Ali's Kitchen - just about done!!!

How does one execute a kitchen gut job for under $3000?

You don't. You go over budget a bit, do it right, once, and finish up for just under $4000. BUT! For under $4000, the Olsen family have an enitrely renovated kitchen. WOW!

Ask Ali about reusing some of her appliances. Then ask all the free/cheap labor she got (me, and uncle, and a contractor from church who took pity on her). Then ask the people on Craigslist she bought appliances from. Then ask the lady at Home Depot who gave her and inside scoop on clearance laminate countertops. Then ask about cheap materials, tricks with paint, borrowing tools, snagging flooring deals, and poof! A clean, beuatiful, functional kitchen on a shoe string budget.

Next: decorating and staging. Perhaps a hanging pot rack for the wall right of the fridge. Ali's already working on curtains with Stephi-approved fabric. Light fixture for Dining nook is - I think - on order. Everything is finally falling into place...

Here's the bones!

The Wendy Project - Progress Report

First floor is aaaaalmost done being painted - or as I accidentally said in character, "Some stuff still needs painted." Oy. I hope I can learn to turn down the theatrical side of me and adopt the contractor skills without the lingo.

Take a look, buyers!

My Little Obsession and a Small Tribute to a Sister

It's the little things that remind me of being back in California, like fresh, warm from the sun, garden tomatoes. I pick some basil, and it snaps with moisture. It garnishes the succulent buffalo mozzarella I splurge on at the grocery store. Some salt, fresh-cracked pepper, EVOO, and balsamic vinegar, and poof! I have my favorite Summer snack.

I also sometimes add thinly sliced bell pepper (any color but green - yuck), and sprinkle goat cheese instead of mozz, thyme sprigs instead of basil. Easy on the balsamic for this one.



Admittedly, every time I pop one of these sugary, hot tomatoes in my mouth - not even bothering to wash them since I know exactly where they've been - I think of my little sister, Charlee, and my mouth turns sad.



I miss my sisters, and when I eat garden fresh tomatoes, I think of Charlee - born to be a grandmother before anything else in life - and her millions of tomatoes in our Dad's side yard. I remember enjoying/resenting those massive bags of surplus tomatoes she'd bring me and I'd attempt not to waste. I miss her guilt trips if she saw the bag just sitting on my counter, days later. I miss her unnecessarily detailed stories - epic tales - about how each tomato has been doing, how the sun was treating them, etc. She never hesitates to pour her soul into everything she does. There is no such thing as pacing for her, nor withholding. She is a 20-something granny with the gusto of a freedom fighter, even in her vegetable garden.

And you could taste those feelings in each of a million freaking tomatoes, osmosis transference of Charlee. Miss you, Tuggi.

The Wendy Project: Staging and Painting for a San Diego Move

I'll be painting and staging their entire 4 floor house for their soon approaching move to beautiful San Diego. While I don't want to condone their leaving, I'm excited to take on such an ambitious project!

Here's the first wave of befores, for your critique and enjoyment:

Random room between kitchen and Breakie nook, just off dining (goal: purpose this room as a traditional butler's pantry using a buffet piece, paint, and lighting):










The first of a trend - dark blue kitchen (goal: lighten and brighten with paint, light, and decluttering):








The jersey cream yellow living room (goal: emphasize moldings, built-in's, entry way, and fireplace):










The cobalt blue dining room (goal: emphasize moldings, built-ins, and chandelier):












What has now been deemed the Breakfast Nook (goal: give purpose to blank canvas by adding family breakie room):

Ali's Kitchen Update

Stuff's happening... or rather, "Steph's" happening. :D

Check it out!