2015's Project #2. . .

"Mr. Ed" and I are nearing the final stages 
of On Crooked Creektt's 2015 Project #2!

After. . .

Although we don't have an "open concept" home,
our 1970's Ranch Style Home does flow smoothly from the Entry Hall ~
to the Galley Style Kitchen ~ to the Dining Room ~ and into the Living Room.

So~o~o. . .
what began as a renewal of On Crooked Creektt's Entry Hall
has now spilled into the Galley Style Kitchen with a changing of the hues!

After. . .

While the 1970's Galley Style Kitchen floor plan remains 
much needed adjustments to brighten and lighten the outdated decor 
are now complete.

Upon arrival On Crooked Creektt, I chose an Old world Style Kitchen decor 
with a red, gold and sage green color palette.

Before. . .

Once the land line telephone connection was removed
and the dry wall was repaired. . . 
renewal of an out~dated wall paper pattern began immediately!

Gone is the red and yellow Waverly Fruit Motif  and in its place 
is white and taupe Georgetown Designs Wallpaper!

Before. . .

My beloved maternal Grandmother's porcelain china vintage fruit motif plates
inspired my choice of Waverly's Fruit  Motif wallpaper.

While I adore having been the recipient of these lovely porcelain plates,
I now desire to feature my own plate collections.

After. . .

One stumbling block in the renewal of our Galley Style Kitchen
is the remaining back splash. Replacing the soft, creamy butter 
square porcelain tiles was not cost effective.

Instead of trying to camouflage these tiles, I chose to embrace them.
Therefore, with budgetary constraints, they remain.

In selecting a wallpaper pattern, 
I had to choose a cohesive paper that would compliment 
or blend harmoniously with the existing back splash tiles.

I was thrilled to find a balanced symmetrical damask inspired wallpaper
in a monochromatic color palette with a more relaxed, yet Traditional Style.

While repainting the cabinet interiors Sherwin ~ Williams Dover White,
I added Sherwin ~ Williams Sandbar as a background 
to accent my dinnerware collections and serving pieces.

"Mr. Ed" removed the cabinet door fronts 
and renewed their Sherwin ~ Williams Paper White hue.
He, also, removed all the drawer knobs and handles 
and resprayed them with Flat Black Rustoleum spray paint.

As soon as the renewed paint dried,
I began restyling the cabinets for more efficiency,
better functionality and the addition of 
a more aesthetic Traditional Style for our Galley Style Kitchen.

The renewal taking place within the original floor plan 
On Crooked Creektt's 1970's Galley Style Kitchen 
is bright, light and monochromatic white!

Now, 
the Kitchen mimics the reflection from On Crooked Creektt's Entry Hall. (here)

Touches of vintage accessories,
such as ironstone, porcelain and silver reflect the light palette throughout
and brings my own unique personality to the space.

By embracing the greatest design challenge On Crooked Creektt,
I was able to draw on inspiration from my own personal collections
and give our 1970's Ranch Style Home a much needed renewal
that will carry us through 2015 and beyond.

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Cindy @ Dwellings ~ The Hear Of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday!

and. . .

Chrisitne @ Rustic and Refined for Table It!

and. . .

Karen @ Karens Up On The Hill for Something To talk About!

and. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Share Your Style!

and. . .

Jody and Stan @ Rooted In Thyme for Simple and Sweet Friday!

Each and every week,

seeds of inspiration bloom from these host and hostesses linky parties.

Be sure to visit and delight your family dwelling with brilliant interior design.

Timeless Classic Tablescape. . .

As "Mr. Ed" and I proceed with our journey of  renewal for 2015, 
we are continuing with a Traditional Timeless Classic decor
throughout the upper level living areas On Crooked Creektt.

Although the finishing touches 
and detail styling to our 1970's Galley Style Kitchen 
are still a 'work in progress'. . .
I took a much needed break from all the painting and dust
to create a Timeless Classic Tablescape. . .

I began the first of many minimal changes,
to On Crooked Creektt's Dining Room, by adding the extension leaf. 

A Timeless Classic tablecloth in a soft buttery yellow
is a Ralph Lauren favorite of mine.

Come along, as I share how this tablescape came together.

* * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * *

Atop the soft buttery yellow tablecloth, 
I placed my everyday white porcelain dinnerware.

Next,
I folded the handmade cloth napkins centering the pattern across the plate.

A salad / dessert plate is placed atop the dinner napkin.

Since "Mr. Ed" and I are following his diabetic diet more closely these days,
the dinner plate now serves as a charger.

I adore the elegance our rose etched stemware 
brings to this timeless classic design.

Our timeless classic Oneida flatware cast an 'air of elegance'
while maintaining its easy dishwasher safe care, making it our daily choice.

A simplistic centerpiece of over~sized crackled porcelain pears
on a burnished bronze tray keep the light flowing from the patio doors
through the Galley Style Kitchen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Once the finalization of detailed styling is completed
 within On Crooked Creektt's Galley Style Kitchen,
additional Traditional Timeless Classic changes 
will be taking place in the Dining Room.

A subtle hint of improvements in our design style 
are present in the next few photos.

Our Timeless Classic Tablescape 
within On Crooked Creektt's Dining Room set for four 
but can easily accommodate six by pulling up a few more chairs.

Design and style changes are shifting 
towards a more Traditional Timeless Classic decor 
in On Crooked Creektt's Dining Room continuing throughout the upper level.

On Crooked Creektt. . .
time to 'lighten ~ up' with a Timeless Classic Tablescape!


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Cindy @ Dwellings ~ The Heart Of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday!

and. . .

Christine @ Rustic and Refined for Table It!

and. . .

Jody and Stan @ Rooted In Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays!

Each and every week,

seeds of inspiration bloom from these host and hostesses linky parties.

Be sure to visit and delight your family dwelling with brilliant interior design.

Neighboring Friendship Tea. . .

Taking a much needed respite 
from the continuing project line~up On Crooked Creektt,
"Mr. Ed" and I recently hosted a Neighboring Friendship Tea.

Since arriving On Crooked Creektt, 
we have had the most amazing neighbors!!!

However,
not until we all retired have we been able to enjoy each other's company.

What better way to celebrate a growing friendship than with a Friendship Tea???

I knew, 
in my heart, 
that I wanted this Friendship Tea to be the first of many.

Using the very first Coffee Set purchased from our European Tour of Duty
in Baumholder, Germany seemed a perfect choice for our first Friendship Tea.

You see, dear ones,
our neighbors are K~State Fans. . .so, purple was a perfect choice!!!

I adore the timeless classic that black and white brings to any tablescape!
The purple hues from the centerpiece floral accentuates the Bavarian China.

A belated Birthday greeting and a 2015 Victorian Calendar
to help in continuing the celebration, all year through, 
was a sweet surprise for our dear neighbor! 

After tempering the coffee pot,
I filled it with a fragrant blend of Raspberry Tea.

For our refreshment,
I served homemade Apricot Coffee Cake 
using a recipe from my dear blog friend,  Martha @ Lines from Linderhof.
(For your enjoyment, the Apricot Coffee Cake recipe is listed at the end of this post.)

A tried and true recipe
that goes together like a 'dream' and is even better after freezing!

Served with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, of course!

I filled the rose etched water goblets, 
then added the embellishment of a thin lemon slice to each glass.

Delightful conversation, while we lingered over cake and tea,
never ceasing to amaze us as we realize how much our lives are intertwined. 

All, too soon,
it was time to bid farewell.

As part of an On Crooked Creektt tradition, 
the remains of the coffee cake were carefully wrapped for departure 
and sent home with our guests.

Here's an excerpt from our neighbors face book posting, 
accounting her experience On Crooked Creektt:

"Ken and I had such fun Saturday morning at Cantwell Manor (next door). 
Lord and Lady Cantwell invited us to tea. 
It turned out as a lovely surprise with a birthday card 
and Victorian calendar included. 
Patricia Cantwell and I share delightful enthusiasm for Downton Abbey 
so there was hot raspberry tea, a delicious apricot-pecan dessert 
served with beautiful strawberries all topped with a dollop of whipped cream! 
Ken and I walked in the rain with an umbrella 
and it all felt so wonderfully British! 
Thanks Pat!"

Truly, 
the pleasure was all "Mr. Ed's" and mine, dear friends!
We look forward to doing another Neighboring Friendship Tea in the near future.


Until next time. . .

Apricot Coffee Cake from Martha @ Lines from Linderhof

Ingredients:

¼ cup softened butter

¾ cup sugar

2 cups all~purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup plain yogurt

½ cup ricotta cheese

½ cup milk

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

¾ cup chopped dried apricots

Topping:

½ cup sugar

1/3 cup all~purpose flour

¼ cup butter, melted

½ cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 13” X 9” pan.*

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar using an electric mixer.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In another bowl, combine the yogurt, cheese, milk, eggs and vanilla.

Add the flour mixture alternately with the yogurt mixture

to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition.

Stir in the apricots.

Turn the batter into the prepared pan.

To make the topping:

Combine the sugar, flour and melted butter 
until the mixture resembles coarse meal. 
Stir in the pecans.

Sprinkle the topping over the batter and bake for 45 minutes

or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on wire rack.

Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

*I made this recipe using two 8 inch cake pans.

One cake, I served the same day, the other cake,  I froze for another time.

Both were equally delicious!

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Cindy @ Dwellings ~ The Heart Of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday!

and. . .

Christine @ Rustic and Refined for Table It!

and. . .

Joy and Stan @ Rooted In Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays!

Each and every week,

seeds of inspiration bloom from these host and hostesses linky parties.

Be sure to visit and delight your family dwelling with brilliant interior design.