Kitchen Cabinet Dilemma

Mike and I are beyond excited to actually move into our new home!  We are only days (possibly today or tomorrow) away!  Naturally, I've been stuck in the universe that is Pinterest and Houzz, looking for ideas for our new place.  My plan is to get the girls' rooms done and then RELAX a bit.  There is so much I want to do to the house, but first I want to take a breather.  My spring project will be the kitchen/dining room/family room.  Right now, it is pretty outdated.  The cabinets are dark, the paint is dark, the wood paneling in the family room is dark.  I need to lighten it up a bunch!  For as long as I've been collecting Pottery Barn catalogs, and from way back in the day when I was probably the only 15-year-old subscribing to Metropolitan Home magazine, I've wanted white kitchen cabinets.  When I lived in an apartment, I obviously couldn't paint them.  When we moved into the Bolton house, everyone raved about how wonderful my beautiful oak cabinets were (gag!) Now, I'm painting them!  They are mine and they aren't "beautiful oak."  BUT, do I keep them painted white, or do I glaze them?  Do I go with stark white or opt for an antique white? Here are some of my inspiration photos, courtesy of Houzz.com, of course!

Traditional Kitchen design by San Francisco Architect Arch Studio, Inc.

Traditional Kitchen design by Minneapolis Architect Murphy & Co. Design

Traditional Kitchen design by Burlington Architect Smith & Vansant Architects PC

Traditional Kitchen design by Austin General Contractor Redbud Custom Homes

Mediterranean Kitchen design by Boston Kitchen And Bath Artisan Kitchens LLC

Contemporary Kitchen design by San Francisco General Contractor Dijeau Poage Construction

This is a good glazed example:

Traditional Kitchen design by Birmingham General Contractor Structures, Inc.

Traditional Kitchen design by Chicago Interior Designer Claudia Martin, ASID

Traditional Kitchen design by Chicago Kitchen And Bath The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn

Traditional Kitchen design by Other Metros Design-build Witt Construction

Here is an antique white:

Eclectic Kitchen design by New York Architect Ben Herzog

Traditional Kitchen design by New York Architect Crisp Architects

Traditional Kitchen design by Other Metros Design-build Witt Construction

I think this next one is one of my favorites.  It is also very representative of how my three areas all blend into one.

Traditional Kitchen design by San Francisco Architect James Madson

Traditional Kitchen design by Raleigh Interior Designer Southern Studio Interior Design

Here is another glazed example:

Traditional Kitchen design by Chicago Kitchen And Bath Kitchens By Julie

This next is also a big favorite.  I like the wall color with the white cabinets in this next photo.

Traditional Kitchen design by Seattle Kitchen And Bath Kayron Brewer, CKD / Studio KB

Eclectic Kitchen design by Minneapolis Interior Designer Vivid Interior Design - Danielle Loven

Contemporary Kitchen design by Other Metros General Contractor Weaver Custom Homes

The next one is a little TOO white, but I do love those drum lights, no?

Contemporary Kitchen design by San Francisco General Contractor Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

Traditional Home Office design by San Francisco Interior Designer Kathleen Burke Design

After looking through the photos again, I think I'm leaning a little toward the white or antique white cabinets instead of the glazed.  I know that the glazed look would hide a lot of the fingerprints and dirt, but I think that I could stay on top of it and keep them looking nice... I don't know!  What do you think?

Shanterest: Valentine's Day Edition

Because the good 'ol people I work for resemble the front side of a horse walking backwards, I no longer get to browse through Pinterest on my breaks.  I have every intention of getting on in the evenings, but I am the busiest person in Indiana these days.  No sarcasm in that last statement at all.  You'll be glad to know that I pulled every last piece of crap useful, totally worth saving, treasure out from underneath the basement steps and am now in the process of organizing said crap treasure.  I'll post on that later.  Right now, we have some business to tend to.  It's what I like to call Shanterest!  If I was able to pin, this is what would be hitting my boards for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Edition



BOARD: For the Kiddos

Printable Valentine Crown from Skip to my Lou

BOARD: Gifts

Oven Mitt Treat Gift from The East Carolinian

I originally got this idea from my friend, Melissa.  Thanks for such a neat idea, Melissa!!

BOARD: Holidays

Butterfly Card from Disney FamilyFun

BOARD: Food to Try

Cupid's Cupcakes from Disney FamilyFun

BOARD: Fashion

scarlet by htotheb featuring a heart necklace

Scarlet from htotheb via Polyvore

Resolutions for the New Year

Speaking of perfection, let's take a look at those 2011 New Years Resolutions, shall we?

1. Cross something off of my Life List - DONE! Actually, I crossed two things (#30 and #14) off my list this year and added two more people to #23!
2. Lose 5-7 pounds - Yeah... Not even close. I unfortunately weighed in at 6½ lbs. heavier than January 1, 2011... ugh. 
3. Get my freakin' family room ceiling fixed! - DONE! See the renovation here! 
4. Read 40 books - I was SO close!  I finished book #33 on December 30. 
5. Complete my 2010 Project Life album - Hahaha!! Yeah right! Hahahaha!!!

Because I enjoy setting myself up for failure goals for myself, I've compiled a nice, organized list of resolutions for the new year.  I present to you:

My Resolutions for 2012

1. Cross something else off of my Life List
2. Reach my goal weight and maintain it (within 2½ lbs.) throughout the year
3. Sell my house and move into our dream home
4. Read 40 books... including a re-read from high school!
5. Get caught up on the girls' birthday scrapbooks and our wedding scrapbook (finally!)
6. Live one day at a time
7. Don't sweat the small stuff
8. Make someone's day :o)
9. Do what I love!
10. Draw something again.

I know, I know... Not much change.  But, considering how badly I failed last year, I believe these are very good resolutions! - UPDATE: I added 6-10 later after thinking that I need to set goals to make me a better me!  Sometimes I get too caught up in life and everything involved in it.  I need to learn to live in the moment more.  Now, let's see how successful I can be at that!

So, what is your number one resolution for 2012?  If you need help setting goals for yourself, check out this site: http://moninavelarde.com/newyears/  It's pretty cool :o) 

Happy New Year!