Friday, July 10, 2009

More pictures of working with what I have...

I thought I'd show a few pictures of the dining area again as well as a different view of the sewing table in the kitchen. I love having not only my own furniture from all these years of marriage but inherited furniture from both sets of parents.

Of course, the same "look" can be put together by attending auctions, garage sales, etc. I'm always surprised how inexpensive some people sell family heirlooms for because they don't like "old" stuff.


First... here is the other view of the sewing table (purchased many years ago at a garage sale for $5.00). That yellow vintage utility cart was very cheap at Goodwill because it was falling apart. It took just a couple minutes for my husband to repair it when I arrived home. As for the scratches on it... that is part of the vintage charm. :)

Below are pictures of my dining area in the early morning. In my former home, I had a separate formal dining room with doors leading to the kitchen and the formal living room. It was very nice to be able to set the table and get everything ready for a special family meal or a party and shut the doors. However, I'm happy with this little dining area.

I love lace curtains, doilies, and tablecloths. Long ago I read in a decorating article to think of a favorite restaurant and then what made it special. I immediately thought of the Queen's Inn when we lived in Holland, Michigan (back then it was open to the public almost every day).

Oh... the quaintness and charm of that place. What I decided to recreate about it was the look brought about by the Dutch lace on each window... thus, my small dining area brings to mind a favorite restaurant from the time Stephanie was a child. :)



I just love the ethereal look of the early morning sun shining through the lace.

There are lots of picture of our house from the past three years in the Favorites under "My Home".

13 comments:

Scrappy quilter said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I love lace curtains as well and that's what is in my living room. I plan on purchasing more, some for my sewing room, some for C's room. I love how you've done your home with little money. AWESOME!!

Lorna ~ Lace and Ivy Cottage said...

Hi Brenda,
I so believe that the sentimental objects in a house is what makes it a home. I am perpetually amazed at what people cast off as old junk, when there is so much value and beauty and practicality left in them. I love lace curtains also and I also keep my silver tea set front and center of my dining room window. It makes for a perfect vignette. Hope your having a wonderful day!

Jennie Shutt said...

I love the yellow vintage utility cart & yellow cabinet and the red just makes it all look so cheery & cozy looking.

Anonymous said...

Dee from Tennessee

Love your kitchen, love the red bookcase. Your home just looks so warm and pulled together. Our kitchen is so so so tiny..the microwave takes all the counterspace except for about12 inches. But our entire house is small/itty bitty except for two bedrooms which are nice. I agree that so many people just don't like the old stuff, and I know my niece will get rid of my "stuff" asap when I die because she doesn't care for things like that. But (and how much rambling can I do!), I've resolved to take pictures of the handful of sentimental things I have, email them to her, so that she will probably keep them and not sell them at a yard sale. (Ex: I have my grandmother's red-handled rolling pin, Nanny's two quilts, a yelloware pitcher from Nanny, etc.)

Cheri said...

Lovely.

Your style and philosophy is so similar to mine! We are blessed with several old family pieces. And the accompanying good memories.

Connie said...

You have a beautiful blog. I will be checking every day.

Sharon Goemaere said...

Brenda...My mom used to have an avocado green cart just like your yellow one in our house growing up!Boy does that bring back memories!Love~Sharon

Kimberly said...

That's funny to decorate like your favorite restaurant! Just last week I was out to dinner with a friend someplace new. I commented about how much I liked the rich, cherry wood and jewel tone colors. As I sat there I realized why--it's what we've done our home in! So, I felt at home, but with the added fun of not having to cook or do the dishes!

Abounding Treasures said...

Just beautiful :o)

"I just love the ethereal look of the early morning sun shining through the lace." ~ I quoted you since I couldn't have said it any better!

I love the vignette you've created with your tea set and some china cups and saucers and gorgeous flowers in front of the lace curtain.

The other thing I love is when a breeze gently blows lace curtains ~ I love the feel it gives me :o)

Blessings!

Sallie@aquietsimplelife said...

Brenda,

My mom had that same cart when I was growing up - in yellow!

Sadly, I think the Queen's Inn closed a few years ago. I tried to Google it just now and nothing came up. I'm pretty sure it is closed. :-(

Sallie

Anonymous said...

I think we have all been shopping at home more these days. I know I have redone several places too. I had a friend years ago who had a lovely home. I would go in and notice something new. Not new she would say...This picture is the one we used to have in the bedroom and the lamp was in the dining room etc. She had similiar colors throughout her home and just moved the pillows and pictures etc around once in a while for a fresh look. She was very smart! She also had two sets of kitchen curtains..one for summer and spring and one for fall and winter. Also two bed spreads. Most everything was used. Your home is so pretty and welcoming. Thankyou for showing us your new projects and inspiring us again! Jody

the Pleasures of Homemaking said...

So pretty Brenda! I love the look of lace curtains too (although I don't have any in this house LOL). At my last house I had a teeny tiny room all to myself and was able to do whatever I wanted with it and I hung a lace tablecloth in the one window.

Manuela

~~Deby said...

Oh I love this look...of the way you put things together..that is how I am too...and the sheer joy..when we can change things up a bit...love the pictures, Brenda...thank you..
deby
btw...do you have a link somewhere to your posts on the way that you JOURNAL ?????