Hello Dear Bloggy Friends…welcome to the end of our
Christmas Open House.
I have saved our kitchen for last, that being the heart of our home.
This kitchen has been in a constant state of upheaval since we moved in 5 yrs ago. One of these days we will totally remodel this room…one day.
We recently expanded the island and made it longer, and added the granite top. We also added the hand-hammered copper farmhouse sink, which I absolutely love.
When we moved in, the original owner had “crackled” the cabinets. They were sooooo bad. (hint: if you do not know how to use crackle medium, please do not cover every cabinet and every square inch of the trim, windows and doors)
So, about a year ago we had the cabinets painted a pretty green, and then we installed beadboard on the backsplashes and around the island, which I then glazed. It turned out…well …okay. I was never completely happy with it. So about 2 weeks ago – I had my cabinets painted red!!!!
Can I say I LOVE them. Next on the list….carrera marble on each outer countertop where you see the oak tops.
I know, I know – enough talk already right? Please follow me into our kitchen….
We almost doubled the length of the island, and was able to add two more lower cabinets, as well as, a baking pan cabinet.
We had oak countertops made for the two counters on each side of the island.
I had the trim added on the soffits several months ago…the perfect place to display my collection of green Bordallo Pineiro plates and platters, depicting farm animals.
We removed the middle cabinets in order to create a display nook. I love the oil painting hanging inside, an eBay find.
Decorative bottles and a treasured set of rooster salt and pepper shakers. You might remember these from my Rustic Frenchy Tablescape (you can see it here). These were given to me by my good friend, Kathysue, when she and I and another dear friend, Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict , met in Asheville and stayed in a beautiful, old B&B.
On one counter, I have a lovely cardinal platter I bought last year at Cracker Barrel, after the holidays. (70% off -oh yea!) Also, there is a small green, metal lamp I found for $5. A pitcher filled with cut greens and holly from my yard seem to offer shelter for my little set of Target birds.
The salad plate is from the same pattern as I used on my formal dining room tablescape.
Apples and pears and greenery….and favorite cookbooks.
The other side of the kitchen…
We bought the hand-hammered copper farmhouse sink from Mexico. I love this sink. Can you just imagine how pretty it will be once the carrera marble is installed?
My red rooster keeps watch over the kitchen. Fresh holly and cedar tucked inside a glass gravy boat.
I love my Frenchy metal container. I use it to hold my sink stoppers. You can also see the glazed beadboard. I think I will paint this back to white. We have also talked about white subway tiles. Not sure yet…
Now, let’s take a look at the island…
Paperwhites, a white rooster pitcher and my glass canisters on one end….
…and on the other end I have a rosemary tree, and two vintage scales from part of my collection.
A copper gingerbread man cookie cutter tops the tree, with bits of ribbon tied all around.
A small toy wagon holds my oil and vinegar during Christmas.
…. looking into my breakfast nook.
… an Amish rake gets a touch of Christmas, too.
Even my back door gets a special touch with a fruit wreath which features a gingerbread man plate wired in the center with a plate holder.
…and finally….my favorite piece of artwork which hangs on my fridge. My grandson, Cole (almost 4yrs), made this for his Grammy.
Thank you for joining Mr Grits and I for our Christmas Open House.
I have enjoyed having you into our home as our special guests. I would like to thank each of you who have followed me through the past year…through my kidney stone surgery, my husband’s surgery, sharing my joy when my beloved son and my dear daughter-in-law returned from Iraq, and then saying good-bye to my little grandson, Cole, when he went back to Colorado…and most recently for my 2d grandson Devin’s birth.
I know I have been a sporadic blogger over the past few months due to a hectic work schedule, but my bloggy life has always been and will always be in my heart.
Thank you so much for your support, and for also giving me so many hours of enjoyment through your own blogs.
Mr Grits and I would like to wish you and yours a blessed and joyous Merry Christmas.
Sharing with Mizz Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us
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Heather at Setting for Four for Its a Party!
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Heather/Vanessa @ at the picket fence for Inspiration Friday!
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Barbara F. says
Beautiful kitchen, Barb, I am in kitchen Heaven!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. xo
View CommentNanaDiana says
Barb- Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful. We have a little downstairs kitchenette off our media room and I always do that up in gingerbread for the Holidays- xo Diana
View CommentSue@House Pretty says
Hi there, I just found an announcement in my inbox that you are following me on Hometalk! Well, I haven’t made it over there yet, but I decided to go “check you out”, and found your blog. When I have more time I will go through more of it, but from what I’ve seen so far, you have a beautiful home! And, I just became your newest follower, yay! If you feel so inclined, would love to have you drop by and follow back. By the way, I would absolutely LOVE having a cooking island that large! It rocks!!!
View CommentShirley@Housepitality Designs says
I loved your kitchen when it was the beautiful color red….it was nice to go back in time with the kitchen in all of it’s “red glory”…..a perfect Christmas kitchen….
View CommentShelia says
Hi Barb! Oh, I have always loved your kitchen when it was red. Love it white too. You really had it dressed up so beautifully for Christmas!
View CommentHope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Shelia 🙂
Anu@My Dream Canvas says
Very pretty kitchen.Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! I would love for you to visit me and see the centerpiece at my Thanksgiving table I am visiting you from Savvy Southern Style!
View CommentSarah says
Enjoyed your kitchen tour. Your red kitchen is charming.
View CommentHappy Thanksgiving………Sarah
Kathy says
You have a lovely kitchen, makes me want to come visit and see more of your beautiful home.Thanks for sharing. You have given me some great ideas for my kitchen. Kathy
View CommentLeslie says
Barb, it’s my first time to your kitchen, and I love it!!! From your gorgeous sink to the bead board to all the red and plaid around….it’s so cozy and beautiful! It truly is a gingerbread kitchen! You should be ready to bake some cookies. 🙂
View CommentBlessings,
Leslie
Kathysue says
Barb, I remember your red kitchen!! So perfect for the Holidays! It has come a long way from the red to a pretty crisp white!! I think It would be so fun to have a red kitchen for Christmas and white the rest of the year!! lol. I guess that would require a whole lot of painting!Have a wonderful thanksgiving with your familiarly xo Kathysue
View CommentAnaMB says
Great post, great photos! I really enjoyed reading it, I feel like I am over there 🙂
View CommentHave a nice Thanksgiving with your loved ones!
Ana@carpe_diem
Suzan Ross says
I adore your kitchen…love love love it all!
View CommentIra Morse says
Love your rake that gets a touch of Christmas, now I can feel the spirit of Christmas.
View Comment