When Do You Know When Something DOESN’T Work ?
This was a question asked on a message board recently. Do you know when something isn’t right? My answer was very simply – yes. And when its not right, it just won’t do. I know you have heard of the Horse Whisperer ….I am the House Whisperer. LOL
My home speaks to me and tells me when something doesn’t “feel” right. When the House ain’t happy – Barb’s not happy…or something like that.
Case in point my current project…or maybe I should say projectS!!! This kitchen remodel seems to be taking forever and a day. But because company is coming this weekend, I am bound and determined to finish this project…projectS!
We were not blessed with beautiful cabinets when we bought this home. They were horribly “crackled”, the tile was falling off the countertops, the paint was hideous. All of these problems I knew I could fix. And I have. But, what I am not able to fix without totally ripping out and replacing cabinets is the HUGE expanse of soffit above the cabinets. Our 10′ ceilings only increase the visual height.
(see pic below)
For years, I have experimented with solutions to fill this space. Keep in mind it is on both sides of my kitchen. I have played with shelving, thought about Wall Words, stenciling, and all sorts of ideas. A few weeks ago when I went “house shopping” – my whole kitchen design just came together. One idea lead to another….my home finally spoke to me. It also said “enough is enough…finish me!” 🙂
I decided that I wanted to wallpaper the backside of the hutch. I had in mind a harlequin pattern, but wasn’t sure. It had to be the right pattern, because whatever I papered the hutch with – I was going to use above the cabs. My plan? I am having installed some “paneling” frames above the cabs, which I will fill in with wallpaper.
What will go inside this wallpaper-filled framed area? These beauties!
They are Portuguese majolica plates. I found them by chance at Marshall’s while I was Christmas shopping. (Oh, don’t even act like you don’t shop for yourself while you are supposed to be shopping for others!) 🙂
I bought two matching sets – again keep in mind that I have two matching walls.
Here they are closer up…. A platter for the center ….
The Bunny Plate…
The Cow Plate…
The Piggy Plate….and
The Hen and Rooster Plate…
You can also see the black and white harlequin paper I found at Lowe’s.
Here is the hutch before I added a sampling of wallpaper…
Here is the After with the middle shelf papered. So far, so good …
Close-up of wallpaper in back of shelf… I wasn’t 100% “feeling” it but I was willing to “listen” some more.
Time for a mock-up! Open up the ole’ Paint Program! Now I am no genius when it comes to mock-ups. I have a friend (hi RobbiesMom) who is awesome. Mine are more along the lines of “barely getting by.” But, its just enough for me to see that if I went through with this particular wallpaper, my house would be very mad that I had ignored what it was saying. My house was saying….”good try, but no way!”
The house whispered to me…needs more red, and I agreed. Here’s why…
Here are some shots from around my kitchen…so you can see why I need more red.
The long view of one side of my kitchen. Touches of red here…
The cab I converted into a display shelf. More reds here…
The fave corner of my kitchen. More on this later…and more reds.
The opposite side of the same countertop…more Portuguese Pottery…and more reds.
So I think you see the picture …the black and white harlequin just simply didn’t pull in enough of the red from around the kitchen. So…I admitted defeat and rolled up the wallpaper for another project. (Oops! Did I just say the “P” word?) It’s back to the wallpaper store. So, why am I posting a project that didn’t quite make it? We always see projects that “worked out” – but rarely do we see some that didn’t.
Now you have! 🙂 More to come…hopefully the finished project!
Happy Listening to Your Home….Barb
tardevil says
Looking forward to seeing the end result! P.S. I do shop like you do! One for me, one for them! 2 for me, 1 for them…and so it goes!
View Commentmishebe says
I have those projects that don’t quite turnout too. I love the display in the open cabinet. And I agree more Red. What a bout painting the top red? instead of wallpaper. mishelle
View CommentScooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda says
Cute Post! I have those “feelings” too! Some things work and feel right, and some great ideas just don’t! {sigh!} I had the same problem in my kitchen. I used similar green plates, on one wall overhead. And on another wall, I used a wall saying. It works well. Have you thought about red majolica plates, they are harder to find, but pretty as well! Your kitchen is pretty and I love what you have done so far! The touches of red are great! And I LOVE your scales! ~hugs, Rhonda 🙂
View Commentmarty39 says
Oh Barb, neat kitchen and I have to admit I have more ideas that don’t work than the ones that do. When it is right you do know it, I loved this blog. You always have great thoughts even if they don’t work for you right now, and it always gives such inspiration. I can’t wait to see what you do, I know it will be wonderful. Hugs, Marty
View CommentKathysue says
Barb, Oh my goodness,I had no idea you had green cupboards in your kitchen also.Were they that way when you bought the house or did you paint.I am also very glad you listened to your house,I think it was shouting and you knew it.You have a very discerning eye and I can’t wait to see what you do.Don’t rush it,it will come to you.I always say when in doubt,DON’T Vanna and I joked about being house whispers.I said I could describe a person by looking and listening to their rooms.I described her perfectly,it was a little game we played.I am so glad you posted this it shows everyone that even a lady as talented as yourself has to experiment, the point being you are never afraid to try.Fear is the worst killer of Creativity. Love ya, Kathysue
View CommentMarla says
You are a jewel to share what didn’t work out. I was beginning to think you always had the perfect decor out the gate. Gives me hope!
Marla aka Always Nesting
View CommentSuzanne says
Woo-hoo!! I FINALLY get to see more of Barb’s kitchen! Very nice.
View Comment(P.S. Yes, my house whispers to me. It says: “What the (bleep) are you doing, Suzanne? Hire a professional!”) 😉
Laurie - Decorating Fanatic says
Hi Barb! Now it was my turn to get distracted by all your lovelies! I love those new dishes you got and I was admiring all your red transferware in the hutch. Love the green of your cabinets set off by the wood countertop. Really warm! I too understand the the “house whisperer” I swear this house tells me what to buy and where to put it! I am still trying to convince the husband that this is true.;) But if something is not right – it will bother me until I can figure out what it is and how to fix it! Taking pictures over the last two years just amazes me at the changes I can go through! Maybe that’s not so good…? I hope you do go tackle some of your forgotten things in the basement and give them a new life. Just make sure you post about them! Good Luck & thanks for stopping by! 🙂 ~ Laurie
View Commentprof en retraite says
Hi Barb…The question I’m whispering is…how the heck did you manage to find two complete sets of those really cute dishes? I’m gonna shop in your town!!! lol Have a great week!…Debbie
View CommentTracey McBride says
Hi Barb! I am lovin’ the way you think…can’t wait to see the results.
View CommentWarmly,
Tracey
P.S. That cupboard you turned into a display shelf is amazing! Also love the way you put the picture on the wall inside…so clever!
Gollum says
The Bordello plates are awesome!
View CommentHigh five!
Susan S. says
I love the red accents in your cute kitchen! Really nice! My house talks to me too! I will arrange sometime (i.e., a mantel) then site back, live with it for a week and then all the sudden I decide it needs tweaking and might jump up right in the middle of a conversation…the NEED just hits to TWEAK! Happy New Year from Texas!
View CommentSusan (Between Naps on the Porch) says
Hey Barb…I’m loving the color of your cabinets! That is a tricky area you got there…can’t wait to see how it looks once you find a wallpaper that works with your wonderful plates and the red in your kitchen. This would be a great Met Monday post…with your before and afters! 🙂 Susan
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