Friday is Video Day . . . apparently.

Well, I was trying to think about what to blog today. Just so you know, Friday tends to be a very busy day in my world. I work all day (typical 9-5er) and then I occupy my evening with friends and family. Just a typical Friday in my books. So, that leaves little time for blogging.

So, in an attempt to streamline the process, I have decided that each Friday from here on out, I will share a video or some verison there of that has been a part of my week.

This week I'll be sharing a song that has "plaged" (for lack of a better word) me all week. I've been singing this song every day, all day, just inside my head. So here's the back story.

A few weeks back, I helped a friend move some furniture. I had to borrow my dad's pickup truck. Now, this is no typical truck, mind you. It's the big 'ol manly thing. So, being from Texas, I was feeling a bit country. Hence, I turned on country music. Who would have thought that it would be such a welcome relief from the everyday, all day Pink and Bruno Mars songs that are blasted across the airways. Kill me please if I have to hear them again.

So, since then, I've been hooked on the country. Guess it's the true Texan in me. The song that I have been speaking of is "Without You" by Keith Urban. It's catchy. I'm hooked. So, without further ado. . .

ENJOY!!!!

Kitchen of My Dreams. . . Ahhhhhhh

I was thinking about yesterday's post. I shared my current kitchen with you. It's addequate, but let me show you my dream kitchen ideas. It probably won't happen in this home, but maybe someday.

"Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday and for the rest of (my) life."

Can't claim this one! Thanks Casablanca.

So, let's get to the "meat" of the issue. My kitchen (well, the dream one). Now let me say, that not any one of these is my dream kitchen. I like aspects of each and every one. I would ultimately love to design my own home, to which this kitchen conglomeration would be apart.

Click Link below for more:
 Flicker - Kitchens

Kitchen

Kitchen, a set on Flickr.

My favorite kitchens

Home Tour, Part Deux (that's 2 if you can't translate)

Like I've said before, I live in a modest 1200 square foot 50's ranch home (1956 to be exact). I bought the home from a property flipper. They had come in and replaced the roof, windows, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, added a new kitchen, laundry closet, master bath, and updated hall bath. I stepped in when they were 80-90% complete. I was able to negotiate upgraded blinds (1" faux wood, which I would not recommend. more on that later) and neutral carpeting throughout (which has also been adjusted, more later).  

See the new vinyl windows (double paned all the way baby!). They really do save on energy bills. I necessary upgrade in a place as hot as Texas.

So, with all of that said I want to talk about my kitchen. It's not too small, but not too big either. The layout is weird, to be exact, but functional. Without further ado. . .

 Notice the horrible layout of the dishwasher. Just try to open that while doing dishes. NOT!
Also, the basic basic appliances. Not even a view window in the low end stove. Seriously found this piece at the home improvement store for $199. You can just imagine how even it cooks. Just keep in mind that this came with the house. Already in place at the time of purchase. I think I can re-layout this space for functionality at some time in the near future.

I love SPOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love FORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! An antique find at a country flea market.

 Yes, yes, a bit messy, but what kitchen isn't on a day to day basis. I think they did a pretty nice job at the remodeled kitchen. Stock cabinetry similar to what is found at Home Depot stores:

www.homedepot.com

So, not bad on their part. The counters are tiled granite. Baltic brown to be exact.

I wouldn't suggest a darker granite with this much contrast. Is it dirty? Is it not? Who can tell. It's great at hiding crumbs and grime,  but it's also hard to see when it's clean or needs to be cleaned. Kinda gross at times. My dream kitchen would be light and bright with a creamy granite or concrete counters. I would contrast that with a bit of butcher block. Much like my breakfast bar that I built to fit in an odd open space in the kitchen.
(photos to come).

I love my backsplash. A very nice upgrade with tumbled travertine, laid on the diagonal. Way to be ambitious tile guys!

Stay tuned to House of Tedder for the next installment of the home tour. I will also be diving into design styles and inspirational renovations. I'm thinking a "lipstick" kitchen renovation may be in the works in the next few years. It's got to get more functional.

Home Tour, Part 1

Well, I today I realized that I haven't given a proper introduction to my home (aka The House of Tedder). It's a 1200 sq. ft. 50's ranch home in a  subdivision of Dallas, TX. I bought this home about 2 years ago and have been happily making it my own since that date. Here are a few pics of the day I took the first tour (also the day I made the offer, but I'll get to that later.

Now let me go ahead and say, I bought this home from a flipper. They had come in and replaced the kitchen, baths, floors, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. I mean, how lucky am I that I don't have to worry about taking care of those things. Of course, now I know that a few of those things aren't really to my taste. And I feel bad about wanting to replace something that was just put in. Guess that's why I've been making changes slowly and haven't tackled the kitchen or the bathrooms  yet. I don't plan on major renos, but just  bit of personalizations.

Here's a shot of my living room soon after I moved in. The next Memorial Day, to be exact. I had just pulled up the carpets and put down the new laminate floors (more on that in a later blog. stay tuned).

Now the reason I say, that this is my living room just after I moved in, is because it no longer looks like this. Again, more on that transformation later. Stay tuned to "House of Tedder" for the rest of your private home tour. Room by room, design by design, renovation by renovation. Come along.

Big dreams. . .Tiny Bathroom

Almost 2 years ago (as of July 4th), I bought and moved into my first home. Admittedly, I knew that this would be my starter home. A mere stepping stone towards a greater future. A future, that, thanks to the current market may be a bit further off than I'd planned. I bought at the time of the "Great First Time Homebuyer Credit". Thanks to government, I was able to get into a decent home and bank a few bucks to pay for incidentals. Their stipulations were that I had to stay in this home as my primary residence for 3 years. That was the plan. A 3 year plan. But, like I said before, recession = me staying put.

So, with that said, let me state my current (by current I mean on going) obsession with making this little abode a bit more livable. My first idea is to renovate my teeny tiny master bathroom. By teeny tiny, we're talking 7'x4-1/2' rectangle.

Sad thing is, I had to take this pic through the wall mirror just to get the most view.

I added the medicine cabinet, pedestal sink, and new light fixture when I moved in.

The most horrible design of a shower ever. Who wants to shower in a 3'x3' cube with a corner taken out. Tight!

My attempt at decor. I have no counter space, which is what I'm aiming to fix.

Note the rug on the floor in the mirror. That's pretty much the clear floor space. Ouch!

So, needless to say this is a tight little space. So, I've sketched and sketched so many layouts. I've used 3D tools to envision an grander space. But, when it comes down to it, I still don't think I know what I'll want until I begin. I'm a more of a "in the heat of the moment" type of guy. That's when I make the best decisions. When I don't have time to obsess over them. Until then, I'll share a bit of my inspirations: Click below

Bathroom Inspiration Images


So, as you can see, a bit of clean lines, simple furniture and fittings. I really want a tub just because I don't want to have glass doors on a shower. More of a curtain that can be pulled back and out of the way. This will give the most open feeling. It's what you can do with 4x7.

A quick shot of a rendering:

 Just a thought. How about a few from you?