Pretty Butler Pantry Details

When we moved into our store, we built a fabulous little kitchen- really it's a perfect butler's pantry. We used it to display food products and kitchen accessories, as well as serve prepared food from our cookbook "Romancing the Home Entertains". It would be perfect for a bar or butler's pantry and could even be adapted to a full petite kitchen by adding one of those wonderful Wolf small free standing ranges.   As we are moving, it is for sale now and I wanted to share some of it's unique features with you.



The cabinets are grayish taupe distressed finish over knotty alder with a  thick zinc countertop.

 

 

A custom pewter sink was hand fabricated and finished with a pewter relief on the front of the apron.

 Hand wrapped zinc and copper tiles were inset with a crystal and pewter jewel for contrast.

The bottom row of tile is hand cast crocodile pewter with a hand wrapped brass baton on top.

 

 

Over the sink, Laurell created a fabulous old world mirror with an antique effect.

It is designed to look like the menu board in a French cafe..I love the way it reflects the little chandelier in the center of the space.

 

We found exquisite old hardware to use on the doors. Just look at all that detail.

 

 

I adore these handles on the undercounter refrigerators.

 

 

 

We have enjoyed this little space in our store so much. I am hoping it goes to a good home.

But as I am reviewing all the details of it's design I am falling in love with it all over again.

If it doesn't sell, I will just have to figure out a spot at home for it- I'm not leaving it behind!

 

 

 

 

 

Think Pink to cure the Winter Blues

For some crazy reason, I am in love with "pink" right now.  Especially, the blushy tan version of pink!  So I decided to re-do my pastry stand on the island with pink, especially perfect for upcoming Valentine's Day.  I layered it with some gold  vintage pieces from my stash of goodies.

 

Costco had these beautiful pink ranuculus bunches this weekend and I couldn't resist!

 

I love their little faces. So ruffled!  so very perfect!

Found these adorable pink lemonades at World Market last week!

 

Little gold sherbets just waiting for a splash of Strawberry Creme Liqueur.

These pink champagne biscuits are so pretty and fun to dip in champagne.

Gold ramekins just waiting to be filled with a delicious bread pudding.

 

 



 

I found this wonderful Pink Pamplemousse Rose from Cartron. It tastes like fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.  I am thinking it will be delicious in a salt rimmed glass over ice.  Maybe I'll find pink salt!

Pink peppermint marshmallows from Butter.  Ready for hot chocolate.

 



 

 

The most amazing strawberry jam you will ever taste.

 

 

Strawberry Creme Liqueur-  chilled and garnished with fresh strawberries.  Could be very pretty!

Looks like I need to have a "pink" party.  Valentine's is coming soon- maybe I'll plan a dinner party.

Kitchen Accessories Really Do Make a Difference

It's that  time of year- you take all your Christmas decorations down and your house looks like it's missing something.  Know what I mean?  So I am in the mood to re-do all the kitchen accessories and create a little change in my kitchen.  When Angela, the Parisienne Farmgirl, was  here last spring, we played around with a few new ideas. I was just reviewing those photos and decided I liked the little pops of color- especially for this deary time of year. 

I love the pop of green on the neutral tiles by the range.

And the pop of a little red in the flowers on the old tray placed behind the stove is good too!

The French pastry stand on the island is fun to change with the seasons and it seems to need a spot of color right now!

Todays view from the kitchen through the stone arch into the servery.
It does seem like it needs a little color??
 



While not practical for the normal home cook- I do love the way this looks.
An old silver tray is gathering a collection of vinegars in antique carafes, celery vases with old horn flatware,
silver plate sherbets filled with sea salt, and an Old Paris porcelain tureen. 
Maybe I'll re- create a version of this vignette in another spot!

Close up of the pastry stand- think I need to add a little Valentine's decor today to it!

Aged mirror refrigerator- will probably do this again in my next house.
It always reflects what is going on in the kitchen and makes the small space seem bigger.

another little spot of red on the kitchen table.
I found this old silver plate decanter holder that was missing its bottles.
 It is perfect for wine, candles and flowers
on the kitchen table.


So in the next few days, I am going to re-do my kitchen accessories. Let's see what I'll come up with.
 Yes, It is that time of year again-  time to "nest" and move things around!  Stay tuned!

Old Rhinestones and Vintage Handbags- Endless Possibilities

Yesterday morning, I spent several blissful hours with several friends at a local flea market. It is one of my favorite markets- Grayslake- held every month in the Chicago area.  I always find treasures and yesterday was no exception.  While I love to collect these special treasures, it simply isn't right to put them in a drawer and never enjoy them. So I try to be creative with how I use them.

 

Without fail, it seems I start a new story or collection during my monthly visit.

 

Yesterday's vision was a medley of soft pinks and rhinestones- perfect for the upcoming Valentines

Day celebrations.   I adore this soft blushy pink lady's beaded bag.

 

 

Adore this old paste rhinestone rose pin.  It will look fabulous on a silk pillow!

 

Old Cech rhinestone bracelet

 

Love these soft pink beaded bobeches made by one of the vendors- Suzy Fabulous!

What a great way to re-purpose old beads.

 

The grey and soft pink beads are so pretty together! And this vintage purse

even is big enough to hold a cell phone.

 

I love displaying all these new treasures on my statue.

Maybe I should move her up to my dresser so I can enjoy my new eye candy!

Another pair of fabulous bobeches by Suzy Fabulous!

 

Love all of this together.

another recently acquired bag looks awesome with this grouping.

 Look at the detail on the handle of this little bag- They just don't make them like this anymore.
I like to think of them as "art".  I am thinking of a grouping hung on pretty hooks in a ladies closet or over a dressing table.



Love this pretty little coin bag- also beaded with the same color scheme.

 



 

I adore this old bow pin.  Look how pretty it looks on a pillow.

 



 

Sterling bracelet found for a song.  I will wear this one!

Old rhinestone button earrings- maybe glued to a box lid or glued on to the fronts of

 plain knobs to dress up a chest.  The possibilities are endless.

 

A fabulous buckle- spotted by Julie- will look so pretty tied around a pillow with a pretty ribbon.

Or maybe used as a tie back for a taffeta curtain. Be still my heart!

The possibilities are simply endless!