Spring Cleaning my Kitchen

I realized over the holidays, as I was knee deep in preparation for a sit down dinner for 30. That my Kitchen has slowly become over crowded and difficult to use. After a major remodel last year, we decided to live with the Kitchen as it is for a while, but that doesn't mean I can't make it a better place to be.

The Problem:

• All of my upper cabinets are full with things that I don't need a lot
  
• I have junk drawers that are totally disorganised
• I have things like products for my dogs taking a up space that I need for pots and pans
• I need to find some way to store more of my wine bottles etc, before this whole situation drives me to drink!

The Solution:

• I Found these great buckets at Organize.com

I am going to use them to put a lot of my little used stuff (candles, special occasion pieces) and store them above my upper cabinets. I think it will add a nice splash of color as well.

My project is hopefully going to happen this week I will post some of my solutions as I work out how best to tackle the problem.

 

New Years Resolution

Over the last few months, we have sadly let this little Blog, go to seed. It was at one time full of opinions, tips and handy insights. Well, I am pledging as my New Years Resolution to try and get some fresh blood back into the old girl as they say. So for all of you who subscribe and are reading this, and to all who just stumbled across, I hope you keep coming back, because there will be lots to see and read about.

10 Steps to Bookshelf Perfection...

For those of you who are starting your New Year by getting organized, try these tips for beautiful bookshelves every time!

1. Alternate stacking books horizontally and vertically.
2. Stack figurines and tchotchkes on horizontal books and layer photos and books behind.
3. More modern shelves call for a spare look, so start with books of fairly uniform size.
4. Hang artwork on the front of the shelf rather than on the wall.
5. To style a bookshelf to perfection, resist the urge to pile accessories in.
6. Scatter shelves with only books here and there to punctuate the look.
7. Stack a few books horizontally from largest to smallest.
8. Add woven baskets and trays to attractively store loose papers.
9. Break up the monotony of a set of reference books by offsetting them on the shelf and propping them up with vases.
10. If you can, take shelves out to create a few larger areas for oversize books and artwork.

Also, every so often, step back to make sure you like the overall balance of your arrangement. Place items off center or try larger or smaller ones until you like what you see.

Vendors We Love--Kyle Bunting

Kyle Bunting Cow Hide Rugs are simply beautiful. The combination of texture, color and graphic design lead to an amazing combination of feelings. I particularly love Jet Stream in Creame, Gum, Smoke and Chocolate, Unchained in the solid natural creams, tan and browns & Mr Crowley in any machination of colors (I am a fool for Chevrons!)

He has a sale section which is great if you can find something which coordinates with your decor and is the right size. If not, his prices are great and the workmanship is highly evident.
The beautiful rugs have been featured in Architectural Digest, Metropolitan Home and Western Interiors to name a few.

Leave it to a Texan to come up with such a beautiful application for cow hides!

Remembering Mildred

On Wednesdays we are going to try to "Think Martha" in order to boost your entertaining skills---because really, what good is a beautiful home if you don't share it with friends and family. In working on some ideas I cast back to my Grandmother for inspiration and Mildred was an avid fan of Makers Mark Bourbon! These days I celebrate her memory with a favorite drink of mine which I have named in her honor. It is very simple but I think that the best drinks are. Test it out with a few friends around the fire!

1 Highball filled with Ice
2 shots Makers Mark Bourbon
Fill to top with Ginger Ale, I like the Jamacian style which has more spice than usual in it
Angostura Bitters to taste
Add a Cherry or two for some color and something yummy to eat at the end

If Walls Could Sing

I fell in love with a beautiful French hand painted wall paper recently. I originally spotted something similar (turns out it is from the same company) in a magazine but I lost the edition before I could nab the name out of it....as luck would have it I came across it again recently and was even more astounded by the variety of patterns and the versatility.

These fish have really caught my imagination. I am not so sure about the Chicken Figurines but I just find the whole idea so whimsical and fun. I look forward to using this in some delightful place!

Check out all of the wonderous designs at de Gournay

Monday Reading List

The plan on Monday's is to post books that we like or think might be interesting reading. To be honest I have been a bit overwhelmed with Halloween festivities to buy any new books (I am still pawing over the Geoffrey Bilhuber book too), but I thought it might be interesting to post a few things from my Amazon wish list.

It's funny my list is now quite long, so every now and again I like to revisit it and see what caught my interest and maybe it will for you too.

Cotswold Gardens, by David Hicks

Well, any book by Mr. Hicks will catch my eye, but this is one that I don't have in my collection. I thoroughly enjoy his other garden book, My Kind of Garden, so I am looking forward to this one, which starts with his own home, and then goes on to describe his other gardens in the area. I think after I nab this one I will have a complete set of all the books by Hicks, perfect for a rainy weekend.

Hampton's Havens, by Hampton's Cottages and Gardens Magazine

I love the Hampton's, I think that they represent the best of classic American beach going. Warm water, rolling lawns and great garden parties. I am just about to start work on a house out there too, for one of my best and oldest friends, so I am studying up on the style and I think this book gives a great overview of the best homes, from Manors to Cottages.

Piet Boon: Beach, by Piet Boon

I am a huge fan of Boons work, and I came across this book on Amazon today. The description is brief to say the least " two beach houses in different regions by Piet Boon". But I am very excited to see hi clean sense of modernism applied in such a casual setting as the beach. If anyone has this book, let me know, my interest is piqued.