A girl and her powertools, posing a question

In an effort to avoid further unpacking any more boxes last night, I began adding decorative hardware to our kitchen cabinets. After drilling and drilling, and cursing a bit, I finished most of the cabinets. However, I have a question: do you add pulls to non-usable cabinetry? There are two "drawers" beneath both the cooktop and the kitchen sink, and I don't know whether to leave them free of pulls or add the hardware. Before I began the project, I thought for sure that I would add them to every surface that would accept them. After working for freakin forever what seemed like ages, I thought, "those drawers aren't really drawers, and therefore they don't need pulls". Also, it's going to be a right pain in the patooty to get pulls on those faux drawers, since you have to drill from the back and you (I) cannot open the "drawers".

So, do I need them? Does it look silly to have pulls on all drawers but the fake ones? Say it!

Getting color

Okay. I got lots of comments (thank you!) on the color of the living room and entryway. But I only got 4 actual votes! And worse, they were evenly divided! I tend to like the darker colors, so would normally go with the oak ridge, but am leaning towards the lighter color for neutrality and lightness. Our house is small, so I need to increase the size of the rooms.

You all pretty much agree that although the blue wall is JUST BEAUTIFUL, it needs to be re-painted. Sigh. I do love it. But you're probably right. I'm pretty sure my realtor will tell me the same thing soon. My question here is: does that entryway wall really truly have to be the same color as the living room? Or can it be the darker oak ridge color, or even one of the suede colors? Have you guys seen the suede in person ever? Because for me, it is so amazing: it made me want to touch the wall. And it's things like that that I think will help me sell the house. That instant "that is so cool!" feeling that someone will get when the see my beautiful suede wall. Or, am I fooling myself?

So: 2 questions. More thoughts on the oak ridge vs cedar key debate (if you did not vote), and what about the entryway wall? Same color as the living room, or another shade of brown?

As promised: HELP!

Okay, it's time for you to help me choose a new paint color for our living room. Like I mentioned recently, we will probably be moving over the summer, and I want to prepare now (as in possibly this weekend since Tim will be gone and I think he secretly despises it when I paint). One of the biggest problem areas, in my opinion, is the living room and all its greenness. Green is sort of a love or hate color; everyone sees greens differently, and I have a feeling there will be some people who see our living room and think: GAH! It's the 1970s all over again! As a matter of fact, I am starting to feel that way. Therefore I think it would be better to pick a more neutral color for our main living space that most everyone will find soothing. I am leaning towards browns.

So, lurkers, friends, family: please chime in and let me know what you think! I don't care if you have never commented, or if you comment several times on each post! Tell me what you think! Keep in mind that we live in Tucson (desert), that our floor tile and carpet are light brown, the tile grout is dark brown, the tile and grout are 'baseboards' around the living room, and that you can see the brown kitchen from the living room. I do not intend to repaint the blue entryway wall (unless several of you insist that it needs to be changed).

Do you think a shade of brown is appropriate? Or should I repaint it to match the 'white-like' color of the rest of the living room?

Here are a couple of contenders:

A Ralph Lauren 'suede' paint, most likely in 'mochernut' (make that 'Ayers Rock!', or 'Fawn's Leap'? - no peach, no peach!), or maybe a 'cedar key' or 'oakridge' from Pottery Barn. Do you like any of these? What is your favorite? Tell me your thoughts!

Tantrum

I'm not sure what this tantrum was all about, and it was hard not to laugh, but I know she was frustrated about something.

On another note, our yard is mostly finished. Here are some before and after shots:

Looking out from the back porch.

After a pool, a wall, some plants and a bit of gravel.

Side yard before.

Side yard after.

And let's not forget the bathroom.

I have finished painting, I just can't be bothered to actually take a 'finished' photo right now.

On the Verge

Snow, I'm talking about snow. Not babies. Yet.




It's been hovering around freezing all day and has been raining like crazy. We lost power for just a few seconds just a few times last night, and our yard looks like Dorothy's must have after the cyclone. The radio says it's snowing at Tanque Verde and Catalina Highway. That's like 7 miles from here. If all goes well, Jess and I are going to take Kate to Sabino Canyon this afternoon and see if we can get some playtime in the snow.

On a totally different note, it seems blogger has done away with the Beta version and has a new version out. I don't know if I can switch to the new version since I'm already on Beta, but this quote on their website made me laugh:

I am overjoyed to announce that today we have o’ficially graduated the new version of Blogger from “in beta” to “.” Why is this significant? Allow me to explain via analogy:
Battlestar Galactica with Lorne Greene : Battlestar Galactica with Edward James Olmos :: Old Blogger : New Blogger

Ha! I'm not the only geek out there addicted to the show. Of course, that was written by a website egghead...

Kate is napping soundly at the moment, so now's my chance to get some painting done.

Progress

We now have new wallboard up in our shower, and a new vanity.

Mike is starting to tile, and I think he still plans to be done by Friday. Sweet.


We had a busy weekend of parties and shopping at Lowe's. The squadron Christmas party was on Saturday night and we had a pretty good time, although we left early. No dancing for me this year, thank you very much. That's the last thing anyone wants - a pregnant woman shaking her booty on the dancefloor.








Kate had fun this weekend, too:

My Daddy is cooler than Britney, Mom!

Red jello. After which she needed a bath.

We also watched the last episode of Battlestar of the season, and Tim found this video on the web that had me laughing outloud. It's funnier if you've been watching the new BSG, but check it out.

When You're Tired

When you're tired, I guess you can sleep through just about anything. I am surprised that Kate is not crying in her crib right now. Her bedroom wall, and her crib, are pretty much right next to our bathroom. Mike the contractor is in the process of chipping tiles off our shower wall as I type, and is making a horrible racket. Yet, the babe sleeps. Yahoo!

Our bathroom when we moved in. Vintage 1971.

Our bathroom today.

Stay tuned for updates on the beautiful master bath that will be, all before Christmas.