Kitchen Upgrade: Cambria Quartz

Our kitchen got a facelift. No, no, the stencil border is still there.

I'm talking countertops.

More specifically, a Cambria Quartz: Windermere rejuvenation.

Below is what it looked like before.

Not even close to atrocious, but the crud that would daily find itself behind the bubbled up sink and the counter edging was at minimum disturbing. 

Before

And after having a taste of granite in our old house, we knew that the ease and durability was something that we wanted to invest in.

Before

We researched every option, which included reading hundreds of the opinions listed in this countertop forum.

Hearing others vent out their issues and experiences gave us a better idea about what to ask and think about. And reminded us that setting a hot pan on any solid surface isn't a good idea, granite, quartz or otherwise.

Plumbers aren't your only risk of crack attack in the kitchen people.

After: Cambria Windermere

We priced out the Cambria at Mesa Fully Formed in Mesa, AZ, elated that our first choice was about $67 a square foot.  Not much more than the crappy granite during our last kitchen renovation.

After

But unlike the crappy granite, this requires no work.

No sealing.
No stains.
No throwing your body under the drop of wine from your friend's glass that will be absorbed upon impact.

After

Total including old counter removal, installation and tax: $5,593.36

We have a lot of counter here.

Worth it when you see how it glitters.

After

Next in the kitchen? Backsplash and cabinet painting.

I'm trying not to get stressed just typing that out.

I ♥ ...

Two years ago I decided to post "I ♥" status updates on facebook everyday for 30 days.  Nothing too deep, just stuff like this:

It helped me get out of a funk and switch the focus of my inner voice to gratitude.

I miss it.

So I'm going to start again here. Every Friday. And I'd ♥ if every once in a while you'd share what you ♥ too. 

So here goes:

I ♥ head massages. Yes, fingers are best, but I've spent all day sporting one of those wiry massage tools that I just got from a friend, and let me tell you. 

It is a close second.

Have a great weekend.

Rug Shots

I went rugging mad over Memorial Day weekend and ordered 3 rugs from Rugs USA. 

They were having one of their frequent 65% off sales, (like the one going on now that ends at midnight) so each one was about $50.  Except for the Chunky Jute Loop rug under my kitchen table that was $69 for the 5'x8'. 

Honestly, I don't have a lot of rug experience.  So there is comfort in trying things out for under $75.

Because complete fails over that amount triple in their internal sting.

Once the room is more put together, I'll need your feedback for the Santa Ana rug in my studio (formerly known as the craft room). I wanted something fun for between my desk (a project that I haven't started) and my credenza (I'll show you next week).

The colors: Love
The size: Unsure

The last rug went to the patio.

First, picture yourself drinking a mimosa here the next time you visit.

Now picture it with the Outdoor Chevron rug.

Better.

And I know that the rug will be happier too once I get some additional color out there.

Now, off to make a sign letting the neighborbirds know that rugs are not for pooping.