{inspired} around the web

Happy Monday friends!

It's been a while since I've shared with you things that I'm loving online. But, there's been so much goodness lately. Does summer's sunshine and warm days inspire everyone? I know they do me! 

I'd like to frame and hang up this entire wedding suite on my gallery wall. And, it's not even mine! But, wow. So gorgeous.

 You know, we have a bathroom remodel coming up next. This picture is beyond inspiring. Dark, moody and the gallery is beautiful.

 Has anyone tried this? I can imagine, if it works, it smells heavenly. I'll give a try this summer and get back to you :).

 I need these curtains in my life. Specifically, in my living room. Anyone want to make them for me?? :)

 This lamp is so stylish!

I also want to make this. We recently acquired quite a large ottoman, and this slip cover would be perfect. Looks like I need to dust off the sewing machine!

Friends, what is your favorite? What have you been loving lately? You can find the links to all of these on my Pinterest page.

Also, I'm heading out on a work trip tomorrow for 7 days (!). And by work, I mean I'm rafting Idaho's Salmon River. For work. It's okay to be jealous. I have a few great posts lined up for you while I'm gone, so make sure to check back, but please don't be alarmed if I don't respond to questions/comments until next week :).

{renovate} kitchen paint and cabinets

Happy Friday friends! 

I wanted to share a quick kitchen update with you all before the weekend. Remember the 4th of July? It was last week.....federal holiday....you know ;). Well I'm finally getting around to an update: we got so much done! We have a couple crazy awesome friends who came over to help and then we barbecued up a seriously awesome surf and turf feast :)

First, we tackled cabinet installation. By we, I mean our friends and Chris. I'll show you what I was doing in a sec :). Oh and please ignore our "grass". We have a good excuse: kitchen remodel. :)

Those three are ROCK STARS! Because, they assembled all the cabinets. While they were doing that, I was busy PAINTING! :) Unfortunately, all those cabinets you see up there are piled in the nook, which means that is still primer white. Hmmm. It'll get done eventually.

But in the meantime, the kitchen is complete and ready for cabinet installation! The color is the same as the back entry: Benjamin Moore's Grant Beige, colored matched with Miller Paint (our favorite!)

I also touched up the living room where we took out the wall. The living color is Miller Paint's Devine Reef (which, weirdly, looks green online. It's not. It's the best light blue I've ever seen. Also, Miller Paint isn't sold nationwide, but I just noticed you can purchase it now online!). I love this view. And, even though they look a little different in this light, the kitchen and the back entry are the same color. It already makes the house feel a little more cohesive.

But my favorite new view has to be this one. I love that you can see the gallery wall and the hallway in one shot. So fun! (And so messy! Eeps! :)

Friends I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! We started installing cabinets this week, so we'll continue project. Wish us luck getting lots and lots done! 

Psss. If you're just joining us and would like to catch up with our kitchen remodel, you can read all about it here: kitchen mood board here and here, kitchen issues, kitchen demo, opening up a wall, creating kitchen lighting plan and tackling our hardwoods floors.

{renovate} front door decorative window film

Thank you all for your comments about our front door update! Today, let's talk about the new window treatment.

I made the curtain for the door window in early 2010. It was time for a change. Actually, it's been time for a change for awhile, but I didn't know what to do. The curtain just didn't look right -- a little sloppy maybe? I researched fabric for awhile, but my heart just wasn't into it. So here's where I admit that I totally copied someone else's idea. Because, it was brilliant! And simple! The idea came from Seventh House on the Left I knew immediately that this is what my front door needed. I mean, come on. She made a window film out of plain ole simple contact paper. Sweet! Thank you Ashley!

And, we love it. It doesn't draw a lot of attention, but it's graphical and simple and does it's duty, namely giving us some privacy :). The shape is actually the shape of our new kitchen tiles and I love that it'll tie the living room and kitchen together in a subtle way. Ashley actually has a great tutorial and template, which you can check out here. But in case you'd like to do this at home, I do have one tip that Ashley doesn't cover.

You want the contact paper to lay flat, flat, flat. No bubbles. And, the best way to do this is with this handy tool: a bondo spreader. I actually picked this guy up at Haven, but they're available at any hardware store. The best method is to attach the sticky side of the contact paper with your hands and gently smooth with your fingers. Then, smooth out any bubbles or imperfections with the spreader. I actually smoothed out some pretty rigid wrinkles with this guy! 

This easy trick will leave you with a smooth professionally-applied looking finish.

And a view from the other side of the door. Love! My one concern was whether this would hold up against heat. We don't have AC and it get HOT in our house! But, we've had high 80's/low 90's all week and so far it's great. I'll let you know if that changes :)

Have you guys ever used contact paper in a creative and unique way? Who knew it could be used for more than lining drawers :).