Making The Kitchen Mine~Before & After

When we first came to look at our house to buy, one thing I knew would change, if we bought it, was the kitchen backsplash.

The painted faux stones and other "artistic" touches were so not me!

The house was built in 2006 but I am sure faux ivy went out of style in the 1980's.

I can't even begin to tell you how dark all of this made working on the counter. It was dated, it looked so fake and it totally was not me.  It was time to make it mine!

Luckily, my MIL, Linda, was begging me for a project to do.  Plus, we were expecting another snowstorm that would keep us home bound.  So, before the snow flew, I grabbed the leftover can of paint from when we painted over the hot mess pink in the guest bedroom, had the guys at Home Depot mix us up a quart, got some primer and we were ready to freshen things up.

I did the cutting in while Linda manned the roller.  One coat of primer and 2 coats of perfectly matched paint was all it took.

  
With the taping and waiting for paint to dry it took us approximately 5 hours.  

We did all of it without telling Mr. B too.  He knew how I felt about the backsplash but I wasn't sure if he was in love with it or hated it as much as I did.  

No worries!  He loves how bright and light the space looks now! Linda & I swear the room is now 2 feet wider!  It's all an illusion of course, but it totally made a huge difference in the feel of the space! 

Now, I feel like the kitchen is truly my space and not the previous owner's!

How about you?  Do you have a spot in your home you are wanting to make yours?  Tell me about it in the comments below.

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for the link party.

My Christmas Wish List For My Mother-In-Law

This post is brought to you by the awesome people over at Wayfair. All opinions in this post are mine. 

Since my mother-in-law moved in with us last month and is no longer working, she has been helping out in the kitchen while I am at work. Let's just say I am getting a tad spoiled by having dinner on the table when we get home. That's not to say I haven't cooked up a few things of my own, but she is enjoying using some of my favorite tools and has expressed that when she finds a new place of her own, there are few things she'd like to have. So, since Wayfair asked me to put together a kitchen Christmas wish list, I decided to create one just for her!

John Boos Maple Butcher Block Cutting Board - She has been cutting up veggies up a storm and loves my butcher block cutting board so, why not get her the best? This Boos cutting board is top of the line and will last her many years!

Le Creuset Cast Iron Oval French Oven - Just the other day we came from work to a bubbling pot of stuffed cabbage, one of Mr. B's favorites. She went on and on about how much she loved using my cast iron dutch oven and how she was going to have to get one for herself. Hint taken!

Calphalon Tri Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan with Lid - I am a huge fan of Calphalon pots and pans and now, she is too! Especially the stainless steel saucepans I have.

Wusthof Gourmet 18 Piece Knife Block Set - A good knife set for her is a no brainer! I have used her knives before and they are dangerously dull.  Getting her a great set like this Wusthof one will give me peace of mind!

Cuisinart 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker - She was amazed at how safe and fast my electric pressure cooker is!  I made both Mongolian Beef and the rice for it for dinner over the weekend and she was shocked at how tender the beef came out.  Dinner was on the table in less than an hour and I only used this tool to get it there. 

Calphalon Unison Nonstick 2 Piece Fry Pan Set - She mentioned in passing that she wished she had some smaller good non stick frying pans, since it will be only her that she will be cooking for most of the time. This two-piece set from Calphalon should be just the ticket!

Lodge Skillet with Assist Handle - She also mentioned (hinted?) that she wished she had a better cast iron skillet with a better way to move it from the stove to the table. Lodge is my favorite brand for cast iron and when I saw this one with the assist handle, I knew it had to be added to the list.

Bialett Taste of Italy3-qt. Stoneware Lasagna Pan - I believe every kitchen should have a good lasagna pan and this 3-qt stoneware one is the perfect size for when she invites us over for dinner...mom's lasagna? Oh yeah!!

I can't wait to wrap up some of these and have them under the Christmas tree! I think she will be thrilled to get any of them to add to her kitchen at her new home! 

Now tell me, what is on your kitchen wish list?

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for the link party.