randuwa

Monday, April 22, 2013

Spring Images

Images all taken in the past week from my gardens and containers in my backyard.

Catnip, Nepeta cataria

Golden Star, Chrysogonum virginianum

Bleeding Heart, Dicenta formosa

Ragwort, Jacobaea vulgaris

Money Plant, Lunaria biennis

Blue-eyed Grass, Sisrychium bellum

Blue Bugleweed, Ajuga genevensis

Pride Birthdays and Memorials for the Week ~ April 21st to April 27th

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The crew returned today to wrap up the project. Their work is now done shy of me discovering touch-ups, of which I am keeping a list. Richard, my GC, told me he expected that there would be some--am I that transparent? I am contemplating sending him a "Plus/Delta" evaluation along with the final payment. It's mostly positive, the delta's are just suggestions for ways to improve the process for future clients.

In the meantime, three views of the countertop with only the under cabinet lighting on.

The Paradigm Is Shifting

Spring Cherry Tree

Awesome little cherry. It's spring in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Kitchen Renovation: Wednesday

The time is quickly closing on this project. Plumbing done and ceramic in place awaiting grout.

Changing the old butter yellow trim out for colors taken from the backsplash.

Keeping the old landline and doing it with this replica pay phone is an idea with which I am very pleased.

And, DAMN, I know how to paint! No tape was used in the production of this perfect cut.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Kitchen Renovation: Update Granite And Backsplash

Kitchen update: Granite countertops are in! As is most of the sink plumbing and some of the backsplash. You can see how I combined the stainless steel subway tile with the border and then the multiple glass and travertine. I had just asked my contractor to add in the subway tile behind the range to the microwave. SO glad I did that!

This give a good look at how the components work together from the floor to the cabinets to the appliances to the counterop to the backsplash.

From my thoughts about this renovation project, I wanted to move the sink, and I am so glad that I did. This is always going to be a cozy kitchen 8" x 12", and moving the sink allowed me to imbed the dishwasher under the countertop.

The way that the elements work together is very pleasing to me. Both clean and classic but also dramatic is a way that achieves the right balance to me.

The results of the stainless steel subway tiles forming a sorta of faux chimney feature between the stove and the microwave.

Random Quote #156

Spring Images

Living in Washington, D.C. having a cherry tree from a Japanese cultivar that blooms in the spring is not optional!

My beloved Virginia Bluebells, Mertensis virginica.

Little stone bunny amid the erupting earth with Celandine Poppies, Violets, Phlox, Adjuga, Bleeding Hearts, and variegated Hawkweed.

Pride Birthdays and Memorials for the Week ~ April 14th to April 20th

Sunday, April 07, 2013

Renovation: Potential Trim Palate

Quince Blossoms

From my Flowering Quince, Chaenomeles speciosa.

HGTV: Scott McGillivray

Love this guy and love his show: Income Property. HGTV is my go to spot these days for real time TV.

Daffodils Abound: Images From My Gardens

Random Quote #155

A Couple Of My Quilts

This one is based on the game Chinese Checkers, which was something my sister and I would play with our paternal grandmother during childhood visits. I appliqued the "marbles" in a way that allowed me to stuff them and give them a bit of a rounded form. The center is hand-quilted, and the border finished using a machine.

This is the least premeditated quilt on the planet! I went into the fabric store with a friend and came away with the idea!--and the material! The yellow fabric is patterned with forsythia, and the print fabric in the pinwheels is of sea shells; so I call it "Forsythia Beach". My one time collaborator, Annalisa Leonessa, designed and did the quilting. Golly, I miss her!

Pride Birthdays and Memorials for the Week ~ April 7th to April 13th

Thursday, April 04, 2013

In A Family Way

Working to adopt this beautiful dog from Costa Rica. He is a street rescue stray that I have named Romeo.

My Home: New Sofa!

Got the call yesterday and went by after work today to pick it up: The Carmen in the color Flax from Pier 1 Imports. Comfortable and solidly built And I got it for $100.00 off of the list price (It's on sale this week--12.5% off the regular price). Can't complain about that!

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Helleborus Heaven!

My Corsican Hellebore are a mainstay in my gardens. They came to me as a gift from my ex's boss over 15 years ago now. They flourish and are most magnificent in the winter months.