What I Did on my Summer Vacation: Kitchen Remodel (part 2)

I love my finished kitchen! I did all the painting and changed the cabinet hardware, but then the professionals took over and put in new stainless steel appliances, a new countertop, subway tiled backsplash, and a new sink. 

I love the color scheme my designer suggested; it feels like a completely new kitchen. Check it out - the After pictures are first!

Gray walls with white tiled backsplash and dark countertops gives it a more modern look. My traveling souvenirs can be easily seen above the cupboards. I'm so glad Maytag has a magnetic stainless refrigerator!

Before - 

Definitely more of a country feel with navy and cream colors. It looks so dark and busy.

 

Picture Perfect

I really didn't know what I was looking for. But I found it. And I love it; it's absolutely perfect!

When I decided to remodel my kitchen, I also decided to take down everything I had on the walls - my wonderful printer box filled with little objects (I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I had planned on putting it in another room - that plan has changed, so it's now in "storage" in the basement), a spoon rack, and a collage picture frame. They were all fine, but I was ready for a new look. I needed something special for the one full wall in the kitchen/dining area.

A friend and I went to several art galleries and browsed through the art work. I knew I wanted a landscape print, but wasn't certain of anything else (meadow, forest, countryside,?). Several pieces at the Lake Effect Gallery caught my eye; they were all by the same artist - Lois Rodgers. I was drawn to one piece in particular - it reminded me of the desert in the land of Israel, with little tufts of grass in the sand and a small tree (acacia?). I looked at several other prints but kept returning to this one. It reminded me of my trips to Israel and conveyed such a peaceful, serene mood. When I saw the title of the piece, I realized the artist hadn't painted the Israeli desert, but that was all right - I could see the desert in the painting. The piece gradually drew me in and I began to think of it as "my" painting and knew it was the right one.

I picked up the finished art work today and was able to meet the artist! How sweet of her to come to the gallery to talk with me; she was so nice. I love the fact that she is a former elementary art teacher.  

Melanie and Lois Rodgers (artist)

I love this piece for several reasons and can see so much symbolism in it:

- the landscape reminds me of the desert in Israel, my trips there, and all I learned about God in that land

- the tree bent by the sand and wind is still standing, reminding me that if I have deep roots I can withstand the winds of this life

- the tree's strength reminds me to find my strength in God

- the little tufts of grass remind me that God will provide me with just enough (my daily bread)

- the piece is actually a sand dune - I love that fact that you can't see what's on the other side from this vantage point. It reminds me of the hope I have in Christ, for eternity.

- I love the stillness and calm the painting gives. I hear the words: "Be still and know that I am God" when I look at it.

- I also love that my friend was with me when I found it, so it reminds me of friendship.

I have not taken any art classes and really know very little about art. I never understood what people were talking about when they discussed art. But this piece spoke to me (and still does, even though it's only been in my home for ten hours). I think it's so cool that I have these thoughts and feelings which are probably very different than what Lois was thinking/feeling when she was painting it. Maybe that's part of the definition of art.

And it's perfect in my kitchen.