Bright Pastels in the Kitchen

I love the bright pastels I have used as accents in the newly painted kitchen.

Before:

I thought I could put the same accessories back in the kitchen once the paint dried.
My intent was decorate it very farmhouse and even add a pop of red.

Instead I choose turquiose

and 

pink.

I have to say the inspiration for the accessories in the kitchen came from this painting done by my great grandmother.
I just love it and was thrilled to find it among my grandmother's things. To be honest I didn't truly appreciate it until I read Rachel Ashwell's books. 

I was in love with two crayons in my box of 64 crayolas as a child.
I loved the "sky blue" and "blue green" crayons.  
It isn't a shock then that I have come back to these tones often throughout the years.

 I read the other day that pink was a big color in the fifties because of Mamie Eisenhower. It was her favorite color and the nation went wild for it. 
Pink and turquoise were the "it" colors for kitchens for a while.
While I have no desire to have a pink fridge or a turquoise  stove, 
I love adding a pop of these two colors.   

 Finding something vintage from that era is a hoot. 
It brings cute and kitsch to a space.

 Turquoise transferware is very hard to find. These are the only pieces I have ever found at a price I was willing to pay. 

I found these tea cups at an antique store.

This canister is a recent find. 

I found this majolica platter at a garage sale for $4.00. I was thrilled to find it.

The ball jar is a find from Canton, Texas. I found it last summer at First Monday Trade Days. 
If you ever get to North Texas you have to go.
Read about it here.

I shopped the house to decorate the space.
Here is what it looked like before:

 After:

I love, love the white cabinets. 
It is a great backdrop for wonderful color.
Sprinkled with brights
Katie 
Linking with,
Funky Junk Interiors
French Country Cottage  
Between Naps on the Porch  
Savvy Southern Style  
Cozy Little House

New Master Bath Coming

We had a contractor come over last night to look at our master bath. 

He felt that our 23 year old bath is done and that it's time to remodel. 

Traditional Bathroom design by Dc Metro Interior Designer Liz Levin Interiors

We had a couple of loose tiles right outside the shower door. 

I pried them off the other day and found mold. 

                    

Traditional Bathroom design by Atlanta Photographer Erica George Dines Photograph  

 It has already dried out and it looks better, but I wonder what else is under the shower pan and so did the contractor. 

Traditional Bathroom design by Other Metro Interior Designer Shane D. Inman 

        I started browsing images to get inspired.

Traditional Bathroom design by New York Architect Daniel Contelmo Architects

I love white cabinets with a classic, traditional  panel.

 Traditional Bathroom design by Los Angeles General Contractor JRP Design & Remodel

 I think that I am going with chrome. 

It is classic and won't go out of style like some other finishes. Although gold in small measures is quite pretty.                   

  Traditional Bathroom design by Boston Architect Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc

I would love a white vanity top. 

I think the solid surface countertop will be quartz. 

We love marble but I would freak out if it etched and scratched.

                    

 Traditional Bathroom design by Denver Interior Designer Chalet

The leaded glass door of the cabinet below is just beautiful.

 I would love a cabinet in between my vanities.

  Traditional Bathroom design by Toronto Interior Designer Regina Sturrock Design Inc.

This bath won't be top of the line but I can't wait to do some upgrades from what we have.

   

        Traditional Bathroom design by Chicago Design-build Oakley Home Builders

I love the taller shower walls of the above bathroom.

Our contractor suggested something like this. 

The water spraying on a ledge is what causes some leaks. 

Bill wants a drop in tub.   

                     

      Traditional Bathroom design by Charleston Architect Frederick + Frederick Architects

Our contractor said that we could have a chandelier.

:)

A designer friend will be coming by next week just to make sure I am not off base.

I'm nervous but relieved. 

I think I have put all the cosmetic bandages I can on our old bathroom. 

I can't wait to fill you in as things unfold.  

Sprinkled with white, chrome and sparkle,

Katie
None of the above images are mine. 
If you would like to pin them, please pin them from Houzz.com.  

Ikea Curtains

I was stuck in a rut with the window treatment in the living room.

  When we bought the house there was nothing on the windows except mini-blinds and I have always hated mini-blinds.

Custom window treatments in a swag and jabot style were all the rage. Instead I made a pleated valance with navy and mauve flowers. 
(Don't judge.)
Eventually, I covered the bottom half of the windows with chippy shutters I found at a garage sale.

These light brown valances are the third set I have made for these windows. 

I was ready for a new look but for some reason I couldn't visualize anything other than the pleated valances.

A standard window panel is 84 inches in length so something off the shelf at a big box wouldn't work. 
  I would have needed about 20 yards of fabric to make custom panels. 
 I have found some drapery pairs at 
Tuesday Morning but they usually didn't have three sets and they were at least $99.00. 
 A  pair of drapes from Pottery Barn would be at least that.
I continued to shop around for 96 inch panels and finally found some at Ikea.

Fortified with coffee, we made the long haul over there.

 It was a great way to spend a Saturday.

We found a sofa for Rebekah that we jammed in the car. 

Ikea sofa in a Subaru.


I choose the Lenda tab top curtains in white.
They were only $34.00 a pair. 
After I bought them I still couldn't decide if I wanted to keep them, but I hate returning things. 

I love them.

 
I think they add a little more elegance than a valance. 

They brighten up the space and they unify the 

living and kitchen.

That only took a few years!

Sprinkled with Ikea drapes,
Katie  
Linking with,
Between Naps On The Porch  
Savvy Southern Style   
Feathered Nest Friday

Kitchen Shelf

For some reason I just can't get the kitchen desk looking  right.

I am on my third display in about a year.
I used this little metal shelf for a while.
I liked this display but I changed it when I wanted more white.

When I painted the bathroom upstairs, I spray painted this cubbie and put it on the desk.
It was okay but not great. I couldn't center it because of the electric outlet and the phone jack.
I thought I would like it when I painted the desk.

Nope.

I ripped the guts out of the phone jack and covered it with a plate.

It's better but I still didn't love it.

 I found these shelf brackets upstairs in one of the closets.

 They were in Rebekah's room when she was little.

 I grabbed a piece of wood from the garage to make a shelf.   

I love my junk find canister and cow.
I thought I would love the tole tray, but it still doesn't look right.

I'm still tweaking the display because I am frustrated by the placement of that stupid outlet. 
I think the electricians were without a foreman the day this house was wired because the placement of some of outlets and fixtures is so wrong. 

I got a little window at Old Home Supply in Ft. Worth.
Read about it here.
I have wanted a window for a while but I didn't need a huge, heavy one.
This little darling is perfect. 
I can center it and cover up the outlet.:)

I can still plug in the lamp.

The decorating angels are singing!
Sprinkled with a window,
Katie 
Linking with,
Funky Junk Interiors  
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia   
Savvy Southern Style 
Homa Style  
Feathered Nest Friday
Between Naps on the Porch