Hello everyone! You all know I love to decorate my home seasonally, and that really just means moving some things around, and usually some sewing is involved. I could not be more excited about the inspiration for this makeover because a set of vintage curtains my friend Alicia gave me is the star of this makeover!!
I’ve had this curtain set for a few years, but never could figure out how and where to use the fabric, but one day the inspiration hit, and I went with it. I made a sink skirt, a window shade, and trimmed out some kitchen towels with leftover scraps to spread this print as far as possible around my room.
I absolutely love this vintage print, and the colors really inspired me to dig out things I had not used from the hall closet, and china cabinets. The fabric is fragile, so I will very carefully hand wash when I change it out.
I had a set of drop cloth curtains that I used on the windows, so the little faux shade just carries the fabric up and makes the sink area feel very coordinated. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy just looking at this fabric. The cool colors seem to really brighten up my kitchen, and I’m enjoying this summer look.
Of course, some of my pink Pyrex collection had to come out and adorn my shelves as well as vintage Hazel Atlas Pink Crinoline that belonged to my great grandmother and my great-great uncle Jim Shelton, photographer of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and who married the only Walker sister to marry of GSMNP fame.
I love the brown drip with the pink, and also added a tray my daddy made in high school, needlepoint by a family friend, an old sifter of my grandmother’s, and a Blue Ridge plate with leaves from Mother’s attic that I’d love to find more of.
I brought out a lot of the pink and stainless kitchen items I have to really pair with the grays and pinks of the fabric.
Oh, and the elephant in the room is our new refrigerator! Our old one died a slow and painful death. Y’all know I prefer black appliances, but there was not a black refrigerator to fit my space anywhere in my area, and orders were six months out, so after much thought and research, I decided on this LG bottom freezer version, which I found later was rated the best in it’s category. I specifically wanted something with not too much clutter, handles, etc., going on on the front. I had picked out a counter-depth Samsung version, but the delivery person refused to drive out our perfectly good road, so I cancelled and went to a different Lowes because I also needed to use my military discount. Funny enough, I love the finish and lightness it brings, and especially that it is smudge resistant and holds SO much more than our side-by-side did. We will eventually build cabinetry around the fridge but not until lumber prices come down to normal!
The refrigerator did inspire me to get out some of my vintage Lincoln Beautyware canisters and trays my dad made in high school. I also brought out my mother’s Russell Wright Iroquois wedding china, and the cute stacked sugar/creamer combo.
I also made an accent towel with the curtain fabric, and added a feed sack towel I made a few years ago.
I did repaint this wall *again* from the gold back to the Geneva Swan Gray I have in other rooms. I love this neutral gray, and it just looks fabulous with the trim from the old house as well as the gray cabinetry, pinks and stainless colors.
I like to hang aprons on this door not only for convenience, but also to soften the hard surfaces a kitchen normally has. I knew this fabric would coordinate with the curtain fabric, so I cut and sewed this cute apron to carry the colors around the room.
I dressed the table with some taffeta fabric I had, my Cherokee River cane egg basket filled with magnolia and mountain fire pieris and the oil lamps from the old house.
My mother had given me the Franciscan Desert Rose teapot, creamer and sugar bowl back in the spring, so this was the perfect time to bring that pattern out to use. Her grandmother had this same pattern, so it is very special to me.
She also let me borrow the antique rose prints, and I used the other one on my mantel for summer.
I traded the darker portieres for these embroidered vintage sheers from a neighbor. It really lightens up this side of the room.
I cannot tell you how much I’m enjoying this little no-cost refresh – except for the cost of the refrigerator of course!!
There is a cool and fresh feel in this room now, and I always love getting out things I’ve had packed away in cabinets.
Isn’t it amazing what fabric can do in a room? That’s probably my number one way to change a look. I always love any chance to sew something as well, so there are no limits if I need to make something from scratch.
I’m so thankful my friend Alicia gave me the curtains, because they are well-loved and living new life in my kitchen. And really, that’s what I’m all about here – giving something old new life and keeping it going for the next generation to love.
I hope you are inspired to look around your own home, through cabinets, in closets, etc., and find something that inspires you to change the look and feel of a room with no money involved. It really does make you creative to use what you have, and you never get tired of seeing the same thing everyday.
There is a new video on my youtube channel with some behind the scenes footage of the rainy day I did this makeover. Make sure you are subscribed to my channel, because there is so much more to come!
Thanks for stopping by!!
I’ll be joining:
I am SO thrilled to have found your blog and you tube channel to which I subscribed. I have been reading them both for over 2 hours. I am SO delighted to find someone who decorates just like me. All I have viewed are white painted antique furniture, shiplapped walls and neutrals. No color, no character, gorgeous antiques painted and distressed. My decor is just like yours…rich color and beloved family antiques with a moody Victorian flair. Please do not change and follow the trends. I love your home and your family connections. Can’t wait to see your next post. Much love and admiration from a fellow Christian in Michigan
Author
Linda thank you so much for those very kind words☺️ I appreciate the encouragement so very much!! I do love color, warmth and anything old that needs the be used and really enjoy staying true to myself. I’m so happy you’re here☺️☺️
I too change out my decorating for all the different seasons and holidays and love creating tablescapes. I also use family heirlooms, thrift store finds, estate sale and FB Marketplace items. 🙂 I love to tell a story and make my home unique. My decorating style is similar to yours as well. And as Linda mentioned above, I love following your blog and I too am a fellow Christian from Michigan. 🙂
Author
Yes, yes, yes!! So happy to hear that! Telling your story and not someone else’s is so important. Those are the homes I enjoy visiting – online or in person☺️☺️ Thank you so much!!
Beautiful as always.
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Thanks mother, and thanks for the teapot, cream and sugar☺️☺️☺️
Beautiful! Love the pink!
Author
Thank you!! I’m so loving it too, and mother found some of her Morgantown pink “swirl” glasses on eBay that I just put on the shelves. She also found the stacking salt and pepper shakers to do with the Russell Wright china like yours☺️
Oh my goodness Anita, this is stunning! The pink works perfect with your kitchen colors! I’ve followed you for years and always get so excited to read your posts! 💖 you never disappoint. Thank you for sharing 💖 love the fabric!!
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Vicki that just made my whole day and encouraged me so much!! Thank you🙏🙏🙏
OMG!!
Simply stunning! The fabric is spectacular and i love your pink pyrex, brown drip and Desert Rose pieces….I have a brown drip pitcher that i received as a wedding present with a long gone floral arrangement in it..I will have to hunt for it now!! That rug is drop dead gorgeous!! I always love seeing your home as it has so much character and I love hearing the history behind everything!! Your Kitchen looks so inviting and charming…Thanks so much for sharing as it truly brightened my morning!! I will be sharing this in FB!! Have a great July 4th weekend!
Hugs,
Deb
Author
Thank you so much Deb!! I sure love that Brown Drip, and you know more of it comes out in the fall as well here:-) Happy 4th to you too!!
Your kitchen looks gorgeous and so summery! It is amazing what fabric and accessories can do to change the whole look of a room. What I love about your home the most is that when I see a photo of it, there is no doubt it’s “Anita’s home”. Others, as lovely as their homes they may be with all their neutrals, are not as easy to tell apart! You have an amazing gift for unique and beautiful style!
Author
Oh Joanie, I appreciate that so much!! I do try to be true to myself and be creative with what I have here to use. It means so much to me that you say that:-)
Your home is beautiful. I love the fact your things are passed down from relatives. I was wondering about the counter tops. Are they ones that can be ordered? I know you are so talented are they hand made? The wood is wonderful and the depth of the front is something I have never seen. Beautiful!
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Thank you so much Brenda:-) We made the countertops from wormy chestnut salvaged from a little house here on the property that is over 100 years old. We do love them and the unique aspect they add:-)
Beautiful decorating!
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Thank you so much!
Beautiful decorating!
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Thank you Anne!
this post is stunning…so much love of family and home in each image. Your way with color is amazing how you can bring out pink pyrex and make it work together so well. I have gotten my sister to follow you too if your ears were burning how much we love your work, your home and your faith.
blessings always,
Alda
Author
Oh my goodness, Alda, thank you so much for those kind words:-)
Anita….as always I feel like I could come to your house and just “set a spell”. ❤️
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Thank you so much Joyce☺️☺️☺️ That’s what I hope people see and feel☺️
I could spend hours just sitting and being wrapped in the memories that your home evokes. We definitely are kindred spirits in that regard.
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Definitely Sara, and I hope you get to come our way and visit someday!! I have a spot on the porch for you☺️
Oh, Anita, how perfectly lovely and that is a wonderful match for your kitchen. Gives a new but old vibe. I love old pieces of fabric. And the peach is a soft switch for warmer months. Hugs, Sandi
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Thank you Sandi!! That’s exactly the feel I get from it – vintage but also fresh and new☺️☺️
Absolutely beautiful – you are extremely blessed!!!! : )
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Thank you Mary Ann!!
Love the changes to your kitchen! So pretty and welcoming!
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Thank you so much!!
Love that fabric!! Great ideas to use it for a sink skirt, window treatment and to dress up your towels. Very very cozy!! Looks like many a hearty meal with family all gathered together happens in this kitchen for sure. I just love color and changing things up too. So refreshing to see a home with color as well as treasured antiques from beloved family members! I really enjoy your blog and look forward to every post! keep them coming!
Author
Thank you so very much Linda!!!
Love your home…like others, I could move right in and be at home! You mentioned “trays your dad made”…curious as to where they are in your kitchen. Im sure my feeble eyes overlooked them. Please continue sharing your lovely home and decorating. Timeless. ideas
Author
Thank you! They are the aluminum trays over the stove and on the open shelves. He made those in high school, and I believe that other shop classes across the country made that same type as well because I saw a pink one on eBay. He also made blue ones.