Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I have been on a decorating frenzie since early December. I can’t stop myself. I wonder if there’s some kind of 12 step program. “Hello, my name is Miss Mustard Seed and I can’t stop decorating.” I love this stuff anyway, but there’s something motivating and inspiring about knowing I’m going to share it on a blog. Anyway, my kitchen is my latest victim…um, project. I did not wake up this morning with that plan, but I decided it was time to wage war on my counters. Since starting Mustard Seed Creations over a year ago, my counters have suffered from the projects, paper work, and electronics that I haul out of my office. I was also growing tired of the accessory arrangements, so this is what the frenzie produced.
I collected my utencils, olive oil bottle, salt crock, and some other things onto a larger silver tray that I pulled out of my grandparent’s attic.
Grouping them together on a tray makes it looks less cluttered to the eye. I love how the wood, metal, and blue and white ceramic play off each other.
I hung some small blue and white plates above my flour and sugar jars for some color. I’m going to make some cuter labels for these. I’m still deciding exactly what kind…
The counter between my sink and stove is where I do most of my prep work. I kept it simple with a row of antique canisters, a scale, and a tole tray in lieu of a backsplash.
I even shined up my kettle. (I told you this was a frenzie!)
I like to store my herbs on the counter like a bouquet of flowers. My bunch of flat leaf parsley is tucked into an antique ironstone US Army Medical pitcher. I’m not sure why, but I really love this piece.
I tucked my nest and some hallow eggs in a blue and white bowl on the scale.
I brought a cheese plate out of one of the cabinets and put it on a stand next to my knife block and concrete chicken.
I had some tole trays hanging at the end of the kitchen, but I always thought they were too large. I replaced them with my $2.97 Goodwill chalkboard and a blue and white plate.
The kitchen table and chairs belonged to my husband’s great-great grandparents. I never thought I could put a table and chairs in this kitchen, but this fits perectly. It looks a little “blah”. now, but it’s very functional. A new floor, painting the cabinets and replacing the counters are all on my wish list. A smaller project is to paint the side of the pantry in a chalkboard paint. That alone will help the table *pop* a bit more.
A tarnished silver sugar bowl keeps brushes on hand by the sink.
Counter clutter has been a big problem lately, so I consolidated my two “baking drawers” into one and used the extra drawer for things that might otherwise sit on the counter. It now houses my calendar, small stuff I’m working on, action paper work, etc. I made it very clear to myself that this was not a junk drawer. I just hope I was listening to myself…
As I said earlier, I have big plans for this kitchen some day, but until then, I need to make peace with my green counter tops and linoleum floors. Keeping the accessories fresh helps me get through it.
* Remember that you can enter your link in our Furniture Feature Friday party until midnight tonight. Just scroll down to the post below.
36 Responses
Oh I LOVE all of the beautiful new vignettes you have created. Everything is just gorgeous. Doesn't it feel good to change things up a bit. Your kitchen looks just beautiful. Hugs, Marty
Does't it feel great to "organize"…I just can't figure out how everything slowly gets "unorganized"!! Your drawers look so empty and neat…It has inspired me to clean out my junk drawer today!
It looks fabulous… I am in love with your glass flour and sugar jars… I love that look… great job…
Hugs Deb
I love coming to peace with what we've been given. It makes all the difference…and inspires us to find (and make) beauty.
I love how organized it all looks. Very nice!
Nancy
It's always a fresh look when you rearrange a few things. I always "shop" my house before I look to buy something; move things from one room to another. I love the plates you put above your glass canisters ~ it does add some nice color there. Love your chalkboard, too.
Everything looks beautiful!! I am organizing at my house too. That is my new year's resolution. Organization!!! I especially love your saying…When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. I added that to my journal that I keep with verses/sayings. Have a great day! Love & blessings from NC!
Love that scale, love that tarnished silver, loooooooove organized drawers!
Thanks for having the link up party!
This post was so much fun to read. I love how unique and true to yourself you are. I just want to sit at your kitchen table with a cup of coffee and chat…know what I mean? That's the kind of beautiful kitchen you've created.
Great job!
That's a fabulous idea for the counter clutter… it is a constant problem for me as well! But do I see a pained switch plate in there? What?!?! 🙂
Girl you just crack me up!!! I know what you're saying about the decorating bug. I think I have caught it too! It's hard not to around here. I love your kitchen and that you are learning to work around what you have. I think that say's a lot about you and enjoying what you "do have" and not letting what you dont have get into your way. You go girl!
You did great! You definetely have the golden touch. And enjoy your decorating spree while it lasts, I am still looking for mine.
Your kitchen looks beautiful without looking cluttered. I love your white ironstone pitcher too!
Courtney,
No painted swtich plates in my house! It must be the lighting. 🙂
Oh my. You ARE unstoppable. And since we are benefitting, go for it! You sure have some great accessories to play with.
Is painting switch plates ok if you remove the plate first, paint it, then replace so it blends into the wall? (GUILTY!) 🙂
Love your staging.
Donna
I have been re-arranging things in my kitchen this a.m. too!! You have some many fun accessories to play with.
You did such a great job with your vignettes you have around your kitchen. Everything works so well together. Sometimes I feel like when I try to arrange things together it looks so forced. Could you do a post on making vignettes sometime? If you already have can you point me to it? 🙂
I especially love the scale with the blue and white bowl on top with the nest inside. And I also like your chalkboard and the verse you have written on it.
Great job!
p.s. you could use chalkboard paint and paint a small rectangle on the front of your jars and then write " flour" {or whatever is in your jars} in chalk.
So much atmosphere!
Everything looks great. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to do something to my kitchen. I am just not sure quite yet. I like you need to unclutter my counter tops!
Oh you go your crazy woman on a mission. Don't you love it when something grabs ahold of you and drags you along for the ride? That is what we call decorating ladies.
Love the kitchen..
tammy
OMG! I'm always amazing when people can arrange new and old, different pieces together. Great job!
Aren't plates just the greatest? You can stick them so many places on an easel and they bring corner's you'd otherwise never notice, to life!
It looks great and I must say that we have very similar tastes, you and I. Now to hang the rest of my things in my newly painted kitchen!
since we are benefitting, go for it! You sure have some great accessories to play with.
Work from home India
What a great job you've done! Keep going….and maybe someday I will get off my bum and do the same! smiles.
I love to clean and organize. Your baking center looks so nice. It made me smile. I love to have everything in place. It just makes me feel better. I think everything looks really nice and my favorite thing is the black floral tray.
You are on a roll – even the drawers! I love how you hope you heard "it is not a junk drawer"! I wish I had heard that myself!!
Chelsea
All your touches look beautiful. Looks like everything is so well organized, cooking must be easy!
~Michelle
Love your new decorating! And I'm pretty sure we are counter-top-twins! Gotta love that green! 😀
Your kitchen is looking so lovely.
I think the tray holding all your utensils is one of the neatest things ever!!
Everything looks so organized. Now, I'm gonna have to go and get started on mine!
Oh I love love LOVE it all! First of all, I once said, "Hi, my name is Cindy and I am a spray paint-aholic". Enjoy it.
I ADORE the army pitcher, it would be a favorite of mine too!
And goodness, the table of the granparents. AWESOME! I want it!
You are fantastic! Surely there is a 12 {or 25} step program!
Love these pictures!
Michelle
You have so many interesting things, and I love that tarnished sugar pot.
Rearranging is a good way to get a fresh look. It also feels good to have some organization.
ahhh…it all looks just wonderful. I know how good it feels to change things up a bit. And, you KNOW I am lovin' your blue and white canisters!! I have one in my post today…:O)
Ahhh…love it all. Love using old things, all mix and match non sense into LOVELY!!!! Did I say love enogh? Keeps me coming back!
Your new pal,
Molly