Wednesday, June 11, 2014

My outdoor " kitchen "

Good morning everyone !

My little mini outdoor kitchen " station ".created from a vintage kitchen unit ( I think these may have been made for campers back in the day - although I can distinctly remember seeing these in the country " shacks " we rented for summer holidays growing up.)


It sits against the fence in a corner ( with the bar-b-q resting against the other side of the corner
( so I have an outdoor kitchen " triangle " - triangles are very important in kitchens don't you know? lol )

It was in the mud room when we bought the place - a piece of furniture really because it wasn't attached to anything except by way of plumbing - but we had to remove it when we built the niche for the fridge.............it was tossed out on it's ear in the back yard where it waited until Spring to be brought to the dump - however once Spring arrived I had other plans floating through my brain ( it kills me - absolutely kills me to send things to the dump )  This unit still had a " life " to live in my opinion

I had a metal bar on hand ( from Ikea - used to hang pots from in our previous home )  which I attached
directly to the fence.................a few pasta tins were spray painted Turquoise ( left over paint from the chairs I painted HERE - to hold untensils ( for parties - flowers I suppose when not partying lol )


The square wreaths were placed on top of square Ikea mirrors ( I think they're 2.00 each ) the wreaths
were square panels that I cut into wreaths ( dollar store finds ) you can see how I made them HERE

Holes were punched into the containers and hooks placed on them so they could hang from the rod.


The rod also allows me to hang a napkin holder and a towel


Since the sink is not functional - I placed a plastic bin ( again from the Dollar store ) in it - this will be a perfect ice container for parties - to house beer or soft drinks !  ( and not left over annuals that I haven't planted yet )


but really I could always put the bin in the cupboard underneath the sink - there's a plug so I could drain out the water into the bin once the ice melted - just thought of that this minute, duh ...................

I have a cutting board that will rest on the counter when needed but for now the counter is a place to put a vase of my beloved peonies ( you can see how I patiently waited for these babies to bloom HERE



The " nests "  hanging over the wreaths are lights - I haven't attached anything electrically yet but I think they'll be pretty when they light up this area in the evening


For now I'll settle for candles -


Battery operated ones


and the real thing ( a Christmas tea light holder but evergreens grow year round so it's okay lol )


Sorry I don't have a photo of the whole unit - but the " body " of it wasn't quite finished when I wrote this up between the garden - the little bedroom makeover - and this, I'm just a teensy little bit overwhelmed.  I'll post as soon as it's fait accomplis !

And there you have it - my outdoor mini kitchen
The cost of this area was exactly one big fat ZERO................I had everything on hand.
So................ can I get you anything?
Wine?  Sangria?  Beer?  Soft Drink?  You name it - I'll just run to the counter and whip it up for you


John says - I'm making tea, want one?
Suzan says - I'd love one thanks
John says - WHERE HAVE ALL THE SPOONS GONE?
oh oh - forgot about that.
Suzan says - They're out here - I was just taking a few photos
John says - This has to be your worst idea ever, they're going to be full of bird crap.................
Suzan says - Well aren't you just full of Sunshine, Lollipops & amp;@#*&(*@ Rainbows





Well the Lollipops part is fitting anyway since we're Lolly & Pop to the little ones.
Scrap the tea - I'll have a glass of wine................... ( you don't need utensils for that )
Have a wonderful day all !

( I just realized I never did a full INDOOR kitchen reveal post - have to work on that ! )
_________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE !!!

I found a couple of images of 40's & 50's steel kitchen units - mine is smaller than this one - but I guess they were quite the " thing " back in the day - this lady looks as thrilled with hers as I am with mine 60 years later LOL
I'm soooooo happy I found a way to use this - talk about history!

source
This one's as close as I can find as mine except I have a drawer on the upper right hand side

source
Here you can see the front of it - and though some rust is a good thing - we have to keep in mind that it's part of an erosion process and I want this baby to last a lonnnng time - with a little love and a little paint, hopefully she will.



I'm in the process of painting it now :)
Much love,


Join me at these parties !!!
The Charm of Home                                  Glitter Glue & Paint                       French Country Cottage
Redoux Interiors                                        My Turn for Us                                    The Shabby Nest
DIY Vintage Chic                                      Remodelaholic                                     Life on Lakeshore Drive
Lil' Luna - Link Party Palooza                   It's Overflowing                                    Uncommon Design
I should be mopping the floor                    The Chicken Chick                               Coastal Charm
Between Naps on the Porch                     My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia          Stone Gable
An Extraordinary Day                               Knick of Time                                      Homestories A to Z
The Winthrop Chronicles                          A Stroll Thru Life                                 The DIY Dreamer
Savvy Southern Style                                Have a cup of daily                              Ivy & Elephants
From My Front Porch to Yours                I Gotta Create                                     Bloom Design Online
My Romantic Home                                 I Heart Naptime                                  Funky Junk Interiors
Gingersnap Crafts

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

I WANNA live there Wednesday # 82

Good morning everyone -
Hope the sun is shining in your corner of the world - but just in case it isn't here's a little of it for you to enjoy
( house wise that is )

A CHIC CALIFORNIA BEACH HOUSE - as described by HOUSE BEAUTIFUL  ( where all images were sourced from )

This is really something else to see





I LOVE that wall sconce -



This should win some type of award for vaulted ceiling beauty don't you think?


FUN FUN FUN ! ( check out the stove )


and now check out the custom fridge!!!!!!!!!( and the dutch door while you're at it )


Outdoor dining area off the kitchen





Reflection in mirror of Dining Room


That's a vintage roll down map ( used to hide the t.v. ) brilliant !!!


I just adore how the home owners combined such luxurious formality with really fun touches


Family room


Master Bedroom


Master bath


Guest room


This is called The Bunk Bed room - and is lined with 6 bunks - 4 on one side and 2 on the other


Bunk Room Bath


With a port hole window !!!



And if the house wasn't over the top gorgeous enough - here's the view


There's a fabulous interview with the owner over at House Beautiful ( one of my favorite on line decor sites )
HERE

Ok - so go ahead - scroll back up and start over again ( I've done it at least 10 times so far )

Have a wonderful Wednesday !
Much love,

Join me at these Parties!
From my Front Porch to Yours                      Katherine's Corner                        The Charm of Home
French Country Cottage                                My Turn for Us                             The Shabby Nest
Uncommon Design                                        Between Naps on the Porch          Coastal Charm
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia                  Stone Gable                                  A Stroll Thru Life
An Extraordinary Day                                   Savvy Southern Style                     Have a cup of daily
From my Front Porch to Yours