colorburst in the street

Sunday in Paris, a million pictures to inspire, & charm.
The casual pairing, that somehow works.
I pressed my nose against the shop windows of Merci, but it was closed, for August Holidays.
Still live plants and flowers thrive behind the glass.

Its a dog's life

Its a dogs life - Goldie is ready to party and play. She is trying to entice us with the lovely appealing tennis ball. Its true what they say man or beast - one woman's treasure is another's trash. And so it is with rooms in one's home.

Now that summer is upon us, it feels like time to refresh and renew.
Time to party in the garden or have friends over to enjoy the moment.

The kitchen is the heart of the home. which puts me in mind of Decor to adore's salute to Mom's and the rebirth of the apron - delightful post - and here below some fabulous vintage aprons from Jessica Steele

Remember when you are dressing your kitchen for success it all depends on what you are planning - Kitchens for show obviously require all the trimmings. And if money is no object you can have what your heart desires :

Like this picture below found on a search for a fabulous kitchen on a BBC show - a fridge filled with champagne. I am sure Robin Leach would be overjoyed! as they say - "Sweeties, its essential to show off the detail - the more expensive the better "

If your budget runs to much smaller options then sometimes you have to "make do"
or just do what you have to make- delicious foods.

I have discovered since living with a very talented & accomplished cook - that what counts is not the tools but the skill of the worker. When I cook I use all the pots and dishes, and when lovely hubby works his magic - he hardly uses any pots.
however a big part of being in the kitchen is how it looks.

Recently I had the opportunity to prove my prose.
A friend had a kitchen that she was upgrading only with new stove, dishwasher and microwave.
The rest would be fudged with the lovely illusion of color. Old black and yellow appliances swapped out for silver & white.
below kitchen before

Her last attempt at color, had not been as successful as hoped for.
Choosing color can be traumatic
So she called me in to roll the color dice.
I was delighted to get involved. I am better at color than cooking!

Besides coming up with color for the walls and cabinets, I also told her to save the handles and repaint the dated bronze silver. Since the floor was staying, I took that into account when we decided on the new look. the cabinet doors were removed and the hinges replaced with new silver ones. The lights were replaced with more modern ones from Ikea. Other than that it was paint & elbow grease.
below kitchen before

My last instruction was to paint the ceiling silver.
Well, my client is a brave soul and although she was nervous, she went for it. Bravo!
Now she says the silver ceiling is the icing on the cake. Even lovely hubby noticed the ceiling.
The result is smashing! Inviting warm and very much a reflection of her taste.
The family love the new look.
The food is the same delicious fare, but the surroundings are more palatable.
below kitchen after:

Paint does a body good. and
It does a kitchen wonders.
below another shot of kitchen after:

so my lovelies, its time for me to lay my head down, dream of treasures for my kitchen.
Its all in the details.

Enjoy

Wild blue and greens

These ABC tv underwater scenes make me think what a wonderful room these colors and textures would make. I love the color combo. the deep blue, the soft greens, and those creamy colors.
More green and blue to inspire :

a Dale Chihuly fantasy in glass or could be fabric



more of that wondrous glowing glass






Niagara Falls from the shores of Canada




vintage dress from 1950 stephscloset




Green banded blue butterfly




an uncut emerald from south america a huge amount of carats




fabulous feather fascinator from Metro Gypsy




marimekko fabric