Finally a Before and After

Kitchen at time of purchase

Kitchen during demolition.

Kitchen now.  Not really much else to be done.  Just hung the spice rack today.

Toggles

Yesterday I went to Old Navy to hunt down a Christmas gift for the husband, and to get some long exercise pants for me.  I found both of those, plus a couple tops for me. I also tried on this coat, and really really like how it fit, and the interesting color blocking going on.  It appears to be great quality.  I would be using a 30% off coupon, making it about $45.50, quite reasonable for a warm and snuggly winter coat.  The only problem was the toggles.  Now I like toggles just fine, but I wasn't a fan of how these are attached with stark white rope.  It felt like they should have used a bit less contrasty color, like a tan or even red or brown from the colors of the coat. On closer inspection I saw how the rope was attached, and think it would be relatively straight forward to replace it with something better.  Just didn't want to buy the coat, manage to ruin it, then be $45 in the hole.  Still pondering it over; may have to consult the best seamstress I know, my mom.

Designing my Studio

Here is my list of necessities for my future art studio:

1. Lighting- a wall of windows (not quite as fancy as the picture below, but same concept), glass doors, and a stainglass window I create.  Would also need really good lighting for night time use.

2. Storage- Need good storage space.  My art dresser will fit in there, will have a wall of narrow shelves, and preferably a loft style storage spot.

I like the use of the desk side.  I plan on having a large work surface reaching out into the center of the room, but the far end could have open storage like this piece.

I love the idea of a peg board for hanging certain supplies.  I'll probably pull out every piece of art supply that I have before putting things in the studio, and figure out where exactly I want everything to go so I know there is a place for every bit of it.

These shallow shelves are great because I'd be able to see exactly what I have.  This picture actually makes me giddy.

3. A drying rack- I want a drying rack like this wall mount one. It has just enough slots for one person.  Its only $89.40 which isn't the worst price I've seen.  Going to do more research, maybe make it into a Valentine's Day gift (since that's the next holiday I can get away with getting a gift from the hubby).

4. Easel- Matt got me one for Christmas this year.  I just put it together tonight and I love it so so so much.  It's the perfect size, made of sturdy solid wood, and just beautiful. I'll have to post a better picture later.

5. Heating and Air-  May just be a window unit and then a space heater, but I do need something to make the summers more bearable.

My Christmas List and a guess on Matt's

I would like two or three of these OXO cutting boards in the 10.5x 7.5 size.  These are from Bed Bath and Beyond for $8.99.

I would also like 2 of these French White Ramekins, also from Bed Bath and Beyond.  I want them so I can do this whenever I have a hankering for some cookies.

Also on my list are these style folding stadium seats.  Not because of sitting in bleachers, but for sitting at work during nap rubbing kids' backs for hours to get them to sleep.  Would really help to not have to strain my back.  Whatever color seems the least obnoxious in person, no neon yellows or anything, but it doesn't have to be black.  Both of these pictures are ones from Dick's Sporting Goods.

Matt's List

My husband is incredibly hard to buy anything for, other than gift cards.  He wants a boat cover for his boat, but those are pricey and hard to know what size.

I also think he would like gift cards to Dick's Sporting Goods to buy more hunting equipment for all those deer he kills every year (and by kills I mean watches walk by in the woods).

We would someday like a Keurig but will have to save up for it.  When we get one a nice to-go cup would be a good gift.  And that is close to all he ever mentions wanting. 

He does need more long sleeve shirts though,   the end.