Introducing Daisy

So it's going to be a while before I can decorate my kitchen and dining room, but that certainly doesn't mean I can't make headway on the rest of the house. I had my living room looking pretty cute, but then I decided to add just one more accessory. A new dog!

Meet Daisy, the 71 lb American Bulldog, rescued from the Van Nuys animal shelter. How could anyone willingly surrender that face??

I know what you're thinking, and no - she will NOT be allowed on the furniture. But it was her first night in a new home, and I decided to cut her some slack.

Unfortunately, she needs training in areas other than furniture boundaries. She was an "outdoor" dog in her last home, and was woefully negelected. She has no idea what stairs are, doesn't know how to ride in a car, can't walk on a leash, and definitely has no concept of potty training. Which I quickly discovered when she happily trotted inside, and promptly tinkled on my cream shag rug.

So now I am in the market for a new living room rug. Something in a pattern, preferably, so that it will disguise any future pet stains. Here is a pic of the now rug-less living room. It's so naked!

And just for comparison's sake, here is a "before" picture of the living room...

My last rug was an unusual dimension, 7x8.5, which was perfect for the space. For the new one, I am looking for something that size, up to 9x11.

I'll be posting links to candidates, so get your opinions ready!

More Kitchen Planning

The good news: the kitchen renovation has been officially been scheduled! The bad news: it's not till July! Insert "whaa whaa" noise and pouty faces here.  Martin is booked full time in Sacramento until late June, so I just have to learn to be patient, and just keep stockpiling building materials in the garage until he can get down here.

Speaking of which, I ordered my cabinets! And even though it's going to be several weeks until they arrive, I do have some conceptual drawings to share...

That's right friends, we're taking down the wall between the kitchen and the dining room! I know it's going to make such a big difference, it's all I can do to not run home and start sledge-hammering things right now.

Here are a few more views, to get you as pumped as I am.

The biggest change is obviously the half wall, but another major improvement is moving the sink. Currently, it's centered under those two windows. The plan is to move it across the room, so you face into the dining room while washing dishes. Not only is this more social, but it also allows me to get a full-sized sink and dishwasher! You heard me, DISHWASHER! WOOT!

The wall of cabinetry with the two windows is only about 18 inches deep because of that doorway into the laundry room, so it really made way more sense to move things around. 

I can't wait to see this done! I'm thinking of enlarging the schematic and Mod Podging it to the dining room wall, so I can pretend that it already exists.