Got the Blues??

To be honest, I have only recently (in the last few years) gotten back into the colour blue. The last few homes I have built I used tons of yellow in all its shades. Cream, pale yellow, daisy yellow, right up to muted mustard shades (think Benjamin Moore's Vellum. In the home prior to this one, I discovered the most beautiful shade of blue- kind of a washed out robin's egg blue. I used it in my bathroom and I loved it so much, I carried it with me to my new home (again in the bathroom). I also painted my kitchen cabinets the freshest shade of blue-gray and I am thrilled with how I feel when I enter my kitchen. Blue truly is soothing...not at all cold, although I think I will feel cooler in the summer with so much of it around me.

Colour selection is one of the most daunting choices when decorating a room (or rooms). That is because there is so much choice!! Does it really make a difference if you go with the dark sage as opposed to the olive green? In a word, yes - every space has different light and shadows and a colour can look totally different from room to room. My best tip is to find a colour you love either in a decorative item or even the clothes you are wearing. Chances are, if you like a colour enough to wear it on your body, you will likely enjoy it in your home. Take this inspiration piece with you to the paint store and have them colour match it. This is your best chance for making the right paint selection. Meanwhile, back to the blue, why not give it a try? Paint a small bathroom or even the back of an open cabinet or shelving to breathe new life... fresh air...a bit of summer... into your home!!


***the photos above show my kitchen (sorry for the repeat performance), and my dream living room and bedroom (if I could start from scratch...)

Open Shelving

I finally have open shelving in my kitchen and it makes me as happy as I thought it would! Although it is not for everyone, I find open shelving looks beautiful and is convenient for the cook to quickly grab a needed pot or dish. They add personality and style to a kitchen and force us to be neat and tidy and eliminate from view, that which we do not need. I personally use my open shelving for my everyday dishware and glasses, thus the problem of things getting dusty is not an issue, as everything goes through the dishwasher on a regular basis. That said, I made sure that I love my everyday dishes! You wouldn't want to stare at ugly,mismatched cups and plates 24 hrs a day! I also display little treasured objects like my iron bird collection, lacework plates, and my beloved cream pitcher from my Auntie Jean.

Some people are scared of open shelving because they are afraid it will look unfinished. It is important to select shelves and brackets that complement (notice I didn't say match) your cabinetry. Choose a glossy finish so they will wipe clean easily and be sure to space the shelves adequately so that you will be able to stand up your plates if desired. My shelves have a simple routered edge and I purchased my brackets at Lee Valley Tools. Now is a great time to find brackets, though, as the stores have many to choose from in their seasonal/garden sections. If you are opting for open shelving within a cabinet that has glass doors, consider painting the backs of the cupboards a pretty colour that will make your displayed items "pop". Have fun with it and display what you love. Chances are if it looks great to you, it will to others as well!