Coastal Collective Co.

One Room Challenge Fall 2015: Week 1 Kitchen

Kitchen, Interiors, Home Blog PostsAnneke McConnell

There's nothing I love more than a good challenge, especially when it is challenging me to finish something I started this summer - our kitchen.  The One Room Challenge is a 6-week challenge, hosted by Linda of Calling It Home, to transform, finish, or fluff a room sharing weekly updates of their blog.  I've watched and admired the transformations in the past, but was not in a position to participate at that time.

 

If you're new to Coastal Collective Co., welcome!  This is a newer blog I launched in full force this Fall after taking a year off of blogging at my previous blog This, That and Life.  It's been a crazy and exciting transition from being full-time stay-at-home mama for the past 10 years (and part-time blogging the past few years), to full-time blogging now that all of our kiddos are in school during the day.

 

New beginnings can be scary, especially not transferring any previous content I had built up, but I'm having a blast being back to blogging and sharing with you all - my personal spin on everything from interior design, furniture makeovers, fashion, and what I've learned about blogging over the years and balancing it all!

 

Ok, so what about the challenge?!  Our little beach house kitchen is about to get DONE!  Finished! When my husband and I decided to move into our little beach house, he promised I could paint the cabinets white - my dream!! Two years later and this summer I impulsively cracked open my paint can and just started.  FYI....I don't recommend that, even after all that scheming in my head for months.  I had quite the good and back experience through it all, sharing the occasional post on Instagram, ultimately abandoning the full makeover in its entirety once the cabinets were painted and reinstalled.

I was burnt out. Done. No more.

I was also wanting to enjoy the view, enjoy my kid's summer break, and enjoy a functioning kitchen again.  Honestly, I vowed to never do a major project like that during the kid's summer break again. Yikes - but I will share what I learned with YOU, so you don't make the same mistakes I did. PLUS, I'm going to finish, because we still have a list of things to accomplish with the space. You are officially my accountability partner, ok?

Want to see the BEFORE photos already?  Here are photos of our kitchen when we had it listed as a vacation rental.  Yes...most of the time is spent looking out. We are extremely thankful and our move to this home has been a blessing!

 

So the kitchen, although very "orange-toned", was well taken care of when we bought it and it has great lines to work with.  We have much bigger plans in mind [renovation scale] to move the stove, flatten the island to countertop height, and upgrade appliances and flooring, but this plan is our mid-way "make it better on a budget with little mess" plan.

 

Here's the vision and plan:

  1. Make it affordable and manageable with the family schedule - so no new countertops, appliances, flooring, etc. at this time.
  2. Paint the cabinets white.
  3. Paint the walls - which color though, still not sure.
  4. Source, buy, and install knobs and pulls for the cabinets.
  5. Source, buy and install a new kitchen faucet. The current sink will stay.
  6. Choose finishing items: window treatments, kitchen rug, kitchen towels, wall decor.
  7. Tackle the backsplash.
  8. Address better storage solutions and organization of items in the cabinets and drawers.
  9. Address the little nook space next to the cabinets.
  10. Address the dining nook by the window.

 

I'd say that's a pretty good list to tackle over the next 6 weeks!  Check back every Thursday for updates and the final reveal with be November 12th - just before my birthday! Woohoo!  Here is the vision and a few inspirational photos to give you a better idea of my style and the looks I am drawn to.

 


source WS Home

Cheers to the next 6 weeks of progress updates and following along with the 20 selected designers and linking participants. Wish me luck!


****Update: here is the entire series

Week 1: The Vision and Before Photos

Week 2: Painting the Cabinets

Week 3: Purging, Storage and Organization Solutions in the Kitchen

Week 4: Herringbone Tile

Week 5: Evaluating Progress

Week 6: Kitchen Reveal

 

xo,

Anneke

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@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

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Splurge vs. Save: All Things Leopard Print

Fashion Blog PostsAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

 

When it comes to fall patterns and textures, the leopard print is one of my top five favorites, along with faux fur, velvet, cable knit, and plaid which I've already highlighted here for the season.

 

I love putting this weekly series together because even this girl who loves higher end, high quality  items also wants to know how to get the look for less at times!  So whether you have been looking for a super cute leopard clutch, coat, or high heels - here's my faves for Splurge vs. Save.   Take note, not all leopard on all things is good....keep it classy ladies. ;-)

 

Here are other leopard finds that I think look stylish.  It's kind of amazing just how much pops up on search engines for leopard, so I hope this helps narrow things down for you. ;-)

Sometimes I feel like I live in two worlds of all things girly and dressy and heels and hair and the other side that that's messy painting furniture and working on decorating projects for the house.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  Today is a painting project day and I can't wait to dive into sharing about our KITCHEN MAKEOVER!!  Time to hammer it out and share all the good and the bad (yup - there was some of that)!

Thank you for visiting and enjoy your day!

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

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Want to learn how to refinish your own furniture? Click HERE.

 

 

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Coastal Interiors: Entryway Design and Decor Picks Under $100

Entryway, Home Blog PostsAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

 

When it comes to design, I gravitate toward clean and simple, yet with an element of coziness and blended textures.  In today's entryway design (first shared on Instagram at @CoastalInteriors using LikeToKnow.It's services - sign up to easily shop my designs before they hit the blog).

Like I said above, I love clean lines and uncluttered design.  I do think that special items styled well make a beautiful difference and add character to your home.  I often love searching local antique shops on the surrounding PNW islands for a beautiful piece of coral.  It is one of the few things I collect and treasure, because each piece is unique and they look beautiful displayed throughout our home.  Below are some of my recent finds of mostly under $100 items I find either beautiful, functional, adding to a positive family life, or a great sale this week!  I'm honored to possibly be a part of helping you find a special new treasure or decor item to add to your home this season. These are anything from home decor items, lighting, and kitchen items for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  I love them all!

 

 

Below are a few items that caught my eye as I was searching for design ideas.  That blue velvet settee is gorgeous, isn't it?!

On a personal project note, I am continuing to work on our open kitchen, dining, and living room space at our beach house [series on previous blog] as well as a mini makeover on our kid's shared bedroom. These things never seem to happen as quickly as I'd like, but I'd rather take it in stride than rush it!

 

***Congratulations to Shirley Higgins who won the Instagram Giveaway. Please email me at coastalcollectiveco@gmail.com by October 26th, 2015 with subject line GIVEAWAY to claim your prize! Thank you to everyone who entered. We will have more of these giveaways in the coming weeks!

 

Thank you for visiting and enjoy your day!

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

Follow along on Facebook

Want to learn how to refinish your own furniture? Click HERE.

 

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Make It Happen: How To Focus Better

Personal DevelopmentAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

 

When I first began learning about focus and applying the very tangible habits to get more done with little more effort, I was shocked at the results I got.  The first time I knuckled down and "did work" with intentional focus, it took me a mere two hours to get done what normally would have taken me eight! Now that's results!


There are habits you can learn over time that will help you to better focus, but here are 3 very powerful things you can do today:


1. PLAN AHEAD.

Ok, I know I've said this before, and I'll probably say it again. It's just that powerful!  There are too many people these days flying by the seat of their pants and hoping for the best. That's not how things get done well or quickly, and that's not how success is made.  When you plan ahead and schedule your day, there should be space where you CAN knuckle down and focus without any other demands or distractions.  No, it doesn't always work out as planned (talking to my work at home mamas!), but at least you have a structure to work and be flexible with.


2. APPROPRIATELY MANAGE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA/PHONE.

When I work with women one on one, this is by far the most powerful step they take to gaining better focus and making things happen in their lives.  It's not easy though! There is the constant pull and distraction of social media, checking things "really quick", and getting sucked into online content that frankly distracts us from accomplishing our own goals.  You are in control of your time, so don't be a slave to your mobile devices.  Turn your phone on "Airplane Mode" when you need a focused block of time to get work done.


3. GET ORGANIZED AND CREATE A WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES AND WORKS FOR YOU.

As someone who blogs about interiors, I'm sure it's not a surprise that this is on the list, but not without good reason!  When everything around you is disorganized and chaotic, it is much more difficult to focus and have a good work flow - whether this is working on your computer, getting things done around your home (can you find the tools and cleaning supplies?), simply getting ready in the morning, etc. Soooooo much time is wasted every day when you are "trying to find" something.  Spending time to stop and organize spaces pays off in the end and gives people not only peace of mind, but mental clarity to get the job done or get on with their day.


Do you have any tips or tricks that help you to focus better.  Of course there are the basics which I covered recently - exercise, eat well, sleep, etc.  If you are feeling a bit disorganized and overwhelmed with the information thrown our way daily, I highly recommend the book, The Organized Mind, by Daniel Levitin.  


Share your thoughts below or on social media. Have an awesome day friends!

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

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