Kitchen Inspiration

Lately, I find myself repinning images I know I've already pinned because I'm too lazy to scroll through my pin boards to find them.  Earlier this week, I was trying to describe the planned kitchen changes to our carpenter in order for him to provide an accurate estimate and there I was with my laptop up trying to show him "exactly" what I wanted with pinned images and it got a bit ugly.  I believe his exact words were, "oh, this is Pinterest.  Seems a bit difficult to find what you need."  Uh-huh. When you've pinned over 3000 images I have to agree.  So, for me and for him, I decided put all my favorites in one tidy place to refer to again and again when I start to lose my way.  I should preface by saying we are NOT doing a major kitchen remodel. If we were, I'd have a whole set of other inspirational images! We are just sprucing it up.  But even a good sprucing involves a lot of decisions and I have a hard time making decisions.  I know exactly how I want the kitchen to feel.  I'm not going for a showplace kitchen.  Nothing too fancy, fancy or too cutesy, cutesy.  I will admire those from a far and blog about them too. For me,  I crave a hard working space, that feels organic and cozy.  These pictures will help....

Source: highstreetmarket.blogspot.com via Tessa on Pinterest

Source: ideas.thenest.com via Tessa on Pinterest

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Tessa on Pinterest

The Fry's kitchen {EmersonMade}
open shelves + farmhouse sink + soapstone counters + butcher block island 

{check, check, check}

Source: housebeautiful.com via Tessa on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Tessa on Pinterest

The above were in House Beautiful and the latest edition of 

Martha Stewart's Organization special edition magazine.

I would like to replicate this exact style of the open shelving, right down to the corbels.

The above is from Coastal Living and I've blogged about it before.

I love the the island, simple lights, chalk board, open shelves.  It's all very understated and practical.

Source: Uploaded by user via Tessa on Pinterest

Source: cotedetexas.blogspot.com via Tessa on Pinterest

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Source: hookedonhouses.net via Tessa on Pinterest

This one needs no introduction from "It's Complicated"

I love the skirted counter, I will add one under my sink, but mostly I love it for the feeling it evokes.

Ok, so it is a movie set, but if this were real life, it would clearly be a cook's kitchen.

There is some clutter {maybe a bit too much}. It's cozy. It's warm. 

A kitchen you just know smells divine!

The above is from Ashley Putman.

A home I've stared at longer than I care to admit.

Again, I like the white, sparse, organic feel of her kitchen. A lot. And the stack of cookbooks!

Source: gardenandgun.com via Tessa on Pinterest

Lastly, the above is not a kitchen, but I'm keeping it here for the walls.
I'd like to have horizontal planks on the wall  where we plan to have open shelving.
That's all for now...
Many, many more kitchen posts to come!!

Picture-A-Day | FEBRUARY

I mentioned last month that I was going to attempt to capture everyday life with one picture a day on my phone for the entire year.  It's more challenging than I would have thought! I end up with a lot of late night pictures in the kitchen when I realize I've forgotten.  No matter.  I love how this month begins with amaryllis on my kitchen window with a dusting of snow outside {we had snow?!  it must have only lasted a couple hours!} and then a few weeks later daffodils sit in a sunny spot in the dining room. Lots and lots of hearts, chocolates and sweets this month too.

Here are a few favorites, up close...

{sunday morning pancake making}

{allowance spending}

{lunching with andrew at nordstrom's bistro}

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Try to stay safe if you are in the path of these nasty storms!!

{I need to copy Michelle's idea!! Click here to see...}

xo

Our New {200 year old} Table

As promised, here are pictures of the antique harvest table we picked up at auction last week.
Our first meal around the table was celebrating my Mum's birthday. A perfect first memory.
Sometime in the next 5 years, we plan to turn the current playroom into a library/study space for the boys and when we do, this table will likely make its way into that room because the drop leaves and dimensions make it the perfect fit for a long desk.  Something I didn't realize until it was in our home.  However, for the time being, it works beautifully in our dining room.  I love that it shows its age in every little imperfection.  If you catch the light just right you can make out the indentations that say "Dear Mummy, Merry Christmas. I love you." I like having a little glimpse into the table's past and can't help but wonder about the little people who sat around it long ago writing Christmas cards to their parents.  It always amazes me how an old piece of furniture can so quickly transform a room.  I think it is happy in its new home...