Wednesday, July 25, 2012

One Room Challenge: Nearing the Finish


A wonderful week here in my Chinoiserie Chic kitchen and the finish is in sight! My goal this week was to add Chinoiserie bling to my kitchen counters and I love it. I had so much time to spare I cleaned out and reorganized every single one of my kitchen cabinets and drawers. BTW, I adore the Container Store. Now my kitchen is beautiful and functional inside and out. This side of the kitchen that you see just above and below houses all my china, silverware, and linens. It also has a breakfast bar. I use this spot to have a coffee, read, or work on my iPad.


Since no food prep is done here, it is a perfect spot for displaying some Chinoiserie as well. I've added some lovely vintage blanc de Chine pieces and books including interior design books and cookbooks - two are Belle Haven cookbooks (where I live) and I have several recipes in each. The pagoda lanterns you see on the counter house battery candles that come on automatically in the evening and turn themselves off at bedtime. Perfect for getting snacks without having to turn on lights and the effect is very pretty at night. 


Since the kitchen is almost done, I have an entire week now for tweaking and finishing touches and to hone my photography skills for the reveal on August 1. I promise that I will not stage the kitchen with bowls of lemons, peaches, or artichokes, or a knife on a cutting board about to cut a baguette. I am also putting the finishing touches on my new Houzz Ideabook that I will reveal on August 1 with some fabulous tips on adding Chinoiserie to your own kitchen.















Now I'm off to see what progress everyone else made this week:

Lauren - The Cottage Mix
Lindsay - Everything LEB
Barbara - Hodge:Podge
Tiffany - Living Savvy
Jessie - Mix & Chic
Danylle - Nana Moon
Jennifer - The Pink Pagoda
Emily - Rue de Emily
Lindsay - Sadie + Stella

22 comments:

  1. I love me a good organized space! Amazing job!

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  2. I have no words for how organized you are....only envy. Love all the touches you have added and I can't wait to read you tips next week. Good luck with the photography; I struggle all the time with that.

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  3. The kitchen looks great. I envy all of your flatware choices.
    My mother still has a Belle Haven cookbook from the '80s. How long have you lived there?

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  4. Looks great. I love the parasol silver drink stirs!! SO chic

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  5. Kerry - 13 years, but I have Belle Haven
    cookbooks back to the 50s!

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  6. You have such an amazing collection of gorgeous dishes and flatware! It is looking so organized and fabulous!

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  7. oh my - i very much enjoy your collection of chinois dishes and glassware. boy would i love to come explore YOUR cabinets for a day.

    lookin good!

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  8. I am so envious of your organization! The decorative touches look great. I would love to see a picture of your lamps glowing at night.

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  9. What an accomplishment, all that organization! It's almost more impressive than your new decorating touches. I second the wish to see the pagoda lamps all lit up - I love the idea of those battery-powered "candles" and if you can share the source, that would be wonderful. Congrats on a neat update to your kitchen!

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  10. I'm coveting your amazing collection of blanc de Chine.
    Such gorgeous pieces! Your kitchen is looking so Chinoisfabulous!! Don't you need to come to Dallas? I want you to visit and whip us into some organization over here!

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  11. OMG! I am so envious I am ashamed of myself! So much to love here! the turquoise and pink bound books are such a special touch! I am crossing my fingers that you will share sources at the end of the challenge...ditto for the request for the info on the battery operated candles! I think most of all I would commit a crime to own those 3 blanc de chine jester-type figures ( I know they aren't called that) because they are so spectacular!

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  12. You had me @ Pink! Looking good & so insanely organized. I did not get that gene.... WTG! Look forward to the photo update.

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  13. I love how you have accessorized the countertops! Loving the pink and turquoise books and all of the pieces! Your cabinets are fabulous! And awesome silverware...i'm comin to your house for dinner! Can't wait for next week.

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  14. Organizing makes me soo happy too! Nice work on the cabinets!!! Are you sure that plastic fruit in bowls is not part of the traditional Chinoiserie style? :)

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  15. Those are some fabulous silverware and linens!

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  16. I love your accessories especially the pink and turquoise ceramic books and the pagoda lantern. I like how you organized everything in your cabinets and drawer!

    Excited to see the big reveal next week!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  17. I'm loving it...and I love the comment about not having the fruit and cheese board! So, so funny. You are one organized girl! Life runs smoother when organized! Love all the pieces that are part of your life and are YOU. Can't wait for the finale!!

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  18. What stunning collections! Can't wait to see the big reveal!

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  19. Holy smokes. I would need a really rainy day and a lot of Ritalin to accomplish that:). Your kitchen is looking so pretty! I guess I won't feel the same about fruit and vegetables in the kitchen anymore!

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  20. Oh I wish I could be as organized! And I think it is easier for you because you have such beautiful china and cups!! PLEASE share the automatic candle thing! I think you have just saved me from plug in night lights!!

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  21. I would love to be as organized as you are AND have all those colorful dishes and placesettings, so very chic!!

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  22. Glad you moved your taller blanc de Chine man. I had a horrid mental image of a cabinet opening and knocking it off the counter!

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