Home Interior: Kitchen

Showing posts with label Kitchen. Show all posts

Finishing Tile With Metal Edging

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FPOR2pEQuV7DTLl2PWOanITqAfBz0Xm9g8FSNd929Zx3eRI0yJx8qfZ-KcEAEGHczwVH5QqEmXPbcwy1CGS5UzzCF7O3Ujhp0_9AKEV9lE49Jl0aoRuKcwYAt84h5AsRbcGQ2IdtPg40/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FPOR2pEQuV7DTLl2PWOanITqAfBz0Xm9g8FSNd929Zx3eRI0yJx8qfZ-KcEAEGHczwVH5QqEmXPbcwy1CGS5UzzCF7O3Ujhp0_9AKEV9lE49Jl0aoRuKcwYAt84h5AsRbcGQ2IdtPg40/s640/002.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT1J18CzzxxahVsv74nflMFCZiZ8SPMcoEFR0dQoH5mctcAj58w9XLRKUZjyHIbkDQqNN5L9CdjatyW-NYeZCUlp05AOPA4bpCbf7LO5RQBW0fg9IQeIqoEd3vLe8wbyL1URpj-OLC9E/s1600/P1060039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT1J18CzzxxahVsv74nflMFCZiZ8SPMcoEFR0dQoH5mctcAj58w9XLRKUZjyHIbkDQqNN5L9CdjatyW-NYeZCUlp05AOPA4bpCbf7LO5RQBW0fg9IQeIqoEd3vLe8wbyL1URpj-OLC9E/s640/P1060039.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />Many folks have commented or emailed to compliment us on our herringbone tiling job (thanks!) but recently a reader asked me about the edging we used (you can spot it in the second pic).  So, here are the details:<br /><br />Our subway tiles weren't finished on the sides, so we needed something to finish off the edges.  We used <a href="http://www.schluter.com/products.aspx">schluter brand edging</a>, but there are so many different brands and styles.  Talk to an expert, wherever you purchase your tile, to find the right edging for your project.<br /><br />Installation was super simple.  We figured out where our tiling would stop and affixed the edging to the wall using screws.  <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/AVvXsEjLv7IlKW8GF1JA-l7-Nw8o1jmeRVVlUYcalFBCoKsszIcgPQZZfKoSKBKn24Yd6RnT415Qlnwpzx3deDBme-Qrq_OwB2dQrOkztjcbdBTXX8LzSidldBDRSSjjJOAsFVnabZ51wKw0vgy0/s1600/P1050589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv7IlKW8GF1JA-l7-Nw8o1jmeRVVlUYcalFBCoKsszIcgPQZZfKoSKBKn24Yd6RnT415Qlnwpzx3deDBme-Qrq_OwB2dQrOkztjcbdBTXX8LzSidldBDRSSjjJOAsFVnabZ51wKw0vgy0/s400/P1050589.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use a level to make sure your edging is,<br />well, level.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbf6EMdWmtAzak2J1wcS9tGHXj-nWIUbf3-XXNvAsPSSPJvYD_dIQ_06Lb6GIYUfPezoqnHijzaK53HYJ-6CywX5HFev-6MP0nsoUA5OagMuLq2It6etdcN0y9iM8BEvH_1FuWJOtbJ9j/s1600/P1050588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbf6EMdWmtAzak2J1wcS9tGHXj-nWIUbf3-XXNvAsPSSPJvYD_dIQ_06Lb6GIYUfPezoqnHijzaK53HYJ-6CywX5HFev-6MP0nsoUA5OagMuLq2It6etdcN0y9iM8BEvH_1FuWJOtbJ9j/s640/P1050588.JPG" t8="true" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Then we just tiled up to the edges, ensuring a nice tight meeting.  Our edging had a little "lip," for the tile to slide under, so there are no awkward gaps.  We used the edging at the top of the tiling, and also the sides.  It created a nice "frame" for the pattern.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUg_9hJwsHLtXTa7ReAWRtbtqpXlyEYp9ag_EzI8j0215CNfW1um35W-tKQFwKQGGxF_Y2BiQuYAH_SnGNiGXsYXd86f2dBX6Q4Uz9lrttsjRXJeYnyflcXfHu5ix9SKRCQ3w2odujZen/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUg_9hJwsHLtXTa7ReAWRtbtqpXlyEYp9ag_EzI8j0215CNfW1um35W-tKQFwKQGGxF_Y2BiQuYAH_SnGNiGXsYXd86f2dBX6Q4Uz9lrttsjRXJeYnyflcXfHu5ix9SKRCQ3w2odujZen/s640/013.JPG" t8="true" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYfNFqeNrx9nFr_dg0RNLH0h67kPD8m2S3LjocuKuNV5YDq86TOifPJDzo7V44f0wvTneFm9VPTD49j-iLv6WDKxbfPtw7-qiY3qgei7b5wU6Vlp61KuS98TpsWZiiG4ZSaLG5pUHHqnC/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYfNFqeNrx9nFr_dg0RNLH0h67kPD8m2S3LjocuKuNV5YDq86TOifPJDzo7V44f0wvTneFm9VPTD49j-iLv6WDKxbfPtw7-qiY3qgei7b5wU6Vlp61KuS98TpsWZiiG4ZSaLG5pUHHqnC/s640/015.JPG" t8="true" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1a6y1mV4347HDI4wjqzccedT-N_p0W_GEHTGk0ue22EFPoDb_55q4thciIwkYLGjFcXcU3KNcASgBgFJ_StfN7_Padim2n1zlWgil9m1JB7fy82IEwehJswvcy0AYjVrAxfnJoNC7Cc/s1600/P1060046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1a6y1mV4347HDI4wjqzccedT-N_p0W_GEHTGk0ue22EFPoDb_55q4thciIwkYLGjFcXcU3KNcASgBgFJ_StfN7_Padim2n1zlWgil9m1JB7fy82IEwehJswvcy0AYjVrAxfnJoNC7Cc/s640/P1060046.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Click <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-re-varnished-cabinet-fronts.html">here</a> to read about how we re-varnished the cabinet fronts and click <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-before-after.html">here</a> to see more of the tiling process.

Finishing Tile With Metal Edging

Many folks have commented or emailed to compliment us on our herringbone tiling job (thanks!) but recently a reader asked me about the edg...

6:00 AM

A Kitchen I Love That is Not White

You know how I constantly whine about wanting white kitchen cabinets, even though I painstakingly re-varnished ours (the project is filed under the DIY projects tab <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/p/diy-projects.html">here</a>)?  I know, I know, my mind works in mysterious ways.  Well, I think I might be over white cabinets (okay, not really) because this blush-y beige-y colour, especially paired with vintage inspired pink, is too fabulous an alternative to ignore.  Thanks Martha, like I couldn't find enough things to pine for on my own.<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/AVvXsEhrdZD0R5mddDvxz6I6m3sPdpAwo7X9P-NHA8o3lhC3lLetrHs0mXAL0oDTZblaGyxZhtOsLQj3r2dUCT0CWGFnQueyIustCUGoHm0mtTvJmQQInAMuz4is44fa4hAEBXN4buRDVZoQYOG1/s1600/martha+stewart+pink+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdZD0R5mddDvxz6I6m3sPdpAwo7X9P-NHA8o3lhC3lLetrHs0mXAL0oDTZblaGyxZhtOsLQj3r2dUCT0CWGFnQueyIustCUGoHm0mtTvJmQQInAMuz4is44fa4hAEBXN4buRDVZoQYOG1/s640/martha+stewart+pink+kitchen.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/pink-rooms#slide_5">Martha Stewart</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Bah.  I need to pen a blog that doesn't make me <em>want </em>things.

A Kitchen I Love That is Not White

You know how I constantly whine about wanting white kitchen cabinets, even though I painstakingly re-varnished ours (the project is filed un...

6:09 PM

A Note to My Kitchen

Try to be more like this kitchen (minus the valence):<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/AVvXsEh2eEskjuXDsBU6fVLHJVUlG86U57uxkiaf9x9NyOdw8U4eESgh0kBchRzHlOEYIlrcIEBjFxs5AaSzhaG-Yh-mhy6bG-rPvS6vF-THCk5K-xeFo9ipN0O1cGHxyRvpkAeU-zGXHbvWmBc/s1600/art+in+kitchen+hicks+pendant+patterend+stool+via+down+out+chic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eEskjuXDsBU6fVLHJVUlG86U57uxkiaf9x9NyOdw8U4eESgh0kBchRzHlOEYIlrcIEBjFxs5AaSzhaG-Yh-mhy6bG-rPvS6vF-THCk5K-xeFo9ipN0O1cGHxyRvpkAeU-zGXHbvWmBc/s640/art+in+kitchen+hicks+pendant+patterend+stool+via+down+out+chic.jpg" width="553" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest<br /><a href="http://designmanifest.blogspot.com/2011/04/wednesday-in-kitchen-few-colorful.html">Via Design Manifest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Or this one:<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;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45YWCfK0jYMYSFhN3F3S_PJAtzGHwooKY5-qCDCHacSL8fE_jJef4iQagbloC3qQ8JJEujrV4Qg959X1ZC3uIVl4dI9gzGneaxMx1efQq2h2w6YBiF2d5kc32rVB1Wp9Y6G0mR9gjSXI/s400/KITCHENhen+island+lt+deligh+by+design+blog%253F+ask+ash+to+ping+it+how%253F.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stylelinx.blogspot.com/2011/04/kichen-island-lighting.html">Via StyleLinx</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Honestly, I think I am just loving the sunny, brightness of these kitchens.  The photos below represent the kinda weather I'm lookin' at and it makes the whole house dreary.  I have oodles of marking to do & all I want to do is curl up with a good book.  How about everyone gets perfect!?!  <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;"><img height="300" id="il_fi" src="http://blog.dreamrealm.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/rain460.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="460" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.dreamrealm.org/blog/2009/07/29/rapid-fire-3/">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table> <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;"><img height="239" id="il_fi" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2010/01/25/ottawa-100125-sparks-street-banner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2010/01/25/ottawa-january-rain.html">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

A Note to My Kitchen

Try to be more like this kitchen (minus the valence): Pinterest Via Design Manifest Or this one: Via StyleLinx Honestly, I think I am ju...

7:41 AM

Abstract Painting How-to + New Kitchen Photos

The <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/abstract-painting-completed.html">painting I made for the kitchen</a> really breaks a lot of "rules" about art.  I wanted something pretty, something vintage-y but modern, something that "went" with the kitchen & I set to work with these goals in mind, which is a big no-no for many professional artists and I respect that.  Art is about more than decorating.  So, I want it to be clear that what I've made is really more "craft" than art.  A fun project, a hobby I enjoy, and not an artistic statement.<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/AVvXsEjjlxdamsujNMzJsXdl6ncr30KWfOJrK-GUzwLzFGLHDnatLifvlYLpDVPrkPbBJiG6logtpOYtVQENkDaLx6_5ZLB0d0flUZf1EdjabuE-hSaiP_rpmLtHOXLjhSqWWknPRTaSJT3tjksA/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlxdamsujNMzJsXdl6ncr30KWfOJrK-GUzwLzFGLHDnatLifvlYLpDVPrkPbBJiG6logtpOYtVQENkDaLx6_5ZLB0d0flUZf1EdjabuE-hSaiP_rpmLtHOXLjhSqWWknPRTaSJT3tjksA/s640/027.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally - a slightly sunnier day for a fresh new photo<br />P.S. Ignore the bananas, we're on a fruit smoothie kick</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><strong>How-to:</strong><br /><br />First I bought a large square canvas on sale (I have been stockpiling them whenever I find a good price).  I tend to just move paint around as the mood strikes (see <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/bedroom-update.html">here</a> & <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/12/master-bedroom-before-in-progress.html">here</a> for examples of other paintings I have made), but this time I challenged myself by doing something a bit more controlled: <em>circles</em>.  I cheated and sketched them out first:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO6uHed10g0a7dr22xIxxJ2pkHtJECOYcdQIjrVDXClEB2lLban2J0LdPGbGugtI6KPkSXs0qlEMGo6HPPz9Fqmc6Y7o-aEj0ME-QcqPHuvApO6ittUQRe2rOL2nC-Y9DVsoqKh8VM3pR/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO6uHed10g0a7dr22xIxxJ2pkHtJECOYcdQIjrVDXClEB2lLban2J0LdPGbGugtI6KPkSXs0qlEMGo6HPPz9Fqmc6Y7o-aEj0ME-QcqPHuvApO6ittUQRe2rOL2nC-Y9DVsoqKh8VM3pR/s640/022.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic54i-9nufCuegNqWI8VpKIRXyZ6DxbQMYMV1_1BjuowRy3pvWUm2p1jATWfWW-P4zJkJrulJ9lTi1NEBVFcwePN4tjUHU4oGmTNrPSorJJcEuW6D7ki50E7nvs9YtUKm1P6DDdbI7Rmk9/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic54i-9nufCuegNqWI8VpKIRXyZ6DxbQMYMV1_1BjuowRy3pvWUm2p1jATWfWW-P4zJkJrulJ9lTi1NEBVFcwePN4tjUHU4oGmTNrPSorJJcEuW6D7ki50E7nvs9YtUKm1P6DDdbI7Rmk9/s640/021.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />Then, with a variety of paintbrushes (one big, a couple small - all with shorter bristles for more precision), I worked the circles and background alternately so that there would be "movement" - I didn't want the painting to look like a flat wallpaper pattern (although that would look nifty too).  I used my brushes to create subtle texture and followed the perimeter of the circle with paint, instead of painting across the circle.  I used acrylic paint because I like the fast drying time and easy clean up - plus you can easily paint over areas you don't like!  That is something I definitely did once or twice.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wmMzR7VJmAsvv07aun4rg0AERrq0DMooyOGz3tSMyB98UK15wrY6Wde0eTaw3E9zOZXq4Po8Ie1dnMpWG4jngBLReOHXjo3-4DyXb7l9BQ24LoK2g-pzSPui7qaAiFEMxtL57WGYdEK4/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wmMzR7VJmAsvv07aun4rg0AERrq0DMooyOGz3tSMyB98UK15wrY6Wde0eTaw3E9zOZXq4Po8Ie1dnMpWG4jngBLReOHXjo3-4DyXb7l9BQ24LoK2g-pzSPui7qaAiFEMxtL57WGYdEK4/s640/031.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_VKNOQDoCMrCSXZ1lugBQnsDbzzlhtUam5e4_6m_Ct-rgTWA3f3Mzvx6G00I6z70IekqW7ys-bxCa_DCOyGeE36krnPip_7P0yh93iDLDCQWxjCTPPTrjR4dvbr-nvEtg4pi5ufv1caJ/s1600/159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_VKNOQDoCMrCSXZ1lugBQnsDbzzlhtUam5e4_6m_Ct-rgTWA3f3Mzvx6G00I6z70IekqW7ys-bxCa_DCOyGeE36krnPip_7P0yh93iDLDCQWxjCTPPTrjR4dvbr-nvEtg4pi5ufv1caJ/s400/159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEht9VYuUfRVgOwUUeCkJe6iuL4xp-3UlvftGZVvL_jWiUPzP0qhBnoo7c19pHYNnXOq6n_TgtFQkrL2b6K9U7vj_RozGX_ccQDhrqCdWQ-kITAkW-NZIxI2pzy0zIt3Th_Q56cGaOknBxQ4/s1600/135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9VYuUfRVgOwUUeCkJe6iuL4xp-3UlvftGZVvL_jWiUPzP0qhBnoo7c19pHYNnXOq6n_TgtFQkrL2b6K9U7vj_RozGX_ccQDhrqCdWQ-kITAkW-NZIxI2pzy0zIt3Th_Q56cGaOknBxQ4/s640/135.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm . . . textured.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong>My tip</strong>: to make a crisp, clean pastel (think Easter & nurseries) use a white like titanium white.  For the vintage-y pastels (you can really see the difference in the pink circles) use titanium buff.  You'd be surprised how little of the coloured paint (red + white for pink, etc) you need.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkpuxhhq-S2Myon4sKIPjFa-kGifVE6z4xP5-XM2fKUehoyY7DYgZW0zQhXvdEIgPIRnwyIWF16YNMy-fqpkMgO6WujaNH4lCajjFJtN7zUFw1kXUON0DYVZeQ4m38lVIKOJhr5QGn1gx/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkpuxhhq-S2Myon4sKIPjFa-kGifVE6z4xP5-XM2fKUehoyY7DYgZW0zQhXvdEIgPIRnwyIWF16YNMy-fqpkMgO6WujaNH4lCajjFJtN7zUFw1kXUON0DYVZeQ4m38lVIKOJhr5QGn1gx/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><strong>Inspiration:</strong><br /><br />Although I was initially inspired by the pattern on a vintage lunch set I have (first photo), I used the painting to unify elements in the kitchen: the red accents, black & white floor, black & white houndstooth chairs, and (of course) the pale green and turquoise that I love.<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/AVvXsEiR1Qf3Pm60IjkGwjvpStxft1gBAPkYfboiy05_KLYd9YWcp3Nd0LM4LgoT9PMdxnAN3FZnh16RChg5xxdKC5PyFztkrRNc18JV2jFGuNwgnkHfKhLu8lmz7x0ATP7X6K3yGYqfwiNh4wG0/s1600/580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1Qf3Pm60IjkGwjvpStxft1gBAPkYfboiy05_KLYd9YWcp3Nd0LM4LgoT9PMdxnAN3FZnh16RChg5xxdKC5PyFztkrRNc18JV2jFGuNwgnkHfKhLu8lmz7x0ATP7X6K3yGYqfwiNh4wG0/s640/580.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My original inspiration: my vintage luncheon set<br /> (there's two more with the set!)</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEgYDcryf9MhRP0NKmQUvPd_mSDZfkGBz7Y0VXEq861vfez53P_FIPw2AKtGjxRGMntg_YShc8TH6-Yh6BU9UygwgYenUjaKFfUPYfCmtHITqmtiVG1V5pHqha2AN9RizUqW-n3uOLzOL6Lh/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDcryf9MhRP0NKmQUvPd_mSDZfkGBz7Y0VXEq861vfez53P_FIPw2AKtGjxRGMntg_YShc8TH6-Yh6BU9UygwgYenUjaKFfUPYfCmtHITqmtiVG1V5pHqha2AN9RizUqW-n3uOLzOL6Lh/s400/033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black & white floor we've chosen to work with<br />(as opposed to replace)</td></tr></tbody></table>    <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/AVvXsEgm-H5_duU08Esf44mhyCTkEP304QYkcdLkSui8qqmMRqj4jDfnBmwHzT2LKtQHxCumrAjgvPViFUMworcs2zGlS7OsIEg73v9-aI2t7TjU5i_rbcgqSa6ptjqXJYVUPkfc_S9Z5QQywTgY/s1600/129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-H5_duU08Esf44mhyCTkEP304QYkcdLkSui8qqmMRqj4jDfnBmwHzT2LKtQHxCumrAjgvPViFUMworcs2zGlS7OsIEg73v9-aI2t7TjU5i_rbcgqSa6ptjqXJYVUPkfc_S9Z5QQywTgY/s640/129.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black & white houndstooth print I chose to recover the chairs with,<br />to go with the floor</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3O4Q1tQ3s4NySc5PqVh5ycNrsMmRk3auWLzTbnuGI5EN7bZihkbcD2urCY8nxdST_x-YjFEfjzWm8ZUhxbw0iOO2qL3Y1wiiJEbuefvRo_24ejxg_3h8mom2Do7HMEbnu8ewtEP325QN/s1600/092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3O4Q1tQ3s4NySc5PqVh5ycNrsMmRk3auWLzTbnuGI5EN7bZihkbcD2urCY8nxdST_x-YjFEfjzWm8ZUhxbw0iOO2qL3Y1wiiJEbuefvRo_24ejxg_3h8mom2Do7HMEbnu8ewtEP325QN/s400/092.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FPOR2pEQuV7DTLl2PWOanITqAfBz0Xm9g8FSNd929Zx3eRI0yJx8qfZ-KcEAEGHczwVH5QqEmXPbcwy1CGS5UzzCF7O3Ujhp0_9AKEV9lE49Jl0aoRuKcwYAt84h5AsRbcGQ2IdtPg40/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FPOR2pEQuV7DTLl2PWOanITqAfBz0Xm9g8FSNd929Zx3eRI0yJx8qfZ-KcEAEGHczwVH5QqEmXPbcwy1CGS5UzzCF7O3Ujhp0_9AKEV9lE49Jl0aoRuKcwYAt84h5AsRbcGQ2IdtPg40/s640/002.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful kitchen accents</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I also tried not to compete with the artwork in or near the kitchen, like <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/art-attack-bert-weir.html">Hubby's grandpa's painting</a> (below) or my mom's print (above the kitchen sink).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6PpWAQjNWITWv_ImX1ulX1Z1WgNoSRKG1sbL8USGbq0zG6_gWPCU6Ki3MxbB8fQ6aGBGBYcl-r6ESIeSeYkKFdaIeBriHGzpsXl-HGhLOY6_HsTziiI21lguk1Xej2ocXVaSltOjN52v/s1600/147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6PpWAQjNWITWv_ImX1ulX1Z1WgNoSRKG1sbL8USGbq0zG6_gWPCU6Ki3MxbB8fQ6aGBGBYcl-r6ESIeSeYkKFdaIeBriHGzpsXl-HGhLOY6_HsTziiI21lguk1Xej2ocXVaSltOjN52v/s640/147.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwcyUbUCFeHlHfqQWpLsUwDEMpzAIwIvEpeY0Bj63m7yBMCgrM2YXb-ZyalfFZsIewKnwUe9psPT6MuQHhtoKX-rK-OOfEaTMT3Gu0A2CxlSpZBlmbRpvxbx1EQwA2fxvOuu1eXsSOVA/s1600/P1060028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwcyUbUCFeHlHfqQWpLsUwDEMpzAIwIvEpeY0Bj63m7yBMCgrM2YXb-ZyalfFZsIewKnwUe9psPT6MuQHhtoKX-rK-OOfEaTMT3Gu0A2CxlSpZBlmbRpvxbx1EQwA2fxvOuu1eXsSOVA/s640/P1060028.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYqEXK5aSUpBPltcFzXBOI4_2LCl3iGOaJb0pK2ocZje1VU853dVis-ZKYL7_TRk6vVB3bFqNc2tAACl1FJ-bQbgppDDyIhVjcGXsge2SCB-fWHmxbNsTwsG90CY219frkdsEAQEUyGSd/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYqEXK5aSUpBPltcFzXBOI4_2LCl3iGOaJb0pK2ocZje1VU853dVis-ZKYL7_TRk6vVB3bFqNc2tAACl1FJ-bQbgppDDyIhVjcGXsge2SCB-fWHmxbNsTwsG90CY219frkdsEAQEUyGSd/s320/077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And that is it!<br />To see more kitchen pictures (or to read about the "<a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-before.html">before</a>," <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-before-after.html">the backsplash tiling process</a> or how we <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-re-varnished-cabinet-fronts.html">re-varnished the cabinets</a>, click on the links).  </div>

Abstract Painting How-to + New Kitchen Photos

The painting I made for the kitchen really breaks a lot of "rules" about art. I wanted something pretty, something vintage-y but...

7:29 AM

Abstract Painting Completed

Yesterday morning <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/art-attack-gerald-ferguson.html">I blogged about</a> how the weather was dreary.  Well, it cleared up midday, but I was busy filling out an application for a scholarship (that required a medical - sheesh).  By the time I was ready to take some pictures it was becoming overcast again but I took pictures anyway, thinking it would only get drearier.  Then I went back to work on the application and when I took a break for dinner it was brighter, but the sun was heading downwards.  The lesson here is that the weather is seriously screwing with me.<br /><br />But I prevailed.  I have some photos to share, although they are a touch gloomier than I prefer.<br /><br />Remember this blank wall in <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-before-after.html">our kitchen</a>?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Wr2RoHlXexm7h6uDcC7XgZPNdtO4ivNlZWJx77i5U3YPNd_dEesYNoYsSo2rcUxg6Ntw5RMw7M345iyZjdzXTsr5jqjrUcPOt-bWMVNY4edrWHBVekjH6h2oplTnvjo3x5jm7HEQR-U/s1600/P1060030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Wr2RoHlXexm7h6uDcC7XgZPNdtO4ivNlZWJx77i5U3YPNd_dEesYNoYsSo2rcUxg6Ntw5RMw7M345iyZjdzXTsr5jqjrUcPOt-bWMVNY4edrWHBVekjH6h2oplTnvjo3x5jm7HEQR-U/s640/P1060030.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />Now it looks like this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4KBsaMZ4OZiF5_H8NNtyvwvR4-Q3Ng-kXLemhvjKS5BQ_dxqB99Iy7G_BdDSGaf89Ncg_i3WLPS3udo4j9u_ScczdPu9Ulorf78-Iz0lDDP7iHWAMt9VNeIc_ben-fTlPRoJXkGROfzf/s1600/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4KBsaMZ4OZiF5_H8NNtyvwvR4-Q3Ng-kXLemhvjKS5BQ_dxqB99Iy7G_BdDSGaf89Ncg_i3WLPS3udo4j9u_ScczdPu9Ulorf78-Iz0lDDP7iHWAMt9VNeIc_ben-fTlPRoJXkGROfzf/s640/121.JPG" width="470" /></a> </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesiGYSwnq_Ns4O1XY7QRfTTWw8quIIUYuyyw49QgsNK0cq-Hi1G2RUL_q9kebxGAMlCCMElAXVj6XVmB3cbrg0aYx09WEPqJYFOR3dqfPKOJWnC75ZUrO4Omi-V7viy6StORZid0KNlrc/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesiGYSwnq_Ns4O1XY7QRfTTWw8quIIUYuyyw49QgsNK0cq-Hi1G2RUL_q9kebxGAMlCCMElAXVj6XVmB3cbrg0aYx09WEPqJYFOR3dqfPKOJWnC75ZUrO4Omi-V7viy6StORZid0KNlrc/s640/140.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the other angle</td></tr></tbody></table> <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/AVvXsEhNftkwTHbnmgdeKlbQO0JW28Yrszbq5OfTNi27yA83doRHSsz9g3fkClGctoSzpU1wnUWvuVkCir7d8a-S3jPi0PSYMXZdFHqwGJXXpOIftyYb83xWYqn_TIsjZwsjp8t54r7iyR3oIzdR/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNftkwTHbnmgdeKlbQO0JW28Yrszbq5OfTNi27yA83doRHSsz9g3fkClGctoSzpU1wnUWvuVkCir7d8a-S3jPi0PSYMXZdFHqwGJXXpOIftyYb83xWYqn_TIsjZwsjp8t54r7iyR3oIzdR/s640/088.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is without natural light - darn cloudy skies!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEjL3FuN0drIYMgg0BFWuWENE-MooTrL0YKXp5BAziTg8yDJJjrVrA17oBk7KDBm-CPnsJLNoyTQ7yDH4a3CkHfHVa78i_iI9mQdPYYQHTEI1Y0ENfwO52xOOfXoMiDNA_wsrFPSVtZTY/s1600/161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEjL3FuN0drIYMgg0BFWuWENE-MooTrL0YKXp5BAziTg8yDJJjrVrA17oBk7KDBm-CPnsJLNoyTQ7yDH4a3CkHfHVa78i_iI9mQdPYYQHTEI1Y0ENfwO52xOOfXoMiDNA_wsrFPSVtZTY/s640/161.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />Yep, this is the painting <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/dog-ate-my-homework.html">I started days and days ago</a>.  When it comes to non-essential projects I operate on "Tanya Time," which runs a bit delayed due to frequently distractions.  <br /><br />Tomorrow (possibly Wednesday . . . Thursday if we're talking Tanya Time) I will post about how I DIY'd this painting.  Along with blogging about what I did (which is really straightforward) I'll show you what colours I mixed to produce crisper pastels or vintage-y pastels (there's a trick).  I will also post about the other, newer splashes of colour peppered about the kitchen and what elements of the room served as my inspiration.  It has certainly been a while since I posted anything new about the kitchen (other than the post <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/finally-fridge-photos.html">about the fridge</a>).  Let's hope the sunlight cooperates!

Abstract Painting Completed

Yesterday morning I blogged about how the weather was dreary. Well, it cleared up midday, but I was busy filling out an application for a ...

9:25 PM

Amazing Kitchen Renovation

I am floored by the amazing kitchen renovation I found at <a href="http://www.fleamarkettrixie.com/">Flea Market Trixie</a>.  And get this: the budget was only $6,000!  Wow.  Of course, I love the shots of turquoise.  I am definitely flagging this for future inspiration.<br /><br />Here's the "before":<br /><br /><div align="center"><img alt="P1020881" border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNZBYWap9wARPZFaYjiaeYunKVL1360N9mLD4HEV2w7hZF7CqsY4cGcXuOyeZVS2KJpQ440g4KzJWGiCZRGpf4JWTPBlWR7PuJ0KbtjwK-gKpaFRceJI8GyjDZoP2D9tPql-LG-4PnD2w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1020881" width="330" /></div><br /><div align="center"><img alt="P1040024" border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EpBYa3Eu60aVOSZV008wYBzWlq6WxrSZ-lrt0_-uUst38rMbKWQKbIxtCItt6MdELuB4Zb-B4DM0TecxsY3iwwRV6mJ12vuww5YBHGAQY8RoZb4PNOZmO3cQvY32fDEWklnYPbq6uVyK/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1040024" width="413" /></div><br />And the super cute "after":<br /><br /><div align="center"><img alt="P1040680a" border="0" height="701" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItR7GHf21mLBGTZZVsxq4tJdO-O5MEOlm42lVtUpx7kYwZz5ctTEEwkpbGe84f1faqw6BerjYO1neAyGZEYM_VbQRex121CWbpHexI6-GXe7UQIdOUrRCQjrnJY8emigI3JjMzQksh9A0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1040680a" width="531" /></div><br /><div align="center"><img alt="P1040671" border="0" height="686" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0m5ERg2A7-t3UL2yPwm13XO2q_dy_gF3Pm23dij6lFH8HnK3cfmqFKpwGWQd58_eY5ssUcM1SJg6PsWOM-V4Ee87svbS86d3d4esNK-3aa-hNcnYMZjAIzvoqtXGToFivauAH9TAhDyv/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1040671" width="514" /></div><br />Swoon.  It is more "country" than I typically like, but I just have such a huge crush on this kitchen!  Photos from <a href="http://www.fleamarkettrixie.com/2011/02/kitchen-reveal.html">Flea Market Trixie</a>.  Click <a href="http://www.fleamarkettrixie.com/2011/02/kitchen-reveal.html">here</a> to see more.

Amazing Kitchen Renovation

I am floored by the amazing kitchen renovation I found at Flea Market Trixie . And get this: the budget was only $6,000! Wow. Of course, ...

10:25 PM

Finally - Fridge Photos!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally: photos of <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-can-buy-food-again.html">the new fridge</a>.   And, here is the whole story (click <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-can-buy-food-again.html">here</a> for the first half - you'll note some overlap.  It isn't that gripping a story so without overlap there would be a need for filler).  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our fridge just up & died (after painfully griping for more than a year - does your fridge heave and groan?)  I phoned around for service calls but learned this tidbit: Kenmore didn't actually produce appliances, they slapped their name on other brands.  So, various companies in town needed to know the model number in order to determine if they could even help (as many only serviced some of the fridges Kenmore re-branded).  I couldn't FIND the model number - I looked high & low.  In the end, I had to pay a Sears rep to come out.  Although the most expensive ($99 inspection), I had no choice.  What if I had just accidentally knocked something lose?  (Hubby was out of town).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I paid $99 for the Sears rep to tell me the fridge compressor was dunzo.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOZSgzBZGlZ3HTj_4hPCb3Rz08d9ja4lzP9FlEnxQ_cGZVEQqWZp56I-gaAt8xWvwoDWY_HZ-vhtYfcqAGI5ziS3A863IZmuKB_nFvUMpuYUtH1XblQzaJeXtL4lYnfsQZY11AEl5lv9X/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOZSgzBZGlZ3HTj_4hPCb3Rz08d9ja4lzP9FlEnxQ_cGZVEQqWZp56I-gaAt8xWvwoDWY_HZ-vhtYfcqAGI5ziS3A863IZmuKB_nFvUMpuYUtH1XblQzaJeXtL4lYnfsQZY11AEl5lv9X/s640/054.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our old, uninspiring fridge that possibly lead a longer life than us!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>Lesson Learned</em>: the model number was under the kick plate - never would have looked there on my own!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wyT1EtvCObUb5GSBbNdpLbTawj2E2BTzmFXwWrVP8AiF-VYFmSfGLSnFuwFEU3zmkxtBvs4Z2zehh52LdO1_p0tth3TtNLj5h4NDCBsayvXGj2KXzYRWDM33fBra5VMvdHIl96M_M2Vw/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wyT1EtvCObUb5GSBbNdpLbTawj2E2BTzmFXwWrVP8AiF-VYFmSfGLSnFuwFEU3zmkxtBvs4Z2zehh52LdO1_p0tth3TtNLj5h4NDCBsayvXGj2KXzYRWDM33fBra5VMvdHIl96M_M2Vw/s400/058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After searching high and low, I found a fridge I loved.  It is practical, pretty & affordable.  Plus, I shopped local and scored a deal hundreds of dollars sweeter than at the Home Depot.  The actual fridge was cheaper at a local store, plus Home Depot charges extra for delivery & removal - not the case where I purchased the fridge.  Yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, here it is:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1BmU2zWyw4WBdJu8XHw6dRPTn_kC_rn7ySBHTShRNXdhJLEBeMb6LwgxqFg8hsCOf8Me19lhUVyP4Tlk9x5kFinGcvjJ-s83fcQYYyfEiEni6cX3xzBYV1DEvKeQurPM4SgBmlphpat8/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1BmU2zWyw4WBdJu8XHw6dRPTn_kC_rn7ySBHTShRNXdhJLEBeMb6LwgxqFg8hsCOf8Me19lhUVyP4Tlk9x5kFinGcvjJ-s83fcQYYyfEiEni6cX3xzBYV1DEvKeQurPM4SgBmlphpat8/s640/037.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinda modern retro, right?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is so pretty, we busted out the magnetic poetry kit!  (Didn't want to draw attention to the old one).  Plus, the living room view is sweeter too:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFc7JMpHo2RwwWOCIBZT7OSWlHM9-jdpjOMfJhQvP860ViDkSXgPtC3ZAGyl1NZUnkVlZ20-B8vonOUBr3M5gcCqqgCGERhFPLOuZASX2xTAXYPOo76KhDT4ufYTV0PGbffk4hCjU-rm5/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFc7JMpHo2RwwWOCIBZT7OSWlHM9-jdpjOMfJhQvP860ViDkSXgPtC3ZAGyl1NZUnkVlZ20-B8vonOUBr3M5gcCqqgCGERhFPLOuZASX2xTAXYPOo76KhDT4ufYTV0PGbffk4hCjU-rm5/s640/043.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Another <em>Lesson Learned</em>: fridges are deeper now (as opposed to the 80s when our old fridge was born).  But although the depths are "standard," bring a measuring tape to the store.  This one is half an inch shallower than the rest, plus it doesn't have a handle - although it was labelled "standard depth".  These little differences mean we can actually open the door.  Yay!  Had I not been so careful, getting a snack from the fridge might have become much less fun.  Although - if I was willing to splurge on a high end appliance, I could find shallower fridges.  </div>

Finally - Fridge Photos!

Finally: photos of the new fridge . And, here is the whole story (click here for the first half - you'll note some overlap. It isn...

8:47 PM

Inspiration: More Splashes of Red

<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happily, my mom & I did find some treasures yesterday.  Unhappily, my camera battery died so it will need to spend some time charging today.  In the meantime, I wanted to share this great colour palette.  <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/inspiration-splashes-of-red.html">I'm still figuring out what to pair with our red kitchen accents</a> (see <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-before-after.html">here</a> for more kitchen pictures), but I'm really liking red with pale blue/aqua and minty green . . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEjrfuGYjX3dEp4XqCXcgeh3Hf_WVOMJOX1WerUy6RisCBnosJVLCiP7HXiqQ1ogn0XJwuFc3TsnklFLTtpA5yP8meFzIaarlwe-rM3yDYOZp2HQyXJHsY0d1gw5ARm8uBDDlHApMPmae44/s1600/POPS+OF+RED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfuGYjX3dEp4XqCXcgeh3Hf_WVOMJOX1WerUy6RisCBnosJVLCiP7HXiqQ1ogn0XJwuFc3TsnklFLTtpA5yP8meFzIaarlwe-rM3yDYOZp2HQyXJHsY0d1gw5ARm8uBDDlHApMPmae44/s400/POPS+OF+RED.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/pillow-perfect-searching-for-the-perfect-throw-pillows-138089">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table></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;"><img alt="mushroom jar, blue" height="381" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.209484110.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out this handmade pottery - how cute is the mushroom motif?<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67215637/mushroom-jar-blue">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="mushroom jar, blue" height="329" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.209484187.jpg" width="400" /></div>

Inspiration: More Splashes of Red

Happily, my mom & I did find some treasures yesterday. Unhappily, my camera battery died so it will need to spend some time charging to...

7:43 AM

We Can Buy Food Again

Say "hello" to our new fridge.  The <a href="http://www.lg.com/ca_en/home-appliances/refrigerators/LG-top-freezer-refrigerator-LTN19315SW.jsp">LG LTN19315SW</a>.  <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;"><img alt="" class="product-img-large" src="http://www.lg.com/ca_en/home-appliances/images/lg-refrigerators-LTN19315SW-front-large.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lg.com/ca_en/home-appliances/refrigerators/LG-top-freezer-refrigerator-LTN19315SW.jsp">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I bought it in the white, but its easier to see in the black:<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;"><img alt="" class="product-img-large" src="http://www.lg.com/ca_en/home-appliances/images/lg-refrigerators-LTN19315SB-front-large.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lg.com/ca_en/home-appliances/refrigerators/LG-top-freezer-refrigerator-LTN19315SB.jsp">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It is goin' in here:<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/AVvXsEgK1a6y1mV4347HDI4wjqzccedT-N_p0W_GEHTGk0ue22EFPoDb_55q4thciIwkYLGjFcXcU3KNcASgBgFJ_StfN7_Padim2n1zlWgil9m1JB7fy82IEwehJswvcy0AYjVrAxfnJoNC7Cc/s1600/P1060046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1a6y1mV4347HDI4wjqzccedT-N_p0W_GEHTGk0ue22EFPoDb_55q4thciIwkYLGjFcXcU3KNcASgBgFJ_StfN7_Padim2n1zlWgil9m1JB7fy82IEwehJswvcy0AYjVrAxfnJoNC7Cc/s640/P1060046.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-before-after.html">See more pictures here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Gosh - if you ever shop for a fridge, don't wait until your current fridge dies.  Surprisingly, a fridge is not typically something you can bring home the same day.  <br /><br />Here's what I learned:<br /><ul><li>Super hard to find a modern looking fridge with a freezer on top (they are "out")</li><li>The fridge has to suit your purposes, not what is trendy</li><li>Shop around!  Prices <em>really</em> vary store to store</li><li>Big box stores sometimes have the "lowest" price because they don't include delivery or disposal of an old fridge</li><li>When Home Depot tells you it can't be done, tell them they are wrong</li></ul><br />I will save you the boring details of fridge shopping.  Found lots I wanted and couldn't afford, found lots I could afford but didn't want.  Found one I liked and we could afford.  I love the way the interior is laid out, it looks nice, the quality is good, and the price was right.  Home Depot told me I'd have to wait until March 21st and that every vendor would say the same.  I phoned every appliance store in town and the delivery times varied from next day to a month.  <br /><br />In the end, I went to <a href="http://corbeilelectro.com/?lang=en">Corbeil Appliances</a> where the fridge I wanted was $200 cheaper than Home Depot, plus delivery & removal of the dead fridge was free!  So, in the end I saved about $300.  Shocker, right?  And, I am getting the fridge delivered today (it is 1:00am - this counts as Friday).  Here's hoping the delivery is problem-free.  Seems too good to be true . . .<br /><br />I promise some new pics of the kitchen when the fridge is set up.

We Can Buy Food Again

Say "hello" to our new fridge. The LG LTN19315SW . Source I bought it in the white, but its easier to see in the black: Source I...

10:01 PM

Inspiration: Elisabeth Hasselbeck's Kitchen

Inspiration: Elisabeth Hasselbeck's Kitchen

I just spotted Elisabeth Hasselbeck's kitchen on people.com and am smitten. I love her countertops and pale backsplash. The black and...

6:14 PM

Not Crummy Thrills Me

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The blogosphere is buzzing with talk of junk drawer and cupboard cleaning.  Well . . . I hate to be a braggart but my cupboards are pretty tidy.  See?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BOy1IqIyPsoLit_bREfbykuj0dmdseaO_YPiArgjoRBIMndnJsJ7bRL_MCncZPhWkXyWk-yYoUjxsdqREpUPhqlj1NqdZuG5xwzb67KJM5UV5zG-vbl6iyoplEktr1T08U48h3IcDU4/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BOy1IqIyPsoLit_bREfbykuj0dmdseaO_YPiArgjoRBIMndnJsJ7bRL_MCncZPhWkXyWk-yYoUjxsdqREpUPhqlj1NqdZuG5xwzb67KJM5UV5zG-vbl6iyoplEktr1T08U48h3IcDU4/s640/018.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX15dUsC-_qwXGUzm87dI2q7EGEbIGxiAxwA0sCUVeFBFcQ1JbJxc4pBgNkLfVe_HL09ZnovzvlAsvngWxaEcdrFdnsd3r_Y-byl1P78uFkhYJnQb_60YMoWetcymEuc68W-gpPRen6Gc/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX15dUsC-_qwXGUzm87dI2q7EGEbIGxiAxwA0sCUVeFBFcQ1JbJxc4pBgNkLfVe_HL09ZnovzvlAsvngWxaEcdrFdnsd3r_Y-byl1P78uFkhYJnQb_60YMoWetcymEuc68W-gpPRen6Gc/s640/016.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing was bugging me though.  Because we bought a <u>5 gallon</u> bucket-o-paint (plus another gallon) when we moved in and drenched every paint-able surface in a crisp clean white, it should come as no surprise that the inside of the kitchen cupboards got the same paint job.  But I was so eager to put stuff away, I didn't let the paint cure properly (it was soooo humid here then) and the paint came on in some spots.  See?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvAUX0bqPt-vRMxGyE4IUbvY9Aa4YifCIyYy4NFNnkX4F3eWAEYRODORyuPQAGzq8rcXNdHVJydWeSHhzf2vNeDp450AbSYeedEWsMMgedaYOcH5eFv7zwY2dlmG25TJtUJ7RcgDs7-I/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvAUX0bqPt-vRMxGyE4IUbvY9Aa4YifCIyYy4NFNnkX4F3eWAEYRODORyuPQAGzq8rcXNdHVJydWeSHhzf2vNeDp450AbSYeedEWsMMgedaYOcH5eFv7zwY2dlmG25TJtUJ7RcgDs7-I/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note to self: let paint dry before filling cupboards</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, along with everyone else doing drawer and cupboard makeovers, I emptied out the cupboards.  Oops.  No room to cook.  Shucks.  Pizza it is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT-icQyvJVttOZw1fnR54CJXZexJ9dynsdtoJdimBusMedue2FaBqAtJ2B2obUW7Nz-7491qYzif4aqu2FLwPWFm52l19mOepTm7gv1pSv6FcUkNX6p1NHHhMJ0-4v2fl4a6bfbmq8gk/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT-icQyvJVttOZw1fnR54CJXZexJ9dynsdtoJdimBusMedue2FaBqAtJ2B2obUW7Nz-7491qYzif4aqu2FLwPWFm52l19mOepTm7gv1pSv6FcUkNX6p1NHHhMJ0-4v2fl4a6bfbmq8gk/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> . . . And in the process spilled a bunch of sugar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qJDGhyphenhyphenwAl1czz3O55Nd3QouqmcbIvVA-_Jl5DvkkoEe5EUomIbfMBvJlwre2ZHTJElbrPr_4Ha8s5sdsKPuidaiAuvT68Aul1onyg4W55s-aUgV0ocF_so-qxzc1jimPwYq8lWGA2h4/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qJDGhyphenhyphenwAl1czz3O55Nd3QouqmcbIvVA-_Jl5DvkkoEe5EUomIbfMBvJlwre2ZHTJElbrPr_4Ha8s5sdsKPuidaiAuvT68Aul1onyg4W55s-aUgV0ocF_so-qxzc1jimPwYq8lWGA2h4/s400/024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEglVT6_rEb2WELnC-B7GH-pNjswVbeItyUMwG5Oqyj8domgwhL0A_6Nn89jgDyyaHbxGGSfhGieJaiImnpGu25pwYX0HPo2gLNUTOEuy5VPGYH0VdU7yp13WY21a5a0bdgMBEUuyraHcyw/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVT6_rEb2WELnC-B7GH-pNjswVbeItyUMwG5Oqyj8domgwhL0A_6Nn89jgDyyaHbxGGSfhGieJaiImnpGu25pwYX0HPo2gLNUTOEuy5VPGYH0VdU7yp13WY21a5a0bdgMBEUuyraHcyw/s400/025.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.S. See more kitchen pics <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-before-after.html">here</a> and <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/inspiration-splashes-of-red.html">here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ta da!  Nice new paint job.  Everyone is doing pretty liners and fun colours.  Not crappy is good enough for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EzXxAmLAM_p1Z0e59Rmdvzrg4zdJ9VO1Ti2uWnGuk0UXMlUz5z6BdKT26MGO4wBqR1dkPQaz8YKednTyoM00W1n4ugVukb1sTfsnrucuovpkeg6hzx1FacR0N5SMpoSADSXP0mWqpSI/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EzXxAmLAM_p1Z0e59Rmdvzrg4zdJ9VO1Ti2uWnGuk0UXMlUz5z6BdKT26MGO4wBqR1dkPQaz8YKednTyoM00W1n4ugVukb1sTfsnrucuovpkeg6hzx1FacR0N5SMpoSADSXP0mWqpSI/s640/021.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - fresh new paint!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As an added bonus, we fixed some random gap-action (aesthetic prob only) with some caulking.  See?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWl-c6LE9t2ug1mJxYt03sqtk-cwl-AA7L-mG0NRxGy4Pxu3K6FbW-FUmctftTHh8GUKyxv-Eo6fEdSIDDO9BpXdHQIv8SutNqX4Ec9sJV3euEfE2PhxwvoErO_d81QjRLFG3RNG56CU/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWl-c6LE9t2ug1mJxYt03sqtk-cwl-AA7L-mG0NRxGy4Pxu3K6FbW-FUmctftTHh8GUKyxv-Eo6fEdSIDDO9BpXdHQIv8SutNqX4Ec9sJV3euEfE2PhxwvoErO_d81QjRLFG3RNG56CU/s400/028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEivrTFVFC3OMlJRQzGH8WmL3jzRgfihQu05IUPqf2-cDFMTUBXOO487__InlCBln3oX_k1NqPaVDyJ2xYqCcLwFBppp2Mtitv2x-tWpbtGiRUCegEdabNUZd3TdkeptZmm-QVSNQXo41ug/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrTFVFC3OMlJRQzGH8WmL3jzRgfihQu05IUPqf2-cDFMTUBXOO487__InlCBln3oX_k1NqPaVDyJ2xYqCcLwFBppp2Mtitv2x-tWpbtGiRUCegEdabNUZd3TdkeptZmm-QVSNQXo41ug/s400/030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - hooray for caulking</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEip5XTjjRMPLT5DPYLTepwfBeStkdk71nYJ_wgzRLimDZJsI0RPmgqbhkIGvvEbJeCYVNDeHdyVrNlVlefnf8ARlCeUrnhLjyCd5L1rt_Qa1Z_ycJa_YUUwTbXegFOi2ycyvV_f2g02CD0/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5XTjjRMPLT5DPYLTepwfBeStkdk71nYJ_wgzRLimDZJsI0RPmgqbhkIGvvEbJeCYVNDeHdyVrNlVlefnf8ARlCeUrnhLjyCd5L1rt_Qa1Z_ycJa_YUUwTbXegFOi2ycyvV_f2g02CD0/s400/031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With flash - is it any clearer?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And that's it!  Hmmmmmm, the no longer crummy but maybe not note-worthy project is kind of a theme for me (see <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/before-after-diy-painted-microwave.html">here</a> for my microwave spruce).  In general we've been doing little teeny jobs around the house.  Like <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/evolution-of-powder-room.html">the half bath spruce</a>.  I can't do any super involved projects until <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-office-before-in-progress.html">my exams</a> are finished (one more month) because I don't want to get distracted.  Have you done any simple jobs around your home recently that may not have sizzle but have tons of steak (in your eyes, at least)?<br /><br />Once spring rolls around we're tackling the big bad basement and the garage.  Huge projects we've put off.

Not Crummy Thrills Me

The blogosphere is buzzing with talk of junk drawer and cupboard cleaning. Well . . . I hate to be a braggart but my cupboards are pretty t...

7:27 AM