A Few Kitchen Updates!

Today's Agenda:  Updating excel files!  I know, not that exciting.  But completely necessary.  I keep track of expenses for each client's project in Excel so every couple of weeks need to go back through and update them for what has been purchased, what has been changed and what is still left to purchase to be sure we are still on budget.  It's fun to see the progress that's been made!

Speaking of progress...I made some recent small updates to our kitchen that I am super happy with!  The kitchen is has a fun look to it (it's pretty standard 2007 builder materials so I've tried to personalize it), is completely functional (I have what I use everyday out in just the right place and have zones -- you know, coffee zone, oatmeal zone, toaster zone) and really easy to clean up and put things away.  Can't really ask for much else!  (Well, I would love to replace the cabinets with something super sleek...but I can't have all of my projects done right away can I??).

Here's a tour of some of the updates that I'm loving.

No. 1 Update:  We updated our small appliances!  And, for relatively little money, this made a huge difference.  I was able to find appliances that met 4 criteria (1) had to look good, (2) had to work really well, (3) had to be a good price and (4) had to be easy to clean.

Meet the new coffee maker, coffee grinder and blender.  I can now grind coffee for all 12 cups of coffee at once instead of in two batches.  And I tried to limit the amount of stainless on these surfaces -- it's a cleaner look for the open space and a lot easier to clean.

And, my new amazing toaster.  I had a toaster I completely loved so it was hard to move on.  But this one is seriously amazing.  It works like a dream.  And, is super easy to clean.  Oh yeah, and if you drop it the rubber outside really minimizes any damage to your floors.

No. 2 Update:  Finally, found the perfect rug for this space!  #1 best thing about it?? It beautifully hides crumbs, spills, drops, etc. but is still easy to vacuum up every few days.  And, it's all one piece.  I tried putting two rugs together to get one long rug but the shifting of the rugs really bothered me AND even though it was a dark color it then collected a ton of lint in about a minute after being cleaned.  And, I have to admit it's pretty fun to have a tiger run in your kitchen.  {I found this rug in New York in the basement of ABC -- a great deal since it was already finished for just $149.}

 

No. 3 Update:  Created zones.  I am a big believer in trying to create zones for activities.  It just makes things go smoothly.  I can be getting coffee in the coffee zone while husband is getting cereal or oatmeal in the oatmeal zone.  Which, let's just say, makes the mornings a whole lot more fun.

Coffee zone. {I love the glass containers from Ikea that they had at the holidays.  The star was really sweet and vintage to me without being annoying.}

Oatmeal zone.

Bar zone. {I love the antlers I snuck in here.  They are actually stacking measuring cups that are inside but I love the brassiness of him.}

Toast zone.   Just add a cutting board and easy to make toast, waffles, a sandwich, etc.

And, yes, I could actually live on coffee, oatmeal, drinks, and toast.  Throw in some arugula, eggs and sparkling water and I'm pretty much good.

And, my favorite detail. 
This piece is my mom's from when we were growing up in South Florida that I have always loved.  I found it when I was at home last year, convinced mom to let me take it with me and then was so happy to pack it in the car on the top of all of my things so that it wouldn't get crushed.  It didn't get crushed -- it melted in the hot August 4 1/2 hour car trip!  I was really sad at first, but then I just got over it and decided that it was the perfect holder for tea bags.