Traditional Kitchen Updates. . .

One of the least favorite spaces,
 in my 1970 Ranch Style Home On Crooked Creek,
 is my Galley Style Kitchen.

I will state that with many updates,
new appliances, wallpaper and accessories,
I find it much more enjoyable to navigate.

Recently,
"Mr. Ed" & I added two vintage circular white ironstone plates,
from my collection, to the wall above the pocket door
to extend some of my favorite things within my Galley Style Kitchen.

Before:

I adore the change that adding two more ironstone plates
above the door makes within the space.

After:

Arriving On Crooked Creek,
all of the kitchen cabinetry was the dark mahogany, like the pocket door.

During a huge and lengthy 'snow storm',
I painted them with Sherwin~Williams Paper White.

However,
the dark mahogany trim and doors are throughout our 1970's Ranch Style Home,
so I chose to keep them for consistency throughout.

The gold hardware was spray painted with Rustoleum Flat Black.

With less than four feet between the two counter spaces,
this Galley Style Kitchen continues to provide challenges,
especially when entertaining family, friends and guests.

The left side of the Galley Style Kitchen holds the microwave,
range, toaster and refrigerator.

In this space,
I have placed my favorite Kitchen vignette!
The pear print was one of the first accessories purchased for the Kitchen!
Its frame color is the reason for the new hue in my Oster Toaster!

I did not change the back-splash tiles surrounding the Kitchen.
Their soft buttery hue and creamy ivory grout make them easy to accessorize.

Here you catch a glimpse of how the Traditional updates all blend together.

I chose a soft buttery ruffled yellow place mat
atop my microwave to blend the color palette
and soften the harsh black box.

The petite size of this lidded tureen makes it the perfect size
for 'hiding' an electrical outlet behind the microwave.

I chose a TJ Maxx $3 creamy ivory tray 
to hold my "TO DO" list and pen.

Although,
I often use my heirloom silver within On Crooked Creek's Kitchen and Dining Room, these silver trays all were reasonably purchased at an Antique Shop.

It appeared the owner had attended an Estate $ale
as so many of them are of the same pattern.

The Sunbeam timer was gifted to me by our sons from a Christmas long ago.

I kept the grounding of black in my large and small appliances throughout.

"Mr. Ed " & I are both coffee drinkers,
so~o~o. . .naturally a Coffee Bar of sorts is a must!

The heirloom silver condiment (ketchup) container
holds vintage silver garage $ale find teaspoons.

I adore these ribbed 'to go' coffee cups with lids!
The ribbing allows you to carry the coffee minus one of those cardboard sleeves.

This Coffee Center 12-cup Coffeemaker and Single-Serve Brewer from Cuisinart
is a combination birthday present to "Mr. Ed" & I from ourselves.

I love that the hue matches our Oster toaster!

The light fixture above the sink was replaced during our Kitchen make~over.

The vintage silver serving fork and spoon prints were created by "Mr. Ed" and I
using scrapbooking papers and sage green French silk ribbon from Studio One.

This side of the Galley Style Kitchen is truly the 'work horse'
of everything good that comes from within this challenging space.

I love using batter bowls!

I was thrilled to find this Mason Cash batter bowl
on a recent trip to Nell Hill's Briarcliff in Kansas City!

My 1970's Galley Style Kitchen has come a long way
from the original Harvest Gold Refrigerator and Range,
Avocado Green paisley print wall paper and Gold hardware.

The first design change was to Traditional Waverly Fruit Motif Wallpaper
in Tuscan red and golds when I first arrived On Crooked Creek.

A small addition of two more ironstone plates
makes a huge impact to On Crooked Creek's Galley Style Kitchen.

More and more, I am settling into this petite challenging space
that comes with a Galley Style Kitchen by using a lighter and brighter color palette
and adding additional Traditional updates every chance I get.



Until next time. . .

Studio One. . .With A Vintage Flair!

Many years ago,
I owned and operated a handmade card business
which I affectionately titled, Studio One.

Although I am no longer employed,
from time~to~time, I make my homemade cards with a Vintage Flair.

I love receiving 'snail mail'!

Can you just imagine the excitement and pure joy
of finding this "Thank You" card in your mail box?

Depending on the intricate detailing,
creating each handmade card with a vintage flair
takes the average of two~to~four days.

Since elements from the papers are hand cut and layered atop one another,
most of that time is for allowing the adhesives to dry.

Each design is hand cut.

No punches, except a hole punch for tags, are used.

And, each card has my signature bow.
A short, fat bow usually from double satin or French silk ribbon as shown here.

Trying to deplete my scraps of past scrapbooking papers,
I chose to line the inside of this handmade "Thank You" card. 

I use hand cut elements from the paper
to coordinate with the front of the envelope.

One final step, is lining the envelope.

Studio One, no longer a business,
now my creative space, is located on the lower level On Crooked Creek.

Once I descend the stairs and engage in Classical Music,
the creative designs that emerge surprise even me.



Until next time. . .

My Favorite Things. . .2019 January, Vol.1

Every Season On Crooked Creek brings change,
and editing.

With each new display and vignette,
items are scrutinized for their worth in our daily life happenings.

In 2019, my plan is to create a post through each Season of the Year
titled, My Favorite Things .

I'm beginning with my Majolica Bordallo Pinheiro Collection.

While I adore the Cabbage Leaf pattern with its brown band,
I continue to hunt for enough serving pieces to set a table for six.

Finding a variety of patterns gives me quite a thrill!

Besides the Cabbage Leaf,
I have found several pieces with a Geranium and Grapevine pattern.

Love the appearance this grouping adds 

to the built~in china cabinet within On Crooked Creek's Dining Room!

Who knew there were Cabbage Leaf bowls?

Or, matching Cabbage Leaf Platters?

When I found these Geranium Pattern cups and saucers
at our local Antique Mall, I was quite smitten with the pattern!

During a recent vacation, I found these petite 'tidbit' plates!

Not my Majolica Bordallo Pinheiro,
but I adore how they blend Harmoniously with all the other patterns.

This Classic Majolica Handpainted Tea Set 
(from www.henriksenimports.com )

though not Bordallo Pinheiro, compliments my Grapevine platter quite nicely.

I couldn't resist this Cauliflower Tea Pot
while shopping in Weston, Missouri during our 4oth Wedding Anniversary Trip.
A great compliment to our Majolica Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Pattern Platter.

Whether viewing in passing,
or from On Crooked Creek's Dining Room Table,
my Majolica Bordallo Pinheiro Collection adds an interesting
balance of color to our monochromatic color scheme.

Majolica Bordallo Pinheiro,

in any Season of the Year, is definitely one of My Favorite Things!



Until next time. . .