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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Post Reno House Tour

Hi Friends! 

I am so excited to be back with you after a longer than anticipated absence! 

I took a lot of time off, but I am back, and ready to share the BIG changes that have been happening in  our home in the last 12 months. 

Some of you may have noticed that I've decided to change the name of the blog from Budget Design Girl, to the new name, Nothing But Blue Skies...

I was never fully satisfied with the original name, and though I am a thrifty girl, I just wanted something that made me SMILE, and didn't pigeon hole me quite as much. 

One day, not too long ago, it just hit me that my new blog name should be Nothing But Blue Skies, so here we go...new name, new inspiration, and a whole lotta new things to show you in our home!

As you may recall, we had a little leak in our kitchen wall that turned out to be a bigger deal than we originally thought. As a result, we wound up replacing our flooring throughout the entire first floor. We also put in new appliances, new kitchen sink and faucet, and repainted the cabinets. This led to the need to repaint the walls and ceiling in the better part of the first floor as well.

I am so happy with the results! There are just some tiny things that need to be tweaked, but it really is 99% finished.

Enough yammering on, lets take a look...
Our Living Room, and Dining Room. 

We decided on engineered hard wood throughout the entire first floor, and honestly, I really love how it warmed everything up. Prior to this, we had a combination of very large (I think it was 24") travertine tile, in the entry, kitchen, family room, bath, laundry and hall. The living room and dining room were carpeted. I always knew I wanted to ditch the carpet and have continuous flow through the whole first floor. I think it's such a nice improvement!

 This is standing in the dining room, facing the living room and entry.

 This is the view of our staircase looking up to the second floor. I recently got a wild hair, and decided to paint the banister and newel posts the same grey brown as the kitchen island. (Um...this still needs to be completed, but it's hopefully not showing too much in the pics!) ;-) Shhh... don't tell anyone.

 This is looking back toward the entry, and into the living room. (Ahem... I still need to get the sofa and ottoman re upholstered. The sofa was stripped of it's slip cover quite some time ago, and I intend to use a very neutral creamy fabric, much like the current muslin underpinning she is currently sporting. The poor ottoman has just been covered with an unused faux fur throw. I do think I like the color, but I will not be choosing faux fur for it's final upholstery.)

In the dining room I used a sisal rug under the table, and I am loving it!

 The family room and kitchen are where we spend most of our time, and I am thrilled with how this area came out. 
(P.S. I am standing right beside/in front of my son's train table-turned Lego table. Please don't get the idea that this room doesn't get messy! I'm just not showing you!) 

 I also bought a new kitchen table at a local antique store, that a friend of mine owns. I still need to get new chairs. (-So much harder than I thought to find exactly what I want. The hunt continues!)

The walls actually look lighter, and more taupe/greige in person. I am happy to be rid of our former carmel-y tan.

Looking into the kitchen, Just peeking into the photo on the right is my new granite composite sink, which I LOVE! It would have been fantastic to have it under mounted, but that was not possible, since I elected to keep the old granite countertops. I would have loved to change them out for something lighter, like carera, but that was simply not in the budget.

We had the pantry wall on the right custom built, as this was the location of the leak, and the former pantry and cabinets had to go. Although it was unfortunately not built to my original specifications, I decided to pick my battles, and let it be. It seems to be working out fine for us. I will do a post on the inside coming soon!

I still have a little custom trim coming for around the microwave. The trim kit that arrived for it when it was installed was just awful! I made them take it off right after they drilled the holes to put it up.
It reminded me of the sides of a chicken truck! (You know those aluminum clad, slatted semi truck- trailers that haul chickens?! Um, yeah,...farm to table never held less appeal! All I saw when I looked at my shiny new microwave with it's icky trim kit, was a CHICKEN TRUCK!) So, we will finish it off with a little idea I had.
View of the kitchen and family room from the entrance to the dining room.

Our downstairs guest room. It's still a work in progress. I would like to find an upholstered headboard in a cream linen, and replace the current dresser with a vintage chest or small dresser. Look for more changes to come.
The laundry room wallpaper was stripped and repainted (by me to save more money). This was quite a big job, and I regret not letting someone else do it for me!
I am still looking for knobs for the laundry room cabinets, but I think I may have found some that will work. Stay tuned!

This is the downstairs bath, and the last room that still needs some updating. It's on the list, people!

I have tried to work with the green marble and polished brass fixtures, but I think the time has come to get rid of them. We are planning to get to that very soon.

On the way up the stairs is this little reading nook it the living room. It is a work in progress. I am planning to upholster the chair in a brown and cream buffalo check, and I am still looking for the right piece of furniture for against the wall. Then the wall hangings that are what I had, will be changed out to suit whatever I find.
This is the master bedroom. It has an adjacent sitting room that is currently being used as my office. The hubby's man cave is down the hall, and I will be sharing pics at a later date.

The dog wants to sneak into my pics! See him in the hall?

I am working on an idea for the wall behind the bed...and I would love a button tufted headboard in here someday soon.

 Looking into my office.


 I decided to have a little fun, and display some of my evening bags and shoes in the corner.

Looking back towards the bedroom and bath to the left.

 Master ensuite bath.

 I painted the old oak cabinets about 6 years ago, and then recently changed the wall color to a deep brown, and doors to black. It is such a big space, and gets so much light during the day that it doesn't feel dark. These pics were taken at night.

This is the little guy's room, and I think we are getting ready to change it slightly.

Well, I can't seem to find the photos of the upstairs hall bathroom, and I need to also share photos of the hubby's man cave. I am going to save that for another day. I am pooped from all the work! 

...And so is the dog! This is our one year old German Shepard/Yellow Lab rescue, Romeo. He's a great addition to the family, and a total love!



That's it for now! Stay tuned, things are always changing around here! 
So glad to have you back, and plan on seeing me blogging regularly now!

I hope you like the new name, and my new look!


Thanks so much for stopping by! 

xo
-Lisa

This post was featured on:

Home{work} Wednesday



I will be linking up to the following...


Give Me the Goods Monday   My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home 


        

Funky_Junk's_Party_Junk_link_party_150




French Country Cottage


*TO VIEW OLD HOME TOUR CLICK HERE*

66 comments:

  1. Nice post... You have a really beautiful house...
    May be we can follow each other!!!!
    Keep in touch
    www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com

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  2. Wow, Lisa, the new flooring is gorgeous. It does make a huge difference to have the same floor running throughout a floor. We found that out several years ago when we went from carpet, linoleum and hardwood on the first floor to all wood except the master. We like carpet in there.

    Beautiful home and glad you are back!

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    1. Thanks Kim! I know what you mean about having carpet in the bedroom! I love the look of wood, but I think it would be too cold for me! I need some carpet to warm my feet when they hit the ground! ;-)

      xo-Lisa

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  3. Wow, just Wow! Stunning! Such talent, the house is gorgeous. Love the new Blog!

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  4. Your home is stunning and I love your open floor plan with the beautiful view of the stairs. Gorgeous. The new floors look wonderful and every room is decorated so beautifully. . I would love for you to link to my Inspire Me party that is ongoing. http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/174th-inspire-me-tuesday.html Hugs, Marty

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    1. Thank you so much Marty! You are always so sweet! Of course I love to link up to your parties!!

      xo-Lisa

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  5. Your home is beautiful. I love how open it looks and the new floors are gorgeous. I am a fan of white and leather upholstered pieces and your room is so pretty. Love the colours and how you have moved them throughout your home. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Beautiful house and I enjoyed peeking every detail of your wonderful photos! I love open spaces, as it enables you to have more company for bigger parties! Your kitchen is fabulous and very spacious! Thank you for coming by and visiting me. I'm so happy I've been your follower...hope you are too! Big hugs,
    FABBY

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Fabby! You are so sweet, and I love your blog!

      xo-Lisa

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  7. Lisa! So nice to meet you! I love your new blog name, your sunny outlook, and your beautiful home! Look forward to following along with you!

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    1. Hi Lisa! Thanks so much for stopping by! I am following you as well! Great blog you have!

      xo-Lisa

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  8. Your home is beautiful. Thanks for the tour :) I am inspired.
    Eilis
    my-heart-lives-here.blogspot

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  9. Gorgeous home and your kitchen is so pretty! We are getting ready to remodel our kitchen, I can't wait! Hope you'll pop over and share your home at Amaze Me Monday!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for the invite, Cindy! I will be sure to link up!

      xo-Lisa

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  10. Thanks so much for letting me peek....your home is stunning. I am in love with everything, especially those hardwood floors and your office. Those black drapes are amazing.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Christine! You made my day!
      I hope you come back again soon!

      xo-Lisa

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  11. Oh, my goodness! What a beautiful home you have and you've decorated it to perfection. I adore your beautiful huge kitchen! I could just live in there!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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    Replies
    1. Oh how sweet of you! Thank you very much!! I spend a HUGE amount of time in the kitchen, and even though I have an office, my "perch" as my hubby calls it, is on my stool at the kitchen island. This is where I have coffee and blog!

      Have a great week, and thanks so much for stopping by!

      xo-Lisa

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  12. Your home is beautiful! All the browns and blacks are so pretty together. It's warm and inviting and decorated perfectly. I'm glad you didn't change your kitchen counter tops because the granite is wonderful with the floors. Gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you, Stacey! I do really like how it all came together! I'm glad now, that I decided to keep them. Had I changed the counters, I would have changed the backsplash, the mosaic over the cooktop, and the cabinets and walls would have been a lighter color too.

      I think it worked out as it was meant to. :-)

      Thanks very much for your visit, and the nice comment!
      xo-Lisa

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  13. Wow, Lisa, what a beautiful home you have! I love how you have decorated the walls and I am inspired! Those floors are gorgeous!

    Wishing you Blessings,
    Linda at The French Hens Nest

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    1. Thanks Linda!! I am loving my new floors! They really change the whole look of the home!

      Have a fantastic week! Please come back soon!
      xo-Lisa

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  14. Holy cannoli, your home is magnificent! I love it all and you have decorated it to perfection. I love your taste. I am wondering if you can share your paint colors? We just moved into this new house in Oct. and plan to start painting this fall. I LOVE how BIG all your rooms are, the master and master bath are fabulous. My first visit but I will be your newest follower. XO, Pinky

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    1. Thank you so much, Pinky! Wow! I will do a post on the colors I used, but I will compile a list and email them to you. I am still not home from Haven yet, so give me a few days, and I promise to get back to you!

      Thanks for following!
      xo-Lisa

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  15. Love your beautiful home! What is the name of the floors you have? I would love to look at them in person if you bought them at a Home Depot type store...

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    1. I will find out and let you know!! Give me a few days!

      Thanks so much for the visit!

      xo-Lisa

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  16. Lisa, Your home is beautiful. I love every room and especially the kitchen...gorgeous! I found you at A Stroll Thru Life and I am now following.
    :) Sherry

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  17. Wow what a show home! Every room so beautifully coordinated with the next, you've done such a fabulous job. Lovely, lovely home!

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  18. I love your new blog name- and your house is absolutely AMAZING.

    Loving your changes- just gorgeous.

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  19. Love your home, simply gorgeous!
    Patti

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  20. Your home is just fabulous!!!! New follower here! :-)

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    1. Vel-Thanks so much for following! And, I really appreciate your visit!

      xo-Lisa

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  21. Hello! What a lovely home you have! My favorite is your kitchen! Just love the colors you chose! I found you through dwellings-the heart of yourhome, and I'm a new follower! Please visit me if you get a moment! Have lovely evening!
    -Khammany

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, and thanks for following! Please come back again soon!

      Have a great week!
      xo-Lisa

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  22. Beautiful! Love the flooring.. and your kitchen is lovely and spacious. I like you antique table and I understand the HUNT for chairs! I'm doing the same thing at the moment.

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    1. I know, the chair hunt is ON! :-)

      Thanks so much for the visit!

      xo-Lisa

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  23. Your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous -- thank goodness for leaks, huh? You have a really beautiful home!

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I love reading all of your thoughtful comments!