New Living Room paint & a Fireplace Makeover

Is it Monday already? I'm dragging this morning after a little too much of everything on a family trip to Sonoma Valley this weekend...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage5.ak.instagram.com/63c1c176b84111e3a2810e71a3fcc52d_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage5.ak.instagram.com/63c1c176b84111e3a2810e71a3fcc52d_8.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign">via Instagram</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table>It's only a three hour drive but it was my first time in wine country—and it was beautiful. On the way home we stopped at a Barnes and Noble where I grabbed a copy of the latest issue of Cottages & Bungalows...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/bc909736b85111e39b120a26978b387e_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/bc909736b85111e39b120a26978b387e_8.jpg" /></a></div><br />Anyone remember <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2012/04/sunroom-reveal.html">this room</a>?<br /><br />I was honored to receive a four page spread about the sunroom in our Florida house! <i>(Special thanks to my girl <a href="http://www.thewoodgraincottage.com/">Shayna @ The Wood Grain Cottage</a> for showing me a sneak peek of the article before I could get my hands on a copy!)</i><br /><i><br /></i>Now that the weekend is over, it's back to reality—work and house projects. In between kitchen projects last week, we made time to spruce up the living room with a fresh paint job.<br /><br />Here's how it looked in the very beginning:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEu0ZhoJe7-CZyO7NG0hn15HOEOCnzPiu9aeF5t2GlHbPiZp1FjpxyHql7nzYyEXAXaVcTh9Dc8RTmAhZXa3vjBXBci9LiGJW_arrQqbQzHDbgCO4A6zvpMPsf3mvD0TQMFFOIq3yo8ew3/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEu0ZhoJe7-CZyO7NG0hn15HOEOCnzPiu9aeF5t2GlHbPiZp1FjpxyHql7nzYyEXAXaVcTh9Dc8RTmAhZXa3vjBXBci9LiGJW_arrQqbQzHDbgCO4A6zvpMPsf3mvD0TQMFFOIq3yo8ew3/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CvcwhZ0rEMtyG1s4VnKN9T2z5UmfM9A4kiAna2fXOR0LlipjPZNCImrg_K7PMjQdPGnsfgt92dGW847tUenp0l0lk-333RRuiFlsM5D1TvziDZFGHrh3Py3xehCtxWMOeqv4QxJny0p2/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CvcwhZ0rEMtyG1s4VnKN9T2z5UmfM9A4kiAna2fXOR0LlipjPZNCImrg_K7PMjQdPGnsfgt92dGW847tUenp0l0lk-333RRuiFlsM5D1TvziDZFGHrh3Py3xehCtxWMOeqv4QxJny0p2/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />And then after moving in, still very beige:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HV0qd2a77ywFAeVOGj02ab1HR4NUYAEEp3sKllANSiS6mO5GA8Xzxzecai_-ajb_Qtaku1qPU3P7EHunRv_mTf5dLzPuxHZBLbHfxsHOCpyTrxFX7V4_7Csuejgrvux0hlIwg5WF8ZGF/s1600/IMG_1357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HV0qd2a77ywFAeVOGj02ab1HR4NUYAEEp3sKllANSiS6mO5GA8Xzxzecai_-ajb_Qtaku1qPU3P7EHunRv_mTf5dLzPuxHZBLbHfxsHOCpyTrxFX7V4_7Csuejgrvux0hlIwg5WF8ZGF/s1600/IMG_1357.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4XmQq5kS10hOU-h872_heu4H19GIuGPRVuz_j1dM3n3jvhutSHpSXp1dh3fbFXA6Z3U8MH6-tNs-gjRboFbPOCnaGI2uW6Jq0kLKCpVNcjGRC2EFseg6aXNcNovKYaWpuoVwikPRk0N4/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4XmQq5kS10hOU-h872_heu4H19GIuGPRVuz_j1dM3n3jvhutSHpSXp1dh3fbFXA6Z3U8MH6-tNs-gjRboFbPOCnaGI2uW6Jq0kLKCpVNcjGRC2EFseg6aXNcNovKYaWpuoVwikPRk0N4/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" /></a></div><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJvx12ikWa4SKmcMwQDZqiv7zsWJ1zfRHdqfyL2rmfsWXLtIdN6o9a4mjCeRjhOGfzpK4VUfabUSz3hyBilGbLgzx2Rm2OfEd7GR8WQU3ThNjgEiu48QlXAGdAyTksFZ1GxbQjCvjgqBI/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJvx12ikWa4SKmcMwQDZqiv7zsWJ1zfRHdqfyL2rmfsWXLtIdN6o9a4mjCeRjhOGfzpK4VUfabUSz3hyBilGbLgzx2Rm2OfEd7GR8WQU3ThNjgEiu48QlXAGdAyTksFZ1GxbQjCvjgqBI/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhij_n3PGncbHq_rXyoD5r7Uw0TRnnn02lO_qHjCLa33sCQgmKAmkJjLtpTz6_9pGD_x6AtWVSzklaaIUzf1NlW9H9kw5FrGbiD25jXTN2f1Itm2W3RQQIsalYVQRZax-JFUsySyOZGEBR6/s1600/IMG_1764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhij_n3PGncbHq_rXyoD5r7Uw0TRnnn02lO_qHjCLa33sCQgmKAmkJjLtpTz6_9pGD_x6AtWVSzklaaIUzf1NlW9H9kw5FrGbiD25jXTN2f1Itm2W3RQQIsalYVQRZax-JFUsySyOZGEBR6/s1600/IMG_1764.jpg" /></a></div><br />I decided to keep things open and airy so I used the same barely there gray I chose for the top half of the <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-studio-is-ready-for-business.html">studio walls</a>—Valspar's Montpelier Madison White.<br /><br />We were going to tackle it ourselves, but this room has some seriously high ceilings—some of them directly over a staircase, and there was just no possible way we could do it. We found a local reputable painter (my parents use him all the time) and he made us an offer we couldn't refuse so we went for it.<br /><br />And now it's like a whole new room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C-Jgmi9CWIUgttSgssDqtAZSQmO1G1yHZjYj9-DYOtNdeIVkgaD8J8qG65sA1ifLubs_1xDwZyyAdRjUct__1H93tKfmYO9CliuIKLlZ5OXi9nBb_XoxbUXH3BdwIwLcdRaS5rKAObAT/s1600/IMG_2505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C-Jgmi9CWIUgttSgssDqtAZSQmO1G1yHZjYj9-DYOtNdeIVkgaD8J8qG65sA1ifLubs_1xDwZyyAdRjUct__1H93tKfmYO9CliuIKLlZ5OXi9nBb_XoxbUXH3BdwIwLcdRaS5rKAObAT/s1600/IMG_2505.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufgblf3EPmwYyqOv1L5_xf_cCPzBGGiBH4ofLm6TIkVyG2S1sgUBpE7znNxztkLwiZe_b2JkYaLhH-7elYwXiTI1omEVqYH2kiQR1YqFSIP3dm4ugAdSIXG94Q7eVk2NgAm-SD8gIvaTH/s1600/IMG_2504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufgblf3EPmwYyqOv1L5_xf_cCPzBGGiBH4ofLm6TIkVyG2S1sgUBpE7znNxztkLwiZe_b2JkYaLhH-7elYwXiTI1omEVqYH2kiQR1YqFSIP3dm4ugAdSIXG94Q7eVk2NgAm-SD8gIvaTH/s1600/IMG_2504.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69KB8PlLypCQG0OJViCmZyUGidHJweinDxifJXfhLx5o9ch3IeGC_XDe7y3GEjrTzSttU6WB2YmsFiCogQXVunHbl4Qpdiyem10SBzmTQmjfPJcJefNsALb3tQHChWQK6lkzRCipqJYR1/s1600/IMG_2506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69KB8PlLypCQG0OJViCmZyUGidHJweinDxifJXfhLx5o9ch3IeGC_XDe7y3GEjrTzSttU6WB2YmsFiCogQXVunHbl4Qpdiyem10SBzmTQmjfPJcJefNsALb3tQHChWQK6lkzRCipqJYR1/s1600/IMG_2506.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaGNh5_NWIqVCZJikUGekDziDvFX21qCj5n9bdvIVOTvzjU5h4ukuMjM7eWJZWu5WkHk4hwVCXUH0GMx4yTowlU2qWhKy-9x7dj0PB3roz7H9BmDaYepFVlYvKDt8RhC3H-ajbaKS7Yx1/s1600/IMG_2507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaGNh5_NWIqVCZJikUGekDziDvFX21qCj5n9bdvIVOTvzjU5h4ukuMjM7eWJZWu5WkHk4hwVCXUH0GMx4yTowlU2qWhKy-9x7dj0PB3roz7H9BmDaYepFVlYvKDt8RhC3H-ajbaKS7Yx1/s1600/IMG_2507.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnERBzJciL2O0xez1Rpx9Iz-3nTfQ-0MsbvPalb0JCvm2xda9L-Dxp5L4Xs5TOawjCcPZcKaeIZDSCGUIJo0lWikzTbFpO_5_JfED45uUc7wOqvcuJkRXXXM6blQegP8dcH4YCdUx5a6G/s1600/IMG_2508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnERBzJciL2O0xez1Rpx9Iz-3nTfQ-0MsbvPalb0JCvm2xda9L-Dxp5L4Xs5TOawjCcPZcKaeIZDSCGUIJo0lWikzTbFpO_5_JfED45uUc7wOqvcuJkRXXXM6blQegP8dcH4YCdUx5a6G/s1600/IMG_2508.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Don't mind the random tv placement—we need to figure out how to move the cable box to the fireplace, so it's hanging out there for now.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCvhqJAw3vG-8IP9rJQjPdKhj60VD7Lfw6mwIMlakIvLXqORTynE60nrlStBY11GYNPYmwLh1iIgB5Rx4EgeNvO2pwcPZohju4HrL_8ix2n7-zLCXKCsSb6ZMk_i15d9vAulo7gBrBEdX/s1600/IMG_2509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCvhqJAw3vG-8IP9rJQjPdKhj60VD7Lfw6mwIMlakIvLXqORTynE60nrlStBY11GYNPYmwLh1iIgB5Rx4EgeNvO2pwcPZohju4HrL_8ix2n7-zLCXKCsSb6ZMk_i15d9vAulo7gBrBEdX/s1600/IMG_2509.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsJUeBUDJpVRMsMrI90ag08jjIAMoM4blKmuTTR2WmAaLT35njsu8QeDSSpxJPemy5ILA6R_7q58sDf7TOOwDjdiBhmU6LYz0rIig_Q5aF8PCYb_gOm5i2aHlKXD52TLn6RLzIq1whFbC/s1600/IMG_2510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsJUeBUDJpVRMsMrI90ag08jjIAMoM4blKmuTTR2WmAaLT35njsu8QeDSSpxJPemy5ILA6R_7q58sDf7TOOwDjdiBhmU6LYz0rIig_Q5aF8PCYb_gOm5i2aHlKXD52TLn6RLzIq1whFbC/s1600/IMG_2510.jpg" /></a></div><br />The stair risers will be painted this week!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpmwEh3ktuI8sBIIN7VpLQVn4ES7z6jgJ7vBdYjIONjJIL5FODaRSmvn7bXVzl_1PG9O93QfzWIwAtCGczgJzN1Bpz4OfxKSp-NnicLHdI-g9qOk7EhYd0QeqmPd_zYQTpn5YoEEql02D/s1600/IMG_2511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpmwEh3ktuI8sBIIN7VpLQVn4ES7z6jgJ7vBdYjIONjJIL5FODaRSmvn7bXVzl_1PG9O93QfzWIwAtCGczgJzN1Bpz4OfxKSp-NnicLHdI-g9qOk7EhYd0QeqmPd_zYQTpn5YoEEql02D/s1600/IMG_2511.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The paint was a huge improvement, but there was still a big eyesore...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr9_rK4xK_Mn5gkF52zkNCs1rWmFvJIXKlaZ8FEg1h0oj0N-t6QRA7r_nKLKG8muq9p_dISVAqXTTU5kwK8KVm9nOa_YgMXjmgvluQ-j2QHhUZjguuhOe8iSbM3TWDNR9NhN3LYJgiQ3p/s1600/IMG_2512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr9_rK4xK_Mn5gkF52zkNCs1rWmFvJIXKlaZ8FEg1h0oj0N-t6QRA7r_nKLKG8muq9p_dISVAqXTTU5kwK8KVm9nOa_YgMXjmgvluQ-j2QHhUZjguuhOe8iSbM3TWDNR9NhN3LYJgiQ3p/s1600/IMG_2512.jpg" /></a></div><br />This dingy red fireplace <i>had to go.</i><br /><i><br /></i>My ultimate vision is stacked stone all the way up to the ceiling (maybe the same stone we used for our <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/03/kitchen-chronicles-stacked-stone-bar.html">bar wall</a>?) But this requires quite a bit of time/effort/money, none of which we're willing or able to dedicate right now.<br /><br />So we went with the easy temporary fix—paint.<br /><br />First I had to clean it up a bit and address some of the issues... like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqBeF7kAJtvXleahryAv5-A56SbRVqBZexBBskwa7dXFDZclmKhjTxf2dC9-SCyEDGMotcbOycYHdyr9j6_2CzIGLfixy6Yx0y57OhTy2RDSBd2rrxCSTqk6XeyBsmTejhqLhLRq4Mwl3/s1600/IMG_2515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqBeF7kAJtvXleahryAv5-A56SbRVqBZexBBskwa7dXFDZclmKhjTxf2dC9-SCyEDGMotcbOycYHdyr9j6_2CzIGLfixy6Yx0y57OhTy2RDSBd2rrxCSTqk6XeyBsmTejhqLhLRq4Mwl3/s1600/IMG_2515.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwONgY5-pcjoSX1moqrJkBF1elhyphenhyphenmEvwAaAO10aMEaX9Keb3weCPd29xA2V5rd0QRJrHnzB4DXglD1rdlxsVfgjTWK1iiC2XqbB6WORghWMD1zL2mqKTArdZbGXuNpWnYAuy0rnTrfJ9s/s1600/IMG_2513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwONgY5-pcjoSX1moqrJkBF1elhyphenhyphenmEvwAaAO10aMEaX9Keb3weCPd29xA2V5rd0QRJrHnzB4DXglD1rdlxsVfgjTWK1iiC2XqbB6WORghWMD1zL2mqKTArdZbGXuNpWnYAuy0rnTrfJ9s/s1600/IMG_2513.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />It wasn't going to be perfect, but there were some obvious cracked/missing bricks that I thought could benefit from patching. I used "Presto Patch" which is a powder you mix with water and it forms a cement-like putty that dries and hardens rapidly.<br /><br />It worked pretty well in areas like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN13oGL5CWao42sTZBF9f5NEVvL26DKnSROPOPznEAn-UikR6hWhF2q7Y6SaVypkUdwx8UEE3JRAdX7Ga21GGwRho6JaQoI7MTQ1LZ38JweIMnxIw5B-YL4PHjsjkpcfw1LnbbsAF3V2ZQ/s1600/IMG_2516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN13oGL5CWao42sTZBF9f5NEVvL26DKnSROPOPznEAn-UikR6hWhF2q7Y6SaVypkUdwx8UEE3JRAdX7Ga21GGwRho6JaQoI7MTQ1LZ38JweIMnxIw5B-YL4PHjsjkpcfw1LnbbsAF3V2ZQ/s1600/IMG_2516.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The larger areas usually needed a few coats, so it took a little while to do the job. And it was a messy job.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGExvTjpwY4gnIARUNFvgZ67klzHPAMMuQ-b28HLLhRzu-tT8wnAEdHJ2SvCglVo84pHhhiX4xtTLqxvILZj3ClzGep5xHQwaFZCAgc6VOcEXwDzVAGEIwUmWT5VJHuCRTV05JwPKFebp/s1600/IMG_2517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGExvTjpwY4gnIARUNFvgZ67klzHPAMMuQ-b28HLLhRzu-tT8wnAEdHJ2SvCglVo84pHhhiX4xtTLqxvILZj3ClzGep5xHQwaFZCAgc6VOcEXwDzVAGEIwUmWT5VJHuCRTV05JwPKFebp/s1600/IMG_2517.jpg" /></a></div><br />I didn't go over every spot as it would have taken all day—I don't mind a little roughness. It's just temporary, remember.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3tySp4P197YxWLwDLyb9ZODpRlgjqytNqmYdjvRCEyzMLa4fram85_SoiBIV0FTK9VLQtetBeFAx3gyuEaBoENmWv8aw-WHXTFKqQsisJ_3EBoIPlmqpGjwMUixX-QgQJgUYtecNSxFd/s1600/IMG_2518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3tySp4P197YxWLwDLyb9ZODpRlgjqytNqmYdjvRCEyzMLa4fram85_SoiBIV0FTK9VLQtetBeFAx3gyuEaBoENmWv8aw-WHXTFKqQsisJ_3EBoIPlmqpGjwMUixX-QgQJgUYtecNSxFd/s1600/IMG_2518.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I also had to prepare the tile surface by scraping and scrubbing off this sticky tape all the way around it...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgad5dL0BBI9gAWTF60B5KBfKzFF6JOvlXFH_1i6k-sZRnuoPfzL1EmChbIdNXqASZFIMZOsKUe3nmr1waOlILWK3N4mkkawOnzWS_dZ4aJch9dOsQaA5FHrFL1-yLq_vE0qlYxAF8tmjI/s1600/IMG_2514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgad5dL0BBI9gAWTF60B5KBfKzFF6JOvlXFH_1i6k-sZRnuoPfzL1EmChbIdNXqASZFIMZOsKUe3nmr1waOlILWK3N4mkkawOnzWS_dZ4aJch9dOsQaA5FHrFL1-yLq_vE0qlYxAF8tmjI/s1600/IMG_2514.jpg" /></a></div><br />After a few hours of prep, it was time to paint!<br /><br />To keep the grays consistent, I pulled another color from the studio (we used it on our plank walls)—Valspar's Ocean Storm.<br /><br />I didn't know what to expect as this was our first time painting brick, but it was <i>not fun.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcETuxlYf3pJS7Zz_Zo7_bdT22l_aQQCniGqjzvBkiUog890zi09oEc7DEYTdKVeHoFDJAiCGXTyr3lMPyE5gQAHF5prP2wxwC2hyyTsLABhgSObhpEl0wDn0RFVmBZBk0R6OAt-8JMkX/s1600/IMG_2526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcETuxlYf3pJS7Zz_Zo7_bdT22l_aQQCniGqjzvBkiUog890zi09oEc7DEYTdKVeHoFDJAiCGXTyr3lMPyE5gQAHF5prP2wxwC2hyyTsLABhgSObhpEl0wDn0RFVmBZBk0R6OAt-8JMkX/s1600/IMG_2526.jpg" /></a></div><br />It took a lot longer than expected. The flat surfaces of the bricks weren't all that bad—just a couple passes with a roller brush. The grout was an entirely different story. It was difficult to get into every single nook and cranny.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4MmVYXNNjqCAdJyySNhWQqOXz4vLaS9Gg-msIJhbwyMWECPDRLRCY6f9c5SRuvjBYLy5r4vqI5obbR7CXaM6OP-4cevzRGQf9elMqPoDoN5HUI1ryWhc2tblDI9mF_Bhd-fbHFDQmf6l/s1600/IMG_2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4MmVYXNNjqCAdJyySNhWQqOXz4vLaS9Gg-msIJhbwyMWECPDRLRCY6f9c5SRuvjBYLy5r4vqI5obbR7CXaM6OP-4cevzRGQf9elMqPoDoN5HUI1ryWhc2tblDI9mF_Bhd-fbHFDQmf6l/s1600/IMG_2527.jpg" /></a></div><br />We were up for a good part of the night just trying to get it covered. There are still a lot of small touch ups we need to make, but we're happy to call this project Done (for now).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EV_-bZHGb0dSK_j5c0TztRxfveu1kHkDWBeBkdVtT16OEFUlGfYU9nPLdM0f1VUlxk0TWUx381fUYCsxdCBbekZ_mLfap9iz1rKGUM5Mo6wNp3v8wBsXddnIlNPYJEZg3BVQ0QQL8RJ6/s1600/IMG_2531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EV_-bZHGb0dSK_j5c0TztRxfveu1kHkDWBeBkdVtT16OEFUlGfYU9nPLdM0f1VUlxk0TWUx381fUYCsxdCBbekZ_mLfap9iz1rKGUM5Mo6wNp3v8wBsXddnIlNPYJEZg3BVQ0QQL8RJ6/s1600/IMG_2531.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Much better, right?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4CVjd-YGmApIguxdBqLKVQ9-xqQ90G78qnbA4wqlG2l52Z-QxeL5LY0v9hdflBYhNYz8gmpQIlttXceNS3Vi10dgkk9etZiFOomH_bmQsSg3xXOXYHN_zoLNtP7CZ2zG4_8xufOBw88D/s1600/IMG_2538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4CVjd-YGmApIguxdBqLKVQ9-xqQ90G78qnbA4wqlG2l52Z-QxeL5LY0v9hdflBYhNYz8gmpQIlttXceNS3Vi10dgkk9etZiFOomH_bmQsSg3xXOXYHN_zoLNtP7CZ2zG4_8xufOBw88D/s1600/IMG_2538.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />For a $40 gallon of paint, you can't beat it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDjTaqMyV9BPlFJJqTyOe8qcguM6Koq4vsTXqe566KIGlEVd6kp7hfm_5yVLb1MCcCEfg0HklIBIQoO3mfrmtVLSILSctpMLEwrbUDslkibqsLB-UXue2Qi7oBOVwBkiELShk5YZpP1o1/s1600/IMG_2540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDjTaqMyV9BPlFJJqTyOe8qcguM6Koq4vsTXqe566KIGlEVd6kp7hfm_5yVLb1MCcCEfg0HklIBIQoO3mfrmtVLSILSctpMLEwrbUDslkibqsLB-UXue2Qi7oBOVwBkiELShk5YZpP1o1/s1600/IMG_2540.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I haven't decided when I'll go ahead and pull the trigger on the stacked stone—we're going to live with it like this for a little while and see how the other projects pan out. I can't wait to build a nice chunky mantel for it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjqNvgUxX1lbjN1bqFuwi7JR1u9zyQjaQjIsgMNFMEKSvZJfY0eVBCbCDCLpAVYj5GIkNdK-Qqftb3-idfJ7PeawYw7QR4HZU5DDC85_KFOP4m7YVK7v7iFS2oRcJRSs2ZE4_x7V6ZMby/s1600/IMG_2542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjqNvgUxX1lbjN1bqFuwi7JR1u9zyQjaQjIsgMNFMEKSvZJfY0eVBCbCDCLpAVYj5GIkNdK-Qqftb3-idfJ7PeawYw7QR4HZU5DDC85_KFOP4m7YVK7v7iFS2oRcJRSs2ZE4_x7V6ZMby/s1600/IMG_2542.jpg" /></a></div><br />For now, I'm just enjoying the fact that the red is gone and the living room feels a lot calmer.<br /><br />I think this week we'll be focusing on the stair railing—it's an issue we've been putting off for a while now and it's a safety hazard that needs to be addressed. Check back later to see how things are coming along!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br />

New Living Room paint & a Fireplace Makeover

Is it Monday already? I'm dragging this morning after a little too much of everything on a family trip to Sonoma Valley this weekend... ...

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Happy Friday | Cookies for the Crew & Store Restocking

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxTjMo3enZ_A34kTIj2zMMqX_w2qkdWLDYUGdsKa_lgx8UvmlK3j-9zT6CpV5UWRG68xqFTSAq-29wX7qR24Q3f8RvprQ6nM_96T3uQM63MqN-6MBv1AOiQPOAuvuVmCKZp6v-o73htYu/s1600/IMG_9071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxTjMo3enZ_A34kTIj2zMMqX_w2qkdWLDYUGdsKa_lgx8UvmlK3j-9zT6CpV5UWRG68xqFTSAq-29wX7qR24Q3f8RvprQ6nM_96T3uQM63MqN-6MBv1AOiQPOAuvuVmCKZp6v-o73htYu/s1600/IMG_9071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I get a lot of comments about how I "do it all" - and each time I read one of those, I feel a little guilty.  I never want this blog to make anyone feel like I'm some wonder woman that sleeps 2 hours a night and still has time to make fresh pancakes every morning and decorates cookies in the afternoon.  The truth is that the store has been a great new inspiration for me professionally - and a lot more work than I expected.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWht4yN_VRQ9L4HcohenpZInz2_BUlNDtqV5Q-M5s-9ilYELg4NbG8hElHrG-Sx52LxPxFxurZ7Hs1nMC1-jQKyOkbg21jWy1NDl02fhEIsW2KFNt21xEWZzKvrMfBlTYLvyjAwzaxZdkJ/s1600/IMG_9078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWht4yN_VRQ9L4HcohenpZInz2_BUlNDtqV5Q-M5s-9ilYELg4NbG8hElHrG-Sx52LxPxFxurZ7Hs1nMC1-jQKyOkbg21jWy1NDl02fhEIsW2KFNt21xEWZzKvrMfBlTYLvyjAwzaxZdkJ/s1600/IMG_9078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I started the store last summer - after blogging for 5 years, I needed a little something different to concentrate on and motivate me on a daily basis.  It was way, way, way more work than I thought it would be.  In a good way - and in an overwhelming way.  I've forged new relationships with my readers, opened new avenues of creativity for me and turned my brain on in a major way.  However, it took a major toll on my time. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFu6CKBSEPV9czPLR7RMlQrk4teoWQTCmhMPPsCP1LPVA0Tlm0ET4kXN4JMYUlF79hIqxDU3xqjAUdoZHpbkX4RAPouYjdldUSymvMGfS14YXGFaiU_vVhkvWkS0frh6dMQ4yPXFEAg2MB/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFu6CKBSEPV9czPLR7RMlQrk4teoWQTCmhMPPsCP1LPVA0Tlm0ET4kXN4JMYUlF79hIqxDU3xqjAUdoZHpbkX4RAPouYjdldUSymvMGfS14YXGFaiU_vVhkvWkS0frh6dMQ4yPXFEAg2MB/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new note that goes out with each package - printed on my favorite really heavy textured cardstock.  It is the same paper and colors we used for <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-life-our-wedding-seaside-florida-inn.html">our wedding invitations</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaHUtlZ1vWA6tMv5jol_Jb2nohjkW1lLM-Jg1JQWCb3P2z9zzSumaGXCPMn94kNVCpwEMPcl2ihRKQcIEv0T0cyqnXiyR8qePF2q53281m_SMWxChVY0xaBVJ6PzeZe5ctJ40f1-OOW_r/s1600/IMG_9069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaHUtlZ1vWA6tMv5jol_Jb2nohjkW1lLM-Jg1JQWCb3P2z9zzSumaGXCPMn94kNVCpwEMPcl2ihRKQcIEv0T0cyqnXiyR8qePF2q53281m_SMWxChVY0xaBVJ6PzeZe5ctJ40f1-OOW_r/s1600/IMG_9069.jpg" width="464" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESlc2nhxeMf8PV6QfUrlix7Ie6XpbkvX2n85moEpcOW0ixhbEth-I2qb3MnlQLaN_PgjL-IQrlIatv2Ft5lavCK3eH6iEkxCsyhO17CLeUVhyB5VJ1WeZ5xGOcOWjfpu-Sdh53nYRVROF/s1600/IMG_8971.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESlc2nhxeMf8PV6QfUrlix7Ie6XpbkvX2n85moEpcOW0ixhbEth-I2qb3MnlQLaN_PgjL-IQrlIatv2Ft5lavCK3eH6iEkxCsyhO17CLeUVhyB5VJ1WeZ5xGOcOWjfpu-Sdh53nYRVROF/s1600/IMG_8971.jpg" width="426" /></a>I've always been the type to do everything myself and reject help at all corners (I'm sure this sounds familiar to most of you!).  This has served me well, but also has been limiting.  After all, I am only one person... or so I've been reminded : )<br /><br />After the holidays, I was exhausted... but already thinking about fun Valentine's products.  I knew I couldn't keep up at the rate I was going - burnout was just around the corner. <br /><br />So, after a little encouragement from Mike, I set out looking for help in the form of a crew.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCk1kZstBvEcdmgSMHcQpyHFrSGfNbyi0uai5JGfZDjBJhnok8DGhxtNKz65nunAsDVWGQL_TPK2IQ_ULwEA-EBKNnfcPdHE1uwjew2xG6slIgCBzsvIRbklmHsU7QYXXZWavlXvIaCAj/s1600/IMG_9073.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCk1kZstBvEcdmgSMHcQpyHFrSGfNbyi0uai5JGfZDjBJhnok8DGhxtNKz65nunAsDVWGQL_TPK2IQ_ULwEA-EBKNnfcPdHE1uwjew2xG6slIgCBzsvIRbklmHsU7QYXXZWavlXvIaCAj/s1600/IMG_9073.jpg" width="425" /></a><br />For the past two months, I've been transitioning and training the new crew.  It feels like a huge step - the first time I've taken one of my ideas to the real next level.   Typically, the week after a new product launch, I spend days/weeks knee deep in krinkle wrap and packing tape.  <br /><br />This new found freedom allows me to be able to respond to your questions more quickly, keep tabs on fleeting inventory, fix dinner for my family, and write blog posts, without feeling like I'm underwater for two weeks straight. <br /><br /><br />On their first big packing day I made a big basket of Egg Cookies (made from my <a href="https://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/new-for-spring/products/spring-copper-cookie-cutters">Copper Cookie Cutters</a>) and <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/03/lemon-butter-cake-with-simple-lemon.html">Lemon Butter Cakes</a> (baked in <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/products/bread-baking-baskets-2-sizes">Kraft Loaf Pans</a>) for the crew.  I wanted to treat them to something special - and, I wanted them to feel and experience my brand on a first hand level.  I told them that these are the sort of things that these fabulous customers are planning to make.  I want them to understand how important presentation is - and that every package that goes out should feel like a gift.<br /><br />Of course, Mike thought I was insane when I got up early to package them and tie the ribbons... isn't this why you've hired help?  As I explained to him, this is the fun stuff.  The reason I started everything in the first place.  And I'm so glad I have the time and energy to do the fun stuff and to do all of those little things that make life special.   <br /><br /><br />Last night, we had our first Spring storm that brought in drizzling rain and a 55 degree morning today.  The sun might not be shining, but the birds are chirping, my doors are wide open and I can smell that lovely damp scent of Spring.  I'm so glad I have the time and energy to enjoy it!   Oh - and thanks for all of the compliments on my new photo!   However, I assure you that I look nothing like this today in my comfy clothes while I work with my feet up and latte in my hand - of course.  <br /><br /><br /><br />Product Updates : <br /><br />Last week when I debuted the new Spring Collection, some items sold out so quickly, so I've restocked them this week, including <a href="https://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/my-everyday-candle-in-a-mini-latte-bowl">My Everyday Candles </a>(in the classic cream, this time) and <a href="https://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/tablet-le-pens">Tablets + Le Pens</a> in fresh colors. <br /><br />Next week is all about Sugar Cookies.  I'll be posting unique packaging ideas, decorating tips and trying a couple new icing and cookie recipes.  <br /><br />Thanks so much for all of your support!  Happy Spring : )<br /><br /><br /><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaHUtlZ1vWA6tMv5jol_Jb2nohjkW1lLM-Jg1JQWCb3P2z9zzSumaGXCPMn94kNVCpwEMPcl2ihRKQcIEv0T0cyqnXiyR8qePF2q53281m_SMWxChVY0xaBVJ6PzeZe5ctJ40f1-OOW_r/s1600/IMG_9069.jpg" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaHUtlZ1vWA6tMv5jol_Jb2nohjkW1lLM-Jg1JQWCb3P2z9zzSumaGXCPMn94kNVCpwEMPcl2ihRKQcIEv0T0cyqnXiyR8qePF2q53281m_SMWxChVY0xaBVJ6PzeZe5ctJ40f1-OOW_r/s1600/IMG_9069.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-sGVR_Jk7ZaI%2FUzW3RaSXZwI%2FAAAAAAAAWB0%2FFGegr3SgrnE%2Fs1600%2FIMG_9069.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaHUtlZ1vWA6tMv5jol_Jb2nohjkW1lLM-Jg1JQWCb3P2z9zzSumaGXCPMn94kNVCpwEMPcl2ihRKQcIEv0T0cyqnXiyR8qePF2q53281m_SMWxChVY0xaBVJ6PzeZe5ctJ40f1-OOW_r/s1600/IMG_9069.jpg" -->

Happy Friday | Cookies for the Crew & Store Restocking

I get a lot of comments about how I "do it all" - and each time I read one of those, I feel a little guilty.  I never want this bl...

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Baked Goat Cheese Drizzled with Honey | Easy Appetizer

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iyTyyfP6tsCxKfgzVmFuJD97EbdoaI6O0_jm0CeaO4xzaCezmJvL_u3sBmI4yIU6rfVx_NRefENqCXhtiXil1Ln_iXQsdjbPOH1dn3Vh36g7BN0EhqCHdIuPcygX-nSbSiKaHN6MOqCh/s1600/IMG_6631.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iyTyyfP6tsCxKfgzVmFuJD97EbdoaI6O0_jm0CeaO4xzaCezmJvL_u3sBmI4yIU6rfVx_NRefENqCXhtiXil1Ln_iXQsdjbPOH1dn3Vh36g7BN0EhqCHdIuPcygX-nSbSiKaHN6MOqCh/s1600/IMG_6631.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not a huge horsd'oeuvres person.  In fact, if you come to our house for dinner, you'll likely find a bottle of open wine, a bowl of nuts and some sort of crostini.  In the Summer, I serve the crostini with a bowl of fresh tomatoes, basil & delicious olive oil.  In the Winter, I like something a bit heavier like a hot spinach dip (an oldie but a goodie).</div><br />Recently, Mike and I branched out of our regular dining routine and headed to a new "hot spot" in town...  I say that because we normally go to dark and cozy bistros that have been around for years instead of the new trendy place.  Hard to break old habits.  We had a fabulous meal, but my favorite part was our appetizer - Baked Goat Cheese drizzled with Honey, sprinkled with fresh Thyme, Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt.  It was served with warm grilled bread.  I could've eaten the entire thing.  And almost did.   <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYpWMr9sqlaqImSUt1UGQfY2nHGurj5fyARwvWP0cRh4NQf8u8pPu8GDwE8ZQHuUtQ7nNjEEGqxgEOfuM-i4Rzh9F97o8PJiCOu1CVflwedFg_j0leUZGxFefFhmWslwdBLvibhTOykLR/s1600/IMG_6629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYpWMr9sqlaqImSUt1UGQfY2nHGurj5fyARwvWP0cRh4NQf8u8pPu8GDwE8ZQHuUtQ7nNjEEGqxgEOfuM-i4Rzh9F97o8PJiCOu1CVflwedFg_j0leUZGxFefFhmWslwdBLvibhTOykLR/s1600/IMG_6629.jpg" width="424" /></a>I love how simple it seemed - ingredients and preparation.  It has been our go-to snack this month.  It is salty, sweet, tangy and the perfect thing to schmear on toast.</div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i>Baked Goat Cheese</i></span><i><br />with Honey</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Get my <a href="http://mad.ly/signups/118273/join"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;">Printable Recipes</span>, here.</a></i><br /><i><br /></i>Soft Goat Cheese<br />Honey<br />Fresh Thyme<br />Sea Salt<br />Cracked Pepper<br />Baguette<br />Olive Oil<br />Garlic <br /><br />Prehead broiler in oven to 400 degrees.<br /><br />In a small oven-proof bowl or ramekin, spread soft goat cheese.  <br /><br />Prepare baguette by slicing into thin pieces.  Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.<br /><br />Just before serving, bake under broiler in oven for 5-8 minutes, just until slightly warm.<br /><br />At the same time, toast the bread under the broiler as well for 2-4 minutes until browned on the edges.<br /><br />Remove bread from oven and rub with a raw clove of garlic that has been cut in half.  <br /><br />Drizzle honey on warm goat cheese.  Sprinkle on fresh thyme leaves, sea salt & fresh cracked pepper.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuaHnVvjG_lMYgxglDjZuQK-NQCwsy1pMLUjCa27OHuTnoMi-1VLvnu0nvNLxTk83PdeE2fdfGen_y0l9VG5tPHcA0rVHUQA5dxdUTVXm-XWeb0MiKfkP3Tz0ABcExhyphenhyphenw_cwEPQCpGVp2/s1600/IMG_6632.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuaHnVvjG_lMYgxglDjZuQK-NQCwsy1pMLUjCa27OHuTnoMi-1VLvnu0nvNLxTk83PdeE2fdfGen_y0l9VG5tPHcA0rVHUQA5dxdUTVXm-XWeb0MiKfkP3Tz0ABcExhyphenhyphenw_cwEPQCpGVp2/s1600/IMG_6632.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />

Baked Goat Cheese Drizzled with Honey | Easy Appetizer

I'm not a huge horsd'oeuvres person.  In fact, if you come to our house for dinner, you'll likely find a bottle of open wine, a...

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Kitchen Chronicles: DIY floating rustic shelves

These last few days have flown by! With our housewarming party approaching in May, I've been tackling a handful of other projects. The kitchen is still our priority though, and our newest addition is one of my favorites...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnF3qNRzwIx4ut66peqO0GdWTK8_4CLOfaWDTSraFKvXl7lu4XzDoec_nbMU_nVIyQLOzhIzl0WY8uO895HasuWObfm6cCuKV10BcwUmlCljKdk96r5PChSyX6erAbRraMgj_pJu8OuEs/s1600/IMG_2497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnF3qNRzwIx4ut66peqO0GdWTK8_4CLOfaWDTSraFKvXl7lu4XzDoec_nbMU_nVIyQLOzhIzl0WY8uO895HasuWObfm6cCuKV10BcwUmlCljKdk96r5PChSyX6erAbRraMgj_pJu8OuEs/s1600/IMG_2497.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's how it all began.<br /><br />This open wall between the two windows needed something, and I thought would make the perfect space for a couple smaller shelves:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatt0_apiQ9So9j_bvgFaWUhFytrAI8ZzvoiKoXOvhXyxbC7rRJCDbF2XjSEcv3eHLq4KcZhCck6-PpeN4gr1vBaSXSFQce5hn3S28yfuIriIVdt0VKeTBNQOlNq94tBGK06WhBOny4sVf/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatt0_apiQ9So9j_bvgFaWUhFytrAI8ZzvoiKoXOvhXyxbC7rRJCDbF2XjSEcv3eHLq4KcZhCck6-PpeN4gr1vBaSXSFQce5hn3S28yfuIriIVdt0VKeTBNQOlNq94tBGK06WhBOny4sVf/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" /></a></div><br />Originally I bought two of these from Ikea because the length could be customized to fit...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ekby-jarpen-ekby-bjarnum-wall-shelf__0096542_PE236323_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ekby-jarpen-ekby-bjarnum-wall-shelf__0096542_PE236323_S4.JPG" /></a></div><br />But after we decided on a white backsplash, it was just too much white. I needed a more natural element, and wood was the answer.<br /><br />I spotted a couple tutorials on Pinterest that got my attention, like Ana White's <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/04/build-it-with-ana-floating-shelves/">floating shelves at YHL</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/04/ana-pic5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/04/ana-pic5.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><br />And <a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/01/easy-diy-floating-shelves.html">these</a> from Shanty 2 Chic:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DIY-Floating-Shelf-Tutorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DIY-Floating-Shelf-Tutorial.jpg" /></a></div><br />Ultimately, I decided Shanty's version was simpler (+ required less wood) so I used that as my inspiration. They were a bit too thick for what I wanted, so I substituted the top & side pieces of wood for 1/4" plywood instead of 1" boards.<br /><br />Because I would be staining the wood instead of painting, I splurged on the cabinet grade plywood ($30 for a 4x8' sheet) rather than the $15 cheap stuff.<br /><br />I had Lowe's cut it into three 32" strips so I could transport it in my car...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/cc82ad84b3a911e38d5c0e4c394d6daa_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/cc82ad84b3a911e38d5c0e4c394d6daa_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign">via Instagram</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I also bought a couple whitewood 1x2x8"pieces for the shelf supports, and a pint of wood stain.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruz_u0tQN2icVUgCKCfR9OhzjzrCxcdVpLzEU5_2fXB0ZkCswBB9jxlhKKW4mAHXlQSTCh7Bdo2mhq0lwcb5JpwRB2xKxC9HFa3WkRB9UX9SPm45zv_TgsalBFD5279Ys1N41cHIBQfsb/s1600/IMG_2445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruz_u0tQN2icVUgCKCfR9OhzjzrCxcdVpLzEU5_2fXB0ZkCswBB9jxlhKKW4mAHXlQSTCh7Bdo2mhq0lwcb5JpwRB2xKxC9HFa3WkRB9UX9SPm45zv_TgsalBFD5279Ys1N41cHIBQfsb/s1600/IMG_2445.jpg" /></a></div><br />After deciding I wanted my shelves to be 30" wide and 9" deep, I cut the 1x2's to the appropriate size—30" for the back piece and 8" strips for the depth. I used four 8" pieces for extra support since I was placing thin plywood on top instead of a thicker, more solid piece of wood.<br /><br />Here's what all of the cuts look like, and how they would fit together on the right. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08qF500ZDafasApjWsx-qYeFOpR8H0wUhAZkWaCP4FwlxivbdE-Jd6krm8YfdwYSkce1aMaaerOgdDgca_9NHXejvGpSg31RAyTKt-7UooRaXkRsSb8RcVlRVBqRzS0Q9LFtX_NWlBhek/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08qF500ZDafasApjWsx-qYeFOpR8H0wUhAZkWaCP4FwlxivbdE-Jd6krm8YfdwYSkce1aMaaerOgdDgca_9NHXejvGpSg31RAyTKt-7UooRaXkRsSb8RcVlRVBqRzS0Q9LFtX_NWlBhek/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" /></a></div><br />I spaced them out evenly, made marks then drilled pilot holes into both pieces so the wood wouldn't split...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcyD-R4tpxeBmKpWifIjMdrXtrbLIvpXwrBLloUo4n_U_hX30iwvhisN9oNYP4OMsVKL6-qvdTfAIkT1OpghuFM1qPqD8c9BuSyWletth93fEvVLzHCXKlVrs0tNNP91EQAfDlPWsmQ9W/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcyD-R4tpxeBmKpWifIjMdrXtrbLIvpXwrBLloUo4n_U_hX30iwvhisN9oNYP4OMsVKL6-qvdTfAIkT1OpghuFM1qPqD8c9BuSyWletth93fEvVLzHCXKlVrs0tNNP91EQAfDlPWsmQ9W/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iAuhSnaBoKghzENhX7zYZmkrDNWjKWbBjBqsuWYfYofh8MN3eZznDQf02RAhbiFHmczE0aBRDyDy5PfsZ2J6kHpBGBH0Bjl8XGuAhP574iS3T2pu7PFv7W3kjaOlmDModbD9TZX2Q6E_/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iAuhSnaBoKghzENhX7zYZmkrDNWjKWbBjBqsuWYfYofh8MN3eZznDQf02RAhbiFHmczE0aBRDyDy5PfsZ2J6kHpBGBH0Bjl8XGuAhP574iS3T2pu7PFv7W3kjaOlmDModbD9TZX2Q6E_/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then I dabbed some wood glue onto the ends and secured them with 3" wood screws. These might have been stronger using pocket screws from my Kreg Jig, but I thought they were strong enough for my purposes (plus they'd be hidden).<br /><br />Here's one finished support piece:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEdU5QqQz4sO_4HdHxvXeFDUi9OlXXAClTbvjdA-Neb_8JcwyU_pmHSoM5eQMf4iYsP7OC9luIWP6BLeQzlZooLc1eGEt7qofAtf_EJEKzxLSXGLRjBolx2ODrjNSPFxLXiCuEgQlqPvq/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEdU5QqQz4sO_4HdHxvXeFDUi9OlXXAClTbvjdA-Neb_8JcwyU_pmHSoM5eQMf4iYsP7OC9luIWP6BLeQzlZooLc1eGEt7qofAtf_EJEKzxLSXGLRjBolx2ODrjNSPFxLXiCuEgQlqPvq/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" /></a></div><br />Next it was time to cut my plywood pieces. The top and bottoms would be identical, as would the sides, and then there'd be one front piece which would be slightly wider to hide the right and left edges of plywood. Here's how it went down:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRu_z7i5PgDZSbQI_jhszrc3w39ot0vsG7h1U_N84jsDAjJURsmgSxCQcJVpeZ48SBkVSfy3A_kpCB5OlIYF9XBhGxtII0Pl6diwTu_vCX3bd59I0Jc8O70UvzF_Z2zf1wZvnQLUuosoC/s1600/IMG_2453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRu_z7i5PgDZSbQI_jhszrc3w39ot0vsG7h1U_N84jsDAjJURsmgSxCQcJVpeZ48SBkVSfy3A_kpCB5OlIYF9XBhGxtII0Pl6diwTu_vCX3bd59I0Jc8O70UvzF_Z2zf1wZvnQLUuosoC/s1600/IMG_2453.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcyD-R4tpxeBmKpWifIjMdrXtrbLIvpXwrBLloUo4n_U_hX30iwvhisN9oNYP4OMsVKL6-qvdTfAIkT1OpghuFM1qPqD8c9BuSyWletth93fEvVLzHCXKlVrs0tNNP91EQAfDlPWsmQ9W/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>The edges splintered a bit when I ripped them down with the table saw, so I went with it and decided to make these "rustic."<br /><br />Time to get these babies up!<br /><br />We were never going to find the studs, so we needed anchors that were long enough to go through both tile and drywall. I found these at Lowe's ($3 for 2)...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuRd5byIqaXnEPKc8ZdGMFyxGqnwMUD0UvDBAmA2-KizxaIzGgWNe2hBzJx6RNDJ12fy1ntEYqG00H0ek-DHezruYWa1snwXRxCkOjZ-aLBNWU_VOH-WEQM2dsyV-TRm51QO5hG4rG-G7/s1600/IMG_2465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuRd5byIqaXnEPKc8ZdGMFyxGqnwMUD0UvDBAmA2-KizxaIzGgWNe2hBzJx6RNDJ12fy1ntEYqG00H0ek-DHezruYWa1snwXRxCkOjZ-aLBNWU_VOH-WEQM2dsyV-TRm51QO5hG4rG-G7/s1600/IMG_2465.jpg" /></a></div><br />They were <i>way</i> overkill, but were the only ones I found that were long enough and they didn't break the bank so I picked up two packages (two for each shelf). I also had to drop $11 on a special 1/2" carbide bit made for cutting through tile.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hisltd.co.uk/images/IrwinGlassTileDrillBitSet-super.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.hisltd.co.uk/images/IrwinGlassTileDrillBitSet-super.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It put up real fight. It took Brad several minutes to get through each one. These bits get real hot and smoky so I had to constantly spray water as he was drilling to cool it down.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJuomrKgMq8lP-kaEf5M_dQPYtfHmtCPnS4njZOrmX_F9wdYxoW7xWumWQaSPqUuIyXhgKA9ZSUW6MP29sJXG3EmJRqc08p-bxLB55U5dDaLlbWJJiAGREEKglKG59UU4TkMxNANoy85x/s1600/IMG_2455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJuomrKgMq8lP-kaEf5M_dQPYtfHmtCPnS4njZOrmX_F9wdYxoW7xWumWQaSPqUuIyXhgKA9ZSUW6MP29sJXG3EmJRqc08p-bxLB55U5dDaLlbWJJiAGREEKglKG59UU4TkMxNANoy85x/s1600/IMG_2455.jpg" /></a></div><br />After going through two batteries for our drill they were finally in. Then we slipped the anchors in and were good to go (actually, two of them broke off inside of the wall so I had to run back to Lowe's for more)...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Mh8Vbx_ddejc4wkGLM90e8EmvQAVeYo3428pRtaN6bCYyKRAW0iWvQDciyhuVhxq94mFvmNYIgoL89EPRhyUGcKVIQWkkb1TYdvg5neyhaGF1G4EgVUo5sNXdnlENr_DGXTZwym4iou4/s1600/IMG_2457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Mh8Vbx_ddejc4wkGLM90e8EmvQAVeYo3428pRtaN6bCYyKRAW0iWvQDciyhuVhxq94mFvmNYIgoL89EPRhyUGcKVIQWkkb1TYdvg5neyhaGF1G4EgVUo5sNXdnlENr_DGXTZwym4iou4/s1600/IMG_2457.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Once that was done, we drilled holes into our support shelves and then secured it with the bolts that came with the anchors.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfb_FMfdItM7F6Xg0VGnSPNYz-aPjJB_c8436ygMznp-6q0yNvlI0jR1QkARqaBjOU9GDZ6Ddy4e36Bv-jJyJ3EfC7IEFNQ-vcDFPMR4dgS-3DLgz71Em4mnwPaarawyip5D4sAaxdP6Q/s1600/IMG_2459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfb_FMfdItM7F6Xg0VGnSPNYz-aPjJB_c8436ygMznp-6q0yNvlI0jR1QkARqaBjOU9GDZ6Ddy4e36Bv-jJyJ3EfC7IEFNQ-vcDFPMR4dgS-3DLgz71Em4mnwPaarawyip5D4sAaxdP6Q/s1600/IMG_2459.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />These shelves aren't coming out of the wall. The wood would split in half before those bolts came out.<br /><br />Finally, it was time to build our shelves!<br /><br />I attached the top & bottom pieces with 1" brad nails...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_OPaV1R3LKw4aTfxopqFK2Qq2UuAHxKkr4XfzTb2XeK8JWxP8qWBAu_53wx3K0hVnbqlXgx6zCWS_gSp3UDJXVvvB7YATNWKrnew6thPmimGSCyATHP7JNxOOjPqJhvk49UiCYw5FY6l/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_OPaV1R3LKw4aTfxopqFK2Qq2UuAHxKkr4XfzTb2XeK8JWxP8qWBAu_53wx3K0hVnbqlXgx6zCWS_gSp3UDJXVvvB7YATNWKrnew6thPmimGSCyATHP7JNxOOjPqJhvk49UiCYw5FY6l/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0tp_UbUCwBfTLAcZD5cD6PXAZgbQbIDsJslXg_LhtY9ExC0n2C7BoZZkz6BZybpclivyNnXe-_WbghH0LyK1LH4IBOkc-6bhBSJsqRs9yknCrioM-_RxXZyLaBx2BxL5Z2SnDs405eHr/s1600/IMG_2461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0tp_UbUCwBfTLAcZD5cD6PXAZgbQbIDsJslXg_LhtY9ExC0n2C7BoZZkz6BZybpclivyNnXe-_WbghH0LyK1LH4IBOkc-6bhBSJsqRs9yknCrioM-_RxXZyLaBx2BxL5Z2SnDs405eHr/s1600/IMG_2461.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Now, I'm no <a href="http://ana-white.com/">Ana White</a>—wood work is not my forte. My measurements did not end up perfectly and I was a little bummed. But then I remembered that in the world of rustic/farmhouse style, imperfections = character. And I remembered why I chose this style (or did it choose me because so many of my creations have been imperfect and I had no choice but to embrace it?) Either way... rustic for life.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJsOBjtRuicIl2PC4-dUG7FWQb-g53QoFlLypMKDkdfqI8kC5qExd7VF1BJXaAh0n_BHCx_tnFuDKWHT7Gw7lWaOj-8_fUqBJlxceGaOOoBpl8hzDv3reJncJJB6tq_jYzvLsFZjiqcIm/s1600/IMG_2463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJsOBjtRuicIl2PC4-dUG7FWQb-g53QoFlLypMKDkdfqI8kC5qExd7VF1BJXaAh0n_BHCx_tnFuDKWHT7Gw7lWaOj-8_fUqBJlxceGaOOoBpl8hzDv3reJncJJB6tq_jYzvLsFZjiqcIm/s1600/IMG_2463.jpg" /></a></div><br />Even still, I used wood filler to help conceal the most obvious seams and gaps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGLGaY_9BSabFCAwWioeckXte5QRmM-pUEM8kwTBvqtPsJHo7koiP765JgeFobIAhWvCthBQxOv-xPaueQEHvQcE86v4WywZ33fkWUSePlX8UJyiyLo-GJeGIG8ZBMz8Fnsz8u2KZAtOc/s1600/IMG_2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGLGaY_9BSabFCAwWioeckXte5QRmM-pUEM8kwTBvqtPsJHo7koiP765JgeFobIAhWvCthBQxOv-xPaueQEHvQcE86v4WywZ33fkWUSePlX8UJyiyLo-GJeGIG8ZBMz8Fnsz8u2KZAtOc/s1600/IMG_2464.jpg" /></a></div><br />But I also just went for it and banged it up a few times with sharp tools.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1YYvAO8egUEFcytWfZZNtDEXi4IDmuddNMfCGYpgPLgDdU17q_Sc6tPlgW6yScCIO2O0jk4PuwdF7XFAX_8eU37HWnf89YIePCR_N0qPDGBMo6_X5Cu0vF_TQ9OVoxsgpPSMZ4szVwPT/s1600/IMG_2470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1YYvAO8egUEFcytWfZZNtDEXi4IDmuddNMfCGYpgPLgDdU17q_Sc6tPlgW6yScCIO2O0jk4PuwdF7XFAX_8eU37HWnf89YIePCR_N0qPDGBMo6_X5Cu0vF_TQ9OVoxsgpPSMZ4szVwPT/s1600/IMG_2470.jpg" /></a></div><br />I wanted the color to be a neutral mix of gray-brown to tie into our wood floors, so I grabbed all three stains I had—Rustoleum in Driftwood, and Minwax in Dark Walnut and Ebony.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4rgdj5cDI9wY2yn8STtiMPOm1KzqcR1aOn75UEhpdHwo_41fOYybdtQKTRbGHjBzk8EhXhIzktJLKNesq8Rf48J0ypkEq2gYNEdotnBIX2mp253718qylA3v9fE_cdhiTgeQ_k_rpmBi/s1600/IMG_2474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4rgdj5cDI9wY2yn8STtiMPOm1KzqcR1aOn75UEhpdHwo_41fOYybdtQKTRbGHjBzk8EhXhIzktJLKNesq8Rf48J0ypkEq2gYNEdotnBIX2mp253718qylA3v9fE_cdhiTgeQ_k_rpmBi/s1600/IMG_2474.jpg" /></a></div><br />I played around with the mixture until I found a combination I liked...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aatWLpBXukIuRFIF3OgGre60TNqvjeIYUJVzIBUx0sHJDpDULN7eC7e8rHURMgn93BkFqBdwU77K_AH1zZa3-2c8kTu-1psJWXonBgYvtHxA8YZnZ0QUYPGvXGZ134xB24R8LNk5jc5X/s1600/IMG_2476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aatWLpBXukIuRFIF3OgGre60TNqvjeIYUJVzIBUx0sHJDpDULN7eC7e8rHURMgn93BkFqBdwU77K_AH1zZa3-2c8kTu-1psJWXonBgYvtHxA8YZnZ0QUYPGvXGZ134xB24R8LNk5jc5X/s1600/IMG_2476.jpg" /></a></div><br />Staining is always my favorite part. I could do it all day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbHb3ekMKRCaev2C14LcWCzKIJ14MSqmbPBeCQtSKf3Kh7IJiFKjmzsgNpWiwkrA5-rUy4y6u6a3hroahn8XbRa1QO4Q8KTzE4NnQA2tgDZgjQVE3y2BrnHLjUPlhGdCEfY0EJOrJ5LGl/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbHb3ekMKRCaev2C14LcWCzKIJ14MSqmbPBeCQtSKf3Kh7IJiFKjmzsgNpWiwkrA5-rUy4y6u6a3hroahn8XbRa1QO4Q8KTzE4NnQA2tgDZgjQVE3y2BrnHLjUPlhGdCEfY0EJOrJ5LGl/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once it was colored to my liking, I sanded down the edges to give it that extra distressed touch.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1F0MjvTGSWGtdMOLfvYX88MQRX_zy0NZ0yykPD7AqnmPmmR-yMVHgTJJHrPOCeoW4ie2HzpgZti_cvJnmp6JIQ00GQlFvRNC6zTHOaaI-0KykW-R_jZw4cBmTbNMo33szNUDzun6K0Y-/s1600/IMG_2479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1F0MjvTGSWGtdMOLfvYX88MQRX_zy0NZ0yykPD7AqnmPmmR-yMVHgTJJHrPOCeoW4ie2HzpgZti_cvJnmp6JIQ00GQlFvRNC6zTHOaaI-0KykW-R_jZw4cBmTbNMo33szNUDzun6K0Y-/s1600/IMG_2479.jpg" /></a></div><br />And finally, I sealed it with a few coats of Polycrylic I had leftover...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSV53UetBjRzEZ4uuJF_nfHyjU1rK7NOfkMQ7mH38c_mzC6eWiCoITeIbjjWSTb2nx3GK9PbgBfpI69y3PA6SXEXxc3yPCz28uBIb_djG-V6AThhDUCFvxkFxsjUWDeov2Z6_jbXDpMcG/s1600/IMG_2480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSV53UetBjRzEZ4uuJF_nfHyjU1rK7NOfkMQ7mH38c_mzC6eWiCoITeIbjjWSTb2nx3GK9PbgBfpI69y3PA6SXEXxc3yPCz28uBIb_djG-V6AThhDUCFvxkFxsjUWDeov2Z6_jbXDpMcG/s1600/IMG_2480.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And now I have these beauties:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYe9jdgeChunjJkJVlDNN3Hkrpi8eCk4MCI9NELWmrk0oAgSaIikgNKiUwxXjeq3QgP1_MAEE3vLCmi3NCENGlRMNJumbTDx8k4kxWzbAzpiP-cMnu3JTI-kr8fVR81wW5k2klu0AD9Qq/s1600/IMG_2485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYe9jdgeChunjJkJVlDNN3Hkrpi8eCk4MCI9NELWmrk0oAgSaIikgNKiUwxXjeq3QgP1_MAEE3vLCmi3NCENGlRMNJumbTDx8k4kxWzbAzpiP-cMnu3JTI-kr8fVR81wW5k2klu0AD9Qq/s1600/IMG_2485.jpg" /></a></div><br />Sometimes I'll walk in the kitchen and just stare. I heart them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4eHLpO_fKwaEd4RD_FbPkdPRTh-vOTWg95IYcywHbRZZr2c0cCB3ye00EuVKfPF1tX1PY7uQynwIXnyRY6H560aB7Po5qcbvw-AVS7dZQ3ZGrD6oGhc5eexgUpVEhAaguvVGiiQQrra2/s1600/IMG_2492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4eHLpO_fKwaEd4RD_FbPkdPRTh-vOTWg95IYcywHbRZZr2c0cCB3ye00EuVKfPF1tX1PY7uQynwIXnyRY6H560aB7Po5qcbvw-AVS7dZQ3ZGrD6oGhc5eexgUpVEhAaguvVGiiQQrra2/s1600/IMG_2492.jpg" /></a></div><br />The second the polycrylic dried, I ran to storage and pulled out some of my favorite things to display. I've got to save something for the official "After" photos, but here's a sneak peak I shared on <a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign">instagram</a> because I just couldn't wait...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage1.ak.instagram.com/e2288038b54211e3a02f12c442f65965_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage1.ak.instagram.com/e2288038b54211e3a02f12c442f65965_8.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Tomorrow morning we're road tripping to Sonoma for a weekend of wine tasting, but there's some major changes happening in the living room. I'll be back Monday to share!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Kitchen Chronicles: DIY floating rustic shelves

These last few days have flown by! With our housewarming party approaching in May, I've been tackling a handful of other projects. The k...

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