French Country Style from the Foot of the Rockies

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Making the Most of Small Spaces

Just because you live in a small space doesn't mean you can't have a beautiful, stylish home.

We live in an old Victorian cottage that can be a challenge when it comes to decorating.

Small rooms, doors everywhere, and dark little nooks.

And, for someone who loves to collect, it's even more of a challenge.

My number one rule: Buy something, get rid of something. Declutter!

And yes, I count paperbacks and belts!

So, how to make the most of your small space? Here are a few ideas to consider.

Of course, everyone has a different situation and a unique style

so feel free to adapt these tips for your needs.

That brings me to my second rule: Live with what you love.

If you're not a minimalist, find a way to display your treasured belongings.

Make it work but remember less is more.

Something to keep in mind when it comes to your collections -- don't over-accessorize.

Chose a few of your favorite accessories to display on the mantel or bookshelf.

You can always switch things out every now and then to use other pieces of your collections and

to keep the look fresh. Keeping accessories simple on your tables and shelves opens up the room.

A general rule to make your room look bigger is to limit your color palette to neutral, light colors. This will expand the visual flow of your room and make it appear larger.

An accent wall in a different color may break that flow and chop up the space.

I tried an accent wall once in a dark red, which I thought was chic and dramatic.

Over time, I realized it was just too much and felt like I'd hit a dead-end road.

I toned it down, painting the entire space (living and dining rooms and foyer) all the same light color (Benjamin Moore Khaki). It's a color I've never tired of and goes with everything.

Speaking of accessories, one of the most effective accessories to make a room feel bigger is mirrors. Placed on a wall opposite a window a mirror reflects light into the room and visually expands
the space. Besides mirrors are one of those things I love to collect

and I have them in every room of my house, even the kitchen.

Another easy tip is to keep your window coverings light and high.

Hang them above the top of your window and expand their width by hanging them

on the outer side of your window.

I like to use an airy linen panel or a sheer that lets in the light and provides a little privacy.

Moving to the kitchen, keeping your counters clear of too many items

will help make that space appear calmer and larger.

Use unusual containers or baskets to hold your silverware or to contain utensils.

Don't overlook vertical space in the kitchen. I'm lucky to have high ceilings.

I display some collectibles on top of my cabinets and my pots and pans on the wall.

Another storage option is stacking vintage suitcases.

They look warm and inviting in any room.

I stack mine in my bedroom; they hold family photos and keepsakes.

I also tie luggage tags on the handles stating the contents,

making it easier to find what I'm looking for.

Take advantage of little nooks by turning them into an office space or a pantry.

The hallway off my kitchen was narrow and not much use until I had a pantry built
on one wall giving me a lot more storage space.

The top has glass doors for display with solid doors on the bottom for big items.
An additional pantry space fits on the landing and holds non-perishable food.

Upstairs, I had two closets built in a space that we never used.

We were lucky to find the original doors in the attic.

Then I tucked a pretty desk and some shelves in between them for a perfect office.

I've saved the biggest tip, literally, for last -- furniture.

Don't cram too much furniture into a space and keep it in scale with your room.

I finally traded in my big sofa for a smaller loveseat that fits the room so much better.

I found this lovely white loveseat at an estate sale for about a hundred dollars and gave my

oversized sofa to some college girls renting the house across the street. Everyone wins.

Another tip for furniture is to use round tables.

They take up less space and are easier to move around.

I have a round antique dining table and recently switched out my big rectangular coffee table

for a small oval 1940s table that works much better.

Another estate sale find, it was interesting

to learn that this table once belonged to a former Colorado governor.

I have to admit I stored my big coffee table in the attic.

Who knows when I might finally find my dream mountain cabin!

I hope these tips help you make the most of your small spaces.
Good luck and have fun!

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Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Blue Willow House, Little Farmstead, Dwellings, The Dedicated House,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life,
Savvy Southern Style, Designthusiasm, A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,
21 Rosemary Lane, Petite Haus, French Country Cottage

Friday, January 26, 2018

Six Ways to Add French Soul to your Kitchen

Many of us who love the ease and warmth of French Country style would like
to enhance that feeling in our kitchens -- the heart of our home.

So, here are six simple ways I add some warm and welcoming
French soul to my kitchen.

TEXTURE

1. Mixing textured and smooth surfaces, vintage and modern, old brick and stone, wood and tile all contribute to a rich depth in the kitchen.

Marble countertops look beautiful but stain easily and require maintenance so you could consider white quartz or butcher block. I have a slab of marble on top of a wooden cabinet that satisfies my "marble envy" without having to re-do my countertops.

FURNITURE

2. Most authentic French Country kitchens do not have built-in cabinets. Rather they incorporate stand-alone furniture such as hutches, armoires, cupboards and open shelving.

This small cabinet gives my kitchen a curated-over-time feel and adds the warmth of natural wood as well as extra counter space.

COLOR

3. Color plays an important role in the soul of a French kitchen. Soft, muted tones bring the feeling of country to the kitchen. If you have an island, you could consider painting it a different color than your cabinets for contrast and to enhance that feeling that it was collected over time.

My walls are painted a pale buttery yellow and my cabinets are a creamy white. It's interesting to note that yellow is considered by the color experts an uplifting color, offering hope and happiness and giving warmth even on a cold, cloudy day. White opens our minds to create and appears fresh and clean, both appropriate colors for a kitchen.

FARMHOUSE SINK

4. Although the most critical things in your kitchen are probably your appliances, I think a farmhouse sink with a French-inspired faucet adds tons of French soul. A farmhouse sink is definitely on my wish list.

Note the beadboard backsplash that gives the kitchen a French farmhouse flavor. Old black and white Parisian postcards and a market basket rev up that French soul mood.

ACCESSORIES

5. What French Country kitchen would be complete without accessories? Accessories are a fun and inexpensive way to add warmth and charm to a room that can feel too sterile. Whether it's copper pots and pans, fresh flowers, an ironstone collection on display, or a strutting rooster, accessories complete the story.

Baskets for storage, rush seats on chairs, or fabrics (toile, lace, ticking) on window treatments
or skirted under your sink all add more texture and age.

Use old pitchers or crocks to hold a bouquet of cooking utensils and old wooden spoons.

FARM TABLE

6. And finally, my number one way to add French soul to your kitchen is, ta dah, . . . a chippy old farm table! If you have room in your kitchen for an eat-in space, a worn table and chairs will make your friends and family feel like they've stepped into an old-world French farmhouse oozing with soul and character.

Because my kitchen is so small, I placed my farm table and chairs in my adjacent sunroom but it works just as well. Note the contrast of the distressed table with the elegant candelabra (purchased at the Vintage Whites Market in Denver!)

There are many more ways to add a little French soul and style to your kitchen

such as artwork, white dishes, farm animals (my personal favorite), or lighting.

I hope this post may have given you a few ideas to try
that could add some French soul to your kitchen.

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Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Blue Willow House, Little Farmstead, Dwellings, The Dedicated House,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life,
Savvy Southern Style, Designthusiasm, A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,
21 Rosemary Lane, Petite Haus, French Country Cottage

Friday, January 19, 2018

A Post on a Post

A post on a post? Why not?

You won't want to miss this post . . . I didn't!

Find out why I went dumpster diving for a little piece of history.

It all started when contractors started to demo an old house on our block.

The housing market in Denver has exploded recently and many of these lovely small bungalows

are being scraped down to the ground or are popping their tops to add more square footage.

The next few photos are about five minutes walk from our house in an old neighborhood.

Such a dramatic change.

Usually, a modern structure that doesn't fit with the character of our old neighborhoods

is hastily constructed where a lovely little bungalow once stood.

Or a block of cracker-box "slot" condos that house too many people, increasing traffic

and taking up limited parking spots, changes the vibe of these turn-of-the-century streets.

It makes me sad to see the character of our historic city being overly-modernized,

especially when it happens on my street.

These boxy condos are everywhere you look.

How'd you like to live right next to the new lite-rail/noisy freeway?

So, back to my story.

This pretty Victorian on our street that was being demoed had lovely stained-glass windows

and white columns on the front porch supporting a balcony.

We kept an eye on the pillars the workers had leaned up against the house.

I have been known to "rescue" alley finds

but I restrain myself from actually taking anything from someone's property.

Then came the day when an enormous truck arrived to remove the full construction dumpster.

I watched out my front window as the truck backed up to hook onto the dumpster.

That's when I saw a white column sticking out of the top of the dumpster.

I called Ron and we rushed outside and approached the workers in front of the house.

"Could we have that white post in the dumpster please?" we asked politely.

"Sure, but make it quick before he drives off."

We ran to the truck driver and asked if we could have a minute to rescue the column.

He nodded and said the boss had told him to wait while we got it. Such a nice bossman!

So, we tugged and pulled until we were able to remove the pillar from the dumpster,

thanked the driver, and scurried home with our treasure.

I didn't know what I was going to do with it but not only was it part of our neighborhood history,

it was chippy and white and I loved it. I knew I'd find a home for it somewhere.

Ron set about removing rusty nails from the top.

Inside, I tried it here and there and finally found the perfect spot for it in my "attic" office.

The top piece of the post was missing so I put an old plate on top

and nestled a spider plant on it in front of the window.

That plant has a fun story as well. We were leaving an estate sale and saw a man loading a big spider plant into the back of his truck. That's when I saw a baby spider get torn from the mother plant.

After he left, I ran over and retrieved the little baby from the sidewalk.

I plopped her into a glass of water when we got home and she immediately grew some healthy roots. Now she's potted atop my rescued post and sending out more babies.

So, this story ends well for everyone.

The orphaned spider plant has a home, the rescued post adds a dilapidated grandeur to my office,

and the history of our old neighborhood has been preserved.

The End (or is it?)

Friday, January 12, 2018

Let There Be White!

After the exuberant stimulation of festive holiday decor,

I'm craving something calming and simple like white.

White is so easy to live with. It calms a chaotic room and soothes our busy minds.

This simple bookshelf turned china cabinet holds some of my white ironstone
and is a restful focal point in the dining room.

I moved the old clock that had been on the top shelf to the living room mantel,

making room for a large ironstone pitcher.
Because the pitcher had a tiny crack in the handle, I got it for just $25!

White goes with any style from Farmhouse . . .

. . . to Frou Frou.

It adds a touch of elegance to a simple vignette

and is the perfect foil for highlighting a few special pieces.

I love how white contrasts with dark wood.

A unique piece like this garden statue really stands out among white objects and old mirrors.

This statue was a wonderful surprise Christmas gift from Ron.

I'd raved about it when we saw it in an antique store

and he sneaked back to buy it for me. I just love it.

My china cabinet seemed to be overflowing with white ironstone

so I thinned it out a bit, letting each piece shine on its own.

I love how it looks through the leaded glass doors.

Here's where that vintage clock ended up.

The dark wood of the clock looks rich against the white mantel.

I also like the empty space at each end of the mantel,

allowing some breathing room for the wall sconces.

White decor makes me dream of a snow-frosted meadow in the Rocky Mountains --
a calming place where I can catch my breath and feel at peace.

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.
Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the upper right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.
Thanks so much!

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Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Blue Willow House, Little Farmstead, Dwellings, The Dedicated House,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life,
Savvy Southern Style, Designthusiasm, A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,
21 Rosemary Lane, Petite Haus, French Country Cottage