Backsplash

We have been indecisive on the backsplash in the kitchen (STILL) and also don't want to dish out the cash right now for the pricey tile that we sort of like.  We have a New Years Party this year and the lack of a finished backsplash burnt my eyes when I saw the pictures:

A little over dramatic, maybe.  But the rest of the kitchen looked so nice!

So of course I got on Pinterest and searched for ideas.  We decided on a gray tinted chalkboard paint not only for the fun chalkboard use but for the natural slate look that it provides.  It was so easy to do I don't know why I waited a year to finally do something with the area.

BEFORE: 

AFTER:

April 2012

Some updated pics... Chris completed a nice stone path to the barn:

Now we just need some grass :)

I have been on the hunt for the perfect chairs for our new table and I finally found them!!  In love.  Custom made parsons chairs.  They were never used as dining chairs either so they are in brand new condition.

 I was very excited to find them at an estate sale-

And our table is finally done!! 

 First meal at the new table - Asian Spiced Duck Breast with Ginger - Chili Sauce from Alton.  They were amazing!

Finishing the Dining Area

We're working on getting more pics of the completed project up, but trying to furnish the house as well.

We have a nice kitchen table from Chris' family, however we don't think it quite fits in with our farmhouse feel:

Using the old beams on the island for inspiration, we decided to make a table.  We salvaged as many old beams/ lumber as we could from the old addition when we demo'ed it - and I think we found the perfect use for some of them...

Chris and his friend are hard at work now, putting it all together.  We think we'll go with a wax finish so we don't have to plane down the old wood and won't have the yellowish tone of poly.

They are using the Gun Barrel table from Restoration Hardware as their guide (I like the cost of ours better!)

My inspiration for the chairs is this - I love the white chairs against the rustic wood table-

(photo via pinterest from http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/blue-dining-roo-151615)

My search for white chairs lead me to antique stores today, and I found a set of 4 chairs that I'm liking...

I have always loved the look of 2 larger, different chairs at the ends of the table - so these four could work for the chairs along the long sides.  The blue stripe in the burlap-type fabric also would work with our blue island stools...

Moving in!

We got our Certificate of Occupancy (CO) a couple days after Christmas.  We are loving the new house and working on decorating!  A few pics since we have been in -

Hoping to get a lot of cleaning & organizing done this weekend - so more photos to follow of the house a bit more furnished!

December 19, 2011

So much has been done since I last posted... we are just about a week away from getting our CO and moving into the new addition!  Plumbing and electric and finishing touches are pretty much remaining.  The hearth for the woodstove is hopefully being completed today, appliances being hooked up. Some pictures -

The floors were stained

Island put back and granite installed

Loveeeeeeeee

Amazing what some paint can do!

Updates

Exterior siding almost complete - waiting for paint

Side view

Stairs installed

And basement stairs

Cabinets selected - rustic alder main cabinets and off white distressed island.  We also selected our granite slabs but no pictures yet - 

Beams that we saved from the demo'ed house that we'll use as columns for the island

and we have windows!

Back patio area

Better view

Front of house

Big french doors

Side of house

Decisions, Decisions!

We have been going back and forth between a lighter-colored rustic alder cabinet and a slightly distressed off-white cabinet for some time.  Alder for the main cabinets and white for the island?  Vice versa?  All white?  !!!

See the inspiration photos in my houzz album to the right - comments/ suggestions appreciated!

Samples of the two we have narrowed it down to:

Rustic Alder Rattan stain with chocolate glaze; and Macadamia paint with latte glaze and cottage rub-thru. Floor stain we are using is on the left

Cabinet on far left ruled out.  Floor stain is again on the left

We want the awesome wide plank pine floors to stand out, and for the kitchen to be bright and airy.  This makes us lean towards the white cabinets, and alder (or painted?) island...

Recently

Framing is complete, roof is on, front porch installed.  Exterior trim in progress, windows en route followed by siding.

Stone wall in dining area

Looking from dining area towards great room

Kitchen (left) and dining area (right)

Looking upstairs from great room.  2 bedrooms with a full bath between

Looking out the back where the 8' french doors will be

 

Chris & Dad installing the stovepipe

Lily and Walter - approved