Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Sewing Bee's Cottage

My mom, the Sewing Bee, has been remodeling my grandparents house for the past few months - with the help of a wonderful contractor.  The new house is much smaller  (my dad passed away about three years ago) and just the perfect size for her.  My mom and dad owned it as a rental house so it was in need of a lot of TLC.  

Well, it was finally finished (at least the interior) this week.  (of course, it was the week we all started back to school - not the best of timing, but that's okay) I knew you would love to see it.  It is so cozy and cottagey and sweet and so like my mom.  

She completely gutted the kitchen...
New beadboard cabinets...

New stove and microwave.  The whole microwave area used to be a tiny coat closet with the door facing the hall, but mom had her contractor knock that closet out to give her more storage in the kitchen.

She used beautiful green glass subway tile for the backsplash.  I did lots of shopping with her and she fell in love with that when we saw it.  My pictures do not do it justice.  

The counters are silestone.  I personally just LOVE the contrast of the white cabinets, the black counters, and the sparkly green backsplash.

The kitchen has about 2 more linear feet thanks to extending the cabinets from what they were.  Her flooring is a laminate and she knows there is a risk there, but it's just her, so she thinks she'll be able to take good care of it.


She also gutted the bathroom...
I need to get more pictures because there were still a few details that weren't done when I took these shots.

And she wallpapered her bedroom.
It's a buttery soft yellow with gorgeous flowers in shades of jade, soft blue, and a rosy coral color.  She plans to get a white iron bed for the room.  Do you see the new closet doors?  Aren't they cottage perfect?  She replaced all the doors in the entire house - interior and exterior. 
So, we already have several projects lined up for her new little cottage.  
We have furniture to paint, curtains to make, slipcovers to sew, and vignettes to arrange.  

I'm so glad I have some where new to play!  

As we get her moved in, I'll show you some more of the details that make this little cottage just perfect for her.  

Now we just need to come up with a name for her new home.  

Jade Cottage, maybe?  

Do you have any ideas?

Thank you so much for buzzing by!  Oh, and I'm making yummy iced mochas to celebrate my mom's move.  C'mon over and join us!



And the before's were so bad, I put them at the end!  

Oh so drab and dreary...

Yellow tile counters were sunny about 50 years ago - not so much now.

This was just disgusting.  

Doors were pretty boring.

Of course, I'm sharing this metamorphosis over at Susan's.  This is one of the best I've ever been a part of!

31 comments:

  1. Oh it's so sweet! I just love everything about it. What fun to decorate a new place.

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  2. Amazing transformation! And your mother did it all? Sounds like you have some fun ahead!

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  3. Great job! I love the subway tile! Good luck to your Mom in her new home. :)

    Visiting from Met Monday. Have a great week!

    Pam

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  4. *Love that subway tile! What a cute, cottagey kitchen. Can't wait to see it decorated. :)

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  5. The green tile in the kitchen is perfect! I love it!
    Trish

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  6. That backsplash is divine! Wonderful choice!!

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  7. That green subway tile is just gorgeous. How about Verdigris Cottage? Comes from the Latin word for green. I'm sure your mom is going to love her "new" place.

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  8. Wow - what a transformation! I'm so happy for your mom! Looks gorgeous! I know your mind is just spinning with possibilities!

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  9. So pretty! I know it was a lot of work but what a transformation! Love it!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  10. It's so fresh and pretty! I love the cabinets, the backsplash, the countertops and those closet doors. Great job!

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  11. Everything looks so great! Wonderful transformation!

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  12. I love the kitchen! Especially those beadboard cabinets. It lets you use white without it being plain and stark looking. I want those when I grow up :p

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  13. Wonderful transformation! I L.O.V.E. those green tiles!

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  14. What a great makeover! I love the green subway tile in the kitchen.

    Kimberly

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  15. Amazing transformation! Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  16. It looks wonderful so pretty and gleeming.
    Cathy

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  17. Wow! I love the new look! Great job! Best wishes to your Mom!

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  18. I love it. I am looking to take my cottage to a more sleek, cottagey style and you and your mom have inspired me. Tell her it's off to a wonderful start. Can't wait to see all the little details as they happen.

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  19. LOVE the cottage look!! Everything looks so great, I can't wait to watch as it progresses!

    Just found your blog and love it....I am your newest follower :)

    Lou Cinda :)

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  20. I love it..can I move in with Mom!
    The green tile is so perfect and of course the white cabinets just show off the green so beautifully. I love white cabinets and I have dark ones..sigh...I'm still working on Gary to have them painted white :)
    Your Mom is going to really enjoy her new kitchen. Mom's bedroom wallpaper is beautiful the roses are bold and so cottage. I can just see it now with the white iron bed. I can't wait to see all the pictures.
    Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

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  21. It is beautiful!! I love that green subway tile! I am trying to talk my hubby into black counter tops. No luck yet! I'll have to show him how pretty your mom's kitchen turned out!

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  22. Your mom did a beautiful job,its all so well done. Visiting from Met Monday.

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  23. I love it! Is that allure flooring? I have that in my kitchen, and all the neighborhood kids/dogs haven't managed to destroy mine, so I'm sure your mother will have super easy upkeep with it.

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  24. It turned out beautifully! What a huge transformation!

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  25. Wonderful makeover., What a darling kitchen.
    Cass

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  26. What a charming kitchen...a fabulous transformation! Great job~

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  27. Love the kitchen and bedroom. Everything looks fresh and beautiful!

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  28. I love it. Did I say I love it? That green tile is delicious.

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  29. Love the green glass backsplash - so bright and cheery. Can I ask how you got such a cute font on your blog?

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  30. Simply stunning transformation. Love it. How about "Sweetest Bee Cottage?" Aren't moms always the sweetest? Or how about, "Grammy Bee's Sweet Cottage?"

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