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July 25, 2017 By Shirley

Simple Kitchen Decor Using Ironstone

The kitchen has been de-cluttered and somewhat staged.

I know rule of thumb to stage a kitchen

is not to have many things on the counter to accomplish a clean, fresh look.

However, as I have stated before, I take it up a notch or two,

needing some pretties to adorn a room and make you smile during the day!

I did pack away a lot of items that were on the kitchen counters

and this is my simple kitchen decor using ironstone.

Breadboard-Ironstone-Housepitality Designs

In each corner of the counter I previously had very large items,

a vintage breadbox and a large scale that I found during my France trip.

These were packed away and groupings of ironstone pitchers

were placed in each corner of the counter.

Ironstone-Housepitality Designs

A simple white napkin with a pineapple design were placed in each large pitcher

for added texture and interest.

Vintage water pitchers remind me of the days of waiters coming to the table

to refresh your water glass with a crisp white towel hung over their arm.

Silver Champagne Bucket-Housepitality Designs

The table that was at the end of the island that I used for added surface space

and storage was taken away and stored. I miss that table!

I had three scales in the kitchen that were all packed away.

I replaced one of these scales with a simple silver champagne bucket

containing a Peace Lily for that added bling in the kitchen.

Kitchen-Ironstone-Breadboards-Housepitality Designs

Because I did not want to completely leave the counters a blank slate,

I felt that the crisp white of the ironstone would promote a fresh, clean look.

And . . . back to the thought of having something pretty to look at!

Kitchen-Breadboard-Ironstone-Housepitality Designs

I just finished the other side of the kitchen,

and I will show that to you soon.

In the meantime, I am thinking . . . .

Hmmmm, maybe I need to remove the vintage architectural piece and those urns

that are above the cabinets. What do you think? Do they stay or do they go?

And while you are pondering the thought of the architectural piece and urns staying or going,

I want to leave you with these very poetic and thought provoking words

that I read on Michael Lee’s blog, Rattlebridge Farm.

“Plant a thought and reap a word.

Plant a word and reap an action.

Plant an action and reap a habit.

Plant a habit and reap a character.

Plant a character and reap a destiny.”

~ ~ Bishop Beckwaith (credited)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Breadboard, ironstone, kitchen 29 Comments

Previous Post: « My Soulful Home, A Year in Flowers and a Great Giveaway
Next Post: More Simply Stated Kitchen Decor »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    July 25, 2017 at 8:24 am

    You have really packed away a lot of things. Yes, I think I would take down the pieces at the top, too. Sorry for more packing.

    Reply
  2. bonnie morgan says

    July 25, 2017 at 8:37 am

    Love the quote. Shirley, you inspire. I’d like to be a fly on the wall and see how you get so much done.
    You know I love your big french breadboard and dried boxwood is a favorite of mine, too. Your ironstone pitchers are so pretty. Looks very nice.

    Reply
  3. Donnamae says

    July 25, 2017 at 8:50 am

    Yeah…sorry to rain on your parade….but I think the items up top, should be packed away. Other than that…it’s all lovely! Keep
    packing and smiling! đŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Denise says

      August 7, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      I thought the same thing when viewing the space. It looks out of place and a bit too much…IMHO

      Reply
  4. SHARON says

    July 25, 2017 at 9:32 am

    Love your ironstone pitchers. I have been collecting ironstone since a dear family friend gave me some pieces years ago. Pitchers are my Favorite. Your kitchen is looking good, uncluttered but still decorated. Personally I would rather see a nicely decorated kitchen than a sterile looking blank slate.

    Reply
  5. Mary says

    July 25, 2017 at 9:34 am

    Your kitchen looks so refreshed and lightened for summer and for selling!

    Reply
  6. Diane says

    July 25, 2017 at 9:35 am

    I would pack away the large piece, but the vases do not bother me. I do not envy you this job!!!

    Reply
  7. Leila Jane says

    July 25, 2017 at 10:04 am

    Hi Shirley ~ I love the clean, uncluttered look of the white ironstone pitchers on your kitchen counter. Isn’t it incredibly difficult to store away special, hand-picked collectible pieces that we’ve become attached to? I went through this process, too, about 7 years ago with our own home when we retired – and later with my parents home that they had lived in for 45 years. The mantra I kept using that helped me with editing special items was “Does this piece add to the look of the house to someone who is trying to decide whether to buy this house – especially if they don’t like antiques and collectibles?” Of course, to my mind, who wouldn’t love antiques – but I realize they’re just not everyone’s cup of tea. I certainly did not want to distract or detract from the sale of my house! So, it was a difficult process. With that being said, I would remove the architectural piece (though I personally love it) and the 2 lovely urns from the top of your cabinets. The fun part will be finding new places to display your wonderful collectible items in your new home when you get there. Just difficult now. Good luck with it and happy next chapter in your life, Shirley. Thanks for sharing the process with us! It’s fun following along and I wish you all the best with this transition.

    Reply
  8. Linda says

    July 25, 2017 at 10:14 am

    Yes takedown the big piece and the urns.

    Reply
  9. Pinky says

    July 25, 2017 at 10:15 am

    I really like the look of the ironstone, it is clean but still decorated. I wouldn’t like totally spare counters at all. I, too, need some pretties to look at every day! As for the pieces above the cabinets, I think I would leave them….just my opinion. Can’t imagine they would bother anyone. Have a beautiful day!

    Reply
  10. Lauren@Simplylkj says

    July 25, 2017 at 10:26 am

    I love the simplicity of the ironstone. Without it would look cold. I would however take down the architectural piece and jars, as they draw the eye away from the simplicity of the other vignettes.

    Reply
  11. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says

    July 25, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Great poetic words to live by. I love seeing all the simplicity you are bringing into your home.
    Have a great week.
    xoxo
    Kris

    Reply
  12. Pam Richardson says

    July 25, 2017 at 10:52 am

    Shirley, I don’t envy you with all the packing and storing and editing. I love the warmth of your kitchen. I am interested in what you will choose for your new home, will it be all white or warm tones? I love the ironstone! I know you will follow your heart in your new home!

    Reply
  13. Jeanne says

    July 25, 2017 at 11:04 am

    I vote for Go…keep it simple…love the focal point in the kitchen…love all the white too.

    Reply
  14. Shelly says

    July 25, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Shirley I had just thought, I would take down the architectural piece and urns and then you mentioned it! I have noticed over the years our tastes are so much alike!
    Blessings

    Reply
  15. june says

    July 25, 2017 at 11:27 am

    I love it all and wish I lived in the area…I would buy your house in a heartbeat!

    I would take those higher items down – I think it distracts a bit from the beautiful cabinetry and
    cove trim.

    Send some of your energy to me will you:)

    Reply
  16. Lisa says

    July 25, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    I agree with everyone else, the urns and the architectural piece need to get packed away. They distract the eye and break up the simplicity of the staged kitchen. As you said not everyone loves antiques or lots of treasures in their home.

    Reply
  17. Liz @ Home and Gardening With Liz says

    July 25, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    I like the changes – the simpllicity of the ironstone is perfect. They always say to remove as much away as possible so the buyers can imagine themselves in the space so I would remove the architectural piece and vases. They’ll be waiting for you in your next venture!

    Reply
  18. Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things says

    July 26, 2017 at 11:20 am

    Looking good! I would take down the pieces at the top as well.

    Reply
  19. Cindy says

    July 26, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    Shirley, the kitchen looks so clean and fresh with the simple ironstone displayed! It’s so hard to pack away cherished treasures when trying to sell a home,, but it is necessary so potential buyers don’t get distracted! I love the architectural piece and the French urns over the counters….but I agree with so many, they need to come down. Excited to see the next chapter in your journey!

    Reply
  20. Pamela Standley says

    July 26, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    Hi, Shirley, kitchen is beautiful. I love the saying at the end by the Bishop.

    Reply
  21. Carol ("Mimi") says

    July 26, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    This is very pretty! I like how you’ve removed the typical kitchen clutter from your countertops. Your collection of white ironstone is beautiful, and I really like the cutting boards. Great staging for your kitchen.
    Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mmi

    Reply
  22. Nancy Brantley says

    July 26, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    Love the ironstone on the counter but I would take down architectural piece and urns. Not every one has a decorative eye….so it may distract.

    Reply
  23. Rebecca m says

    July 29, 2017 at 10:23 pm

    Yes, take them down. Looking good!

    Reply
  24. Mary W Ferguson says

    August 3, 2017 at 11:40 am

    Kitchen looks good, fresh and clean. Hope your weather isn’t to hot.

    Enjoy your weekend.

    Mary

    Reply
  25. Rebecca Turner says

    August 7, 2017 at 10:03 am

    I would take down the architectural piece but leave the urns. The white on the jars ties into the pitchers down below. My daughter’s house is for sale too and she’s gone through the process of stream lining, packing and getting rid of stuff and her kitchen looks pretty bare to me. Bare can be boring. Of course I know that the idea is for potential buyers to be able to see the bones of the house and not necessarily your stuff. But if you happen to have a knack for decorating, as you do, there’s nothing wrong with giving them a few ideas. What you’ve done looks lovely! I’m amazed though at some of the houses that are for sale that are just loaded with family pictures and junk. Very taste specific stuff! I won’t blame their real estate agents though because it’s more likely that they just don’t want to do the hard work. It is work, isn’t it?!

    Reply
  26. KATHYSUE says

    August 7, 2017 at 1:04 pm

    Shirley it is so hard to pack away our pretties, I remember doing that too. I always said staging is un-decorating. I would remove the items on the top of cabinets for sure as much as I am dying for the architectural piece, Love that sooooo much. I also would only have the cutting boards on that counter, I know it is hard, but open space is so key in selling a home. Love the plant in the champagne bucket, that looks amazing, just the right amount of shine!! I know your beautiful home is going to sale in a heartbeat.

    Reply
  27. Sandra at Maison De Jardin says

    August 8, 2017 at 8:41 am

    Shirley: Love your ironstone and the wonderful bread boards. As you are going for an uncluttered look for your prospective buyers, I would take down your pieces at the top of the cupboards. Your cabinets are gorgeous and will stand completely on their own. Also, the plant in the lovely champagne bucket is so pretty.

    Love your words at the end of the post. I have copied them to go in my “little book of special things.”

    Reply
  28. Linda says

    August 9, 2017 at 10:13 pm

    Are you about finished with your restaging? When will the house go on the market? Everything looks so perfect it should take no time at all to sell. I can only imagine the effort you have made to get everything perfect.

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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