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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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)
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.
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.
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˜‰
I thought the same thing when viewing the space. It looks out of place and a bit too much…IMHO
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.
Your kitchen looks so refreshed and lightened for summer and for selling!
I would pack away the large piece, but the vases do not bother me. I do not envy you this job!!!
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.
Yes takedown the big piece and the urns.
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!
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.
Great poetic words to live by. I love seeing all the simplicity you are bringing into your home.
Have a great week.
xoxo
Kris
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!
I vote for Go…keep it simple…love the focal point in the kitchen…love all the white too.
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
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:)
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.
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!
Looking good! I would take down the pieces at the top as well.
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!
Hi, Shirley, kitchen is beautiful. I love the saying at the end by the Bishop.
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
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.
Yes, take them down. Looking good!
Kitchen looks good, fresh and clean. Hope your weather isn’t to hot.
Enjoy your weekend.
Mary
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?!
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.
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.”
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.