Freshening the Kitchen

While searching for a few missing items, I went on a tear this weekend, with my family away visiting Grandma. No room came away unscathed, save for the dining room, which is piled with the remnants of my purging. Let's just say that Goodwill is going to love me this week, when I fill half of their donation trailer with my castoffs.

I finally found the wayward scraps of canvas that will allow me to finish the second slipper chair slipcover. Which will allow me to finally finish the Slipcover Tutorial, which hasn't been completed due to the disappearance of a few critical photos. The poor second chair has been covered with an afgan for months now, and is so ready to be done. 

It wasn't even on my list of rooms to clean and purge, but somehow I ended up in the kitchen.  

I started by uncharacteristically removing all of the bright plates and accessories from the room. The mix just wasn't working, and I had been struggling with it since the Easter decorations were put away. I decided to go with a palette of black and white, with yellow and green accents. 

It's so not me, but at the same time, it so is. I truly embrace a clean, balanced look, and this definitely is that. I love love love my color, but this really is a refreshing change. Kind of like the bathroom, which we have all really enjoyed since the redo. 

 

Bringing greens into the house instantly makes a room feel bright and alive. Plus, they help purge the air we breathe of toxins and pollutants. I am almost always rooting something on my kitchen windowsill. Clippings from the garden add freshness, too.

 

Each of us routinely start each day with 1/2 of a juicy lemon squeezed into a large glass of filtered water. It is said to boost metabolism and stimulate liver function, and a dose of natural vitamin C can't hurt, either. Plus, they look wonderful as fresh decor around the house, and smell great, too. I peel the lemons before squeezing and soak the peels in white vinegar to make a natural spray cleaner, which we use on everything to disinfect and freshen. I love not having to buy expensive organic spray cleaners at the store anymore.

We're still tweaking this corner of the kitchen, and have yet to complete it, with all the crazy events of this last year. I had made the unfortunate mistake of painting the plate holders red, which left them completely unusable with the new kitchen theme. But they will be awesome at Christmas. I'm thinking some fun kitchen art from The Graphics Fairy would be a perfect fit for this weathered frame.  

 

Thinking of new uses for old items can pay off big. I freed up almost an entire drawer (and we don't have that many!) by putting this desk organizer to use as a utensil holder. 

Right after I finished working in here, my friends who live around the corner came by with some of the bounty from their garden. Don't you think this Swiss Chard looks as pretty as any floral bouquet?!!

The room seems so refreshed now, but I can also really look forward to fall, and adding in some wonderful orange accents. Thank you for coming by to see my kitchen update! I'm joining Nita's Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life, Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday,Yvonne at StoneGable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits, and Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.

 

Comments

[Kathy]

Your kitchen looks fabulous! I love changing things around.

[Farmgirl Susan]

Your kitchen looks wonderful! Very cheerful, and all the greenery looks so nice and fresh. I love that after squeezing your daily lemons you make organic cleanser from the peels. What a fantastic idea.

P.S. Thanks for the very sweet comment you left on my blog today - it really meant a lot to me. :)

[Brenda Kula-Pruitt]

It's so pretty, Andrea! Kind of miss the red. But it's so refreshing!
Brenda

[Pat]

Your kitchen photos are magazine worthy! Absolutely beautiful!

[Martina]

These shots belong in a magazine!! Your kitchen looks amazing!

[Stacey]

I just love your kitchen. Always! The black tray with goodies on it looks so pretty.

[[email protected] Stroll Thru Life]

Love all of your gorgeous vignettes. How fun. I really like the open shelves and the chicken wire in the doors. They add so much character to your kitchen. Hugs, Marty

[Angie]

Gorgeous kitchen! It's always fun to mix things up a bit...

[[email protected] Cultivated Nest]

Very pretty! Love the cabinet with the chicken wire and yes the swiss chard is so gorgeous!

[The Tablescaper]

Love the touches of green. Great freshening!

- The Tablescaper

[Tanya]

I love your kitchen, the chicken wire and distressing are fabulous!

Hugs, Tanya :)

[Yvonne @ StoneGable]

Thanks for showing us your very pretty kitchen re-do! Love the black, white and pop of green.
Thanks also for the tip about lemon peels and vinegar! Great tip!!!!
So happy to see you here at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS!

[Alana]

Your kitchen vignettes are so lovely :)

[debra]

LOVELY

Like the waste not want not lemon cleaner idea too! : )

[Shelia]

I love love your sweet kitchen and all you've done to it! Happy 4th!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

[Ricki Jill Treleaven]

I seriously love the vignettes in your kitchen. Every single one is magazine-worthy!

[carol]

I love your kitchen. You can't go wrong with black and white mixed with a little color. I like your idea of the desk organizer. I have one in my workspace that I am going to clean out and move into the kitchen. And I have the white basket you have on the shelf. Mine is on the floor holding magazines, but at the end of today, I am pretty sure it will be in the kitchen.

[Sharlotte]

Beautiful kitchen, I love the colors you've chosen and the greenery. I went back to look at your bathroom too and I love that too! You certainly have quite a "knack" for making things look loved and inviting! Thanks for sharing!