Friday 5+1 (5 Things I Love + 1 Thing I Don’t) – 6.4.21

We’ve been in a bit of a holding pattern with our kitchen remodel, so I figured it would be a good time to share a 5+1 post.  There is one thing I can count on with this remodel though – delays.  One delay creates a domino effect with everything else.  I guess I should have anticipated it, but things just keep going sideways.  But, it is what it is.  That’s what I keep saying to myself anyway.  

Kitchen Remodel Schedule Update

Our current timeline has gotten out of order.  Floors are due to go in beginning July 6th.  Cabinet installation starts July 23rd.  Countertop template is scheduled for July 30th (and they told me it will be a week turnaround since I got on the schedule early).  Yes, cabinets were supposed to be in before floors.  But jobs ahead of mine are causing delays in my timeline.  So, we’re going to lay out the cabinet design on the floor, and have the floors installed around it, as if the cabinets were installed.  We’re getting creative.  Either way, I’m excited to see the floors go in, because they’re going to be such a game changer by themselves.  

I’m thinking about some posts that go through some of the decision making process, and some of the items we’ve selected (even though they’re not installed yet).  Once again, I keep crossing my fingers that this all comes together the way I envision it in my head!

Enough of that, let’s get on with the Friday 5+1!  This post contains some affiliate links.

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett

I’m back on a good reading rhythm, which has been great, and I recently finished The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett.  It’s an endearing story about aging, life, unlikely friends and how you’re never too old to be important.  The characters are endearing, and the audiobook version is absolutely brilliant.  The narration is in my list of favorites now, and I listen to a lot of books.  It’s a great story, and one that has stuck with me.

Awesomely Reasonable Outdoor Furniture

We’ve been on the hunt for some outdoor furniture for awhile, but ideally, we would like it be comfortable, of good quality, and not cost a fortune.  A big ask, it seems.  But I have found the unicorn of outdoor furniture – this Hawthorne Park set from Walmart.com, of all places, has exceeded my expectations in a big way.  It’s sturdy, comfortable, and easy to assemble.  And the price was right.  About $1000 for two chairs, a sofa and a table.  We have it set up outside on our back deck, and it’s so pretty.  We’ve done a little bit of musical chairs, but you can see how it looks.

I had my eye on it for awhile, and kept checking to see if it was in stock, and finally got lucky.  This other set was another contender, especially since the chairs rock and swivel.

New Molding

I haven’t shared all of the changes in our basement (in part because it’s now serving as our makeshift kitchen), but here is a sneak peek at the molding that we added down there.  We had put in some board and batten not long after we moved in, but it had taken a bit of a beating with kids and all of the activity down there.  I hired my carpenter guys to do the work, and their work is so nice and so finished.  I love it!  I primed it but still need to paint it (which I’ll do when I’m painting trim and everything upstairs), but even with just the primer, it looks amazing (painting tape aside).

They have done work for my customers, and never disappoint.  I’m still loving the trim transformation on this customer kitchen I shared with you all recently.

Greenlights

Ok, I’m going back to books again, but when I get on a string of good ones, I feel compelled to share.  I listened to Greenlights in a matter of about a day and a half, and really enjoyed it.  Matthew McConaughey is a great storyteller, and his life experiences proved to be sad, hilarious, insightful and compelling.  And his narration is easy on your ears.  Worth a listen.

A Fresh Take on Old Furniture

I am really loving the mix of wood and painted finishes combined together, but I also love a pretty stained furniture makeover on its own as well.  This pretty dresser makeover from Shades of Blue Interiors is a beauty!  Would you believe it started as an old orangey oak dresser?  It has such an updated vibe to it now.  Check out the full post and how-to’s on her blog.  I’m saving it for future reference, because staining is one thing I definitely want to learn more about when it comes to refinishing.

 

My +1 for the week – Selling anything on Facebook Marketplace

I have come to the conclusion that unless I’m selling something for $200 or more, it’s not worth the hassle of dealing with people on Facebook Marketplace.  We’re selling our cabinets and appliances, and it has been absolutely ridiculous.  First, the sheer VOLUME of responses I got was overwhelming (meaning I probably didn’t charge enough).  Plus, no one READS anything.  Then, on more than one occasion, I had buyers back out at the last minute, sending me back to square one.  And it surprises me to no end, the number of unexpected and unfortunate events that seem to strike people while I’m waiting for them to pick up my stuff.  That’s been sitting in our garage for nearly a month now.  

Is there some sort of strategy I’m missing here?  I don’t plan on selling anything else soon, and have discovered local groups that are “Buy Nothing” groups where you can give away your items to people in your local community.  I really like that, and have donated things that we no longer need and don’t want the hassle of selling.  It’s just not worth it sometimes!