Bathroom update week 3

I finally decided to start the tiling portion of Sophie's bathroom...I was kind of dreading it...not that tiling is hard but that it is very fussy and messy. 

Let's just say it is SO WORTH IT!!!! I am in love with this, and one thing I over looked was that you get double the impact with the reflection in the mirror...what a pleasant surprise.

When Sophie saw this tile installed she said it was amazing....that was so nice to hear, I am so glad she likes it. 

I just need to take down the light and tile that wall above the mirror but I am thinking I need a break today...

I used two sheets on either side, plus the extras tiles I needed to cut in half, so maybe 5.5 sheets total.

 I thought I would need my wet saw but this very thin and fragile tile that I bought years ago on Overstock needed a light touch so the only way to slice them in half was to use this old basic tile cutter, just score and snap... if you use these tiles do yourself a favor and pre cut your tiles in half...its not hard I swear.

Nothing more helpful than a premixed batch of tile adhesive, this is great for wall tiles...I back buttered all the subway tile and the marble detail.

I didn't want to start the detail lower than the outlet which meant I needed to create a little frame for the outlet to sit on so that it would sit flush as my tiles are different thicknesses...I think it worked out to be a nice detail for a problem solution. These things come up, you just have to deal with them. 

There is no going back now...because I sold all these doors this morning...its time to re-face and build a beautiful vanity front, add drawers and build all new fronts and doors...The sink is being sold tomorrow....

Sometimes I think I am overly ambitious but its always worth it in the end.... do you ever bite off more than you can chew?...I know a lot of people will run out of steam and projects will remain at a stand still sometimes for years...I am not really that type....I NEED these things completed. I thought maybe I could tackle two projects at one time but I realized I need to keep my focus on one project at a time to get things accomplished.

Finally our completed kitchen , from builder basic to dream kitchen

 How did I forget to take photos of my fully completed kitchen. It is definitely my favourite room in the house and it turned out as good or better than I had planned.

 From my pine dark stained floors to the second hand kijiji table I found for $40 and refinished in black stain to the Restoration hardware industrial style pendants , I love my new kitchen. It has everything that I desired in a kitchen. It took three to four months to complete but it was so worth the efforts.

 The cabinets are painted Bedford Grey by Martha Stewart. The island butcher block is from Ikea. The counter is carrera marble , love. The squared pulls are Martha Stewart special order from Home Depot. The range is a 6 burner 36" Kitchen aid commercial style range , it is amazing.

 I clad the bulkhead with trim and crown moulding to make it look deliberate and custom and I love it more than if the cabinets didn't have the buklhead.

 The little touches like this wine storage to balance out the extended bulkhead , turns out it created a great opportunity for this useful feature.

 The brackets were simple and from Home Depot. Loving my pot drawers. I needed to replace the basic glides with heavy duty ones , what a difference.

 I love the open shelving , its just enough to display my pretty pieces.

 We all love the water dispenser and ice maker , what a luxury . My baking area is such a dream. I need to find more time to bake, Christmas is coming.

 Bringing the cabinet over the fridge forward and creating a proper gable there and dressing it with crown made such a huge difference creating a built in feeling for the fridge.

 Extending the island with this microwave cabinet and adding electric to the island was such great move , I love mixing things on the island its so handy.

 I went from a huge triple sink to one single extra deep rectangular contemporary sink , and I love it , it fits everything , and it can be full and I mean full of dirty dishes and you would never know they were in there nice when you like messes out of sight like I do.

 Bamboo blinds form Lowe's . The amazing Delta faucet , I would highly recommend Delta .

The beautiful and quiet range hood from Tasco.

One of the best things I designed into the kitchen was a double cabinet for a garbage pullout, the other side is dedicated to recycling.

 Art from Urban barn.

 Chalk wine glasses from Pier 1 Imports.

 The bread tin is from Winners.

 Dining light is from Home Depot, and the chairs are Elte.

Here is my advice about creating the perfect kitchen for you. Take your time, get what you love , listen to
advice but follow your true desires, it's a kitchen for you after all.

Just prior to moving on from this home I added the shiplap wall...

Just a little reminder of where this kitchen started.

WOW I forgot just how much work this took. So glad it's done.


Follow my project and boards on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/chriskauf/

Here are a few posts regarding our kitchen renovations and updates
http://chriskauffman.blogspot.ca/2012/05/our-bedford-grey-kitchen.html

http://chriskauffman.blogspot.ca/2012/04/building-fridge-enclosure.html

http://chriskauffman.blogspot.ca/2012/04/island-time.html

http://chriskauffman.blogspot.ca/2012/05/marble-is-finally-here.html

http://chriskauffman.blogspot.ca/2012/03/flooring-day.html

My mind is thinking and revisiting the notion that I may someday get a mudroom . Now that we uncovered a door way just ready to be finished the dream may be closer at hand.
The one major thing missing from this house would have to be storage for utility items like vacuums and mops and all that other yucky stuff, nor does this house have adequate storage for the outer wear for a family of 4 and two dogs especially given we live in Canada and that can equal a grand scale collection of seasonal outer wear and footwear.
Although first I had thought we could have the laundry in there , it would be very costly to run hot water and to put in a drain ,and sink , so I have decided all I need is a cute and functional mudroom , one that has loads of storage , for cleaning supplies and vacuum's. A spot of cubbies and outerwear. Dog feeding area as well as lounging area , perhaps even a great spot for the kids to craft.
This would give us a extra room on the main floor , invaluable. We have talked about framing this space over the summer , this should not cost a whole lot and we can do this our selves.
Wood floors , beadboard , subway tile , great cheap lighting , kinda industrial .
Below is my inspiration board , and it is inspiring.






My mudroom - by chriskauf on Polyvore.com