Latest Issue Of Kitchen And Bath Ideas, On A Float…

I was reading the latest issue of BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS KITCHEN AND BATH IDEAS while floating in our pool this weekend… it was perfect pool weather – sunny and 80′s.   The kind of weather that attracts kids,

and splashes -

and makes for wrinkly water-logged  magazines -

Cool storage ideas -  love this Laundry Center-

I use similar bins in my pantry for cereal….  and I am a fan of any kind of basket storage – make use of every extra space -

NEVER saw this before,  hanging pots and pans…. I like that idea!

Don’t like this idea of under sink storage – seems like it takes up more space than it space it creates -

Quartz counters engineered in a crocodile pattern -

Pretty glass cabinet doors -  and continuing to notice the linear tiles -

Glass tiles everywhere… see that green backslash glass tile?

Pretty kitchen, but my first reaction was   *yawn*….  can the window treatment be more boring?  Like the black island though…..

This page blew in the water      I pulled it out because I wondered what everyone thought of those green hairy balls….  I think they need to go back to the land of Shrek….

Another accent color on the island – this time grey.   notice that refrigerator with the glass door?  Don’t think I’d like that,  my fridge is always a mess -

Green cabinets -

Seeing a lot of glass door cabinets….  I have a couple in my  kitchen and I’m not a fan…..

I’d rather have something like this wire insert-

or this decorative glass

I don’t like this backsplash tile, and I’m not sure why…  to glossy? Or the color?  Another accent color on the island cabinet -

This marble master bath shower reminded me of my finisher friend Cait Whitson from Scotland - a master marble and woodgrain artist.   She tried to teach me how to create this marble – I sucked at it    but she is amazing!

Cool door style -

If you need any further information, head out to your local book or corner store and pick up the issue for yourself. June 2010    kitchenbathideas.com.

A Caromal Colours Makeover – Julie’s Armoire …

Sheila introduced her friend Julie to the Caromal Colours Distressing Kit -  a DIY painting kit for furniture, cabinets, accessories – you name it.   No prior priming or striping is necessary.   Julie used the Caromal Colours Chipping Creme first, over the existing armoire,  then painted on the Wisteria.  When it dried she sanded with a power sander to distress the finish.

Before  -

After -

Is that not the BEST color behind that armoire?  Its  a dark chocolate brown -  awesome backdrop!   She likes just as is so she has chosen not to apply the Toner.   Fabulous updated look!  To read more about this makeover, you can visit Sheila over at Pieces of Me .

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOURSELF?

Caromal Colours are not carried in big stores.  There are a handful of small country/ home furnishing stores through the US that may carry a limited selection,  but if you purchase in a store that owner will receive credit not me.    If this post was informative and helpful in your ‘how-to’ searches, a simple, but huge, way to thank me  is this:   if you decide to use these products,  order them from Caromal Colour’s  online store and use my code, PattyH in the coupon code area.   This code is needed in order for me to receive credit for the order,  if you forget to use it I lose.  You don’t pay more by using my code – and if you order online you won’t pay tax (outside PA).

If you want to place an order, click on the  store button below.

ENTER PattyH (case sensitive) in the coupon code to receive a discount off shipping.

Caromal Colour Makeovers – Janet in NY…

Janet owns a two bedroom co-op in New York.     She wanted to paint the cabinets in her galley kitchen (which translates to small apt) and found out about Caromal Colours through my site.  She thought their textured basecoat paint color parchment would brighten it up, but she decided to do the peppercorn over parchment, because she wasn’t a fan of the parchment alone.  She’d tried the parchment on a plant stand-

and felt it lacked something. She purchased the chipping creme and the Paprika Textured Basecoat and continued on the table, loving the result -

I love the results as well – that little accent table makes a statement now, and looks lovely with her rug!    I asked her if I could share her experience with my readers… her reply?

I would be glad if you did write up something on my experience. I would want people to know that if they didn’t care for one color, not to give up. Try a few, and then make a decision on whether or not this product is good. I love this product!!!  It’s so Easy!

Hi Patty, Last we spoke, I mentioned I was a little disappointed with the parchment distressed kit that I used on my plant stand. Well, that has all changed.I decided to buy four colors and the barnworn kit. OMG…I’m so excited. I have a wall unit that is a pale pale wood color, lighter than unfinished wood, if that’s possible.I no longer can use the doors because of a new flat screen T.V, so I thought before I paint something large, let me use the door to “practice”. Well, I didn’t even think of painting the wall unit, but based on the door that I practiced on, I really think I can do this.  I’m enclosing some pics…

actually, I used tape (like you’ve used to show before and after). If you wish to post to your blog, by all means, please do so.  I’m really excited about this product and how easy it is to do. I’m not the most creative person, but this is EASY!!  The top part is a coat of paprika, chip cream and then a coat of peppercorn. Middle is the “before” and the bottom half, I used  a coat of peppercorn, chip creme, then mixed both bayberry and colonial blue together and applied the top coat.  Some sanding and toner and voila!!!!!

I also painted  a cabinet in my dining area,

Again, If I can do this, anyone can!!  But, I should caution, this is addicting….  Thanks for answering my questions and your great photos on your site!  Thanks  Janet

I love that dining room cabinet – that black is great next to those red chairs –   and the blue/green color or your sample door (GREAT idea there, to sample on something before taking it to the wall)….   I will say, I have photos of Janet’s “AFTER” Kitchen cabinets in parchment and peppercorn,  but you’ll have to wait for another post on those….

Thanks kindly, Janet, for sharing your photos – these are GREAT visuals for future users to see what can be done with Caromal Colours Textured Basecoat paints.   Check back periodically as I will continually be posting before/after Caromal Colour posts.

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOURSELF?

Caromal Colours are not carried in big stores.  There are a handful of small country/ home furnishing stores through the US that may carry a limited selection,  but if you purchase in a store that owner will receive credit not me.    If this post was informative and helpful in your ‘how-to’ searches, a simple, but huge, way to thank me  is this:   if you decide to use these products,  order them from Caromal Colour’s  online store and use my code, PattyH in the coupon code area.   This code is needed in order for me to receive credit for the order,  if you forget to use it I lose.  You don’t pay more by using my code – and if you order online you won’t pay tax (outside PA).

If you want to place an order, click on the  store button below.

ENTER PattyH (case sensitive) in the coupon code to receive a discount off shipping.

You Know, It’s Sunday… Hallelujah!

Do you ever have crazy weeks?  Where the whole week is filled with real commitments, and responsibilities,  and you wonder how you are going to get everything done?   And Friday evening arrives, and you realize you made it?  Praise the Lord!

A crazy week,  flavored with all those yummy daily extra curricular activities that the kids have… sprinkled with disappointments and disagreements – and you get a weekend that arrives and a mom that proclaims

H A L L E L U J A H!

Thank you Lord, I know you are always here for me, but sometimes I fail to ask for your hand…

Are any of you American Idol fans?   I have fallen hard for Lee Dewyze -   I like his story (worked in a paint store), I like his genuine smile, and I especially like his voice.  This week one of the songs he sang was Leonard Cohen’s version of Hallelujah.  If you didn’t see it, it’s really worth watching  – awesome!