wine on the keyboard

Basil Martini

by Kay~Kacey on 8/21/2012

Can a person ever have too much basil? I think not!

basil plant

So our basil has survived the heat and draught this summer. Survived very well, I might add. Even though we cut some of it everyday and use it in some way.

Our newest invention?

I give you a vodka basil martini with a twist a lemon!

basil martini

You are welcome.

Yum.

Oh yes, and I have more basil concoctions to come…stay tuned.

The Great Teal Debate

by Kay~Kacey on 8/15/2012

So, we had to decide on paint colors…like RIGHT NOW. Very hard when there is nothing in the house. No flooring, no lighting, etc. But, we did what we could…

We went with a neutral wall color. Benjamin Moore Pashmina.

Benjamin Moore Pashmina

Then we wanted white trim that will closely match our white kitchen cabinets. We went with Benjamin Moore White Dove. (and is it wrong that I really wanted the white chocolate to be the best match just because I loved the name??)

Benjamin Moore White Dove

Then the trouble started. The teal color for my office which is right off the great room. We wanted a pop of color.

trying out teal colors

Brought over some of my antique plates that I like their teal colors. Put out big Benjamin Moore samples.

benjamin moore teal paint colors

Tried them in different lighting.

teal walls

Some looked way too intense, some looked a bit steely grey toned. Some leaned towards a sprucey undertone.

Surf Blue:

Benjamin Moore Surf Blue

Pacific Palisades:

Benjamin Moore Pacific Palisades

Blue Lake

Benjamin Moore Blue Lake

Who knew picking a teal shade would be so very, very hard???

And the winner is: Florida Keys Blue…which looks more blue than this sample, but I’m still not sure it is what I want. I think I want it more blue. SuperGuy is planning on putting up beadboard in the office for me, so we can repaint then after we live with this color for awhile.

Benjamin Moore Florida Keys Blue

We made a ton of decisions this last week. It’s fun, but I’m so afraid it won’t all come together, you know?  I’ll share some of our lighting and faucet choices soon.

Kitchen Inspiration Piece

by Kay~Kacey on 8/13/2012

Ah, yes. It was time to pick a kitchen inspiration piece for my new kitchen. So, since my red kitchenaid mixer is my inspiration piece in St. Louis…I thought it was only fitting to use a kitchenaid mixer for my inspiration piece at our new home too.

ice blue kitchenaid mixer

Ta da! My ice blue Kitchenaid stand mixer. Don’t you love it??

kitchenaid stand mixer aqua

It varies a bit more green, or a bit more blue depending on the light. So, of course, I’m going to use shades of teal for my accent color in my kitchen. The cabinets are white and the counter is black. This is going to pop so nicely against the black countertop!

teal plates

I already have a lot of teal dishes. I love teal.

teal food photography props

I can’t wait to get more teal/aqua/turquoise dishes and towels and accent pieces for the great room that is right off the kitchen. What fun!

Oh…and I’m not totally sure on this…but I think we’re going to paint my office…which is right off the great room through glass french doors…a deep, dark shade of teal. SuperGuy swears if it’s too much he’ll repaint or put up beadboard partway up the walls in my office if the teal is too intense.

I’ll share paint colors soon and you can either agree with SuperGuy, or shoot him down…