Sweet!
My heart started pounding and I nearly dropped
my groceries, when I realized the Summer 2011
edition of Beautiful KITCHENS & Baths magazine
had already hit newsstands!
I knew our kitchen was scheduled to be
featured in the gorgeous pages of this
NATIONAL
Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest
Publication! I very calmly, RACED through the
store to get the rest of my shopping done.
Does our growing, 15 year old son,
REALLY need milk? Do the dogs NEED to eat?
I snatched up a half dozen or so copies…along
with the milk and dog food.
Once safely in the car, I scrambled to find my
reading glasses. Doubt raced through my mind.
Maybe they forgot. Maybe they changed their
minds.
I began anxiously turning the beautiful pages,
and there it was, our kitchen! UNBELIEVABLE!
I got goose bumps and okay…a lump in my
throat…OKAY tears!!
Building our home has been quite a journey…
especially with ME at the helm. We are lucky to
have survived with our marriage, bank account
and my sanity, intact! At least I think it’s still
intact.
This was one of those, ‘life comes full circle’
moments. OUR kitchen, in
the gorgeous national magazine that I have
loved for years, the SAME magazine, that
INSPIRED the feel of my kitchen design in the first
place, all those years ago. I couldn’t believe
it! Our kitchen is by no means, the biggest or
the grandest…but we like
it and there it was!
Like many of you, I have a passion for design
and all things home. I always have.
A chance to appear on the pages of this
magazine is huge!
First of all, I am SO grateful to have worked
with wonderful Meredith Publications Contributing
Editor Bonnie Broten. Bonnie, thank you
for finding us and guiding me on this cool
journey. Your words of encouragement mean
so much! Joni Webb, of
Cote de Texas, recently referred to
Bonnie, as one of the best in the business, in her
‘Coveritis Wannabe’ post. You must
read it, if you haven’t already!!
Thank you to Beautiful KITCHENS & Baths
Editor, Linda Eggerss and her staff for
generously & amazingly selecting OUR Kitchen!
My husband Sim and I are truly honored!
And I have to say…I LOVED
the whole experience, which began with an
e-mail from Bonnie, more than 14 months ago! I
adored prepping for the photos…from the
scouting shoot
with Blaire Broten & Erik
Johnson, to the big day!
I was telling someone, that the process is a lot
like getting ready for prom or an
important evening out. You want to look your
best. You know, hair, nails…the dress & shoes.
Only, instead of primping you’re prepping your
HOME. You’re dressing IT to the
nines…Windows, floors, paint
touch ups and so on. On the actual shoot
date…our home never looked so good. Of
course, it didn’t last long but it was sure worth
all of the work!
The article itself is wonderful. I LOVED the
styling that Bonnie and the editors pulled
together for the shoot! I emptied all of our
display cabinets. (You should have seen the
dining room table!!) The experts artfully edited
our pieces and added some of
Image ~ John Granen
I got permission to share a
few images that DIDN’T appear in
the Beautiful KITCHENS & Baths article…
can you imagine what DID!! I love the pop of rich
golden yellow flowers and dishware…the warm
patina of that old copper pot…
Image ~ John Granen
the rustic pieces and earthy
greens. So REAL. The detailed images, by
celebrated photographer, John Granen are truly
beautiful!
But more than that, there is an honesty about
them that captures our home and I
hope…our lives. Thank you John! Again, how
lucky am I?
The writing by Ann Wilson is inspired.
There is even a sentimental mention of our Grandma
Nettie’s lasting influence on our family.
How cool is that…she lives
on big time! And now, like the prom or that BIG
evening out…I don’t want the night to end.
Fortunately, Beautiful KITCHENS & baths will
be on your newsstand for the next
THREE months. It’s filled with gorgeous
kitchen & bath inspiration.
Image John Granen
I hope you pick up a copy or two.
I know, I will! And, I’ll try to not to run you
over… in the process!
Ciao,
Monica
Absolutely stunning. You are amazing and your design is breathtaking.
I can’t wait to pick up some copies of ‘Beautiful Kitchens and Baths’ so I can see the spread! I love the photos you posted on your blog, and really love that cream colored pitcher on the counter! (especially since I gave it to you, ha!)
Seriously, Monica, well done!! It is always so fun to see what creative things you are doing! xoxo
Monica, I am so proud of you!!!! I can’t wait to see the pictures that they did choose!!! I am heading out tomorrow morning to pick up my copy of the magazine. Now, what store did you buy all of your copies from? I need to go to a different store since that one is clearly sold out. ;-)
Fabulous…Congrats!! Only wish i was sitting there having a cup of coffee with you.
Ok, I’m off tomorrow to get my copy! I’ve been waiting with anticipation and keeping my eye out for a few weeks now. Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Gee, will I sleep tonight?
xoxox Janice
Monica, I think I would have forgotten the groceries and opted to race for the magazine. What a cool way to celebrate your dream kitchen and your journey. What fun, congrat’s.
Su & Don
Ok Monica the truth be told this has Sim written all over it! Oh my I almost could not even complete that last sentence. hahahaha. Cant wait to pass the mag around wenatchee. Very Cool love ya tammy
So exciting – I can’t wait to pick up the magazine!!
Chelsea
You guys are awesome! Thank you! Truly, the magazine is packed with really cool Kitchen and bath ideas…and
we are pretty thrilled to be a part of it! xxo M
Hard work, dedication and endless creative talent truly paid off Fairy Godmother. So proud of you.
Monica,
Your kitchen has truly inspired me. Can you tell me what tile you used for the 1×1’s in the medallion? I love their subtle shimmer.
Jessika,
Thank you for your nice comment…made my day! The 1 x 1’s are mosaic
glass tiles. I ordered them in a black but when they arrived and we held them up… they seemed too harsh. So we used the backside of the tile, which almost has a shell like quality…with the black yes but also
a little dark green & almost eggplant color…opalescence.
Hope that helps…good luck with your kitchen.
Monica