MY DININGROOM/LIBRARY

Before we see my diningroom I just want to share these two pictures. I forgot to put them on yesterdays post. They are hanging in my kitchen on a little wall between the mudroom and pantry doors. Another great Homesense find, I just adore these pups. They make me smile everytime I see them. The funniest thing was after I bought them, and they were very reasonable, I found the artist on ebay! He does a lot of vintage looking dog prints. Now off to the diningroom.

Here we are before the make over. This is last years Christmas photo.

TA DA!

Basically, I switched the cupboard and the trunk. Seems simple but it meant completely emptying that big cupboard. I did a thorough clean out, very purging. I think it makes a bit difference, it opens up the space and now I can see the cupboard much better.

As you know, I have a lot of books. I have already filled the big bookshelves my husband built for me, so I am always looking for different spots to put books without just piling them in a corner. I have made a nice little nook in the diningroom. The trunk is perfect for my large coffee table books. I am going to hang photos on the wall when I get them all framed. I am utilizing spaces now. Instead of just using a surface to display something why not make it useful for books or dishes or a nice coffee bar.

Just before I go, we are off to visit our son ( he bought a 55" 3-D television for Christmas, my little grandbaby will think she is sitting in there with the Backyardigans) I want to show one last thing. I only have one piece of Majolica and I love it. These gorgeous swans were made to display cheese at country fairs in England. Isn't that amazing, the wonderful things they use to do for the simplest items.... Oh for the good old days.

SHAPING UP...THE HOUSE THAT IS!

While Luca and his best friend lounged around the fire yesterday I worked tirelessly trying to put my house back together. I finally finished the kitchen and the dining room. I still have a ways to go with the rest of the house but it's cold outside so it is a good time for organizing and cleaning those dust bunnies ( I swear mine multiply overnight) from the corners you don't usually look in.

My shelves do need painting but I am waiting until the spring and taking them outside. My little red bird teapot was my inspiration for the touches of red. I picked up this cookie jar at a thrift store for &10. I think it is an old one but it has not mark on the bottom. I love it. My salt pig now hold cutlery. It was way too big for salt anyway. I cleared the counters of the coffee maker and other bits and put my canister there, which I have always had on shelves. It is much more open now.

I have always liked Brenda, at Cozy Little House blogs coffee area. I took a couple of our trays from my shop "Lucys Garden" on etsy and filled one with the coffee maker, cups and sugar. The other holds my oil, vinegars, salt and pepper.

Here is my tea caddy. We made this piece from a picture I saw of an old vegetable bin from Sweden. It holds everything you need for tea and more.

These are my favourite vintage dishes. They were another great thrift shop find. My great-great-grandmother's salt from England. I adore chickens, they are in my kitchen in some form everywhere. The two yellow ware bowls on the outsides were also my great-great-grandmother.

Last, this is the newest addition to my kitchen. I picked up this cute magnetic French Grocery List Board at Homesense for jus $3.00.

This has been a rather long post so tomorrow I will show you the dining room which is doubling as a little library.

DO I HAVE A PROBLEM....

I have been redoing the house since putting the Christmas decorations away. Unfortunately, I am one of those people who does ten things at once, it drives my husband crazy. I have been emptying and moving cupboards and pine trunks and have made a discovery about myself. I love stuff but when is enough, enough.

Although I do go through my decorating magazines there are some I just cannot part with. I have my Country Living and Country Homes ( which is no longer published, darn) from the 80's. Is this wrong?

I have way too many sweaters that one person should have. I went through a phase.

Inside of the trunks, which I do not always look in, I found all of the stuff I put away when I find new treasures in antique shops.

I just cannot seem to go past a teacup, coffee mug or teapot that looks interesting without buying it. I buy a lot in thrift shops so we aren't talking money just a little obsession.

Then there are my books. I adore books. Design, cooking, biographies, novels I could go on and on. I have a large book shelf my husband built which is bursting. I have piles on the trunks and in the studio. How could this be a bad thing?

Well, my eyes have been opened. I have loaded a lot up to go to the charity shop tomorrow then I can finish my decorating. I have a new rule. Anything that comes in something has to go out. That does not mean my books. I love my books and they are something I do go back to over and over again.

WHITE, WHITE, WHITE!!!

It is the time of year when I stand back and look at my home and think it is time for a change. All of the Christmas shine and sparkle is gone and before I put back everything I always feel some rooms need a little something. First, let me say, that when I decorate for Christmas I remove everything from any space where I put a christmas decoration. That means my kitchen is almost stripped. All dishes, tea towels, pictures, cannisters are replaced with Christmas things. Last night I put all of the Christmas kitchen away and was left with a large blank canvas. I am going to do some retooling. My kitchen is white but I have had it different shades of white. I do not know if I will repaint the whole kitchen, I may just replace some knobs or paint the doors. Hmmmmm, we'll see.

I love white, so bright and fresh. I do not think I would go as far as a white floor, too closed in looking.

I like the look of a washed pine floor against the white kitchen.

Very nice counter surface. The nice thing about white is you can combine old and new like this nice, worn rug.

I do love a little colour added in accents. Red is always a good choice.

I love the openess of a white kitchen. Even a smaller space looks bright and airy in white.

I do like some industrial items in a white kitchen. Some old stools from an office or some hanging lamps always look good.

This Swedish kitchen is so gorgeous. Something about that little bit of green and the burlap looks amazing.

White is also a great backdrop for the rustic country look. I love that table.

The Scandinavians have the right idea. I live in Canada where the weather is not always so sunny. Like Norway we have a lot of dark days. When your kitchen is white everythings seems brighter no matter what the weather is.

I will show you soon what I have done. I love a fresh start. You don't always have to make major changes but it is nice give your rooms a little lift now and then.

A NEW LOOK FOR A NEW YEAR!

I cannot believe I have had my blog for almost a year! On December 31st. I celebrated one year with my Etsy Shop "Wicked Faerie Queen." Where did the time go.







I have had so much fun with the blog this past year. I have met a lot of new friends, had Giveaways, won Giveaways. I have visited blogs all over the world and seen some pretty amazing homes. Everyone is so talented! There have been losses, there have been victories. I have come to really care for all of the people I blog with. A year ago I had never even visited a blog, frankly I really did not know what it was to blog. Thanks to many of you helping me through the creative process I have become a pro. I surprised myself with some of the things I have figured out on my blog. My son is very impressed.








As you can see, my blog has a new look for a new year. I consider my blog like another room in my home, I love to decorate it. This will be just one of many I do this year. I will miss my Christmas blog, it as so much fun.

I just want to thank all of you out there in blogging land for making me feel so welcome this past year. You have opened up a whole new world for me. I feel honoured to be in a community of such beautiful, aritculate, talented women. I look forward to this year and seeing what we can all do.

Hugs to all,
Sue



Immagini Glitterate