queen of half way

I'm quickly realizing the importance of completing a project before moving on to another [I'm never going to get anything done!]. Everything around the house has been at a bit of a standstill lately, but I hope to get back to work soon! I have plenty to finish before I move onto larger projects!

It all started when the left cabinet wouldn't latch correctly. I tried repositioning the hinges... When that didn't work, I took the latches off, sanded the layers of paint surrounding the latches, patched holes and then finally repositioned the latches. Another issue was that the bottom right side of the left door was catching on the metal edging. I ended up taking the edging off, thinking that I would prime the existing material and paint it. Well... that didn't happen... I figured I could make it look better than that- I just haven't figured out what to do with it yet. I'm open to suggestions!

before

current

I don't really have a good excuse for this one [the wainscoting] other than I don't have a vehicle to haul material and I haven't decided how I want to detail it. I've become more and more indecisive... I don't like doing things twice... I fear that I'll do it and not like it and not be completely satisfied until I redo it.

And while we're in the kitchen- I really don't like the green! I love green, don't get me wrong, but when I changed the light bulbs from incandescent to CFL's, the color completely changed. Thankfully it didn't take me long to do or much money. I'm thinking this will be a good rainy day/too hot to go outside project.

It's hard to tell in this image, but I think I'm going to go with the bottom shade of green- it's more earthy. I've had such a time with choosing paint color!! You would think that someone that works with color for a living would be better with this, but nope! Not me!!

The spare bedroom is getting there... I finally got the photo I took in Leadville, CO printed. It's actually a collaboration piece between my dad and me. I love it! It has the feel and tone of many of Andrew Wyeth's paintings, one of my dad's most admired artists and one that I enjoy as well. 

See the down comforter sitting on the bed? Well, I have been meaning to make a duvet cover for it for oh, probably a month or two now...

I even have it pinned together! It's just a matter of borrowing a friend's sewing machine and running a few straight lines!

I still need to finish painting the ceiling in the spare bedroom too. I don't like painting ceilings... but then again, I don't know who does. 

I've started exploring paint colors for the bathroom too! Originally, I wanted it to be all white- trim and everything, but now I think I want a little color it there.

I'm thinking more of a warm grey [I'm obsessed with everything grey] to pull out some of the lighter warm tones of the tile. Once again, the color isn't quite  accurate, but as of tonight, I'm going to go with the second one down with white trim. Typically, I would never paint wood, however, the bathroom was redone more recently and the wood doesn't match the original, so it's going white.

Moving outside! I want it all done at once! This bed is a work in progress consisting primarily of transplants.

The front bed is getting there [with a shaved Bella!]! Until you walk around the side of the house. I remedied it this evening though- edging, weeding,  and mulching! Next, I want to till up the south side of the house [which doesn't have any sort of landscaping/flowers right now] and transplant day lilies that are taking over the back yard.

I have several other projects on the list, but I'm thinking it would be good to finish what I've started!

xoxo

a

happy father's day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there, especially to my dad! Hope all of you have a wonderful day!

And, Dad, Happy Father's Day from your grandpups :)

xoxo

a

one year!

Most of you know that I [more than likely] wouldn't be in Michigan if it weren't for Herman Miller. Today marks the one year anniversary of my first day of working there. I can't believe that a year has already passed! Looking back, I realize how far I have come and how much I've learned! Never in a million years did I think I would be using my education in the way that I am. So much of what I do is based on the science of materials [although I depend on the individuals in the Design for the Environment team to do the chemical and material makeup assessment] and its use in an artful, environmentally conscious way.

this was taken the weekend before i started working

I began my journey as an intern. I was initially reluctant to take an intern position after graduation, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity with such an admirable company. As time progressed, I realized that I wanted to continue to work at Herman Miller [and yes, be willing to put up with Michigan winters]. The Color, Materials, and Finishes team decided to hire me full time and the rest is history!

One of the projects I worked on as an intern was supplying power to the Eames Tandem seats. Check out the Herman Miller blog post for more info!

Herman Miller Interns Develop a Power Solution for Eames Tandem Seating

I also might add that a year ago, it was definitely not this hot in Michigan. It's after 9 right now and it's still 89 degrees. I'm melting...

xoxo


a

purple, purple, purple!

My flower + veggie garden is jam packed full of purple! Go K-State!

xoxo

a

herb garden

I've actually had time to get a garden in! I wouldn't say it's exactly legitimate - nowhere near the beautiful gardens I grew up with. I remember helping my Mom out in the garden when we lived in Kansas City and then when we moved to Smithville, I got a little more stubborn... Sometimes I felt like helping, other times I didn't [Mom- I wish I would have willingly helped you more]. 

I'm super excited that I have a place of my own that isn't an apartment [last summer] or a home that needed too much other work done and I was working with a college student budget [home in college]. I have a few plants that I've incorporated into the flower beds [which will work for now]. I didn't have the time, tools, or space to till up a decent space for a garden this year, so this solution will work for now.

I have planted lots and lots of tomatoes [for salsa, spaghetti sauce, caprese salads, and just eating with a little s + p], garlic, peppers [green, yellow, red, and orange], and lettuce. I still plan on frequenting the Holland market that happens on Saturday mornings [I love the sights, smells, people, colors - everything about it], so I didn't want to go too overboard with yummy veggies so that I still have legit reason for going.

I also have a little potted herb garden with dill, thyme, oregano, and a few varieties of basil [for pesto, salads, sandwiches, caprese, pasta... the list goes on and on!]. I also have more than enough mint growing in the oddly shaped flower bed that will be fabulous in mojitos! 

Needless to say, there will be some good eats coming out of my kitchen later on in the summer!

xoxo

a

memorial weekend to do!

Lots and lots of yard work [not today though- inside work]

The landscaping blocks are gone [thanks to Craigslist] so gone goes the soil in in goes landscaping! I've also planted some hostas around the tree to warm it up and give it some presence.

My girl, always keeping me company.

A little project that I've started... Needs a lot of work.

I'm going to work on taking out the peninsula garden - lots of transplanting!

The beloved decor pond... I neglected to take a before picture, but I've started to take it out [I'm not into the maintenance it would require].

on with the to do

_ mulch around trees and beds - had to get a rain check on the black mulch that was on sale...
_ sew duvet cover for spare bedroom - only if it rains
_ sand and finish cabinets
_ hang wine rack
_ locate stash of sunglasses
_ touch up paint on built in doors, mount hardware + hang
_ get rid of decor pond
_ transplant more plants
_ cut and apply translucent film to bathroom and kitchen windows
_ laundry
_ iron
_ vacuum the extra dog i've acquired


Have a wonderful extended weekend!!

xoxo

a

kitchen cabinets continued...

I've been really lousy at keeping up with postings, so I'll combine a few posting into one...

The kitchen saga continues! I'll admit that my motivation to actually work on the kitchen has been extremely close to nonexistent. The other evening, I finally took the remaining doors off and emptied the contents of the drawers. I'm not sure what prompted me to do this, but I'm sure glad I did! I knew I wouldn't last long with clutter all over the counters- I suppose I took the round-about way to motivate myself- nothing wrong with that!

On a side note, I have been volunteering through Herman Miller at a Habitat for Humanity build in Spring Lake, Michigan. The last time I was there, I was on siding and windows duty. This is a photo of my friend, Melanie and me "working."

Photo by: Grand Haven Tribune

Anyway, yesterday when I was there, I was on painting duty. I thought there would be a few more people there, but there were only two (including myself) from Herman and then a few family members of the individual who is getting the home. The other Herman volunteer and I knocked the painting of the bathrooms, hallway, laundry closet, living room, and kitchen in no time! I wish I could paint like that at my house!

I promise there is a point to writing this little story. I figured that since I was already covered in paint splatters- literally from head to toe, that it would only make sense to continue painting at my house! So I did!

This was the motivation to finish up...

Once I find the hardware I want, the old "vintage" hardware will be changed out to work with the rest of the finishes!

Remember my little/not so little hinge project? Well, it's completed!!!! So exciting!!

Funny story [at least I find it funny] about the screws. I went to Lowes to find new screws [among many, many other things] and one of the associates politely asked me if I needed help. I kindly told him, "No, thank you," and continued my shopping. I have found that most of the time I rattle off what I'm looking for and they look at me inquisitively. Yes, I am a female, but I know what I'm looking for/what I'm talking about- it's just the way I am [thanks in part to my Dad and helping him when I was young]. Well, the same associate came up to me and asked again if I needed help. Ugh! Leave me alone!!

I may take these off and scrape some of the paint build up off the wood- it looks gunky... Rainy day project!

Also, last weekend, I went to Ikea to pick up some things! One of them being new blinds... turns out they were discontinued due to quality issues- no surprise there I suppose. They will be coming out with a similar design in August, so it looks like I'll be visiting again! I did, however, pick up some stools for the kitchen, a wine rack, many accessories, and bedding for the spare bedroom [I need to sew a duvet, so once I have that done, I'll share].

xoxo

a