Backsplash Finds

Keepin' on a lookin' for kitchen inspirations. Today's exploration leads us to backsplashes!

[caption id="attachment_720" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From kitchenbacksplashes.blogspot.com"][/caption]
I found this arrangement not only to be colorful, but also unique. I don't often see a hexagon pattern in homes.

[caption id="attachment_718" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="From Country Living"][/caption]
Such simplicity, calmness from these brick layered tiles.

[caption id="attachment_719" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From darsheel.com"][/caption]
As I'm considering grey cabinets, maybe this grid-patterned backsplash can be in the running!

There are so many different types of pattern styles to consider. You can work with one tile or three tiles. Arrange the tiles in multiple ways...ooh, maybe I should consider taking old, broken dishes and making a mosaic?? Stay tuned. For now, here's a great resource find on tile patterns for those of you also planning a kitchen re-do.

Kitchen Ideas

Just browsing through small kitchen concepts to find inspiration for my kitchen re-do and found some eye candy to share with you!

[caption id="attachment_692" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="From House Beautiful"][/caption]

I am loving the unique barstools and over-the-island light fixtures. Overall feel of farm industrial. Probably won't work well with my narrow kitchen, but I like it just the same.

[caption id="attachment_693" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From House Beautiful"][/caption]

So simple....

[caption id="attachment_695" align="aligncenter" width="388" caption="From Just Beachy"][/caption]

Great countertop potential for my kitchen redo!

[caption id="attachment_699" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="From Sweet Caroline"][/caption]

I adore this kitchen. So bright and sweet.

[caption id="attachment_701" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="From Country Living"][/caption]

A better possibility for light-fixture idea.

I think you can tell that I'm leaning toward brighter is better...grey/white with splash of color here and there. Just not sure how painting the cabinets grey (as I planned to do) will work out with the reddish/orangey/brownish (is there a singular combo color name for that?) ceramic tile floor. See below. Anyone have ideas?? Thoughts?

This is the Year...

...for a kitchen re-do!  We've certainly been dreaming, waiting, saving over the past year to finally give a little TLC to our functional, yet outdated kitchen.  I'm thinking of turning this....

[caption id="attachment_684" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Our Peach's Kitchen"][/caption]

...into this
[caption id="attachment_686" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Designed by Leslie Ezelle, Season 6 Design Star Contestant"][/caption]

Good idea? Tell me what you think!

Home List of To Dos

A lot on my mind today.  So much to do on our Peach, including:

1. Put up new back patio fence.
2. Renovate kitchen.
3. Paint a mural or place pretty decal on staircase wall.
4. Update living room decor.
5. Clean up and organize home office.
6. Organize all closets.
7. Replace light fixtures in entry and over staircase (kitchen too?)

Almost four years into our Peach, and this list is just the beginning....Other life necessities took precedence to updating our Peach.  And certainly #2 and #4 are going to take some time for more saving.  #2 in particular is a little bit of a dilemma.  It's quite possible that in 2 years, the Hubby and I will transition to a different home.  While we'd love to stay in our Peach for a long time, it just doesn't have the space for us to grow.  So what to do?  Do we shell out the dough and do the full redo shabang (i.e., new layout, new cabinets, new countertops, new appliances)?  Or do we take the minimal approach and simply upgrade countertops and appliances, keeping the cabinets and layout?  Where can we get the most bang for our buck?  Anyone out there with ideas?

For those also planning home renovations out there, I came across this thought-piece that may be of interest from MintLife.

The Kitchen Cure

I've just signed up on a for kitchen-clean-up one-month boot camp..."The Kitchen Cure." Hubby and I want to eat healthier, so I figure, if we organize our small kitchen in a way that makes healthier ingredients and foods accessible, we might just eat better. So---

What is the Kitchen Cure?

The site says, "The Kitchen Cure is a four-week program designed to help you get your kitchen in tip-top shape: Clean, healthy and organized. Naturally, your cooking will improve by becoming more nourishing and satisfying. There's something to learn here for every cook."

"The Kitchen Cure has four main assignments. Each is designed to motivate you to de-clutter, clean, and make your kitchen a more fun and healthy place to cook. You follow along at home, and [Kitchn.com] will give you tips, encouragement, and community support."

"This Kitchen Cure [kicked] off on Friday, February 26th, with [the] first assignment. Each Friday there will be an assignment and you'll have the weekend to get it started. During the week [Kitchn.com] will have tips, tricks, good ideas, and other pieces of inspiration to help you work on that week's Cure assignment."

Alright, I'm a little behind.  The first assignment for last weekend was to clean out the fridge and pantry.  As you know, I'm hoping to renovate our kitchen this year (hopefully)...so de-cluttering is definitely a good first step.  I intend on catching up this weekend!  Wish me luck!