Oh how I love summer here in the North Carolina mountains. It’s so beautiful here and we enjoy lots of late morning family breakfasts of homemade whole wheat pancakes with my mother’s homemade strawberry jam. I do enjoy my kitchen in the summer and I have changed things up for this season like I always do.
My mother had given me this retro patterned fabric several years ago and I finally made a table runner and this valance for the kitchen. It’s actually just a “slipcover” that I can switch when I want a change.
I took out all the pink since there was mostly brown in the fabric, then, when I remembered my grandmother’s yellow aprons, I knew that was the color I would use as an accent.
My kitchen is very vintage with elements of both farmhouse and cottage styles. We made the wormy chestnut countertops last summer from reclaimed wood and I love them more and more. I wanted the “old store” look and I really love how they turned out.
I also LOVE my big square stainless sink. I did not choose a farm sink, but fell in love with this one because I thought all that vintage needed something modern. I used a large piece of wood trim from the old house on the front of the cabinets after I removed the doors and fake drawer fronts.
I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy changing out these open shelves. I made them from reclaimed wood last summer and they have been through about eight changes since then. For summer, I decided to use a collection of mostly milk glass.
I don’t collect ironstone, but I couldn’t pass up this pitcher at a local antiques store for $5. The ironstone tureen was $8 at a local thrift store. The blue creamer and sugar bowl are Royal China, “Blue Heaven” and were a gift from my cousin’s wife, Michelle, last summer.
I recently found these milk glass cups with saucers and fell in love with the delicate pattern.
The Italian pot de cremes were passed down from a relative as were the antique bird prints and crystal decanter.
I am really loving milk glass, especially as an alternative to ironstone, and it is really plentiful here. This bowl belonged to my maternal grandmother.
My cabinets are painted “Grand Smoky Mountain” Colorplace paint from Walmart with distressing and dark wax applied. I chose that color after finding tongue and groove boards that color from the original house here.
The blue wall color is “Secluded Guestroom” by Colorplace, and also matched a color I found on boards from the old house. It looks different depending on the light, but is such a wonderful medium blue with neither too much purple or green.
The chippy yellow canisters were a gift last year and I have really enjoyed them. I love how they look with the blue.
I recently found the Pyrex “Blue Flame” coffee pot on ebay, and won it with a low bid even though they are pretty popular there.
I fell in love with this vintage Salem “Biscayne” dinnerware last summer on ebay and amazingly found this chop plate at a thrift store here for $1. Then I got lucky and found the cream and sugar bowl on ebay. I love this retro pattern so much–especially the shape of the sugar bowl and lid:-)
My mom brought me this beautiful bouquet of flowers from her garden when she saw I was using yellow.
I love the yellow flowers with the blue of the L.E. Smith “Moon and stars” pieces my mom also gave me. She had glasses and a pitcher, but sold them!
One thing I would love to change in my kitchen is this island. It’s big, but not really efficient. I would love to build something more rectangular, one level with a mix of open shelving and cabinetry. I have not convinced my husband of that yet, though:-)
I still love the pantry/mudroom door I recycled from the old house, and it was such an easy project. It really brings vintage/farmhouse style into a newer room.
I had been looking for a place to hang this “flower” sign, and finally realized it would work here. It was hanging on my dad’s 100-year-old garage and shop. He made the Indian Motorcycles sign in the late 1950s.
I am still struggling with the white slipcovers I made last summer. As nice as they look, I have three children, one of whom is an 8-year-old boy. I am constantly either washing them or letting them stay dirty, which drives me crazy. They are honestly a pain to keep clean. The brown “leather” on the chairs is really dark and damaged so I don’t like to leave them bare. They originally came from Target and were labelled “leather.” They are not leather. at. all. They are comfy, so I just need a better solution for a cover, but haven’t figured it out yet.
Besides all that, I really do enjoy my kitchen and love having everyone gathered here.
It’s the heart of our home:-)
I’ll be joining:
I luv your kitchen. I feel like I can always just pop in and would be so welcomed and comfy!
When we were moving and changing our décor ( sorry I changed. Want it all back!) I stumbled upon the Pyrex blue flame tea pot at a yard sale. She was asking .50 for it. Knowing what it was worth, I felt terrible and offered her more. She asked me if I would treasure the old thing. I shook my head so hard… and told her I would, and she gave it to me!!!
It sits on my stove proudly!! Used pretty much daily.
Luv your coffee pot!
Happy today!
Big hugs, Gee
BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN! I love it Anita, it's so warm, cozy and very pretty and inviting. I love all the elements you decorated it with!
Your open shelves have such lovely white dishes…I enjoyed looking at your kitchen's post! Enjoy your week.
FABBY
You have such a sense of placement and style. No matter what you do or the colors you use you always make it look fabulous. I desperately need a kitchen makeover but I am lacking the time, funds and guts to tackle it right now…:) Thanks for always being an inspiration!!
Such a pretty kitchen. My favorites are the open shelves and the pantry door. What a great idea for the door. Very charming. Deb
Blue and yellow are the perfect combination! I love it soooo Anita.
What a beautiful room for many memories to be made. Thank you for sharing!
~Alison
I love your kitchen Anita! The colors come together beautifully with all your sweet details. What a charming place to cook and gather. 🙂 I hope you have time to link up with us at Project Inspire{d}!!
Your kitchen is so beautifully done with the fabulous collections you have…I love the colors and how great is that tray that goes so well in the room…my aunt had that dinnerware…brings back memories!….Such a warm and cozy kitchen!
Usually my favorite kitchens (and I am obsessed with kitchens!) are bright and white, but yours is so adorable! My favorite part are the shelves with the white dishes and those wooden countertops. GORGEOUS. You are a lucky woman!
~April
(stopping by from The Scoop)
I especially like your open shelves by the sink. xx
I love the slipcovers. Maybe you should just monogram the backs with paint.
Your kitchen is so beautiful, Anita. I adore the gorgeous blue on your walls and your yellow accents look so pretty and cheerful with it. You've done a great job of incorporating so many meaningful things too ~ that's what really makes it special!
Your summer kitchen is gorgeous Anita! Reminds me of Proverbs 24:3&4.
So pretty, love your pops of yellow…
Blessings,
Cindy
What a beautiful kitchen – love love love the blue and yellow – looks so welcoming in there !
XOXO