up and running

via urban grace interiors

Yeah, it's official... our internet is up and running and faster than ever before. 

I have spent my evening reading my favorite blogs and oh my have I missed a lot in a week +. 

I know I need to post pics of what's been going on in my hood but I thought some eye candy might get ya'll going. 

So lately I have have been dreaming of kitchens. I know, I know, kinda strange since I love my current kitchen but I can't help myself.

via made by girl

I am realizing that after pouring over magazines and blogs that I am loving white kitchens with dark wood floors.  

via coastal living

Currently I have cream wood cabinets and I love them but there is something about white that I love even more.  What is your favorite color for kitchen cabinets?

via honey we're home

I do love the two tone look as well.  Lighter upper cabinets and darker bottom or a dark island.

via lynn morgan for coastal living

While I love a light granite or marble I am not sure if I would choose it.  I am leaning towards a darker granite or a different stone that is close to black. 

via urban grace interiors

Is this granite in the picture above? I am not sure but I love these counters. 

via dmagazine

Tile is important for a kitchen too, don't you think?  I am loving these tiles and the design they bring to the kitchen. 

via urban grace interiors

Last on my pretend kitchen remodel is what I would do for lighting. I adore these pendant lights, adore them.  I've been asking for them for over a year now for my current kitchen and I keep getting the veto.  Perhaps one day. 

A recap of what my perfect kitchen would have is

white or light cabinets, black counter tops, light tile backsplash, dark wood floors, chrome pendant lights.  

What is your best kitchen?

The Playroom

The boys upstairs playroom has been a fun project for me. Not only did my husband give me free range to put anything on the walls, he encouraged it.
I wanted to create a fun play space as well as a learning place.

To create the space I did the following. First I purchased the learning boards from Toys that Teach. Then I visited Ikea and found the huge red frames to hold them. The only thing about the frames is they have no cover which I didn't realize until after I opened them all. Which ended up being fine. Then I purchased Spray Glue and sprayed the boards onto the large piece of white paper that came with the frames and walla.  The table and chairs in the playroom were purchased from Pottery Barn Kids as were adorable alphabet holders on the backs of the chairs (these are only available in store).  The Abacus by Melissa & Doug can be purchased in various locations.

 I purchased the chalkboards at Ikea. They were brown so I decided to paint them Aspharagus by Behr which was left over paint from my son, Jake's room. I learned to only use spray paint after painting these with room paint. The stools under the chalkboards are from Ikea and were a steal but a pain to assemble. The bird art clips were purchased at Land of Nod. The hanging tins were purchased at Target in the $1 area. I got the idea from Jenny. The 3 m hangers for the tins I got at Target.

The kitchen by Kidkraft was purchased at Costco a few years ago. The mirror above was a gift from my dad ages ago. I spray painted it with Valspar Gloss in Mediterranean that I purchased from Lowe's. I hope to add curtains soon and hangers for art smocks, hats, etc.

I scored the train table and drawers (by Kidkraft) on Craigslist for $40 bucks, a steal. The castle was from daddy this Christmas and purchased at Toys the Teach. I don't know if you can see them in the back but there are Thomas the Train Wall Decals that I got at Home Depot.

The extra storage is necessary. The bookcase was in my husbands office until recently and now fits perfectly in our space. He purchased it from Ikea years ago yet they still carry them.

This is a picture of the semi organized closet in their playroom.

A little extra.....The table and chairs downstairs in the kitchen area, I purchased from Ikea last week and finally set up today. I love that they have a  space to play and create while I am cooking.  The alphabet hangers on the back of the chairs I purchased at Pottery Barn Kids and are only available in stores.

The new playtable and it's surroundings.

Happy Monday!