{natural golden honey}

i've never really considered a butcher block countertop until b and i came across what may soon be our new bungalow. this new bungalow of which i speak is very similar to the baby yellow bungalow only it has siggggnnificantly more space (definitely in the 4 digits when it comes to sq ft, take that yellow bungalow!), but no less projects (at least the fun kind anyway). i'm not going to post pictures of it yet, so as not to jinx any potential deals we'd like to make, but i will certainly keep you posted in the event that we do strike a deal. anyway, one of the perks of this new bungalow (besides more space) is that it has a kitchen that would not need an entire overhaul. and the kitchen already has what appears to be an old butcher block countertop. it is definitley in need of serious cleaning and a few coats of oil, but i'm guessing we could have it looking like one of these babies in no time. what are your thoughts on butcher block counters? browse through these photos and you might find yourself taking a liking to em...

ooo my farmhouse sink (which is still in the back of my car...ha) would be perfect.

works with modern lines too.


i really like the drawer pulls +subway tile in above left and the wall mounted faucet + backsplash in above right

above with subway tile or painted brick? hard to tell but either way i really like it

i'm noticing a trend in cabinet color. good thing i like white cabinets (+ beadboard)

{images via :: 1&2-vintage simple via design sponge, 3-design is mine, 4-apartment therapy, 5-this old house,

6-good life for less, 7-decorpad, 8-good life for less, 9&10-country living}

{romantic garden}

daydreaming about a garden full of hydrangeas, tulips, and wildflowers.

{images :: azulskies, don freeman, pure home style, country living}

{fresh air}

looking forward to the sweet summer breeze

and would really enjoy a window that opens like this one.
{image via decorology, a new favorite.}

...and yet another that should go along with this post, albeit two days later. let the sunshine in.

{image via small space style}

{one year for the beach}

this weekend is b & my one year wedding anniversary. (!?) so we are going to be beach bums & dream about the bungalow with our toes in the sand in south carolina. happy long weekend!!

{glamorous photo from myvintagevogue's flickr stream...and she has lots of good ones!}

p.s. i'm purchasing this later today...

!!

{eat in} kitchen

a petite table in or attached to the kitchen would be about all we'd need in the dream-bungalow. i really like the coziness a booth creates if we have the space for one.

if the bungalow has more space, a separate dining area could work. either way i hope our kitchen can have as much natural light as this one.

and if the bungalow has less space, a convenient bar area could work well too.

ok so i'm straying a bit from the talk of breakfast nooks, but this next kitchen photo from domino really helps a little kitchen feel luxurious with the gunmetal grey and turquoise door (again with the turquoise, i'm telling you it's gotta go somewhere in the dream-bungalow). and that chandelier is so unexpected and glamorous in a tiny kitchen. love.

oh and also i found another glorious farmhouse sink photo. the overall decor is getting a little to country for me but i love this huge porcelain sink. and yet another chandelier in the kitchen. though i'm going to say if there is a chandelier in the kitchen i dont think it will be crystal. that might be a tad much for me.

{images: country living & domino}

a well {dressed} sink

a project we'll definitely be taking on in the dream-cottage: re-purposing an old dresser or sideboard adds custom details and personality to a bathroom renovation that is nowhere near the cost it would take to have built-in cabinets. plus you can have all the storage your heart desires!


above is the master bathroom (& inspiration for this post) in one of the houses b & i toured while on the dream-cottage hunt last weekend. we could have moved right into this house, but it's no fun when the previous owners have already done all the projects. i loved how they re-purposed this sideboard and the warm chestnut stain is perfect to ground the otherwise light-colored bathroom. i was also amazed that both cabinets and all of the drawers were still fully functional as if this sideboard was made to host two sinks all along. i can't wait to refinish our own master bathroom!


this just proves you can really re-purpose anything into housing a sink or two. the sawhorse look to this table blends nicely with the old subway tile. that's another thing we'll have to use somewhere in the dream-cottage: subway tile!

before

above is before & after of an old sideboard. the rubbed white paint suits this cottage style bathroom complete with beadboard walls (love). with such a long sideboard, i probably would spring for two sinks - keep his things to his side!

this design*sponge before & after shows just how much potential a junky old piece from flea market or yard sale find can have. i'm sure it just took a little sanding and paint to have this dresser looking brand new!

{images from: small space style, velvet and linen, blissfully domestic, design*sponge}

{farmhouse porcelain}

put me down for one of these beauties in our dreamhouse.

{images clockwise - pink wallpaper, cottage living, house beautiful, flickr}