FIND YOUR DREAM KITCHEN OR MAKE IT YOURSELF!!

WHETHER  YOU'VE BOUGHT A "FIXER UPPER",

   OR YOU JUST WANT A CHANGE, A

KITCHEN REMODEL IS SOMETIMES  INTIMIDATING  BUT  WITH A LITTLE PLANNING,

REDESIGNING THE  HEART OF YOUR HOME DOESN'T NEED TO BE EXPENSIVE OR STRESSFUL.
QUICK FIXES FOR AN OUTDATED KITCHEN:
* REPLACE KITCHEN ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS MICROWAVE, COFFEEMAKER, DISHES ETC.
* REPLACE COMPACTOR WITH A WINE COOLER.
* REMOVE WALLPAPER AND ADD TWO COATS OF FRESH PAINT.

*GLAZE OR PAINT CABINETS AND CHANGE DOOR AND DRAWER HARDWARE.

* UNDER CABINET LIGHTING AND NEW FLOORING VISUALLY EXPAND A SPACE.
* VINTAGE CANISTERS, COOKWARE ADD NOSTALGIA.

* AN OLD WOODEN (OR NEW) WINDOW BOX CAN CORRAL CUTTING BOARDS AND UTENSILS FOR AN EASY GRAB & COOK DESIGN.

IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR THE COUNTRY CLASSIC LOOK:
*COUNTRY IS NEVER FORMAL IT TAKES ITS CUE FROM THE COLONIAL STYLE; UNCLUTTERED AND SOOTHING WITH RAISED PANEL OR GLASS FRONTED CABINETS, HARDWOOD FLOORS AND COUNTER TOPS OF GRANITE.

*KEEP PATTERN MINIMAL AND WINDOW TREATMENTS TAILORED.
*A CEILING MEDALLION AND AN AREA RUG ARE EXTRA DRESSY TOUCHES.
IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR A COTTAGE STYLE:
*IT'S ALL ABOUT CHARM, PATTERN AND COLOR. THINK ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDENS WITH CHINTZ AND FLORAL FABRIC.
* FORTIES STYLE REFRIGERATORS AND RANGES.
* VINTAGE FABRIC LIKE OILCLOTHS  - AND
PRINTED LINENS.
* THE COTTAGE KITCHEN FLOURISHES ON ACCESSORIES SUCH AS OLD TIN CANS WITH COLORFUL LABELS AND COLORED HANDLED UTENSILS.

IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR LOOK:  FARMHOUSE

*TODAYS STYLE OF A COUNTRY FARMHOUSE IS AN UPDATED LOOK OF GRANDMAS KITCHEN.
*FURNISH IT AS YOU WOULD ANY OTHER ROOM IN THE HOUSE USING FREESTANDING CUPBOARDS, RAG RUGS, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE YOU FEEL COMFY.

* INCORPORATE WOOD WHEREVER YOU CAN AS IN A CENTER ISLAND OR USE AN OLD FARMTABLE ON CASTERS; IT SERVES AS A PRACTICAL WORKSPACE THAT CAN BE PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY WHEN NOT IN USE.

 *ADDING WROUGHT IRON COMPONENTS, A HANGING POT RACK, AND A COLLECTION OF BASKETS AND CROCKERY SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT "FARMHOUSE" .
IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR THE "RUSTIC" LOOK:

*COUNTRY MEETS LOG CABIN STYLE WITH BEAMS OVERHEAD, WIDE PLANKED FLOORS, AND CABINETS IN DISTRESSED FINISHES. HANGING BASKETS AND DISPLAYS OF IRONSTONE AND WOODENWARE.

*PEELING PAINT IS A PERFECT RUSTIC TOUCH AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT CHIPPING ALL OVER THE FLOOR YOU CAN SPRAY IT WITH MATTE CLEAR PAINT.
* RAG RUGS, HOMESPUN ,MISMATCHED CHAIRS AND FURNITURE BREAK UP THE ROOM
IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR THE RETRO LOOK:

*STRUNG UP BUNCHES OF HERBS
*WE'RE ALL ABOUT SPEED COOKING AND EFFICIENCY IN OUR KITCHEN, BUT RETRO MEETS REPRO IN VINTAGE LOOK STOVES; AND IF YOU CAN FIND AN ORIGINAL, ALL THE BETTER. ANTIQUE APPLIANCES GIVES THE RETRO KITCHEN A CERTAIN ATMOSPHERE; IF YOU HAVE A LARGE ENOUGH KITCHEN, YOU CAN USE THESE APPLIANCES SUCH AS AN UNWORKABLE STOVE AND ICE BOX AS STORAGE FOR POTS AND PANS AND DRIED GOODS.
* ADDING TO THE AMBIANCE OF RETRO IS BEADBOARD WALLS, LACE PAPER SHELF LINERS,AND FIESTWARE DISHES.

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR KITCHEN?
IF IT'S GREEN:
IT'S ALL ABOUT HARMONY AND COOLNESS. WHO SAYS GREEN CAN'T BE EXCITING, TOO?


TOUCH OF RED WILL BRIGHTEN A ROOM
*COMBINE FOREST GREEN WITH TOMATO TO RED.
* PAINT CABINETS CITRUS GREEN IF YOU HAVE A FIFTIES RETRO KITCHEN.
*COMBINE TERRA COTTA, YELLOW, AND SPRUCE GREEN FOR A GLOW OF TUSCANY LOOK.
*USE TABLECLOTHS FROM THE 30"S TO 50"S FOR TABLE AS CURTAINS.

IF IT'S BLUE :

COOL IN BOTH SENSES OF THE WORD-BLUE JUST MAY BE EVERYONES FAVORITE COLOR".
*A SCANDINAVIAN KITCHEN IN DUSTY BLUE IS FRESH AND NOSTALGIC.
* PAIR IT WITH YELLOW FOR A FRENCH COUNTRY LOOK.
*PAINT KITCHEN FURNITURE BLUE GRAY FOR A CALMING EFFECT.

IF YOUR COLOR IS RED:

ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO ANY ROOM  WEARING RED!

* CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION, RED WORKS GREAT IN A SMALL SPACE TO WARM THINGS UP AND PROVIDE A COZY, FRIENDLY FEELING.
IF YOUR COLOR IS YELLOW:

YELLOW NEVER FAILS TO WARM THE EYE AND COMFORT THE SOUL.

*FRAME GOLDEN YELLOW WALLS WITH ENAMEL WHITE WOODWORK FOR A  WARM WELCOME FEELING.
*UNITE YELLOW WITH GREEN AND WHITE TO INSURE YEAR ROUND SUNSHINE.
*PAIR GOLDEN YELLOW TILES WITH BLACK ACCENT TILES AS A BACKSPLASH.
*SUNDRENCHED YELLOW ALWAYS WORKS WITH FRENCH COUNTRY DECOR.
*IF YOU ARE PUT OFF BY YELLOW, USE IT AS AN ACCENT COLOR; IT'S
ALWAYS THE RIGHT TOUCH FOR A RUSTIC KITCHEN.

THAT FRENCH FEEL

A FRENCH STONE  CHATEAU.....GET THE LOOK WITH FAUX STONE ON AN OUTBUILDING. IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE REAL THING AT LEAST YOU CAN HAVE A GETAWAY THAT LOOKS LIKE ONE :)

TOILE & A CHANDY

A TENTED BED WITH GAUZY FABRIC IS ROMANTIC & MAKES YOU WANT TO READ IN BED ALL DAY

TALL CUPBOARDS CAN HOLD A MYRIAD OF OBJECTS & A WRITING FARM TABLE CAN BE MOVED AROUND WHERE NEEDED

CANOPIES.......VERY FRENCH OVER A DAYBED

WHITE IS SO ROMANTIC & A SEWING MACHINE BASE AS A TABLE

URNS & BUSTS/ STATUARY BRING THE GARDEN IN/ A FARM TABLE CUT DOWN TO COFFEE TABLE HEIGHT ADDS CHARM

A BISTRO STYLE SETTING ON THE PATIO WITH BROKEN GRANITE & SET ON SAND

FRENCH FARMHOUSE KITCHEN
 & SINK

LINENS WAITING TO BE USED OR CREATING PILLOWS/ SACHETS ETC.

VINTAGE WOLFF DRESS FORMS ARE GREAT FOR DISPLAYING THAT APRON OR NECKLACE COLLECTION

WIRE DIVIDER CREATES A SEPARATE AREA YET LEAVES THE VIEW OPEN

ALFRESCO DINING

FLOWERS & A FLOWERY TABLECLOTH ADDS SOME NOSTALGIA TO THIS SWEET SPOT

A BIT OF AQUA TO A PREDOMINATELY CREAM ROOM ADDS PUNCH

EVERYONE NEEDS A SMALL POOL OR SOME SORT OF WATER FEATURE TO HELP THOSE NEGATIVE IONS KICK IN......YES I SAID NEGATIVE, BECAUSE FOR ONCE NEGATIVE IS A GOOD THING & WATER WILL REFRESH & REPLENISH YOUR SOUL, MAKING YOU CALMER. ADD SOME SAND & YOUR SET TO GO IN THE "BEACH" MODE.

FARMHOUSE FAUCET/ GINGHAM TO COVER A CABINET WITHOUT DOORS 

COMMON DECORATING MISTAKES......OOPS I DID IT AGAIN!!

THERE ARE SEVERAL DECORATlNG MISTAKES YOU CAN MAKE WHEN TRYING TO
PUT TOGETHER A ROOM HERE ARE TEN OF MY TOP FAUX PAS:
1. NOT DEFINING YOUR PRIORITIES SUCH AS DETERMINING YOUR NEEDS AND BUDGET.
2. AN UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATION AREA: THE IDEAL SPACE IS "U" SHAPED, MAKING SURE THAT YOU CAN SEE THE PEOPLE YOU ARE SPEAKING TO AND ABLE TO SPEAK WITHOUT SHOUTING.

3. YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO PLACE FURNITURE AGAINST THE WALL. YOU CAN BRING IT OUT OR CORNER A FEW PIECES AS LONG AS IT'S NOT IN YOUR WALKING PATH.
4. A ROOM THAT IS OFF BALANCE IS ONE THAT HAS HEAVY FURNITURE ON ONE END AND SMALLER DELICATE PIECES ON THE OTHER; BALANCE IS THE KEY.
5. FURNITURE OF DIFFERENT HEIGHTS CREATES A "ROLLER COASTER" EFFECT, CAUSING THE EYE TO TRAVEL UNCOMFORTABLY UP AND DOWN AROUND THE ROOM.
6. A ROOM THAT LACKS COHESION IS VERY CONFUSING. BY USING "PAIRS"-OF CHAIRS, LAMPS, END TABLES IT WILL NOT LOOK BORING.
7. IGNORING THE FOCAL POINT OF A ROOM; WHETHER IT'S A FIREPLACE, AN INTERESTING WINDOW OR VIEW, A LARGE PAINTING CAN BE A MISTAKE. ONCE YOU'VE DETERMINED THE FOCAL POINT, PLAY IT UP SO IT ATTRACTS THE EYE.
8. IMPROPER USE OF ARTWORK SUCH AS HANGING IT TOO HIGH OR SCATTERING IT ON EVERY WALL MAKES THE ROOM LOOK BUSY. ARTWORK SHOULD BE HUNG 3 INCHES BELOW WHAT YOU WOULD FEEL IS NORMAL "EYE LEVEL"-AND ONE WALL SHOULD BE BARE TO GIVE THE EYE A PLACE TO REST.
9. INEFFECTIVE USE OF ACCESSORIES. SOME PEOPLE THINK THEY HAVE TO DISPLAY EVERYTHING AT ONCE. MY THEORY IS TO DECORATE A ROOM AND REMOVE ITEMS AND STORE THEM IN TRUNKS, SUITCASES AND ROTATE THEM EVERY THREE MONTHS OR MORE.
10. USING LIGHTING INCORRECTLY. GENERAL LIGHTING SHOULD BE DIRECTED DOWN WHERE NEEDED ,RATHER THAN UP TO THE CEILING SO THAT IT
ILLUMINATES THE ENTIRE ROOM WITHOUT PRODUCING SHADOWS OR PRODUCING TOO MUCH GLARE.

FINDING YOUR STYLE

YOU GROW COMFORTABLE WITH A CERTAIN DECORATING STYLE AND YOU CONTINUE WITH IT FOR YEARS; THEN YOU GET THE URGE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW….NOTHING TOO DRASTIC, JUST A STYLE; A FRESH TAKE ON YOUR FAVORITE :)
THE HEART OF ANY HOME REMAINS IN THE PERSONAL ITEMS THAT YOU TREASURE AND THEY NEEDN'T BE COSTLY; I WOULD RATHER BUY SOMETHING RECYCLED, RESCUED, OR RESTORED, IT HAS SO MUCH MORE HISTORY".
YOU MAY CHANGE THE COLOR OF YOUR WALLS AND SWITCH OUT FABRIC AND RUGS, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS PLEASING TO YOU, AND WHEN YOUR FRIENDS SEE THE CHANGE THEY STILL THINK IT'S YOUR STYLE, ONLY UPDATED AND FRESHER. EVERYONE WANTS TO FEEL SAFE IN A COZY FAMILIAR ROOM FILLED WITH FAVORITE FABRICS AND COLORS AND KITSCH. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHETHER A PIECE IS ANTIQUE, REPRODUCTION, OR NEW AS LONG AS YOU LIKE IT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.
THERE'S NO RUSH TO DECORATE AND GET IT DONE IN ONE FELL SWOOP; RELAX AND CREATE LAYERS OF MEANING OVER TIME. A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME UNLESS IT'S RELAXED, COMFORTABLE, AND FILLED WITH PERSONAL TREASURES.




SOME AMONG US ARE ARTISTS BY DESIRE, NOT BY
TRAINING; RECOGNIZED SINCE THE.1930'S IN THE AMERICAN
ART SCENE AS FOLK ARTISTS, SUCH PERSONS TOIL WITHIN
THEIR MEANS, FUELED BY THE PASSION TO MAKE THEIR
SURROUNDINGS A BIT MORE BEAUTIFUL. MY HOME IS IN
HONOR OF THE PERSONAL SPACES THAT RESULT WHEN
I GET A CREATIVE URGE I CAN'T IGNORE.
AFTER A LOT OF TRIAL AND ERROR I THINK I'VE FINALLY
FOUND MY STYLE: SIMPLE, CASUAL AND COMFY.

TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR STYLE:
WHEN CREATING YOUR ROOMS, START WITH
SOMETHING YOU LOVE.
*SLIPCOVERS CAN MAKE A CHAIR OR SOFA LOOK MORE

TAILORED AND COMFY.
* CREATE A TRANQUIL SPOT IN YOUR HOME THAT IS
YOUR OWN RETREAT WITH SIMPLE FURNISHINGS.
*ADD LAYERS OF TEXTURE AND JOLTS OF COLORS.
*USE SISAL RUGS. THEY CAN STAND UP TO HEAVY
TRAFFIC AND GO WITH MANY DECORATING STYLES.

*BRING TOGETHER COLLECTIONS THAT YOU LOVE; SUCH
AS BASKETS, YELLOWWARE, QUILTS, OLD GAMES.