Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Puttering around the kitchen

Hello everyone! I've been cleaning my kitchen today, even reaching into the corners for the cobwebs. :0)

This is my main food prep/baking counter space and after I had cleaned up, I thought it needed a little something. If you click on this picture you will see an empty dessert plate, a paper organizer, a box of napkins and my cell phone charger wire.


My goal was to use things I already had around the house. In this corner I added a blue and white toile placemat, a small basket with oranges and lemons and a candle.


Over to the right of my kitchen aid mixer I added another placemat, a soup tureen, carnations that were in the livingroom, napkins and mini salt and pepper shakers.


Here is the "after" picture. No more phone wires or messy papers!

I have a bunch of ripe bananas so I'm off to test out my tidied up baking center!

42 comments:

Heather said...

I love what you did with what you already had. Very cute!!

Disney for Boys said...

I like what you did, looks lovely!

I especially like the blue toile mats!

Susan said...

Very nice.
Susan

Anonymous said...

It's those little touches that really make the most difference! Your food prep/baking center is magazine pretty!

One Lily said...

Looks so nice, and that is exactly what I like doing; using what I have to make changes in my home!

Christine said...

Hi Kelli! It looks so pretty; you did a great job. Don't you love fixing up your house for free? Blessings!

Creative Life Studio said...

It's the little things, isn't it? I love rearranging in the kitchen. We all spend so much time in there and it's so nice to freshen up from time to time!

Your new arrangement looks very cheery. :)

Karen said...

I like your new look on the counter! I have trouble with all kinds of electrical plugs and trying to hide them! Everything looks so fresh and clean. You've been a busy gal!

Gena said...

Your counter is so pretty! I love toile. I also like neat and tidy kitchen counters. That is my ongoing project - my husband loves to use my kitchen counters as his unloading area!

Jenn4Him said...

A nice clean kitchen sure is inspiration to bake! Looks great!

Anonymous said...

My family loves banana bread. I hope you made it without nuts or A and E won't eat it :)

Your kitchen is homey and welcoming, just like the rest of your house. Thanks for sharing.

LadySnow said...

Such "small" changes can make such a big difference in appearances. :)

dot said...

Looks nice Kelli! Can you come to my house? lol

Heather Anne said...

I'm with Dot - you are welcome to work your transformation in my home anytime!

I have sage toile in my kitchen - I made curtains - and I think I have enough scraps to make soem placemats - great idea!

Paula said...

Looks very nice!

Lori said...

Your kitchen looks very nice.

Susie said...

It's nice to give your kitchen a fresh look with things you have on hand. That's a real gift you have Kelli!
xo

Janice said...

Very pretty! It's fun to see before and after photos! About every three months or so, I enjoy moving things around and giving spots a new look. It's really satisfying when you use what you have for a whole new appearance!

Unknown said...

Looks lovely! It's amazing what just a little bit of tidying up can do!

Myrna said...

Lovely new arrangement! You have a realknack for making everything look homey and inviting.

Henny Penny said...

No more wires! Yay!

Looks fantastic! :o)

CONNIE W said...

Reducing clutter and becoming organized is the best part of getting cleaning accomplished and I enjoy doing that. Your results are great. Doesn't it make you feel good! It looks wonderful too!

theups said...

Kelli, it looks VERY pretty!! Isn't it amazing how just a little touch here and there can make such a difference!!

Thank you for sharing!

His,
Mrs. U

Amber said...

I love how you used things you already had. It's amazing what a bowl of apples can do isn't it?

Charree said...

I really like what you did with your kitchen. It looks so great!

Have a happy Wednesday!

Jennifer in MS said...

Looks great! I love to cook in a clean and tidy kitchen!

Lena said...

Hi Kelli,
I see we are both thinking aong the same lines and trying to use what we have to decorate with. I always think it's so interesting how just moving things to a different place or grouping things can make such a differece.
Anchoring things with the placemats was such a good idea. Your vignettes look wonderful!

LBP said...

Cute arrangement! My kitchen is in cobalt blue and blue toile, so if you get tired of the placemats... send them my way LOL!!!

Julieann said...

Where did you end up putting your phone charger? My husband has his on my vanity in the bathroom--I use the same charger. Never know where to put that thing...LOL.

Your counter looks lovely Kelli!!!

Julieann:)

Cris said...

You did a great job, so tidy. It must be nice to cook in your kitchen.

Carole Burant said...

You have such a delightful way of decorating! Just goes to show how you can use things around the house and make it all look new again:-) xox

Lila Rostenberg said...

Very inspiring! I have been "thinking" about changing things on my counters...I actually wanted to add a cute note pad organizer, by the wall phone. Maybe I should just get rid of that phone and keep the paper note clutter off the counter! You have given me things to think about!

Sandra said...

Love your kitchen, actually LOVE your whole house, you make it so cozy and homy :)

Have a wonderful day Kelli,
♥Sandra

Tina Leigh said...

Good Night Martha, I mean Kelli!! Will you PLEASE come to my house & fix it up for me!!! I love what you did!

charish said...

Kelli
what you did was great use of space. I set stuff up and the papers seem to grow over my setups.LOL
Sarah

Kim said...

Love your "new" nook! :)

Sonya said...

So pretty! I love how elegant it looks! I LOVE the soup tureen! I also love the toile placemats. They add that special touch! Good job!

Betty said...

Kelli, thank you for coming by and wishing my granddaughters a happy birthday......blessings, Betty

Sharon said...

Your kitchen is ready for a visit from Martha. Looks good and you know where every thing is and it is so attractive.

Mary L. Briggs said...

What a tidy counter you now have, Kelli! I found your bog through Claudia over at Teeny Tiny Cabin. I love your blog--I homeschooled both of my girls K-12. The oldest graduated from college three weeks ago. I'm so proud of her, but I miss our homeschooling days--enjoy it while you can! And what a great find those Beatrix Potter books were!

Mindy said...

I love what you did with the placemats...using what you already have...that my kind of decorating!! Blessings to you Kelli!

Anonymous said...

Looks so pretty. This is my first time to your blog and it is very inspirational. Thanks for sharing.