The White Kitchen:

I was thinking this morning how much I miss transforming brown kitchens to white and that I wonder if I will ever want a wood stained kitchen. That thought lasted about one minute. When I look at real estate listings either on my Knoxville mls or on realtor.com at homes across the country I rarely find a wood stained kitchen that I love. So when I find a kitchen filled with darkness I can't help but think (I can't wait to have this kitchen repainted or ripped out ) This kitchen had just been remodeled. I know even my own Mother wouldn't have painted these cabinets and maybe I am adopted.  The backsplash was new as well as the granite tops. The sink was an undermount and the faucet was in the bronze family( also not a family I can relate to) The cabinet hardware were  cup pulls and although I don't love those I didn't want to sand and fill holes so we replaced them with like kind in a polished nickel finish. 

We painted the cabinets in Benjamin Moore white dove in a high gloss as I like a little shine. The walls are Benjamin Moore Natural creme. The counter tops are polished calcutta gold marble and the back splash is Lowes subway tile with a grey grout. 

The sink is a Kohler farm sink specifically for remodels and the faucet is by Rohl in polished nickel. 

Hope you enjoy your Wednesday. I am dreaming of my next white kitchen. 

xo

SJ

The replacement light

Before 

On a previous post my client asked about painting her cabinets and that turned into you need help with lighting. Here are her final before and afters on her breakfast light. We went from somewhat ornate to a cleaner drum shade. I think it updates the space and looks fabulous.

After 

The thankful things in my life

Since  moving to Oklahoma after living in glorious Tennessee I have struggled .

Tennessee has been my home for over 15 years and certainly feels like home to me and my family.

Although my parents moved me to Oklahoma when I was 9 from California I never really felt like Oklahoma was my home. So as I have been here in Oklahoma for the past 10 months it has felt longer. Everyone here has been gracious and kind and tried to make us feel at home. I wonder how long it takes for something to feel like home. So as I complained to The sweet chicken selling husband yesterday how I missed my old house (yes all 13 of them)and my friends and my work with great real estate and design clients and all the amazing realtors that have been kind to me In a very  competitive business. I thought today I don't want to blog as I was feeling sorry for myself! Then I saw a picture I took last Sunday of my sister Lolly on her 41 Birthday. She is 10 years younger than me and my baby sister. I have felt like her Mom on occasions and she and I have always been close. She is my voice of reason when I am about to fall off my crazy cliff. She is kind. She is special and she is smart. She is an elementary teacher and her husband Matt a women's college basketball coach. They recently bought their first home in a nearby town close to me and I went and helped decorate. My sister is a teacher and her husband Matt a college coach with two young children so the budget doesn't allow for shopping sprees. So I went to TJ Maxx and Ross and got lamps and art and frames and helped make their home special ( I hope) 

Waverly my niece loves her room and Cael my nephew ( who is so sweet and was born with a cleft lip) was also excited but when I didn't have time to finish his room he wants me to come back and finish decorating. Design/ decorating does make a difference for kids especially in a new home and new city as they are experiencing. Waverly has taken anyone who comes over "to see her room " and says she loves it. So while I am still sad and missing my home I am so           thankful today to be able to spend time however long or short with my sister, my niece and nephew and my brother in law.