A Whimsical Cottage

Pretzels... with a twist

2013-02-13T10:54:00.003-05:00

My new craving is pretzels and I'm not even pregnant anymore! Seriously though, as the snow pours our way, I'm in the kitchen baking all day. With a newborn and toddler running around, I have not found ANY time for new designs or projects in my house SO I've decided to integrate recipes on my blog. As a mom, I wear many hats -- one which happens to be a chef hat. Documenting recipes for home AND tummy keeps my mind going and my lovely audience coming back for more.

Here are the pretzels I made with a twist, literally. They were yummy and the best part of the pretzel! Seriously, this recipe is so easy to put together if you have a little time. Check it out under 'Snowy Day = Warm Pretzels' post. However, instead of making the dough into pretzels, you will instead roll them out and twist away into sticks.

Simple.... and sooooooo worth it!

Green Drink [du jour]

2013-02-12T09:00:00.005-05:00

What's on the menu this morning? Another 'gone green' drink! Literally, 'gone'... right into my tummy. Since our steep investment in our Vitamix (which will be completely paid off in March!), I've been dabbling in juicing and making all sorts of things for my daughter. Yes, I confess that I sneak in her veggies in all those smoothies I give her. Guilty as charged.

Here are today's list of ingredients:

Kale
Wheat Grass
Avocado (half)
Apple (quarter)
Lemon (squeeze)
Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Ginger
Ice

This, I find, is the best way to begin my day and all it has to offer. And when I'm done, I wear my green mustache proudly!

Snow Day = Warm Pretzels

2012-12-29T12:58:00.004-05:00

When I lived on my own I would bake pretzels every time there was a snowstorm. Not sure why this was, maybe it was the smell of something warm and gooey resonating through my apartment or just the comfort it lent from eating them while looking out the snowcapped windows.

The tradition still lives on in my house and today is no exception. My daughter and I are now in the kitchen baking up a wonderful batch of ooey gooeyness. Of course, she's more taken with a lemon and trying to squeeze it into the dough, but it's all good. Honestly, there's really nothing that can ruin a white snowy day and seeing the snowflakes accumulate inch by inch.

I've learned the hard way that instead of doing the whole wheat version, I'm better off with regular white flour. Of course, using the healthiest (ie, GMO-free) kind I can find! It's made my life a lot easier. I follow Alton Brown's recipe below, but I do omit the butter. Really though, with 403 5-star ratings, how could you go wrong?

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 package active dry yeast
22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for pan
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt

Directions

Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.

Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Christmas Candle

2012-12-18T14:11:00.005-05:00

After seeing dozens of posts on Pinterest with DIY candles and jars, I decided to try my hand at it as well. I've given them as little gifts already and they're super cute and very well received. Then again, what gift isn't? The holidays are all about giving!

What you'll need:

Jar (I used an empty jar from peanut butter we buy)

Epsom Salt

Tea light candle

String (you can use thin ribbon or twine)

Greenery (I clipped juniper from my mom's house)

Pine Cone or Cinnamon Stick- optional, I didn't use any in mine

Candy cane - optional

So what you're going to do is fill the jar a teeny tiny bit with epsom salt. Clip whatever greenery you have around and lay it inside and tie it along the rim on the outside as well. If you have tiny pine cones, you can also tie that with the green or by itself if you so wish. For some of the candles I dropped in candy canes, if only to make it merry and festive. It was a very nice touch!

I assure you that the receiver will love this gift. Make sure they light it up because that's when the magic really happens. It seriously looks like White Christmas in a jar! It reminded me of a quiet, snowy evening that sparkles and shines. I seriously could stare at it for hours on end!

If you're on a budget like I am, this is a perfect gift to give! Happy Tidings!!

Choosing the right color

2012-12-14T14:14:00.002-05:00

Today I had a conversation with my sister-in-law and she touched upon something I've been contemplating in my space... PAINT! During that time, I also had a bunch of color swatches sitting in front of me (because I usually carry them everywhere I go in my house). These colors also happened to have been in the brown/tan family. A decadent long list of names like: Caramel Apple, Toasted Almond, Barley Harvest, Gingerbread Man, Graham Cracker, Maple Syrup, Biscuit, Peanut Shell, Gingersnaps, Baked Cumin - - the list goes on and on and makes my stomach growl.

Seriously, it took me two years to figure out which white color I was going to paint our cabinets and now I have the 'daunting' task of choosing a wall color to (gulp) compliment them. Mind you, I'm indecisive when it comes to picking out a box of cereal. It's no coincidence that I go with oatmeal every morning, it's just simple. Oatmeal, yes, now that would make a great wall color!

My sister in law's dream color? Pie Crust... perfect! Only that it doesn't quite exist, except for the one you bake. The thoughts it conjures up, though, is enough to keep me in the kitchen all day long. Not only is it a warm color, but also one that would go great with white cabinets.

After many moments of contemplation, I finally chose a color that was suitable for the kitchen and my husband (reluctantly) painted the kitchen on his rare off-time.

As you can see from my previous post, the blue is way gone and I couldn't be happier! Next on my list is bead board wallpaper and the kitchen walls will be complete. Of course, there's really no hurry. And yes, I've restored our nook to its original table rather than a makeshift desk. Love it much better.... for now.

New and Improved Nook

2012-08-17T20:40:00.000-04:00

So, apparently being pregnant means ZERO energy and motivation to write entries on this blog, BUT I have been busy at work switching up the house... don't think I'll ever run out of steam for that.

Anyway, I can go through a list of things I'd like to change about our kitchen, but it's a step-by-step process. Today, I made a giant leap. I decided to switch up the 'use' of our little nook. What resided there before was our table, what resides there now is our table -- revamped and repurposed. I took away all the chairs around it, since NOBODY really EVER sat there and it was an obstacle course to just close a window.

SOOOO, what better way to use a space than to create a little 'office' area. There's something I like about having a desk in the kitchen, such a busy area and a great way to spend time with the huz while cooking. With the addition of our chalkboard wall, my daughter can even join in on the hustle and bustle as well!

All in all, I'm happy with how it turned out. I can sit and do my work and so can my husband, instead of having to go upstairs and hide away all the time.

Wall Stencil

2012-07-02T10:10:00.002-04:00

The other day I decided to try my hand at stenciling an accent wall in the living room. Being very bare - and very beige - it left a lot of room for improvement. I'm really liking how it turned out and have received many compliments; this is a great way to spruce up an otherwise lackluster area in your home.

Before: having traced the stencil with a pencil... didn't mean to rhyme!

Okay, so how did I do it? I visited this blog written by a genius woman. Seriously, did I mention how the wall totally looks like it's been wallpapered, but without the costly price tag and mess it would require to put it on? So, here's the address to the Jones Company:

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/painted-wallpaper-template.pdf

After

Still a work in progress, with my daughter's bean bag and table to contend with.

Clicking on that link above will provide a stencil for making this design. I printed it out and transferred it onto cardboard (my daughter's diaper box, to be exact). Once I had that, I began tracing the pattern onto my wall moving in a downward/vertical direction. For a step-by-step process of what I did - unfortunately, I couldn't document it since I only had two hands! - click below for directions:

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/painted-wallpaper-template.pdf

TOOLS:

Cardboard
Pencil
Paint (I used leftover white BM paint from our cabinets)
Paint brush (from Michael's, one of those small, flat craft ones)
Patience

This is as easy-peasy as it gets, guys! I even did this while my daughter watched T.V.... just be forewarned though, she now thinks its okay to draw on the walls.

Sconces Makeover

2012-06-12T10:48:00.000-04:00

I've had these two sconces for the longest time, a Target purchase years ago. I have never actually used these as candle holders since I'm reluctant to hang anything flammable on my walls, so I went to the next best thing. Spindle holders, of course.

The black color never sat well with my decor, so I decided to give them a slight makeover. I'm glad I waved my magic wand, or paintbrush, and wondered why I hadn't done it any sooner! The look is shabby chic and now instead of sticking out like blue thumbs they blend in nicely with everything else.

Check it...

Before

Shabbiness

Bleach and Colors

2012-06-01T09:52:00.003-04:00

As many well know, I love anything white, neutral, nautical striped or anything vibrant that plays a supporting role to the aforementioned. This is as natural to me as a button-down shirt, line dried sheets in the summer, fluffy pillows, and a 'come hither' couch that beckons to be sat upon. I also know I'm not the only one who gravitates towards these summer tones.

With that said, my latest visit to Pottery Barn magnified these very little likings. I couldn't help but think that these rooms were an exact replica of the house in 'Something's Gotta Give'. You all know what I'm talking about... Diane Keaton's retreat on the beach that was perfectly styled and resembled more of a show room than a house! Seriously, my house is too busy being scribbled on with crayons (along with our white furniture) and cluttered by my daughter's toys.

Well, we can all dream of plunkering down on one of these after a long day.

Eye Chart Chic

2012-05-08T16:08:00.002-04:00

Here's an Anthropologie 'snippet', a scene looking upon a couch and the space behind it. Need I mention how awesome that wall color is, especially against the colorful couch?

A fabulous way for DIY art and to create something super unique. I was thinking of doing this myself with maybe a piece of Scripture. All you'll need are two clips and a large piece of paper. How easy is that!

Quirky definitely resides here, care to pull up a seat?

"Darling let's be adventurous"

Frames

2012-04-04T10:15:00.002-04:00

If a picture is worth a thousand words then a frame must be worth even more, or at least worth-y of the image it encapsulates.

Here is such a frame. I picked up a set of four at a thrift store a couple years ago and they have been sitting in our garage in desperate need of a makeover. I wasn't sure what I would do with them, but knew I had to pick them up simply because, well, they just don't make 'em quite like this anymore!

So here's a tutorial on how to transform a frame from drabbiness to shabbiness:

I love the intricate detail and how sturdy they are. I wanted to showcase every nook and cranny, so I was careful to be easy-handed with the paint.

I wanted white (of course), but didn't want it to be too stark, so diluting it with another color and water helped tremendously.

I took a paint brush and stroked away..

I used three parts Wicker White and one part Bleached Sand to create the final color, and thinned it out with a lot of water.

I was left with this after one coat of paint and wanted to bring out the details.

So, I began scraping the lifted parts and scraping away at some of the paint.

I used my daughter's spoon handle!

Then a clothes pin to 'dirty' those spots up, until finally I used a scruff pad. No pics since my hands were super dirty at that point! Scruff pad really did the job..

Some of that original color came through, which made it really nice.

Then my daughter joined in on helping me!

Last step was taking a black marker and just slightly going over those lifted parts for even more dimension and detail.

The end result actually is pretty great! Between the paint, scruffing, and marking, the frames look like they were born this way. End result: a set of patina frames that scream to be displayed.

Stay tuned for what I actually do with them...

Makeover for Plant Holder

2012-04-02T09:03:00.001-04:00

I picked this 'wall holder' up years ago at Home Goods. Never quite knew what to do with it or what to put into the potted slots, but had fun with it each season. Starfish in summer and candy canes in winter!

Last year I threw some chalkboard paint in the middle of each 'pot' to add a bit of interest, but never quite got used to the speckled green since it screamed garage chic.

I then spray painted it white and kept the chalkboard labels. Not too shabby. It fits so well in our kitchen and actually serves to hold towels and other kitchen stuff. Its a great functional AND decorative piece now -- yippie!!!

In summer

Winter

Now in the kitchen

Holding towels and vintage tools

And of course, sitting pretty

Flower Friday: Lavender

2012-03-30T21:47:00.001-04:00

The thing that's so great about lavender is that you can buy them dried and never have to worry about watering them! Last spring I attempted to grow a patch in our garden, but try as I might, they did not turn out as I had imagined. They actually resembled rosemary rather than flowing visions of blue and purple buds. Still though, the ones inside my house were more to marvel at!

Splitting two lavender bundles into "mini's" and laying them on burlap

Nothing beats lavender stuffed into an apothecary

An old tea pot I found recycled as a flower display

Here are some beautiful inspirations from others:

Boutique-de-la-mer.blogspot.com

HGTV.com

Homeandgardenideas.com

Informationvine.com

Interiordesigndecoratingideas.com

Wildabouttravel.com

Dining Lights

2012-03-28T07:53:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago, I changed the arrangement of our living room. Anyone who knows me also knows that I'm incessant about switching things up -- and did just that. What bothered me most was the unused portion of our dining room. Sure it looked nice, but it wasn't functional. The reason I kept it the way it was mainly because of the light fixture which hung above.

I would like nothing more than to hang something remarkable above our table (see post about ladders), but for the time being this works perfectly. Not only was it cheap, it was so easy to 'install'! This makes for a nice transition into something a bit more permanent, or until I'm sure this is where the table will reside.

The end result is whimsy and lends a beautiful soft light. It almost reminds me of a garden party in the spring where stars are reflecting down. Now, all that's missing are fragrant flowers and a soiree!

IF this inspires you, here's all you will need:

Icicle Lights
Transparent tape (yup, that's right)
Extension cord

Wooden Finds

2012-03-26T07:44:00.002-04:00

I never met a piece of wood I didn't want to paint. Seriously. Just about everything I bring in gets dusted with a white coat of paint and battered for a shabby chic look. However, these pieces of wood stepped into my life and for the first time, I don't want to change them. Can this be the mark of true love?

Not quite sure where their permanent homes will be, but in the meantime, the window resides in the entryway along with his friends, the bench and wood press.

Stay tuned for what I actually do with them! They really are charming and I'll have to somehow use them to off-set the color of a room or enhance their uniqueness.

Vintage Window

My daughter's new ~~throne~~ seat!

Wood Press

Flower Friday: Hydrangeas

2012-03-23T09:36:00.000-04:00

Now that spring has sprung, I can't help but notice all the blooms that are flowering right before my eyes. From colorful tulips to bright yellow forsythia's and other blooms that are signature to the season.

My absolute favorites are hydrangea's. I'm a sucker for the simple myriad of color combinations. Simple and muted, yet very much so make a statement. Seriously, there are whites, faint greens, violets, blues, pinks and all shades in between those colors. They're simply magnificent!

Kitchen Curtains

2012-03-21T16:12:00.002-04:00

I'm all for using what you have on hand to make a room pop. I also repurpose things that are designated for other places in order to add that certain level of flair to a space. Case in point: curtains.

I had these .79 cent towels laying around from Ikea and wanted to dress our windows up. I thought it would add pinache to our nook and a bit of privacy as well. Okay, not as much as you would get with conventional curtains, but that's what the blinds are for!

End result is cute, I have no complaints... my husband doesn't mind either, seeing that it only cost just under $8.00 to achieve. Compare that to roman shades - yes, one day when I master a certain DIY project and a sewing machine - and you're saving a bundle.

Easy to close "panels"

A va-va-voom valance

Completes the nook-look

Bottom towels are strung along a clothes line

A 'star' project indeed!

So, what are your thoughts? Oh yes, forgot to mention that no sewing required -- even better!

Potted Plants

2012-03-19T09:21:00.003-04:00

I was ~~a kid in the candy store~~ browsing Anthropologie for fresh ideas on home decor and found a few ideas that caught my eye. I'm not even referring to the items for sale, which are lovely, but so out of my budget. No no, what I'm referring to were the fabulous displays of things you probably already have in your home.

Example, potted plants.

BEFORE

I have a few of these throughout my house and decided to revamp them with a fresh coat of white paint. The finished product were plants that looked fresh and bright, but also a new spin on an old classic. Who would've thought that taking the 'terra' out of the pot would bring it a new life?

AFTER

This mini makeover seems to match the white decor in my kitchen beautifully, so I'm a happy camper indeed.

Here's what you'll need to pull this off, actually, put this on:

Paint Brush
White Paint (I used my standard, Acrylic Craft Paint in White Wicker *see previous post*)

I used several coats until the pots were completely covered.

Letter Holder

2012-03-16T12:03:00.001-04:00

On my thrift store shopping journey, I stumbled upon this vintage record holder and it had letter holder written all over it - - I had to pick it up!

Since I enjoy repurposing items, this was perfect and thought it would look great on our hallway table. Seriously, something that actually serves a purpose? An automatic husband approval...

Here's the before:

{Notice the gold}

Since "gold" doesn't jive with my decor, I went with white paint to spruce it up. I wrapped the handles in a beige-y yarn... but twine also would've done the job as well.

Here are the afters:

Voila!

Love the look of the numbered metal for the 'records' - - didn't change this one bit!

Used acrylic craft paint in 'Wicker White' to create the look

Then 'aged' it a bit by scraping the metal with the paint brush

Great for letter holding!

PS - What I didn't show was my attempt to spray paint this. The color was antique white, but it came out too yellow-y and lacked texture. SO, I went over it with the paint and it worked perfectly.

Light Fixture

2012-03-11T21:27:00.002-04:00

I know, I know, it's been a while since my last post. This is attributed to my husband's crazy work schedule, which has us living somewhat like nomads. I have missed not only cozying up in our space, but also doing projects to spruce up our place. All in all, the absence from our home and my blog has made my heart grow fonder!

On the plus side, I have been able to browse some of my favorite shops and get a few ideas under my tool belt. One of my faves is Anthropologie, which I have mentioned before... even posted pics from their 2011 Christmas dispalys -- Ahhh. Had my daughter not been so enamored by the [very] breakable dishes, I would've stayed around there much longer. Rather than see her rendition of Zorba the Greek and plate throwing, I threw ourselves out of there as soon as she made contact with the displays.

After all the whimsy at Anthro, my next stop was Ikea, where I got my fill of practical living. I have yet to do an entry on Scandinavian decor, which is at the tippy top of my faves design schemes. However, too much 'Ikea' decor is not my thing either. By mixing feminine and vintage pieces with the straight lines and utilitarian style of what they offer is a good way to break things up.

With all this said (apparently I am not at a loss for words), I purchased a $3.99 light fixture. Actually, it was basically a long wire with a socket for a light bulb at the tip and plug on the other end. I decided I would put it into our kitchen, since I'm not crazy about the existing fixtures. Seriously, I've sported the Nigella Lawson/Christmas light look for as long as we've lived there!

My idea worked perfectly! Rather than put the light above the table itself, I opted for the corner where it's easier to hide the wire and allows more reflection of light. I went to Lowe's and purchased a vintage style light bulb and VOILA, there was light. Next was finding a 'lamp shade' for it; I contemplated sacrificing my white colander, but decided to save it for utility instead. I'm happy I did because I then decided to put a metal golf ball holder on top. The basket is a yard sale find from last year that was used for holding plastic shopping bags! So glad I decided to go with this one since it almost adds a farmhouse/industrial feel and a lot of uniqueness to our nook. This is definitely a DIY on the major cheap side!

Check it out! You too can create this yourself, all you need is the following:

Wire for light (I think mine is three feet)
Vintage light bulb
Basket to make it into a pendant light... you can use Ball Jars or colanders as well.

Feeling Blue

2012-01-22T11:31:00.000-05:00

A few posts ago, I mentioned my current crush on the color red. Although it still exists, especially since its still winter and it pops with my neutral color scheme, I also have a place in my heart for blue. Whether Robin's Egg or a historical Blue/Grey, no shabby chic room is complete without these hues.

As many of you know, my kitchen is blue and this is the exception that I place on the color in my house. For whatever reason, it just doesn't work... I do believe lighting, or lack there of, plays a huge role in it. It isn't a stark or bright blue, it's not offensive in any way, nor is it disasterously drab, but it just doesn't fit. The color would work well in a bedroom or our windowless bathroom against a crisp, white beadboard, but our kitchen is definitely left singing the blues... that is, until I bring in Mr. Benjamin Moore in an Antique White - - "Moore" on this color in another post!

Since we're in the midst of winter, I can't help but think of polar-ice blue or even those white blues that seem to pop against a winter landscape or a ground freshly covered with snow. I do believe undertones to this season resonate with many hints of blue. Hey, even Jack Frost sported an icy-blue outfit!

Oh, and by the way, red and blue are best friends so be sure to pair these together. Martha Washington was onto something, but I believe red is best suited with colors outside of the royal and navy blue realm -- unless, of course, your style is 'Americana' all the way. If so, then show off your true colors. For the rest of us, stick with those paler shades and blue-greys.

Upcycled Wine Markers

2012-01-14T10:30:00.002-05:00

Upcycled markers are finally here.

Use them as:

Wine Markers
Note Holders
Unique Place Card Holders &/or Place Settings
Napkin "Rings"
Gift Tag Clip
Stamp of personalization on the backside

Check out my Etsy store and browse the array of colors and styles!

Happy Marking!

Cottage Stitcherie

2012-01-13T15:37:00.002-05:00

For those who might not already know, I have opened my very own Shoppe on Etsy. I finally did it after so much time ~~obsessing~~ contemplating what on earth I would put up there. Seriously, I would sell my husband if I handmade him myself - okay, maybe not, but you get the point.

Since I love to create things, I decided a stitch shop would be very apropos. I have since named it, in conjunction with this blog, Cottage Stitcherie. I love posting DIY projects here and pictures of inspiration, but I also wanted to put products out there so you can have access to them. Keep in mind, 'products' is a very limited term in this sense! We're talking mug cozies, versatile cloths and my newest "invention", wine marks.

So, feel free to stop by the Cottage Stitcherie.. we're open 24/7 and appreciate any comments or feedback you may have. Just click on the Etsy link to the right of this website and "window shop" your way through my store... without actually having to leave your chair! Keep in mind that everything is custom made to order because, hey, don't we all appreciate things unique and personalized?

I'm hoping to extend whimsy and quirky to your neighborhood and right into the comfort of your very own home.

Be sure to stay tuned and updated for the unveiling of my latest and greatest - Wine Marks!

In the Red

2012-01-09T10:55:00.000-05:00

I've recently been loving the color red in our cottage. I've tried to integrate it with these fabulous-o red lanterns (from Lowe's!) along our table and against the white "cabinet'ed" kitchen. My husband even took notice, which is a huge deal because he seriously does not notice these things. He knows how obsessed I am with neutrals, so naturally he wondered what had come over me. I cannot exactly explain what it is, but I do know that it instantly adds charm to any room.

Now, I'm not talking painting your walls a stark China Red or dying your hair to match the clown wig you covet at Halloween. I'm referring to little punches of red here and there throughout a room; which seems to stand out more amongst a neutral color scheme.

Perhaps all the white in my life has left me feeling a bit rebellious, or, the fleeting holidays with its candy canes and Santa images has me rather nostalgic. Whatever it is, I am pretty obsessed with red right now. I believe this to be more everlasting than a 'color crush', but I guess only time will tell. However, there is something romantic and warm about the color especially during the winter season. Just think about it. When you look from a window surrounded by falling snow and spot a red sleigh, fire hydrant or maybe even a child in a red snowsuit, there's something highly striking about it.

Since the drama can be achieved with a pillow, blanket, plates - even a lantern, you have the ~~red~~ green light to experiment and find what works for you. So long as you're not going overboard, it can be done beautifully and tastefully. As I type this, I am looking over at my yarn basket and notice red thread weaving its head amidst a sea of neutrals. Why not go ahead and display something such as this? It costs absolutely no money to achieve and you'll be using what you already have... and perhaps you didn't even know it existed until now!

So go ahead... get your red on. Just don't pull out any stop signs in the process.

From Empty Space to Display Case

2012-01-04T07:02:00.000-05:00

Our kitchen had suffered from a lack of counter space, that is, until the big bad butcher block parked itself on the corner. It was a great investment - especially since it was discounted - and suddenly our "spacially challenged" cooking area wasn't so bad. I have slowly realized and even embraced that a quaint kitchen is as charming as a large one, if not more so. However, as far as functionality goes, it just takes a bit more effort to make it 'work'.

One of the biggest challenges had been trying to make the space 'flow' from the counters to the butcher block. They sort of 'ended' once the block began. Like an abrupt ending to a good movie or Columbus thinking the earth ended at the horizon.... such were our countertops.

Last spring, I toured our village for some good finds at yard sales - other than Christmas, my favorite time of year! I came upon a $5.00 bookcase that I immediately put into our daughter's room and organized her books, from Dr. Seuss to The Bernstain Bears. It wasn't until recently that I thought 'hey, that bookcase would look great on the wall... in the kitchen'. Yes, these are thoughts that keep me tossing and turning at night.

My husband painted the shelf to match our cabinets and I knew I was onto something. Once the bookcase was up, I couldn't wait to put the finishing touches on.... which were the less-than-$2.00 Anthropologie cabinet pulls I stumbled upon, not knowing what I would use them for, but knowing I had to get them (even if it meant screwing them into our front door!)

These cabinet pulls now serve as quaint little 'hooks' for measuring spoons/cups. I don't mind that these serve more as decoration since they add a nice unexpected detail at the bottom... like a hemmed embellishment on a skirt.

To further the functionality, I hung a cutting board on the side and continued the Nigella Lawson lighting around there as well. The newly finished area now serves as casual seating for my husband and I to eat and do our work. All in all, not so shabby for a ~~small~~ charming kitchen!

Lesson learned? Think outside the box, or in this case, book shelf. This goes to show that a space can be done on a seriously tight budget and very little else.

I've dug up some before pics to show the 'unfinished' wall space:

Way before (pre-painted cabinets)

Before

Here's what everything looks like now:

A shutter..

Or cutting board

Nigella Lawson Lighting

More under head lighting

A great place for coffe, tea, eating, working, cooking, etc..