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Happy Minot Monday! Today’s post is all about resources for kitchen cabinets in Minot. If you’re in the market for cabinets or a kitchen remodel is on your horizon, this is going to be a good post to bookmark. Even if you aren’t, it’s still a good post because you’ll get a sneak peek at my {nearly} finished kitchen remodel.
If you follow along with me on Instagram (which you should, because we have lots of fun over there), you know I’ve been busy remodeling my kitchen. Things got a jump start in there after most of the upper cabinets fell off the wall in the fall (read about that ordeal here.) After that, we put our second floor remodel on hold and tackled the first floor living spaces instead. The kitchen, dining room and living room are all intertwined, so it’s been chaotic and messy in our most lived-in rooms. Needless to say, I’ll be happy to put this one behind me.
Finding Our Kitchen Cabinets in Minot
Working on an old house presents lots of challenges. Derek and I take a “restoration-without-making-a-time-capsule” mindset when it comes to changing things in an old home. We aren’t out to create a museum piece–perfectly authentic to the time period of the house. However, we do try to be respectful of the original design. When all is said and done, we hope the house looks like it’s “always been that way.”
A major challenge for us during the kitchen remodel was finding cabinets that we loved and also stayed within our budget. We spent about a month visiting with different retailers and designers around Minot until we finally put in an order.
All in all, I have nothing negative to say about any of the places we visited. At the end of the day though, we had to decide which retailer best fit our vision, budget and personality.
The following list is not totally comprehensive, but it contains many of the places in town that provide kitchen cabinets in Minot. Like I said, if you’re in the market, this is a good list to bookmark. Hopefully it’ll help you as you start your search.
Minot Lumber & Hardware
I’ll start with Minot Lumber. Ultimately, this is where we purchased our cabinets. Minot Lumber came to our attention as a cabinet dealer late in our search, but I’m so glad we checked them out. Here are some of the things that we love about working with them:
Super nice staff
FREE design consultation and renderings (we were sent 3D renderings of our layout before placing an order). The designer I worked with was so knowledgeable and tweaked our design several times to get it just right.
Multiple cabinet lines available (at different price points)
They also deal countertops (we purchased those too), hardware and accessories.
Helped us stay within budget. This is what really sold me on buying from Minot Lumber. Our designer took lots of time to work with me on small ways to trim the cost of our cabinet order. (For example, ordering a stock color, getting cabinets in common sizes–even though everything “can” be customized, doing our own install, etc.)
No overselling. I’ve never been pressured to buy something more extravagant than what I needed. Our designer listened to me and respected my vision–never pressuring me to buy something fancier than what I wanted.
We have had a great experience with Minot Lumber. There were a couple hiccups with our order–but those were on the distributor’s end. The staff at Minot Lumber has been quick to help and get things right.
Scherr’s Cabinets & Doors
We were so impressed by the staff at Scherr’s. Everyone was so kind and helpful. To us, the most impressive part about Scherr’s business is that everything is custom made and created right here in Minot! This is truly a business of craftsmanship. The biggest set back for us ordering from Scherr’s was timeline. Because everything is made-to-order there’s a bit of a wait. Here are some great things about Scherr’s.
Locally made
Completely custom
All their cabinets are frameless–which gives you the most access and space to the inside of the cabinet boxes
Loads of door options
Staff will help you design your layout
Staff will help trim your budget (for example, you do painting/finish, they explain install, etc)
See more on their FAQ page to learn about their offerings.
Souris River Designs
Souris River Designs is my recommendation for anyone wanting a fairly hands-off approach to a remodel. While the other retailers also offer installation resources and design resources–Souris River offers especially high quality design services. Their show room is gorgeous, and full of options and accessories. If you don’t consider yourself a semi-savvy DIYer or designer this is my recommendation for you. Here are some perks we liked:
Huge, inspiring showroom
Beautiful 3D renderings of your project
Designers on hand to help with every step
Offer counters, tile, backsplash, hardware, sinks, accessories, contractors, etc all in house
It’s a one-stop-shop for a remodel if you want to outsource your project
Big Box Stores
We have two “big box stores” for kitchen cabinets in Minot. Both have cabinets in stock that you can buy and take home today. Both have custom order cabinets available. Our experience with both places was positive. Here’s a little more about what we likes about each regarding custom cabinet orders.
Free design consultation and layout help (the design center is usually pretty quiet when I’m there, so you can get in and out quickly.)
Printed designs with basic 3D rendering
Several cabinet lines and lots of colors/door styles available
Sometimes they have sales on cabinets (note the store’s military discount does NOT apply to cabinet purchases)
Sinks, hardware and everything else you need is in the same store.
I hope this helps! Starting a remodel (especially a remodel of the heart of your home) can be intimidating and overwhelming. Hopefully, having a few recommendations from a friend who has already done some leg-work will take the edge off. For more recommendations that feel like they came from a friend, remember to check out BeLOCAL! Have you ordered kitchen cabinets in Minot? Where’d you get them? Do you have other businesses to recommend?
Today I’m going to tell you a tragic story. But don’t be scared. It ends well. Really well, actually. But it’s still pretty tragic.
Here goes.
It’s the wee hours of Easter morning. The sound of water wakes you up. Weird. You get out of bed to find that your bathroom is filling with water. Downstairs on the main level, water is raining through the fire alarm hookup in the ceiling. It’s everywhere and starting to seep through the drywall. Obviously, you shut the water off–but things are already out of hand. The ceiling bows and eventually caves. Water is standing all over your new floor and the furniture. Slowly it drains through the floor vents in to the basement where it proceeds to ruin your freshly hung drywall and soak loads of things you had in storage. The damage reaches from the culprit bathroom upstairs, through the hall and carpet on the stairs…through the living room, part of the kitchen and most of the basement.
It’s crazy, but it’s true. It happened to Katie and Sam. But as I said, it ends happily and the journey from flood to finished is a great testament to the body of Christ. But first, meet Sam and Katie.
This is Sam and Katie. They are super fun and awesome. Pretty much as soon as I met these two during the incredible summer of 2013 I knew that I loved them and wanted to be friends. Maybe it was the way they eagerly consumed the bread sticks I’d made for dinner and had no qualms about carbs. Maybe it was that they are quirky in a way that I totally dig. Or their vast Biblical knowledge and passion for serving youth–hey me too! Regardless of what initially told me deep inside that we’d be friends…I was right. We did become friends. And I’m so glad. I’m so glad for these two and the hours we’ve spent serving together, playing games, carving pumpkin carving, and making gingerbread houses. I always say…”It’s fun to have fun, but you’ve gotta know how.” And these two definitely know how. {As you can see from the images above.}
Okay…here’s a more professional image. And a couple more facts. Sam is our church‘s youth pastor. Katie has a day job that I don’t understand…and also owns a WAY COOL singing telegram business. {Told you they are awesome.}
And just to prove that we really are friends…here’s some photographic evidence. This is Katie and me–in the dorkiest helmets we could find–going horseback riding; and Derek with them at the annual pumpkin carve.
Just weeks before the big indoor flood {the root cause was traced back to an issue with the toilet–but I don’t have all the details, since I was home asleep at the time of the crime} Katie and Sam took me out for Applebee’s half-price-apps to discuss hiring me to finish up a few projects and do some decorating at their home.
Since they’d moved in {about a year ago now} they’d done some home improvement, but were looking for a savvy DIY-er with time on her hands to finish the job. They’d painted and installed some cute paneling and put in new flooring. They asked if I’d finish up the odds and ends of previous projects and spend some time pretty-ing and homey-ing it up for them.
At the time Derek was gone, already living on the Surface of the Sun {NM} and I was still in Practically Canada waiting for our house sale to close. I was fresh out of projects, no longer working, and going a little stir crazy. It was a match made in heaven.
After the flood, I was still up to help…but the project was now on a much larger scale. {Which was so fun for me–but a huge bummer for them.} Here’s a few photos from the house.
The photos above are from the living room on the main level of the home and a couple of the basement {because I was confused when I made the collage.} The bathroom that caused the flood is directly above the half bath on this floor. As you can see, the drywall had to be torn out from the ceiling and some walls.
The walls that were only cut away half way up the floor are in the basement. The yellow walls are in the living room {looking toward the front of the house and away from the half bath.}
The house was cleaned up and sanitized by Servpro. And as the Lord would have it, a friend and fellow youth group volunteer works there. The drywall was installed by our church’s tech director, Brandon {who does drywall professionally–and about a million other things on the side. Seriously, he’s amazingly talented in everything from sound boards to woodworking and plumbing.}
See? I told you. The family of Christ working together.
When I arrived on the scene the drywall was up and our fist order of business was getting the upstairs bathroom back to working order so Katie and Sam could start living at home again. Second order of business? Picking paint colors {see the swatches?}
But we’ll get to all that later. For now I think that’s enough. I’m so very sorry that this happened, but I’m so very grateful that I had something so in depth to fill my final months in Minot…not to mention that I saw Sam and Katie just about every day, since I was at their house every day.
I learned a few new skills {you know I love that} and I sharpened a few others. And {my favorite} I had the honor of turning a house into something better than a building. It’s cliche to say that I love turning houses in to homes. But it’s true. There is nothing I love more than creating a space where people can feel totally comfortable and secure. A place they love spending time and love coming back to. A place that they like taking photos in and are proud to invite others in to. A place that is lived in and tells a story about the people who reside there. I love it. And I’m so happy to have been able to work a little magic {okay, a lot of magic} for people who are so very dear to me.
Spoiler. You won’t believe how amazing it turned out. I won’t show you the whole thing…but here is one more photo–to prove that this really, really does end happily, beautifully, and cozily. {This is in the living room!! Who is wanting to steal that couch?!}
Tonight I’m pleased to be showing you six new {and one updated} printable invitations and card designs that are now available in my Etsy shop.
Most of these are modified versions of custom orders I’ve taken over the last year/two/three. I owe a huge thank you to all the clients who have trusted me to create something special for their event. For all of their creative ideas and their cool parties. Without really fun people requesting my designs…I wouldn’t have anything to design at all.
So take a look. Tell your friends. When you need an invitation…look me up. You can access the shop here–or directly at Etsy.
As an update of a previously listed creation….I now have more colors available in my paper doll bridesmaid cards AND…I have unleashed an additional “profile” design. {I say “more colors” but really I mean…more samples. These are still completely customizable. You can get virtually any color you like!}
Now for sale, the entire paper suite I used for Erin’s Baby Shower. You can buy the entire set here…or just the invitation. Either way, your guests will love these!
For your little one’s birthday, I’ve got these adorable balloon themed invitations all made up. The party that these were originally created for even featured a balloon artist! Isn’t that just the funnest?!
You know I love chalkboards!! So you can only imagine how much fun I had making these chalkboard baby shower invitations. I love this invitation because it leaves the theme pretty neutral and wide open.
And speaking of chalkboards…yes…right now, my favorite invitation of all time is for sale online! I LOVED creating this. I loved it so much I wanted others to be able to experience it’s joy as well.
And speaking of weddings–I’ve got a couple’s wedding shower invitation up online as well. This design is perfect for a low-key, dessert themed shower.
For those a little more athletic than myself…I’ve got a basketball shower invitation. I really think these are a treat. The woman who requested these had some pretty cool ideas in mind–she throws some very cool showers. My favorite part is the little one’s name on the back of the jersey hanging on the crib!
Thanks again to everyone who has ordered and worked with me. I love bringing your creative ideas to fruition!
I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving with lots of amazing food…and of course, pie. Now, it’s still on the early side here in Practically Canada. Not quite 9am. And I realize some of you might be out shopping already. But I thought I’d post early with a special holiday treat from me to you.
Four sets of hand drawn printable Christmas gift tags. They are now for sale on my Etsy shop, or by visiting my shop page here on the site.
They are printable, formatted to an 8.5x 11″ sheet. Six tags print to a page and since they are square, they’re easy to break apart. I recommend printing them on white or cream colored card stock. Once you purchase and download the file you’ll be able to print as many as you’d like.
And–best of all…I’ve got a coupon code on the Facebook page. It makes these suckers super cheap. {And all the other items I have cheap too.} Because I like you, and I want you to have awesome gift tags for all your awesome gifts. So be sure to check the page and like it while you’re there.
Check out my spooky fall trees! Usually the chalkboard panels only live inside when I’m expecting or shooting photos…but a few weeks ago a client asked if I ever decorate them and leave them up. You can imagine how silly I felt when I told her “No.”
So, one night, while Derek was working late I drew up these spooky trees. I love them. They really put me in a festive, fall mood. Since we’ve had to clear everything out of the basement as we start to make progress on that project all my decor is being stored in the attic and is inaccessible. For the first year I can ever remember, my house was stark naked of fall decor. No leaves, no wreaths, no paper bats, no Halloween candy dishes, no 60’s plastic pumpkin lamp. Nada. I’m still jonesing for that pumpkin lamp, but the chalk trees are doing a good job of holding of a real hate rage.
My question, for you is…if you were me, would you leave these up all the time? Should I leave them through Christmas? Let me know. Comment here {really hoping the glitch is gone from the comment system…} or tell me on Facebook tonight.
On a side note, a couple nights ago some friends of ours hosted a pumpkin carving party. I cannot even start to describe the genius of these people I’m lucky enough to call friends. Look at this spread! Not a triangle-eyed face among them.
Please take special note of Mufassa, the adorable hedge hogs!! Oh, and Grumpy Cat! I’m so stinking impressed with every single one. I carved the spider. Probably my best yet. Even better than last year’s. Derek made the eagle in back. He’s so American.
Obviously, when we got home we snapped one of our self-timed pics we are so notorious for. Again, the trees look awesome.
Oh, and for good measure I nabbed a close up of the Grumpy Cat pumpkin our friend Danica made. Hope she’s okay with me stealing it from her Facebook page…I included it here because it’s so amazing and you all deserved to see a close up.
Be sure to come back tomorrow for more fall fun when I show off my first Artists in the Schools piece that I did today with a group of first graders!
You know how something just keep getting shoved to the end of your to-do list? If not, props to you. Maybe we can chat sometime and you can tell me how to quit doing that.
But I digress.
Something that has been pushed to the end of the line over and over again, is getting my shop up and running. I’ve had the photos in a folder on my desktop for months. I’ve had the products to be sold sitting in the cloffice since June. But every time I thought about reviving my Etsy shop and updating my PayPal account, I felt like gagging…then I’d simply walk away from the computer, or take a stroll through Pinterest instead.
But after my weeks in South Dakota and Indiana, I came back revived and refocused. Ready tackle, promote and grow the blog and business. {The amazing feedback from the Bridesmaid Thank You Cards, also gave me a pretty good push.} I can now proudly say that:
The Amy Allender: The Art of Living Etsy shop is now open for business!
So, now, you can shop products I’ve created in my home “sweat shop” or designed. You can access the shop from my navigation bar here at the website, or by visiting my Etsy shop. Soon I’ll be adding more invitation designs as digital downloads, and new items as the holiday season approaches, so be on the look out for those.
And now that the PayPal account has been revived as well, I’m hoping to add a “pay online” feature for photo clients…so no more check writing at the time of your session. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll let you know when that goes live.
In the mean time, enjoy the shop. Favorite the shop. Share with your friends. Buy some gifts. You know, that kind of thing. I love you all. Thank you so much for encouraging me and being so amazing. If you have an Etsy shop, let me know by leaving a comment {I think I got that bug fixed too}. I’d love to check you out. Here are some items to get you started:
I love ideas. I just think ideas are the cat’s meow. So I’m always excited when a friend comes to me with an idea that I can help with. I’m count myself blessed to have a quirky little skill set that can make lots of artistic/crafty/designy ideas come to life.
So when my friend Kait came to me with an idea for some adorable bridesmaid thank you cards I was chomping at the bit to make her vision a reality.
Before we go further, let’s meet Kait. I don’t know how I’ve lucked into such cool friends. I mean, look at her. She gets football, she’s a nurse and she loves Mumford and Sons. She’s awesome. {This photo is stunning. Yes, I know. But I did not take it. It’s from the talents of Briana Moore Photography. If you are in the Boston-ish area and need photography…you should totally check her out!}
She’d seen something similar, but wanted a look that was a little more custom and a little more wallet-friendly. {And what is more wallet-friendly than a girlfriend willing to be paid in chai-tea lattes? It’s my pleasure.} What she had seen was a paper-doll-ish card that could be customized to look like her own bridesmaids. Blonde, brunette, dress color, flower color, skin color…you get it. Here’s the finished product. They fold on the elbow and have an adorable shape. Cute, yes?
If you follow me on Instagram {I’m @theartoflivingproject} you just might have seen this image floating around a while back when I was in the design stage of these gems.
The process was so fun. I started with sketches, then picked my favorites. Added some fine-tip Sharpie {a must for almost all my hand rendered designs} and finally digitized them by using my handy-dandy scanner. Once on screen I digitally colored them. I love the effect of the hand drawing with the digital color. Ahhh, the sweetness of 21st century art.
Her wedding has come and gone, so I figured it would be safe to share these with the world now. I haven’t heard if they were a hit or not…I hope they were. I think they are adorable and wish that I had thought of this when I was getting married. But alas…that was years ago, when I used actual notebooks instead of Pinterest and my best ideas came from a tangible copy of Martha Stewart Weddings. *sigh* But alas, I’m thrilled to be able help friends realize their Pinterest dreams and spread the wealth of my artistic skillz. {Yes, the kind with a “z” at the end.}
And, just in case any of you are wondering…I really am planning to resurrect my Etsy shop–or open a shop page here on the website. Once that happens {current opening date is set for the end of this month} these will be listed, so you and all your marrying friends can have some for yourselves.
Have I told you how awesome you are lately? Seriously. Thanks for reading and liking and supporting. I love you guys.
A friend of mine is getting married. So when she asked if I could create her invitation suite, I was set on making something super special that would be just what she wanted. My wedding gift to the happy couple. Chalkboardy, woodsy, quirky and fun. That pretty much sums up Courtney, Mark and their wedding theme. Aren’t they precious? {In a way-cool kind of way?}
{BTW…this amazing photograph is from SMC Photography. You should a)like her page on FB to show some love…and b)check her out for photography need if you live in or near America’s best region. Michiana. Obviously.}
They’ve been mailed and received by now, so I figured it was safe to show the you all the finished product. I really love them. It’s a chalkboard wedding invitation suite!
Courtney has a stamp in the same font as the YES and NO on the response card. So the real deal has those word stamped on in gold ink. Gold ink! {I’m telling you Courty is super cool.}
The biggest challenge was making this map. Because I’m on par with Buster from Arrested Development when it comes to cartography. But thanks to the magic of Google Maps and a little digital tracing…I think people will at least be able to find the place.
And if they can’t find the way…then they’ll just have to pull up Google Maps on their own. So….
Anyway, all this to say, there is going to be one fabulous wedding once November rolls around. And I couldn’t be more thrilled for such a sweet, way-fun couple to be starting their life together. Marriage is amazing when you seal the deal with the right person…and the wedding is just the beginning.
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