Thursday, May 15, 2014

HOW CHERYL FOUND HER " NICHE "

Good morning everyone - we have a guest host  here today - a lot of you may know her from previous posts she did for Danni at Silo Hill Farm - links below.
Cheryl is not a blogger - even though Danni and I have been bugging her to start one!

Everyone - meet Cheryl !
( Okay - take it away lady ! ) 

CHERYL IN WISCONSIN:  Desperately Emulating Suzan
Hello, this is Cheryl in Wisconsin.  Some of you may know me from my comments on this blog, or from my guest posts at Silo Hill Farm - guest post
A quick background:  I was introduced to Suzan and Simply Vintageous back in September of 2012 when she posted to a linky party on The Ironstone Nest, a Wisconsin blogger that I have met (one down, 700 to go).  I was intrigued and have been coming back here nearly every day since.  Suzan inspires me, even when I don’t want her to, because I have a lot of projects and, hey, I keep getting more for the list…     I’m not complaining.

Case in point:  After she posted about her white bedroom and the photos that inspired her to do that, my bedroom is now all shades of white or neutral:


That is not unusual, until you consider where mine started:

Same vantage point of same room.  Very black to very light.  Same cat, different angle.  
Cat is still black.
Along came Suzan’s kitchen renovation at her new house.
As a stroke of genius, she constructed a microwave bumpout,  HERE  or niche, if you are a suave Canadian.



The wheels in my brain began to turn.

Then Danni at SILO HILL FARM shared photos of her kitchen renovation.  The microwave:





That did it.      I neeeeeeeeed one of those.  My microwave was on top of my refrigerator to keep my countertops clear(er).  One of my shorter friends referred to it as The Great Microwave in the Sky.  It was difficult to keep clean, and difficult to use efficiently. 

Yes, that is the top of a door frame on the right, to give you some reference to altitude.


The problem lied in the fact that my house is one and a half million years old and if I start knocking holes in the wall, something may give - and not in a good way.  One day it struck me…  I have an old ‘previously-exterior’ window that offered a view into a back porch, a room that was not an original part of the house’s structure.  Years ago I placed a shutter in that window to block the sight of the usually messy back porch / craft room, and the window became a non-entity to me, just part of the hooouuuse.

This is not an actual ‘before’ picture.  This is a ‘during’ photo that I took as an afterthought.  It also gives some idea of where the television used to be, taking up valuable counter real estate.
Duh, lady!
The feeling came upon me like a tidal wave.  
Step one:  take down shutter and remove window.  I have watched Nicole Curtis on the DIY network remove windows from other million-year-old houses a dozen times, to replace the glass.  Seems easy… wasn’t.   But it is done, with nary a shard of broken glass.  I’m just going to sum the entire construction process up very quickly:
~NOTHING could be preplanned, it was all a seat-of-the-pants operation.  We couldn’t measure for any materials until they were about to be placed.
~My nephew and his carpentry aptitude proved invaluable. 
~Sanding makes a huge mess. 
And the result:


Why did I not think of this option ten years ago?

I’m happy, everyone that has to hear about it is happy, my shorter friend that couldn’t previously reach the microwave is happy.  There is an electrical outlet on the back side so my cords don’t need to be entirely visible.  I am a happy kitchen camper.



The refrigerator has lightened its load, and the sheep took over the summit.


As you can see, I do not carefully stage for my blog photos!
So…
Thank you for the idear, my dear.

_________________________________________________

No actually Cheryl - it's I who thank YOU - 
What a fun post - and I'm honored to have
you here !!!

Have a wonderful weekend one and all 
Find your " niche "

Much love,

52 comments:

  1. I just LOVE Cheryl's niche!! With that old vintage frame and the shelfs....Soooo gorgeous! Hugs, Cristina

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  2. What a brilliant idea you had.....eventually!! It looks great. I enjoyed your guest post.

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  3. What a great idea! And it definitely was entertaining to read... I'm joining the "Cheryl should write a blog" club!

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    1. Thank you, Magali! I'm at the point now where I've started writing blog posts in my head, I guess that's a start.

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  4. now thats a clever idea, its wonderful the way bloggers learn from each other!

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    1. Laurie, blogs are my primary source of inspiration now. They are a wealth of inspiration. So many talented people!

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  5. Your niche looks fabulous Cheryl! How awesome!

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    1. Thanks, Tuula! I stare at it every day. It makes me happy.

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  6. How fabulous your niche turned out, Cheryl! Susan's posts are so inspirational even for those of us who never use a hammer. Goes to show you what everyone has been saying about having your own blog. You can write about how you've been inspired from all the bloggers you've met along the way.

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    1. I'm getting there, Gail. It has helped to "dip my toe in the water" like this!

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  7. That turned out GREAT, Cheryl! Gotta love the Wisconsin people because we keep it real! lol Cheryl came a LONG way with the bedroom and that window bump-out is PERFECT in every way.
    Thanks, Suzan and Cheryl! xo Diana

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  8. That was a great way to utilize the space. I have kids and have to clean the microwave often (grunts inserted here). Maybe if I put it on top of the refrigerator they won't use it so much? One can dream... :) Nice work on your reno.!

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    1. Rosey, having the microwave up high may deter its use by children and your shorter friends. I can attest. However, it also becomes an overall pain... I would just wave the dish cloth up there in some type of Hail Mary motion to try to clean it. Didn't work well.

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  9. what a great niche! and yes, Cheryl should start her own blog. :0)
    Debbi
    -YankeeBurrow

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  10. Love Cheryl's niche and it is the perfect place for her microwave. Oh yes...Cheryl should start her own blog.
    ~Cindy

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  11. Wow Cheryl! I am blown away by your creativeness! Seriously! Susan has seen pics of my crappy kitchen so she can attest to it's limited space and dire need of a magic wand and tons of cash. If I could find a hole in my wall to put a microwave oven I would. I currently do not have one due to lack of plugs and space. Hopefully when the remodel is done we can find a place for it other than on the counter. Wish I had a space like you do, it is fantastic! Love your transformations. I am hoping to someday loose my house shame and post about it. Thanks for sharing. Patty/NS

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    1. I hear ya. When I moved into this house the floor was asbestos tile, the frig & oven were harvest gold, and there were far too few electrical outlets. Updating the electrical was one of my splurges. A girl's got to be able to use her electronics!

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  12. That's really an incredible creativeness, Cheryl.

    Yes, why did we think that idea 10 years ago? LoL* I am just wishing I am as handy as Cheryl, thouhg?

    TY for sharing ladies.

    Best regards,
    /CC girl

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    1. Thanks! Without the power of blogs I'd still have a shuttered window and a Great Microwave in the Sky!

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  13. What a beautiful space saver! It looks like a build in that has always been there, not a converted window. Well done.

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    1. Thank you, Maureen! My concern when starting was that it would appear cobbled, but my nephew spent a lot of time on details and that made all the difference. And he's not even a carpenter by trade!

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  14. Fabulous up-cycle!!! I am very like you about the why-didn't-I-see (or do, or know, of think of)- that-forever-ago moments. But at least we finally "get it" and DO IT!!! ^5, that means HIGH FIVE!!!

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  15. Oh, she NEEDS a blog! What a fabulous makeover, it looks amazing!
    I love her writing, too. Thanks for sharing her with us, Suzan.
    Big hugs,
    Patti

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    1. I get blog inspiration from my muses as well as project inspiration! I'm just a chicken - I'm working on it.

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  16. I love everything about this blog today. I love it that bloggers encourage others to blog. I love it that bloggers and commenters learn from each other. I love the book rack above Cheryl's bed and the whole bedroom transformation and it goes without saying that I LOVE the kitchen niche. All of my best decorating features happen by accident. "Oh, just stick it over there for now". Weeks later........."Hey, that looks really good!!!". Love your blog Suzan and I agree, Cheryl should do her own blog, but loved the guest spot.
    Sandra

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    1. Sandra, do you know how many things at my house get placed permanently because of where I set them down when I bring them home??? I love that.

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  17. Way to go Cheryl!!! It looks awesome and now when I come for tea, I will be able to reach the microwave while I'm heating up leftovers.....you're thinking, who the hell invited you for tea and what are you doing in my fridge..... Cheers

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    1. You KNOW that you have an open invitation for tea.

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  18. Yes Way to go Cheryl indeed! Tahnk you to Suzan for always sharing these awesome ladies with us!
    Hugs to you both
    Kate

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  19. Beautiful Cheryl. What a great niche. Great job. Thanks Suzan for introducing us to Cheryl.
    Kris

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  20. Brilliant use of space Cheryl! I was particularly happy to see you've now got room to put that bottle of fizz in the wine cooler - you are obviously a kindred spirit. Cheers :-)

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  21. First, what a lovely job you did on that niche! I'm sorry I didn't make mine taller and with more shelving...duh!!! Second,thanks for the shout out. Third, get a blog Cheryl...enough stalking! Fourth...glad to know the cat is still black! LOL! Awesome job!

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    1. I'm such a happy stalker, Danni, you know that. And the cat won't sit still long enough to test the you-can-paint-anything-with-chalk-paint theory!

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  22. That was just too funny. Loved the project and your sense of humour is wonderful. Dare I say you do fit in with the wonderful writing of your mentors. Congratulations. But resist temptation to paint the cat. No, REALLY!.

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  23. Thank you! I promise not to paint the cat. She actually has the most luxurious, beautiful black fur. She goes with everything!

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  24. I am away upgrading the computer for a short week and come back to find you running around in another blog - WRITE YOUR OWN! No offense to Danni or Suzan, but really, Cheryl, let's be honest - you ARE a blogger and you cannot deny it any longer. As for a niche, I just wish my microwave was in the kitchen - it resides in the "breakfast" room where the dogs sleep and Horror Monster the craft stash hangs out. As for copying Suzan, I cannot think of a better role model! Keep the cat black - a little black grounds a room's decor!

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    1. I'm everywhere, Donna. Don't be shocked if you wake up one day and I've done a guest post on your blog. Did you notice the tags hanging on the lamps in my bedroom? Aren't they dreeeeamy?

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  25. Cheryl, you rock. I swear I will love you till the end of time.

    -andi

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  26. Wow, your niche turned out perfectly, Cheryl!!! The TV and the microwave off your counters and fridge. Like I said when you guest posted for Danni, you need to get a blog, Cheryl! (am I wasting my breath/fingers??) Oh, and please don't paint your cat...very messy, not to mention dangerous for you. lol Debbie :)

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Due to a large amount of spam ( that I'm tired of going back to posts and deleting ) I'll be using comment moderation from now on !!!
Can I beat these spammers at their own game? Probably not - but I'm going
to try my damnedest !!!
xoxo