a moment of silence for my blue and white

I can still hear the crash. It's been a little over a week now but it hurts as much as if it just happened. My oldest was grabbing a bowl from the bottom shelf, and for reasons I still haven't gotten a clear explanation for, she grabbed onto the top shelf, putting all her weight on the corner and there by causing the top shelf to come. crashing. down.

Working downstairs when it happened, I heard a big thud, lots of breaking...whatever blue and white is made out of, and a quick "I didn't do it!" And then tears. Her's and mine. The hubs and I both arrived in the kitchen at the same time to see the carnage. All he said was, "Go downstairs. I'll take care of this."

Of course, it should go without saying, no one was hurt and that's what's most important (blah blah blah). But damn, my heart is hurt big time. Not only because I love my blue and white and have worked hard over half my life to collect all this stuff, but also because there were several sentimental pieces that were broken. The foot bath I was going to use in my wedding which I bought on a day that still ranks in my memory as one of the best. As well as the blue and white bowls I ended up going with for my centerpieces. (I couldn't get enough foot baths.) And a small blue and white jar I got at one of my first auctions. Things that cannot be replaced. Ugh, the humanity!

Now many would say 'see, that is why I don't have nice things with children around.' but I see that as a huge copout. I accidentally dropped a pair of scissors on my foot yesterday and took a big chunk out of my toe (true story), but that isn't going to prevent me from keeping scissors in the house. Life happens. I grew up with a house of treasures and antiques and believe me when I say many pieces were broken over the years. But my parents continued to collect and that home helped to develop my sense of beauty and joy. Kids climb things, things break, mommies cry. Life goes on.

Luckily this wasn't my entire b&w collection and now I don't have to feel guilty that I have too many pieces when I buy a new piece. So that's something. And in the grand scheme of life, this isn't a big deal. Upsetting, YES. Life altering, no. But just don't ask me about it, I still might cry.

What's broken at your house? Did you ever reconsider putting things 'out' with little ones around? Do you keep your broken pieces in an old shopping bag in your basement? Just me?

my home - 12 days of christmas tour of homes

The day has finally arrived! It is my day to host the 2nd Annual 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes and I'm thrilled that you're here. If you came from Cyndy's tour at The Creativity Exchange welcome. And if you are here thru a misguided Google search, welcome to you too. Basically, welcome one and all. Take a look around while I make your virtual cocktail.

In the entry this year I decided to reuse the ornaments and ribbon from last year's mantel for a bright and happy mix.

Speaking of mantels, this year's mantel turned out to be all about plaid, bark and fresh foliage. How very rustic of me.

Each year we save the bottom of our Christmas tree and make a candle holder out of it (writing the year on the bottom of the stump to keep track). It's turned out to be a great memory and it is fun to see how we obviously vary up our tree size each year.

This year's tree was no joke. Last year was tall and skinny, but this year is big in every direction.

When you put plaid all over one room, it has a way of seeping into other areas of the house. Plaid is too good. It will not be denied. So let's plaid up the dining room shall we?

Love mixing my B by Brandie plates and chargers with my grandmother's old Spode Christmas dishes. And I believe it was the excitement of that mix that led me to forget the silverware. Oh well, we are just drinking during this tour anyway, right?

A snazzy group of men (and some animals) standing at attention while we eat. Maybe they took the silverware. Amelia's ever growing Nutcracker collection has relocated to the dining room this year until Eve moves on from her nutcracker...discovery phase. I can only glue them back together so many times.

Christmas lights Amelia made her first year of pre-school brighten up the kitchen along with some drawings the girls did and our annual Gingerbread house. Oh, and what's that on the lampshade? Yep, that would be more plaid. I can't be stopped.

Herbie got his seasonal antler change and is ready for the season too. No one in the house is immune.

Even the hand towels in the bathroom have gotten festive thanks to Anthropologie. They say dish towel, I say hand towel. Tomato tomaato.

My parents finally got rid of the tree that they've had for 45 years (no that is not a typo - FORTY FIVE years) and willed it to us. So as I mentioned yesterday, we added the tree to the family room this year and it is already full of all of the ornaments the girls have made and collected over the years. I love having the tree that I grew up with, I swear it used to be bigger, and it is the perfect thing to look at while I sit on the couch with the hubs and endure another episode of The Walking Dead.

The pom-pom pinecones the girls' made a few years back sit happily next to the tree along with a mismatch batch of ornaments.

And that my friends is my house all dolled up for Christmas. Thanks again for coming and be sure to stop by Stacey @ Steward of Design tomorrow! And if you haven't checked out all the rest of the tours, what are you waiting for already?!

12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes Schedule:

December 1 - Jenny @ Evolution of Style

December 2 - Amanda @ Amanda Carol Interiors

December 3 - Amanda @ Dixie Delights

December 4 - Pam @ Simple Details

December 5 - Lisa @ Shine Your Light

December 8 - Kris @ Driven by Decor

December 9 - Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

December 10 - Cyndy @ The Creativity Exchange

December 11 - Elizabeth @ Little Black Door

December 12 - Stacey @ Steward of Design

December 13 - Andrea @ Oak Ridge Revival

  AND

December 16 - YOU - Link up your Christmas Home Tour

Cheers and Happy Holidays!!

kitchen tables in the kitchen

Are you ready for some crazy talk? I think you are going to start seeing more kitchen tables...in the kitchen. Told you, crazy.

I'm not fool enough to think the ubiquitous island will disappear entirely from kitchen design, but I am seeing more and more people make the brave decision to ditch the island and go for a good old kitchen table. And bravo to them. I would much rather sit at a kitchen table and drink chat with friends than stand around an island. Nothing is more welcoming than a comfy seat and a well worn wooden table.

Steven Gambrel

Ashley Putnam

via

Architectural Digest

House and Home

Elle Decor

Cottage Living

Cottages & Gardens

via

via

What do you think? Are you an island fan? Or a table lover?

blue and white bash

What better way to come off of a party weekend, then with another party?  My friend Jennifer, over at The Pink Pagoda is hosting a link party about all things blue and white today so I thought I would join in the fun and share some blue and white in my house.

I've spread my blue and white collection over two spaces in my house.

The bookshelves in our family room hold a lot of my blue and white. This way I have something to look at while My Little Pony is on for the millionth time.

And the rest of my blue and white to the kitchen. The little bit of pretty encourages me while I put dishes away. And I need all the encouragement I can get with that.

Hey, now I've realized that I've put my collection in the two spots where I spend the most time. Subconscious at the time, but rather smart as they always do put a smile on my face.

What about you? Do you have a collection, blue and white or otherwise, that you display in your house? Do you move it around all the time like I do I hear some people do?

Be sure to check out The Blue and White Bash over at The Pink Pagoda for more blue and white eye candy.

Happy Monday!

kitchen updates thanks to lamps.com

It is only Monday morning and I already feel behind. How is that for the start of the week? Aces. I hope your weekends were delightful though. And thanks so much for all of your comments on Fess Up Friday. I now have quite a shopping list started for myself.

Today I wanted to share a recent experience I had with the good folks at Lamps.com. As I've eluded to in crazy code like ways (I promise I'll divulge more soon) I've been working feverishly to get a laundry list of items done to our little cottage and addressing the light over our kitchen window has been on that list for a while.

Our old light was a bit large for that small window and those that are blessed with long, tall legs (I don't have this problem) would often knock their heads on it. Not the best memory for guests to leave with. So when the team at Lamps.com offered to have me try something out I screamed "sign me up!" Actually, I think I typed it, but you get the point.

The decision was not an easy one and I even started plotting all of the other places I could add pendants just so that I wouldn't have to choose just one. But after a lot of back and forth, I landed on this hot little number - the Feiss Brushed Steel Urban Renewal Mini Pendant.

Lamps.com

As soon as it arrived I ripped open the box to find it looked even better in person (wahoo) and I cleared the hubs schedule so he could put it up for me right away. He's such a good sport.

Everything was laid out and easy to follow and as someone who has ordered a lot of lights in her day, I was thrilled that we didn't have to make a trip to Home Depot for any parts. Everything was included - hallelujah!

And in no time flat, I had a new light. She is so light and pretty. I just love her.

Her shape is so sculptural and I think adds just the right amount of fun to my kitchen window. Now if only my view was of the ocean rather than my neighbors. One thing at a time I guess.

Sometimes the little details make the biggest difference.

Have you made any little changes around the house lately? Do you have a pretty view out of your kitchen window? Have any wish list lighting items?

This post was sponsored by Lamps.com. All opinions are my own.

i HATE my maytag dishwasher

I am so behind. I've got piles of work to do, emails to answer and projects to finish amongst other things. So if you are waiting on an email from me I'm sorry I haven't responded yet.

But for the moment I just have to vent and let you know that I HATE MY DISHWASHER.

We have a Maytag QuietSeries and it has sucked from the first month we got it.

It doesn't clean dishes but actually leaves so much goo on them that they are often worse when we take them out. There is never a load that I don't have to re-wash at least a quarter of the items again. Now I know I am not a mechanical engineer but I was under the impression that a dishwasher was supposed to...wash!

The prongs inside the racks started to rust and fall off within six months of purchasing it brand new from the Maytag store.

We've called and emailed and I can tell you that Maytag customer service doesn't know how to clean up a mess any better than their dishwashers do. They gave us gems like 'read the manual' or 'call a repair man'. I felt supported.

Then, about two years into our hate/hate relationship we got a letter from Maytag saying that the dishwasher was being recalled for a faulty drying system (that isn't all that is faulty about it Maytag). They offered to send a repair man free of charge to fix this issue (and only that issue) OR issue us a $100 credit toward a new dishwasher. However, that new dishwasher had to be at least $300 more than we paid for our existing dishwasher.

I am not buying a single thing from Maytag again so that credit was of course thrown out. I've spoken to others who have had similar issues with Maytag. I guess misery loves company.

Do you have any dishwasher recommendations? Had any problems with an appliance in your house? Ever wanted to strangle an inanimate object?

before and after: farmhouse kitchen

Are you there reader? It's me, Margaret Elizabeth.

So of course I have to begin with an apology. I tease y'all on Friday and then leave you hanging. Uncool. I'm sorry. Life got in the way. But if it makes you feel any better, my tar and feathering is scheduled for 4 pm today. You can come watch if you like.

Luckily I've got some good eye candy to make it up to you. Let's have a little before and after, shall we? Everyone loves a good makeover story.

It starts like any good story does - a cute little family buys the perfect house. But the house has a dark side. Or, a dark kitchen. Oh the horror.

Metal cabinets. Bad roll on floor. Three different doorways into a small galley and one single ceiling fan. What's not to love?

And who is the genius that forgot to line the sink up with the window? Pitiful.

The layout was just wrong. The counter space was just wrong. Everything was just wrong.

The family wanted to open the space into the dining room, not only to create better flow but to make this kitchen feel larger. They also wanted the kitchen to have a farmhouse feel.

Ask, and you shall receive.

With the plans in place the kitchen was gutted. Soffits were removed, an extra doorway was closed off, appliances switched positions and the wall between the kitchen and dining room was knocked out to open up the space. I love a good puzzle and this space was really fun for me to rethink and reconfigure.  Like a giant game of tetris.

After several long months of work, my very patient clients now have one saucy kitchen.

The space between the dining room and kitchen is much more open now, but still gives both areas their own defined space.

Buffalo check on the dining room chairs is picked up again with the roman shade in the kitchen. You can read more about the dining room chairs I recovered here.

The cork board was a simple DIY project I previewed on Instagram (follow me here). I'll share the tutorial as soon as I can write it up.

I love the side by sides. Let's have some fun shall we.

I love it when a story has a happy ending.

Like what you see here? I can do the same for you. Let's talk.