Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Vintage Tiffany Plates

I found a small collection of these pretty 
vintage Tiffany&Co. plates years ago.
 I've put three in my silver three tiered plate stand 
and topped each plate with a starfish.
The cobalt blue flower border and center has a gold rim
             The back markings. Tiffany and Co., New York
 Royal Worcester c1897
It's the summer tablescape on my dining room table.
It's all on top of a blue runner surrounded with 
my collection of Waterford candlesticks and starfish.
I can easily add placemats and tablesettings  for dining.
I add and subtract things,  and rearrange as
 you may notice in these photos.
A little bit coastal, shells, starfish, crystal, 
and always lots of blue.
Cheers!
Rita



Thursday, August 19, 2010

Kitchen Island Makeover


I was inspired by some of the colorful kitchen islands I've seen on my favorite blogs. Tina's green island and her sister Kathy's red island were making my builders white cabinet island look very dull.
We took off the black tile top and added a thick butcher block top that we've had for years. We've used that top as a kitchen table and a desk top. We bought it at a garage sale in Barrington, IL. It had stainless steel legs at the time. We were lucky that it was a perfect fit on the island. We saved the tile top (Did I mention that I don't throw things out) and used it on another project (later).
I decided to add beadboard on the ends of the cabinet. To add more cottage style.
That antique wood bin holds my recycling containers. It's another "flea" I bought at the Kane County (IL) Flea Market. Lucy listening to my plan.
The other side.
The project has begun. I know we have a can of blue paint in garage.
All painted blue. The beadboard is there too.
I think we still need to add corner legs to make it look more like furniture and make the base visually disappear.
The other side. This was a no-cost project and it made a big difference in the kitchen. My favorite kind of makeover.

Cheers!
Rita

TIP: for butcher block care, click  HERE .



I'm linking to My Romantic Home, The Girl Creative, Finding Fabulous, Between Naps On The Porch,
Cottage Instincts, It's So Very Cheri, Note Songs





Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Afternoon Coffee

A nice break in the afternoon, hot popovers and coffee.
Served with sweet flavored butter.
I mixed up two different butters to go with the popovers.
Cinnamon Honey Butter and Raspberry Butter
click here to get my recipes for the flavorful butters.
keep scrolling down or click on older post to see the table setting.
Cheers!



I'm linking to Between Naps On The Porch

Monday, August 16, 2010

Weekly Table Change

I found this rug on clearance at HomeGoods for $5 to use as a "by the sink" rug, but it was so pretty that I decided to use it as a center accent on the breakfast table for this week.
I loved the jute center with the crisp blue and white fabric border.
I bought a small bunch of roses from a roadside vendor on the way home.
This is a very old dessert set made by Schirnding Haviland China in Bavaria, Germany
I don't know the name of the pattern. I've tried to find it with no luck so far.
I have the coffee pot, lidded sugar and creamer set, dessert plates, cups and saucers for five. I bought it many years ago.
All set for coffee and cake this afternoon.
Have a good week,

Tschuss!


Rita




I'm linking to A Stroll Thru Life, Between Naps On The Porch, Color Outside The Lines  



Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday Morning

Almost finished with my favorite breakfast, strawberry pancakes! Delicious with coffee and frothed milk.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Got Buttons?

Do you have a jar of collected buttons,
or a bowl of buttons?
Then you can make a button wreath.
Cut a circle on a thick piece of cardboard. I used plates as a template. Glue on buttons with craft or white glue. Let dry. Easy!
Tie on a ribbon to hang.
Mine is on top if an ivy wreath hanging on the antique pie safe.

Get Crafty!


Monday, August 9, 2010

More Blue and White

For this week I used my first set of Longaberger pottery dishes with matching placemats and napkins.
I put a potted plant in the soup tureen. It needed a little color so I added two yellow silk orchid sprigs.
I used the matching  tea set. You can get a peek at my old window from my last post through the breakfast window.
I used a battenburg lace table runner. Kept it simple.
pottery napkin rings, salt and pepper shakers and candlestick holders
I need to make something in the pie plate. Maybe something yummy for our Sunday morning brunch.
Mexican Brunch Pie
Would you like a piece?  Recipe HERE
links: A Stroll Thru Life, Between Naps On The Porch,, My Romantic Home

Buenos Dias!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

New Old Window

Yesterday my nephew-in-law Chris brought me this window.
My niece Rita (yes she was named after me) wanted to toss it. He said "I'm bringing it to Aunt Rita, I think she will want it". He was so right!
It was "dog-scanned".
Then it was cleaned.
Then I found a place for it. This chest was a bulk trash rescue (bulk trash day is when our town picks up large items that people want to toss). I painted it white. It makes a nice service bar when we entertain. The drawers hold patio placemats, extra lights, etc.
We made the tile tray and trivets from tile that was leftover after my Mother's kitchen renovation. They were in her kitchen.
Saved oyster and mussel shells.
The channel for the hurricane shutters is just the right size to hold the window in place.
I put it here to get it off the floor and keep it safe yesterday. Realized it was the perfect place for it.
This is the first thing I did this morning.
Can't wait to show Chris and Rita. Thanks for thinking of me.



I'm linking to Southern Hospitality, House in The Roses, Coastal Charm, My Romantic Home,
Coloradolady