Beauty in the Mess

What else can I say?  I'm a little stressed.  Our household is stressed.  In one home, boxes are piled high, the master bath has been torn apart, and the word clean is hard to define these days.  My cats are less than thrilled.  They wander around totally confused with the clutter.  We sit and stare at each other and wonder when it will all be over.  At the other house, there is dust in every single corner of the house.  Nothing is exempt: walls, inside of cabinets, window sills, screens.  It's all a mess.

Last week I had a major melt down.  Seeing no end in sight, I had convinced myself that I was done.  The planner in me is having a hard time with change and the lingering feeling of being unsettled.  A timeline usually helps with these emotions, but deadlines come and go and feel very dynamic.  There was a moment when I was about to put the new house on the market and unpack all the boxes.  I had reached my limit.

Then, I was reminded by cc (as she so frequently does), of all of our blessings.  Yes, it's a mess, but there are so many things to be thankful for, and when it's all done, we (and the cats) will be so much happier.  We will be one step closer to the life we want to live.  This is what I love about her.  Amidst all the destruction, she still sees the beauty even when I can't see beyond what's in front of me. 

There is an end, I just don't know the date, and I'm thankful for cc for all her reminders.  They make my life a littler sweeter these days. 

Come and visit me over at Inspirations by Ivy this weekend.

To Paint or Not To Paint

Above is the kitchen in the new house.  Disregard the junk.  We haven't moved in and it's a work in progress.  As I mentioned in my previous post about taking the time to choose paint wisely, it's important that the colors have a good flow.  A warm kitchen with a cool living room that share the same space doesn't really work.  Our dilemma is just that, a two toned living space.

I'm eliciting the help of my fellow readers.  I have too much of me in my head and could use an outside opinion.  To paint or not to paint the cabinets?  They are beautiful, but they are just not our style.  We are wrestling with the decision to paint them a lighter color or even just stain them differently.  The floors are going to be stained darker, the walls will be a classic gray, and we are up in the air about the backsplash. 

We are looking for clean and light with a cozy feeling at the same time.  Something similar to the one below, although not quite as starchy. 



image found via DustyLu blog

 What do you think?  Paint them?  Stain?  Or just say what the heck and leave them alone. 

Also, any suggestions on what to replace that hideous light with are welcomed!

5 Reasons To Take Your Time Choosing Paint Colors

Although I'm very excited about the new house, I'm not so excited about painting.  Rather, the process of painting.  We could contract the work, but we have the time and why spend the money when you can do it yourself, right?

The hardest part has been choosing paint colors.  I've never seen so many shades of gray.  I've learned a few lessons about choosing colors wisely, which really means, I've already made mistakes.  I'm in a rush.  Not because I have to be, but because it's my nature to get started on a project and finish it soon.  An unfinished project leaves me emotionally unsettled. 

The agony in hastily selecting the palette is what led me to the following five reasons about slowing down.

1.  When you think you've picked the right color from a 1'' x 1'' square and you buy a gallon of it without trying a sample on the wall first, you might kick yourself later when it is not the right color.  NON-REFUNDABLE

2.  Choosing paint in the location in which it will be on the walls is vital.  Your light is completely different than that of the store. 

3.  Take into consideration the flow of the house.  Choosing a cool color in the living and turning around to see a warm colored kitchen doesn't look appealing.

4.  Oil based enamel is a bitch to paint the first time, let alone twice.

5.  When you take the time to Kilz entire walls, bookcases, and a fireplace, repainting is not an option. 

Nonetheless, my painting duties have been stripped from me.  It has been decided that my paint skills are less than adequate and I've been banished to packing.  I really am a better packer and cc is a much better painter, so it works out for the best.

I will be thankful when it's all complete.  Not just because I hate painting, but because I'm ready to move in.  The excitement is building and I almost can't stand it!