The . Thome . Home .

Kitchen Renovation Finishes

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Just one week ago our kitchen was demolished – we are still in the thick of the mess you see above except the windows are boarded up, nasty vinyl is torn up and there has been a ton of re-working havoc and plumbing since! Even more exciting, within 6-8 weeks the kitchen you see above will look a little more like this ….

Our crew, Alix Home Solutions is going above and beyond to ensure that every step of this renovation moves smoothly, they have been incredible! If you are looking to renovate a space in your home, make sure you give them a call and then them the Thome Family sent ya!

Now onto a few really exciting pieces of the kitchen Reno! The appliances we chose, lighting, flooring and cabinet finishes!

We decided to go with a black island, and creamy white base cabinets for the rest of the kitchen as seen in the lower right image. The flooring is an engineered hardwood. This was one item that we splurged on a bit.

The cost to and and stain the current hardwoods in our home, and then to run real hardwoods throughout was way out of our budget. So, we chose this gorgeous hearty oak flooring that has beautiful grey/black knotting to it.

The appliances had both Dan and I at hello. We were surfing through Sheely’s large selection of home appliances and the second we saw the color, and that they were Kitchenaid brand, we were sold! Without having upper cabinets, and having white subway tile to the ceiling, I wanted our appliances to add a little depth to the space, and think they will do exactly that!

Now as for the lighting. It did not have Dan at hello – at all. Haha! We bounced back and forth between pendants, flush mounted lights, just canned lights until our heads were spinning. Our ceilings are not high at all so the idea of a hanging pendant didn’t really sit well with us, we wanted a nice clear shot to the kitchen window. I told him, this was something he just needed to trust me with – I have a vision! The island is 9×4, so we will be placing two of these funky bulb pendants that hang tighter to the ceiling. There will still be a wow factor, all the while not obstructing any views!

you can shop this beauty here

Today we placed the order for the large window that will be center in the kitchen, and then the next few weeks will be bringing everything in! Ah! it’s kinda wild – never did I imagine we’d actually jump in and do this renovation, especially during a pandemic. But, here we are! Feeling so grateful, a little overwhelmed and just excited to have it done!

so long sweet orange tile!

Equilibria CBD : The Benefits of bringing EQ CBD into your life!

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this is a sponsored post in collaboration with Equilibria. this post contains affiliate links in which I receive a commission from your purchase. this helps support running the blog, and I appreciate each one of you!

My first real bout with experiencing anxiety happened over 7 years ago. It was definitely my rock bottom – in terms of emotional well being. I was wrapped up in a world of very sick kids, sick parents and for years kept it together only to officially short out my circuit. It wasn’t one dramatic swoop of anxiety, it infiltrated into my life daily. A general sense of not feeling well, stomach issues, tight chest/heart burn, and shakiness. Dozens of doctors appointments later no one could pin point anything – simply IBS and anxiety, which of course they recommended a prescription for and I was “too proud” to turn too.

CALM while CHAOS surrounds me during this renovation!

It’s OKAY to need help …

It took one massive anxiety attack and ambulance ride later for me to start the medication. I had such a negative attitude towards mental health. The phrase alone sounds scary, “mental”. It made me feel like something was really wrong with me, which freaked me out even more. At the time I did not understand that my body was so out of tune that it was presenting in physical symptoms, that frightened me, so I was hyper-focused on how I was feeling all day, everyday.

After a year on anxiety medication, and a lot of hard work and reflecting, I quickly gained awareness of what it meant to have anxiety, and what my triggers were. My doctor explained it so simply “You would not deny a diabetic insulin, why would you deny someone with anxiety an SSRI?” I started a dose of Celexa, and have been taking it consistently (minus pregnancy with Max) since. I am forever grateful for what Celexa has done for me! My body was definitely out-of-balance and needed the help to level out. For years I felt free from the majority of my anxiety. I really hand it under control!

And then 2020 hit –

The Pandemic, social injustices, election, work changes, E-learning with two kids, both parents working from home full time and not leaving the house much at all because of two kiddos with health issues. It’s a lot. My anxiety resurfaced this year in ways that felt constant. Like an elephant on my chest, anxiety attacks while driving, sleepless nights, it wasn’t cute. I knew I did not want to increase my SSRI, as the side effects are less than pleasant. I knew I had to find a more natural resolution to implement into my life.

Insert Equilibria, a woman-founded premium cbd company, that creates pure and potent CBD from their organic hemp farm in Colorado.

What is CBD?

Hemp – NOT high. CBD is found within industrial hemp flowers, it is the cousin of the marijuana plant. It contains less than 0.3% of THC which is why there is no “high” or intoxicating effect. So, you get all of the clinically-proven health benefits of Hemp through CBD.

What does full spectrum mean?

Equilibria’s CBD is a potent, full spectrum-CBD that makes all of the difference. EQ’s CBD combines multiple cannabinoids that are naturally found within the hemp plant, these work together to give you the best results – this is what makes it a full spectrum CBD. You want full-spectrum, period. It’s far more effective!

What are the benefits of taking CBD daily?

CBD is mostly known for it’s astounding anti-inflammatory properties. Our “ECS” Endocannabinoid System regulates our sleep, mood, inflammation, and our bodies balance. Our body already naturally produces cannabinoids, but over time they deplete which causes our bodies to struggle in sleep, stress, moodiness, chronic pain etc. Implenting EQ CBD into your daily regimen helps restore your bodies ECS to optimum function!

Will I feel groggy??

No! In fact, CBD in small doses can be energizing. If you are feeling groggy you may be taking too high of a dose and should consult your specialist. It gives you a “I’ve had a few sips of wine” relaxation, just eases the tension in you!

Can I take it while pregnant or breastfeeding?

This answer is for pregnancy NO – there is not enough research to see the effects on the fetus during pregnancy. For breastfeeding, talk with your pediatrician and doctor. Many women turn to CBD after giving birth to help balance their mood (hormones) and to help with post partum anxiety and depression.

Can you take prescription medications with CBD?

Equilibria offers a pharmacist that can review your current medications to make sure there are no interactions. I personally still take my anxiety medication, and space my dose so that my CBD is taken 90 minutes or so after I take my anxiety medication. ALWAYS consult your doctor before starting CBD –

Here are some of the benefits you’ll find from taking EQ CBD…

  • Balance in mood and energy – You’ll feel less on edge in your day to day stressors and far more balanced. Anxious days are calmed, providing so much relief to the daily stress we encounter. You’ll even notice an uplift in your mood and energy too! In small amounts (micro-dose) CBD can be energizing, in larger doses it is relaxing. You’ll learn what your body needs as you use these products.
  • Better Sleep! When taken before bed with a healthy fat, you’ll notice you will be sleeping through the night in no time. And, if you do happen to wake up you will not be tossing and turning with a racing mind. It calms your system to enjoy a restless nights sleep, which we all know a good nights rest is a HUGE factor in our overall physical and mental health.
  • Chronic Pain – be gone! If you suffer from Arthritis, Chronic Pain, Menstrual Cramps, Migraines – CBD can help! I have not needed to take any over the counter pain relief for my menstrual cramps since I started with EQ. Their relief cream is out-of-this-world for applying topically on achy muscles and cramps! I also love it for headaches and muscle tension!
  • So much more! ……

The benefits of using Equilibria CBD are in the testimonials –

Make sure you take a look their testimonials, here. It’s so touching to read the stories of women of all ages and backgrounds find undeniable results from utilizing their cbd.

Keep in mind, starting with Equilibria CBD is like using a multi-vitamin. Take it daily and consistently , it builds in your system over time and gets better and better. After your first week of use, schedule an appointment with a dosage consultant. It is your own personal CBD expert that will walk you through your routine and make any changes based on the experience and results you are looking for! They are incredible!!

What form does the CBD come in?

Soft gels + Daily drops! Those two products are taken orally. The relief cream is applied topically.

I highly recommend starting with the Balance Box, that will give you your soft gels for the morning to start you day, diffusing you with 8 hours of calm and clarity. And then it comes with the daily drops to take at night for a restful sleep. The balance box is more cost effective, especially when subscribing. If you know you’ll benefit from having the relief cream on hand as well, order the Brilliance Box! My discount, ABBYTHOME (15% off) and the subscription pricing (20% off) will give you 35% off of your purchase!

Tips!

  • Soft gels : Take with a healthy fat! They are fat soluble and will kick into your stem quicker and linger
  • Daily Drops: Hold the drops under your tongue for up to a minute, you have little glands under your tongue that will drink it right up!
  • Consistency is KEY! Take it daily, around the same time for at least 3 months to experience the full-build up in your system and pure balance.
  • Schedule your consultation! Every BODY is different, and your CBD routine will be different from the next girl. So, after a week of using Equilibria, schedule your appointment and you will have a one-on-one consult to answer all of your questions and adjust your dosage! It’s incredible!

Code: abbythome 15% off

Subscribe and save an additional 20% – you can cancel at any time, but you won’t want to once you feel the benefits!

Click here to order!

Thanksgiving Side Dishes – Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Struessel + Spinach Gratin

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Spinach Gratin – Cheesy, creamy – and oh so good
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Struessel – fluffy, sweet and crunchy -YUM

Thanksgiving sides, are – well, let’s face it… are better than the Turkey. The sides are exactly what I crave each year and pile my plate high with. This sweet potato casserole dish is seriously the most requested dish that I bring to every holiday party. They are like fluffy sweet potato clouds topped with crunchy and sweet pecan crumble – it’s heavenly. The spinach gratin is a new one this year, and it’s literally Mac and cheese without the noodles. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with spinach, so hell, it’s good for you, right?!

Let’s whip these babies up, oh! And you can make these a day in advance and simply reheat on turkey day! “How easy is that?!” As the queen bee, Ina Garten would say, check out this video for a good giggle

I can’t handle her in the best ways – so unapologetic and just, well, INA.

Here are the two Thanksgiving side dishes you need to make this year!

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel 

  • 6 large sweet potatoes (or a dozen medium/small) 
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1/2 cup half + half
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper 
  1. First, wash and dry the sweet potatoes
  2. Pre heat the oven to 375* 
  3. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet, and carefully poke a few holes into the skin with a fork
  4. Bake at 375* for 90 minutes – 2 hours, until a knife can be inserted all the way through with no effort, potatoes completely tender
  5. Let potatoes cool before handling 
  6. Slice open the sweet potatoes and scoop the inside out into a large bowl.
  7. Add the two eggs, melted butter, half + half, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
  8. With a handheld mixer, whip everything together until the sweet potatoes are light and fluffy (3-4 minutes) 
  9. Pour into a 9×13 baking dish 

Next, it is time to make the streusel topping! 

Pecan Streusel

  • 5 Tbsp melted butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 heaping cup chopped pecans
  1. Toss all of the ingredients together, until the a sticky crumble forms
  2. Preheat the oven to 400*
  3. Sprinkle the pecan streusel on top of the sweet potatoes 
  4. Bake at 400* for 30-40 minutes uncovered, until the streusel is golden and the sweet potatoes are bubbly hot!

Spinach Gratin

  • 4 packages of frozen spinach, thawed and excess water drained
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 3 cup warm whole milk
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Panko Topping

  • 6 Tbsp melted buter
  • 1 1/12 cup panko bread crumb
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic 
  • 2 Tbsp parsley, minced

Pre heat the oven to 375*

  1. In a dutch oven, or large pot over medium-high heat on the stove, cook the onions with the butter until the onions are translucent and tender (8-10 minutes)
  2. Add the flour to the sautéed onions, and stir together for one minute
  3. Pour in 3 cups of warm milk, and turn the heat down to medium-low
  4. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg – stir to incorporate
  5. Turn OFF the heat, and add the mozzarella cheese.  Stir until the cheese has melted completely, and you now have a beautiful cheese sauce
  6. Add the thawed and drained spinach into the cheese sauce and stir to combine
  7. Pour spinach gratin into a greased 8×8 (or 9×9) baking dish 

Make the Panko Topping –

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, panko, salt, garlic and parsley until the panko is coated with butter and spices
  2. Sprinkle the panko topping across the entire spinach gratin dish
  3. BAKE at 375* for 30 minutes, until panko is golden brown and the gratin is bubbly

Fall Harvest Kale Salad with Candied Pumpkin Seeds and Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

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this post is in collaboration with Heinen’s Grocery. As a Heinen’s Contributor I am honored to bring you all recipes to enjoy all year round!

If there is one salad to pick to be the featured salad for your Thanksgiving table this year, it is this one.  Not only is visually stunning to set out amongst your holiday spread, but the flavors are phenomenal!  Sweet caramelized roasted butternut squash, layered with smoky crispy bacon, sweet dried cranberries and candied pumpkin seeds packs this salad with so much texture and zing.  Serve with crumbled goat cheese and the house-made maple dijon vinaigrette, a vinaigrette so good I may have to jar it and sell it! This salad is so over-the-top you’ll see the bottom of the bowl as guests race to fill their plate up! 

Fall Harvest Kale Salad

  • 2 bunches of organic kale, washed and finely chopped
  • 1.5lb butternut squash chunks, roasted (recipe below)
  • 1lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries 
  • 8oz goat cheese, crumbled
  • Candied pumpkin seeds (recipe below)
  • Maple Dijon Vinaigrette (recipe below)

Roasted Butternut Squash 

  • 1.5lb butternut squash, peeled and cut into one inch cubes
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup
  • Good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 375*
  2. On a greased baking sheet, toss the butternut squash chunks together with the olive oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper.
  3. Bake at 375* for one hour, until the butternut squash is fork tender and the sides have caramelized a bit.  
  4. Set to the side to cool 

Candied Pumpkin Seeds

  • 1 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  1. Preheat oven to 300* 
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  3. In a small bowl, toss together the pumpkin seeds with the egg white, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt
  4. Bake at 300* for 20-25 minutes
  5. Let cool completely, and then break apart into chunks 

Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

  • 3 Tbsp shallot, minced
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper 
  1. In a large bowl, whisk all ingredients together until well incorporated.  Store in a mason jar in the fridge, and when ready to serve give it a good shake to re-combine.

Salad Assembly:

Put all of the finely chopped kale in the bottom of a serving dish.  Pour in a few tablespoons of the maple dijon vinaigrette and using clean hands, massage the dressing into the kale.  This tenderizes the kale best!

Next, add the roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, crumbled bacon and candied pumpkin seeds on top of the dressed kale and finish with crumbled goat cheese.  Right before serving, pour the rest of the dressing onto the salad and toss to combine. 

Trick-or-Treat Boo! Bags

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this blog post is in collaboration with Heinen’s Grocery. As a Heinen’s Contributor I am honored to bring to you new recipes and ideas to share with you all!

Happy Halloween!

While this years trick-or-treating may look a little different, it’s important to recognize that we can still shake it up and make this holiday memorable! Get creative and think outside the box this season, and let’s give a twist to the traditional trick-or-treating with a social-distance celebration! It’s simple! Think of a few friends, family members or neighbors that you would like to surprise with a Halloween Boo! Bag. A “Boo! Bag” Is a whimsical spin on trick-or-treating that allows you to customize the candy and treats that go into each bag, and drop them off on the doorsteps of choice to spread the Halloween cheer!

Whether it be for kids, or adults, these Boo Bags are sure to surprise, not spook! Turn to Heinen’s for tons of seasonal inspiration : from candy, to wine, baked goods and more – you are sure to find plenty of items to pack your Boo Bags with! 

Adult Boo! Bags ideas:

  • Wine
  • Chocolate
  • Sweet n’ savory Nuts
  • Bouqet

Kid Boo! Bag ideas:

  • Candy
  • Root Beer
  • Seasonal cookies/cupcakes
  • Surprise Toy Bags

Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites

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Trust me when I say, I will only bring forth the best pumpkin recipes you need this season. I’m not wasting my time with any half-ass recipes that are okay, or just good enough. If I’m jumping on the basic-blogger-train of sharing seasonal bites, they better be bangin’

Yeah, that’s exactly what these should be called! Bangin’ Pumpkin Energy Bites! 5 clean ingredients, no added sugar and you can store them in your fridge all week long for healthy snacking!

Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites

  • 2 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 3/4 cup almond butter
  • 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
  • (Optional) Dark Chocolate Chips, melted
  • (Optional) Sea Salt
  1. Grab a food processor and blend just the oats alone for 1-2 minutes, until it resembles sand, no chunks of oats!
  2. Next, add the syrup, pumpkin pie spice, almond butter, and pumpkin puree – blend until everything is fully incorporated
  3. Roll into bite-size balls, and put in fridge for 5 minutes
  4. Melt the dark chocolate chips, and drizzle the cold pumpkin pie bites with it, and top with sea salt – YUM
  5. Store in the fridge all week long!

Our Snack Pantry Favorites!

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Is it a surprise to you that I can do an entire blog post about the snacks we love here in The Thome Home?! It’s all in balance here too, sure we have super healthy clean choices but we still toss a few indulgent snacks into the mix because, hey, who doesn’t love a good little Debbies every once in a blue moon?!

Alright! Let me introduce to you all the snacks that I keep on hand for the kids to grab throughout the day. Thankfully, they understand the difference of everyday snacks and what are “treats”, but if you have little ones you could organize bins and actually write on them to help them decipher!

SAFE + FAIR

You all have heard me chat about my love for Safe + Fair snacks on my Instagram account, and the buzz is REAL! Snacks that omit the junk and are made with clean ingredients that are free from many common allergens! It’s an incredible brand, with the best granola and drizzled popcorn and snacks, definitely place an order, you will not regret having this on hand! Use code: alifefromscratch for 25% off of your order! And, while your at it, follow Courtney @alifefromscratch on Instagram, she’s such a great follow for simple, delicious dinner ideas!

https://www.safeandfair.com/collections/granola
https://www.safeandfair.com/collections/bundles/products/drizzled-popcorn-bundle-1

You know I love a good chip. Like, it’s my greatest weakness. Love good bowl of chips at night with a glass of red wine and my favorite shows to wind down the day. Great Lakes Potato Chip Company has the most incredible never-ending flavors that are to die for! Our family favorites are the Sea Salt Pepper + Onion, and the Garlic Parmesan. Oh em gee, my friends …. so so so good!! We always have a massive stash underneath our bar in the basement for guests to enjoy!

https://www.greatlakespotatochips.com

Next on our favorites list, are Perfect Bars. These, I admit only Owen and I dig into – the other boys haven’t even given them a try. And honestly, I’m okay with that – I want them all for myself! Perfect Bars are packed with such nutritious ingredients, a super-food blend that gives these bars the added nutritional value you need! All the flavors are delicious, quite honestly! And, you can find them at Costco in bulk! These have to be kept in the fridge, so not a pantry staple, but a snack staple!

https://perfectsnacks.com

My boys (thank goodness!) still enjoy squeezable pouches, not the baby kind (ha) but applesauce, fruit mixed ones etc… These are our favorite! They are perfect for wee-ones and for big kids too!

https://blastz.com

Last but not least, one of my favorite tips to an awesome snack pantry for your family to enjoy is to pick 5-10 brands you love and buy in bulk. No need to have 78 options (I fall guilty too though!) But, if you break it down into bars, chips, pouches, beef jerky, granola bars etc … and keep them separate and organized your kids will easily find what they need and not feel so overwhelmed!

Jalapeño Cheddar Cast Iron Cornbread

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this recipe is in collaboration with Heinen’s – thank you for supporting the brands that The Thome Home loves so much!

Don’t even get me started on how incredible this cornbread is…

Okay, I’m started. And, I won’t stop. This cornbread is the ONLY cornbread recipe you need. I made the recipe up, started with a basic few cornbread staples and let the wind beneath my hungry wings push me. I wanted a cornbread that was the furthest thing from dry. I wanted tender, fluffy and moist cornbread. A few fun additions to this recipe, and BAM – I did it!

We are on day #1 of our first floor renovation, and this cornbread was part of the last meal in our old kitchen. I paired this sensational cornbread with a ground turkey sloppy Joe (I’ll share the recipe soon!) It was so satisfying, perfect for a fall evening.

So, what makes this cornbread SO good – you ask? It’s the can of cream corn you add – with another 1/2 can of drained sweet corn. Oh, and the load of shredded cheddar cheese, OH and the jalapeño juice!

Come to mama….

You can surely make this in another dish, just shorten your cooking time for a 9×13 baking pan, or even less time for individual cornbreads made in a muffin tin!

The NEW Sheely’s Furniture Location in Aurora, Ohio!

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This post is in collaboration with Sheely’s Furniture. As a brand ambassador, I am thrilled to introduce you all to their amazing selection and create incredible room makeovers throughout the year! We are currently in the midst of planning our entire first floor renovation, and we cannot wait complete the spaces with Sheely’s to create the ultimate-cozy-home for loved ones to enjoy!

It has been one month since the grand opening of Sheely’s Furniture in Aurora, and I am so excited to have their incredible store so close to home! Have you gotten a chance to visit? Carve out some time, for sure! Sheely’s showroom is packed with furniture, home decor, and an entire appliance and mattress section! It’s truly a one stop shop for your interior updates.

Sheely’s newest location is at the Marketplace At Four Corners in Aurora. A fantastic shopping plaza, with now, in my opinion, the greatest addition of Sheely’s. The home decor selection alone is worth a stroll through. The pillows, art work and accessories will blow you away! And the prices are so fair, it makes shopping for quality home decor approachable and affordable!

Sheely’s staff is extremely knowledgeable, and when I say you will get top-notch care that may even be an understatement! They go above and beyond to ensure that the pieces you order are delivered flawlessly, and that they are everything you hoped they would be.

You all know that we are re-doing three main living areas in our home with Sheely’s and the excitement surrounding the pieces I picked is real! You are all messaging me asking where to find everything, and now you know!

Dining Room


Living Room

Family Room

The last thing we need to do for our first floor renovation is to pick our new kitchen and laundry appliances, I know their staff is extremely knowledgeable and will able to direct us where we need to go, and that makes me so excited that I can shop for accessories for these spaces AND tackle appliances in one visit!

Which space do you look forward to see transformed the most? Join in on the fun and head over to one of Sheely’s locations – TAG me on Instagram during your visit and I’ll be picking one lucky winner each month to win a gift card to shop with!

Don’t have the time to go in-store? Don’t fret! Shop online, and call their incredible staff if you have any questions – they will walk you through the entire process!

Renovation Time! 3 Kitchen Layouts to choose from…

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The time has officially come, the first floor renovation. It’s even strange to type, because honestly I never really thought we’d take the plunge. If I am being honest, it feels a bit indulgent. I completely understand this is a want, not need – and I definitely struggle with purchasing things out of want. BUT – it’s time. I don’t think we can paint over our kitchen cabinets with another coat of paint, 50+ years is a good run for a space. It’s time to update!

We hired Alix Home Solutions for this renovation, they came highly recommend by friends who just renovated their first floor as well. Once we met the owner, and his daughter whom is the designer we were completely smitten with their vision for our home. They understood that we did not want some extremely lavish space, we wanted it updated, functional and more than anything, too ooze coziness for a family gathering.

Three designs were created for us to choose from – I’ll break down the biggest differences between them. Overall, we were raising our bay window so we could run countertops underneath, AND adding a massive island.

#1 Add an island, extend the countertops – This layout raised the bay window up to be even with the kitchen sink.

#1

#2 Add an island, remove both bay window and sink window and create a larger scale centered window. Remove wall to dining room for more natural light.

#2

#3 Add an island, raise bay window, maintain the rest. Omit laundry room to extend kitchen longer, and remove wall to dining room.

#3

Can you already guess which choice we went with?!

#1 We like, but realize that eventually we’ll move the laundry upstairs and we will probably regret not opening up the dining room wall for extra light since our house is so dark.

#3 WAY too big! – I didn’t like omitting the laundry room and walking straight in from our garage door into the kitchen and not to mention the 3 windows seemed just all over the place.

So yes, #2 is the winner! We are not 100% on the details of if we’ll do shelving where they show it – we are leaning more towards an “L” layered cornered shelving to the right of the window. It was the large scale centered window that sold us – and the natural light we’ll gain from taking the wall down. Here is another angle so you can see the opening to the dining room..

Now, all the rest of the details will have to be picked! Colors, fixtures, finishes etc… SO very excited for that part! We are not that picky, and have dreamt of this space for so long I hope once we see the samples we will make quick decisions! Not to mention we are still doing the flooring throughout, the fireplace is getting completely re-faced and the stairs + railing are getting little face lift! Ahhh!! So many changes!

You can follow along with our first floor renovation over on Instagram, @abby_thome