“Everywhere in my house are these
little things that have meanings and
make me think of great memories.
-Nate Berkus
***
After space planning, adding the “little things” is definitely my favorite part when it comes to any room makeover.
I had some fun adding personality to the counters on each side of our stove this morning:
I’ve had this little plant over by the sink for the past couple of months…
…and I’ve been excited to add some more green over to the stove side ever since the tile went in.
I painted our (old, Ikea) knife holder with some “Gallery Green” paint I had in the craft closet, and applied some of Miss Mustard Seed’s furniture wax to the top of a stump slice I picked up at Michael’s last year:
(Note: that’s wet paint and my first swipe of wax in that photo above)
I distressed the edges of the knife holder with my sanding block when the paint had dried, and I love how lively it looks now!
The stump slice became a pedestal for a small potted fern, and one of my Anthro bowls:
(My friend Shannan “Flowerpatch Farmgirl” gave me the pot the fern is in and it makes me think of her every time I see it!)
I like the way the rough edge of the stump contrasts with the smooth surfaces above and below it, and ties together with the color of the (wood) floor and the (rattan) paper towel basket on the other side of the stove.
The utensils in my FLOUR canister (from TJ Maxx, several years ago) were sitting a little low, so I nestled a tupperware container (upside down) in the bottom of it, and wrapped some plastic bags around it to give them a lift…shhh!
I got the vintage crock from my (maternal) Grandma, and I love the way it acts like the FLOUR canister (shape-wise), feels like the fern pot (texture-wise), and speaks to the blue in the Anthro bowl (color-wise). I also reeeeally love not having to leave the house to find exactly what I’m looking for while I’m pulling things like this together! 😀
And my favorite thing inside of it? This old pie server:
I found it buried in a basket of vintage silverware at a local flea market. I was smitten with the handle right off the bat, but I literally gasped when I flipped it over:
Seeing those strawberries shot me straight back to my berry patch days on the farm as a kid. 🙂
And speaking of “kids”…check out the fortune my mother-in-law (Katie) got this weekend…it’s the one right there on top:
I gasped when I saw that one, too. 🙂
PS- We’re hoping to travel to Haiti later this Fall, y’all. We haven’t received our official referral letter yet, but we did get an encouraging update this past week and I look forward to *hopefully* sharing a “WE’RE GOING TO MEET OUR SON!” blog post soon!
#praying #SweetPturns3 #November23
I love the kitchen vignettes.
Tell me, after this socialization visit what is next in your adoption process? I have 2 adopted children and I know how hard waiting is. Neither were foreign so the format was not like this. Praying for you all.
It really is the little things that make a house a home and you put them together so perfectly! That fern in your gifted pot is so cute. But the swooniest part of the post is the possibility of a very soon trip to meet your little guy – goosebumps!
I love the kitchen. What color is on the walls?
So light & bright! I love the light modern mixed with traditional elements like the crocks & the rug!! The light & cool color pallet is spot on!!
Paige.Rose
http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com
Where did yo find the rug in the kitchen? I love the colors
I just love your kitchen!
I got that same fortune in a cookie right before my first foster son came into my life at 1 year, 2 days old… I adopted h soon after, and joined my 3 biological children, and was later joined by my 2 adopted little girls from Guatemala. He just turned 15. I still have the fortune in my jewelry box. It made my heart jump to see yours today… Blessings <3
Every time I go to hit the bookmark I have for your blog I say, Lord let the update be that they are going to have their son soon. I pray that day is closer than you expect.
this is exactly what I do. A little prayer before I click — and today there was an update!
I loved the pie server. Lovely. I am silly over certain vintage silverware!!!! I have been collecting pieces, for months now.
Oh Layla and Katie……….that little message was simply meant for you. Thanks for the huge smile it gave to me.
Off topic of your kitchen (so cute) and your son (“patiently” waiting) I want to say how impressed (but not surprised) I was after ordering one of your photos (blue truck.) The quality of the photo, the packaging and the speed with which it came are/were all perfect.
Great little touches always help bring a project together. I love the pie server, so cute! Oh and I’m so going to paint my 18 year old butcher block now! I’m sure the Mr will be thrilled to see the chalk paint back out.
Love the little details…those are the things that make me smile. The fortune is priceless!
Every time I open one of your posts I’m hoping it’s announcing your trip to get your precious son. I can’t wait for that day.
I cannot wait for you to get your sweet child. I look everyday for an update. Praying for things to happen more quickly for you.
I’m saying this for your health, and the health of your son (Not as a criticism): Although I love the look of the old painted kitchen utensils, the paint contains lead, which causes cancer, as well as permanent brain damage. Even tiny chips of paint are toxic.
Thanks for the heads up, Liz! I’ll slap some Peel-Stop on them pronto! 😀
So fun! I love that you’re keeping the fortunes in the little bowl. I love little bowls, but never have enough little stuff to warrant keeping them out (in my mind, they need to have a purpose). 🙂 Hope you get great news very soon!
Your kitchen is so charming!
I did the SAME THING with a crock in my kitchen for our larger utensils. 🙂 I love the little slab of wood. I think it’s time for an accessory update in my kitchen.
Every single time I read one of your posts I get inspired! This post has done it again! Can I just say I LOVE the ideas you shared and now I am going to be on the lookout to make some of my own changes. Thank you so much and have a wonderful day!
I got goosebumps when I saw the fortune!! I keep you and your sweet family-to-be in my prayers. My best friend adopted a Russian child after she lost her only son to brain cancer. Children are a gift and may you hear good news soooon!!
Warmly,
Carol
Lovely..esp the backsplash and all the little memories that make it home…hope you get the official go ahead soon!
I have a collection of McCoy pottery…your little green piece looks like it is McCoy ??
Love the feeling of history and memories….and just think of all the wonderful memories to come in you sweet kitchen!
I love the tile work! I have never seen anyone do that kind of pattern before. Did you create it or does it come like that??
I hope for that blog post soon too! Every time I get on your blog I always hope that today will be the day it will be up! We are trying to adopt too and it can be so discouraging so I have taken joy in reading about each step that gets you closer to the day he is home!
Did I miss what the #November23 was about? It stuck out to me just now as that’s my first born’s birthday! She’ll be 16 this year…time needs to stand still, but I can wait for it to stand still until you have your son with you! 😉
Love your kitchen. You know I have to ask. What is the wall color? Thanks!
Oh the pie server is so beautiful. I have never seen one like that before. I got chills when I read the fortune! Continuing to say prayers for y’all and your darling little boy.
What a beautiful kitchen and how exciting finger to meet your little guy!!! Our son will turn three on November 23rd as well!! Can’t wait to ‘meet’ your little guy though your blog posts!
Love every bit of it, El!
It makes me so happy to see that pot living on in style. It totally found its forever home with you. 🙂 xoxoxo
I always love your style.
When is your next t-shirt sale coming out?
Thank you, Gayla!
And the next t-shirt sale will be September 8th and 9th…thanks for asking! 😀
I love this post! It has really helped me think about how to group objects together 🙂 Thanks Layla!
Beautiful and simple. It just makes all the pretty items stand out. Just lovely.
I love to add little touches to my house but I have an overwhelming fear of being too cluttered. Following the advice to stick to things that hold memories or really call to me really helps. And giving myself permission to purge and change my mind about what calls to me helps too 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more good adoption news.
Oh my goodness! I got this same fortune while we were going through our home study. I taped it inside my bible! It is a beautiful reminder of the confidence God has in me to be His hands and feet. There is no way we could do this without Him, but what a blessing and honor it is to be part of His works. We are part of something more than we could ever ask or imagine! I pray for you and Kevin and SweetP daily and love telling your story when I wear my shirts and am asked.