kateandrye

Shelf Life

Posted on July 20, 2012 by KR

Amongst the many distractions of summer and baby on the way, we’ve managed to source, design and build our very own shelving unit in the living room.

A wall of shelves – of some sort – was always part of the plan. It was getting the material and the cost that kept swaying our decisions. Or shall I say, helping us put it off and off and off…

As luck would have it, simultaneously I just so happen to be working on a new restaurant project where we’re opening up an existing ceiling for a mega skylight. Thus, we were getting rid of old wood joists to make room. These aren’ just any joists. They’re the really rough sawn, beautiful, lived-in kind. The actually 3″ thick kind. They don’t make them like this anymore people!

So, I called on a handsome handy man to swing by the project site and pick up the goods. Minor inconveniences and a broken ladder rack later, here they are all stacked out front of our place…

So, we discussed a couple of ideas and within a week Rye guy had this up and ready to go!

Clearly, we didn’t use them all.

Verny girl kind of helps put some scale to his massive-ness, but it’s huge. Hugely awesome. The idea was for books and objects to occupy the top 3 shelves and then leave a wider opening above the 36″ high shelf so we can use that as a bar/buffet. Below that we’re going to make (4) separate cubbies. For blankets and what I’m sure will become quite the collection of baby toys!

The joy of opening boxes we packed up OVER a year go was exhilarating. I almost feel like we live here now.

Can’t wait to grow into these shelves and fill them with objects full of love and memories. Here’s to a long happy shelf life!

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Posted in construction, Design Concepts, Furniture, Living Room | Tagged Bookshelves, reclaimed wood, salvaged wood | Leave a comment

Yay for May!

Posted on May 29, 2012 by KR

As you know, we’ve been hard at work the past couple of weeks trying to get this kitchen ready. Last post I think we were about to get our counter-tops installed. So, just wanted to drop a few lines and show you what we’ve been up to…

It’s official. We’re cookin’ in the kitchen now with 2 semi-successful dinners under our belts. (I forget how to cook…it’s been over a YEAR!)

Livin’ is soooo nice these days. We walk down our steps into a clean kitchen and it’s honestly one of the best feelings since we’ve been here. A constant reminder of how far we’ve come.

We had fun with in-expensive lighting solutions for the time being. Love our Edison bulbs and Old School Pharmacy chandelier. That will eventually be centered above a mobile kitchen island.

The kitchen sink + faucet totally rock. I can’t get enough dishwashin’. The reclaimed wood shelves are great too. I’m sure they will fill up in no time.

On another note, the living room is finally starting to feel like something ! The big green snuggle-fest sofa is officially IN!

The sofa is in and we can lounge in our own little nest now and it feels amazing.

I got to use some left over Arrow pillows for some pattern play on the jolly green giant sofa.

And if you remember that tall industrial cart we were going to make into an island…we’ll we changed our minds. We made it into a coffee table instead! Rye guy cut the top handles off….and now we have this beaut.

So, as my belly grows large and we get ready for our mini’s arrival we have a beautiful home to enjoy. Not to mention the uber-important central AC/heating was finally installed!

We still have lots of odds and ends to take care of, but right now we just want to bask in all the glory. We honestly have so much to be thankful for. Rye has been a maniac getting all this together as I admittedly have been sooo exhausted and not much help. Not only did he build this entire place with his own 2 hands he cleaned all up for me too. That’s love people.

Verny is in love.

…and so are we. Rye still can’t believe the day has come!

Here’s to a great summer full of love, happiness and lots of baby talk!!

Posted in Design Concepts, Dining Room, Inspiration, Living Room, Renovation | Tagged Black Granite, black kitchen, Edison Bulbs, Industrial, Kitchen Design, Living Room Design, reclaimed wood, Restoration Hardware, summer, Vintage | 4 Comments

Big News!

Posted on April 20, 2012 by KR

Well, not so big at the moment…but this news will grow and grow for the next couple months!

We are so excited to announce that WE ARE HAVING A BABY!!!! Aaaah!

Our little lamby is due this October and we just cannot wait. It’s been a queezy and sleepy couple months, but I’m happy to say I’m starting to feel great. We’ve had 2 ultrasounds and the baby is growing so fast I can’t believe it.

Here is a pic of our mini at 10 weeks (top) and again at 12-1/2 weeks (bottom).

We are so thrilled to see what the future holds for us and it couldn’t come at a more appropriate time, as we are celebrating living in our house for a year today! It’s been a great journey so far and now we have a babe on the way to share all of our hardwork with!

Ok, I’m crying. Thanks to our family and friends for all your love and support already! We (and the babe) feel so loved.

Stay tuned for more updates and the start of a super cute nursery!

Posted in Baby, Family | Tagged Baby, Famiy, First time Mommy | 8 Comments

March Madness

Posted on March 18, 2012 by KR

Hi Friends. We’re back with an update on the kicthen & living room progress. It’s been a crazy month waiting for our final (yay!) FHA check, but we got it and we’re back in biz.

First things first, we painted the ceiling in the kitchen and installed new beadboard in the living room ceiling. Recessed down lights, ceiling fan and chandelier j-boxes are all ready to go.

Oh, and we got the floors re-finished to match what we did upstairs.

Rye had fun re-purposing old wood beams from the place. He got to use them as the window sill in the living room, the ‘mantel’ and created some really cool shelves in the kitchen.

Then, the real fun began. If you’ll remember, this is what the dream kitchen is supposed to look like. I’ve had it all layed out for a while now, but I finally got to order it all. The best part was our timing. We were able to take full advantage of a 20% off sale at Ikea! Yup, you guessed it…Rye was the lucky one. He got to go get all the components and bring them home.

96 boxes, 1 range hood, 1 microwave, 1 sink & 1 faucet later he made it back and began to put it all together. Nev and him started with the tall cabinets that surround the fridge.

Sooner or later it looked like something! Verny and Rye got right up in there.

He slid the fridge in place and now it looks like this.

After that we took a break to enjoy the fridge and microwave. We dashed off to Trader Joes, stocked the fridge and enjoyed our first ‘home cooked’ meal!

Rye then installed the doors to the bathroom and utility closet under the stair. They will be painted black to match the ones upstairs and go nicely with the cabinets.

On the wall opposite this is where we had the existing brick. Which we put a new coat of paint on. In addiiton, we also painted the existing window & trim black. Then Rye added the base cabinets, stove, dishwasher and sink cab.

Right now there are no counter tops. However, the company came out this week to template them. Hopefully, in about a week or so we’ll actually have them! I can’t wait to share.

We can’t put the sink in until they’re installed because it’s a farm house style sink. Also, missing from this photo is the stainless steel range hood that will be mounted directly above the stove.

However, included in this picture are the open wall mounted shelves we chose to create instead of upper cabinets. I much like the idea of displaying pretty glasses and plates up there rather than having cabinets. We used an old wood plank that was here and Ryan just cut and sanded it down. The oil-rubbed bronze metal brackets I bought online.

And there you have it folks. That’s what we’ve been up to. A long awaited day we never thought would happen…our very own, BRAND NEW kitchen is almost in tact!

Ah, so exciting.

Stay tuned for more!

Posted in construction, Kitchen, Living Room, Plumbing, Renovation | Tagged Home Renovation, Kitchen, Living Room | 7 Comments

Fun For February

Posted on February 1, 2012 by KR

Hello all. Back again with a quick update. Things have been moving along nicely!

Rye installed the hardwood floors downstairs.

By the looks of the diminished pile that was sitting in the garage, we were worried we wouldn’t have enough for the living/dining room, kitchen, powder room and entryway. But, we had more than enough! So, we will use the extra wide planks for new stair treads eventually.

The rest went towards the “fire place”. We will finish this wood differently though…hoping to get our main man Benjamin Johnson over to set us up with some of his fancy paint finish techniques. I want it to be white, but with some darker graining coming through.

We won’t actually have a fire place, but do plan on getting a wood burning stove in the back left corner of the window. So, we will stack logs in the recessed area and Rye can hang his big fancy TV above it. Thus, giving a nice focal point for our really large green sofa to surround,

After that we had to sand the ceiling beams and get them ready for primer & paint. Lucky me, that was my job.

That was a task, let me tell you. I was filthy.

With that behind us, my loving and caring parents came down for the day and we all put our painting pants on.

Dad tried his not so trusty sprayer.

And Mom went to town on the beams.

Rye patched & caulked the brick wall in the kitchen area. It was disasterous.

Now it’s looking pretty darn good.

I on the other hand made a mess of everything and still have white paint & primer in my hair. I look grey.

We primed and painted everything white for now. I want to get us a good clean slate to add color and pattern to as we live in the space longer and make it ours.

A long couple weeks to say the least, but the flooring guys are coming to finish our floors tomorrow! We cleaned up tonight and are looking forward to the fancy results.

They may have to wake up Rye when they get here.

Stay tuned for finished ceilings, lots of trim work, doors and hopefully some kitchen cabinets!

xo Kate

Posted in construction, Dining Room, Kitchen, Living Room, Renovation | Tagged Dining Room, Entry, Kitchen, Living Room, Renovation | 4 Comments

Kitchen Concept

Posted on January 2, 2012 by KR

If you recall -way back when – I was having an internal dilemma of wether or not to do the kitchen with black or white cabinetry. Light or Dark? Ah, the struggle!

It wasn’t until I came across this image, that it all came together.

Ok, maybe it’s that awesome pistachio colored hippie gown I’d love to wear day in and day out.

Actually, it was being able to see this perfect combination of black base cabinets, white marble countertop and exposed red brick that made me say…duh. This is it, this is what I want. We don’t NEED overhead cabinets, we’re only two people! So, all of this with the subtle hint of stainless steel appliances I think will help us achieve that vintage (but, really new) look I’m going for….maybe existed there originally….but, not really.

We will purchase all new base cabinets & appliances (see below). However, we will keep the red brick, white brick (with painted wainscot stripe!), factory window & paint the exposed ceiling all white. You know, like THIS…

Lastly, the image below helped jump start the idea that 1/ we can have built in cabinets to surround the refrigerator on the opposite wall too! (for added storage & growth) and 2/ I was afraid black would be too dark until I saw this and realized how much white we’re going to have elsewhere.

I really think it’s going to come out nicely. I cannot wait to cook in there.

Check it out…here is what I see. Oh, and a picture of what it looks like now in case you forget.

Here is a quick sketch showing the built-in cabinets around the refrigerator. As, well as the utility/closet door (on left) and the powder room door (on right) that will all be under the stair.

Here is a sketch showing the L-shaped cabinet/counter top formation that works nicely with our existing brick walls. The window looks out into the living/dining room. We’ll create a custom mobile island (shown above) in the center of the kitchen to tie it all together. The shelving above the stove top will most likely be made of salvaged wood beams. Something warm and raw. To the left possibly some framed artwork or antique mirror.

Well, there you have it. The appliances arrive this weekend and since Rye has this whole week off too (jealous!) he should hopefully have the hardwood floor down by then. (We’re using the same floor as upstairs through out the kitchen & living/dining space.

Cabinetry & counter tops will take a little while to fabricate, but I think in about a month we’ll be cooking.

Stay Tuned…next time it will be the real thing!

Posted in construction, Design Concepts, Inspiration, Kitchen, Renovation | 1 Comment

Currently Cold

Posted on January 2, 2012 by KR

Long time no see! Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays with friends & family. We sure did, a much needed hiatus. Although, amongst the time off we’ve managed to frame and insulate the downstairs. However, we cannot close up the walls yet because we’re still waiting on the HVAC to be installed. Yes, it’s true we still do not have heat. Space heater donations welcome!!

Here are a couple pics of current conditions…

A view towards where the tall built in cabinets & refrigerator will go. To the far right, the new hallway to the front door.

Rye reinforced the steps and began to frame under the stair. Here are the 2 door openings. Left is the utility closet/pantry and the right is to the powder room. Here is our dusty pedestal sink kind of in place.

I got down & dirty and insulated the living/dining room.

I know you’re really jealous of my boots.

Stay tuned….Kitchen Design Concepts up next.

Posted in construction, Design Concepts, Kitchen, Renovation | Tagged Black Cabinets, Kitchen Design, Kitchen Renovation, Vintage Industrial | Leave a comment

Merry Merry

Posted on January 1, 2012 by KR

A few snap shots from the holidays. You can follow me on Instagram if you have it! @baybeewipe

Hence the explanation for my very own engraved iPad from Rye!

Posted in Family | Tagged Christmas, Happy Holidays, New Years | Leave a comment

Back to the Bones

Posted on November 21, 2011 by KR

Last you saw was the remains of a bathroom downstairs. The next day, we cleaned up the the remnants and made way for the future kitchen. Got the rest of the stuff out of the good ol’ fort area and now…we’re back to framing all over again.

Here we go. Full steam ahead.

I give you the future KITCHEN…

Believe it or not, there it is. Now visualize with us…

The window wall remains with the red brickand it will look into the dining/living room area and vice-versa. The brick needs a lot of cleaning up -as does the window-but, we want that excavated carriage house look. The view looking towards the messy garage is where we will frame a new wall perpendicular to the existing and finally close off to a 1 car (truck) garage. The ‘hallway’ to the right will be the main entrance from the front door…and voila! You walk right into our kitchen!

The old floor boards from above are awesome and we will try to have them exposed too if we can. There was an existing loft above the bathroom with hay and rusty old hooks that were mostly likely used to tie up horses in the barn/carriage house. So crazy.

This is a view from the dining room side.

Anyways… Because we have no basement and the garage floor is concrete, we are framing a new floor. This will allow us to run plumbing to all the kitchen appliances and insulate it in addition to the walls. The ceilings are 12ft. High so we’re hoping to help cut down energy costs. We also are thinking of getting an old school wood burning stove.

Luck would have it that Rye and Nev had 2 days of this week unexpectedly, as one of their window jobs cancelled….so, we woke up and started our mornings at Lowes with some coffee like normal people do We stocked up on lumber and then I left them to go to town.

Stopped back and brought my man some food and look what was finally gone!!!

No more glass block! My dream come true. Now, we have this fancy old sheet has our window treatment to keep crazy bird lady / backyard neighbor from peeking in.

I guess it was a great lil’ fort while it lasted. ( I can say that now…)

But, now I just dream all day and cannot wait to see this place come to fruition. I’m starting to go nut-so and by furniture and stuff. I REALLY need a spot to put our 1970′s Roche Bobois sofa I scored on EBay (and had delivered all the way from Canada) by a nice fellow by chance! Let me tell you, it is 9 different pieces, velvety green and can be pushed together to make the largest cocoon – mosh pit – movie watching – snuggle fest and I cannot wait to use it. I’m really not kidding when I say that I’m going into full hibernation when our place is done. I’m spending lazy days on the sofa and cooking home cooked meals for everyone.

But at least the pups get good use out of it for naps at the office. (Where I’m storing it momentarily…)

This weekend we also got our ‘ special order’ bathroom doors in. One goes into our bedroom, the other into the hallway.

Rye installed them in no time and I even got to put on the first coat of paint tonite.

Well as you can see lots to do yet, but feels great to be working downstairs.

Looking forward to the holiday this week. Lots of time to get things done and enjoy some family celebrations.

Stay tuned! XO

Posted in construction, Demolition, Dining Room, Home Purchase, Living Room, Renovation | 5 Comments

Movin’ on Up

Posted on November 10, 2011 by KR

Hello Friends and Family. I feel like I’m writing this to you from a different place, a different world! That’s right, we’ve moved on from the fort people…and are living large upstairs.

We have a bed. A bed in a bedroom! Can you believe it? Verny girl loves it.

I also took it upon myself to buy every single 3/4″ black iron pipe in the tri-state area to build my dream closet.

And somehow that turned into this…

Then mega rye stepped in and hung our vintage door finds as closet doors.

And 400 black hangers later it’s a dream come true….well, getting there.

After 6 long months of digging through boxes and bags, hanging clothes over leftover steel scraps and wearing the same outfit every other day, I must say we now consider a closet a luxury beyond belief. Well I do…let’s just say Rye doesn’t have much hanging up in there

Now, the aforementioned closet thing takes a big back seat to the crazy idea of actually having and using a bathroom you love. Not to mention a bathroom that is clean and hasn’t been used by body shop mechanics for 20 years prior.

Now, to make you understand that grand statement let me remind you what we used for 6 whole months…
Oh god it’s so gross. That Grime. Ugh. I’m actually regretting not taking more “detailed” shots, but maybe it’s just better to erase that place from my mind completely.

Anyways….I’ve easily forgotten, because now we have THIS!
No tub up there yet, still recruiting 6 large manly beasts to help lift that cast iron ton. But, a new loo, beautiful old sink and faucet, re-cycled dresser and an XL shower with beer shelf for Rye has made livin’ easy. (easier) Got that dreamy European wall sconce in the mail, but of course it needs to be re-wired for US wiring systems.

You’ll notice that Rye re-worked my old Cape May flea market find.

First, he cut a hole in the top to recess the farm house sink and re-worked the left sided drawers into a flat panel cabinet door, so we can access the pipes if needed and still get some hidden storage out of it.

Brother Andrew helped with lots of the tile and grout, while Rye in his sly little way reminded me why he does it all.

With 6 months past us and things finally coming to fruition, a sense of accomplishment and a whole new wave of energy is upon us. We moved everything from downstairs to the upstairs guestroom. This will be our mini storage unit while we start work downstairs.

Rye wasn’t really into the many trips up and down the steps, but now we have a clean canvas and can envision the massive living/dining space we’ll soon have! (Take one last good look at that glass block baby, ’cause it’s outta here)

Last night was spent doing the thing we dreamed of doing first! Demo-ing that bathroom downstairs. So, Rye and Andrew went at it! I got a couple swings in too.

Ok, that was a long one so hopefully you got all that. Big ups to my main man Rye…Batman, Superman or Block Captain what eve you want to call him.

Posted in Bathroom, Bedroom, construction, Home Purchase, Renovation | 8 Comments