Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Tweaking Things Just a Bit

A couple of weeks ago I shared the "final reveal" of our new kitchen.  However, I told you that "the kitchen was not finished".  Well, we still have not done some of the things that we are wanting to do - like the tile back splash.   Now, I can't really blame Mountain Man for being lazy - the person that we are going to borrow the tile saw from has been gone on vacation for the last three weeks.  So, we haven't been able to do any work there.  

However, that doesn't mean you can't "tweak" things.  

If you know me at all, which some of you have know me for a very long time, you know that I can't leave well enough alone.

What do I mean by that?

Well, let me refresh your memory.

This is our kitchen when we bought the house two years ago.


Pretty bad, right?

Here is our kitchen when I posted the "final reveal" on April 4th.





Here is the link to the post on the kitchen renovation if you would like to check it out:

Now, on to today.

I am really quite proud of our kitchen and the way it turned out.  

However, it was just missing something.

Do you see it???

No?????

Well, you see - it wasn't decorated.
It was just plain - no pizazz.

So, things had to change.

Mountain Man and I did a little side trip a few days before I started back to work and I found a few little items to decorate a little.

First we found this cute little sign that just fit our area.


What does it say?


Just perfect for someone who lives at the lake, don't you think?



Then there was the corner.  

I love my pull outs but the counter top was missing something.  Yes, Mountain Man's toaster oven sat there - but it just lacked something.  

So, on that same little trip we found a cute little lamp for $10 and I knew where it had to go.

Just a little "tweaking" later and we have this.




We already had the tray and the wax warmer.  I have had the napkin holder for years, and then I bought the napkins at a local store.


Can you read what it says?
No?
Well, it says 
Lazy
Afternoons
Kool
Evenings


The lamp and wax warmer are on a timer - so I don't have to worry about turning them on or off.



So, what about the island?  It was sorta plain too.  

That is until I found the place mats that just fit.



Put one of my old arrangements on the bar with a candle and a couple of salt and pepper shakers.

So, where did the toaster oven?


Remember my beautiful Kitchen Aide mixer.  Well, it has found a new home and Mountain Man's toaster oven took its place.


But I couldn't just stop at the kitchen.

See, we had this area on the half wall - 

It was just, well, plain.  There was nothing there.

Just a plain ole wall!

We couldn't let that continue right??



Well, it's not plain anymore!



Mountain Man put up a shelf for me and then I started decorating.

I moved the pine cone lamp from the living room - works really well as a night light.  I also had the basket (a thrift store find a couple of weeks ago) and decided to use it to make a phone charging area and a place for notepaper and pencils.

Underneath I added the faux flowers next to the stacking boxes.  I will probably change out the flowers - I need to put something there that will hide all the cords (they bother me) - or I could just make a cover.  We will see, but I will probably end up "tweaking" the tweak.

However, it looks so much better.


I'll be adding a picture of Mountain Man and I in the picture frame.






This thrift store find will work perfectly - as it has the smaller area for our cell phones and the larger area for note paper and the pen and pencil holder.  MM can even put receipts in there for me - so they don't get lost.

So, while there is still more work to be done in the kitchen, I like the way these little 'tweaks' have made everything so much more 'homey'.

From this

Nice, but plain.


 To this


Comfy and Cozy.


 So, what do you think?
  Do you make "tweaks" after you think you have things finished?

 Mountain Man says that this is where the name of the blog comes from now -

"Are We There Yet?"

although he is probably saying under his breath

"Are We DONE Yet?"


Hugs -

Carol

I'm linking up to:

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/05/wow-us-wednesdays-64.html
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2012/05/open-house-party-is-back.html
http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/2012/05/swing-into-spring-its-party-63.html
http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-party-52.html
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/05/transformation-thursday-no-150.html
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/05/time-travel-thursday-95-talented-time.html
http://itssoverycheri.com/2012/05/02/linky-follower-party-hop-5-2-2012/











Sharing With:
Sunday:










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Monday:

Boogieboard CottageMod Vintage Lifeyou are talking too much 

http://www.askannamoseley.com/search/label/Weekend%20Warrior%20Link%20Party
http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/05/whats-in-gunny-sack-link-party-36.html








I'm a Fan of My 1929 Charmer Blog!



Tuesday:
Domestically SpeakingA Delightsome LifeMy Uncommon Slice of SuburbiaPassionately Artistic






Wednesday:
Good Life WednesdaysCreations by Kara {Primp}The Stuff of Success
Ivy and Elephants



Thursday:
Catch a Glimpse Button Beyond The Picket FenceHouseofHepworthsSaved by SuzyTransformation Thursday36th AvenueShare Your Creations


Friday:
Photobucket


Saturday:

Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special











26 comments:

  1. You really have an eye for decorating, so pretty! If you every want to make a trio across the border going way Easy ;o).....
    Have a sweet rest of the week,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue - Thanks so much for the sweet comments - they are much appreciated!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  2. Nice...really nice...love love the outcome, especially the little shelf! Hi Carol, had time to visit and love your new kitchen! The lamp placed on the cab is spot-on. Great Job! Hugs

    Loretta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Loretta - So nice to hear from you! Hope you are having a great week!
      Hugs-
      Carol

      Delete
  3. You have a beautiful kitchen. I love all the accessories.

    Dee

    ReplyDelete
  4. too funny....I just bought those exact same "Lake" napkins for summer drinks. Yep, I live on a lake too. Your kitchen tweaking looks fabulous. I really like a lamp in a kitchen. It makes it so warm and inviting in the evenings. Thank you so much for your visit and sweet comment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lynn! I appreciate your coming by for a visit - hope you will come back often!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Hi Pernilla - Wow! Australia! I have always wanted to visit your lovely country - I don't know if that will ever happen, but maybe I can say that I have a blogging friend from Australia? What do you think?
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  6. I love, love, love your kitchen! Fantastic job!! Also, thank you for the visit and sweet comment @TheDedicatedHouse. It means the world. Toodles, Kathryn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kathryn -
      Thanks so much for your sweet comment! It is so appreciated!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  7. Hi Carol! Wonderful redo and tweaking! LOL, Any wall..never too small...is an open canvas for wall accents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melody -
      You are so right - there is always time and space for a little decoration!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  8. The kitchen looks great! Sometimes adding just a very small touches really make a room. I like all of the accents you pick out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Theresa - I so appreciate you sweet comments. There are so many times that all a room need is just that little small thing that just makes it "homey".
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  9. Such great changes. I love the shelf, it's like an extension of the Kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Carol, these little tweaks are the perfect cherry on top of your lovely cake. I love that you have the warmer and h lamp on a timer too. Hugs and thank you for joining in the hop fun. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much - just trying to make things a little more "homey"! Thanks for hosting every week!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  11. Carol, I get this Seven Brides for Seven Brothers vision in my mind when I read you mentioning your Mountain Man! :)
    Your new kitchen looks so beautiful -I love the cabinets, counters and most especially the sink! Three weeks is a pretty good vacation! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Kathy - you just made me laugh! My Mountain Man got his nickname when we were living in the NC Mountains. It just fits - plus he would love to live in the mountains again.
      Thank you for the kind comments about I kitchen - I, too, love my farm sink!
      Hope you have a great rest of your week!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete
  12. Love how you tweaked you kitchen. I also love that you call you husband Mountain Main, many images come to mind. The shelf you added on the counter really adds a great space for the vignette you created. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration over at Sunday's Best! PS - following you on Linky!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy - Thanks for the sweet comments and welcome to the craziness! Also, thanks for hosting! BTW, the Mountain man nickname fits him perfectly - wish all you guys could meet him and you would see what I mean!
      Hugs-
      Carol

      Delete
  13. I think tweaking is the most fun part of decorating. I moved things in my living room last week when I added a new table. I went to bed when all was done, but I was still tweaking in my mind. The first thing I did in the morning was to make a final change and now I am happy.

    PS Your granite looks identical to our granite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi - I think we all love to tweak things - To me, decorating is NEVER done - things always have to updated and changed around just a bit (doesn't mean it has to cost anything)! Don't you just love your granite!
      Hugs -
      Carol

      Delete

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