Good Morning, Morning Kitchen

Hello, Sunshine!

This weekend we FINALLY finished the Master Bath Remodel, which began in 2009.
We ripped out and rebuilt just about everything, but one project we just couldn’t seem to finish: the Morning Kitchen.



We started seeing Morning Kitchens, sometimes called Morning Bars, in Model Homes around our area about 3-4 years ago and immediately loved the idea.  A small space in the Master Suite dedicated to a cup of coffee, some wine or champagne—and all without having to leave your own room.  Like being at a hotel on vacation.

And, as our kids become teenagers, the idea of being able to shut and lock the doors to the Master and hide from them becomes more and more appealing.

Our Master bathroom has two sinks, separated by a bench on one wall.  Opposite those sinks is a linen closet, then the shower, and then a Vanity.  The Vanity is right next to the tub.  The PERFECT place for a Morning Kitchen.

We really liked the idea of reusing the existing cabinetry—being both eco and cost friendly. And it worked out great that the original space, which was designed for a small chair or stool, was very close to the size of a small refrigerator. 

First, we removed the icky, stained, formerly white, wood countertop, and replaced it with Baltic Brown granite.  It complements the Crema Marfil Marble countertops for the sinks, and I knew I didn’t want marble on a countertop where I might spill wine or coffee.

We pulled down the big mirror and replaced the light fixture.

Next, Ryan removed the drawer above the stool/chair opening to give it enough height for a refrigerator. 
We added some trim, painted the whole thing Black, ran an electrical outlet and there you have it.  Good morning, Morning Kitchen.

I think we’ll keep coffee, a bottle of wine, bottled water and, of course, a bottle of champagne there. (we don’t really drink champagne, but won’t it appear to be sexy-sexy by the tub? hah!)  I’m interested to see how much we will really use it.  But, we would never have used the vanity as it was.  AND, it would be easy to convert back to a vanity, if anyone in the future preferred it that way.  Plus, it’s just cool!

Here are the BEFORE and AFTER photos.  I had completely forgotten how bad it was.




I may be hiding out in here tonight…or for the rest of my life.  If I never comment on your blog or post again, well, you know where I will be.

Thank you, Master

Still waiting on that KVM extender.

In the meantime, can we visit the Master Bedroom? We haven't done a lot in here, but it's one of my favorite rooms in the whole house.

First, you get to it by going through it's own little hallway.



Here's a closer look. Renee at Modus Operandi Designs, who just happens to be my SIL, has suggested we frame this massive built-in mirror. Love the idea and have put it on the to-do list. The arrangement and the table both came from Cameron's. One of my favorite stores in the world.

Ryan replaced the original light with this one, which matches our Dining Room fixture and is on a dimmer switch. SEXY! (BTW, the old light -- we thought it was frosted glass. It wasn't. Just years and years of dust on it.)



Turn to the left and you go into the Master Bathroom. I've shown LOTS of pictures of the Master Bath. here and here and here and here . (Sadly, I am not done with that room yet!)

Turn to the right, and that's where the MAGIC happens!

You know it!

His and Hers Closets!

I am on the left and Ryan on the right. My mom says the double closet situation will save our marriage and add 20 years to Ryan's life (I'm a wee bit of a slob.)



Once in the Bedroom, you see this to the right side. The bookcase also came from Cameron's, and is filled with many of my favorite things. We just got the bedspread on sale at JC Penney, and one day will replace the nightstands and headboard.



And you see this to the middle-left-ish. I LOVE this part. Chairs, ottoman, pillows, table and the mirror that you can barely see due to the picture being so dark - all from Cameron's. The pillows and ottoman were in the "Clearance Cove." SWEET DEALS! My mom made the curtains - more on those later! The cats belong to the children: Sugar on the left belongs to Harper and Sonic on the right belongs to Tanner.



There's also a fireplace and a rather largish TV to the left of the chairs. The picture was super blurry, and I'm too lazy to take another right now. Plus the fireplace REALLY deserves a post all it's own (and in this case, that's not a good thing!)

Last - help me out here. See this hole over the bed? REALLY don't know what to do with it. Is it cool or like a college dorm room? Is it OKAY to have the headboard covering up the bottom? I suck at accessorizing. What to do with it?



And THAT concludes the tour!