Design at Home: Our Kitchen Mini Makeover

Do you remember when I shared our kitchen mini makeover design plans? The faucet really started the whole project. Its lack of functionality was driving me nuts. Then I learned that the sink was driving my beau nuts. Then we decided to do a mini remodel by replacing the faucet, sink, countertop, and backsplash but keeping the existing cabinetry and layout. We added an antique French armoire for an additional pantry, which has been functional and beautiful. Slowly but surely, this mini makeover is taking shape.

I know some people will think that a mini remodel is a waste of money, but I’m not one of these people. I’d rather spend a bit of money now and enjoy a space for the next few years (or longer!?) until we finalize plans and budget for a larger remodel.

As you may recall, I am working with BLANCO Canada on this project. They have provided me with a BLANCO UNIT – a faucet, sink, and accessories combination that coordinate seamlessly together. Now that everything has been delivered, I’m getting even more excited about the change.

Getting here took some time. While I thought I was the only one with strong opinions about design (and function), my beau proved me wrong. He has strong opinions about function (and design).

When creating our BLANCO UNIT, specifically selecting the faucet and sink, we discussed:

  1. What we liked and disliked about our current faucet and sink.
  2. What we needed and wanted in a future faucet and sink (e.g., a sink that would fit in our existing cabinet).
  3. What the pros were of the BLANCO Canada faucets and sinks (that matched our needs and wants).
  4. What potential accessories would add value to functionality with our faucet and sink combo.

My beau is mostly all about function. He disliked the existing shallow sink. On his wish list: a deep sink, two bowls, a high faucet, a high-pressure faucet.

I am about design and function. I disliked hated our faucet (too low and the spout barely returns to its position). I also disliked the shallow sink, the 3/4 size bowl, and the cut-out to house soap/sponge. On my wish list: an undermount deep sink, one bowl, and a high-pressure, stylish faucet that makes me feel like a chef. I also wanted to experiment with a white sink (BLANCO Canada is known for its SILGRANIT), which I envisioned working well with a white stone countertop.

Luckily a BLANCO UNIT offers both design and function. We were able to select a sink and faucet combo that met my design needs and my beau’s desire for increased functionality! Here’s the BLANCO Canada faucet and sink combination we settled on:

the PRECIS U2 sink in white
the BLANCOCULINA faucet in chrome

Sleek, right?

Both items as well as a few accessories (i.e., the sink grid) have now arrived at our house. The next step for us will be to finalize the countertop and get everything installed. Eek! These improvements are going to make such a difference to how we enjoy and use our kitchen!

Marketplace: Furniture Dump

A little while ago, I shared a collection of lighting that I’ve been saving on way-too-many open website tabs. Today, I’m doing the same thing with furniture. Have a look at these beauties.

cutter bench by Niels Hvass via Skagerak, $1249USD
chair by Kristina Dam via Batten Home, $650USD
wave concrete bench, TOV Furniture, $699USD
roly poly armchair by Driade, 2Modern, $1036USD (on sale)
pond mirror by Ferm Living via Burke Decor, $415USD (large)

I could easily take one of each, but I’m especially keen on the roly poly arm chair.

Design: Shining the Spotlight on Lighting

I have too many tabs open on my computer right now. Most of them are related to lighting, specifically lighting products and lighting guides. So instead of keeping all the tabs open for much longer, I’m going to do a photo dump in this post, so we can all benefit from some of the pretty lights that are floating around the marketplace right now.

I came across J.D. Lighting in Tillsonburg, Ontario in the newest issue of House & Home magazine. They carry a lot of items – both in lighting and home decor – that I’m drawn to. Much of what I’m sharing here is also approved by my beau, so that’s a bonus!

flush mount, $255CAD, Mitzi via J.D. Lighting ($164USD at Mitzi)
pendant, $236CAD, Hudson Valley via J.D. Lighting
pendant, medium, $389CAD, Hinkley via J.D. Lighting
flush mount, $279CAD, Hinkley via J.D. Lighting

Mitzi has a cool collection of lights. I like a lot of them, but not all of them suit our house. This modern chandelier stands out to me.

Hikari chandelier, $650USD, Mitzi

Burke Decor in the United States also has an interesting selection of lighting and home decor items.

Artiste chandelier, $1997USD, Currey & Company via Burke Decor
Bardolph pendant, $677USD, Currey & Company via Burke Decor
Beckham Modern chandelier, $1130USD, TOM by Thomas O’Brien via Burke Decor

The primary goal at our house is to find a chandelier for our dining room before the one-year anniversary of our move-in date in June. My secondary goal (my beau only sort of knows about this one) is to replace all the fixtures in the house soon thereafter…starting with our front hall.

Design: Checkered Floors

When I look at the photos I’ve been taking and saving recently, there are some commonalities. One common feature is the black and white checkered floor.

I seem to have always been keen on checkered floors; I wrote this post about checkered floors back in 2016! My plan is to add a checkered floor to our entryway (hopefully I’ll get to it this spring). I think it’ll be so pretty.

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