Thursday, December 1, 2011

Country Dream Home - Kitchen/Keeping Room Decor Inspiration


I've been scouring decor magazines and the internet for inspiration about how I'm going to decorate my home when that time comes.  I have to apologize, however, because when doing this it wasn't in my mind that I would actually post any of them - so unfortunately I don't know many of the sources for which I took these pictures from.

 
This is my kitchen inspiration.  I want a beautiful white, cozy kitchen.  I love that there are 2 islands - one for cooking and prepping and the other for communing around and having tea :)  I definitely want
subway tiling as well.  I would have less contemporary chairs around the island though and I am
thinking about having industrial light fixtures over the larger island and pots and pans over the smaller island.  I like the idea of mixing industrial, glam, and country together (the "glam" will be explained in
 the keeping room below).  There will be lots of storage built into the islands as well as the microwave
 (out of sight).  I definitely need a spot to store wine as well :)
I feel like it was fate that I came across this image because if you look out the window to the left (and
see the door to the left) it looks as if it could lead to the mudroom and family room I plan to have built
 on the back of the house!




This is the inspiration for my Keeping Room/Eat-in-Kitchen.  This image caught my eye because of the beautiful harvest table and french doors leading to the walk-out patio.  Exactly what I want - again I feel as if it were fate! I love the white chairs in contrast with the wooden table.  The only change I would want is a table that can seat 12 instead of 8 in order to accomodate large family dinners and dinner parties with friends.  I would also switch out the contempory light fixtures with a couple of glam chandeliers.  At the far end (where you see the chalkboard and family room) I will have a large wood-buring fireplace. I do like the idea of incorporating a chalkboard wall or area into the kitchen/keeping room though. To the right will be large sliding barn doors (or possibly indonesian) that will open onto the Great Room - see an example below :) 



Inspiration for the sliding doors that will separate the Keeping Room and the Great Room.



I love this decal's message.  It is the essence of what I want our family home to be encompass. If I don't dedicate a space in the kitchen/keeping room to chalkboard paint then I would love a decal like this. Maybe I could just write this out in chalk!


What do you think about my eat-in-kitchen inspiration?
Is there anyone who has done a kitchen remodel that could give me any tips? Any must-have's or elements you wish you had included?

K.

Country Dream Home

Life has been crazy lately and unfortunately I've really slacked off on postings. Sorry!

However, I'm extremely happy to say that there is something REALLY exciting in the works right now for me - a new country dream house!!!

Below are pictures of what it will look like on the outside.  Some changes are going to be made though - there will be a large family room built on the back and the wrap-around porch will be extended.  I'm also going to have a beautiful walk-out patio off of the kitchen/keeping room!

I've always dreamt of having a beautiful house with a big wrap-around porch!  With Christmas coming I can really envision it festively decorated! Yay!!!



Front View



Alternate Front View


My favourite view of the house!


Left Side View - entrance off of the Living Room/Great Room and the Study



Right Side View - I'm going to have an extension built on the far right side that will be the Family/Media Room.  Where you see the porch and to the left is the Kitchen/Keeping Room.  I'm going to have a mudroom off of the family/media room and that little porch will be removed and the whole wall opened up to windows and french doors for a beautiful walkout.  The property I'm building on has a gorgeous pond and gardens that will be in view here and I want to be able to see it when working in the kitchen and having family dinners :)


Back View - to the left is where the extension for the family/media room and mudroom will be built.



This is the floor plan for the main floor of the house.  There will be some changes made - mainly the extension behind the kitchen, breakfast nook, and bathroom for the family room and mudroom.

This is the upstairs. I would like to have a balcony off the master bedroom.  The walk-in off the master also doubles as a laundry because there is no basement in the house.  I was also considering adding a laundry in the mudroom.  Have any of you seen a mudroom with a laundry? What do you think about this idea?


Above and below are the porch areas.  I am so in love - how amazing will it be to take breakfast here and have cocktails?! I can curl up and read here, entertain, and host dinner parties and luncheons... *dreamy




What do you think about the house overall?
Isn't it just darling?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

DIY - Cake Trays

I came across this great idea over at SweetHome. DIY blogger, Renee Elliott, tells us how to make these simple cake stands here.

I haven't tried it out yet but they look really cute from the pictures and it's a major bonus (on my new student budget) that all the materials can be purchased at the dollar store!





What you'll need:
  • Tin tray (available at Dollarama)
  • Candlestick – look for one that’s wider at the bottom and has a flat top (available at Dollarama)
  • Epoxy that can be used on metal and wood (available at your local hardware store)
  • Spray primer
  • Enamel spray paint in the colour of your choice
  • Heavy objects, like a book or small hand weight


Directions:

  • Following the directions on the packaging, apply a small amount of epoxy to the top edges of your candlestick and secure to the centre of the bottom side of your tin tray.
  • Carefully place a heavy object on top of your tray and set aside to dry.
  • Once dry, coat the tray and candlestick completely with spray primer and let dry.
  • Next, spray your cake stand with enamel paint and allow it to dry.
  • Finally, add some delicious treats and you’re good to go!

Tip: To make the cake stand food-safe, place printed or coloured paper underneath all food that isn’t wrapped.


Is this a DIY project you think you'd give a try?

K.

Via SweetHome

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Tulle and *Swish*...




Can you hear it?...
K.
Images via Home

Sweet Summer Innocence

What could be sweeter than mason jars filled with fresh cut blooms?



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