Kitchen Update

I submitted the following question to Betsy Speert's Blog:

Dear Betsy, 
We live in a rustic cottage and the kitchen is a dark cave.  I'd like to paint the walls and cabinets white.  Do you have a favorite paint and color for painting kitchens? 

Betsy had some excellent ideas.  To see what paint and color Betsy recommended, go to Betsy Speert's Blog.  You'll be inspired by her blog and answers to other decorating questions. 

Do you think I should paint my cabinets and walls white?

Thanks for visiting.

Thank You

This campaign dresser is my personal favorite project from 2011, and it also got the most features.

I'd like to thank everyone that featured this dresser the first time I posted it and also the year end features.

Visit these blogs and be ready to be inspired.

Featured at:

Addicted to Decorating
Beneath My Heart
Better After
Craptastic
Decor & Harmony

Hi Sugarplum
Mod Vintage Life 
Primitive and Proper

Salvage Savvy
Southern Hospitality
Social Salutations

Southern Hospitality
The 36th Avenue 
West Furniture Revival

Painting the Kitchen

We live in a charming, rustic cottage (i.e, it needs a lot of work).  The kitchen is a dark cave.  Part of the reason the kitchen is dark is that it's on the north side of the house and the ceiling in the kitchen is 7 feet.

I  bought a a small sample of paint yesterday and painted to the left of the window.  I think I like it!

I've been thinking about painting the kitchen for a long time and have decided to paint the walls and the cupboards.  I feel a need to lighten and brighten this year.

I submitted the following question to Betsy Speert's Blog:

Dear Betsy, 
We live in a rustic cottage and the kitchen is a dark cave.  I'd like to paint the walls and cabinets white.  Do you have a favorite paint and color for painting kitchens? 

Betsy had some excellent ideas.  To see what paint and color Betsy recommended, go to Betsy Speert's Blog.   You'll be inspired by her blog and answers to other decorating questions. 

Do you think I should paint my cabinets and walls white?

I'm linking to The Nester Home Goal Party.

Favorite Projects from 2011

Here's a look back at some of my favorite furniture projects of 2011.  Click on the picture title to go to the original post.

Secretary in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Aubusson Blue

Campaign Dresser in Martha Stewart Plumage

Princess Dresser in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Custom Mix

Drum Table in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Pure White

Coffee Table in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Pure White

TV Cabinet in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Graphite

Desk in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Aubusson Blue

Rustic Cabinet in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Custom Mix

Vanity in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Custom Mix

Blue and White Guest Room

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog, for your encouraging comments, and your endless inspiration!

I am linking a few of these projects to the following parties:

2805

Addicted to Decorating

Beyond the Picket Fence 

Chic on a Shoestring

Common Ground

DIY by Design 

DIY Showoff

Faith, Trust and a little Pixie Dust

French Country Cottage 

Funky Junk Interiors

Home Stories A 2 Z

It's Overflowing

Ivy and Elephants 

Meg and Mum's

Miss Mustard Seed

Mod Vintage Life

My Romantic Home 

Not Just a Housewife

No Minimalist Here 

Primitive & Proper

Primp

Redoux 

Remodelaholic

Saved by Suzy

Savvy Southern Style 

Simple Home Life 

Southern Hospitality 

Tatertots and Jello

The Blooming Hydrangea 

The 36th Avenue 

The Charm of Home 

The Shabby Creek Cottage

The Shabby Nest 

Thrifty Decor Chick

Type A Decorating

Merry Christmas

Source: asimplyklassichome.blogspot.com via Wildwood Creek on Pinterest

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog, for your encouraging comments, and your endless inspiration!

Blessings,

Christmas Reflections

I started decorating for Christmas a few weeks ago.  I set out candles, silver and pine cones; that's as far as I got with the decorating when I got the news that my brother had passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack.  He was 52.  It kind of knocks the wind out of you.  I feel like I'm moving through quicksand.

I was going to get out some more decorations today, and I just couldn't.  So I decided to take photos of what I have and post it.

I know these photos won't win any prizes, but it's been weeks since I took any photos or posted to my blog, and I enjoyed the process again.  I've missed it.

I love Christmas.  I'll just be celebrating in a quiet, reflective way this year.

That's Smokey Bear curled up in the sunshine on his cat tree.  He has the best seat in the house.

Christmas blessings to you and yours.

I'm linking to:

Nesting Place

Habitat Heros Thank You and a Winner

Source: nattybydesign.blogspot.com via Wildwood Creek on Pinterest

For the past month I have been a co-host along with Julia from 551 East Furniture Design, Cassie from Primitive and Proper and Jacqueline from Simple Home Life for the Habitat Heros link party.  As the hosts of Habitat Heros, we sincerely thank everyone that has linked up your beautiful restored furniture and for your generous donations to a cause of your choice.

You can see all of the fabulous furniture submitted here.

And since it's better to give than to receive, via random.org the winner of the gift card package is Brooke from Spruce Your Nest!

Brooke submitted this beautiful hutch with the proceeds from its sale going to Restore Innocence, a group dedicated to helping child victims of sex trafficking. 

Source: spruceyournest.blogspot.com via Wildwood Creek on Pinterest

Thank you, again, to every one that participated in Habitat Heros!