Big Changes in Little Home

After 6 years of living in our petite cape cod, we are finally doing an addition on it. I'm usually not a big fan of large homes. I prefer a smaller footprint, but our home is awkward and I've tried everything to make it work. Our addition will not be huge, but it will add much needed bedrooms to the top floor and a useable kitchen.

Because of the addition, I plan to sell a few pieces of my furniture that won't fit into my new design. We will see when I get a chance to do that...it might be awhile.

And last, but definitely not least (for those that don't know)...I'm pregnant again! It's why we are trying to move swiftly on the addition/renovation. It's a massive surprise for us. After trying almost 11 years to have my second, I was sure that was all I was having. Needless to say we are thrilled!!

I will try my best to share as much as possible about the addition. This is new territory for me, so it will be a learning process and I plan to make it as eco-friendly a possible.

Here are just a handful of inspirational images I've been pinning on Pinterest for my addition...

This is an all time favorite kitchen of mine...

Photo credit...Michael Graydon

Love the staircase...

Clean, simple and open, but I may need more storage...

Breakfast nooks are always great...

I'll be on a super tight budget to create my dream home, but I'm up for the challenge. I hope you all join me for the ride as I have a few eco tricks up my sleeve that I can't wait to try out and share.

~Danielle 

A Girls Kitchen

Remember my condo with the hideous bathroom? Well the kitchen was just as horrid and in need of a serious makeover too. We are currently in the process of redoing it...can't wait to share the before and after. It wasn't at all workable with bisque appliance, same dirty bisque Formica counters and cabinets that were falling apart. 

For now I just have been dreaming, I mean thinking ;), if I were young and single again, I'd go super funky on the renovation. Below are a few images I'd use as my starting point...

A bold full on blue floor to ceiling would definitely be unexpected and super fun...

Yes wallpaper again to save the day and why not a navy and white zebra print...

Maybe just a wild floor would suffice...

A cutesy and bold fabric wall covered in glass behind open shelving would be sweet...

Or maybe go all out rainbow bright...

A hot pink counter sans the Campbell's soup can light fixtures would be hot...

Would have to find some kickass vintage chandy to throw in the mix...

This would be so simple and darling to replicate...

But the winner is...

I adore the above kitchen. Bright red lacquered cabinets, a bold pink floral wallpaper, sleek white recycled counters, and no upper cabinets...PERFECTION! The only things I would do differently are surround the kitchen in the floral wallpaper, add a unique chandelier, switch out hardware to brass and do bright white appliances. 

Truthfully I have no desire to be young and single again, it never suited me well and besides that I love my husband and kids so incredibly much, but I'd love to design for a woman with no fear. Why not do something different and design on the edge!?! 

~Danielle 

*all images above were sourced from Pinterest

Bathroom Reno

Our old condo has been in need of a major facelift for years, especially the bathroom. I'll show the full before and after in another post, but for now I wanted to share the midway demolition. The bathroom at one point had so much potential, but was covered in disgusting bath-fitter years before we owned said condo.

Here's what was underneath the ugly bath-fitter...

   

It was formerly a lovely 50's vintage pink bathroom with black trim (the black stripes are glue from the fitter). It probably looked similar to this...

Source: Apartment Therapy

So sweet and workable right!?! For me the possibilities would have been endless. 

Here are just a few images I've sourced that I would have used as inspiration for my pretty in pink bathroom...

A funky flamingo wallpaper in grey, pink and touches of black would have cheered the space up...

Source: Pinterest

Or instead of wallpapering the walls, why not ceiling for something unexpected...

Source: Pinterest

Maybe add a third color...bright lime green! The flowers would pick up the pink tile and make for a really unique and colorful bathroom...

A few mix and match patterns would kick up the style a notch for sure...

Source: Pinterest 

Truthfully, I'm a total cat lady, but this wallpaper is just so adorable and looks great with bright pink and black...

Source: rue mag

Or maybe I'd play on the strong contrast between pink and full on black with this Phillip Jeffries chainlink wallpaper...

Source: Courtney Hill Interiors

A feminine touch is never a bad idea either...

Source: Adore Home Magazine 

Whatever route I would have chosen, would have been infinitely better than what I had to work with. Pink is perfect!

~Danielle 

Red, White, Blue & CL

This bold living has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I adore the red lacquered cabinet set up against the strong true blue walls and easy laid back chairs...

Source: Kips Bay Showhouse

The above image would be so easy to replicate using second hand pieces from Craigslist...don't you agree?

First paint walls a bold blue. Big Country Blue by Ben Moore might work...

Then find a cabinet like this one for cheap on CL...

Have the cabinet lacquered bright red, then find a few comfy chairs like these beauties that fit the red, white and blue color scheme to perfection ...

A close up...

A couple of pillows like these from West Elm maybe...

And voila you have a bold and colorful space that's perfect all year round, but especially on the 4th of July. 

Happy 4th everyone!!!

~Danielle