Home Sweet Home

Hello, Dear Friends, in my last post I promised 

to share some photos of my son, Dustin and wife, Jen's 

home remodel. 

Dustin is my youngest and he married Jen in 

2014. Together they bought a 'fixer-upper', built

in the 1980's that had never been updated. 

Over the last two years they have worked and saved 

to remodel their dream home and although they are 

not completely finished (are homes ever really done?), 

I wanted to share with you their most recent project, 

the downstairs, especially the kitchen! 

Here, their fur-baby, Lucky relaxes by the fireplace, 

which was just updated with a new mantel. 

They are faithful Seahawks' fans and invited friends and family

over for their annual Seahawks' party and to see 

the results of their hard work in home improvement. 

Of course the house sported Seahawks' colored 

Christmas lights, too! :)

Here is the 'before and after' of the kitchen. 

Quite a difference, don't you think? 

Let's take a closer look........

So light and bright now! 

No more black appliances......

*****

"Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;

Home-keeping hearts are happiest"

- Henry W. Longfellow -

Jen is an excellent cook (and Dustin has a few

signature dishes of his own), so a serious stove 

was first on the list. 

Marble subway tiles and quartz counters are 

easy to keep clean. 

*****

"I do not understand how anyone can live without

one small place of enchantment to turn to"

- Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings -

*****

"Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,

A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest"

- Robert Montgomery -

Floating shelves and new windows keep things airy and light. 

These were the old windows. 

A deep farmhouse sink is handy for large pots and pans. 

A floating island is perfect for serving, 

food prep and unloading groceries. 

The flooring is new and matches the beams overhead. 

This was the old flooring......very nice, but 

the new floor looks so beautiful. All the trim 

was replaced, too. 

A built-in coffee maker keeps counters 

free from clutter. 

This area in-between the kitchen and dining area

 was changed, too.......

(Photo from DIL, Erica's baby shower in 2015)

Now it looks like this, with a built-in wine cooler

and fridge. 

They collect snowmen :)

Love these.....

The buffet in its new place beside the table. 

You can see the new French door at the end

of the table.

The wine cooler and bar area is just to the right.
They also added recessed lighting in the ceiling. 

Jen's artwork :)

The wall between the dining area and living room was 

opened up and framed in with rustic timbers.

On their list - a new dining set.
This one is from Dustin's bachelor days :)

A new bench by the door. 

Cuteness! 

The new mantel. 

A stocking for Lucky, too :)
They white-washed the old red brick. 

This was the old mantel. 

(During my DIL, Erica's baby shower in 2015)

*****

"Happiness grows at our own firesides, 

and is not to be picked in strangers' gardens"

- Douglas Jerrold -

New window and trim. 

All the windows were original to the house

and were no longer energy efficient. 

Of course, this is a Seahawks' party, so everyone is

appropriately dressed, including this little '12th man' - 

baby grandson, Gavin.  

Right down to the booties which he 

is busily kicking off! 

Uncle Dustin built a kid's fort in the garage,

which Grandpa and little Ethan are checking out. 

He's such a fun Uncle!
There's even Christmas lights draped over it!

Time to eat! 

Homemade chili, meatballs, corn muffins, and lots of nibbles! 

xoxo

So glad you could join our party! 

xoxo

An Irish Blessing for the New Year
*****
May you always have walls for winds,
a roof for the rain,
tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you,
those you love near you,
and all that your heart might desire.
*****
Happy New Year,
Dear Friends!
xoxo