Kitchen Ideas...A Little Preview

Here's a peak at our new kitchen and a few of my ideas to lighten it up without actually painting. The green walls and wood cabinets are a bit darker than I am used to, although I really like them. Here is the "before" photo from the MLS.

Originally I thought a turquoise table like this would be great but my husband wasn't a fan...

So we opted for something colorful but a bit safer from Hurwitz Mintz.

I think Dash and Albert rugs are fantastic, so I thought this Aquinnah Woven Cotton Rug would pull in the turquoise color I love nicely...

When the boxes arrive tomorrow, I am looking forward to pulling out our cabbage dishes like these from Williams-Sonoma...perfect for Spring!

Since I am in the South, I am dedicated to trying my hand at entertaining with monogrammed linens...these from Leontine Linens are quite nice and match the color scheme...

For more punches of turquoise, I have started collecting the Le Creuset pieces in Caribbean blue. So far I only have the tea kettle but I hope to acquire a few more and start learning to make traditional New Orleans dishes in them. Plus, they look so pretty on display.

That's it for now. I have to go pack/umpack!

Bye Bye Beach...

Oceanside Placemat

Sandbridge Placemat

Please excuse my absence...we are moving from Hermosa Beach, California to New Orleans, Louisiana and it is taking every moment we have to get settled. However, as I perused the Bed Bath and Beyond website tonight in search of a wine fridge for my husband's belated birthday gift, I found these adorable, burlap place mats with sea shells on them. At $3.99 apiece, they are a total bargain. I might not live at the beach anymore, but my table doesn't have to know that. :)

Happy weekend!

Heather

House Beautiful's Fun, Preppy Fabrics

I loved this article I came across today from House Beautiful online. They share their 13 top picks for fun, preppy fabrics. A few are in linen, many are in cotton, these are my favorites...

Thibaut

Holland and Sherry

Ralph Lauren Home

T4

Sister Parish

Clarence House

Schumacher

Lee Jofa

Quadrille

Magnetic Linen Wall Coverings by Lori Weitzner

These amazing wall coverings are equal parts beautiful, functional and environmentally friendly. The magnetic coating is made from a natural mineral and is covered with linen. Lori Weitzner of Weitzner Limited collaborated with Visual Magnetics to create these wall coverings. Magnets go on and off without marking the linen backdrop. I love the idea of having a linen wall that looks sophisticated and then being able to add all of life's tidbits to it.

Tipsy Ballet Flats

These Kate Spade Tipsy Ballet Flats are a great combination of natural linen and yellow patent leather. They just make me happy!

Cowboy Cookies

Libeco Amherst Flax Red Linen Apron

I'm off to buy ingredients to bake my mom's Cowboy Cookies. Here is the recipe if you want a new spin on chocolate chip cookies.

Have a great day!

Cowboy Cookies

2 c. flour (sifted*)

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. baking powder

1 c. shortening

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

2 c. oatmeal

1 12 ounce pkg. chocolate chips

Cream shortening, sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs, and beat until fluffy. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder, and add to mixture. Add vanilla, oatmeal, and chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet. Bake at 350 for approximately 9 minutes. Enjoy!

Happy Mardi Gras Y'all!

New Orleans is in the full swing of Mardi Gras celebrations right now. As new residents, we are taking it all in and loving it! Have a great weekend!

xxoo, Heather

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Linen Upholstered Caned Back Chair

Today I am loving this Linen Upholstered Caned Back Chair from Wisteria. What do you think?