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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Small Kitchen Talk


Last year we rather suddenly removed half of the oppressive upper cabinets, and let our tiny space breath a sigh of relief.



Since then the oven gave out and we have a new range! Otherwise the cooking side of our small kitchen has remained exactly the same. I have resisted the temptation to put anything on the walls in order to preserve the illusion of spaciousness, and I still love it!


Since the initial scurry to substitute lost storage, there has been a gradual refinement of objects and space. Mainly we got rid of a lot of stuff we didn't want anymore!

  


The counter shelf is still working well. This was its first configuration.



However, we found that the dining room side was under used, here, as it originally appeared. The breakfast bar area is now more integrated as kitchen space, flows better, and offers much more useful storage.
















These are Anthropologie's new fridge magnets! Perfect for a farmhouse style kitchen!



Mason of England still produces these classic pudding bowls. Williams-Sonoma has them in a set of nine graduated sizes. I love mixing them with my crazed and yellowed vintage ones.



My antique wooden spoons.




Glassware is now handy for the dining room table.







Collections and small houses don't always mix. But the solution isn't always more space, or more storage either. Maybe I'll have the perfect kitchen someday. . . .  Maybe not. 





Now I'm off to find more good solutions for storing books!
Thanks for stopping by!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline


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27 comments:

  1. I am liking the counter shelf idea. The now wall cupboards is a great way of creating space sometimes we squeeze as many cabinets in as possible to make the use of the space & end up feeling hemmed in. Your kitchen is perfect

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  2. I think your kitchen is perfect as it is right now, love all the whites and glass are beautiful!
    XXX Ido

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  3. I like how you solved your storage problem and opened up the kitchen by removing the upper cabinets. The shelves of dishes look great and make everything very handy. Those fridge magnets are so cute! I have 3 of those vintage pudding bowls in the cupboard that I could actually be using! Thanks for the ideas. Pamela

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  4. Love your charming kitchen and your collections. I saw those new magnets. They are really cute. May have to get a set.

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  5. I love your darling kitchen, works great for me. So lived in, and I would just want to set down and make myself at home. Richard fro My Old Historic House.

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  6. Your posts are picture perfect (right down to the last photo of your cat outside the kitchen). Showing details that are inspiring and beautiful.

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  7. the stove caught my eye...we have the same one! And Saturday a new one is being delivered after 17 years of service. Love all your kitchen pieces, all that beautiful ironstone.

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  8. I love your fridge magnets but I don't think I can find them in Sweden, wonderful.

    Regards from Sweden

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  9. your petite kitchen is just divine! love...love everything about it! that pressed tin is to die for! :)

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  10. There is so much charm to your kitchen, Jacqueline, I love it. The counter shelf is perfect, you can see everything that you need to reach. The details...lovely!

    XO,
    Jane

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  11. I totally understand where you're coming from when it comes to small kitchens. I'm in the same position too...actually, my entire house is small, but I like to call it "cozy" instead! ;) But I think you have a charming kitchen with a wonderful collection. Have a great day! :)


    Hugs,
    Jessie

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  12. I think it looks great. I like the idea that people are leaving out their dishes and everyday utencils, they all have a certain beauty and are far more functional that way. The magnets are adorable.(-:

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  13. I love your charming farmhouse style kitchen . I love the earthy colors and all the whites .Even though it is filled with collectibles , it still appears humble to me , which I like the most ....

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  14. It's all delightful. I wanna see more of that kitchen floor - what can you tell me about it?

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  15. I'm all for quality not quantity. Your small space looks so nice with all your beautiful treasures.

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  16. Love your ideas for storage solutions. I'm going to help my daughter settle into her "new" NYC apartment, it has no kitchen drawers or counters, yikes! Will require creative thinking, thanks for sharing, Laura Cottage and Broome.

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  17. I love your cozy kitchen! I have a small one, too. Storage is always an issue. I love the FRESH EGGS sign on top of your refrigerator. I may have to make one of those. And those magnets are too cute! I saw them on the website.

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  18. Hi J,
    I love seeing your kitchen organization, I am still in the struggling stage of creating function with no upper cupboards. Your countershelf is very creative, handy and farm fabulous :-) I do mostly wooden utensils too, but I get mine from Ikea, what a sad comparision, haha! Yours are Beautiful!
    Hugs,
    B

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  19. I like your floor out to the back yard...sweet! Interesting idea..putting a small shelf on the counter...your collection of stuff is precious...Mel

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  20. What a gorgeous shabby chic kitchen! I love the clean, whites. Those animal magnets are funny.
    Blessings~

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  21. I think it is charming and really one needs very little to cook with. I will eventually get rid of most of our upper cabinets at the yellow house too. I think it makes good sense in a small space.

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  22. So beautiful, everything looks inviting.

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  23. I will have one lone cabinet above the stove in the little blue house. The only one on that wall. I'm thinking of taking it down. But it apparently houses some type of pipe or something, my daughter tells me. Have to wait until I can get in there and see. Gorgeous pics here!
    Brenda

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  24. Beautiful kitchen! I don't like filling up newly created breathing room either. I love the old wooden spoons mixed in with all your whites and ivories and the back splash tile set behind your new range makes it look vintage too- so lovely.

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  25. I like your kitchen. Mine is 8x10 not up to the 21 century in looks yet. Future project. Getting great ideas, thanks

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