Whewwww-ie! It has been a doozie! The day after Valentine’s Day, we had a historic snowstorm here in Texas. It was delightful and wonderful, until it wasn’t…. and we lost power, and water. Thankfully, our grandparents insisted that we come to their home — as they had all the essentials like power, water, and wi-fi. We drove very slowly, took detours (nothing like driving on icy highways with regular tires!) and made it safely to their house. While our neighbor (a retired police officer) kept watch over our home to make sure nothing was leaking and to let us know when power returned. We planned on staying with our grandparents for a couple days, but it ended up being almost a week.
Long story short: about 12 hours before returning home, a pipe in our kitchen busted in 3 spots and the renovation we had been planning the week prior— was escalated. There’s nothing like opening your kitchen door and seeing part of your ceiling coming down, insulation exposed, and water everywhere.
On the bright side: if we had started renovating the week prior like we had planned, and the pipe bursting happened after — it would’ve been double the investment.
There’s a silver lining in everything.
And now without further ado, here’s my design draft plans for our kitchen, breakfast, and den!
Kitchen Draft I
Objective: A beautiful, functional kitchen where damaged items are replaced, old items are upgraded, and a refresh of existing items that are in good condition.
Specifics:
Replace — countertops, flooring, backsplash, sink, stove top, dishwasher, oven, and refrigerator.
Keep — cabinets but stain, paint, and add new hardware.
Extras — new windows, and new window coverings. Add a wet bar down the road.
Obstacles: My sister prefers stainless steel chrome appliances, and hardware. She feels it’s more of a modern touch and doesn’t want to mix metals (i.e. brass hardware on cabinets, and stainless steel appliances— she wants cohesiveness all the way around). I, on the other hand, prefer brass, because it’s luxurious, timeless and classic. I feel that stainless steel chrome is sterile, surgical and popular (as in everybody and their mom has it). I like mixing metals as I think it creates a hint of contrast.
So I’ll be going back to the drawing board, hence, draft 1, laugh out loud!
Breakfast Nook Draft I
Objective: A beautiful, minimal breakfast nook that has character, and is comfortable.
Specifics:
Replace — part of the wall, floor, and chandelier.
Keep — nook table and reupholster chairs.
Extras — new windows, window coverings, artwork, sit down built-in for part of seating.
Obstacles: It needs to complement and flow with the kitchen, and be simply beautiful (emphasis on simply). We have a dining room to go more over-the-top elegant.
Plus, after presenting the mood board for our kitchen to my sister this evening at our weekly family meeting, and discovering that she likes the overall direction EXCEPT for the brass hardware for the cabinetry. I’m going to have to revamp this mood board before presenting it to her (unless she reads this blog, haha!). Our home is more of a closed concept with the exception of the kitchen, breakfast nook and den.
Den Draft I
note: actually this isn’t the first draft, if you follow me on Instagram @MelodeeForbes you saw my original first draft, but since this is the first time I’m sharing it here— we’ll call it draft I.
Objective: A warm, cozy space where we can read a book, hang out with friends and lounge.
Specifics:
Replace — ceiling fan, floor, lamps, pillows.
Keep — reupholster sofa, stain coffee table, paint+stain wood paneling and wood beams.
Extras — new doors (from sliding to French), new bay windows, new lighting.
Obstacles: It needs to complement other rooms, but it doesn’t have to be as complementary since it’s a bit more defined as a space. My sister really wants another ceiling fan in the den, while I prefer a big, beautiful, outrageously gorgeous chandelier. I’m willing to compromise with the ceiling fan, BUT all the ones I’ve found are dreadfully ugly.
Sooooo that’s where we are when it comes to the overview of this home project! It’s exciting and annoying at the same time! So much work to do (to hire, because neither my sister or I, do DIY) and with a full time 9 to 5 career that I love and building a blog business that I love — it’s A LOT. I know it’ll be worth it, and I’m so grateful for this first world problem!
So what do you think? Do you agree with my sister about the stainless steel chrome hardware and appliances OR do you agree with me that the brass hardware is timeless and classic? I’d love to know your opinion either way! Leave me a comment below and let me know.
Thank you for taking time to read this blog!
With love,
Melodee
P.S. The studio home office makeover reveal will be happening soon and there’s so much I’ve learned in this process that you’ll find useful. Stay tuned!
