Boxes and Boxes and more Boxes!!!

I'm not posting a pic because, well quite frankly, it's a bloody mess. BOXES everywhere! With, pathways ;)

Ahhhh.....The joys of a whole house reno.......

Score! Ck out these ubber groovey Eastlake (era) Teardrop Pulls I just got!

YAY!
I've been wanting some of these for a project here in our Reno. I say they are Eastlake (era), due to the fact the I've not received them as yet! But either way, they will be a FAB bonus!
If I don't use them in our Reno, be sure I'll be using them in a project or 2+

Price: $53.00
Source: Ebay *listed as Eastlake* (we'll see, when they get here)

Surviving a 1956 whole house DIY reno, on a VERY TIGHT shoestring budget

Here's what we've learned so far:

1.  We are certifiably insane, but many of our *MY* friends, already knew and know this
2.  Ask for help, when truly needed, it will always be given, usually for free, however bartering is worth it's weight in Gold
3.  Keep the communication flowing, not the dishes flying
4.  Multi-Task Projects, as many as possible
5.  Set up "Zones".
     A. First Zone? A pathway through the chaos, helps to prevent 'accidents' in the dark, that could put you out of commission for who knows how long. And downtime is NOT an option. :)
     B. Second Zone? A place to prep and eat. It's OK to cook in 1 pan and eat out of it! Pretend like you're on a Reality Roughing It Camping Show!
     C. Third Zone? The bedroom. Just say NO to boxes etc. in there...For NOW. This little space is your link to each other and staying sane.
6.  Take a LOT of Before, During, & After Pictures. Then look at them often. It's surprising just how far & how fast things progress. Totally an adrenaline rush to keep pushing on!
7.  Never let anyone over to "SEE" how you're doing. For one thing, they may get injured, for another.....well let's just say, they can wait to see the Before, During and After Pictures and THEN come over for the Final Reveal. Meet them at their house instead!
8.  When things go wrong, and they will! Just sit down, laugh it off and get back on that Pony!
9.  Put the Credit Cards in the Safety Deposit Box, or in some water and freeze those bad boys.  You'll learn to become an extremely thrifty shopper and think outside of the box.
10. If you have a resale #/Tax ID, USE IT! It will save you TONS of $$
11. Check your homeowners insurance policy and make sure you have enough liability. Just in case you have "help". The last thing you want is to get sued by someone who is "helping" you.
Finally?
Try to stay positive, no matter what anyone tells you on anything you're doing. Some folks are just Negative Passive Aggressive People and Naysayers. But? They could be in therapy and 'working on it' and after all, they are your friends and noone is perfect. So just roll with it!
OH, and try not to drink too much. It really cuts into the Production Workday *-)

Right Margins are off?

Well I have no idea WHY they are so off, so if anyone can tell me, I'd appreciate it!

South 47th: I'm thinking of Copper

South 47th: I'm thinking of Copper

I'm thinking of Copper

I found my decades old super stash of Copper eclectic goodies of which I attempted to photograph and my camera died. BUT! It got me thinking about our kitchen.... Do I REALLY want Stainless Steel (again)?
Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel...Blah, Blah, Blah.  OVERDONE. For ME. Everyone else still loves it, but I want a new look!!

Copper. Ohhh the Patina, the Antimicrobial factor, the forgotten Metal. Yep, that's the one for me!
But hot damn it's pricey!!

So I've been sourcing like a madwomen and I've found some winners that are now at our cottage.

Noooo they aren't installed yet, but they're HERE!

Here is the Copper Double Bowl Sink:

OK, well THAT isn't here.....YET! But it WILL BE!

Here is the faucet:

That IS here and it's FAB!  It swings to both sides of the sink and I love the white porcelain diddy on the handle.

Here is the Cabinet Hardware that will going on White Cabs: (Yep it's here too)

Here is the floor tile that will be placed in the middle of the kitchen floor to mimic a rug. The surrounding floor area will be white painted subfloor with a Marine Urethane finish, you know, the kind used for boats, Lord knows I'll need that!:

The Countertops are being painted white and finished with a eco friendly frugal Gloss Poly, OR the same Marine Finish as the floors, if we have enough.

The backsplash is the regular ole' White Gloss Subway Tiles

The ceiling I was thinking of doing in those foam Copper tiles: (Teeny pic but didn't enlarge worth a hoot)

But thought that I was getting just a wee bit Copper Crazy, so those aren't going up. Especially after Kurt has painted the kitchen and every main wall. I just thought it was a waste and would be overdone. So I have the samples and I'm meditating, thinking creatively on just what to do with them.

So I pondered, and pondered on just WTH to DO with that kitchen ceiling with the weird placed light and the Alien heat/air round thingy. Here is what I came up with:

Yep it's a shiny one, compared to everything else, but I wanted some BLING to detract from the Alien heat/air round thingy and to distract the eye away from the oh so weird ceiling light.
And NO we can't afford to move the wiring. THAT? is a whole 'nother story~! 
So now all of my Copper Pots & Pans (which btw are from my newly found forgotten stash) can hang down in all their new glory!

The Appliances, of which there are only 2, Stove and Fridge, are white.

So, what do you think of my Copper Crazed Kitchen?

Think I'll be able to still maintain the "Cottage Look"????

Or have I fallen off the recognizable Grid? ;)

Paint is Up!

YaY!  Paint is up on the main walls, FINALLY!  Now the trim will be tackled, crown molding and baseboards will follow. 
The paint colour is Snowbound by Sherwin Williams, ceiling is in Ceiling White non tinted, by Sherwin Williams.  The trim will be Moon Rise by Sherwin Williams. I chose these colours because the room lacks natural light and this brightens it up.
All paint is Sherwin Williams Emerald brand which is low on VOC and also has an odor eater built in, which is cool. I've gotta say, the coverage and pigmentation is superb! 
We saved a TON of cash by buying all paint needed, as well as primer when Sherwin Williams had the 40% off sale. The regular price per gallon was $60 bucks, so we got the top of the line paint at a FAB savings.
Here are some pic's!

I'll keep updating as the crown molding and baseboards go up!

We also have taken down all of the kitchen cabs and Kurt is almost finished sanding them Whooooo!