Now, I'm not saying your kitchen needs to be spotless 24/7. Mine isn't always neat - everyone who lives with me knows that. In fact, a busy kitchen should not be spotless. A sterile kitchen that's photo-ready is not very inviting. What I'm talking about is having things in your kitchen that make you happy and comfortable, rather than just utilitarian. I decided long ago that as long as I was spending so much time in the kitchen that it would be in my best interest to bring things into my kitchen that were not only functional, but that were also pretty and/or sentimental. It doesn't have to cost much and it doesn't mean a major re-decorating job, either. I never had much money or time for either! Most of what I love in my kitchen is given to me as gifts, inherited, or found at thrift shops. Here are a few of my favorites, and they rotate on occasion as new things are given to me.
This bottle is one of my favorite thrift shop finds. I always disliked the look of a dish detergent bottle on the counter, and yet, have to admit I'm kind of lazy about putting it away a dozen times a day when I use it. This solves the problem. I just add a little water to the soap to allow it to flow easily through the spout. Also notice the "Mom" card on the shelf? Made for me by my daughter Megan for Mother's Day last year - I CANNOT bring myself to put that one away! How often does your adult daughter make you a homemade card? *sniff*
This next one is my African Violet, given to me by my daughter-in-law, Holly. She has given me lots of plants, by the way. Plants are a wonderful way to warm up your kitchen, also very inexpensive, and if you have them right there in your kitchen, you have a tendency to take good care of them :) The cut-glass birdfeeder is also a gift from the best realtor/friend a person could have (you know who you are!). Too pretty to put outdoors.
This is a set of pot holders that my mother made for me several years ago. I love the color red for accents in my kitchen, so rather than use them and get them all dirty, I decided to hang them on the wall for decoration.
My grand-daughter Madelynn made these wind chimes for me for grandparents' day. They were outside during the summer, but I brought inside for the winter. Now I'm thinking I may just keep them here in the kitchen so I can look at them every day :)
Here is something extra special to me. I always coveted (I love that word) this cutting board shaped like a cat. My mother-in-law had it in her kitchen by the sink. My husband made it when he was in junior high shop class. I was always charmed by the fact that he made it into the shape of a cat and gave it to his mother. She used it a lot. When she passed away, it was given to me. It is one of my most cherished objects.
Last, but not least, here is the rocking chair I spoke of in my last post. Over the back of it I keep one of the quilts my mother made. She has made a lot of quilts. Fortunately, we have many of them in our family. One of these days I will post pictures of some more of them. Anyway, this is part of my kitchen where folks can sit and visit with me when I cook :)
I don't think any of these things cost me money, just a bit of digging around and lots of generosity by my family. I often change things around when I get bored, especially in the middle of winter, or at the change of seasons, although I don't really decorate for special holidays. So, think about making your kitchen a happy and comfortable place to be!
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