shades of grey

a very sophisticated twist on the classic white cabinets. As of late I seem to only have eyes for these pretty shades of grey on the cabinets. It plays up the architecture of each of the spaces so beautifully. lovely with the dark & light floors 

oh and that little pop of yellow. so great!

1,2,3,4

interior inspiration

kitchen envy. 

sorry for the shorter posts this week. Time is short here and im up the walls, but i hope youll enjoy drooling over this fabulous kitchen shot as much as i have. 


.... that sink fixture! 




image found here. 

Kitchen Addition

Over the weekend a little addition. My kitchen is a big wide open square. And while Im elated to have such space after the little galley kitchens Ive had before, it does have its challenges. The set up is a bit inefficient and counter space is sacrificed. 

 The solution... a kitchen island. This one is sized perfectly for the space and I am pleased with the outcome; added counter space, extra storage. I also added a vintage rug. The kitchen feels so much warmer and this thrills me the most! 

kitchen magic

At each change of the season i find myself being pulled, as if by some invisible thread, into the kitchen. Autumn seems to hold the most power over me, more than any other season. I dream of ingredients, of the warmth exuded throughout the home once an oven is set on a low temperature all day, transforming something average into something extraordinary. And the tools themselves seem imbued with some magic. 

It seems the foods of fall also poses an incredible ability for transformation too. Things are done more slowly, time and care spent on creating layered, enlivened  flavors and i even brave baking now too something i ignore for the rest of the year. 

stripes

i came across this kitchen at designattractor and just stopped and looked for a long while. the wallpaper is obviously what catches you first. its crazy bold graphic nature is arresting but somehow, paired with all the white slightly farmhouse features of the rest of the kitchen it seems just perfect. the paper reminds me a bit of a lichtenstein and it most certainly brings an unexpected pop to this little kitchen. 

im not sure im ready for an entire wall of this in the dining nook but i do love it in so many ways. my kitchen chairs are getting to need their seats recovered and ive been searching around for a fun new fabric - i came across this fabric (the second one from the top) at ikea and was instantly reminded of the above kitchen 

- perhaps its just the right was to bring in a hint of these bold stripes

images. designattractor, ikea

lotta kuhlhorn

i adore these delightfully bright and whimsical designs by Lotta Kuhlhorn a swedish born illustrator. many of her designs are translated into textiles; perfect to punch up a kitchen or for fun pillows in a breakfast nook. she also creates the most wonderful book cover illustrations. 

she has also designed some fabrics for ikea like the fantastic sea print above. i might need to make a tablecloth! and look for some of her textiles and housewares at huset. i especially love the pink radishes.

sneak peek

i havent prepared the usual wine list wednesday so instead i thought i would give a little shop preview of whats to come at Cottage Farm in the next few days. 


with summer fast approaching strawberries will soon be here! i can not wait to make my first rhubarb and strawberry tart ........ these vintage baking and serving pieces are all provencally inspired for your kitchen. 

a pottery preview

recently i have been very attracted to pottery. its always something thats been on my radar screen but not much of it has make its way to CottageFarm - in the last few weeks im loving big heavy old rustic piece with a utilitarian nature. 


much of my craving for this style pottery is inspired by those big provincial kitchens you see filled to the brim with every size and shape of simple but elegant pots, vases, jugs, pitcher, crocks....and well you get the picture. 

 here are a few pieces that will be coming to the shop soon - 

In with the new : before and after

first, let me welcome you to my new blog!!!!

when i first started blogging 2 years ago the blog title i wanted wasn't available - so i patently waited and kept checking - and guess what santa brought me for christmas - the COTTAGE FARM BLOG!!!

can you tell im excited?

so just in time for 2011, i will now be blogging from here. cottagefarm.blogspot.com - its nice to have all my ducks in a row.

and now without further ado. a before and after to ring in the new year.purchased at the salvation army for 10$

hand sanded first with 100 grit sand paper (3$ for a pack of 4 sheets and 2 were used) and then sanded again with 350 grit sandpaper (3$ for a pack of 4 sheets and 2 were used) **wear a mask when sanding and painting.

next i primed using a large can of rustoleum's grey primer (aprox 6$) and two cans of rustoleum's glossy black enamel paint (each aprox 4$)

and voila! these will be replacing some green ikea chairs i had previously painted for the kitchen.

interlude

im off setting up a wedding today. so i though i would just post a few kitchen photos that ive been ogling on my desktop

hope you are enjoying your weekends. Im very excited for my madmen party tonight and to finally wear my outfit.

be back soon!

**my apologies but except for the last photo from sacramento street these images have been on my desktop a while and i dont remember where they are from~

pretty simple - marie claire maison

i was making my monthly rounds at the magazine rack - when i got to this article in marie claire maison i flipped! the issue was all about the simple life - and these images are just that and oh so gorgeous!

i have no idea what these counter tops are made of - concrete maybe? but im into this over all stoney blue palette of this kitchen

and this bedroom is my favorite - its going top of the list for inspiration... so simple white, natural and a nice dark blue for accent - gorgeous!


photos by phillipe garcia

mirror mirror - interior inspiration

a move is on the wind ...3 years in a tiny studio, although wonderful has become- what with the etsy shop and giving up my studio and a bf who works from home many day - quite small!

so as i think about a move i am of course dreaming about the kitchen...i keep coming across these kitchens with mirrors. what a fantastic idea!!

it will automatically bring depth and light to the space but i think its perfectly unexpected and thats just right by me!

images via house&gardenmagazine via brabournefarm,finelittleday, unknown, housebeautiful, apartmenttherapy

Farmhouse divine

i saw this today over at citysage and just had to share... it speaks for itself really, the light, the white the bowls ... need i really say more ... and there is a whole book to swoon over. happy wed!

organized farmhouse style

i just love this idea from acountryfarmhouse .... its so pretty and neat and organized! i would much rather open my kitchen draw and see this instead of the grey metal organizer i have from le target ... im going to be on the look out for some baskets that fit in my draw