I do not luv the '90s

That's not all together true. The '90s were pretty good to me. Culturally it was a new dawn in music and fashion; a complete rejection of the '80s.  And I went through all of my awkward phases during that decade so it played a formative role in "character building."

However when it comes to my kitchen, I do not like the 1992 burgundy/hunter green combo found in the tile backsplash and countertop. It's gross and completely outdated.  It seems that '80s style has come back around (hello, neon yellow handbag at Target!) and the '90s are the new '80s. So passe.

The kitchen is my first major project! It's totally functional as-is, but totally not me at all.  This is me:

(www.bhg.com)

Prior to moving in, I removed all of the face plates and installed electrical gaskets in an effort to seal the house.  I removed one plate in the kitchen (to the left of the mixer), noticed evidence of an inactive cockroach infestation, quickly screwed the plate back on without sealing it, and moved on to the next room.  I managed an apartment complex in North Hollywood for six months that had an unmanageable cockroach problem.  It was either them or me and they won.  I am still dealing with some PTSD.

Needless to say, I required some moral support in starting this one.  My dear friend, James, came into town as he is working on a nationwide service project (see www.serfbliss.com) and I am his stop in Alabama.  He has always been good about knocking any phobias out of me in the past, so we tackled the backsplash together.

Note the glam glasses in the absence of protective eyewear.  It was better than nothing and I look fabulous chipping away at my walls, don't you think daaaaaling??

After James left, I got a little (um, a little?!) impulsive and ripped out the massive wooden Goliath-of-a-hood  over the stove.  It was there that I learned about grounded wires and the importance of shutting the power off in the WHOLE house (not just PART of the house) when dealing with electricity.  My house smelled like burning for a while but I'm okay!

Here is what my kitchen looks like now:

Looks like crap, you say? Hey, it's progress not perfection! Here's what I want the oven's wall to look like when I'm done:

I have to do this thing in stages because I am on such a tight budget.  One saving grace is that the house came with brand new stainless steel appliances, which is usually the biggest expense in kitchen remodels. I got some countertop quotes from the big box stores; nothing under $1100 for laminate even!  Thanks to Ikea and my neighbor, Cameron, I spent $230 on the perfect gray/stainless steel countertops.  Totally worth the three-hour drive to Atlanta!  I think I may have decided on an apron sink from Ikea too ($185.99 + shipping).

I also found an all-white, 79-piece Martha Stewart dish set at a local antique store ($50!) that I cannot wait to display on those open shelves.  Slap some beaded board behind that deal and now we're talkin'! I am currently emptying the upper cabinets and preparing a temporary kitchen set-up as I work on this project, paycheck by paycheck, week by week...

More to come!
~Easty

Easty's New House

Where do I start?? Okay, how about here:

I moved back to my hometown two years ago after living away for almost ten. I got my college done, some "life experiences," and a butt-load of time stuck in LA traffic, before I realized how much I missed Tuscaloosa. I was stuck on the 10 when I figured that out, called my mom and asked, "how 'bout for Christmas I drive home and just...stay?" I was expecting resistance but was met with lots of joy. Yay!

And so it was: Easty was moving back East!

I've been renting apartments for most of those ten years (with the exception of three years of dorm life) and was starting to get frustrated by my budding DIY passion and the limits placed on it by the ever-present lease.  Hmmm....how about a 30-year project??!! I think I looked at about 50 houses in the Tuscaloosa/Northport area before I finally found my little country cottage (from here on out known as The Knoll.)

It's got a big, fenced-in back yard for Pete------>Here's Pete! He's a jackrat with a penchant for lovin's.

Three bedrooms, two baths, and it's right in the center of town! My commute is seven minutes long, which sure beats the pants off the 2.5 hours spent commuting from Eagle Rock to Santa Monica everyday. I do miss some of the palm trees and all of my lovely friends. 

Best of all, the house is 62 years old and needs some Easty-izing. I would describe that as a modern/eclectic/ French cottage-with lots of red accents-type of style. Okay, so I am a hot mess right now. Follow me on my journey of DIY and decor; I am starting with the kitchen and the gnarly early '90s stuff going on in there...

Home Sweet Home Alabama!

~Easty