Tag Archives: Decisions

August 6, 2017 · 3:13 am

I Think I Found My Backsplash…Well, Maybe, Please Help Me!

I think I am going batty trying to pick out backsplash tile for my new kitchen. I am closer than ever to making a decision. I am however, a bit confused on some of the components. I had given up on trying to find a cream subway tile. Every time I found something there was no coordinating trim to do what I wanted. I brought home a piece of beveled white subway tile and it didn’t look too bad with my countertops.

You can imagine my surprise when, after giving up on finding cream, and picking everything in white, I found out I could get it all in a royal cream color. Shopping for tile is very confusing. So, now I am going with cream. I mean, I think I am going with the cream, lol.

I like a 3″ by 6″ subway tile that is beveled, and glossy.

I don’t need much bullnose or trim pieces in my kitchen. I only need two small pieces where the tile comes up on the sides of the sink on either side of the window. I plan to top it with this piece of crown trim.

Gloss Cream Crown Molding 2.25″ by 12″

The other area I need a trim piece is on the side near my french sliding doors. I am not sure which trim piece to go with there, but there are a variety of trim pieces available. I will check with the installers, on what they think would look best. Here are some of the choices beyond the piece above. I know the colors don’t all look the same, but that is not accurate, they are all the same brand and same color.

Bead Wall Tile Trim 1″ by 6″

Bullnose 2″ by 6″

Bullnose Long Side Trim Tile 3″ by 6″

Bullnose Short Side Trim 3″ by 6″

1/2″ by 6″ Tile Trim

Dome Trim 12″ by 3/4″

Okay, at least there is an abundance of trim, the only thing they do not have, is the double bullnose corner piece. It is however available if I go with the white. I am not sure that it is necessary, but if it is, that will be my sign to go with the white, lol.

So now for the special accent behind the cooktop. I was inspired by this photo I found online on Pinterest or Google Images, I cannot even remember, I have looked at so many.

So, this brand also has a 4.5″ by 4.5″ tile that I could use in this design.

4.5″ by 4.5″ Square Tile

I would use the crown trim for the frame.

Crown Molding in Royal Cream 12 in. x 2-1/4 in.

The part I am stuck on is what color to use for the mosaics for the border and for the deco between the square tiles. Some that I think would be good are:

Natural Seashell Mosaic

Honey Polished Onyx Mosaic

White Natural Seashell Mosaic ( I think this may be too light to be an accent.)

Mini Tundra Glass and Stone Mosaic

My countertops are Cambria Quartz in Nevern.

My cabinets are Wood Mode in Vintage Bright White.

Ugh, as I am writing this, I am not thinking maybe I should go with the white. The cream is not a beige but really a bone that my kitchen designer said would look good. I am so conflicted. lol Here is the white:

White Beveled 3″ by 6″ Subway Tile

And a close up of it:

Close Up of White Subway Tile

And now the Royal Cream close up:

Royal Cream Close Up

My cabinets are not a bright white they have a glaze that makes them vintage, and more of a creamy white.

So, what are your thoughts on this? I really would love to hear, this has been the hardest decision of the entire kitchen project.

Care Conversations Makes Difficult Decisions Easier-#CareConvo

My parents were married over 60 years and together since my mother was a teenager. When my mom had a sudden stroke and subsequently died 4 days later my dad was devastated. He was 86 and had been in failing health so it was such a shock that my mom who was very active and full of life died first. I lived on the same lake as my parents, so myself and children were a sense of joy for my dad through these sad days. As we approached the anniversary of my mom’s passing, my dad was not feeling well and given his health history of colon cancer and having a pacemaker he ended up in the ER. While at the hospital, we were told about a nursing service that would come every day to check on him and help him with his daily needs. We set up the nursing service and it was due to begin on Monday.

Things took an unexpected turn as my dad had a fall that weekend and ended up cracking his tailbone. He needed surgery and after that he would have to go to rehabilitative care to help him get his strength back and hopefully get him back home. It was hard to think about the fact that maybe he would not be able to live on his own again, however it was reality and as a family we found a very good rehabilitation facility that we felt comfortable with We did not know what the outcome would be and we really never got the chance to see since my dad went into cardiac arrest and passed away a day before the anniversary of my mom’s passing 1 year earlier.

It is hard to see your parents age and as the youngest of 5 born to my parents who were both in their 40’s, I faced these things at an earlier age than most with my dad. It is hard to come to the realization that your parent may not be able to live on their own any longer but even harder to have those conversations with them about alternatives. Care Conversations recommends getting certain documents in place to make the process easier. For example, Advance Directives ensure your loved ones have a say in their future care. If this is something you or someone you know is facing you can check out the Planning and Preparing section of CareConversations.org. You may also want to view the video below on care planning.

There is a #CareConvo Twitter party with @Resourcefulmom on 11/12 at 8 PM ET. RSVP link: http://resourcefulmommy.com/14363/care-conversations-twitter-party/

Discolsure: This post was sponsored by Global Influence Network, as always all my words and views are 100% my own.

Master Bath Reno Updates & A Great Hobby Lobby Find!!! #CurbAppeal

If you remember my indecision on the master vanity, mirrors and medicine cabinets, it may amaze you to know that the vanity is not only finalized but ordered and being shipped. The mirrors are here and the medicine cabinets are as well.

We toyed with the idea of constructing our own recessed storage cabinets on the sides of the vanity, but the more we looked at components we would need and the work involved, especially given the amount of projects we still had to complete, it started to make sense to go with something finished. I did try, even went to Hobby Lobby and other stores for something that would work as a door but look like a nice piece of wall art on the wall concealing a medicine cabinet. Concealed Cabinet design In the end we went with The Concealed Cabinet because we can still make custom tweaks like add a power strip inside the cabinet, but the basics are done. The other great feature is that we can customize the door with a print, photograph, artwork from our children or whatever we like and we can change it as often as the mood strikes.

I am so excited to tell you and show you more on these great cabinets. We are going to take you through the entire installation process not only of the cabinets but of the entire master bath and master bedroom renovations. Feel free to share any ideas and tips you have or tell us about any projects you are working on. We chose the extra-large size and will have one on either end. So now the next decision is picking out the art to display on the door frame.

This is the extra-large cabinet we choose and we get to customize with our own choice of art work to make the design original and truly “us”

The other news is that the new whirlpool tub is being delivered on Wednesday. I have been holding off demo until then but it’s almost time to get the rest done and start rebuilding. I tell you I am so looking forward to a long relaxing soak in that tub. We are having some design brainstorming sessions regarding the freestanding tub filler and its placement.

My husband assures me all is good, but I have to tell you, I’m a bit stressed by some placement issues we have. I still need to make a decision on the vanity lighting. The bathroom has recessed lighting in most areas except by the vanity area. I have been looking at so many different styles of lighting and my brain is on overload.

I picked up a great mirror I want to use as an accent in the bathroom at Hobby Lobby the other day. It is huge, heavy, and gorgeous. It is nearly the same color as the vanity I refinished for my sewing table last year and I have decided to use that color as an accent color in the bathroom. I see that color everywhere and yet I am so stressed picking out towels and rugs. #hobbylobby Got it #hobbylobby My daughter and I went to Home Goods a few days ago and I picked out some towels that I thought were in the same color family and bought them to hang on the towel bars that will be around the tub. When I found 3 rugs that also looked to be perfect I was ecstatic but a little perplexed.

I was so stressed if I had the right shade and then my daughter told me to chill out because there was a 30 day return policy if they weren’t. I get home and now, I don’t know if I am losing my mind or if the lighting in the store affected it, but they look more like a sea-foam greenish type blue than what I thought they were. Not sure what I am going to do yet, but I need to decide before my 30 days are up!

Master Bath Renovation Update, Vanity Decisions!!! #CurbAppeal

It has been a very busy few days on the master bath renovation front. We finally decided on a whirlpool tub and vanity!!! The tile was supposed to start tomorrow but I had to hold him off due to our indecision with the tub and the vanity. The other big part that was in limbo until today was what to do with the upper portion of the vanity. Mirrors, medicine cabinets, lighting and logistics had me feeling like my head would explode. I felt so out of it last night because I just could not find anything that would work. I mean, I had renderings putting cabinets that matched the lower cabinets on top and it did not look good even though it did in my mind. We thought about a large framed mirror but I did not like the look of that. I also wanted upper storage in the way of a medicine chest. I looked at the typical options and they looked dated and so I felt like calling it all off, lol.

Today however, while browsing through Houzz I found inspiration even though the other 999 times I didn’t. We have now made a decision on what will be on top. Well I should say we narrowed it down. We also made a small change to the vanity. The center drawer we were keeping at the same level but we decided to drop it down like the pictures below.

We are going to do three mirrors similar to the ones above and what we want to do for the medicine cabinets, since our vanity is the same layout as the ones above with a wall on either end. We are going to build a concealed cabinet to the side with some decorative piece of artwork as a door that hides the recessed cabinet. The top picture has a neat idea too with the corner cabinets and so that is something I am still thinking about but at least right now I feel like I have some clear plan and a vision about what I want.

Now I just have to find the mirrors and I don’t know that I am going to just go with the rectangular kind shown . I may find what I want and paint it and glaze it to match the vanity. I think I am going mirror shopping tomorrow or Thursday and I want to go to Hobby Lobby and Home Goods to see what they have to use as a door for the concealed cabinet in the size we need. The next step after that will be the lighting but I want to get the mirrors first.

The whirlpool we choose is from Hydro Systems and the story behind how we did will be a post in itself. I never spent as much time picking one out as I did this time. The first time, there was no Internet, it was go to the plumbing supply showroom and they just showed you a couple, you picked it out and boom you were done. I have literally spent months going from brand to brand, comparing features, prices, shapes, sizes and Saturday we had the Eureka moment!

We decided on the Makyla from Hydro Systems and they are building the tub to order as we speak in California. Like I said, I will post about it and share what I learned in the event it can help someone pick out the right tub for them. One of the best things with this company is since the tubs are built to order you can change the placement of jets, add things, move things around etc. You really have a chance to make it your own, like they say,”If you can dream it,we can build it.” Oh and one of the great features we are getting is 2 neck masseuse pillows on either end. These pillows send hydro massaging water in three different pulse settings to your neck for a soothing to ultra stress relieving neck massage. I think that with the chromotherapy feature is going to be the first thing I indulge in when all this is finished.

So tell me what are your thoughts on mirrors? Favorite places to shop for accessories? How about off beat places where you have found something great? Please share, I love to hear your stories.

2 Comments

Filed under Curb Appeal

Tagged as Curb Appeal #CurbAppeal, Decisions, Design, Houzz, Ideas, Master Bath, Mommy Ramblings, Plan, Problems, Vanity, Vision