Check Out My New Hands-Free Kitchen Faucet!

Moen Motionsense hands free kitchen faucet

 I am now the proud owner of an Arbor with MotionSense kitchen faucet from Moen.Now I know what you're thinking.  "Hands-free?  Why do you need a hands-free faucet?  What's the big deal?"  And I know that at least some of you are thinking that, because that's exactly what I thought when I was given the chance to review one of the new Moen MotionSense faucets.When I was presented with the opportunity to review this … [Read more...]

Wainscoting: A Classic Or A Trend?

Small condo breakfast room makeover

A couple of days ago, I had someone ask me on the A2D Facebook page, "How much is too much board and batten in a home? I LOVE the look, and I want to do nearly all of the rooms in my house!"  So I started thinking about the question, and then I started realizing just how much wainscoting (whether it's bead board, board and batten, tongue and groove, inexpensive wood slats, bead board wallpaper, or some other unique wainscoting) is going up in … [Read more...]

What Would You Do? A Kitchen Remodel Conundrum…

orange and brown 1960s kitchen with orange floral wallpaper

What's been on my mind lately? A kitchen remodel. No, I'm not talking about my condo kitchen. That's done, and I won't be redoing any time soon...or ever, for that matter. :-D Once again, I'm daydreaming about our future house. I promise, I'll try to keep these daydream posts to a minimum until we're actually IN the house. I know y'all will probably get really tired of reading "the house we hope to buy" and "the house we're planning to … [Read more...]

DIY: Make An Easy Floor Cloth In 60 Minutes Or Less

looks better than hand-painted in a fraction of the time
60-minute floor cloth - thumbnail

  Do you remember me telling you about the trouble I had with my last floor cloth that I made for my kitchen? I liked the way it turned out, but the vinyl flooring that I used had little divots all over it that it basically became a dirt catcher. I ended up getting rid of it, and have had a bare (still ungrouted) kitchen floor for months. So yesterday, a bit of inspiration hit me. I was looking at a remnant of fabric that I had … [Read more...]

Make It Happen Monday: The Very Opposite Of Progress

one step forward, two steps back
make it happen monday

Happy Monday morning to you! How did you do on your projects last week? Well, I certainly hope yours went better than mine. :( I was moving right along, getting little projects done, doing paint touch ups, and feeling quite good about my progress. Then tragedy struck. I decided that while I had the paint out that I used to paint my cabinets (that I had used week before last to paint the trim along the ceiling), now would be a good time … [Read more...]

Beautiful Butler’s Pantry Before & After

from Thistlewood Farm
inspiration files--butlers pantry from thistlewood farms

I think it's becoming a well known fact that Karianne at Thistlewood Farm has amazing taste, and every room she decorates is worthy of being published in magazines.  The magic that she worked with her butler's pantry makeover is a perfect example.  (And I'm pretty sure her butler's pantry is bigger than my kitchen.)  :) Isn't that gorgeous?  And it's especially impressive when you consider that it started out looking like … [Read more...]

DIY: Miniature Succulent Planter Refrigerator Magnets

made with unfinished wood candle cups
mini succulent planter refrigerator magnets

Good morning, all! Yes, I have one more succulent project. :) Can you tell that I really like succulents? Plus, I had some tiny bits left over from my framed gravy boat succulent planter, and wanted to do something fun with them. Have you ever seen those adorable succulent planter magnets that are made with wine corks? I've wanted to make those for quite some time now, but since I don't drink wine, I just never have corks around my house. … [Read more...]

How I Stained & Sealed My Butcher Block Countertops

...for the third (and hopefully the last) time
how i stained and sealed my ikea numerar butcher block countertops 3

**Update:  I refinished my countertops AGAIN (for the fourth time) four months after writing this post.  I do NOT recommend using water-based polyurethane on butcherblock countertops...especially if your butcherblock is on your main countertops where your sink is located.  And after three attempts, I also don't recommend staining butcherblock countertops.  Click here to see how I sealed my Ikea Numerar butcherblock countertops for the … [Read more...]

Make It Happen Monday:: Butcherblock Countertops Finished!!

share your progress on your projects!
make it happen monday

Good morning, all! It's Monday, and today is our first Make It Happen Monday check in! Did you get your project finished from last week? I did! But just barely. :)  And perhaps some of you will consider my project unfinished because I didn't do all of my touch up stuff.  But I'm still calling this one FINISHED!! Last week, I committed to refinishing my butcherblock countertops that were showing awful wear and tear, and were beginning to show … [Read more...]

Beautiful Kitchen Remodel

from New Green Mama
inspiration files--kitchen remodel from new green mama

Jen at New Green Mama now has a gorgeous new kitchen with a beautiful tile backsplash, stainless steel accents, warm wood flooring, and an open and spacious layout. I can't help myself...I'm a bit jealous. This new kitchen is quite a change from how the kitchen started out! See more of this amazing remodel at New Green Mama. **Have a project you’d like to share? Come join the link party every Friday at 9:00am (CST)! Have a … [Read more...]