There was a time when I at least tried to make my house look presentable. But when the home you live in is nearly 100 years old, and someone else owns it, you tend to not want to throw cash into the money pit.
However - when the vinyl flooring in your kitchen is about to have its 22nd birthday, and has been gouged by boots and heels and a million objects falling on the floor, and the top layer has begun to peel off leaving actual holes so that sweeping with a broom allows all the dirt to collect in the holes and you can't even mop anymore, it is perhaps time to do something about it.
Maybe it's time to confess that I'm not very good at decorating. I know what looks good, but can never copy it. My taste runs anywhere between traditional/American Colonial (something like Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill house) to cottage style to Swedish design to Zen minimalism. If any of that makes sense. I was also raised two miles from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so, traditional style + Indy 500 would equal a passion for a black and white tiled floor. I've always wanted one. Always. And now I have it, such as it is.
Please don't point out any flaws in craftsmanship. I did it mostly by myself, despite a couple of attempts by hubby to finish the edges. And do you know why he couldn't finish it? Two reasons, really. One: he spent too much time complaining about the stupidity of laying the tiles diagonally, and refusing to understand the aesthetic appeal. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I would never have a diagonally-layed floor ever again. And two: it's Spring, which means he doesn't have time to do anything not related to farming. If I hadn't finished this project by myself, it wouldn't have been done until next Winter.
There's also some controversy about the wall color. All the males in the family think the red has to go. I think it's okay, and frankly, don't feel like painting again. So, be honest. Is my decorating sense really THAT whacked?
Oh. And the other reason I wanted a black and white floor? To match my cat.
13 comments:
I like it- the floor and the red. I always wanted to have a red kitchen, not sure why. I think it's fine. Boys don't know anything about decorating so leave it however you want, because if it bothered them that bad they would paint it themselves. :)
I love it! I like the red...and the cat is a great touch.
I think it looks fine; your husband clearly has no taste. Black & white tiles HAVE to be laid diagonally as that's the point of them; aesthetics are everything & you have an eye for them. Plus, frankly - you're the one I imagine who spends most of their time in there!
cg5 and elb, thanks. I feel better now.
Miss M, right on all counts!!
OMG! OMG! OMG!
Sorry...got a little excited. Seriously though, I am IN LOVE with it. All of it. The tiles, the diagonal, the wall color. It is PERFECT!!!!! So do you just want to sit in the middle of it and look at it now? I would!
I'm going to have to come down and see it in person, and then we'll go on a photography drive, of course!
Marchelle, no...I can see it just fine from the computer chair! haha
And you can't fool me - you like it because it reminds you of Twilight!
It looks fabulous! And the black, white and red looks very sharp too.
Love the pics and the floor.
Amy and I laid down a black and white checkered floor just like that about 11 years ago.
What a pain! Also, we didn't lay it down diagonally, which may have made it work a lot better. We just didn't know what we were doing. Good on ya for getting it done!
Your husband knows damn well laying them diagonally looks better. What he's not saying though is how much of a pain in the ass it is to cut every tile that goes in the first row. It looks good, but it takes more effort.
Not wild about the red, but that's a personal choice...I once had to paint a red wall that took five coats of Killz, and swore that if anyone in my family ever wanted a red wall, it would be painted with their blood.
Red is an excellent choice for anyone contemplating an axe murder: it masks the bloodstains beautifully.
WOW, I love it!!! I LOVE the red, too. I have a gal of red and a gal of taupe that was suppose to be for my kitchen.....I can't decide but after seeing yours.....I'm kind of diggin' the red. Great job.
Meemaw
kate, thank you!
koP, are you insinuating I don't usually get things done? Are you? huh?
Steve, of course he knows that. And would you believe no objection has been raised since I finished it?
Simon, exactly! I see you're always thinking ahead - like I do!
Miss Meemaw, thanks! I think you should go for it! Remember, it will only take 5 coats of Kilz to cover it up if you change your mind.
I LIKE that room. Red and black and white checker tile is one of my favorite room decoration combos. I would gladly use it in my kitchen or dining room.
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