So, remember those cute (Minnesotan) second-cousins I mentioned in my last post? Well, this is their Grandpa Kevin:
He’s my uncle, and he owns a cabinet business called Mainstream Cabinets. It’s located in Mapleton, Minnesota and it was so fun seeing him and his showroom in person last month!
I’m a sucker for cabinets, counters, and cup pulls, so I was like a kid in a candy store wandering around in there…
Mmmm….samples!
We also enjoyed spending time with him and my aunt at their house in Minnesota Lake:
My Uncle Kevin built their house, and my Uncle Rick’s house on a neighboring farm:
(That’s a (Xzeres) wind turbine behind those trees. No power bill- SWEET!)
And although he can build a house from the ground up, my uncle’s true passion is in kitchen design, and he was so sweet to send us home with some new kitchen cabinet shelves…
So what’s looked like this for the past 8 months…
…now looks like this!
Hooray! No more dishes in our pantry- ha!
I’m hoping to finish up our guest bathroom makeover within the next couple of weeks, then I’ll start painting those upper kitchen cabinets white.
We’re planning to personalize the counters, backsplash and island, little by little, between now and the end of the year- and I look forward to blogging about all of our cottage-y changes along the way!
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And he hasn’t asked you to design a line of cabinets yet? Is he crazy?
No 🙂 He’s definitely the expert on that kind of stuff!
Yay for no more dishes in the pantry! Love the homes your uncle built. I have a buildy uncle, too. Looking forward to your cottage-y changes!
Hi. Where did you get the spooning since box/sign? I’d love to get one of those. Thanks.
Can I ask where you got the artwork with the wood and spoons or did you make that yourself? LOVE IT!!!
Ditto on the request for more info on the spoon art. So cute! I love personalized art like that. 🙂
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful resource to have!!!
Huh…imagine being able to actually put things in your cabinets! 😉
I love that Spooning piece. So funny!
Layla,
I am betting it was a gift so you might not know but I was wondering about your little spooning box. Do you by chance know where a person could purchase one? I think it would make a great wedding gift.
Thanks,
Stacy
Can’t wait to see all the changes your going to make !
The cabinets are great! however, your uncle is CUTE!!!!!
Oh I know how you feel about seeing all the “samples”! So fun!
What a great family you have… and your uncles places are charming! I would looove to be off that grid like your Uncle Rick.
And the cupboards look lovely with the organized dishes inside! Loving the wood shelf and lights above your counter too btw. Can’t wait to see what you do with your spaces!
At first I thought you had redone your kitchen cabinets four different ways to see whih ones you liked best. Haha!
Shelves sure do help!! 🙂
My husband works for a custom cabinetry company and its awesome! IHe is always getting me the coolest garbage bins, rollouts, spice racks etc. Plus in our last three houses he has been able to put in new kitchens, bathrooms and other neat things at little to no cost to us. We just we able to do our powder room with a vanity and counter he made and I love it!!
How nice and organized your cupboards look now. I can’t wait to see what you do with your kitchen as I loved both looks in your old house. Am also excited about seeing your guest bathroom all finished – since you used that wallpaper I’ve been seeing it on tons of other blogs – you should be on commission.
Nice seeing the Welsh dragon on the granite sample box too 🙂
Sam x
Your post makes me homesick 🙂 in a good way for the people I love. I grew up in the midwest…such a great place to live. I love visiting there…we have tons of family. Glad you get to go back! Our next trip will be at Christmas (brrrr).
How awesome! Your uncle has such a sweet smile — bet he loved your visit!
xo heidi
Hi Layla, can you tell me where the sweet spoon art came from?
Thank you
KK
My husband is from Mapleton. I’ll have to show him this post. 🙂 They probably know each other somehow.
Where did you get the lights in your kitchen?
Thanks!
dee
please,please,please, we need spoon art info! thanks
Are those new lights over the island? Did I miss a post? I love all things galvanized!
Yes, they are- and no, you didn’t miss a post. I haven’t blogged about them yet! 😀 #BarnlightElectric
Haha! Funny how big of a difference shleves can make. 😉 I think my husband really got on board with my growing love of diy, home projects, etc. when he realized how googly-eyed I was over things like cup pulls, routers, compressors, nail guns, etc. I can so relate ~ love these kinds of places!
Here’s a link to the post about the spoon art, y’all! 😀
https://theletteredcottage.net/spoon-art-and-a-love-story-sliver/
continue posting pictures of your home! I LOVE seeing them!
I remember when we were designing our kitchen. We gutted and redid the entire area to form a large kitchen. I had so much fun looking at cabinetry, hardware, counter tops, the works! I can’t wait to get started on our bathrooms!
Sounds like you had a lot of fun!
Love those houses!! And I motion for some “behind the scenes” photos of your current living situation, even without the completed decor and designing. It’s always fun to get a peek into the regular daily lives of our beloved bloggers!
My husband and I look forward to gleaning more tips from your blog as we prepare to move into and decorate our third home. Finally moved back to our hometown in Dallas, TX with our one-year-old quadruplets and look forward to settling in for the long-term!
bellsandkilts.blogspot.com
I keep wanting to call you LaLa, instead of Layla. LOL. Your posts make me smile so HUGE! You guys have the happiest blog I have ever read. I especially love the family stories……….as I have also found a number of 2nd and 3rd cousins. I lived my whole life not knowing I had a huge family of Crow’s in MO. Family is family is family.
Would you pls refresh our memories about those cute little tan shoes???? I did not buy any “back when”……… But when I see you wearing them, it reminds me I want some too!!!!! I wanted them then and I really want them now.
Love they family stories and seeing you and Kev bloom………
Thanks Layla, looks nice and very well done!
Hi Layla..excited about your painting the cabinets, as we need to do that too. I have the color picked out. Its been awhile, but do you remember what product you suggested to paint over a kitchen table to protect the paint? Our table is white and ugh, the news paper dye wears off on it and I can’t get it out. I need to repaint the top and put a finish on it.
Wouldn’t that be amazing to be able to build your own house out in the country with a source of energy like that so you didn’t have to pay electric bills?!! I think it would be awesome!!!
Glad you got to visit with him and that he graced you with the new shelves for your cabinets! Your home is so cool!
Love, Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
Not to be snarky but you spent time with “him” not “he”. I’m an English teacher. Can’t help but to correct you youngsters. Love your design style.
SO funny, Wanda! I called my mom before I published this post and even after Googling it, neither of us could figure out the correct wording- ha! 😀 Thanks for the heads up.
Those houses are absolutely gorgeous! I want one! 😉
Did you make that spoon art?? Is there a tutorial somewhere? Love it!
Hmm, I see new kitchen lights! Cute!
Love this series about your trip to MN, I can’t wait to spend a month back home starting Friday. I grew up taking swimming lesson at the Minnesota Lake indoor pool, watching the relatives play ball on summer nights, and enjoying Festag complete with showing my sheep out by the lake. Can’t wait to see how you transform your new kitchen into your beachy, laid back style.
That is great you were able to spend time with your family and you also scored some shelves!
Did you make the spooning box or did you buy it? I’d like to know how you embossed them or where you bought them, if you don’t mind. I thought it wood be a great anniversary gift.
We got it from a friend, Linda. There’s a link to the post about it in one of the comments above. 🙂
love that shelf where the spoons are.
Goodness…I just stumbled across your blog…and read the story of you visiting your family in Minnesota. I was born in Minnesota..and when I read your post further and you mention MINNESOTA LAKE…it honestly made me tear up….my most favorite Gramma lived there!!! I have the fondest memories of summertimes visiting her and making memories!!!! Loved her to the moon and back a quadzillion times.