Back in Business... First Project! Kitchen Island

So this is where the design idea left off. Now I've been told to start working on ideas for the Island. Actually he said make the drawings. huh.... Make the drawings? Oki Doki! So I really like the look of the above. Originally I toyed with the island being a different color, 2 tiered, etc. but I think I'd like it more simple. Now the above island is probably bigger than possible. We figured a 48" by 72" was the max (countertop) and smaller footprint. And the seating probably on living room side.

I wonder if he ever saw the floorplans where I rotated it? I also tried to put in dinette. Not really what I pictured so would have to play with it.


Original Plan with Island as Discussed and Dinette

So here I did an addition again. I keep going back to an addition because it's so hard to have the layout otherwise include all the componets we discussed without stuff on top of each other. But I also then totally moved the back wall of kitchen forward a few feet which would be bad idea because of all the plumbing there. And didn't even put bathroom stuff back in place. BUT I added a portico which I still insist is a MUST (I am alone on that one I think). It also enables us to put a real fireplace in with the lovely stonework on the outside that would really add to the look of the house.

Plan with addition to swap LR and DR. Turned Island and Added wall of cabinets
 

 Here's the 3d rendering mostly to get a feel for the kitchen. See all the bookcases we both talked about. That's why I added another room so it would still feel open otherwise it might feel like a very small room in a library.

Ok I fixed the floating bathroom fixtures and a few other issues: Still can't get stairways to not being up in air. Apparently you can't do a negative elevation. Here's the 3D:

Melody's Ranch Makeover

I found someone with very similar front yard issues to mine on Fine Gardening asking for help. So thought what the heck a new collage!

Before

 So I used some of the pictures I have of beautiful conifers around steps to redo her entry and front yard.

After

So I hope she likes it! Of course if I had to name all those plants it'd be tough. Basically there are 2 Dwarf Alberta Spruce, 2 Dwarf someother kind of Spruce (sorry I'm thinking Norway), lot of false cypress the weeping gold kind, low growing juniper, phlox, and the airy plant in the back that's yellow I'm thinking is goldenspire.   OK I need to hone down these plants if Melody sees this!

Terrarium Class

I was "leaf"ing through the Chicago Botanical Garden's catalog of adult education and thought oooh terrariums. Later I mentioned to Pat about wanting to take some classes there which he was supportive of until I mentioned the terrarium class. Then he said sounds like clutter. Don't you love it when your hubbie pronouncing something you've put a lot of thought into so quickly as something to dismiss.

So for him I named this collage....
So you don't think you like terrariums!

So I visualized my vertical garden of succulents in the condo window in delicate glass bubbles and galvanized steel gutters! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH boy!

A new collage for the Condo

I feel pretty dumb that I lost my cell phone today. So I thought I'd work on a collage for the condo to feel better. Luckily I took the pictures of the condo right before we went to the Planetarium and I uploaded them using Google+ so I didn't lose them. And I also sent this cool photo of a horse sculpture outside the aquarium to facebook too. So at least I didn't lose any pics.

We discussed putting a Murphy's bed in the condo bedroom and making it more like another room with places to do multiple things since Pat tends to take over the living room TV and I rarely want to watch what he does. I don't know if he has seen these Murphy beds from the Bedder Way. They take it a step further and include a workstation! I'm thinking this may be my only way to have a craft station! Sorry everyone going to Chicago, need to make some things.

And then I found this one on my computer that I didn't even remember doing. So I found something today. I lost something today. Happens.

This one was to try and see what it would like to open up the kitchen and have an peninsula. I doubt it would come over that far but did it so some of it would get in the picture. 

And here's the horse....crap looks like it didn't make it to fb. Oh well. 

New tree planted a week ago

 Finally got the Japanese maple I have always put in all of my collages in the center of the front yard. Just another step toward that dream. Also got a Tiger Eyes sumac there in corner by the rock garden.

 

Isn't she lovely?

Here's another view of the new Japanese maple. It will be 15 x 15 feet at the most. I have one more to plant but can't figure for sure where to put it and it's getting colder so I need to get a move on it!

 

Been busy!

I have so much I need to post... I've been pinned to Pinterest. But I'm thinking about working on the side yard some this fall. BUT I don't want to spend any money yet. So not sure how much I can do. I figure I can afford some truckloads of rock and a pagoda that's on sale if it's not gone yet. And I bought 2 Japanese maples and a tiger eyes Sumac with one of the maples left to plant this weekend. It's getting late in the year for planting and our backyard is a swamp from leveling the pool area and not having time to plant grass. I may just cover that with a bale of straw if it'll reduce the mud traffic?

So I'm going to post images of what I'd like to sorta do and a sketch.



 

 

From Modern Parents and Messy Kids Blog

Don't be suckered like me. This is a cruel dream but still everyone needs goals. The ADHD in me would get 2/3's done (maybe) and be too bored with the rest. But anyway here's what she wrote....


I've been trying to figure out how to write this without sounding ridiculous. What I want to say is this: I finally did it you guys, I completely and totally organized my life! It took a lot of hard work and a lot of late nights but I now have a plan, routine, or system for everything.

• I've compiled and categorized enough healthy, inexpensive and easy recipes that I have a 90 day dinner menu (complete with theme nights like pasta Monday and slow-coooker Thursday) and I have the grocery lists to match.
• There is nothing in my house that we don't use. I've ferociously weeded out the clutter and sent it packing via Craig's List or Goodwill.
• Everything I didn't get rid of is now beautifully organized into colorfully labeled containers. If you're ever visiting and you need something, just ask me - I totally know where it all is.
• I now have a weekly schedule with time carved out for blogging, housework, play dates, park time, library time, and other activities we've been wanting to try but never got around to.
• For those days we stay home, we've got a dependable routine that the kids can rely on. It includes stuff like art time, outside time, story time and bath time.
• Remember when I told you C isn't really down with napping anymore and I was worried about ever getting anything done again? I completely solved that problem by putting together some genius quiet time kits (one for each day of the week so he doesn't get bored). They're crammed with busy bags, DIY audio books, and learning activities he can do independently.
• I finally got our budget down to a science using a combination of the cash envelope system and mint.com. We're saving tons! (and while I was at it I updated our wills, life insurance, and retirement planning).
• Thanks to evernote and some other handy apps, I will never again miss an appointment or birthday. (If something does somehow sneak by me, I have a birthday closet with pre-bought gifts and cards - thanks to the new budget and organization I now have the space and money for it.)
• I also joined a gym and started exercising regularly (part of the new weekly schedule). The kids love playing at the drop off center while I'm burning calories.
• I went through all 2,000 of my digital photos, edited them, imported them to yearly photobooks and backed them all up online. I've also caught up on my personal blog and am regularly contributing to it.
• Last but not least, the hubs and I have a set-in-stone date night that we never miss and we've recently instituted family game night.

Seriously, it's been a long time coming but today I stood in the middle of my living room, looked around the house and admired what I've accomplished with a huge goofy grin on my face.

And then I woke up. DAMN. IT.

Sounds good though, doesn't it? I should probably get on that.


Isn't that cruel!!!! BUT she is really trying to achieve this so hey maybe we can live the dream!