best colors for kitchens

HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT WALL COLOR.... FEATURING REVERE PEWTER

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC21CuSixCuQsTtbkUv43wOF2cdIcj6LUpzftIprQeO_AGwLZN_BgEtx2lKFxyrfZ76z0x67W21KzeUOLyLtMkygDnvNn9ETNz8JHfABgh6hHMqHsahFY7IaJw6_TWVKcotJIoZIRHyM/s1600/bm+revere+pewter+diyonthecheap+bs+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC21CuSixCuQsTtbkUv43wOF2cdIcj6LUpzftIprQeO_AGwLZN_BgEtx2lKFxyrfZ76z0x67W21KzeUOLyLtMkygDnvNn9ETNz8JHfABgh6hHMqHsahFY7IaJw6_TWVKcotJIoZIRHyM/s1600/bm+revere+pewter+diyonthecheap+bs+com.jpg" width="410"></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.diyonthecheap.com/">via</a></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;">I'm especially excited to talk about choosing wall color today, </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;">because I just repainted my living, dining and entry - with the PERFECT wall color.</span><br><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/05/how-to-pick-perfect-wall-color.html#more">Read more »</a>

HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT WALL COLOR.... FEATURING REVERE PEWTER

via I'm especially excited to talk about choosing wall color today, because I just repainted my living, dining and entry - with the PER...

11:16 PM

A VISION FOR CHANGE

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I LOVE before and after shots.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm always amazed what can be accomplished with a little paint and elbow grease </span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdk4uCCh13oGQtVAbgfBJ6rWzUqlQVNPs4khHfu98RNWWciBr4jHBchfMHNudYcdkCx6jf1Z9rzZUF3CUGnULNBKLjWqfxYptVv-OLuoxteOe_2J8Q8uDdQ46_iuc6CELDXBkZB8a-oI/s1600/country+living+plain+jane+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdk4uCCh13oGQtVAbgfBJ6rWzUqlQVNPs4khHfu98RNWWciBr4jHBchfMHNudYcdkCx6jf1Z9rzZUF3CUGnULNBKLjWqfxYptVv-OLuoxteOe_2J8Q8uDdQ46_iuc6CELDXBkZB8a-oI/s1600/country+living+plain+jane+before.jpg" width="480"></span></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.countryliving.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Country Living</span></a></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and a little vision</span></div><br /><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-vision-for-change.html#more">Read more »</a>

A VISION FOR CHANGE

I LOVE before and after shots. I'm always amazed what can be accomplished with a little paint and elbow grease Country Living and a lit...

6:25 PM

FAVORITE VIGNETTE PINS FROM PINTEREST -

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> FAVORITE RE-PINS FROM MY PINTEREST BOARDS</b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love to see what pins turn out to be favorites on my Pinterest boards.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes its surprising, but its always interesting</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are the favorite pins from my board</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/CBIDdesign/accessories-and-the-art-of-arrangement/">'Accessories and the Art of Arrangement'</a></b></span></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they are in order of popularity, but there isn't really a lot of room inbetween -</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> all are very close.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><b>#1<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">bookshelf arrangement</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Palette of blues, greens, gold and cream</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx02F9JXJvMzow4NkqseRty0IXYVclkPOprID4pY8NN1AqsEk-sGfY4gLsVg-uZGY-lLENchFEyMoGKqwh2v6IicCJz_mSi8FLxH43j61KMaGQS_L82ANvRrcJFrOWkvolCHtC5ImXIo/s1600/62+newlyweddiaries+bs+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx02F9JXJvMzow4NkqseRty0IXYVclkPOprID4pY8NN1AqsEk-sGfY4gLsVg-uZGY-lLENchFEyMoGKqwh2v6IicCJz_mSi8FLxH43j61KMaGQS_L82ANvRrcJFrOWkvolCHtC5ImXIo/s1600/62+newlyweddiaries+bs+com.jpg" width="426"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></b></div><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/05/more-asked-and-answered.html#more">Read more »</a>

FAVORITE VIGNETTE PINS FROM PINTEREST -

FAVORITE RE-PINS FROM MY PINTEREST BOARDS I love to see what pins turn out to be favorites on my Pinterest boards. Sometimes its surprising...

6:40 PM

TRAVELS IN UTAH - ZION NATIONAL PARK AND PARK CITY

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />THE SKIES GO ON FOREVER<br><br />I just spent a week in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkgx4Fsvl4W7bYICPa4EulnuJAkrr3Rkmuiqba5lot5JAblU6BHOuRbEltyFtnEeJCdTCT_asb0D0I7_KduhNgS7lMCP_5V5djPfUwXrHTVFCKoKckuUrUECyTtv3B9jUnrTYcVt67FA/s1600/IMG_6820+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkgx4Fsvl4W7bYICPa4EulnuJAkrr3Rkmuiqba5lot5JAblU6BHOuRbEltyFtnEeJCdTCT_asb0D0I7_KduhNgS7lMCP_5V5djPfUwXrHTVFCKoKckuUrUECyTtv3B9jUnrTYcVt67FA/s1600/IMG_6820+(2).jpg" width="640"></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I had clients to see in Utah</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />so I also took the opportunity to visit my son, James </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />and my mom.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br><br /></div></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-skies-go-on-forever.html#more">Read more »</a>

TRAVELS IN UTAH - ZION NATIONAL PARK AND PARK CITY

THE SKIES GO ON FOREVER I just spent a week in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I had clients to see in Utah so I also took the opportunity to...

2:11 AM

SOPHISTICATED, CALM, SOOTHING COLOR FOR HURRICANE SANDY VICTIM

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-g_FObMjfRpYJnKMlPkH3o4-jI7Ku-yGpjqdHteiJbePml8vulotJx70ZDAMhLp6hkKV0hVxoiL9Bo3Ayg0V-MZlhbKqtbmdvQyclkNkERyYniocyz4a0THurwurkVo1jBJ6Jh926rE/s1600/dnm+bhg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-g_FObMjfRpYJnKMlPkH3o4-jI7Ku-yGpjqdHteiJbePml8vulotJx70ZDAMhLp6hkKV0hVxoiL9Bo3Ayg0V-MZlhbKqtbmdvQyclkNkERyYniocyz4a0THurwurkVo1jBJ6Jh926rE/s1600/dnm+bhg.jpg" width="480"></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"><br></span></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;"><br></span></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Hi Claudine, </span><br><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">Okay one question will be hard but here goes. </span><br><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal;">We live one block from the beach in Queens, NY, which is great, but Hurricane Sandy did a lot of damage to our home and neighborhood.</span><br><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/05/sophisticated-calm-soothing-color-for.html#more">Read more »</a>

SOPHISTICATED, CALM, SOOTHING COLOR FOR HURRICANE SANDY VICTIM

Hi Claudine, Okay one question will be hard but here goes. We live one block from the beach in Queens, NY, which is great, but Hurricane S...

6:13 PM

Kitchen Updates

Hello!  I thought I would pop in and share a couple of big changes in our kitchen.  If you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/dianagray5?ref=badge#">Instagram</a>, you've already seen them.   Even though I was happy with our all white kitchen, I was ready for a change and so one evening while cleaning out a cabinet, I came across my can of Annie Sloan chalk paint in French Linen and wondered how it would look on my lower kitchen cabinets.  So I tried it and absolutely loved it.<br /><br />Problem was, after painting the lower cabinets, I now hated the countertop.  However, I've always hated our countertops.  When our home was renovated, leftover ceramic floor tiles were used as countertop.  Yuck.  But new countertops have never been in our budget so the only thing I could think of to do was to paint them.   So, that's what I did and I just love them now.  :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwlVvquAK9V6AKgJO91RiHCCagh21F1S0VRg8TxKzsL6NxMdoBvTryIrl71qA9Svi3Vyd4A3TLjVQU3PzR-TNWaYkORAITOKbHR0LU8OiUQNhSei0vbEZ-t7HkOn5dkt-vg628RiLlVX_/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwlVvquAK9V6AKgJO91RiHCCagh21F1S0VRg8TxKzsL6NxMdoBvTryIrl71qA9Svi3Vyd4A3TLjVQU3PzR-TNWaYkORAITOKbHR0LU8OiUQNhSei0vbEZ-t7HkOn5dkt-vg628RiLlVX_/s1600/004.JPG" /></a></div><br />To paint the countertops, first I cleaned them really well to make sure there was no grease or anything that could prevent the paint from adhering.  Then I primed them with Kilz oil based primer.  I let that dry for 24 hours.  Then painted one thin coat of Rustolueum Oil based enamel in Glossy White and let dry for a full 24 hours.  To roll the paint on, I used a foam roller meant for very smooth surfaces.  I did a total of 3 coats making sure to let it dry a full 24 hours between coats.  Also, using oil based paint was important as I was afraid latex would just bubble and peel off if got wet often around the sink.  It was definitely stinky but luckily our kitchen has lots of windows for ventilation. <br /><br />I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.  It is super easy to clean and very durable.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69DmZ9uvmAQQ_lfEdF8jUocAVmdcOuckzo90dR31EF2tK3SeFmGzJbbTjHjM_wkRLJuaGe31Cw4XqnT9vWkalTyF9EWyFEtlr7GRsQpmiYu6xAtLshFXfC_aPqo_MV1Vjk2tzPmzVrZDB/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69DmZ9uvmAQQ_lfEdF8jUocAVmdcOuckzo90dR31EF2tK3SeFmGzJbbTjHjM_wkRLJuaGe31Cw4XqnT9vWkalTyF9EWyFEtlr7GRsQpmiYu6xAtLshFXfC_aPqo_MV1Vjk2tzPmzVrZDB/s1600/009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />And I love the shininess as well as how they look with the french linen paint.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsHRQnrMlHLELXTzUGtARtpnJlK5wOCzmmhm2i9otyOGyxqvRY0DqUv5mT9LsaXro9uoLh5ICVgq_uBTo9TONi3KhvgvzwHVCndjshkispKfeJ8l-cecR5jaFoKkpNefmnwtbcGOqm-8n/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsHRQnrMlHLELXTzUGtARtpnJlK5wOCzmmhm2i9otyOGyxqvRY0DqUv5mT9LsaXro9uoLh5ICVgq_uBTo9TONi3KhvgvzwHVCndjshkispKfeJ8l-cecR5jaFoKkpNefmnwtbcGOqm-8n/s1600/007.JPG" /></a></div><br />And of course I had to make some cute little cafe curtains from some Ikea tea towels that I just bought.  They completely take me back to my grandma's kitchen.  She had something similar and they were always blowing in the breeze, which I just loved.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh09VF8_uAiRscdGjjmEshyphenhyphenzT-VLIUw9pglliwE8fa6c8DZe7fCuKeXbnNR7eyOHy4Aa_Lf7njzFcdraoh7bkoZVfxNeMBWc3Si0iboXRG-_9vV0sHChYvTmCmBkuC0mTrdBcnjoJSrgP/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh09VF8_uAiRscdGjjmEshyphenhyphenzT-VLIUw9pglliwE8fa6c8DZe7fCuKeXbnNR7eyOHy4Aa_Lf7njzFcdraoh7bkoZVfxNeMBWc3Si0iboXRG-_9vV0sHChYvTmCmBkuC0mTrdBcnjoJSrgP/s1600/005.JPG" /></a></div><br />The whole project took about a week when you consider the drying time between coats but it was totally worth it.  I just love it and the total cost was around $20 for primer, one can of oil based paint and a roller.  Gotta love that even more!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mGeqWLe5qd6JoPD3bg4-Z3-OHpXRBCiwv9EinVARj5Umdrv70qIDPX5bv8F3_QdDrs_yrgdhE7lqclRAXpHfyxJwkm2YGsUMqSDCJmOcxrZ_LzjHr521SSUoV0wi-3qbvqWgKlpLNqFX/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mGeqWLe5qd6JoPD3bg4-Z3-OHpXRBCiwv9EinVARj5Umdrv70qIDPX5bv8F3_QdDrs_yrgdhE7lqclRAXpHfyxJwkm2YGsUMqSDCJmOcxrZ_LzjHr521SSUoV0wi-3qbvqWgKlpLNqFX/s1600/006.JPG" /></a></div><br />Have a great week!

Kitchen Updates

Hello! I thought I would pop in and share a couple of big changes in our kitchen. If you follow me on Instagram , you've already seen ...

4:00 AM

BOTANICALS ON YOUR WALL ( AND ANSWERS TO DECORATING QUESTIONS)

BOTANICALS ON YOUR WALL ( AND ANSWERS TO DECORATING QUESTIONS)

I love the current design trend all about nature and natural history. Read more »

10:26 PM