Monday, March 15, 2010

Basement Kitchen to French Cafe' - Welcome!




We built this home back in 2001,
with a basement for my grandmother, Gram (Mimi to the girls).
The basement held her living room, sitting area, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.



She lived with us for 7 years, and since she could no longer drive 
and she missed playing Bridge with her friends,
it would be better for her to go to a place more suited for her.
So, she moved back to the same elderly apartment housing in Florida
that she had come from before moving in with us, where she'd have better supervision,
a bus to ride to Publix on Tuesdays, and Bridge partners to beat on Thursdays.

And we had this empty space in our home and hearts when she left.
One night, after she'd settled in her new apartment, I called her at her new number,
and Gram and I talked about what she might like us to do with her space when she was gone.
She thought we should share it with others.

And so, because of our love of coffee and chatting and people, 
we thought a cafe' would be fun in the kitchen space!
This space would become CAFE' DE SOUS-SOL 
which means Basement Coffee House in French.

Though the transformation took almost 8 months (we pay cash for everything and remain debt-free!), here is what took place over those months:





We didn't use chalkboard paint (too expensive) we used an oops!
Glidden paint in washable, scrubbable black paint.
The wall got Kilz primed, then the black was rolled on 
h o r i z o n t a l l y, 
then 
v
e
r
t
i
c
a
l
l
y.
It washes and erases just like the other "real" chalkboard surfaces we have around the house.
I found the tables on Craigslist, they came from an old hotel cafeteria.



All the cabinets came out, were sold on Craigslist, and with that $, I bought shelving at Ikea.


Instead of add moulding around the window, I drew some! 
The ceiling is lit with strands of white Christmas lights.


The yellow wall color is Provence Creme 320A-2 by Behr.
The cabinet color is Rhythmic Blue 510E-2 by Behr.
Every dish was either found at Goodwill, a Yard Sale, or an heirloom.



I had no idea what to do with this corner when we first started. 
I figured it would just come to me.



And then found this stainless steel fridge at a yard sale for $40, 
wall shelving niche for $10 at a salvage yard, and my daughter no longer wanted this dresser in her room. And I got this idea...




A Beverage Station!
The glasses are vintage jelly jars in 4 different sizes, all found at four different times at the same GW!
The dresser holds linens, candles, seasonal decor and A LOT
of only God knows what  miscellaneous items.




To the far left, a view into our now office, the bathroom (doncha love looking at a potty with the seat up?) and the far right door is the entrance to the cafe'.




I put the seat down, is that better?





When making over this area, I would ask the Lord to provide what I needed that I might use the items 
for the people He would bring to my home.
And He did. He provided every plate, utensil, linen, piece of furniture.

Our favorite blessing of this area is that we get to share it with others.
We have had HOA and Parent's meetings, Birthday,
Anniversary and Welcome Home parties here.
Friends, family and strangers alike, are all welcome here.

I feel so blessed to have a space like this in my home!
If you are passing through SC, stop on in, I'll put on some coffee for you!


Share with others.
Be inventive in hospitality.
Romans 12:13


Inventive- adjective
1. apt at inventing, devising, or contriving.
2. apt at creating with the imagination.
3. having the function of inventing.
4. pertaining to, involving, or showing invention.




The wall decal was made by Tonya at Fruitful Vine Creations
I gave her a size, color and the phrase I wanted, and she gave me several proofs to choose from. 
After I paid for it (around $25 inc. shipping), it was at my front door in 3 days! 

Hope you enjoyed the tour!





A peek into our Salle de Bain, the cafe' bathroom.
Click HERE to see it.





Let the party begin!








My artiste friend, Sandra, gifted me with the Eiffel tower!





And a table for 4!





This is the open shelving I used.
HENSVIK from Ikea.





My $20 étagère, found at a thrift store!









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