About taking something tarnished and polishing it up  and why those simple and easy projects are not always the way to go.

A Story and look at our kitchen

Would it surprise you to know that I haven’t always been a girl that makes sense?

 I can be honest. I have learned that my way of thinking often doesn’t make any logical sense. I know what I like. I know what I want- but does the method to my madness make sense? Often, absolutely not. And you know who knows it even more? 

My husband.

I am THE best at making that man crazy. (at least I am good at something, right?  

And there was a moment  back.in.the.day when we were young (19 and 21) and working on our first house and I was a basket case of pregnancy hormones and I started falling apart at some random thing and knew that I was a pain in the you know what – and in his exasperation he paused and smiled and wrapped his arms around me and said: 

‘Anyone can have an easy woman…  why would I want that when I can have you?’ 

I had a couple reactions honestly. The first- blubberfest because-he has always been the sweetest man and he loved me even when I was feeling pretty unloveable and was literally an emotional wreck. But that he also had no idea how much more emotional that emotional side could get.  (young love haha- he has since learned!)

Which brings me to this house.

Home

The house we live in now is our 3rd home together. Well 4th if you count that tiny house on wheels that he bought when he returned from Desert Storm that we lived in for a few months. And with each house- there has been a challenge of some kind. Some bigger than others- but none were quite as much a basket case of issues as this one we live in now… kind of like me.

From the day I drove into the driveway- I knew this was not going to be an easy job.  It was ugly and it looked like it should be bulldozed. So Why would I even want to get out the car and take a closer look at something that was already so decrepit and broken from glance? 

The honest answer is that it was at the tippy top of our price range in expensive California and this was the only house that I felt drawn to when I first saw it.  Sure it was tarnished. Beyond tarnished really- it was a the point of when tarnish starts pitting and eating away the metal. And when my husband came to look at it and said ‘No way- this is terrible.’ And I couldn’t disagree- it was. Especially compared to the sweet farmhouse we had moved from in Minnesota on 120 acres that cost less than a brand new car. 

But  I reminded him about what he said back in the day…and changed it to fit the project.

Anyone could take on an easy project-  why would we want to do that when we could tackle this one?

Yeah, I don’t think that thinking went over real well.  The truth is – even after I got him to agree to wander through- he wasn’t so sure.  You see, we had 3 little kids- and my husband worked in another county for several days and nights at a time -which meant it was the kids and I at home for 3-4 days a week by ourselves.

And we knew we weren’t going to be able to buy the house, walk in and throw lots of money at it to fix all the issues- we were going to have to pay to fix each thing as we could. And do each project with little skills.

This house was rough. But I argued it was a diamond in the rough. (Okay- it looked like coal but who is really counting? )

 We originally thought it would take a few years- we would flip it and we could look for another project.  But the more that we worked on things and that tarnish was polished away – I saw the bones that the house had and how perfect they were. And the more I found myself feeling so much like this was the perfect place for us.

And a lot of those first glance elements that we were told to replace in favor in updating and making the house more appealing to the market-  they were the things that spoke the loudest to me. Some of them were not the easiest of things to live with- but we decided that they were not going to be changed.

The Kitchen

One of those things is the original cupboards that were in the kitchen. How do I go from that story to this story about the kitchen? It is a rambling kind of Monday folks-  I have no other explanation.  But I have often been asked how to remodel a kitchen and keep that vintage feeling and look- it definitely helps that our kitchen has those original bones to work with.

We could have replaced the drawers that drop and the doors that never like to stay closed- but  kept those elements that make us crazy and that we love all at the same time.  (Again- my husband knows nothing about this lol.)

7 Simple Ways to Add Vintage Charm

So all kidding aside-  if you have a vintage kitchen you want to be more functional- how can you update  and keep the original vintage character and feeling?  Or  how about adding some vintage charm and touches to your newer kitchen?  And of course- without breaking the bank with a huge kitchen renovation bill?

Here are 7 simple ideas today that I think absolutely can make a difference without changing everything.

1. Change the lighting

This is a simple thing- but you know that ceiling fan with a beer bottle pull in our kitchen when we moved in? (see 2 pictures back for a close up)  Yeah, two chandeliers was a much better fit I think. The chandeliers currently in our kitchen are $20 vintage finds. They aren’t perfect and I have thought about updating them since- but they are kind of part of the story now I think. 

2. Fresh coat of Enamel type paint

Vintage paint has a vintage type sheen you are probably familiar with. It is more gloss/enamel look than flat or eggshell. But it definitely isn’t photo finish type baked on paint. I have found that some of the best paint for our vintage cupboards to keep the look and keep the functionality of easy to clean is a enamel. Oil based if you can do it- but that does require a bit more to it and lots of open windows and no touching for several days- so water based enamel is a good option too.

3. Add an island

We didn’t have an island when we first moved in. It was just a long galley style space with very little counter area. We added one island, then switched it for a second larger one and then finally were able to add the perfect fit a few years ago. It absolutely makes a huge difference in this room and gives us so much more space to work. 

4. Architectural interest

On the ceiling. On the walls. Add some of that old world style interest with wood planks, beaded board or ceiling tins. You can do this more easily with wallpapers that have the look- or put actual planks or tins up.

5. Open Cupboards

Those open cupboard areas on the ends of our kitchen? Originally had doors. One was broken and when I removed it to try and fix it- loved seeing the wood walls in the back and decided to paint it and leave it open. I repeated at the other end for symmetry and voila. 

6. Update your backsplash & Counters

Tiles, beadboard, or even a slab of stone- your backsplash and counters can make your kitchen look totally different. You don’t have to go expensive with a specific type of stone- there are many options for all price brackets. Just remember with a slab- you will need a fabricator to cut and install so that does add a bit to the cost.

7. Change your hardware

Knobs and handles are an easy change- and they are inexpensive as well. I ordered unlaquered brass knobs and pulls from House of Antique Hardware and they were perfect for giving our kitchen that original vintage look when we updated the lucite knobs.

These are all simple ways to give your kitchen that vintage feeling and look without changing everything or having a kitchen remodel bill that runs into the 5 figures.

And up next in their series-  a few ideas for temporary changes for example in a rental kitchen  -without renovating anything.  

Something that completely blows my mind when I look back at this house and kitchen and remember where we started? I knew it could be beautiful & charming. I saw the potential through the dust and yuck. But I had no idea that it would be in magazines. Or that it would be included in 3 books. I had no idea that opening the door to this house would lead to opening the door to writing a blog or books. Which just reminds me to be okay with looking at things a little differently. Even if it makes my husband crazy even now. And yes indeed- you can ask him- I am absolutely even better at doing that than I was before.

In case you missed them – I just released my 3rd book French Country Cottage Christmas (currently on sale for $20!!) And my first book is FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE & my second book FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE INSPIRED GATHERINGS

You can see more of this grazing table HERE– it is perfect any time of the year!

I have been doing a whole lot of reflecting while dreaming and planning the past couple of weeks. Every time I do a reflection series- it seems looking back at the project comes up so you will see more of that including some before I have not shared yet soon.

Happy almost Friday all!

The post A story & 7 easy ideas for adding vintage charm to your kitchen appeared first on French Country Cottage.

This is a wreath I made several years ago that uses fresh and dried elements. Whole oranges and slices are both included along with other dried citrus- and I love how it turned out.

For my book, I created a new wreath inspired by the dried citrus. This one has a bunch of pinecones mixed in as well.

Whether you are look at creating a wreath, decorating a tree or making a garland- or just scattering dried citrus here and there for a festive touch. It is so easy to make your own if you would like to- and it smells amazing in the house while you are doing it.

Whole oranges & Slices

First things first- whole oranges. You might have seen pomanders which are dried oranges with cloves in designs and patterns. They are beautiful as well- but today we are talking about simple sliced whole oranges and slices of oranges.

How To

Preheat your oven from 175- 200 f and take your whole oranges and simply make slits all around them. You can slice about 1/4″ deep but not much further and don’t connect all the slices at the top or bottom- you want the orange to maintain the shape. Place the whole orange on parchment paper or aluminum foil on a baking tray and bake for about 12-24 hours or until they are dry. The larger the orange- the longer it takes. I have also done this same thing with small tangerines, limes and lemons, etc. for a different look.

For the slices- simply cut your orange into slices and place them on the tray to bake. They will not take nearly as long- probably only about 3 hours depending on how thick the slices are and how juicy the oranges are.

Remember to flip both whole and sliced oranges about 1x per hour so that they dry more evenly. When they are dry- cool them at room temperature before using them for potpourri, ornaments, garlands etc.

Simple and sweet and so easy to make. They will last and last as long as they are dry enough and you should be able to enjoy them for several years.

Get the Look

• Dried Whole Oranges
• Dried Orange Slices
• Dried Whole Lime
• Dried Lemon Slices
• Burnt Orange velvet ribbon
• French Country Cottage Christmas Book
• Olive Green Velvet Ribbon

Happy Thursday all!

*some affiliate links

The post How to Dry Whole Oranges & Slices for Decor appeared first on French Country Cottage.

I got a message from a reader recently after showing some faux floral decor on the table. It was about using faux flowers in decor and if that was something that is ok to do if you love and favor fresh. A perfect topic to delve into more.

The quick answers? For one, there are no rules! If you love fresh flowers and find a faux arrangement that knocks your socks off? It is OK to love and enjoy them both! For two: not all faux flowers are created equally- you can find highly realistic flowers that might surprise you.

Real Vs Faux Flowers

Why choose fresh? Well, fresh flowers are a big one for me. I do believe a room needs flowers in it to be fully finished and I love clipping blooms from the garden or bringing home a lovely fresh bouquet to arrange year round. We are fortunate here that we have an abundance of beautiful fresh favorites available at the SF Flower Mart all year long and I definitely take advantage of that. But even though I adore fresh blooms and indulge that love- I often decorate with realistic faux and love them.

I know that fresh are not readily available or at decent prices all over the place. At the market, fresh garden roses for example run in the $35-45 per dozen price range- higher for many David Austins. So for many- a no fuss, no water, no care faux arrangement that will last might be a perfect choice for getting the look. Faux arrangements are more of an investment upfront- but they will give you years of enjoyment. It really comes down to your personal feelings on them. I know people who prefer faux over fresh for the reasons above- and others who are the opposite.

But Do artificial flowers REALLY look real?  Of course it depends on the quality and price point. You can expect to pay more for highly realistic faux flowers that might fool your most discerning guests- but are they worth it? Are they Really realistic?

I am going to let you decide. I am showing you a comparison showing the comparison of Real florals vs artificial florals and how to decorate your home with faux flowers. And I also put together this video showing more.

Faux Flowers

Let’s talk about faux flowers. They have gotten a pretty bad reputation over the years- and I will admit that I am pretty particular when it comes to incorporating faux. They have to look real or I am not playing. I have been pleasantly surprised by quite a few that DO look real at first glance-so I was interested to see side by side how they held up to my real favorites.

Side By Side Flowers

I took several Balsam Hill arrangements and recreated them with fresh flowers. The first one is the Pastel Spring Floral arrangement full of some of my favorites- ranunculus, peonies, hellebore and tulips.

One of these is not like the other… one is faux and one is real flowers.

Same with these. 

One is freshly created-  and one will last all year long.

But why ‘go faux’ if I love fresh so much? Well I definitely do love fresh flowers and am a big believer in having fresh flowers in the house all.the.time. Flowers help create a mood, add a pop of color with vibrant blooms or touch of quiet with subtle blooms- and they just make the room feel so wonderful.

But I have heard from many of you over the years that it is frustrating when you can’t find the same availability of flowers easily everywhere. So faux in some of your favorite hard to find flowers might be perfect for you. Even if real flowers are your favorite thing these can help make your home feel like it is full of spring sunshine.

How to Decorate With Faux Flowers

A few ideas for incorporating:

Customize: Use a faux arrangement – and mix in fresh clippings from your yard for a unique and personalized arrangement. A bonus is that the fresh can add a lovely scent as well.

Simple & Sweet: Use single flowers on a mantel to warm up the room. It doesn’t have to be go big or go home- sometimes simple is perfect.

Think outside the box: Grab a wreath and use it in a different way.

You can see the full posts here: Using a wreath on a chandelier

and Using a wreath around the base of a statue

Fresh & Faux

And back to those comparison flowers- did you decide which is real and which is faux?

The large round glass bowl arrangement is faux-the mason jar arrangement is real.

This tall one on the chair is faux and the one on the floor is real flowers.

This was such a fun comparison because I was able to source all the flowers that Balsam Hill had used for their arrangements and was able to recreate them quite closely. And if you have greens available in your yard- you can add them right to any arrangement or wreath for a fresh touch and scent.

I also recreated and compared 3 other floral arrangements as well and shared some tips and detailed photos in my post at the Balsam Hill Blog

Right now everything is up to 40% off for Memorial Day at Balsam Hill– you can shop the realistic florals (including the collections I designed for them- French Market, Marseille Meadow) and Stay tuned for a few ideas for unique ways to decorate with faux flowers that you can do in just a few minutes along with some of my favorites this season.

If you have any other topics you would like to see covered on the blog- just drop me a note or leave a comment here and I will see what I can do.

Happy Wednesday all!

The post Real vs Faux- How to Decorate with Beautiful Flowers appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Bathroom Renovation Before & After

 

You start with whatever is in place, you dream about what you wish was in place…

and then you go about designing that dream space.

This bathroom most definitely did NOT look like this when we started. Not.Even.Close.

 

 You might not know but our house was old and abandoned with broken windows and lots of grossness (for lack of a better word).  It had never been lived in full time- and was left for vandalism and yuck in the country for YEARS. As in like 60 years. Where who knows WHAT happened.

All we know is that when we bought the house- we were pretty alarmed at some of the grunge and damage in all the rooms which leads us to think it may have been a party house or squatter house even at some point during those 60+ years.

And this bathroom… well this bathroom was what you might refer to as a diamond in the rough.

 

REALLY ROUGH. 

 

 

AS IN COAL. 
THAT WAS QUESTIONABLE IF THERE WAS A DIAMOND JUST WAITING INSIDE.

 

 

Okay- honestly, a diamond in the rough is generous.

This bathroom was a
disaster. 

Remember how I said I see potential to a fault? This house is a perfect example.The Before- was incredibly hard to look past.

Short ceilings, old hodgepodge mismatched tile- including my favorite- ‘Giraffe Tile’ which was a golden yellow with brown spots on the floor, broken shower door, cracked sink, red subway tile on the walls- except for the brown that was on the other wall and then all that water damage and broken tiny window.

 

I actually liked the sink but it was cracked and unusable.
And the large built in cupboard was great- lots of character in the doors –

it really just needed major amounts of cleaning
(ahem BLEACH)  and paint and primer.

We took that apart and re-used it in another room.

But you know what?
That is likely one of the reasons why so many passed on this amazing little old house- because I was the only looney toon who saw a diamond waiting in that very.thick.and
dark.coal.

And the bathroom along with the rest of this old vandalized neglected house….aside from the obvious disrepair it was in-
it just didn’t fit our idea of what a dream would look like. So we dreamed up a new look and waved an amazing magic wand…and this is what it looks like now.

 

And I have to tell you… that magic wand?
THE best investment we ever made.

haha

 

 

 

Okay- so obviously ‘the wand’
looked more like, blood, sweat, tears and A LOT of work. We removed the old and started with a little bit of reconfiguring to make the space work for how we live. And when it comes to tackling any kind of renovation or re-decorating project- I always start with what works and what I WANT the space to look like.

And with this project- we learned more than a few things.

 

 

 

#1. Work with what you have

 

Obviously, unless you are adding square footage or raising the roof, etc. the best thing and easiest thing to do is work with what you have.
For this bathroom, the plumbing didn’t move.
We kept the sink along the same wall as it was originally- where the cupboard was next to the original sink- we added a second set of pipes (my dad is a contractor extraordinaire) for the double sink. The shower is in the same spot, the tub is an addition but it piggybacked off the water heater plumbing and sits in the spot where the water heater used to be.

That door way looking in is where the new wall for the bathroom is which allowed us to expand the space within the original footprint.

If you can work with existing- go for it.

 

 

 

#2. Keep your choices simple

 

Something I feel like I see again and again-
is a small space with a big amount of chaos and patterns.
It is like someone who puts on all their favorite outfits along with 3 hats and 4 scarves
at the SAME TIME.
I know it might be something that is fun to do once in awhile but on an everyday basis where you might want to slowly wake up or relax in the evening-
unless you love overload of pattern and color- keeping that simple backdrop is a good choice. So when designing a space like a bathroom- which is generally going to have a footprint of maybe a few hundred sq ft depending-I like to keep a cohesive and somewhat simple look.
If that is tile, wallpaper, whatever floats your boat- go for it!
I had wallpaper in this bathroom for years- I loved it.
I paired it with simple white beaded board to keep it from feeling overwhelming.
Then you can add in your pops of colors, patterns and details and all your favorite outfits and hats – and then change them whenever you feel like it.

 

 

 

 

#3. Splurge 

 

Something that was a splurge for me- the vanity and the cast iron tub.
I firmly believe that if you cut high end choices in one area – you can splurge in others and have an overall decadent feeling bathroom.
Another splurge- all that marble. On the floor, on the walls, in the shower. (I might be obsessed)
The way that splurge worked into the budget is the next tip.

 

 

 

#4. DIY what you can

 

IF you area a diy kind of person- and really be honest with yourself there- then you can tackle things like doing the tile and save at ton.
BUT *Absolutely do Not tackle anything like wiring, plumbing or moving walls/construction without a qualified person helping you. *

 

 

HIRE all those jobs you are not qualified to do.
DIY can go very wrong- and anytime you are working with plumbing, construction and electrical situations- I have my go to phone a friend to come over and help.
Plus, if you do it wrong the first time- you will be paying twice as much to have it fixed.
Just hire the job out and get it done right the first time and put your mind at ease on if it was done correctly.

 

 

 

#5. Shop online for the best prices

 

Some of the BEST items for renovating are things I have found online.
All the faucets, sinks and even that cast iron tub- all sourced online. My local big box home improvement stores did not have them and the finish, style and sizes I was looking for were not easy to come by. A favorite source for vintage style is Signature Hardware – all of those things mentioned above were from them.

 

#6. Shop Vintage

 

Shop vintage as well- some of the best items come from the thrift store or flea market- and the price can’t be beat. I included several vintage elements in the bathroom to give it that ‘old world’ feeling. The French armoire is a perfect example.
Sourced from Craigslist- I use it to store baskets full of everyday things that I don’t want out and about. The laundry basket under the sink is another- perfect for holding rolled towels and extra rolls of tp behind them.

 

 

#7. Think about functionality- for YOU

 

It sounds simple- but I can’t tell you how many times I bump into a design that LOOKS incredible- but doesn’t work.  A toilet in an awkward spot even though it adds more floor space or a bathtub in the center of the room even though you bump into it when trying to reach the sink.
Remember to think about how you live everyday in that space- and make it work for you.

 

 

 

 

#8. Embrace the quirks

 

Something I had to learn while living in this house- embrace the quirks. There are a lot of things I don’t love about certain rooms, layouts, etc. And some of them could be changed if I spent a ton of money and changed entire rooms-but I choose to embrace those quirks and recognize they are part of the character and age of this home- and that not everything has to be changed.  That shower? I would have loved to have enlarged it and made it double the size it was- but that would have required moving the toilet and redoing plumbing. And that quirky slanted ceiling above it wouldn’t be nearly the same if it was in a different spot.

 

 

#9. Layer what you love 

 

Cozy towels, shades of white, marble on marble, crisp and clean finishes, rich elegant finishes, classic old world style or more modern touches- whatever your dream bathroom looks like- it doesn’t have to be expensive, new or renovated to be Love – layer those elements.
From brass hardware to wallpaper or marble subway tile to beaded board and
sightly over the top chandeliers- I am a big believer in the thought that if a room makes you happy when you walk in- that it is perfect.
So think about what you love and enjoy the process of creating a space that you love.

 

I hope that helps a bit with how this renovation came about.
And something fun- see those sconces?
They are from Lamps Plus (here) 

 

 

 

And some of these photos are from my book- if you don’t have it yet-

you can find it on sale HERE 

And find my new book Inspired Gatherings HERE 

 

Giveaway is CLOSED.

 

 

Disclosure:I partnered with Angie’s List to update this bathroom- but all designs and opinions are my own.

The post Beautiful French Inspired Bathroom Renovation Before & After appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Dutch Doors 

 Barn Dutch Door

and when we built the barn

adding dutch barn doors to it  was on the list.  Barns traditionally do have those 2 part doors- so it was an instant on the to -do list when we built this.

(this is the Star Barn)

 

DIY Dutch Door 

And taking this regular door and making into a dutch door was a quick and easy project. 

 

 

It was so simple to do- and with just about $20 in hardware.

 

 

 

You need: 

4 hinges –  2 per each door section

A latch to keep the door sections together when you want them together

 (affiliate links for what we used at the end of the post)

 

 

 

 

Since this door was already attached when the section of the barn arrived- 

we had to remove it to be able to customize. 

 

 

 

 This door is a barn door- so not built like a regular door- but it did have the framing board in the center that was perfect for splitting into two sections.

 

 

 

 

Creating a dutch door

After cutting the door in half where those center boards were- 

 my husband simply attached the 2 new hinges so that there was one at the top and one at the bottom of each door section. 

 

Note: 

He left the original large hinges at the top of the top door and bottom of the bottom door. 

 

 

You can see where the old center hinge was and the new added hinges are.

 

Most doors have 3 hinges on them- top, center and bottom. 

You can also use the original hinges of a door- 

you just won’t have the center one being usable after splitting the door.

 

Putting the door back on the barn

He started with the bottom section of the door and attached the hinges to the barn door frame- 

Then repeated with the top. 

Inside the door- there is a latch that keeps them together-or opens each individually 

when it is left open- 

and there is also a silver bolt in place on the outside temporarily- 

but that won’t be staying.

 

 For an additional ‘seal’  you can add a strip of wood across the back inside of the door where the two doors come together – so that there is no ‘breeze’ coming through.

We also added a barn door to the potting shed when we built it. That door was a vintage door that we did pretty much this same process to and created the barn door. We are doing a couple updates on the potting shed so will share more about that soon. 

 

 

 

 

Shop the Look

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]]> https://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/how-to-make-barn-door-into-dutch-door/feed/ 12 https://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/shades-of-whitefinding-perfect-pain/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=shades-of-whitefinding-perfect-pain https://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/shades-of-whitefinding-perfect-pain/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2023 08:20:00 +0000 https://frenchcountrycottagenet.bigscoots-staging.com/2016/02/shades-of-whitefinding-perfect-pain.html Back in the day when my daughter was in high school, I was talking to her about needing to choose a color for  a room makeover I was working on. And she said ‘Are you choosing Another shade of white? Our house is nothing but shades of white.’   I frowned a bit and said ‘No it’s definitely not…

The post Tips for choosing White Paint Colors appeared first on French Country Cottage.

]]> Back in the day when my daughter was in high school, I was talking to her about needing to choose a color for  a room makeover I was working on. And she said ‘Are you choosing Another shade of white? Our house is nothing but shades of white.’

 

#1. Undertone

#2. The lighting

#3. Those names? Forget about it.

• Summer Lily. 
• Sentimental. 
• Pale Bloom.
•  Intricate Ivory. 
• Nice White. 
• Simple White.
• Perfect white.

Benjamin Moore Simply White 

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Kitchens are where a lot of cooking magic happens & conversations take place over coffee and fresh baked goodies. The kitchen is a hard working space in a house- so they need to function well of course – but we also like to have them be pretty which means- kitchen renovations big and small are always popular in home improvement. Something I am asked often is how do you get that vintage charm if you don’t live in a vintage home? Or maybe you have a home that needs a bit of renovating and aren’t sure where to start to add that look?  I hear you. And I remember wondering where to start with our kitchen.  Do you remember what it looked like BEFORE?

If you have been reading my blog for awhile- you know where my kitchen started. You know that it didn’t come with that wood island, marble countertops, wood planked ceiling or the chandeliers lighting the room. It did not look like that photo above. Back.in.the.day- our house was an old vandalized and literally rotting away home in the country. 

And the kitchen… well, it left a lot to be desired.

The Kitchen Before

It had an old linoleum floor, tile counters, dark orange wood walls, windows held in by bent nails to keep them from falling -an unfinished sheetrock ceiling that was literally dropping (we gained about 6″ in height when we pushed it up and secured it) and then there was the piece de resistance…

the ceiling fan with a beer bottle dangling from the pull.

Oh it was a beauty let me tell you.  

And that first day when I walked into the kitchen- I saw alllll of those things.  And I also saw elements that I could work with to create the kitchen I envisioned that first day. Yes, this is a vintage house built in 1940. And thankfully when someone had started to renovate a few things likely in the 1980’s – they left a lot of the vintage charm untouched- so I had some great vintage elements to work with.

And in case you are wondering- yes, we kept those original 1940’s cupboards. 

But those elements aside- when planning a renovation big or small- on a kitchen old or new- what are some of the elements to consider adding for that vintage charm?  Today it is all about just that.  Side note:  Some of these recommendations are geared more towards renovating-but some are simple and easy DIY jobs or jobs you can hire a handyman to do.  And even with hiring a pro to do make these changes- they are not as expensive as putting in a whole new kitchen- but will give you more of the look you are after.

#1. Paint Kitchen cupboards

Vintage kitchens brings to mind painted cupboards- in all shades and colors.  I have seen bold and beautiful blues, greens, black and red cupboards- as well as those beautiful shades of white and creams. 

#2. Add Open Shelves 

Open shelves are quite popular at the moment but they are not a new thing. Many vintage kitchens have open shelf areas- we have an original shelf above our sink.  And while the look and finishes of those shelves have changed- the look is the same.  Create an area where you can stack farmhouse bowls, coffee cups and plates- along with old oil paintings, a succulent or small container of flowers.

These open shelf areas were added to the kitchen and is where the range used to be.   We also created open shelf areas in our kitchen in the original cupboards by removing the end cupboard doors. It wasn’t an original plan- it was because one of the doors was broken. I took it off to repair it- and loved the open look it had. So I removed the end door at the other end of the cupboard for symmetry.  A note:  our cupboards are built right into the wall and as such- have wood wall back and sides. Newer cupboard are usually self contained – meaning they are a box that is put on the wall rather than built in place. You can achieve an open cupboard look with those as well by adding beaded board or wood planks to the inside and painting them.

#3. Add plank walls

This sounds quite involved- and depending on how many outlets, switches and other bits you would need to cut around- it might be. But if you have a simple straight forward blank wall with nothing – adding those planks is a straightforward way to get a vintage look.  You can find packages of tongue and groove planks at Home Depot & Lowe’s – add a fresh coat of paint and those planks instantly add that old world style charm.

You can also use wallpaper that looks like wood planks. There are quite a few that look realistic and if hiring someone to plank the walls with wood isn’t in the budget or in your DIY comfort zone- that is an inexpensive way to get the look. Read more about Why I love wood plank walls Here

#4. A vintage style Kitchen island

Our kitchen didn’t have an island originally- there was no room for it really. Though our kitchen is quite long- at the end where our range is now- it had the hallway to the bedrooms and back of the house.  When we changed the flow of the house to go next to the kitchen instead of through it- we closed that old hallway off and it created the layout we have now and an opportunity to add an island for more work space.

Replacing that clunky island with something open- like a farmhouse style table will instantly add charm. You can also use pieces like a vintage sideboard as an island or even have something custom built with vintage wood to get the look with the functionality you would like.  For an authentic ‘collected over time feeling’ – keep the island a different finish than the rest of the kitchen- a different color paint or a natural wood for example. 

#5. Update Kitchen Lighting

I remember the day I found a vintage chandelier in a second hand shop that I instantly fell in love with. It was covered in crystals. It was detailed and charming and it was only $20 which was in the budget. I brought it home and showed my husband and told him I wanted to put it in the kitchen. He proceeded to tell me I might be crazy and that our kitchen was not the style kitchen that would have something like an elegant chandelier with crystals.  I asked him to humor me.

After it was installed – he turned the chandelier on and then stood back and stared before finally admitting that the chandelier was the perfect jewelry in our old kitchen and somehow it worked.  One wasn’t enough light for the long space- so I knew it would stay only until I found the right size light- but when I found a matching chandelier- we added the second one and called it good.

So many times those kitchen light fixtures in newer kitchens are those big boxes on the ceiling with florescent lights. ( you know what I am talking about) So changing that (again) clunky fixture instantly changes the whole look of the space.

#6. Kitchen Farmhouse sink

Adding a farmhouse sink is another way to add instant vintage appeal.  They are beautiful and you can get them with one basin or two – and they are ideal for those flowers in the sink moments. More about our farmhouse sink here.

#7. Add Plate Racks

So simple to add to open shelf areas and they have such a sweet look. Learn all about this $8 plate rack idea Here

#8.  Use baskets for drawers 

We removed three drawers and placed baskets for vegetables in their place. Baskets bring an instant softness and charm.

#9.  Don’t forget the ceiling

Details on the ceiling are another vintage kitchen look.  From a different color of paint, to planked wood and beams or beaded board to those metal ceiling tiles.  Whatever your favorite look is- adding that detail is sure to bring a bit of charm.

While planked wood and beams are a bigger job for the professionals (hello- you don’t want any heavy beams landing on anyone haha) You can paint the ceiling yourself or use a wallpaper to get the look of the ceiling tiles. I used embossed wallpaper on the ceiling in my office and it worked beautifully.

#10. Tile or beaded board backsplash

A backsplash is a perfect place to add your pop of pattern or keep it simple.  My favorite looks are marble subway tile for a clean elegant feeling- and classic white subway tile- which is also quite inexpensive.  Or go with beaded board in panels or small planks for a vintage look.

#11. Kitchen Countertops

Think butcher block or marble for an authentic vintage look.  We love our marble countertops and they definitely added the look and feeling we wanted. They do require a professional to cut and install- but are well worth the cost when renovating. Butcher block counters are also quite popular in vintage farmhouse style kitchens if that natural wood is more your look.

If choosing marble- make sure you seal it.  You can read all about the great blackberry and marble counters debacle here

#12. Update Knobs and Pulls

An extra for the road – Changing the hardware on your cupboards is an easy and inexpensive way to instantly update your kitchen and add vintage charm.. You can choose whatever style, finish and look is your favorite. Bin pulls and knobs seem to feel a bit more vintage than traditional drawer pulls to me. We used small round knobs on cupboard doors and bin pulls on the drawers for a vintage collected feeling mix and mingle.

Shop the Look

Sharing a few get the look options- including a crystal chandelier that is under $150 with the extra coupon saving currently.

Whether you are doing a big overhaul on your kitchen or a small refresh- these are just a few things to consider doing that can change the look and feel without changing the footprint or doing a complete remodel. Up next- will share a few inexpensive things you can do in just a few minutes to give your kitchen a style boost.

Happy Tuesday all.

*some affiliate links

The post 11 ways to add a vintage style charm to a new kitchen appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Random side note update- when we went to register the Avion- the DMV told us that the year was wrong according to the serial number- so our Avion is actually a 1960 model rather than a 1961-1962.

Rivets

You probably couldn’t tell but the rivets on the ceiling and walls were loose or missing. The rivets are like little screws or nails the secure the inside aluminum frame to the outside frame. The people who had the Avion before us had removed the inside panels to double check wiring and insulation and make some repairs- so the panels were basically a bit wobbly and loose. He had to start with removing some of the screws that were temporarily added to secure the panels and in a lot of areas- he had to drill out the broken off rivets to be able to add the ones that worked. Basically, when they pulled the panels off- they broke a lot of the rivets off so those broken pieces plugged the holes.

Riveting is a fairly simple process- but you need a special tool or rivet gun. We didn’t want to purchase a gun since it really is not something you would use all the time- so my husband picked up a simple rivet tool that does the same thing with a bit more ‘manpower’ if you will.

It took him several hours over a couple of days ( and a lot of hand workouts) but all the panels are back in place and nicely secured.

Floor

Even though we will be updating the paint in areas- we decided to go ahead and get the floor pieces cut and ready to be installed. The paint is a special kind of paint that is on order- and in order to get the cabinets and original pieces like the beds, walls, etc. back in place- the floor needs to be installed.

I decided to go with a light wood for a light and airy look inside. I wanted something with a similar tone and color to the original cabinetry-which surprisingly was not the easiest to find. My husband took a cupboard door with him to the hardware store to find a good match- and this one was it.

We knew that installing the floor will be a bit of a process- each end board has to be cut to match the curves of the ends of the trailer. Not a huge deal if they aren’t perfect since they will be covered with cabinets or seating but even so, when you are kind of a perfectionist- you work to get them as close as possible.

Lights, Camera, Action

Not quite there yet- but I did order some sconces that looked to be a similar style of vintage lighting that was originally installed. Unfortunately, the folks who had the trailer previously decided to toss some of the originals like the sconces to create their vision in the trailer. The sconces were supposed to be here last week- but were lost in the mail somewhere. So waiting on the re-order to arrive. But the good news on the lighting front is that the original vintage ceiling light fixture is back in place and looking pretty.

Something to know about Avion trailers if you are considering one is that replacement parts are not as readily available as they are for Airstreams. So, in some ways- an Avion is not as easy to restore. But if you want the shell and your own look inside- they are perfect.

Side Cabinet

We also got the side cabinet installed- which is just the first piece in the whole other side of the trailer that needs to be put back together. Some of the pieces are damaged as you can – I will share how we are fixing the pieces like this in the next post.

Coming your way

Once the sconces arrive- will share another update as well as the plans we have for behind the little stove and in the bathroom. I love this cute little medicine cabinet on the wall- that mirror with the original patina is talking to me. And yes, I know- me in a snap is unusual haha. I am working on sharing more of me here as requested.

Happy Wednesday all.

The post Vintage Travel Trailer – Rivets & Floor appeared first on French Country Cottage.

I love to tackle renovating a space and giving it a new look. And updating your kitchen in a simple, quick, inexpensive and easy way is always a good thing.

Maybe it was because I grew up in a house where there was always a project going on- hammers and nails and sawdust were pretty much always around. I was used to big projects happening all around me but sometimes, the best ones were the ones that took just a couple of days rather than months of work.

But what if you want to refresh the kitchen and make it feel new- but are renting or maybe just waiting on that big remodel. Today it is all about some ideas for updates without any demo and rebuild work involved – but that can give you the look- and that can be done quickly.

Yes, I love to swing a hammer and reinvent a space. I am somewhat addicted to renovating – I love seeing something as is and making it look different. But I also love projects that get done in a snap and that are easy to do- instant gratification type projects. And the good news is- not all projects require demo and rebuilding to make a space feel fresh-change the look or make it more like you want it to be.   

A question I have been asked several times recently is how to update and refresh a space if you are renting or don’t want to tackle a renovation project-  how can you get that look temporarily in your home?

And so today- we are ‘tackling’ a different kind of a renovation….a no commitment, no demo and no demo mess way to refresh the kitchen. I have updated this post was some get the look links below in case you are ready to tackle a quick transformation and any of these ideas speak to you.

Peel and stick tile

Yes, you heard that right.  They have the most fabulous invention now- tile that is all about simple- peel and stick and no messy grout.  And it looks pretty darn amazing.

This is faux marble- but they have TONS of different looks to choose from.

The best part about peel and stick- it is temporary of course. Just follow the instructions for installation and for peeling it off without damaging the surface. In full disclosure- I have not used peel and stick tiles or papers- so am not sure if it is a bigger job than it seems- so I would definitely follow all instructions to make sure it is done correctly.

Wood Plank

Oh yes… this is one we have actually done. Out in the cottage- we have a beaded board  that we cut and attached to the wall as the backdrop. It is simple and easy to do- and it gives you the look of old cottage walls. You scan secure with a couple of nails or even some of those double sided sticky tapes.

3. Use Faux Brick 

In the same line of thinking- you can also use a faux brick panel as a backsplash. I have used faux brick panels for faux fireplace inserts or as a beautiful backdrop- so if you are handy with a saw and want something more textured- that is a simple way to get the look with little commitment. Just use a couple nails or screws – or that double sided tape to attach to the wall.  Or a more simple option- this is actually a peel and stick wallpaper. Who. Knew. 

4. Change the cabinet hardware

Simple and easy way to update- is to simply change the hardware. As long as you keep the style the same so you don’t have to add any new holes or anything- swapping the knobs and handles is an easy change.

We changed the hardware to brass and it instantly changed the look.

5. Add a Plate Rack to a shelf

So simple and easy- I bought wood plate racks at Ikea- and tucked two of them into the bottom section of the open shelf for a charming plate display area.

6. Use Artwork or a Chalkboard for a fun look 

A simple and easy way to break up all those cabinets and make the kitchen feel more decorated is to use artwork or a chalkboard.

I love the old chalkboard in the little cottage kitchen- and I just added some tiny old artwork on the shelves in the house. I will blog about those & shelf styling ideas soon.

7. Use a temporary floor covering

Of course a rug can cover a multitude of older or not your style floor sins- so that is a simple option to just plop down in the kitchen. But another option- if you are able to paint your floors- you can do that and stencil them for a custom look until you are ready to renovate. Or-  again that peel and stick tile pops up as an option. this one has a barn wood look – and how easy would that be to change the look in an afternoon.

Of course there are many other ways to give your rental kitchen a fresh look- or give your home a refresh on a quick turnaround dime- new window coverings, a fresh coat of paint and color, add new interesting decor- like a stack of breadboards – or even just change the shelf displays for a different look.

Get the Look

*affiliate links

Happy easy updating all!

The post 7 quick, easy & temporary ways to update your kitchen appeared first on French Country Cottage.

DIY Wedding – Baby’s Breath & Roses

Gypsophila aka Baby’s breath is such a beautiful flower- and in my opinion, one that is often overlooked for simple elegance. A lot of people don’t look at baby’s breath and think of it as a center stage kind of flower- they see it more as a filler. Which in fairness, it is a filler flower. But it is so much more than that.

It is timeless, romantic, elegant, dainty and is absolutely beautiful. When we were talking about wedding reception decor for the tables – Diem was originally thinking arrangements for each of the 8 tables.

Side note: You will have to forgive the lighting on some of these photos- my phone snaps really picked up that yellow tone of their lighting.

We had white roses with baby’s breath in mind and then we thought about doing garlands. I checked into ordering garlands made out of baby’s breath- and the cost for 8 tables and the sweethearts table with a larger arrangement was on the pricey side. But I do have a source at the flower market who makes garlands and wreaths so I reached out to see what the cost was directly through him. It was far more reasonable and about the same price as buying bunches and wiring them together yourself. So, we ordered (9) 7′ garlands for the tables and white roses to customize.

DIY Roses Garland

The baby’s breath garland base was simple and sweet and beautiful all by itself. The only thing Diem wanted added was white roses. I ordered 16 dozen Playa Blanca roses from the flower market for the arrangements and the garlands.

To create a rose and baby’s breath garland- it can be as simple as just tucking the flowers into the garland and wiring them. But we wanted the roses to last as long as possible. Enter those wee florists vials for water.

You simply add water to the vial, then cut the rose to the length you need and pop it through the top. Then tuck it right into the garland.

You can wire them in if you are going to be moving them around or they will be hanging down like on an archway for example. But we kept is super simple. I filled all the vials with water and roses ahead of time and brought them with me.

The venue already had the tables and chairs set up- so that made set up a little easier for everyone. After we layered the runners and the garlands on the tables- I went around and customized each garland on the spot. You can use these same vials for any flowers you are using for a garland or wall decoration like a wreath. They come in several sizes and clear or green plastic as well.

I tucked the roses right into the garlands – some single roses and some double roses for a bit more oomph.

Sweethearts Table

The sweethearts table is where Cullan and Diem sat for the reception. She wanted a chunkier type of swag floral arrangement. One that kind of dropped down on one side of the table. For this- I made it ahead of time knowing that I needed to wire the roses and tweak it a bit to make it work on the table. For the base, I took one of the garlands and folded it in half and wired the two sides together.

This created a centerpiece that was chunkier but not as long. I used a few pieces of wire to wire the roses to it.

Floral Arrangements

For the cake table, bar and welcome table- Diem wanted arrangements with baby’s breath and roses. I made 6 arrangements in varying sizes for those areas.

These had more than just roses and baby’s breath as you can see- I used several different types of flowers in shades of white and barely blush.

These flowers came mostly from the local supermarket- even more of those Playa Blanca roses. I will share a detailed breakdown of the method to my madness on creating florals like these & where we shopped vases and other details to save a bit.

Happily Ever After Party

Isn’t their Happily Ever After sign cute? This is a wood sign that we made years ago and painted with chalkboard paint. One of Diem’s friends wrote on it for her and we topped it with a eucalyptus garland from Balsam Hill.

The reception was so much fun-though busy busy when doing things yourself so I would suggest planning ahead and doing as much ahead of time as you can- and also hiring out some of the big things like a photographer. Even though I snapped a few photos and videos- I didn’t go crazy because I really wanted to be present in the moment and soak it up. It was so nice to be able to enjoy the evening without having to feel like I had to capture each thing- knowing that someone was doing that for us. I highly recommend even if you are DIY’ing a wedding or special event- indulging on a couple things like a photographer. Once we get those photos back- will share a few more of everything.

Get the Look

*some affiliate links

The post DIY Wedding Garland- Baby’s Breath & Roses appeared first on French Country Cottage.