Fall into the Holidays ~ Kitchen

Welcome to FALL INTO THE HOLIDAYS, a four week series where we'll be sharing

 ideas for sprucing up our homes before the holiday season kicks into high gear.

 Our lovely hostess Lisa @ Shine Your Light came up with the idea by asking friends what

 they'd most like to see on blogs - hands down, simple, do-able ideas were the favorite!

So that's our goal - and this week we're focusing on the kitchen.  

Don't miss my talented friends at the end of the post, you'll want to pop over and check

 out their fun ideas too!    

You guys this is one of those, "I can't believe I waited so long to do this" items.

It's been three and a half years since I did our kitchen update for the One Room Challenge.

I LOVED the vibrant flat weave wool rug I chose, but sadly it was a maintenance nightmare,

and didn't last at our house. It attracted Golden Retriever hair like flies to dog doo!  

  In the meantime we lived with this BLAH brown, low maintenance natural

fiber rug that wore like iron and hid ALL the things! And, when I wanted to

change it up, I flipped it over! Yep, reversible to the other BLAH brown side!

If that wasn't enough, the edges started looking ratty and one corner curled a little that

 you tripped over if it wasn't strategically placed. 

#soembarassing

  

I've finally found something that I think will work, this medallion rug is $30, and has 

great reviews.  It's washable, I haven't had a washable rug for a zillion years, I didn't even

know they made them anymore. I'll let you know how it goes. 

#feelingstylish  

I love that it has the vibe of this beautiful rug...

Magnolia Home

Thanks for stopping by friends, hope you're inspired to make a little change.

We'll be back next Tuesday sharing more ideas.

Don't miss these friends' ideas! 

Lisa of Shine Your Light

Julie of Less Than Perfect Life Of Bliss

Shelley of Crazy Wonderful

Becky of This Is Happiness

On My Shopping List ~ After Analyzing This Reveal

I love to analyze decorated rooms, and pour over the details to define what draws

 me in. I especially love to focus on which items speak to me that would be nice additions

 to my home or suggestions for clients. I'm always looking for pieces that give a lot of bang for

 the buck, and can easily move from room to room, or that elusive one-of-a-kind treasure

that just might pop up on Craigslist. :)

     

You may have seen this amazing reveal that I found myself dissecting today. 

White Textured Vase

I counted 8 white vases/vessels in these two rooms, I particularly like the ones with texture.

Keep in mind - it's simple to spray paint a vase

 if you're thrifting and see something you like that's an off color.  

Pedestal Dish

The gold detail on that pedestal dish takes it up a notch (I recognize this one from Anthro).

Again, super simple to paint a base on any bowl to recreate this look. 

Work Lamp

So unique and functional ~ the idea of a work lamp on the kitchen counter.

I did a post about this gem from IKEA that they used.  

Organic Wood Furniture

I'd typically disregard this piece as 'not my style' but it's the perfect addition to

achieve an eclectic look, and the warm wood is so good against crisp white walls.    

I tend to be easily distracted when I'm out and about shopping or thrifting, :)

I like to keep a list of items I'm looking for on my phone. 

TGIF ~ The Gems I Found

Happy Friday friends, enjoy these gems! 

Stephanie Kraus Designs fabulous Kitchen Before & After

What's Ur Home Story gave these bar stools a new life.

Brooke @ Velvet & Linen shares the varieties of roses throughout Patina Farm.

Telluride Place Setting  - geometric in black and with subtle touches of gold.


Yum! Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Almonds here

Seleta shared 'How Stylish Notes Make You Smarter.'


This week's favorite vignette...

One Kings Lane - Heidi Merrick


Have the BEST weekend! 

Our Christmas Home Tour 2015 ~ Part 2

Hi friends! Thanks so much for checking back for Our Christmas Home Tour ~ Part 2.

If you'd like to catch up with Part 1 ~ our Living Room and Dining Room, go here.  

I'm thrilled to be joining a talented group of bloggers that Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life

rounded up for another year of fabulous inspiration! If you haven't seen her beautiful

tour you're in for a treat, it's a must! 

Welcome if you're stopping by from my stylish friend, Shannon at Burlap & Lace,

it's easy to fall for her chic style. 

Today I'm sharing our Family Room and Kitchen, the simplicity of fresh greenery,

a few special touches and pops of pink paired with my neutrals won me over this year.

I was able to capture a little bit of our Colorado snow for you before it melted.

Detail Boy, (don't know where he gets it) my teenager, gets credit for the wrapping the

 tree branches in lights.  

I'm not sure why our chimney lights looks white, but they're all red, 

a long time tradition to make it easier for Santa to find.

I decorate the three large window boxes on the front of our home and urns on our

porch with greenery from our yard. 

Come on in...

if you'd like to start with the entry go here for Part 1 of our tour. 

  

We have an open floor plan, and the kitchen and family room are the hub where 

everything happens. We love to cozy up in here with the fireplace, I didn't 

think you'd appreciate a photo, but our tv is in the built-in behind the tree. :) 

I made the fur trimmed stockings last year, and purposely designed a generous size.

I love filling them to the brim with treasures, for certain you'll get your favorite

 candy along with and a new toothbrush. Haha!   

It's one of our favorite traditions on Christmas morning. 

Our neutral backdrop makes it too easy to change up the colors, which works perfectly

with my indecisive personality. This time I brought out a couple of my favorite Ikea

 black and white pillows to pair with pink. It doesn't even look like the same room as

  my Fall Home Tour.    

Another one of my infamous abstracts - I scribbled with a pink sharpie. 

I added a necklace of gold and silver bells to give my demure lady bust a bit of whimsy,

 and the pink poinsettia gives some color to our shelves.  

I kept our coffee table simple with a bowl of gold beaded apples, and

a few accessories on an acrylic tray. 

Our Kitchen

If you're new here I gave our kitchen a budget makeover with a LOT of paint and

 DIYs not long ago. I still love my formica countertop on our island. You can check

 out the reveal here. 

I love changing up this functional vignette seasonally, the silver pitcher and

 trophy hold cooking utensils and a huge brass tray I found thrifting corrals 

all the other necessities, flowers and wine. :) 

One last look at our tree...

...and our sweet Rio girl, being a good sport, once again.

If you'd like to check out our Christmas Tour from 2014 go here,

I kept the pink, but the living room and dining room have complete new looks, 

no surprise there!

Next up on the tour today is Laura @ Decor To Adore.

You can find the entire Christmas Home Tour schedule at A Stroll Thru Life.  

If you'd like to keep up with the projects and happenings around here you can

keep in touch by

Instagram - Pinterest - Bloglovin  

 Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by, Merry Christmas friends!   

ikea bekvam cart

Today's Ikea favorite, the Bekvam Cart is a workhorse that easily transitions from the
 kitchen to your patio or deck, or any space for that matter.  It's ideal for extra storage, utility
 or work space, and gets great reviews for it's sturdy solid wood construction and versatility.  

Ikea Bekvam Kitchen Cart
Solid Birch
$59.99
23" W x 20" L x 33" H
Casters on two legs allow for easy moving.
HERE

I love how Meg at Oliver and Rust customized hers with paint, a towel bar,
and a pretty marble top.

Small enough to fit in the tightest kitchen yet functional enough to act as a
 small island and hold a collection of cutting boards and pots and pans.

 ikeafans.com

Textured baskets fit perfectly and hold kitchen necessities.

  kylieminteriors.ca

theeverygirl.com

Pretty in pistachio green!

radicalpossibility.com

It would be perfect outside on the deck as a grill station, serving cart or beverage station.

 This one by Homeroad reminds me of the special one Lisa made for her husband last year!

Check out her tips for sealing for outdoor use too.

 homeroad.com

If you're an Ikea fan you can find more of my favorites here,

and if not, you might become one when you see these awesome items:

Ikea Hemnes Cabinet
Vittsjo Shelving Unit
Strandmon Chair
Brimnes Bed
Black & White Eivor Throw
Henriksdal Chair
Salong White Vase

Ribba Frames

Liatorp Extenable Table

Storsele Rattan Chair

Docksta Table

Sanela Pillow 

Ritva Curtains

Ekby Bjarnum Bracket

Stockholm Rand Rug

Barometer Floor Lamp

The Borby Lantern

Bravur Clock

Songe Mirror

Black & White Pillow Collection

Byholma Rattan Chest

Julmys Twine

Lack Floating Shelf

Tobias Lucite Chair

Ektorp Sofa

Kate Spade Knock Off Salt & Pepper Shakers

You may have seen my Kate Spade Salt & Pepper Shakers I keep on the tray in my

 kitchen ~ the fun black, white and gold set. I always get asked where they're from, 

 they were a gift from a friend and I love them! (Btw, I shared her fabulous home here)

You can find them at Kate Spade here.

Fairmount Park Dot/Stripe Salt & Pepper Set

 $30.00

~ OR ~

you could DIY yourself a set using paint and white shakers from Target! 

Original Kate Spade Fairmount Salt & Pepper Shakers 

Target 

Threshold Porcelain Salt and Pepper Shakers - White - $4.99

SUPPLIES:

Rubbing Alcohol

Martha Stewart Liquid Gilding - Gold

Martha Stewart Multi Surface Craft Paint - Beetle Black High Gloss 

Small Brush, Round Foam Pouncer 

STEP 1: 

Tape off your stripes.

I cut my tape at 3/4" width using the edge of a cutting mat as a guide and ran my xacto

 knife along the edge for a clean line.

This shaker tapers at the top, so you'll have to work with the tape a bit where there is a

 slight gap - I just used my nail to firmly press the tape against the glass to secure well. 

STEP 2:

Paint the stripes.

I took the plug out of the bottom and put my finger in there to hold the shaker

while painting stripes.

Using a small brush (about 1/2" - 3/4" wide bristles) apply the Liquid Gilding on the glass,

 after dipping your brush in the gilding wipe the excess on the edge of the jar.

 Do your best to apply one coat and don't go over what you've already painted.  

If I were a good blogger I'd have a picture of this for you!

 Sorry, it went so quickly I completely spaced the photo! 

STEP 3:

Paint the dots.

Wipe the shaker with rubbing alcohol per instructions on Multi Surface Paint. 

Put a small amount of paint in a container to dip your pouncer into, remove any

excess paint on a paper towel, press the foam pouncer completely against the glass to

deposit the paint. 

A couple things:

The Multi Surface Paint is dishwasher safe after curing for 21 days.

You could use gold spray paint, I chose liquid gilding because I like the sheen,

and already had it. A little goes a long way and I've used it for a ton of projects. 

You can't beat the originals,

 but if you're looking for a budget friendly version this is a simple alternative

to get the look!