Wednesday, May 5, 2010

~ a little kitchen fluffing~

Hello friends!
I've been trying to change things up a bit
in our kitchen.....
this was one of the first rooms we tackled
when we moved in 6 years ago.....it had blue laminate counters,
nasty orangey oak cabinets &
equally nasty vinyl floors.....

I (me & my little own self!) actually tiled the counters
with travertine (just so proud of myself....;) ) and painted & distressed the cabinets

Before: I'll just leave that picture nice & small
so as not to inflict any visual pain on any of you!

after: big improvement huh?

read more about it here

So,

I am still happy w/ the cabinets (for now) and the travertine (cannot get enough of that stuff....I just love it)

but the kitchen definitely has more of a tuscan/farmhouse feel,
 and I would like to lighten it up a bit.....

you know.....a little more of a frenchy
scandinavian feel.....like maybe white or cream walls, white shelves w/ ornate shelf brackets.....
like this.....



or this?

don't ya think?

but, as you all know.....
I have a major amount tiny bit of decorating / remodeling ADD......

like I need to finish some other things or I'll be strung up by Mr. T & T  to maintain a bit of sanity here!

but fluffing I can do without too much chaos, right?

I took everything off the shelves, threw put it in the middle of my kitchen floor and started scrounging around my house for "new" stuff.... 

I picked up the cream platter last week when
Kathleen (from Faded Charm )and I went out looking
for treasures.....she's so fun...we met just a month ago thru blogging!

and the little black sign thingy is from france...some
kind of cheese label thing! (thingy this thingy that...low on vocabulary today apparently...)

and the silver metal can "thingy" is also
from france, used for making cheese.



I got these cream scalloped plates at goodwill a few
months ago ~ they were just sitting on my etsy
shelf~couldn't bear to list them...
so I brought them down

I think this little pewter pitcher is in my etsy store ~
so I snatched it up too....


I am feeling just o.k. about the plates, but think
I'm ready to change them out as soon as I can figure out what to do here..... (I'd gladly accept your input here!)

this rack is above our ancient stove.....
all the stainless racks & shelves are from IKEA

this is a cute little urn I found in the bins
at goodwill ($3)~ it was sitting around in
our garage ~ so grabbed it & planted a little
plant I had on hand....you know I love my urns...


that's all I have to show you for now.....please feel free to share your fabulous ideas with me!

~*~

now a fun little addition to our living room

isn't this little cart adorable?
I found it a Monticello.....

I love the wheels!
I seriously have a thing for wheeled stuff right now.....
I also got this pillow while out w/ Kathleen...
ticking.....yummy....

Now I'm off for a run!

gotta keep going.....amidst the rain & wind!




thanks for coming by today!



xo,



Shellagh





53 comments:

Privet and Holly said...

Shellagh ~ It IS fun to switch up the nest, once in a while. Have you thought of adding any gray to your space? I saw a really yummy post this week {can't remember where...eeek!} where she had introduced gray into the scheme and it was really really pretty. Beautiful against white. I have a cherry kitchen, so no gray and white for me : (
But, you've got to bloom where you are planted!
xx P&H

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

LOVE everything!!!!Now I have to look up the definition of travertine. I might need it;)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Faded Charm said...

Looking good!!!! Your little corner turned out great with some of your new finds. Love the cart. Looks good with a plant in it.

Had a great time last week and can't wait to do it again.

Take care and try to stay dry and warm, what is this weather?

Kathleen

It's me said...

Hello Shellagh...what a beautiful things you have done in your kitchen !! i love it all...............nice to be here with you as always !!

Hugs from me...........take care !!

the gardener's cottage said...

i love all your fluffing.

i would switch out the flowered plates for the white ones you stacked on your shelf.

but that's just my humble opinion. everything looks great as is!

~janet

AuroraSuzette said...

It was your incredible kitchen transformation that first hooked me on your blog! Love the changes. Want that cart!

Stacey said...

Shellagh, everything looks so pretty. I was just thinking that my kitchen needs some fluffing. We did paint last year but I have to admit the counter tops have had the same accessories for a l o n g time. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I love what you did with your cabinets. Nice job! I adore that Paris cart, you are a lucky girl.

Beach House Living said...

You did that yourself? Feel free to do mine!

The Stylish House said...

Shellagh,
Your home is eye catching beautiful, but lately your running is what impresses me! I've gotta get in gear myself. Two thumbs up on that cute Paris cart. Love the wheels.
Cathy

DustyLu said...

Your inspiring me to run too. Your vignette looks lovely. Hope you have a great run !~lulu

Rie said...

I have decorating ADD too! I just changed up our whole living room. Love those wheels on that cart!!

Home's Where My Heart Is said...

I absolutely love everything! You have such an eye for all things beautiful and I love how you arrange everything.

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Perfection! I adore anything with wheels too and your living room addition is at the top of my list...it is adorable!

Your kitchen revamp is wonderful...isn't it fun to foof it up? It makes it feel like a whole new space!

Love it all...you never disappoint:)!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Ms. Bake-it said...

Love what you have done to your kitchen. I was standing in my kitchen this weekend just staring at the very limited space and was thinking about how I could try to transform it a little bit. Yours has been an inspiration. I cannot wait until I can start working on mine but there are other rooms ahead of it on the list of to dos.

~ Tracy

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Hey Shellagh, so how was your run? Your kitchen looks great...it's always fun and inspiring to 'fluff' things up a bit. I would change the flowered plates on the wall to ironstone platters, or maybe a collection of assorted ironstone casserole lids (love these with all different designs). The dishes would look good on your shelving and would complement the colors in your cookbooks I think. So, just one more thing...maybe a little texture, like baskets or wood cutting boards, and a collection of old wood spoons would look great in your can on the shelves (rather than the roses). Just a few thoughts!
XXOO
Susie
Let me know what you think about my suggestions!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Your changes look great...I have been playing house today...it's soooo much FUN...moving these around! Hope you have a FUN day:)

Blessings,
Linda

Victorian1885 said...

I love it! Can't wait to see the rest..

Wanda

Anne Lorys said...

Oh, your little cart is just too stinkin' cute! That's the highest praise I can offer, ya know!

You've done wonderful stuff in your kitchen, do you make house calls? ;-)

Hugs,
Anne

Unknown said...

Beautiful changes ... love the colors. Your cart is wonderful,
Have a blessed Mother's Day.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

You go a great fluff. I am in love with the wheel cart. Love the stencil. Ooh-la-la!!

hugs
Sissie

Beth said...

I love the changes!!! I especially love that old scale and the wheel cart...and the box on top!
Great finds...and I'm going to read about your redo on your cabinets as I'm going to do some painting of my own shortly! I'm really feeling the white clean look myself! Beth

Lara said...

Fluffing is fun.. fluffing is the best.. fluffing ROCKS girl. I looove your IKEA shelving and rod.. I may have to look into those! And the white Paris box is so sweet! Fun post!
:) Lara

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

I am constantly fluffing. It's always fun to move things around and bring out things you haven't used for a while. The little cheese sign is adorable..Love,love, the Paris cart!
Hugs,
Sherry

Kristi said...

I just LOVE the little peek of the new counters and distressed cabinets! I cannot wait to see more of your beautiful kitchen! I love all your new goodies as well! Your LR floors are GORGEOUS! Are they pine? I am researching floors right now for our new home so I'm taking notes :)
Kristi

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

hi Sweetie~
It looks great! love the ticking pilows:))

Dee@FrenchBleuVintage said...

Love that kitchen!!! The rolling PARIS cart box is great too. Raining here today ! I may need to get creative after reading this. Thanks so much - Dee xo

Alicia ~ time worn style said...

Seriously loving that little trolley with wheels thingy ;0) Hope you went well with your run, I am very jealous of how motivated you are with the exercise, will use you as inspiration to get moving!! I do like those plates on the wall in the kitchen, I think I could live with them for quite a while.
alicia

Cheryl said...

Morning!
love the little updates you have done. Love, love stainless. there is something so fresh about it.
Idea for you for chaging out those plates above the utensil bar...maybe an architectural piece, a sign or piece of art. Not quite sure how big that space is from the pic. Whatever you do, i am sure it will look lovely. You have a wonderful eye for decorating. I love those white plates on the shelf along with the pewter pictcher.

Tricia said...

Your kitchen looks great Shellagh and I love all of your treasures. Great find on the wheely box planter!!
T

Flaviana said...

Hi Shellagh
your kitchen is just adorable ! and the cart.. awesome!!
Please show us more!
xx Flaviana
P.S. I'm having a giveway..stop by if you have time.

Recaptured Charm said...

Shellagh
Your kitchen looks fabulous! I love all your little accessories. I would LOVE one of those carts! (I feel a project coming on!)
Lisa

Lara Harris said...

What a gorgeous blog you have! :)

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Hello Sweet Friend~My cabinets are just like yours as well as my walls. What a hoot! I have all the paint to do mine but now I just want to move.Ugh! My Mr. is leaving next weekend I am going to tackle my Room.Woo-hoo!

You did an amazing job on your cabinets! Your hired, How much?

The cart from Monticello Paris Flower Market is just way to cool! You have such an eye! I must keep my eye on you my Friend.~Cheers Kim

Cindy said...

Shellagh, Your changes look really great. Your travertine tile is really gorgeous and your cabinets do look nice. I love your ticking pillow. Hugs, Cindy S

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

Great post, I am in awe of the paint finish you managed on the kitchen units. Became a follower, wonderful blog.
Sharon

savvycityfarmer said...

... oh girl ...I'm bamboozled

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Oh so pretty.....so..so pretty! Love every last detail!!!

June said...

Oh Shellagh, I love your kitchen! You did such a great job with those cabinets! The counter tops are wonderful too.
You are a awesome handy man...okay...handy gal.
hugs

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Your kitchen is gorgeous. Love the colors and the fact that you can fluff by bringing things in from other parts of the house. Your previous post of the Florida home is JUST BEAUTIFUL! All the landscape paintings on the walls are in the most soothing colors. Just fabulous! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for sharing such lovely images each and every day. :) Tammy

Martha said...

Lovely kitchen and I so love your things!

Tina said...

I love all your ktichen fluffing Shellagh! I absolutely love the paint finish on your kitchen cabinetry, you clever lady!! That little wheelie box and your ticking cushion are awesome, great finds!! Hope you enjoyed your run. Have a great weekend ~ Tina xx

Alaina said...

The tile looks great and I am sure when you finish it the way you want it will look beautiful. I love the white wooden box on wheels, that was a find.

Joanna {sweet finds} said...

Cute stuff! I am in the middle of trying to re-arrange things. Not coming a long as quickly as I would hope... but part of that is my fault. Way tooo many things going on right now.

But I just returned for visiting a friend in GA., nothing like a visit to get your creative juices flowing. :)

the kitchen looks good!
hugs, Joanna

Burlap Luxe said...

Shellagh,
I am sure what ever direction you go in it will be great!
You can make a big change in the feeling of the room by paint alone! that may be a starting point if you decide to make that leap of faith!

Paint the walls an old t-shirt white, it's a little gray-ish yet lean white after you have your pallet you then can work from there you will get the look you want and the counters will give it a European French flea market chic feel...But also all the shabby chic you want with and relaxed elegant design :)

I know you will make this happen!!

xx
Dore

Carrie Ann Eddleman said...

Your kitchen is just gorgeous, I seriously love what you did with your cabinets. I'm a huge fan of Tuscany, and all things Italian, so I want to tell you to leave things as they are; but I know how it is to be ready for a change. I think it's just so funny how styles change, because 6 years ago when we moved into our home, the Tuscan/Italianate thing was really huge, now it's the French/Scandinavian thing. I say do what you love whatever that may be. I can't wait to see whatever you do. : ) Carrie

Janean said...

shellagh, you always amaze me!!! stinkin' FAB to the core. from the shelf tops to those caster-rollers. yay!

Inspired-Simplicity said...

Shellagh,
Because of the inspiration of your master bedroom makeover I am doing a 3 bedroom makeover. I just posted #1. Love the gray and white. Thanks again for the inspiration.
Blessings,
Carolyn

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden said...

I just love that wheeled cart. I also have a crush on your little pewter pitcher!

Auntie Cake said...

Beautiful kitchen!
Kate
PS- and I love your thingy. Not that thingy, you don't have one of those kinds of thingys... Happy Mother's Day, cuz, you don't, right??? LOL

FEDERICA said...

Looking good!! Great photos, thanks for sharing!
Happy new week darling,
Federica.
xoxo

Unknown said...

Oooooo girl, I love your Paris cart!!! Everything you do always looks so fabulous! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day!!!

Hugs ~

:) T

Sherry said...

I love the kitchen! Every picture is fabulous. I am working on ours and will look forward to posting pictures. Painting the cabinets are the big obstacle ahead. Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures.

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