A BUTLER'S PANTRY IN MY FUTURE

Good Morning Everyone :)

Come on in !!!

Just to answer a few questions that have been asked about my decision to go with open shelving instead of upper cabinets.

1)  I DO have a buffet / hutch in the kitchen - it's on the wall facing these - I just haven't shown photos of it yet because it's in the process of being redone - so I have plenty of glassed in ( closed ) storage - as for things getting dusty and greasy - well - I intend to use my dishwasher. Often lol.

2) A few of you thought that the " horrid " floor had been laid wrong - but there was no pattern to follow on these particular ones - there was NO WAY to make it look unified whatsoever..............

I'm not even going to show a photo of it again - that's how sick it makes me !  But it's a click on floor - so extremely easy to pull back up -

3) Chania from RAZMATAZ was the first one to mention putting castors on my farmhouse table to add height - so a huge thank you to her ( although to be fair - many others of you had the same idea so a huge collective thank you :)

Here's the table

and here's the castors from Home Depot - it should add 5 inches in height - which is perfect

they have brakes which is a good thing because my floor is on a bit of a slant - and I don't want the island making a mad dash for the pool in the summer LOL

ok - now on to today's post -

there's a coat closet in an odd space in this house
at the end of the hallway - just in front of the kitchen and it's quite deep since it goes to the end of the stair wall -
It's the perfect spot for a large pantry...........................or a BUTLER'S PANTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!
( if you look carefully you can see I blocked out the kitchen floor in this image LMHO )

I know, I know, a pantry is far more practical - but when did I ever let a little thing like practicality affect my decisions lol and I have the mud room where I can borrow some space for a pantry :)

John says - What the hell is a Butler's pantry ?
Suzan says - YOU'RE BRITISH - HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW THAT?
John says - Well I know what a butler is - and I know what a pantry is - combining them together must be a North American thing
Suzan says - I'm sure they have them in England John - I'm sure of it
John says - Nah - I think it's something the colonies invented................
John mutters - Butler's pantry - now I've heard it all.
Suzan says - Pardon me?
John says - RIDICULOUS - we don't have a butler - this isn't a manor - it's just ridiculous
John says - STOP WATCHING DOWNTON ABBEY
Suzan says - It has nothing to do with Downton Abbey - now YOU'RE being ridiculous
Suzan says - I'll get you a butler's suit, though, for when we have parties - and you can stand in front of it..........
John says - what's next - a French Maid's Closet?

It's not a big opening - 46 inches - but here's some of the images that inspire me :) because they're smaller than the average ones you usually see

Here's the cupboard - it's a long stretch of the imagination - but I'm doing it - !!!

There's even electricity in there to accommodate a little chandelier -

Does it sound like a plan or what?

Now excuse me - I'm off to find a French Maid's uniform lol

Have a great day all :)

All images were sourced from this Pinterest Page.

Furniture painting time again....................

I've lost 2 pretty decent sized orders through all of this renovation - and not having the room to do it.

However there are 2 customers whose dates work ok -

First one is this - for Andrea

and the next one is for Gillian

So back to doing what I love doing best - tomorrow !!!

Bet you all forgot I do furniture, right?  LOL

( I kind of forgot myself ) but can't wait :)

I need a little diversion from all these crap renovations ( but I assembled the second shelving unit from Ikea last night so they're both up now )

That's my old stove underneath the hood - it's winter - I thought it could use a " toque "

Talk soon - ( I have a post ready to put up - but it's one of those posts that may or may not reveal a little too much about the woman behind this blog - so holding off for now LOL )

John said it was ridiculous - absolutely ridiculous when I read it to him and told me it was the worse one I've written yet -
So...................you know I'm going to hit publish sooner than later, right?

Oh and please tell me you noticed the phrase " Clever Clogs " on Downton Abbey this week?
John calls me that all the time.

Much love,
Suzana Anna Danna
XOXO

Decisions - Good AND Bad

Morning all !

It's coming.....................it really is!!!
I'm happy I decided to go with the plate shelves instead of upper cabinets -

What do you think of them?  Did I do good?  You have to tell me - because I've been beating myself up for 2 days over the floor fiasco..................
They really are a great storage alternative for those of us that don't want upper cabinets :)
They accommodate a LOT considering they don't take up much space at all -
I especially love that there's hooks on the bottom!

I'm happy I decided to keep the old sink ( don't know why it wasn't thrown out during the demo process - divine intervention perhaps )  Originally - when I was going to go with a marble slab the sink would have been an under mount - however this one works perfectly with the tiles - it doesn't look it but the tubs are very deep - and there's 2 of them - and it cleaned up rather nicely - nothing to write home about - but in the end it'll do fine.

I'm also happy I decided on the marble tile - ( after finding out a tooth implant was going to cost the same amount as a slab...............)  I was heartbroken about that decision if truth be told - but I really am happy about it - not the kind of happy that makes you dance all over the house - but the kind of happy that makes me smile when I look at it

I'm happy I decided to get the 2 galvanized steel units from IKEA - at 15.99 each - to rest on either side of the stove - I only have one up so far but like the industrial look it gives the area ( keeping in mind that a large stainless steel hood will be in the center of both

I'm happy I decided to borrow some space from the mudroom to create the fridge niche - it saves a huge amount of space for this kitchen

and I'm really liking the microwave niche too since it creates more counter space.
( why is the light red on it?  I've never seen that before - don't like )

And when I think of how this wall looked when we bought the house

I'm thrilled with every decision so far

( I used my incredible photography skills - and ran to PICMONKEY to photo shop the window we've ordered - so you can see what'll it look like LMHO )  remember the window will be black - but this is the one.  I think it's ready in 2 weeks.
That gap between the drawers and the cabinet on the left had side still has to have the filler piece installed to hide it. And I hate that the right hand plate rack looks crooked - it isn't !!!
Oh and I still have to paint out that wood trim along the perimeter of the tile.

Ok - now I'll let you know why I'm bragging about my decisions -

Remember the black and white tile floor I wanted?

I wanted to try it with stick on tiles first - to see if I liked it - but couldn't find stick on tiles anywhere in Montreal -
And so we went with this  ( OMG - I could seriously puke showing you this - I really wasn't going to but here you are )

It didn't look so bad when we saw the one piece.

But holy shit - what a disaster - I can barely walk into the kitchen without wanting to weep

AND I CAN'T EVEN SHOW YOU THE PHOTO WITHOUT TELLING YOU FIRST THAT IT'S COMING OFF THIS WEEK - WE'RE GETTING BLACK AND WHITE CERAMIC TILES - FORGET THE STICK ON ONES JUST TO SEE IF I'LL LIKE IT - BECAUSE NOW ANYTHING WILL BE BETTER THAN THIS - I'D RATHER JUST LOOK AT THE PLYWOOD, SERIOUSLY.

I'm not even watermarking this pic - I don't want anyone to associate my kitchen with it LMHO

I.D.I.O.T.

Suzan says - I can't live with it John
John says - and this is the FIRST time he's ever said this - CHANGE IT - IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT AND YOU CAN'T LIVE WITH IT - CHANGE IT -
Suzan says - Wow - I've never known you to be so accommodating
John says - Well - you've worked hard to create a nice space - I don't want you living with something you don't like
Suzan says - Well THAT never mattered before
Suzan says - OMG - YOU hate it too LOL
John says - It's horrid

And because I can't leave you with that image in your head - here's another decision I'm happy I made
When I painted my Knife Block ( you can see all the different wording I used on it HERE )
But it works in the new black and white kitchen :)

Oh and for those of you that suggested I paint out the original wood floor in a checker board pattern - the wood was not salvageable unfortunately - or I would have most definitely did just that !!!

You all have a wonderful Sunday - try to make sure it's a day of rest - and try to get the image of that
" horrid " floor out of your head.

Much love,


Sharing with!!!          
Common Ground                               Savvy Southern Style                          The Charm of Home
French Country Cottage                     The Shabby Nest
I should be mopping the floor              Under the Table & Dreaming

We are more....................by Shane Koyczan

I live in a province of Canada that is very conflicted.
You are either Quebecois - or You are  Canadian.
I AM BOTH 
PROUDLY FIERCELY BOTH
I love my Country - AND my province

Something that causes controversy at the best of times.


I also love " slam " poetry - LOVE it - it grabs me from somewhere deep inside - the emotion with which it's delivered gets me - every. single. time.

Fellow Canadians - you'll love this - promise.

My American friends - listen - it'll tell you a little about your Northern neighbors - and it's a must if you love slam poetry as much as I do :)

Just so you know - it isn't angry Slam - it's gentle ( like Canadians LMHO )
I get a lump in my throat every time I hear it
Way to go Shane -



YOU are more !!!

“We Are More” by Shane Koyczan
When defining Canada
you might list some statistics
you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake 
you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada
you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie
might even mention the fact that we’ve got a few
Barenaked Ladies
or that we made these crazy things
like zippers
electric cars
and washing machines
when defining Canada
it seems the world’s anthem has been
” been there done that”
and maybe that’s where we used to be at
it’s true
we’ve done and we’ve been
we’ve seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine
and turned into theme parks
but when defining Canada
don’t forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories
about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say “eh?”
and yes

we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One
who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines
but we’re more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you
and as for you’re welcome
well we say that too
but we are more
than genteel or civilized
we are an idea in the process
of being realized
we are young
we are cultures strung together
then woven into a tapestry
and the design
is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed
and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry
because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer
we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us
have grown past what used to be
we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like “someday”

someday we’ll be great
someday we’ll be this
or that
someday we’ll be at a point
when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way
for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow
and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set
and we will get interest on our inspiration
because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks
more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges
towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss
we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others
we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces
we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces
we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters
more than on and off seasons
we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay
because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are
we are students
students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why
we don’t have all the answers
but we try
and the effort is what makes us more
we don’t all know what it is in life we’re looking for
so keep exploring
go far and wide
or go inside but go deep
go deep
as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout
trying to figure some way out
to get inside you
because you’ve been through hell and high water
and you went deep
keep exploring
because we are more
than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski
or countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can’t wait
we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live
a land that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
” keep exploring… we are more”
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it’s true

Canada is the “what” in “what’s new?”
so don’t say “been there done that”
unless you’ve sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes
on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun
don’t say you’ve been there done that
unless you’ve been here doing it
let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old
let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends
leave chapters for the next time you’ll come back
next time pack for all the things
you didn’t pack for the first time
but don’t let your luggage define your travels
each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up
the colours of our tapestry
we are the true north
strong and free
and what’s more
is that we didn’t just say it
we made it be.

__________________________________________________________________________________

You all have a beautiful weekend.......................
I messed up in my decision of kitchen flooring - and I mean really messed up -
I laid that wood looking floor I showed this week -
I'M AN IDIOT

BUT - I AM MORE

So I'm changing it LOL

Much love,

There's no place like home...................

Really there isn't

And that's why if a tornado were to strike my neighborhood - and I were mysteriously carried off the to the land of Oz - I'd happily stay there - living amongst the wicked witches.

And if the good witch Glinda came by with a pair of red glitzy shoes - I'd tell her to " take a hike "

Because flying monkey's would be a piece of cake next to these renovations.

Seriously?

I'm so in need of a yellow brick road now it ain't funny..................





Actually I might take the red shoes - they're kind of snappy - but I wouldn't click them 3 times.
It just wouldn't happen................

Kitchen cupboard doors are going on today -

and the floor gets laid - oh please let the floor be the right decision!!!

when I designed the kitchen cupboards - I had to put 2 smaller units on either side of the sink to ensure the sink would remain centered with the main window...........( don't you love my dry wall window? )
so I allowed for 2 " wine " racks to be fitted on either side

I could have used the storage instead to tell you the truth - but then everything would have been off symmetrically and that would have drove me nuts in the end.
We already have wine storage in the dining room but hey...............

John says - How many bloody wine storages do we need?
Suzan says - As many as the house will hold, after these renovations.................
Suzan says - I may have a couple installed in the bathroom too

That wood trim you see on the outer ledge of the counter top will be painted white - since I went with marble tiles I needed a " lip " to rest the tiles against.

I had the same issue for the cooking area - so I put in a narrow bookcase - for cookbooks - only on 1 side

I missed the sale by one day on a stove I desperately wanted -
Now I'm not willing to pay the regular price - so the old one will be installed until another sale happens

This was the one on sale - if I'm going with gas I want a stainless steel top - my current one is black on top and it always looks dirty - or dusty - or streaky..................
Then again I'm not even sure I want gas - for finish the stove is going to be the item that sends me over the top most likely

I'm also torn about an island - but in the end I'd like to try to incorporate my farmhouse table
Just have to figure out a way to give it more height - I thought of building a " pedestal " for it - any other suggestions?
It's too low ( table height )
You can see why it works so great in a small kitchen HERE

Oh and by the way - that buffet/hutch you see behind it?  That's being brought into the new kitchen as well - since there'll be no upper cabinets I'm going to need it :)

Another crazy day here folks :)

On another more positive note - they're calling for 8 degrees on Saturday ( 46 degrees ) pretty nice when you consider that last week it was - 46 ( that WAS a minus sign in front )
The weather has been hitting extremes all across the board this winter - but I intend to take full advantage of these balmy temperatures lol

Have a great Thursday
Big hugs,

A.G.O.N.Y. ( and kitchen counters )

Acute
Grimacing
Over the top
Never again will I have a tooth
Yanked out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On top of renovating a house - I now have to renovate my mouth...................

4 stitches -
As the doctor was sewing me up

Suzan says - can you just poke that needle through each cheek and somehow pull my eyes up?
Suzan says - Please?
Doctor says - well I can honestly say, that's the first time someone's requested that

AND the cost of my marble counter top will now be replaced with an implant - so here we go with making do.

( I'd rather have the counter top - but I have to be realistic - I hate being realistic - but a toothless cook would not suit a marble counter top anyway )
Sooooooooo - yesterday I bought marble tiles instead - it wasn't the " dream " but it'll have to do for now -
For the back splash I bought marble " thresh holds " - you know the pieces that go on the floor of the bathroom door jamb?  They match perfectly - and at 20 for 3 feet - they were the perfect solution because they're bevelled on either side - allowing a beautifully bevelled top part - and a bevelled edge to rest against the tile.
( go on - you can say it - I'm a genius aren't I ???? )

If you're standing from a distance - it looks like a marble slab - so I'm just not going to let anyone all the way in the kitchen LMHO

Now for the checkerboard floor - which all of you agreed was the way to go - I CAN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE HERE IN MONTREAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to go with stick on tiles - in case I didn't like it as much as I think - it would have been a very easy fix to switch it out - and I'm not sure if I want to go with a permanent one for exactly that reason.
I have one more place to visit today - and then if they don't have them - I may go with this " click on "
vinyl flooring instead - thoughts?  It would bring some warmth into a very " cool " kitchen.
It's grey and ebony - perfect colors for the kitchen.

I DID find some perfect black - and white - stick on tiles on line - through Walmart - but only for U.S. - the Canadian site doesn't have them -
I even tried to fool the system -
They offer pick up - and since Montreal is close to Plattsburgh I entered a phony American zip code
and clicked on pick up LMHO - no way - the message I got was " THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ERROR WITH YOUR ADDRESS "

I'm entitled to a gift card from Ikea - 10% of the total kitchen costs - which is incredible since the cabinets were already a deal and a half.

I'm off today to pick up the following ( which is basically a gift from them - so THANK YOU IKEA )

2 of these - one for either side of the window ( I will not be having upper cabinets - other than my buffet/hutch )

Plates will go in the upper section - glasses below - and perhaps cups on the hooks?
55.00 each - and I think they'll be a great storage solution - the window frame will be black as well.

and 2 of these - galvanzed steel - on either side of the range hood - I'm going for a sort of industrial look for the cooking area - these will rest on the counters and almost reach the ceiling there since the ceiling is lower in that section ( allowing ducts for the hood )
15.99 each - what a STEEL - and a STEAL !!!!!!!!
The look won't be for everyone - but wait until you see it before you judge lol !
Keep in mind that the hood is somewhat industrial looking itself................




and 4 bar stools - they're stackable - only 2 will be in the kitchen and 2 can be stored in the mudroom for when we need them - they're only 17.99 each


The crown molding has been installed - so the kitchen should be ready by next week -

I don't know what style it'll end up being - country/industrial/modern ?
We'll just call it a Simply Vintageous Kitchen - because for finish I don't think it'll fit in any category at all LOL

You all have a wonderful day!
Much love,

Checker Board Kitchen Floors

I've been torn over this decision for the last month -
First I wanted a beachy white washed wood (vinyl click on )  - then I wanted ceramic - then I thought of installing a new wood floor -

And last night an idea was born - Black and White checker board - it'll tie in with the rest of the white theme house perfectly and it may just be the best idea I've come up with yet!
It will be the perfect balance in an all white and stainless kitchen - and even though black and white are stark colors - I think a checker board floor - on the diagonal - can add a lot of warmth ( and a bit of country charm ) to the space.

Soooo I'm going with a black and white checker board floor - which after looking at a slew of inspiration photos - I'm quite excited about.

source

source

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source

source

source

source

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What do you think?
I know that people either love it or hate it - I had it once before and LOVED it - and since I keep drawing a blank on anything else I'm going to go with it :)

We're just going to buy the stick on ones - so that if an idea suddenly develops it won't be such a horrible job to replace them - and for now I'll have a floor -

Picking them up today -


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