FRIDAY FAVORITES.....

I'm loving this "easy breezy" summer weather we are fortunate enough to be enjoying right now, sure beats the 110 Heat Index last week.

Some of my favorites I have been enjoying this week are......

CAKE BALLS...like a cake pop less the stick, I think the stick is overrated anyway.  These ones are strawberry cake on the inside with vanilla frosting and chocolate! Yum

TULIPS... if I had to settle on only one flower it would be the tulip, I cannot explain my simple obsession but they are just lovely and perfect for all occasions in all colors (my Strong opinion).

 

 

And of course COLBY...with the weather a touch more manageable this week, Colby has been getting a lot more exercise this week!

Off to Smith Mountain Lake for the weekend...

ARLINGTON KITCHEN BEFORE & AFTER..

Earlier in March I posted a few construction photos of a beautiful kitchen coming together in Arlington, VA.

When we conducted our initial walk thru/measurements of the home it was clear this kitchen footprint needed to grow.  For this family of 5 the kitchen needed to serve as the hub of activity and feel connected to the rest of the home, the original configuration didn't allow for this.


{The existing kitchen featured a too small window and sink.}



{Existing appliance configuration just doesn't work}

{The wallpapered wall above is the seperation of the kitchen
from the rest of the home.  To achieve this open/airy
concpet the wall needs to be removed to make the dining area,
kitchen, and family room feel connected}
  

Our client had some pretty Great ideas as to what this space would look like and mean to them And Great Houzz wishlist photos to boot!  With the polished design we started construction President's Day (just a few months ago) and delivered the completed space in April!



{This was a photo I posted earlier during construction}



{Backsplash detail going in}

I had the opportunity to return just a few weeks ago for these photos, the family is loving the transformation and enjoying the new open kitchen!



{Love, Love the veining of the island marble}



{The larger window at the sink adds so much more natural light}



{With the interior wall removed, the kitchen is now connected
to the dining room and family room}

Fun fact, our amazing homeowner completed a "Young House Love" style project on their own.  The light over the dining room table is the original light spray painted! (you can see the before of the light faintly in a previous photo above).

I wish this was my kitchen...




CAPE MAY CALLING...

Matt, Colby, and I were so fortunate enough to spend this past 4th of July with wonderful family in Cape May, NJ!!!  I always come back feeling well rested and energetic!



{Blanket and the Sand, my kind of Beach Day}

 

We couldn't have asked for more; 4 perfect days of beach weather (I finally feel as though I have got some summer color) great food, great company, and to shower outside everyday...there is nothing better!




{If an outdoor shower made sense in Arlington

I would have one in a heartbeat}

 

 

I also got to poke my head in the Cape May Design House on Washington Street.  Turns out that Carole and George, (my in-laws) are good friends with the owners of this year's Design House, they are a lovely couple from Falls Church in fact.  I got to sneak in (2) photos before the volunteers politely asked me to put my camera away.  Such a charming home!


{Loved this chair in the dining room of
the Cape May Design House, it was explain
to me the back was made from old suits}

 

 

{Guest Bedroom at the Design House, typically I don't like white walls,
but I love the coziness of this room}

 

As we prepared for the 4 hour drive back late Sunday evening, this was my last view of the beach!


{Always so Hard to leave}

 

 

The Trip wouldn't be complete without swinging by the Lobster House on the way out of town for some yummy seafood to go.  It's always nice to bring home goodies that leave me feeling as though I am still on vacation the next day!



{Pretty sure I could live on BBQ CLAMS}

 

 

{Lobster Mac N Cheese}

Until Labor Day Cape May...

MY LITTLE SAND CRAB.....

{Colby in the Sand}

 

Matt and I are so looking forward to a few days at the shore. Happy Almost 4th!!!!!