A Little Help In the Kitchen Please!

First things first. The kitchen. This house has lots of potential but the kitchen and the bathrooms are going to be the biggest task. Why you ask? Well, lets start with the kitchen.

The appliances are, um...vintage...and the countertops, they speak for themselves. The linoleum flooring also needs to be updated. But, I know the people that lived here before loved it the way it is so I certainly want to respect that while at the same time making it my own and er...more updated.

The oven and microwave must have been fancy back it the day. Its one of those combos that attach together. I think one of my friends had a microwave/oven combo in their Barbie Dream House...I remember it being pretty cool.

This is the eat in kitchen area. I love that they kept the beams the origional color and did not pain them. 

One of my main concerns is that the fridge is custom framed and it's small, very small. Much smaller than the mega fridges of today and yep I sure do want one of those mega fridges. They are shiny, have bells and whistles, and fancy bright lights! Shiny things are hard for me to pass up. Fortunately, we have a handy friend that helped knock out the framing and cabinet above to make room for my mega fridge. 

He reframed around the new fridge and then built a wine rack above. Love. It. 

Yes, I do believe I need more wine up there. 

I think he did a mighty fine job. Now, if this mega fridge ever needs any mega servicing, we are in trouble because I don't think there is any way to get it out of the kitchen, it was hard enough to get it in! So, lets hope that mega fridge is built to last a mega lifetime. Next on the kitchen recon mission agenda...floors, countertops, and back splash!

Cheers!

Score!

You can only imagine my reaction when I came across this most wonderful vintage beverage cart! The best find in some time for me folks. I am super excited! It fits perfectly in my kitchen and goes along with my retro decor. Perfection.

The added bonus to this cart is.....

Electricity! It has an outlet! I havent tested it out just yet but when I do I hope it works!

Cheers!

Getting Fancy In The Kitchen...Sort Of

I often find myself cooking the same things over and over again becuase I know how to make them, have mastered the recipe, and know exactly the amount of time it will take to make it. I opt for the least amount of time always. Now, I have been trying to broaden my horizons a bit and will branch out to make something out of the comfort zone. So, I went with Apple and Rosemary Pork Roulade from Cooking Light. I love cooking light because not only are the recipes amazeballs they are well put together and you are given the exact amount of time it will take to prepare and cook. What I love even more about Cooking Light is that I now can download it to my iPad. For some reason, reading a magazine is so much more fun on the iPad. This was fun becaue I have never "butterflied" anything, much less stuffed it with yummy goodness. So folks, I give you my first attempt!

Make it if you are a carnevor. It is pretty nice and very conducive to the Fall food category. :)

I'm Done (For The Moment Anyway)!

Finally! The kitchen project is finished!

Before:

(Sorry, she loves the camera. Seems like every time I take a picture she is there)

After:

(We are having a bit of cloudy weather, which made it difficult to take a clear picture)

I hung 4 of my most favorite mugs on the shelf and displayed a few vintage finds in addition to the Rachel Ray Hipster Bowls I got for Christmas. I thought they blended well. I already rearranged the shelf 3 times, so this arrangement may only be temporary! The little white bucket hanging on the left side of the shelf is for the chalk and eraser. Chalkboard paint is amazing!

Now I just need to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls to make the kitchen complete, but that will come later...much later.

Cheers!

Spray Paint Is The Bomb!

I am so silly and forgot to take a before picture. Right when I pushed my finger down and started to spray, I thought, "duh". But anyhoo, I sort of have a before picture from a previous blog entry so at least that will give you a very small idea of what the little wicker table looked like before:

And after! Have I mentioned that I love spray paint?

It turned out to be the perfect color of red. It definitely perks up the kitchen.


As for the kitchen, my project is to paint a chalkboard on the wall. Now, follow me here for a minute. I am sure you are thinking that is a very strange idea. But, I am not entirely crazy, I have seen the concept in Cottage Living and it looks really cute. You will soon see! Unfortunately, I was waylaid today when I realized that I can't put chalkboard paint on a textured wall because then when you try to write on it, it will look bumpy. So, I am going to have to sand paper the wall. Ugh. I did, however, get the frame for the chalkboard painted with the same red spray paint that I used for the table. I think I just may have this project completed by the end of this week! Stay tuned!

Cheers!