Finally... Checked Curtains in the Kitchen

I've had a project that I've wanted to get done for literally months. It's not that it's a huge one, but knowing myself like I do, I didn't want to tackle it until I was feeling better. I have a tendency to want to see something through in one sitting, and I didn't think I could accomplish a new set of curtains in one afternoon.

Laundry Room Reveal: Cleaning up a dirty little secret!

Hello world, it's time to "come clean" with one of my "dirty little secrets". I have a few others; at least this one is making it's debut. I have a great space in my laundry room; right off the kitchen and the entrance to the garage, but it's been a semi-mess since we've lived here. I hated the color (a blah dirty yellow) and since last November when I painted the kitchen walls and cabinets, well, it seemed worse than ever!

"Where is the before picture?",  you may be asking. I purposefully DIDN'T take one, because honestly, I didn't think I could get it "blogworthy". Think dirty yellow wall color, cat litter strewn floors, bulletin board (not cute), and mismatched attempt at wall decor...got a mental picture?

 This is a photo from last fall before I painted the kitchen, and it's the closest you would have seen of the mess. Below is another shot after the paint, but the doors on the right are hiding all the yuck.

I knew I wanted it brightened up since it has an east facing window which brings in a lot of the morning sun. And also since the wood floors extend into the laundry, it needed to be a continuation of the kitchen. Let's face it, the doors are always open since it's "kitty central" in there besides the laundry.

Ta Da!!

I'd thought about painting the doors and cabinets

 the same color as my kitchen cabinets,  but I've decided not to.

 I actually like the contrast out here with the wall color.

 The woodwork is white, so it all works for me.

LOVE my new washer and dryer.

 It has the same technology that the big front loaders have,

but at almost half the price.

I even added some vintage wall thingies to make it more fun to be out here.

All the decor in here was "shopped" from my garage stash,

of flea market and thrift finds.

Stuff that had been hanging around

just waiting for a spot.

I've had the piece of tin for several years,

No where to put it until now.

It DID get a good scrubbing and a coat of antique white paint,

And this was the fun part,

 coming up with a vintage feel for my "view" from the kitchen.

A small Eastlake shelf,

Nantucket basket with hydrangeas,

odds and ends sugars, creamers, and gravy boat,

and a favorite English Cottage print.

Then a couple of 40's bird prints

brought in the feel I was going for...

cozy cottage.

Last week I showed you my trunk find with bird decals

that I'm using for a kitty chow container.

And here are a couple of little cross stitch pieces I did in the early 90's.

They are reminders of God's faithful promises.

It's not a big room as you can see,

and not easy to get a good shot of the whole thing.

(I spared you the trash basket and kitty littler box)

I also found a great little brown floral Waverly valance

 and faux wood vinyl shades at Lowes.

They help finish it all off.

As you can see we "love" our new space.

So much easier to keep clean,

and now it's actually a place I can enjoy being in.

Miss Jenkins agrees!

I'm linking up with these great parties:

Hope to see you Thursday afternoon for

Have a great week!

love you all,

Debra

"Spring Fever"

It may not be Spring by the calender, but once it hits March, it's Spring to me!

You probably know by now how much I love to change things up

 for each new season and holiday.

The winter's darker colors and warmer textures give way

to lights and brights with a fresher look and feel.

One way I like to freshen things up for Spring is with a change of kitchen curtains.

I had two sets made last year; one of a rich brown floral linen,

and then a lighter shade of floral for Spring and Summer.

If you remember last fall right after Thanksgiving,

I painted my kitchen cabinets and walls in shades of cream and white.

What a change!

I still can't believe the difference.

This photo is after the paint change, but with the darker curtains.

Changing out floral arrangements and bringing in some pastels also lighten it up.

(Pink tulips and a rabbit thrown in for some early Easter fun!)

A pink floral vintage hatbox with a stack of ironstone creamers

I just love vintage cross stitch and needlework sayings

It was also time to "Spring up" the fridge top...

daisies in an old enamel coffeepot with Monsieur La Porc.

And the top of the double ovens.

I just found this vintage "Redcliff" ironstone tureen last week.

I'd not heard of Redcliff, but learned it was the ironstone maker in the U.S.

Today I'm joining in with

 Jennifer Rizzo for her Spring Fever Party

A Stroll Thru Life

Kathleen with Faded Charm

And Kim at Savvy Southern Style

Very Merry Vintage Style

"It may not be Spring outside, but it's Spring in my heart."

(me.)

Hope you have a wonderful week!

lot's of love,

Debra