O' Happy day!

Hope your day is awesome!  Valarie  

Kitchen Makeover... "MY" Cottage Style

A few years back we did a little decor make-over on the kitchen... GO HERE!  

We did some painting and added a chalk board - nothing major 
My wish list was countertops white river granite, beadboard backsplash, stained glass window and plantation shutters, crown molding above my cabinets... to name a few of the things I was dreaming of for my little cottage kitchen... 

BEFORE - 

BEFORE..... No beadboard back splash 

BEFORE.... No crown on top of cabinets... my burlap curtain blog here... 

Wanted to paint my red wall and get a new mural... in this photo they had just finished beadboard 

BEFORE.... Sorry for iphone picure.. no beadboard here.... 

Added beadboard 

Added beadboard back splash - huge difference... 

Added beadboard on end cabinets, new plantation shutter over kitchen sink with stained glass above shutter 

Bigger photo of the kitchen now... Yes, I am addicted to chandeliers.... Yes, that is 4 in the kitchen area!! 

The white river countertops were out of my budget.... SO kept what we had... it's fine, they are very durable... 

Love the clean, simple look, I am NOT a fan of clutter... 

1950 vintage cannister set my friend gave me one year for my Birthday... 

No more red wall, and new mural -- Meet Henry!! 

Henry was my great grandmother's last name....

There are memories of her and my grandmother through out my home... so, Henry was the only name discussed for our new addition to the kitchen...

Thanks for stopping by!

Valarie 

Room #47 HISTORIC MCKINNEY -THE BLUE COTTAGE

Recently found this door at a local shop - I knew it was perfect for my interior guest room.  I later found the enamel 47 tag plate and added to the door - I love the door and the numbered tag plate...  I will add a cute roman shade for privacy in the event we have an overnight guest but for now... I love the view from the hallway... 

This is our guest room... My mom stays here when she comes for a visit... The collage of plates are mostly plates from my grandmother, the bedding is PINE CONE HILL, the iron bed is a bed that I shared with my sister growing up... The chandy came from a junk store... it is not perfect.. but it is perfect for our blue cottage. 

Close up of the plate collage 

The door is always open...... Come anytime!

Valarie 

Before & After Office Space...

Just finished a little project... of my office space... 

This is my office space -

I needed space for my storage boxes, a place to hang jackets and umbrellas, I had this mud room shelf built 

I added the stain glass windows a few years back to bring n more light 

Glimpse of the side stained glass window... 

There was a door to the office... basic builder door .. I never liked it .. I found this screen here... 

Added a enamel do not disturb sign... makes the chippy door!!  

Love the light shining through when I am walking through the master 

Through the screen view...

Thanks for stopping by!

Valarie

BEFORE AND FINAL AFTER -- OUTDOOR LIVING HISTORIC MCKINNEY!!

Remember when I posted here.....  

We added the stone bench to the left - it is really pretty curves around for more seating... 

Better view of the stone seating.. Loved the vintage iron bench but was not practical for the clan of kids and guests we have.. only seated 3 this bench is really wide and can seat about 5 

All of my husband's clients have a nicer place to sit while they wait for appointment

View from the front yard now looking down the side yard... 

Another glimpse.... 

Glimpse from the driveway side....

ALL THE BEFORE AND AFTER CLICK HERE....... AND HERE... 

Thanks for stopping by!
Valarie 

Enjoying the nest in Historic McKinney

2nd year for my elephant ears!  

Home is where my heart is... 

Everthing is in full bloom....

Hugs from home...

Valarie   

Before & After Outdoor Living Space ... over the years!

 Thanks for stopping by my before & after of the outdooor living space.. As you know it is a work of art to find just the right elements for an entertaining space!  CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW FAR WE HAVE CAME ON OUR GARDENS!

I thought we were done after we did this addition - however there was still alot of brush on our fence row from a divided fence line with our neighbor and as you can see here grass would not grown on the West shady side of the cottage.  

So we brought in the rock - see all the brush to the left - see the trellis to the left behind the white rocker.. They needed to go as well.. I had a plan !! 

Cleaned out the brush - trimmed the trees back and did away with all the vines growing on 3 trellis 

Beginning to open the space... (no flowers in those pots on the fence yet!) 

Sharing the before... 

 AND THE AFTER!!!! 

Added the cedar/guage wire fence to the left to plant vines and climbing roses.... 

SO happy with it... the dividing fence, we wanted privacy but did not want to shut out our fabulous neighbors! 

Added another pergola... its beautiful cedar so it will have to dry out a few weeks before we paint ... to match the other pergola. 

Perfect for entertaining...  

Better glimpse of the pergola.... The slats on top are exactly 2 inches apart which provides great shade.. Outdoor fans are coming - very vintage and will be hung on the cedar/painted posts...  

He does great work... used the same guy that remodeled our garage, did the side fence now this!  Local to Mckinney call me for their number. 

Looking up .... 

Looking down the side yard towards the street...

More to come when we have fans hung and paintng & planting done!

Thanks for stopping by!

Valarie