I’m loving Instagram’s new “Story” feature, are you? It’s a fun way to share multiple photos and videos throughout a 24 hour period, so that they appear together in a slideshow format.
I’ve noticed that the folks that post Stories the most are also the people I connect with the most on Instagram because their faces are up at the top of my Instagram feed every time I log on.
(Not my hands or phone…just a giphy I found online.)
Their Stories are entertaining, informative and/or inspiring to watch, and it usually reminds me to check their feed to see if they’ve posted any new photos, too.
One friend that I love following along with over there is Traci, who blogs over at Beneath My Heart. Traci and I have been best buds for years, and I love that she’s always sharing great video Stories because it makes me feel like I get to “see” her every day. 🙂
The other day, she posted this photo in her Story, and invited followers to help her figure out what to do with this old window opening in her kitchen:
She said that they’re planning to completely renovate this kitchen in the future, so she doesn’t want to spend a ton of money doing anything permanent. She just wants to do something easy and pretty until they tear everything out in a couple/few years. She threw out a few ideas in her Story, and I couldn’t resist putting them together in Photoshop so she could see what they might look like. (Keep in mind, they *just* added the wood planks to the other side of the wall that you see there, and it’s a wall they don’t want a window on.)
Idea #1: Cover the opening with a chalkboard.
Idea #2: Cover the opening with a chalkboard and wreath.
Idea #3: Cover the opening with a mirror.
Idea #4: Cover the opening with shutters.
(I borrowed shutters from a photo on Vintage News Junkie‘s blog!)
Idea #5: Cover the opening with planks of wood.
Do you have a favorite solution out of the five that Traci is pondering? Cast your vote below if you feel like weighing in!
Do you have a *different* idea for Traci? She’s all ears if you feel like leaving a comment below!
Happy week, friends!
Layla
Definitely no to the mirror. You’ll spend all the washing up time staring at your pores and you’ll be miserable by the time you finish!
I think the lighting is key. If you switch out the light fixture for one that is horizontal and fills the space better… more of a feature piece…. it will make it look like that was your design plan all along.. not an afterthought. You know what they say.. “If you can’t disguise it, accent it!” Actually I think if the chalkboard saying was something you want to engrave on your heart it will be all the more special to light it as the important item that it is!
“No” to the mirror as well. Same reason as the last person, plus what a mess to keep the splashes from the sink off of it all the time. The shutters are cute! Maybe put a cool photo or “window cling” on the window inside, so there is actually something to look at behind the shutters.
If Traci puts up the planks, she can change what she hangs on the planks. Also the planks are easier to clean than the shutters.
So true. Nice and smooth, washable and versatile.
You could do the mirror if you hung curtains at least half way across, so you wouldn’t see yourself, if you wanted some reflected light there—make it look like a window.
Layla, Do you have a resource for the first chalkboard with verse?
Thanks!
Think about finding a stained glass window for the top half. Hang on chains from top of window frame. Some shelves below so a small plant & favorite small pieces also can be placed (a small light behind the stained glass to bring it it life would be a nice touch)
I have an old enclosed window box over my sink. I put up my seasonings and cooking wines. But them in pretty bottles and it’s really cute and leaves other kitchen spaces free where they would be there instead.
How about a cork board for family appointments and maybe small pencil containers etc.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1778&bih=904&q=cork+board+wall&oq=cork+board&gs_l=img.1.2.0l10.3245.5500.0.8840.10.8.0.2.2.0.63.469.8.8.0….0…1ac.1.64.img..0.10.487.AwXeYDV3Sas#spf=1
color and texture would go with the cutting board and other wooden accents on the shelves
The chalkboard ideas are so pretty, but wouldn’t stand up to the water splashing near the sink. The planks are the most practical in my opinion. Thank you for including your fans! I have been following you for years (previously on Feedly). Your talent and kind spirit is an inspiration. What a blessing that you get to share that with your son.
I think if you used a mirror that had muttons placed in it and looked like a window that would be great. The other idea if you decide to use the shutters I would somehow put a light behind the shutters to make it appear as if some light as coming in
I love the chalkboard. No way would I put a mirror there. The last thing I want to do is to stare at my own face all the while I’m doing dishes!
I think shutters WITH a wreath…but I agree, no mirror in front of your sink
BTW…what would that open up too? The outdoors…there is no insulation, which is not uncommon in older home. Or maybe another room. Either way, I would open it up…if it is to the outside, put a side sliding window in and frame. If to another room, just case it out and have an opening. Either way, it would look and feel better than closing it off!
Oh, they actually just closed that window in. They’re rearranging their kitchen layout in the future and they don’t want a window there or on the other side of that wall.
I voted for the shutters, but I really love the planks too!
How about a board that fits the space with a ceramic tile design? I’ve seen those backsplash designs with baskets of flowers, or maybe a farmhouse or a rooster picture??
I liked the shutters – but I would put a small light source (if possible) behind it to give the illusion of a real window. Also, how about a board inside the window frame painted with a Trompe-l’œil scene.
Planks are good too even though I voted for shutters. Someone commented about the ease of cleaning the planks over cleaning shutters – have to agree with that one. Don’t like the mirror because of splashes. The chalkboard is too dark – looks like a hole in the wall and sucks up light. Just my two cents.
A lovely framed bucolic landscape print…make your own country view!
Yes! I like this idea best. The artwork could be covered in glass so it’s easily cleaned, and when you want a change… just insert a new picture. Ideal.
My laundry room is on the side of my house and should have had a window but the original owner didn’t choose that option. I finally found a faux window with a view of the grass and trees that mimicked the grass and trees outside my real windows. If that would be too real and too close, I’d opt for the shutters that give an illusion of a view. Anything that brings in natural light or the illusion of natural light is good, I think.
Shutters are my fav! Gives the illusion of a window. Second fav is the chalkboard with the wreath…because if you were looking out side you would could likely see greenery!
My idea would be to use one of those wall mounted pig’s or cow’s head decor pieces. If you are familiar with the blog Stone Gable she uses one in her kitchen. She puts a simple boxwood wreath around it’s neck and it is really cute.
Love the color contrast of the chalkboard/wreath combo – thanks for letting us dream with you!
They are all lovely, but I like the first option best! It’s art that looks like it was deliberately placed there 🙂 Super nice.
No to the shutters. They look nice, but you will always want to open them and look outside.
Maybe she could hang a wreath on the shutters?
I vote planks, since it’s easily changed.
Also, I’m wondering if you would come up with ideas for the backsplash over the stove, that won’t catch fire….I have brownish granite that covers that space and won’t be removing it. It needs cheering up !!!!
Thanks..I’ve been a follower since the Alabama market a few years ago…
I did a widow with a mirror in it in my kitchen. It makes the space look bigger and I can talk to people behind me when I’m busy in the sink. I don’t feel so closed in.
I like the idea of a mirror because it looks like a window (reflecting light) but I am not sure staring at a reflection would be fun. What about a faux window with frosted or antique glass so it is not transparent?
I voted chalkboard, but I was wondering if she could frame it in so she could put a few narrow shelves across it and use it for some small plants or faux plants. See #12 here: http://balconygardenweb.com/indoor-herb-garden-ideas/
Mirror option…it gives you the impression you’re doing dishes with a friend
Both shutters and a mirror would be labor intensive just keeping them clean. A chalkboard is easier to clean and useful (menu/reminders). Above my sink I hung a grid and have measuring cups and spoons hanging on it with coffee cups above it (small kitchen).
Love the chalkboard but would not be practical in my house so then I was thinking the
SHUTTERS would be perfect! Love how it looks …..easy to clean (from spatters a messy husband makes! Shushhhhh) and could even add that gorgeous green wreath over it
For a change!!! 🙂
I think I would do a small window shaped mirror near the top, so she can see the room behind her but not have soap and water splashes to clean from it like she would if it was a mirror covering the whole space. And then below, a set of small closed shutters. If the mirror looked like a window, the shutters below could add to the effect. I can’t find a picture of what I’m imagining, but in my mind it looks pretty. 🙂
Chalkboards are so been there, done that. The planks are the most versatile IMO. She can change out what hangs there based on the season or her mood. I do like the looks of the black window too. She could change the scenery.
I like the shutters and would use a shadow box frame with a light and paint an outdoor scene on the glass.. this way it looks like the shutters are covering a real window
She could put in some shelves. And I love the shutters
I rather like the shutter look. I assume there is some reason why you cannot put in a real window.
I like the mirror idea but with the shutters to. You can see behind you and it’ll bounce light around.
How about an old window, with glass still intact? Put favorite family pics behind or one big scenery that is cut to fit each window pane. No matter, I’m sure whatever you do it will be beautiful!
I would do a garden window and grow herbs to add to your cooking.
I am a minority! I love the mirror. We had a big mirror in our kitchen when raising our kids. When my back was turned to the stove I was still watching them. Yes… is needed to be cleaned from grease splatters but it was like having eyes in the back of my head. They never figured out how I knew what was going on until they were much much older, then I could watch still watch what they and their friends were up too. I was the Mom with eyes in the back of my head… literally. They would ask how I knew and that was always my answer.
She could hang an old stained glass window behind the shutters for a different look!
Shutters all the way! I have faux wood shutters over my sink and they’re not hard to clean at all. Maybe a mirror behind the shutters?
A burlap coffee sack stretched on a frame that fits snuggly into the casement would work. (We have that at our house). Then paint the casement a coordinating color, so it looks like a huge picture.
Voila! Art!
I like the chalkboard idea. But if that is her kitchenaids forever home and she loves to bake. World market sells a bunch of those magnetic spice jars in different size. I’d get a rustic yet contemporary magnetic board and frame it. You can even use magnetized paint from home depot or lowes.
How about an inexpensive piece of art that is framed in the space like the chalk board is.? I have a large piece of art over our bathtub and when I realized it was getting splashed I had the artist extra coat it with a protective spray. Works grea!
chalkboard!
I think everything except shutters will just get in the way and get splashed with water while doing dishes and using faucet. And shutters would be easiest since it’s a temporary fix til a new kitchen.
mirror in an old window frame that looks like the old mercury glass.
Everything will get water spotted there, so I would use either the shutters with a wreath or the planks with the sayings on. I like them both.
I like the mirror with a wreath! Or maybe a stained glass window, but all the ideas are great!