A while back, I did a v-log about the fabulocity of my writing binder. Sadly, I’ve had to put that notebook aside for a few weeks, while I work to restore order to the chaos I call my kitchen. But I’ve been assembling a pretty notebook for my remodeling project, which is all kinds of fun. (Would anyone other than another writer understand how much I loved buying a new binder, index dividers, gel pens and paper?) And now, ta da, I’ve got colorful tabs for each of the contractors, products, and services I’m using, plus pictures of everything we’ve ordered. Wanna see a few samples?
My new cabinets will look like this (scroll down to the Praline finish).
I chose Antique Brown (Brazilian) granite for my countertops (chunks of deep chocolate brown with irridescent , silvery streaks and flecks of black). There’s no way to capture the look of stone exactly, but this picture comes close. To the naked eye, the separation lines aren’t as obvious; you have to tilt it into the light to see all the color variations. If you’re a rock hound and want to see an extreme close-up of the color variations, here you go.
I’ve decided on a 4′ tumbled travertine backsplash, with an occasional granite insert. In real life, the tile’s not quite as pinkish as this picture.
My new tile floors wil tie all the kitchen colors and textures together. Hmmm, did you notice that I didn’t show you pictures of our new appliances? Could that be a clue to their relative importance in my kitchen?
For those of you who might be wondering what I’m up to on the writing front, here’s a representative sample of my progress for the past few weeks:
Not surprising, all things considered. This week, though, I should finally be able to sit down work on the chapter I started a few weeks back. Oh, and I think I’ll sketch out a scene about prayer cloths…lately, I’ve been thinking about them a lot.
Oh, Melodye, your kitchen is going to be beautiful! I especially love the granite you chose for your countertops. You must be looking forward to it being all done.
Good luck in getting into the writing zone again. I know how hard it is when you haven’t been able to write for a little while. Hope you have a great week!
Thanks so much for the encouraging words and the beautiful butterfly.
I’ve struggled with getting my momentum back today, but little by little, I’m crawling out of the ditch. YAY for forward motion! How are *you* doing?
I’m pretty good! July was a busy month and I didn’t get any writing done, just some revising, brainstorming and a bit of worldbuilding. I’m still revising my chapter book, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and worked on it for about an hour and a half yesterday. I really feel like I made some good progress. Yay!
I can’t believe August is here already, but I’ve had a great summer with my family so far. Today was New Brunswick day, so hubby had the day off which was nice. We spent a quiet and relaxing day together. I love those kind of days. *grin*
Glad to hear that you’re starting to get back into it. Just you wait and see–you’ll be writing up a storm in no time!
Your kitchen is going to be gorgeous!
I am not surprised you haven’t gotten much writing done. I am tryinig to squeeze work into a busy summer schedule that doesn’t even include construction!!
Hope the kitchen progresses quickly!
Thanks for the compliment — it means all the more because it’s coming from an actual artist.
Sorry you’ve had to put so much time into the remodel, but it looks wonderful! I laughed at the picture of your progress. That’s been me all summer.
Thanks for the note–I hope to meet you at another conference. You would have been such a welcome treat here. We missed you.
((KIM)) Don’t make me cry. I wanted so bad to meet you there! Are you going to any other conferences during this next year?
Now that you’re home and my kitchen’s (somewhat) under control, we can encourage each other to start writing again, ‘kay?
I can’t wait to see the ‘after’ pics!
Ha! That might be a while. But at least almost everything’s ordered, so now I can concentrate more on my writing.
Oooh, you will LOVE Kraftmaid cabinets!! I think I actually have the same ones you are picking!! If not, they are similar. Lowes & Home Depot give them different names even though they are both kraftmaid. I chose the Cognac finish– I almost did Praline too! It’s such a pretty shade!! I know it will be beautiful in your kitchen.
Mandy
No way we have the same cabinets! Seriously, how cool is that! Don’t you love the food/beverage names?
Pretty choices, especially the granite.
The link about prayer cloths was interesting.
Thank you! I like the granite a lot…it’s really different than most I’ve seen, which is especially cool.
My dad used to give away prayer cloths to people who wrote in after listening to his radio broadcasts. Intriguing concept, isn’t it?
The kitchen stuff is looking good!
Now let’s have at least 100 words a day from you for a whole week.
Yes’m! I’m going for more than that, but I’ll take what I can get. Thanks for the gentle (ahem) prodding.
Happy writing, Melodye! You were missed this last weekend, by many!
Thanks, Meg. That means so much to me. I really, really wanted to come, but the timing wasn’t right (on the kitchen flood, not the conference). Thanks for posting pictures, so I could at least see my friends having fun.
Your kitchen is going to be great!
And I find the binder funny… I see a little Type-A’ness shining through there.
I can’t wait to see the pics of your new kitchen. I am sure it’s going to be wonderful.
And fear not, you’ll get back into the swing of writerly things right quick.
Me, type A? Where’s the plus sign??!! ha ha ha
I’m trying to get my mojo back today…it’s slow going, but at least I’m back on the road. Thanks for the encouragement.
LOL… Type A+++++!!! Is that better? lol…
You’ll get your mojo back and come roarin’ back strong. I’m sure of it!
Good luck with the remodeling. Sounds like a lot of work. I can’t wait to read some more of the book though, so hurry back!
It *IS* a lot of work, but in the end, it’ll be worth it! Hey, I missed you at PFL. If a miracle happens, I’ll bring something to read on Thursday. Big if. See you at the new Borders?
So, Melodye, between you and me and the LJ world, is the decorating fun at all and even a bit inspiring?
What you’ve chosen is beautiful, and your writing will soon follow…..
Absolutely, it’s a lot of fun. The hard part is having to make all these decisions in such a hurry. I’d have preferred the oppportunity to savor each and every decision. But on the bright side, I’ll soon have a beautiful new kitchen.
And thanks so much for the encouragement about the writing. I tried for a jump-start today and feel like my momentum’s coming back. Vrrrrooommmmm (well, not yet, but that’s the goal. lol)
Well! It sounds like your keys are in the engine!! Better than hiding inside w/ the car sitting alone out in the driveway…..
Thanks so much! That means a lot coming from you — I’ve so enjoyed seeing all your home transformations!
Yikes…sorry about your delayed order. How frustrating that must be, to choose something you really love, and then to have to wait and wait and wait. Hmmm…do you have any leverage if the tiles don’t arrive? Are they channeled through an American middleman?
The praline finish you have chosen is so pretty. I also like the cashmere glaze. I love your Microsoft Word page – very funny. Can’t wait to see more pic’s, including ones of The Binder.
Just gorgeous, Em… whoops, Melodye! I wish I was getting a new kitchen. Now let me think – what if… what if… book deal? Am I dreaming?
LOL! Pretty soon, you’ll get your new kitchen, I just know it. Hang in there ’til that fabulous book deal happens. You DON’T want to have to remodel the way I did…restoring order from chaos after a flood’s not my idea of fun. BUT, I’ll sure enjoy the new kitchen when everything’s put back together…