Friday, July 31, 2009

BLONDIE TAKES A LITTLE VACATION!!

Oh!!! Do I wish I looked this good!! Look at that little sarong! I definitely would need a bigger sarong. And the beach ball...Much bigger to hide behind!! In any event, I'm off for a wee vacation in Michigan. Some leisurely days at the cottage, floating on a raft, napping in the Summerhouse with the dogs and sitting under the palm trees (plants), reading a book. One of my very favorite things to do is take the boat out with The Husband to the far end of the lake where there is no traffic (and there really isn't any during the week) and we just drift, no anchor. He fishes and I read and it is so quiet and peaceful. The only time the silence is broken is when he catches a fish and that rarely happens.
We are going to get away for 3 days and travel up the coast of Lake Michigan to a little resort town called Ludington. This is the Bed & Breakfast I chose to stay at. It is right smack in town around all the shopping and restaurants and just a short walk to the beaches, which are supposed to be just pristine. Oh, I can't wait to collect shells now that I've decided to give the cottage a bit of a coastal look!

I am boarding Milo and Layla for the first time. I found a nice place called Whispering Pines which is on 23 acres in the country. The owners actually enjoy playing with the dogs in a fenced in yard and they live on the property so they get 24 hour care. I think my little pups are going to have a little vacation of their own!

I promised to show a bit more of the kitchen even though it is not completed. What I really want you to see is a custom made wall of cabinets that Resident Carpenter and I designed.
This is what you see if you are seated at the bar/counter that divides the kitchen from the great room. I wanted my refrigerator enclosed. I kept my appliances as they were perfectly good and of course, white. All of the cabinets are done in Painted Turtle by Behr. These cabinets and cupboards make up a half octagonal shape on this wall. Not only did I want storage space, I wanted to display some things as well.


This side cabinet opens up on the top and the bottom...



The next set of cabinets have two glass panes that open in the middle and although I don't have the shelves or trim in, I will be able to use this upper cabinet for display. RC put a piece of the tin ceiling in for the back and I don't like it. I don't know what I will do with it, paint it for sure, but what color?




Now you can see that the whole door opens up into a cabinet!! How cool is this?? It is like a hidden door!. My hardware is not on yet, I chose brushed nickel knobs and pulls to match my sink faucet and knobs. Isn't this ingenious? Well, this is all that I am going to show for now because there is so much more work to do and I would rather have you all see it when it is completed. Let me know what you think!





I mentioned that I finally pulled out my new front porch furniture and The Husband assembled all but for the coffee table. I found these cushions on Overstock.com and they came in a set of three for about $60.00. After looking everywhere for cushions that I liked, in the right size and at a reasonable price, I think I hit the jackpot. I love them!! Now look at the pillows...






I found these at that mansion/flower shop/antique store in White Pigeon last weekend. There were pillows EVERYWHERE!! They were all handmade by a 90 year old woman. Boy, does she have her groove or what??! Zillions of colors and patterns. I bought a neck roll for my bed that has pearls and crystals and all sorts of bling. Handmade and only $23.00!! The pillows at Target cost more! She IS good!! And you know I am going to the big sale there on the 6th. Whoo Hoo! I am renting a U~Haul!!







They match my furniture cushions perfectly!








And I leave you with a parting shot of the day lily's that I have planted around this front porch. They even match the furniture. This was a happy accident, I was simply looking for pink.

So off we go tonight. I am doing a ton of laundry (again) and running some errands, but otherwise I am ready!! Happy dance!! And wherever Blondie goes, so does the laptop so I will be in touch and post some pic's.

Have a great weekend! :-)

xoxo
Jane







35 comments:

Karin said...

Hi Blondie,
I really enjoy your blog and I love your awesome sense of humor! I live about an hour north of Ludington and we spent a week there when the kids were little. I've always wanted to go back and stay in one of their lovely Victorian Bed & Breakfasts. The lighthouse is pretty cool too.
I wish you and your Hubbie a relaxing weekend.

Karin
dirndl_919@yahoo.com

Joanne said...

Hi Jane - have a great vacation. I look forward to getting to know more about you when you get back.

Stacey said...

Hi Jane! I'm jealous that you are getting away. Sounds wonderful.

Your patio furniture and cushions is beautiful. Love it all. :)

Lori E said...

When we would put our dog in a kennel it was called Deb's Doggie Vacations and she would go crazy (the dog, not Deb)there. It would take me days to get the mud out of her coat from them frolicking in the horse fields. I think she always had a better holiday than we did for sure. Not that I wanted to play in the mud.
Your cupboards are fab. How ingenious. I look forward to seeing more. I will pass this one on to my husband for our cabin.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see more of your kitchen..it is just going to be beautiful. You always find the best bargains Janie. I have a cushion fetish and I am drooling right now. Your vacation sounds wonderfully romantic. I hope you have a relaxing time with your husband. May he hook a big one.
XOSue

Ashley ~ said...

Hey GF*! I just popped over to see what you were up to, and to say thank you for the visits and sweet comments. It always makes my day*! Hope you have a great weekend*! (((hugs)) _Ashley*

Domestic Designer said...

The kitchen looks great and I love those cushions! Have a great vacation!

bj said...

I'm totally in love with your kitchen cabinets. Love the color, too. You did good!
Have fun in that B&B...it looks devine.
See ya when you get back, all rested and glowy!!
xo bj

2 Dogs said...

The porch furniture and cushions are lovely. I hope you have a wonderful trip and have lots to share with us when you get back.

I went to Lowe's this summer looking for another pot but have not seen any. I would love to have another. I must have gotten the very last one.

Big hugs dear!

Lynn said...

A lobotomy! You are so funny!
I live your hidden doors!
Have a great weekend!

Susie Q said...

You are so funny Jane..I love that in a woman! *laugh*
have a wonderful vacation! Welove bed and breakfast inns...take lots of pictures!!
Your patio set looks so pretty and the cushions and pillows are really lovely...great colors!
The cabinets are to roll over and die for! Wow! Love them!

Have fun!
Love,
Sue

Floss said...

Hi, Blondie - have a great break!

Thanks very much for stopping by my blog. I'm really delighted that what's growing between our stones on the path looks good to you, as it's just whatever grows in our excuse for a lawn! The paths were there when we moved in, which is what really amuses me - the previous owners (French airforce people) had already set the 'English Cottage Garden' theme for us.

In southern France our lawn dies off every summer (we don't use sprinklers for financial and environmental reasons). After years of neglect when the previous owners were posted around the country, most of the grass in our lawn has been replaced by green plants which are more at home in the dryness. Of course, that's quite a good thing in some ways, as the best gardens make use of what grows naturally in an area. So that's what's growing between the stones of our path!

I don't know what kills lavender - it has always grown well for me both in the UK and now in France. Perhaps a very hard winter could kill it, or perhaps, as you say, your soil has the wrong pH. I look forward to learning more about your life and your garden now I've fouind your blog.

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your lake house kitchen is going to be so pretty. I love your cabinet style and how you designed functional space while also having display space.

Your new cushions are so pretty and the pillows that you found coordinate perfectly.

Enjoy your week at the lake and your time at the B&B.

Kat said...

Have a great trip Jane! The B&B that you chose looks wonderful. Sounds like a nice relaxing vacation and can't we all use one of those. I love the cushions you bought for your garden furniture. And that cabinet is beautiful! What a creative way to surround the frig and disply some of your pretties. Have fun! Kathy

Anne Marie said...

wow!! what a great design! you should go to home depot with that idea....or Thomasville.....

awesome! I love concealed spaces -
and cute pillow too....

thanks for you sweet comment (loved it)

Unknown said...

Blondie,
OMG, those kitchen cabinets are amazing, I love the windows and the white tin on the lining, and Look how it opens again.

When we lived in Toronto we used to vacation in Lake Huron overlooking Lake Michigan. The sunsets were magnificent.

I hope that you have a lovely time.

Karen

Anonymous said...

Jane - your blog is delightfully beautiful! I love the kitchen cabinets. I have a very small kitchen, but we make it work for now. I would love to cook in yours! Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my blog. I do so appreciate you! ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
Looks like fun! Hubby and I have been to Ludington several times as the ferry(ss badger) in Wisc. goes to Ludington. I love that little town, so coastal and pretty! The cabinets look wonderful and I so love your new porch furniture and pillows! Hugs Cindy

SmilingSally said...

You have some excellent ideas with your custom cabinetry! I love, love, love that hidden door. I actually was disappointed when I read that was it for today's post. I wanted to see more! Enjoy your time on the lake.

I sure can't say my first paragraph fast!

June said...

I was so excited to get your sweet message. Yes, I do feel that we are kindred spirits. I love reading people's profiles and I couldn't believe how many ways we were alike. I hope you have a wonderful time at that lovely B&B. It sounds like so much fun, the only thing I didn't care for was the going out in the boat. I don't do water well.
I love those cushions you bought for your furniture. I've been hunting for a lovely floral like this myself.
Your kitchen is looking great and I can't wait for the finish. I'll bet you can't either!
Smiles,
June

Elaine said...

Have a nice time at the B&B. I love staying at B&Bs. You meet the nicest people there.

Enjoying your playlist as I read your post.

Your new porch furniture looks like my
bistro set that I am using in my kitchen. Very pretty!

Have a wonderful vacation.

Kathleen Grace said...

I love the display cabinet that you designed, it's like a secret door!I think the tin ceiling panels look great, maybe once you get some display items inside you will like it better? I hope you have a wonderful time in Ludington, we prefer B&B's to hotels because of the beautiful decor and wonderful hosts and breakfasts. So much fun:>)

Knitty said...

I love what you are doing in your kitchen! Wow, just wow!

Our first anniversary (33 years ago!) was spent in a cabin near Ludington. We went for ice cream to The House of Flavors. Many years later during Operation Dessert Storm, my kids and I wrote letters to "any soldier", a project that was popular then. One that responded was from Ludington. I replied that I had fond memories of the area, including the ice cream shop. He has worked there as a teen. It really is a small world when someone from the eastside of MI writes to an unknown soldier in the Persian Gulf and reminisces about a shop in Ludington. :)

Your day lily is gorgeous and a perfect match.

Have a wonderful vacation!

Sue said...

Hi Jane, How nice that you will be taking a little break and some R & R. Take lots of pics! Your kitchen cabinets look great in that color- I need to go check it out. That tin-backed "secret" cabinet door is so clever- just paint it a color that accents the rest of your decor in that area. Have a great time! Sue

Dana and Daisy said...

now we all know where you will hide the cookies!

very beautiful cabinets! Can't wait to see thw hole reveal. Have a wonderful relaxing time at the cottage!

love, Dana

Barb said...

Jane, I hope you have a wonderful, restful, peaceful and totally blessed time. Just rest and do nothing. I will be thinking of you, you sweet thing!!

Hugs, Barb :-)

Sharing with Sherri said...

Hi Jane,

I hope you are enjoying your vacation!
I just wanted to stop by to say hi, and thank you so much for stopping by and and leaving me such a thoughtful message of encouragement. I so appreciated your prayers too!
I'm happy to say that both Mom and sister are doing better:)

I'm really looking forward to watching the process of kitchen makeover! I really would like to do mine too, and need some inspiration!!

Thanks again! TTYL,
Sherri:)

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The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Well, do enjoy yourself on your vacation - we're sure you will!!
Love the kitchen - you think of such great ideas! Those pillows....seriously? 90? Now that's what we want to do when we're 90 --making lovely pillows & keeping busy!

Kathleen said...

Hi Jane,
Loved the pictures of your cottage, looks so comfy!
The cabinets are wonderful!
I used to have a RC too, but he retired so now I have to pay! He used to do everything...redid our
beach cottage top top bottom..but now he is very selective...and I wait forever!
Have a good time at the B&B, looks sweet!

Neabear said...

What a great idea for the cabinet in the kitchen!! I can't wait to see it all finished!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie, you did a great job with those cabinets, and I love the color, too! Way to go!

And WooHoo about your cushions, girl! And if that pillow goes missing, it might just be in a magpie nest.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

Oh how awesome! I live in and am from Michigan :) I used to go to Ludington all the time with my grandparents when I was little. I miss it so much!! Love your lakehouse!!!
Hugs,
Amy

Anonymous said...

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