xPBZpGKMEJls5bqmE_H1L7FlK1wohsVw22Idrkv4P7vL7/s1600/IMG_1808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPER-iyQABAFFiWIN0hyphenhyphen4RdmelGvQ8DK0fRYAvCI9lj9YF4D_BZyjE9Sw0rAymfMHOadJ2MS9M5rCy9osrvizHWPiLCAK6bh4xPBZpGKMEJls5bqmE_H1L7FlK1wohsVw22Idrkv4P7vL7/s1600/IMG_1808.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, now we have Biscuit. </div><div><br /></div><div>Biscuit hates Susie.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbcDxmrFwmi3Hb_VIBf-yKr1I0Sl7BRVQ9MPcfQBQvoE-wgJMbfGKzSwR7lseiBb6FL1vf_qjVpReC-NvFerpZ3n6pIsHZF9v0aWle6f5S8rXy9jwU4dH26i6AaAazw7qWXr6MWdUBhds/s1600/IMG_1809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbcDxmrFwmi3Hb_VIBf-yKr1I0Sl7BRVQ9MPcfQBQvoE-wgJMbfGKzSwR7lseiBb6FL1vf_qjVpReC-NvFerpZ3n6pIsHZF9v0aWle6f5S8rXy9jwU4dH26i6AaAazw7qWXr6MWdUBhds/s1600/IMG_1809.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It has been a kitty stand-off in here all weekend. Susie is more curious than anything, but Biscuit is used to defending herself in the wild so it makes sense that she has an aversion to other animals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Biscuit is still going to be an outdoor cat—we'll let her in when she meows but I feel so sad for Susie. First we uproot her and put her in this strange house and then we add this other animal to the mix, who eats her food and makes her uncomfortable in her own home. I'm trying to give her extra love and attention so she doesn't feel betrayed. </div><div><br /></div><div>We did make some major progress though...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZIJsNPmUCR4_pAYSn3gNYcO4x1pPafoTgD5CmW0VGKRRktuZGIOkT-wepuhiH-uw9OdVVXKQZw2jwi15da4gvZVyFSN1M6U7IL4twRAdf8yppYNTd3dofSqeEhpCp1wmqBLlb2hwA4kc/s1600/IMG_1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZIJsNPmUCR4_pAYSn3gNYcO4x1pPafoTgD5CmW0VGKRRktuZGIOkT-wepuhiH-uw9OdVVXKQZw2jwi15da4gvZVyFSN1M6U7IL4twRAdf8yppYNTd3dofSqeEhpCp1wmqBLlb2hwA4kc/s1600/IMG_1820.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>They're on the same bed! Brad brought Biscuit in and pet her while I pet/calmed Susie—and even though there was a stare down contest and lots of growling, neither one jumped off the bed when we left the room. </div><div><br /></div><div>They still have lots of issues to work through, but I hope they can become BFF's one day. Any advice on how to make cats not want to kill each other?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Back to house stuff—I think this week we'll try to tackle this living room wall...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZDDXuWD6yVm-wxORKvmgeGyAM0T3DSW7sf_96JhTbqw6kAOL1eK3YY7ClhwE-QB_O3O8qgj0EeT7K0ARImGJw6WemtwdYJUHzskxp2UZca4mhwSbI2X_-ZJ76WF2IduNgDAqaUFUrfqX/s1600/IMG_1344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZDDXuWD6yVm-wxORKvmgeGyAM0T3DSW7sf_96JhTbqw6kAOL1eK3YY7ClhwE-QB_O3O8qgj0EeT7K0ARImGJw6WemtwdYJUHzskxp2UZca4mhwSbI2X_-ZJ76WF2IduNgDAqaUFUrfqX/s1600/IMG_1344.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Planking round 4, here we come!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Kitchen Chronicles: New Hardware & Paint

It's kitchen update time! In my last post I showed a photo of our new door pulls and knobs. I had my heart set on the cup style pulls p...

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An Up to Date House Tour

Stopping in to wish you a happy day of love! I've been devouring these all morning...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2rYOkq9aieaDD3JmDWac7c-aCcOW3Gqo2C_Nm8weYjfFzyqVMVqsP-h1DZrg4kWe2HuckpfkvUF3roV2HQsc-bM9bMSWLRAT3NZ9SprXsSGx6iACiNvF-441oVYo_525UBu67mIdVb4F/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-14+at+10.03.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2rYOkq9aieaDD3JmDWac7c-aCcOW3Gqo2C_Nm8weYjfFzyqVMVqsP-h1DZrg4kWe2HuckpfkvUF3roV2HQsc-bM9bMSWLRAT3NZ9SprXsSGx6iACiNvF-441oVYo_525UBu67mIdVb4F/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-14+at+10.03.43+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I just realized the other day that we've owned this house for 10 weeks now and I still hadn't made a House Tour! Bad blogger.<br /><br />But I fixed that this morning—take a look at my updated <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/p/house-tour_4.html">House Tour</a> page, now with "Before" and "In Progress" shots of our current home (some never before seen):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html"><img alt="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL39dltvfyzH6vnz9Ay_IFEKy0DxzM805J9zAB57wSm3J4-Ak6Qf7ftK4mQlxdeKrV6InWYt8VCiVatWwBS56L5DjP20IsLo-d_3TaCrRLqnEsMIoOTunaB7Kf6_TNk1sNtDMRlbLLgZk/s1600/CurrentHouse.jpg" /></a></div><br />It feels like things have been moving slowly lately, but when all the photos are lined up, it's really exciting to see everything coming together. We've barely scratched the surface though, and I anticipate this journey will take years (it took almost 3 for our last house, which was 1000 sq. ft. smaller and there weren't any <i>major</i> renos like we have planned for this one).<br /><br />I've got an afternoon of fun in the kitchen lined up... first, this back wall and door are getting a paint makeover:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLILSPcZQW8RbUg5Ce8CyPk_yR5W9Uz2oEdpwec1fUGuK4Elx8_mNxGnNHbYdB8offPJ-zf47LMiz0LzNL82KPyNfdaYvG3KU1YjUhC6dkiZW9PEVAKCdtw9WAsafDhwnLvtbQrNR3Xt-L/s1600/IMG_1731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLILSPcZQW8RbUg5Ce8CyPk_yR5W9Uz2oEdpwec1fUGuK4Elx8_mNxGnNHbYdB8offPJ-zf47LMiz0LzNL82KPyNfdaYvG3KU1YjUhC6dkiZW9PEVAKCdtw9WAsafDhwnLvtbQrNR3Xt-L/s1600/IMG_1731.jpg" /></a></div><br />And check out what came in the mail yesterday...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7OHMbG2m1Xv3jCjhYZBbonkXA-d3qd0JhPwIg_0kBvhteOleAeZ1r1LVyznBB9rW82SQO_WRpT-YMhJbiLBB9wxKA0u4vNFoWw6z7BK04aawLt0goZUlMxEM_cJT5x7ZHQ2yZ8ebsN6v/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-14+at+10.01.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7OHMbG2m1Xv3jCjhYZBbonkXA-d3qd0JhPwIg_0kBvhteOleAeZ1r1LVyznBB9rW82SQO_WRpT-YMhJbiLBB9wxKA0u4vNFoWw6z7BK04aawLt0goZUlMxEM_cJT5x7ZHQ2yZ8ebsN6v/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-14+at+10.01.29+AM.png" /></a></div><br />Can't wait to get these babies installed so I can finally open the doors properly!<br /><br />All that to come in the next post.<br /><br />Before I go, one last update. As some of you know, I've been working on a sequel to my <a href="http://www.dafont.com/jenna-sue.font">Jenna Sue</a> font for a <i>very</i> long time now. After a final push of motivation to get this thing done over the last few months, I'm thrilled to announce that it's done! D-O-N-E! It feels so good to write that.<br /><br />Here's a little preview...<br /><br /><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/AVvXsEjxYXLcE9V4AYmIHrWXv95nfoxFMgg5oNKEmwglLJM_9k32Q5Kd0epyhyphenhyphenjWxxABY5qD_PKOD1Xx1bZHYV0RFNXVDZu393uJD-VKOZcswueu0Z1JmfuEV1NwjryFM8mBQjzNjpYFZLlv0mI2/s1600/Quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYXLcE9V4AYmIHrWXv95nfoxFMgg5oNKEmwglLJM_9k32Q5Kd0epyhyphenhyphenjWxxABY5qD_PKOD1Xx1bZHYV0RFNXVDZu393uJD-VKOZcswueu0Z1JmfuEV1NwjryFM8mBQjzNjpYFZLlv0mI2/s1600/Quote.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This free digital print will be included with the font download!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'll be sure to announce the official release, coming very soon. I'm so happy with the way it turned out and can't wait to share it with you all. Get excited.<br /><br />Time to get back to work. Check in for a kitchen update this weekend...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br />

An Up to Date House Tour

Stopping in to wish you a happy day of love! I've been devouring these all morning... I just realized the other day that we've owned...

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