Awesome Ideas to Steal...

I've been looking through everyone's "Best of 2010" parties and Linkys and I tell you, they are amazing! Check out my total faves which I will borrow for my home(hopefully)!

Closet Redo:

at KeepHomeSimple

Glass Side and Top Lights: (Diane at In My Own Style)

 Master Bath by Expanding adjacent closet:

Here at Memoirs of a Wanna Be Gypsy

Under Stairs Wine Storage: (from Photobucket)

Contractors and Repairmen...oh my.....

I know I  have lamented about these guys (n gals) in past posts. I really, really, really dislike WAITING ALL DAY FOR REPAIRMEN/CONTRACTORS TO ARRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have spent 2 days now waiting ALL day for a service call that was supposed to be "between 10 and 2" and another "between 1 and 5" The first one (closet) arrived at 3:30. The next one (refergerator ice maker repair--we have not had a working ice maker for 2 years now... can you spell p-r-o-c-r-a-s-t-i-n-a-t-i-o-n...) was supposed to be here already. It is now 5:27pm. I want to start on dinner. I want to leave maybe. He called 15 minutes ago and told me he's "on his way". When I reminded him I was supposed to be between 1 and 5 he said "they just now told me about your call" Hmmmm. This is a major retailer.

I saved up my pennies to get a major closet company (I will name them when I see how this turns out) to redo my teen's closet. I know, I could have done it probably, but I just thought, oh we will do it professionally and not worry about straightness, saws, lugging heavy pieces upstairs, dust and all the rest of it. It looked great after he left, but when I went to adjust one of the upper bars, it was so tight it would not budge. I can't get it back to where it was, nor can I move it. Now, this might be acceptable had I done this myself with a Lowe's closet organizer off the shelf, but this cost a pretty penny. You'd better believe I want the bar to be fully adjustable and easily changed. So, had to call them and now I will have ANOTHER day of waiting, waiting, waiting for them to arrive to fix what should have been perfect in the first place.

What say you out there about contractors? I think that is probably what motivates a lot of us "do it yourselfers" to tackle projects. When I remodel my closet, I am definitely going to try it on my own. But knocking down a wall? Remodeling the master bathroom?  I think I have at least another day of waiting in my future.........................

Ut oh...there's the door. It's the repairman..I hope!

Make it a great day!
Ann

Here it is... pics of The "Before" House

OK, Here are the befores--- hopefully this blog will be more interesting when I begin to post the "durings" and the "afters"... any advice, suggestions or references.... please comment!!!!


I was going to try to post these "in order" as you walked into the home, but I am not good at posting photos I admit! So, here they are... there is also a powder room, kids bath, master and 3 more bedrooms upstairs but I'll get to those later---

Inspiration for master bath:

Den... connects w/ kitchen overlooks backyard....nice beams, dontcha think? and the wall is all windows after those hideous verticals come down.....

cabinets are staying for now..... but I am having them professionally painted an offwhite... counters will be Ikea butcherclock in Oak (hubs choice) or Birch (mine)... Hopefully with the big white double bowl farmhouse sink..... white appliances...... Floors will be Pergo in a dark cherry finish.

Thinking of re-doing cabinetry on this side with open shelves above fridge and a small bar-area with base cab, counter and top glass-front cab to add to counter space...in place of that huge pantrycloset.... and build-in the fridge so the whole right side can be a blackboard!

Nice size peninsula...will have 4 barstools.... will look good with the new counters, yes?

Dining room--- sad now, I know... blinds: gone!(Those are corner windows- very midcentury....) Replace with: rattan shades and muslin curtains? My chandy from Overstock! My newly refinished dining room table? Yes!!!!!

Hmmmm... yes I am working on a plan for this monster. Any insight appreciated.....

Looking from Dining room to formal Living room- faces front of home, will be the first room you see upon entry so I want it to be my showplace.. The light will increase so much once those verticals are gone gone gone!!!!! This is my inspiration room:

Sigh... I love that room... its actually the lobby at my fave little hotel in Santa Ynez Valley in Central Cali....Hadsten House

Stairwell- sigh.. what can I say? I will have to think on this................... but nice double entry doors I love that and the fact there is a proper entry / foyer!!