I'm dreaming of a white kitchen

Let all that you do be done in love! 1 Corinthians 16:14

I have to admit that I am in love with white cabinets. And thick, bold, white trim. And I don't discriminate... I love it all... white baseboards, white crown molding, white door trim, white window trim (this is likely to be old news to you if you follow me on Pinterest!). But what's the use for any of this, if it isn't oversized? Luckily the combined living room and kitchen in the new house have high, vaulted ceilings so all of this thick molding will look right at home! Right after we scrape down the popcorn ceiling, that is!

Height added to a traditional door frame by adding simple moldings.

Tall baseboards made easy with a 1x6 and small trim piece. 

Beautiful three paneled doors look timeless!

This should be easy enough, right dad?!

Find more on this project, here.

I. love. this. All kinds of molding ideas, here. 

My new front door has side panels just like this one. I'll be painting them white to contrast against my colorful front door. More front door facades, here. 

Square, white columns are a must! More like these, here.

I never knew I wanted back, covered porch until I saw this picture. Rug, patio furniture, lantern, combined with white columns, white door and lots of white trim... say no more! Such awesome ideas, here.

Be still my heart! White, square columns. White trim. Painted floor. Gas lanterns. Working shutters. My white washed-ish brick will look great with my attempt to recreate this! More, here. 

Am I so silly to want my back patio painted like this?! Love the eccentric design ideas, here. 

White cabinets and dark hardware are a must in my kitchen! I love these solid bases with glass paned uppers. Farm sink is precious... huge surprise, I'd rather have a white one! Precious home ideas like this one, here.

White trim. White cabinets. Dark knobs. Natural bamboo shades. Am I in heaven?!

Love the ideas, here.

Beadboard in the bathroom. I'm swooning. Adorable ideas, here. 

These mirrors are my OCD dream. Storage all hidden away = perfection. I could look for ideas all day, here.

Anyone who has had the serious misfortune opportunity to see my embroidery room knows that it is a bit of a mess. I struggle with ideas to store my fabric, crafting supplies, ribbon, etc. knowing that any investment of time or money will be lost once the machine is moved over to my new house and a smaller room further complicates the equation. A floor to ceiling built in cabinet like this smaller one shown above is exactly what I need to hide my embroidery machine. Hopefully, a wall of built in cabinets combined with a built in desk and drawers for storage will be the answer to my organizational woes. Other great ideas, here.

 While on the theme of hiding, I just had to share this idea. Looks complicated, but you could easily modify your own cabinets with a pull out tray from Lowes or Home Depot. This would be perfect for people like me who wouldn't use small appliances like this on a regular basis. I'll take a lime green Kitchen Aid stand mixer if anyone has an extra $300 they're just dying to get rid of. Sigh... guess it will  be added to my mile long wish list wedding registry. Seriously, great ideas, here.

Now, none of this seems like too much to ask for, does it?! But I'm torn, do I continue my search for construction based projects or spread my efforts to include cosmetic and or design features as well? It's too bad I've yet to mention anything about my obsession with plantation shutters...

well, isn't that fancy!

But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. 1 Corinthians 14:40

I do believe that an organized house makes for a organized mind, and the closet bug has got me thinking about all kinds of organization for the entire house! No doubt, the common thread in my posts so far has been how to best utilize every square inch of space in our new abode. I've started digital stickies on my laptop that are organized by room to remind me of all of the fancy ideas I see while searching DIY and organizational blogs, but I thought I'd share some of them here and maybe even get a little feedback. Are there any space saving projects you've started that just work wonderfully for you?

These are some of the things that I've stumbled across in my search that have made me look twice and think about how I'll implement them (or similar ideas) into H4. 

I found this great idea here. They are fridge liners that add a little pizzaz to your drawers and bins, but they are also absorbent! Pick up three of these for $25 here. I personally am in love with this idea! Absorbent = no yucky, crusty milk spills or grimy veggies to wipe up = easy cleaning! And they come in four different colors and three different patterns, say what?!?! I'm sold!

Thanks, Martha! 

Now, Martha Stewart makes this uber fancy by using etched glass, but you could easily pick up some plain glass containers from the dollar store, a craft store chain or even World Market (with coupons!) and add vinyl letters to label some of your pantry staples. Added bonus, no spilling sugar or flour when unrolling the tops of your open bags (you know exactly what I'm talking about!). Now, you'll never discover you're out of all purpose flour in the middle of a baking project because the clear containers let you easily scan your cabinets before making a grocery run! I'm so excited to do this in our new house!

I try to cook as much as my night schedule allows, but I hate hate hate all those different size spice containers that clutter my cabinets. Enter this handy idea from one of my new favorite sites for organizational ideas, iheartorganizing. What a great way to streamline your spices and save cabinet space. Seems like a win-win if you ask me! 

Thanks, Martha!

Thanks, Martha!

I'm quickly learning that the backs of various doors are great places to utilize wasted storage space. I don't mean the traditional coat rack that is overflowing with junk (or at least I know this is what I end up doing), but actual everything in its place kind of storage. For our double door laundry room, we'll have a hanging basket on one side for our detergent and fabric softeners with the iron/ironing board just below. On the other door, a broom, mop, etc hanging like what is shown above. I just think this is genius! Think of all the space we'll be saving on our shelves in the laundry room closet! I'm in OCD heaven!! 

Thanks, Martha!

We'll be investing in a stackable washer and dryer for our small laundry closet and I think the idea of a pull out shelf between the two units in awesome! I hate wrinkles so I love to pull things out of the dryer one by one and fold while they are still warm. This idea will work just perfectly for that!

Thanks, Martha!

Although I won't be using this tip in the exact same way, what a great idea! We'll use a small basket next to the washer and dryer for our clothes that will bypass traditional washing and go straight to the cleaners. This surely beats an unsightly pile in the corner of the bedroom just reminding me of a looming list of errands waiting to be done!

To go along with the back of the door theme, I love these decorative necklace holders to mount on the back of my closet door. Cute and functional, the large knobs will ensure necklaces don't fall down with the frequent opening and closing of doors for daily closet access. There are plenty of these for sale on etsy, but I plan on making one with salvaged cabinet door fronts and cute clearance knobs from Anthro. Like this one? Buy it here.

I have a love/hate relationship with my scarves. I love to wear them and hate to store them, which means I have yet to come up with a good solution. I like this idea... get a cheap towel rod and knot your scarves for easy and wrinkle free storage. Viola - now you can see your different options without having to dig through baskets or dresser drawers! Wish I came up with this idea, but you can find the inspiration here.

Now, the biggest challenge will be the embroidery room. I must admit, I'm a little fearful of tackling this area because there is so much junk stuff that needs to be organized. Along with the organization of all my monogramming essentials will come a business overhaul to simplify The Possum Shoppe. More on that later!

in all things, give thanks

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Whew whee, what a busy couple of weeks it's been! With so much going on, I've had a pleasant reminder of how blessed I really am. If we're besties on facespace, you may have seen that I planned a surprise trip to Napa for Charlie's birthday. It was a huge success! Have you ever tried to plan something super secret without telling your significant other? Let me tell you, that was the longest two weeks of my life leading up to our departure. Despite a hiccup with my luggage being lost (and then broken, urghhh), it was a
perfect and wonderfully relaxing getaway. I cannot begin to say enough
wonderful things about our stay at the Carneros Inn and all of the staff there!
We absolutely loved the area and are already planning to go back next summer. 

I know the guy next to us thought we'd probably never been on a plane before when I asked him to take our picture. For the record, I have been on a plane before, I was just very excited about the big surprise trip I had (successfully) planned for us!

Front of our precious cottage at Carneros. It was amazing!

Little community of the individual cottages for the guests. The landscaping was so pretty. 

Practically a town inside the resort. Three different restaurants, market with snacks 

and wine, bicycle rentals, spa, boutique, pool, bocci ball courts (so fun!)... 

what else could you possibly ask for from a vacation?!

I felt completely guilty after my mini meltdown about my luggage when I saw this view. 

I was so thankful to be on such a fantastic trip with my honey. Things like this can really put 

small setbacks in perspective for you. We were so lucky to be in such a beautiful place! 

But seriously, don't ever fly United. You'll be sorry, I promise. 

Loved this sign pointing to the registration building!

He's going to kill me for posting this! We rode these bicycles all over the place. The baskets on the front were perfect for carrying my purse and all of our goodies from the market. 

Beautiful view at dusk. I took this right after I schooled Charlie on the bocci court!

Everything about our resort was so wonderful and relaxing that we had to make 

ourselves leave to explore Napa and the surrounding towns. This day, we had lunch on 

the patio overlooking the pool and surrounding vineyards. 

It looks like this everywhere. Literally, everywhere!

After Charlie let me shop a little in Napa, we starting talking with the precious owner of a local boutique who pointed us in the direct of this public market. Inside, it had lots of little restaurant-type stands with public seating for the bookoos of customers browsing around.

Front of the public market with sidewalk-front seating. 

We were so stuffed from lunch, Charlie opted for ice cream and I immediately 

decided on this delicious red velvet cupcake. So good!

Possibly my favorite part of the entire trip, the hot air balloon ride! Such a crazy feeling just floating up into the sky, but so fun! There were a handful of other people in the basket with us. Wouldn't you know my luck, another couple in the sky with us got engaged. During our balloon ride. Seriously?! That would happen to me... Anytime, Charlie, just sayin'

Our awesome pilot who has been flying balloons for over 30 years. He was so funny and an absolute delight! We found out after the ride, from another pilot, that he was actually the fella that started the company, modest little thing! If you go to California and want to do the same, use Napa Valley Balloons. Well worth the price and I'd definitely do it again!

Deflating the balloon after our ride. The blue ring up at the top is the sky. That's how it opens things up and lets out the air to deflate. Our pilot says you know you're in trouble if you see this during your ride!

After such a long day, we decided we wanted to just relax around the resort (I told y'all it really was that amazing!). Later that night, we went to one of the restaurants on the grounds. We heard the donuts were amazing so we tried them for dessert. Think mini funnel cake with sweet chocolate dipping sauce. I ate all but one of these little suckers, after an entire plate of what might have been of the most delicious fried chicken I have ever tasted. Sorry, Mom! Love you!

We decided we had to tour at least one vineyard while we were in town and this was the one we chose after an excellent recommendation from one of Charlie's friends. It was a 45 minute drive from us in Napa and the last 20 minutes were spent going about 35 mph through tiny, winding mountain roads. Despite the undesirable conditions getting there, the our guide was too nice and very knowledgeable, making the trip worth the visit. Unlike most vineyards, this one stores all of it's wine barrels in an underground 'cave' that is better for temperature control. Who knew there was so much to learn?

On our wine tour was the winner of Food Network's Hell's Kitchen, season four. She recommended stopping at Gott's for 'the best burgers' around. She was right, they were delicious!

On our way back to the airport, we just had to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. Silly tourists!

After we got back from Napa, we closed on the house (I totally would've taken a cheesy picture, but Charlie had to work so he wasn't there with me)! This is so exciting because Matt and Lis closed on their new house too. Their builder will start working next week and estimates 9-12 months of construction. I can already 

see the time ticking by which means I have to get serious about renovating and decorating! 

Watching Million Dollars Closets today on HGTV has me currently obsessing over closet design. 

Lucky for me, the house is on the smaller cozier side so I'll have a few areas where I can splurge. 

The closets will definitely be one of these areas! 

A girl can dream, right?!

making plans for moving on

Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Isaiah 43:18-19

Of course, on our weekly trip home today I forgot the camera, but so much has changed with the house over the past weeks. Foundation, check! Passed inspection, check (thanks to TONS of hard work from Dad and Matt)! Power turned on, check! All of this is wonderful news for us because the sooner my house is livable again, the sooner Matt and Lis get to start building their new house. The sooner their new house is ready, the sooner they move out of my house and that means the sooner I get to start renovating! There are definitely things I'm going to miss about Charleston, so I've made it my mission to catalog these things and I'll attempt to incorporate them into la casa nueva!

I know, I know... I can have hanging baskets anywhere, but I will certainly miss 

being so close to Abide-A-While Garden Center in Mount Pleasant. It has become 

my favorite place to buy plants and flowers throughout the year because they 

1. are SUPER helpful 2. are SUPER knowledgeable and 3. their plants seem to last forever! 

I'll definitely be making the trip from my new house to continue my shopping there. 

I saw this poor little thing darlin sitting next to the street a couple months ago. There's nothing like finding someone's trash and upcycling it to use as your own!

Some of you may recognize or remember this beauty - we found what is 

now this black bench glider a few years ago sitting on the side 

of the road, all white and dingy just waiting to be picked up by the city trash 

service... so we took it! One replaced board and several coats of black paint later, viola! 

I love our shed. I found that iron half circle at a antique shop, spray 

painted it black and used it to fancy up the plain facade. 

Our landlord and his two younger brothers grew up in this precious little house!

My favorite part of spring, duh, window boxes! I planted these in October and they are still looking good. Thanks, of course, to my friends at Abide-A-While who helped me pick out just the right plants. 

Seriously, who wouldn't want to have this right outside their front door?! It's 

practically a picturesque scene from Leave It To Beaver or something of the sort.  

Besides being pretty, the new house needs to be functional. Our back room will be expanded to use as a den slash office slash embroidery room. Organization is going to be key and I'm already preparing for the challenge of having to best utilize every single square inch of the house for storage. I'm definitely one of those 'a place for everything and everything in its place' kind of people so Charlie and I have been brainstorming ideas to maintain the peace. I'm thankful I have plenty of time to come up with our methods and I'm even more thankful to finally have my embroidery machine in the same house as me. 

Did I mention lady genius and fellow home crafter turned small business owner will be right down the road from me once we've made the move? She was behind the lens of the camera that took all the shots of the house from my first post. We'll be sipping coffee and updating our websites together in no time. In the mean time, check out her fab-u-lous jewels for sale and her country livin' blog, here!