NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Renovation progress report – week 54

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Back to the progress in week 54. While we haven’t worked much since vacation, there are a few things I haven’t shared yet.

The biggest change – our new kitchen tile.

(We’re planning to install open shelving in between the windows.)

Ryan finished installing the backsplash and grouting the tile. I really like it. It’s just a classic white subway tile with a simple edger.

Ryan wasn’t thrilled with the grey grout because the installation has to be perfect and the it was difficult to get all the grout removed from the tile. But, I really like the contrast with the white tile so I think it was worth the effort. (Easy for me to say.)

Thanks to your suggestions (specifically from Sara and Emily), I moved the furniture around in the living room and I like it much better. I love getting your design help! It’s one of the best parts of blogging, I think.

I moved the large chairs under the window and I think it opens up the room a lot.

It’s a seriously huge room. I know some of you (I’m talking to you, Anonymous) didn’t like the large scale of the furniture, but it’s so comfortable and the room is so big that anything smaller would be lost. So, I’m happy with it at this point.

And I love having a coffee table. It’s something I’ve really missed in our current living room.

And what do you think of our makeshift sofa table?
I love it. I got it from Craigslist ages ago and I think it has found it’s home (for now). And it actually works as a sewing machine, which makes it that much better.

So that’s the week in review. Not much, I know. But that’s life.

What do you think?

Comments

  1. Love everything you’ve done, looks great. My husband and I have just purchased our first remodel. We are using a lot of reclaimed materials but I am stumped on paint colors. I love the colors you’ve chosen, can you tell me what they are. We are leaning towards neutrals with a bit of color/undertones. Thanks!

  2. I think you should paint the fireplace brick white. It would lighten up the heaviness of the room. It looks heavy and dark with the dark, large size furniture.

  3. Ah! I LOVE the sewing table! It’s super-duper-amazing. I think the furniture looks great in that layout. The coffee table is perfect for your style too.

    Oh, and just in case you think I’m some creepy blog stalker today: We had some problems with the server at work yesterday and apparently in the insanity someone forgot to reinstall the social media blockers, so I’m doing some blog catch up. YAAAY!

  5. I am loving your kitchen! You can’t go wrong with subway tile, and it looks great with the wal color.

    Jealous of the coffee table too – and it even has storage! We can’t really fit one in our little living room right now because of the awkward chaise sofa. Boo.

  6. Love the subway tile – looks fantastic! Totally worth all the hard work for the grey grout too 🙂 Glad to see you finally found a furniture arrangement for the living room you are happy with too! That antique sewing machine is an awesome sofa table – so cool 🙂

  7. Hi Kim! Your kitchen (and house) looks amazing! I’ve followed your blog for a while and am always so impressed with how much you guys accomplish during your renos.

    We are thinking about putting in a white subway backsplash, and I was just wondering where you picked up your subway tile. Did you go with a big box store or somewhere local? Also, our cabinets are an off-white color…do you notice a big contrast between your tile and cabinets? Thanks for your help!

  8. Seeing your kitchen come together so beautifully makes me want to rip ours out. Like this weekend.

  9. Great kitchen…perfect timing too.
    I love the countertop, I’m currently looking into wood.
    Please tell me what you’ve used and any information you’d be willing to share about it.
    Huge Thanks!!!

  11. OMG I want a sewing table like that so much! That’s it! I’m starting the search right now.

  12. Subway tile = gorgeous. The kitchen is really coming together beautifully.

    As for your sofa table, I fully approve. I LOVE old sewing machine tables. Stephen’s grandmom has two of them in her house and I always drool over them. I actually used one of them to sew a Regency era gown when I was in college. (Cuz I’m a geek.)

  13. Kim!! Do you remember me “This Girl Loves Pink” The renovations looks fabulous!!! Can’t wait to start reading your blog again!! : )

  14. I love your kitchen it looks great!! The counters look so good and love the subway tile too 🙂 We keep think butcher block counters too and I like how they look with your floors

  15. I’m seriously jealous of your kitchen backsplash and the butcher block counters. That’s been on our “to do” list since we moved in. In 2004.

    And phooey to those who didn’t like your oversized furniture! We lived in a loft before moving into our bungalow and there was no way I was spending $$$ to get “appropriate” furniture for the space. So now our giant sectional is in our living room and … I LOVE IT. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about – living in homes we love?

  18. That’s an awesome sewing machine, says the woman with three antique and two modern ones in her house. 🙂

  20. I love the subway tile. I actually love your entire kitchen. I’m so impressed with all you two do.

    I think the furniture layout in much improved. I might try sliding over those two chairs a little bit more to the right to balance them out. I really like the coffee table but I do feel like it is blocking the lovely fireplace a bit. Love the sewing table. My mom has one at the bottom of her stairs.

  24. Good job on ignoring the anonymous comment – your sofa & chairs look so perfect for that space. And I love the new arrangement – it’s crazy how much a little change will make a space so much better! 🙂
    katy

  25. Love it all – the sewing table is adorable! Looks great, Kim.

    And don’t you love those super helpful Anon comments?

  28. Looking good!

    I like the sewing table.

    You guys are doing an awesome job and I love seeing the progress and can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

  29. I will never tire of white subway tile! It looks gorgeous in your kitchen and I love the gray grout you chose (even though it was more work for poor Ryan). Your living room is looking great too – love the comfy furniture and new layout!

  31. That is a great sofa table! The kitchen is looking wonderful. What color paint did you use on the walls? I love how it looks and I still have a couple more rooms to paint in my house and I really like the one you picked.