Welcome to my kitchen. It’s small and cozy like the rest of my house. If you’ve followed Openhouse, I’ve posted a few posts from my kitchen. It hasn’t changed much since we remodeled it a few years ago, but I do like to add in seasonal touches during the year. Anything seems to go with black and white…hot pink for Valentines, pastels for Easter, red for 4th of July and Christmas, Orange for Halloween and Thanksgiving. It’s a high contrast backdrop for accents of color. I’ve enjoyed it’s versatility and strong statement.
(click on photos to enlarge)
This year, on the breakfast bar, I’ve used a square check tablecloth and folded it diagonally for an informal Christmas breakfast background. On top of that, for color, just some paper Christmas toile napkins, opened up for a placemat. Matching paper napkins are shaken open and stuffed through the handles of the red mugs that hold, cones of hot chocolate mix. Three dishes are stacked for color and pattern. A red one, a small checked border plate, and a bigger check plate. On top of that is a lotus cereal bowl with egg in a low candle holder. Lots of layers, so layer away, the more the merrier (let hubby do all those dishes).
I like candles and a big bowl of red apples, it presents a casual and fun atmosphere for a festive holiday breakfast (usually I make frosted orange and cinnamon rolls topped with fresh raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and some fresh mint for flavor and color, more like dessert than breakfast…gimmie a break, It’s only once a year)!
The chair back covers here, and the ones on my kitchen chairs above, are made out of fabric placemats. To make the chairback covers, open up the bottom seam with a seam ripper. Sew, glue or fuse the raw edge open. Then slip them on over the chair back (check placemat size to fit chair backs. Placemats are usually 18″ wide). They look really cute with kids Christmas placemats as well (see pictures).
There are a few other Holiday touches in the kitchen… topiaries in painted stripe clay pots. An ornament trivet hanging from an iron scroll, and other red accents to add some Christmas cheer (I’m cheerful enough for one year, thank you).
The kitchen is the heart of the home. No matter what holiday you celebrate, it’s a warm and wonderful gathering place for family and friends. It’s great to enjoy all the beautiful and fun decorations we add to our homes, but the most important decorations in the house, are the twinkle in the eyes and smiles on the faces of the people we care about ( yes, I’m an old softie).
Enjoy making your home a beautiful place to make happy Holiday memories for all you love!
Any cute kitchen ideas??? Love to hear!
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1. You have such a talent for color and pattern coordination,,, and you home looks so happy and welcoming..Wish that I had you talent…I love color and pattern,,, and am having a hard time pulling together my living room….You make me want to have a happy colorful home too. Thank you..
by Darlene — 12/18/08 at 12:34 am #
2. Hi Cathy
I love your ideas and photos, do you have a blog of your own?
by Kathy — 12/18/08 at 8:08 am #
3. I love your kitchen! And the chair covers are a great and easy idea! Thanks for sharing
by Jahma — 12/18/08 at 11:42 am #
4. Hello everyone
i “am looking for simply slip covers for my sofas…is a love seat and a sofa ….any one has an ideia??
by gina — 12/18/08 at 2:46 pm #
5. Hello Darlene,
Thank you so much for your nice comment and taking time to write.
I’ve always liked decorating with color. It’s something you’re either drawn to or not. It does seem to make you happy to see how colors and patterns relate to each other. Keep working on your living room. Step out of your comfort zone a little and try a few unexpected things, you might be surprised what will work and enhance the room.
Thanks again for stopping by. Write back soon.
by Cathy — 12/18/08 at 7:03 pm #
6. Hello Kathy,
Thank you so much. It’s always nice to hear someone likes your work.
No, I don’t have a blog of my own, probably because I don’t have the time to get one up and running. Maybe some day, but I’m enjoying writing for HomeGoods and working in my design field. So,not sure how I would fit it all in, but it would be fun some time. I’ll give it some thought.
Thanks for commenting. We love to hear from you.
by Cathy — 12/18/08 at 7:14 pm #
7. You’re welcome Jahma,
Glad you like my little kitchen. It’s small but functional. I wished I had more cupboard space though. Never seems to be enough. Maybe I should get rid of a few things…like the pots and pans, then I’d have a good excuse not to cook!
The chair covers are kinda fun and not hard to make. Adds another layer to the table presentation. I did find these cute placemats at HomeGoods. They had a lot of really cute ones if you want to try them.
Have a great Holiday and join us again.
by Cathy — 12/18/08 at 7:22 pm #
8. Hi Gina,
Thanks for submitting a comment to Openhouse, the new HomeGoods blog.
We understand that you have been trying to locate slip covers. As an off price retailer, we make every effort to keep our prices low, and our costs down, so that we can pass these savings on to our customers. For this reason, we do not provide a service of tracking merchandise, In addition, we do not have the privilege of ordering specific merchandise from our vendors. To locate the slip covers, we suggest that you continue to check with the stores in your area directly. We would be happy to provide you with store locations in your area. If you would like a store list, please call our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-888-0776.
Thank you,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 12/19/08 at 11:57 am #
9. Hi Gina,
You are looking for slipcovers for your sofas?
I’m not sure HomeGoods has them, but you could try. Also have you tried Penneys, Bed,Bath, and Beyond, even go online and google “ready-made slipcovers”. Or, you can always have the custom made or make them yourself. Maybe others will write in and give you more ideas.
Good luck in your search.
by Cathy — 12/19/08 at 12:21 pm #
10. Cathy,
As always, your place looks beautiful! Such great ideas and they make great suggestions for Christmas gifts as well. One merely has to use their imagination as you have used yours. Great job!!!
Betty
by Betty — 12/19/08 at 12:41 pm #
11. Hi Cathy,
I forgot to wish you a Merry Christmas! And, I must add, “Celebrate everyday as if it is Christmas.” Remember, we know not what tomorrow brings!
Betty
by Betty — 12/19/08 at 12:49 pm #
12. Thank you dear Betty,
So good to hear from you! I’m just about ready for Christmas…I think.
.
I hope you’re enjoying Christmas with your family.
I was just thinking about the pretty picture you posted last year of your door, wreath and all the pretty snow falling. It looked like a Christmas card. I’ll go back and visit you via the net.
We miss you and all of your great inspiration.
Merry Christmas and all good things in the New Year.
Cathy
by Cathy — 12/20/08 at 12:31 pm #
13. Hi Cathy,
How happy I was to find this site, which includes the photos of your beautiful kitchen and dining area. I’ve been searching and searching for photos of a decorating style that includes all of the elements that I seem to gravitate towards (black & white with gold walls and red accents), but until now, hadn’t found anything that appealed to me the way that your home does.
I’d love to decorate other rooms of my home using this same style, and wondered what suggestions you might have, particularly for a living room. I realize it may be hard to narrow it down, but wondered how you would categorize your style (have you given it a name???) I’m asking because I thought it might help when looking for other ideas.
Thanks for sharing your home and your decorating tips.
LaRee
by LaRee — 1/4/09 at 5:16 pm #
14. Hello LaRee,
I’m happy you found us too and thank you for your nice comments. I’m glad you like my decorating style…or lack of. I’m not sure what style you’d call it. Maybe “collected cottage clutter” or “colorful cottage on a budget”.
Most of my things were picked up over time or given to me. So I think that might be the charm (if it has some) that makes this style fun and unplanned. It’s a mix of collected pieces and tied together with color and pattern.
In my living room, I’ve angled my furniture for a little more interest in the almost square small room. Also most of my furniture has been slipcovered, so I change things up every few years. I think color and pattern play a big role in the design. I mix checks, big florals(rug), smaller floral (pillows), bright solids, and contrast them off the white cottage paneled walls. With a lot of “energy” in the furnishings, the background needed to be calm. Add some colorful art on the walls (mine were just calendar prints) or a big mirror. I like my lamps to be more on the contemporary side. So I guess, don’t be afraid to mix it up, add color, contrast and a bit of whimsy and it will become your style.
I hope this gave you a few ideas to get started. It’s great to be inspired by others, I am all the time. Good luck and let me know how it all comes out.
by Cathy — 1/5/09 at 1:34 pm #
15. Hi, Cathy,
I haven’t been around in a couple of months because of my husband’s illness (he’s better!). So, I had a lot to review when I visted this site for the first time in a while. I truly enjoyed looking at your Christmas decorations and seeing the changes from last year. I noticed that one of the walls in your kitchen is yellow. I don’t remember seeing this before. Did you paint that wall recently? Also wanted to mention that I saw some black and white-checked plates like yours at TJ Maxx recently. I had to purchase a few because I knew they’d look good with my red, white and black color scheme. I know that spring is a couple of months away, but just wondered if you will be changing your decor for the warmer months ahead, or do you basically keep the same decor for all seasons. Again, I missed being here, but I enjoyed “catching up” on all the posts. ~ Janice
by Janice — 1/8/09 at 10:39 am #
16. Hi There Janice,
So good to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your husband’s illness. I’m glad he’s doing better. Yes, that wall has always been a golden beige color. It photographed more yellow I think. I’m glad you found some black and white checked plates. They are really fun and so versatile. They will look great with your colors. I haven’t thought too much about spring decorating yet. I ‘ll do a few minor changes but nothing major this year…I don’t think, unless I get a brainstorm on something I just can’t live without. I’m sure you can relate.
I’m glad you’re back enjoying the site and hope to chat again soon.
Take care!
by Cathy — 1/8/09 at 10:37 pm #
17. Thanks, Cathy. Yes, dear hubby is much better, and the health scare made me appreciate him much more. When things are going well, we don’t think of how fortunare we are. I mentioned the black and white checked plates I found. At the same store, I also saw some beautiful square black and white damask plates. In fact, I think they are very similar to some that you have. But, they also had some plain white plates (square) with a black decorative border, similar to Greek key but a little bolder. These plates had a lot more white showing than the damask ones. That is, the damask plates were pretty but had a busy pattern. Also, the white part of the damask plates were more of an “off white” than the other set. The other set was stark white with the Greek Key border. I was undecided which set to get, so I didn’t get anything. But, this has been bugging me terribly and I know I will return and purchase one of the sets. Which would you have gotten — the busier damask pattern or the plates with the black Greek key type border? As you know, my kitchen is almost the same as yours — backsplash, wall color, baker’s rack, etc. Anyway, could you tell me which you would purchase — and why. Thanks.
by Janice — 1/12/09 at 1:48 pm #
18. Hi Janice,
I’m glad you are all doing well.
Sounds like you have a plate dilemma. Hmmmm, I can’t tell you which plates to purchase. You have to decide which ones will best suit your needs and how you want to use them. One way to solve it, is to get BOTH! LOL. The plain ones with the border might give you more options with other patterns, but the damask plates have drama. So I guess I’m not much help. You can use your check plates with both patterns, so you’re good there. I think I like the whiter background of the plain ones, better than an off white of the damask, especially if your other plates are white.
But it’s your choice!
Let me know what you do. You’ll like either one!
by Cathy — 1/12/09 at 11:25 pm #
19. I’m glad you said that you like the whiter background of the plain ones. That’s what I am leaning toward. In addition, I just remembered that my collection of pitchers and tea pots on top of my cabinets are stark white (against a red wall). So, the “whiter” dishes with the Greek Key design are the best choice, don’t you think? I always hate when there are options. I can never decide which I like best! The store also had another nice set of dishes in a black and white pattern, similar to toile. I think it had chickens in the print. They were round, however, and looked French Country. I also considered those because my kitchen has a French feel — but more of a bistro feel. Knowing all this, does this change your opinion about which dishes are the best choice? And while I’m here, Cathy, don’t you think my big white bowl filled with apples would be a nice centerpiece?
by Janice — 1/13/09 at 10:41 am #
20. Hi Janice,
You know, I love to mix lots of solids, patterns and geometrics. As long as one element carries through to the mix, like color, then it should all look good together. You could mix any of those patterns and it would look great. I could see the solid white plates, with Greek key on the bottom, then the black and white check, smaller plates in the middle, then the chicken toile salad or soup dishes on top…then add your nice big white bowl of red apples for a centerpiece. How devine!
Don’t ask me to pick…I like them all!! If you can buy pieces seperately, buy them to make a nice mix…then you don’t have to choose.
by Cathy — 1/13/09 at 12:43 pm #
21. Great idea, Cathy. I’m getting more dishes!! While on the subject of dishes, do you have a lot of sets? That is, sets of dishes that you change out for the seasons, etc. I have several boxes packed away because I changed color schemes, but can’t bear to part with them. Or, do you basically, keep one or two sets and interchange them. Just wondering.
by Janice — 1/16/09 at 5:16 pm #
22. Hi Janice,
I have a few nice sets of dishes from family and a china set from my wedding. Some of them are packed away because I don’t have room to store them in my cupboards. So as a result I don’t use them, but would like to. So I may have to find or make some space somewhere to have them available to use. I always advocate, use the things you have. Don’t “save” them for a special occasion. Nothing is more special than the here and now. I also have lots of bits and pieces of fun and accent dishes, 4-8 pieces, that I can mix and match. I love that you can buy just a few pieces to jazz up your old stuff. I do that a lot.
So, it sounds like we do the same thing. Sometimes you can’t help yourself when you see all that beautiful dishware. Luckily, I shop at HomeGoods for the best buys and such cute dishware.
Happy dish hunting. Let me know what you find.
by Cathy — 1/20/09 at 10:48 pm #
23. Any ideas for covering a wing-back recliner (female chair) with the
curved wooden legs. It looks like the “Queen Anne” style chair. Is there a
slipcover available or would I have to upholster.
by Connie — 7/19/09 at 5:58 pm #
24. Hello Connie,
Thanks for your question. Yes, there are slipcovers to slip over your QA style chair. The ones I found were for stationary (non-motion) chairs. There may be some for recliners if you search the web a bit. Google…”slipcovers for reclining wing chairs”. With the stationary slips, You may be able to taylor the front of the slip to open up to allow the footrest to lift if you can’t find others. I saw a few different styles if you go to “Overstock.com, Surefit Normandy Damask Wing Chair Slipcover”.
If none of those work for you, then it will have to be professionally upholstered.
Good luck with your search and I hope you can find a great slipcover.
by Cathy — 7/21/09 at 12:42 pm #