Friday, June 12, 2009

A COTTAGE KITCHEN

Off we go to the cottage again tomorrow. A lot of physical (ouch) work for me waiting, mainly of the outdoor variety. But... this is what I yearned for the entire cold winter. So I will be pulling up my sleeves, pulling out my trowel and getting some real dirt under my manicured nails!!

Last week I took pictures of my kitchen which has been under renovation since January. I hesitated showing them because I really wanted to show the completed project. That is going to take awhile for a few reasons. But first, I'll tell you what I do have. One main thing I wanted was open shelving. That is getting quite popular now, but it is actually very common in European kitchens. I had in mind my friend's Doris and Hans~Martin's kitchen in Cologne, Germany. So that is what I have above. Resident Carpenter first gutted the kitchen completely. He made these shelves and painted them. I have subway tile below the bottom shelf. My counters are quartz, white with speckles of various colors. I wanted everything from the counter up to be white. I ordered my dishes from Overstock.com. They are Basket Weave by Gibson. I am still deciding on coffee mugs, and drink ware. I also need pots and pans and linens, blinds, curtains and rugs. I told you I wasn't done!! If you look to the far right you will see a little glimpse of a deep gray~green color. That is the stove hood and that is the color of the lower cabinets, which I did not take a picture of . RC removed these cabinets, stripped and sanded them and painted them this color, Painted Turtle by Behr. I really liked the old cabinets because the doors were beaded board and I see a lot of that now. the shelf brackets need the screw holes plugged and painted as well as the trim around the windows. Then he is done!!



This picture is to the left of the kitchen sink and window (the above was to the right). The pendant light looks humongous but it isn't. It is from Home Depot. I have them on each side of both windows and on each end of the bar/counter.


Here is a better of view of that stove hood RC made (he has some touching up of the paint to do). I was really surprised that my cottage china went so well with the paint color. The flowers are a bluish~gray. So I am happy that I can display this and it's not going to clash.


So I have some work ahead of me. Okay, I have some shopping and that is definitely not work!!! Now it might sound strange that we had the kitchen renovated but we have nothing to unpack to put back into it. Well, I will tell you why. If you own a lake house or know someone that does and it is a 2nd home, as it is in our case, there is a general rule of thumb when furnishing it. If you don't want it, you bring it up to the lake!!! So we have had over the years horrible, ugly, wretched things up here! I replaced much of course as the years went on, but never let me lead you on that it has been a breeze to own two homes. And as much as I have always loved to entertain at the lake, our focus was to have fun with the kids and keep things simple. And actually, when we decided to renovate, we not only cleaned out a lot of accumulated "junk", but things we just didn't need or never would use. Blondie finally has space that is uncluttered. For now.

So we are off, bright and early. I have to plant pots for the patio and porches. It is supposed to rain all day again, but part of the patio is covered. I went to a garden center today and even I was amazed at some of the varieties of annuals they had, so I am excited to show you pictures of my pots when they are completed.

I wish you all a wonderful, DRY weekend!!! :-)

xoxo
Jane

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

I kinda like it - the open shelves idea. makes it more open and a very nice way to display the beautiful china one has :-)And I think all white looks real clean. Loving the teacups with the hints of blue and silver.

Have fun redoing your kitchen and the lakehouse! Most specially have fun shopping :-)

Li

Kat said...

Hope you have a great weekend! I love the open shelves, can't wait to see this when it's done. I have a picture in my mind of what it will look like and can't wait to see if I'm right! Hugs, Kathy

Four Paws and Co said...

Love the open shelves! I can hardly wait to see it all.
We had a "vacation" house for 11 years & it turned into the storage warehouse. Anything replaced at home was moved there. What a mess to sort when we sold the house. UGH. ☺ Diane

CJ said...

The open shelves are looking great!I loved the china teaset!It is so pretty!Do put up more photos once the kitchen is done.

Happy Weekend!!

♥ Chaitra

SmilingSally said...

I love the crispness of white. You're having waaay too much fun!

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

So glad you stopped by my blog for a visit, I'm glad to get to know you. I'll be back for sure, I like what I see!

Marina Capano said...

Hi! What a cute post! I love it!and your blog is charming!

visit me anytime...

xoxo

Mary said...

Jane dear, your kitchen redo is beginning to look so great. I love the open shelf look, you see it so much in older English properties, especially cottages and country homes, and of course it's very usual in French homes. It makes such sense, seeing where everything is and just reaching for it - that's why I enjoy the Welsh dresser in the dining room where I have my white everyday china. Of course since painting it French blue-gray - guess I need to re-name it the French dresser, ha! ha!

Your china is lovely - I'm anxious to see more pics of the entire finished room. I'm hunting down French style cafe au lait bowls (sometimes called latte bowls) because several of mine are chipped. If you see any when shopping online let me know where please - Homegoods used to have loads but not a one now.

Love your garden(s) and see you are going to be busy at the lake this weekend - hope the weather dries up and you can perhaps get out on your spiffy new boat.

Thank you so much for always visiting and leaving such generous comments Jane. I love the idea that you feel we are kindred spirits - I may just have to drop in on you some day..........after all spirits fly don't they? That would be fun!!!!

Happy, busy weekend - love, Mary.

xinex said...

Oh, it is going to be so nice, Janie. It is already looking good. I love those open shelves and the pendant lights, so pretty! Just don't overwork yourself,. Rest when you get tired, don't want you to get a relapse. Happy shopping! That sounds really fun! That's what I did yesterday and I shopped till I dropped and I really dropped. I could hard post my Sightseeing Saturday. I will email you about suggestions on organizing your jewelry. I have the same problem acually, maybe we can help each other, lol! Enjoy your stay at the lake, so exciting!....Christine

Knitty said...

I'm a teensy bit jealous but happy for you. Our cottage could use a lot of renovating, but one thing or another pops up putting those plans on a back burner. Hopefully next summer will be different. Meanwhile, I will watch yours transform and sigh. :)

DeAnna said...

I have always loved open sshelving, but alas, we live in So.Cal - earthquake country. Someday in my future when we live in a lakehousse, I will have open shelving. Love the white - I am a freak about white dishes, and bathroom towels - odd. Ok Made in the hade is whatever you want it to be. I think I have sme pics of me when I was a kiddo under a tree - but I'm still looking. So glad to meet a kindred spirit. Stay well and have a fun weekend.

The Muse said...

You are right about the kitchens in Europe...LOL...I will never forget my first kitchen there, I thought I would never be able to survive... but the change came surprisingly quite easily!

Your cottage looks so bright fresh and crisp, I look forward to the finished look!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so excited for you - this looks wonderful! I love the open shelves and your countertop sounds beautiful! Love the subway tile, too! Now, your china is Blue Garland by Haviland, isn't it? I have a set of that and just adore it!

Have fun and make sure you keep us posted.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Lori E said...

Our cabin is my husband's domain. He has been doing the heavy work and outside work for a couple of years now. New foundation under it, new deck, closing in an rv shelter to make a bunkhouse and storage for his toys. Nothing on the inside but I will show him yours. I think he will really like it.

Ashley ~ said...

A second home on the lake sounds perfect*! Have a great weekend*!
_Ashley ~

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

The renovated kitchen is going to be wonderful. I love the look of open shelving at someone else's house (I have to have a place to hide my mess). I think a second home is perfect for open shelving, especially since you probably have guests often (no problem for a guest to find what they need if you're not around). I really look forward to seeing the completed kitchen. laurie

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Hi Blondie...I did the SAME thing. Hit the nursery and bought some beautiful things. I want to go back tomorrow and pick up somethings I could not get into the trunk and back seat.
I ALWAYS take my truck..and he always take the car...LOL You would think it would be opposite wouldn't you?
I also couldn't believe the variety of beautiful things they had for the garden, all the annuals and perrinials and gorgeous vines of every kind. I could have gone brokeQ :) I cannot wait to see your finished pots. I am adding to my flower beds constantly. What fun it was!
Can't wait to see what you do. I need some pointers... :)
HURRY!
Mona

Tootsie said...

it looks so crisp! have fun in the cottage garden! I have commandeered my neighbor guy's garden...it is so boring and he doesn't care if I spruce it up...he's 27 and more interested in girls than gardening...and I am married...and need more garden space! it is the perfect friendship!

Anonymous said...

Hi Blondie, wow...I truly love what you are doing to the kitchen. I have comtemplated for a long time about removing some upper kitchen cabinet doors for a Frenchy country look but I know Bobby G. would not understand the concept at all. Lucky for me, all my everyday china is ironstone white so it would look great on open shelving. Maybe some day. I hear you with all the rain. My son, who lives outside Chicago, was having a big birthday party for his daughter and he said it was raining cats and dogs so all the kids had to be inside. He wasn't happy about that. LOL....Have fun at the lake. xo Lynn

Cass @ That Old House said...

Hi Jane, I love the open shelves. Let me know how that works with dust, etc. I'm considering some open shelving in a mini-renovation of our kitchen.

(Mini meaning CHEAP.)

I also like that painted turtle color...very nice!
Have a lovely weekend at the lake. Enjoy getting down and dirty!
:-)
Cass

Beverly said...

This looks fantastic. I love the clean, open yet welcoming warmth. Great job.

We've been missing you on Pink Saturday. ;-)

Lynn said...

I just love people's pictures of their renovations. Keep em coming!

Deanna said...

I love a white kitchen and I adore the open shelves. I'd love to see the quartz countertops!

Deanna :D

Tracy said...

Hi Blondie,

I love the open shelving, what a great look! How fun to decorate a second house, you can do all the things that you never did in the first one. I enjoyed the garden tour in your last post too.

You asked about my patio cushions - I got them at the Home Depot. It was dumb luck that I received a $65 rebate from the delivery of my refrigerator the day I bought the furniture, and the next day I found the cushions for about $50.

You also asked about the table, and I can't really help you there because that is just a built-in glass tabletop, not something I added. Thanks for your nice comments!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

HI Jane. Hey I like the kitchen so far. I love love love the white dishes and the shelf looks wonderful. I really like open shelves like yours. You have done a wonderful job placing everything. I read your posts and I laughed at your "Nude Beach' sign...that is too cute! Have a blessed day and thanks for your sweet comments on my blog!
Debbie

Barb said...

Hi Jane, I love the open shelving! It is so fresh and inviting....different than what you see everywhere.

I will be so excited to see the finished project....know you will be too!

Take care of those fingernails, sweet girl!!

Barb

Melissa Miller said...

Oh I adore you kitchen Jane!
You do have the decorators touch. It's so pretty!

Hope your summer is going very well so far.
~Melissa :)

Crystal said...

Your cottage kitchen is looking great. I love the idea of the open shelf concept. I just don't know if I am clutter free enough to do it. The all white color scheme makes it look so fresh :)
Thanks for sharing!
Crystal

Ms. Tee said...

So beautiful! I *love* the open shelving and all the white. So gorgeous! :)

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I just love how clean and open the kitchen shelves look! Unfortunately with Maggie (dog) and her black hair, I could never do it! And of course, I never met a tea cup I didn't like so I'm drawn to those pictures for sure.

Since we've bought our place seems like there's a "if you don't want it, bring it to the shore house" rule that's been adopted by my family. As a result I have some, um, interesting cast-offs. (Note: Having yard sale soon. ;-)

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Hoping to see the SUN one of these days in mine.

Laura
xo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, I love it, Janie! You did a super job on this. You are going to love this kitchen in your getaway! Neat!

XO,

Sheila :-)