The kitchen was what clinched the deal for Don. Not that it has a lot of bells and whistles. Not that it is full of stainless steel appliances and cupboards galore and granite or butcher block countertops. Nope. It has too few cupboards and mismatched appliances. It has tile countertops that I’d love to replace.
But because it was added on to this little cottage many, many years ago, it has a slanted ceiling that is much higher than the ceiling in the living room. It slopes down from the wall it shares with the living room to the wall that faces the back forty. Since Don does a lot of the cooking and he’s over 6′4″ tall, he fell in love with the space. And we both fell for the windows that are on all three sides of the room.
I’ll try to note things you might want to know below each photo, because there are a lot of photos.
The view from the living room. The island was made from an old sideboard. McCoy Pottery is scattered throughout the room. That’s Scout’s dog food under the island. The lampshade was recovered in some of the fabric from my stash. The Vernor’s crate is one of my very favorite things.
As Is. A well organized message center? Decidedly not. Photos of family on the refrigerator.
The table was originally finished in a very dark stain, so I painted it. I got it from my friend Heidi’s shop for $75. It has two leaves, as well, though I think we’ve only used them once. The chairs have been gathered here and there. The one with its back to the camera was found for $5. It’s vintage and was made by Thonet.
Pretty cups. Bottle rack from World Market. The little tray was decoupaged by my friend Tina. She also gave us that beautiful aqua pitcher.
Riley’s Dish Garden, in honor of our dearly missed boy.
The pantry. I bought that canister (part of a set) when we were driving across the country on the way to our new home in the Northeast. The horseshoe is Don’s.
The kitchen cabinet was found in a little shop on the other side of the river – we had a very, very, very small kitchen in our rental and we desperately needed the storage space. I changed out the stainless steel knobs to some pretty glass pulls. It’s full of McCoy, Fiesta, vintage china, Emma Bridgewater, transferware. I made the light hanging over the table from an old lamp shade base which I covered with old doilies. The red cloth-covered cord came as part of a kit. I also made the chalkboard and the hanger for Don’s Jumping Jack collection. You’re welcome to pull on one as you come in or out the door.
Fiesta and McCoy.
The sign is one of my favorite things – made by Paula of Castle and Cottage Signs. Isn’t it lovely? More McCoy, as well.
I found this sign, which is not vintage, through my friend Heidi. I loved the colors and it was the perfect size to hang over the entrance to the living room.
The funky paper towel holder made from an old chain display rack.
The bench by the kitchen door. We bought it right after we moved in here. We store a lot of tools inside the bench. Dog towels; both on and under the bench. In the winter, hats and gloves.
And the view from the kitchen into the living room and den:
There you have it. As Is. The way we live. There’s always clutter on the kitchen table, notes and lists on the island, pottery everywhere (I don’t know what I’d do without it.)
Cheerful clutter, I call it. A sleek kitchen is clearly not for us. I admire them. I marvel at the space and the counters free of clutter. I dream of matching appliances and butcher block countertops. And a dishwasher that works.
But cheerful, funky, and colorful is really our style. The pottery has been gathered and collected over the years. The table and chairs pieced together over the last almost ten years. The chalkboard was made from part of the trim that originally came on the sideboard (which I found at auction for $60). The lamp was a solution to a kitchen with recessed lighting, which I like, but let’s face it, there are times when some mood lighting is in order. We came up with the paper towel holder not long after we moved here and bid on the chain display at a local auction. We brought it home and soon I had a vision of dowels and paper towels. (Hey, that rhymes.) It’s one of our favorite things. The island was something I dreamed up to give us more storage and counter space. We can’t imagine life in the kitchen without it.
If you’re interested, there are more photos of the island and the chalkboard and the hanging light and information as to how I made them elsewhere on the blog.
Any questions? Ask away in the comments!
Happy Wednesday.
I seriously fall more in love with your cottage the more I see of it! I know there are challenges to living in a small space, but what you and Don have created there…the coziness and love…..well, it just jumps out at you from the screen! There is nothing more beautiful than that!
Thank you so much, Kathy!
Just love the way your home is. So comfy and welcoming. It says come on in and have some coffee and maybe a piece of pie and stay for a bit. Real life, not picture perfect!
hugs
We just had some pie last night, Nancy!
We got an island for the first time when we moved to our current house. I love it and find it extremely useful. Couldn’t do without it. Your kitchen is very nice. I love the colourful cups alongside the beautiful aqua jug.
An island makes a huge difference, especially if you don’t have much counter space to begin with, Gillian.
How do you keep your wood floors so shiny? I’m always jealous when I see homes with shiny wood floors. We have wood and laminate. I used to polish them, but I wash them (or damp mop) every day as I am allergic to dust and I DO have a husband and dog who track dirt and dust in — well, the husband does….I’ve trained the dog!!
P.
I really don’t do anything to them. They always look sort of dull to me! But I suppose it has to do with whatever they were coated with – before we bought the house. They used to be prettier, but dogs and dog nails have messed with them.
Oh my Claudia, I love everything in your kitchen, the island, the MBHC sign over the sink, the red window shades over the sink, the bottle rack repurposed to hold cups, and all those beautiful vases and dishes. The colors are just gorgeous. Today is a big day for us, our 41st anniversary. As a child of divorce and all that entails I feel so blessed to have this wonderful husband who has loved me and been my biggest supporter and source of inspiration for all these years. Got to get busy and get a great dinner cooked for our celebration this evening.
Happy Anniversary, Janie! That is a wonderful accomplishment, my friend. You should be very proud, indeed. Have a wonderful celebration tonight. xo
I loved, loved, loved this. What fun it is to peek into your cottage and hear all the stories about your favorite things, the things that make this home. Thanks for sharing photos of your delightful kitchen with us.
You are very welcome, Sally! It’s something I do about once a year.
I never tire of seeing your cottage and so enjoy how personal so many of the furnishings etc. you use actually tell a story or have special meaning or connection. That is the very essence of what makes a house a home!
What I am envious of though, is the light. Oh for the flow of so much natural light! My home sits on the near acre lot in such a way, and a huge front porch overhang-we get maybe an hour of good light a day in the dining room and bedroom directly above. Something I never considered when looking at homes 19 years ago.
Was just telling hubs yesterday while we were out and about how sad it is to see so many homes, whether they be cottages, center colonials or mc-mansions even, all with their blinds and drapes shut tight. Always shut tight, even when home on weekends during daylight hours. Only in the bedroom after dark do I pull the blinds.
Don’t these people know my need to feast upon their interiors and design ideas etc., especially at night when it would be so easy to do so?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
I don’t understand that either! I was just commenting on a local house the other day that has the curtains closed all day, every day….I need light!
Fun to see your kitchen again! Love the light. It truly is our “stuff” which transforms our house into our home. And whhen those things have their own stories, it helps complete ours, also.
Thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome, Chris!
I just love your home. It is so bright and cheery with all the colors and sunshine! A lot better then all the fancy, sterile ones I see on-line. Fine for some people, but not for my lifestyle. Give me comfort any day.
I feel the same way, Teresa!
I always enjoy seeing your kitchen. It’s warm and so ‘REAL’ and that makes me feel better about my small home and crowded kitchen (although I do hope to make it function a bit better soon). The view from the kitchen through the living room and into the den lets me see the layout of your home and get the flow a bit better. I love how all your pottery is spread throughout your home.
hugs,
Linda
It’s everywhere, Linda. Upstairs, too. I guess it’s my thing and since I love it so, I try to find a home for it in every room.
Love the MHC sign..Saw that right away..really cool! Your cottage is so warm and welcoming..Love the pottery !!
Thank you, Missy. I love that sign too. I remember waiting for its arrival in the mail and it finally arrived on my birthday. Perfect present.
I always enjoy seeing your home Claudia. A happy, loved lived in home. So many homes on blogs are picture perfect. Do people really live there? I spied a glimpse of Meredith’s boys on your refrigerator, which, by the way, looks much like mine. Family pictures scattered about. You have a HOME, which is much better than a house.
Blessings,
Betsy
I love those boys, Betsy. The two older ones are such adults now – how time flies! And little Z is a magical, wonderful angel. There are other nieces and nephews on the fridge. And great nieces and nephews!
I cooked once in a kitchen with tile counter tops, and I could see the drawbacks…all that grout. I totally understand your desire for butcher block counters…and with all that light…they would look wonderful! That’s what’s so great about your kitchen….those windows! All the better to see your pottery! But, you know what I really find charming about your kitchen, is your hardware…it fits the cottage! Enjoy your day! ;)
The grout never looks clean, partly because it’s a darker color to begin with. It makes me nuts! Someday I’ll get those butcher block counters!
I love it! It is so charming and inviting. I know you don’t usually share many recipes, but I do know that you are a vegetarian. I was curious about some of your favorite meatless recipes.
You know, Don does most of the cooking and he usually just throws thing together depending on what’s on hand. He’s really good at that!
Oh, Claudia, I do envy you all those windows. My kitchen has only 1 north-facing window! I do love your kitchen. Made me feel right at home, especially with all the pictures on the refrigerator. My refrigerator is covered with grandkids’ pictures and “artwork.” You have a happy home and it reflects your personalities. I love all the pottery, the signs, everything! Just perfect! Thanks for sharing.
The windows do have one drawback, Dottie. There’s less usable space. But it’s a tradeoff and we love the light.
I love your kitchen, esp all your crockery, I am a real crockery fiend too, and collect vintage, retro, and Emma Bridgewater. My kitchen could never be called sleek either! It is full of stuff, and always cluttered, the real heart of the home. When the light improves for photographs, in the springtime I may take inspiration from you and do a post on my kitchen! X
Don’t you just love Emma Bridgewater? I want one of those Cheese platters a whole lot! I’ve been looking at them and coveting them for years! Go ahead, do a post on your kitchen!
Hi Claudia,
First I wanna just say that I love your kitchen, well your whole house is very cool too. I’ve been visiting and enjoying it for several years now. The first post I remember was about the island I loved it then and love it still today! It makes me smile as I remember my mom’s. When I try, I can can still smell the interior of it. Ahhh memories. Thank you for welcoming us into your home!
You are very welcome. And thank you for following along with this blog for so many years, Kelly!
So pretty!
I’m happy to see I’m not the only one who uses the fridge as an impromptu bulletin board.
Slightly out of character for me, given that I’m sooo not a clutterbug. Whenever we travel, I try to buy a fridge magnet as a reminder of our trip. Much more fun to look at than the ones from my dentist and power company.
Thank you for posting “happy” photos – I am bit blue as today marks the third anniversary of my father’s passing and strangely only now has it really impacted.
I understand. I think I’m just now realizing that my mom is gone. Thinking of you and sending you happy thoughts, Barbara.
You’re the best!
I just love your cottage and never tire of seeing pictures! Isn’t it great to have things around you that you love and that provide such great memories? Your house seems to be such a perfect reflection of you, Don and Scout. Warm, artistic, and loving! Thanks again for sharing!
It is great having those things around, Melanie. It’s enormously comforting!
People can say all they want about the wonders of a sleek/granite/stainless kitchen, and they are very, very nice! But given the choice, hands down, I’ll choose an old mismatched kitchen every.single.time!
Me too, Debbie – Me too!
Your home has to be the sweetest, warmest and most welcoming home ever! I just love all of your touches, and even though treasures were collected from here and there over a long period of time, it all just goes together so well and creates the perfect ambiance for your sweet cottage. Yours is the third blog post I read today which mentions dog towels – had to laugh because I recently placed a basket by the back door filled with dog towels too – glad to also see others decorate around the needs of their pets.
Dog towels = daily necessity! They may not be attractive, but they are an essential part of a dog owner’s life!
I love all the color going on :) so much to look at and admire. My house is a mess right now, Im washing slipcovers changing out pillows adding new curtains and changing the color theme now that Christmas is over. I love the look of a lived in home.
Just cleaned the bathroom here, Dawn – a job I hate doing! Soon I’m going to venture upstairs to my closet (the one with all the craft stuff) and purge!
I am so enjoying the cottage tour and look forward to the blog post . You’ve truly been successful in turning a house into a home, full of well-loved and used treasures. I’m getting inspired to do some serious editing in my house. I just have to find the time.
I have more purging and editing to do on the second floor. And in the closets!
Your home has such warmth and personality – I love it!
Thank you, Susan!
Thank you for sharing all the little corners of your kitchen. I really like your spaces. I am taken with you color scheme and the amount of light and warmth. Are the walls a creamy white rather than bright white? Your sideboard as a kitchen island is an inspiration!
Yes, the walls are a creamy white. That’s the way they were when we moved in and I suspect when I get around to painting them – and they REALLY need it – I’ll match that color.
Fun, fun, fun – love it all. You and Don have such a cozy, yet funky, place.
Cozy and funky….that’s us! Thanks, Vera.
I love your kitchen! My appliances don’t match either and I don’t have granite, butcher block, or even tile– just a faux marble counter Formica.
I like the color palette in your kitchen — and the vintage character of the whole room! The buffet turned center island is a nice touch!
I refer to my kitchen as “unfit” like the European styled or farmhouse styled kitchens. Your buffet reminds me of that too!
I enjoy the tour of your home and enjoy seeing it each season!
I have never seen a thing in your home that did not make me smile or that I would dislike Claudia..I swear it is the homiest home I have ever seen..we really do have such similar tastes in things that we love..
your house is lovely. Like this style.
Claudia, your home reminds me of a beautiful, colourful garden. Always something for the eye to feast upon and surprises around every corner. It’s interesting and inviting, a haven, the essence of you, Don and Miss Scout. Why anyone would choose the opposite – cold, impersonal perfection – I have no idea. I especially love the kitchen. The mis-matching gives it character. Love it!!!!!!!
I love your home, Claudia because that is exactly what it is. A place to live and love. xo Laura
I would just be repeating all the other comments above, but I too adore it. Always have but so nice to see it all together in one post. I would rather see a woman’s kitchen than any other room in the house, it speaks volumes and this one speaks a whole lot about you!
It does make me more determined than ever to paint mine white!
Beautiful, perfect-looking houses with top-of-the-line everything have their place because they’re pleasant to look at, but give me a comfortable house with personality any day. A home where you can walk in and feel at ease and like you could curl up on a sofa (even better if it has some cat or dog hair on it) with a book, or walk around looking at interesting collections, or sitting in the kitchen with a cup of coffee or tea while petting a dog or cat that walks by – now that’s my kind of house. Lived in, cozy, comfortable. My kitchen is straight out of the 80’s with oak cabinets and laminate butcher block counter tops…my fridge and range are white, but the range hood is cream (original of the house) and the dishwasher is cream, too – an old one that was passed down from a friend when ours broke. I didn’t care what color it was – it was free! But, you know what? I make the best meals in my outdated kitchen. And the table where we gather ’round is where we share our meals and talk and laugh and play games and pay bills and long ago, helped our kids with homework. Speaking of meals, what kind of vegetarian dishes does Don make? Is he vegetarian, too or does he make meat dishes for himself? As you know, I eat mostly vegetarian dishes…in the winter, I rely on a lot of soups, some bean dishes, and a lot of veggies. I am making a Bean Posole dish on Friday night and then a macaroni and cheese dish with a lot of roasted veggies in it this weekend.
Your home is my kind of home … So welcoming and relaxing. Thank you for sharing – I never get tired of seeing it. Funny thing – whenever I see a jumping jack, a doily, an aqua piece of pottery – I always think of Claudia. You are like a dear friend – that I’ve never met! Your writing does have an impact on us. You are so talented and have quite the gift. Keep up the good work!
I love your home! It is perfectly imperfect! Today with all the blogs featuring perfectly decorated homes, it so easy to feel like you are failing which leads to a feeling of being inadequate. So many of us do not have the budget many of these bloggers have. They receive perts from companies for using their products and mentioning them in there blogs. I have no problem with this but I and many others don’t have this. Those perfect blogs, though I love to look at the beautiful pictures, makes me have “the wants” when in my heart I know I can afford or live in such a way. I look forward everyday to your blogs post because you remind me what a true loving home is all about. I have realized that my life is filled with too much clutter and so now I am de cluttering and living with the things that I truly love in a minimalist way. Thank you for the being you and helping me love me.
Just noticed your beautiful floors peaking out from under furniture and rugs. Lovely …
“Cheerful clutter” as you put it dear friend, makes a house a home! Your kitchen is fabulous – so much more cozy and comfy looking than a sleek , modern, hard surface version where one would be scared to mess things up with cooking splatters and spills.
The’ heart of the home’ definitely beats here!
Love it all and thank you for sharing such great pics.
Mary X