Something's Gotta Give Kitchen

Hello honeypops.

Now, where to start with this incredible kitchen?

And it is utterly incredible, isn't it?

It's from the film Something's Gotta Give.

I was so impressed with all the people that guessed correctly on Friday when I shared a copycat kitchen.

Round of applause for the film buffs!

I've gathered up all the pictures that I could possibly find of The Kitchen so that we can ♥swoon♥our little hearts out together today.

Group swoon....?

It's all so elegantly understated.

I love the matte soapstone worktops and the white Shaker units.

The subway tiles and the hardware.

The inset sink and the pendant lights.

The books in the island and the moulded top-cabinet supports.

The taps and the windows.

La-la-love.

Yeah, I'll take it. Thanks very much....

Now, about yesterday's garden post, I've been thinking of throwing an English Garden Party for people to link up their gardens or flower-related ideas.

I'm just desperate for Spring to come and I thought it would be such a perfect way to herald it's coming.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to the button.

Speaking of finishing touches, I've just completed the most lovely Valentine's gift idea.

Wanna see?!

I'm a big tease, I know....

 

Spring: where are you?

Hello sweethearts,

I don't know about you but I'm getting to that time of year when I'm longing for Spring. Longing, yearning, craving.

I thoughtyou might like to see a photo of our garden at its peak. 

Oh garden, I miss you.

But seed catalogues provide their own special brand of cheeriness for me in mid-January.

So much temptation!!

It brings Spring that little bit nearer...

What's coming up...

Hello poppet.

You want a cup of tea and a chat in my kitchen? Oooh, me too! Me too!

I hoped you'd come by.

{You're my favourite.}

:-)

And, look, a teapot in your honour!

I love using a teapot for tea.

It makes me feel oh-so grown-up.

I had some girlie friends round this week, for a bit of craftivity...and lots and lots of nattering.

{I love nattering with my girlie friends, don't you? It's one of my absolute favourite things to do.}

I got going on some Valentine's crafting which I can't wait to share with you.

My Heart and Cinnamon Garland is in the new edition of The DIY Club's gorgeous ezine. There's a version below this post if you'd like a look.

Oooh, I have a question for you....what do you think of this for a bit of eye-candy?

It's from my colour inspiration file. I really like the pale grey-blue paired with all the white.

But I la-la-la-love it as a kitchen too.

Can you guess which film it used as its inspiration? I'll be reviewing that very kitchen on Monday.

{Well, I say reviewing....it'll be more of an ogling-sesh.}

I've got SO much loveliness to show you.

I'm almost bursting with the excitement of it all.

*pop*

Well, you can't say I didn't warn you....

I'm linking up to my favourite parties in my sidebar.

Anne Turner's Cottage Living Kitchen Before & After

Hey there, sugarplum,

I hope you're feeling fine and dandy.

But if you're not, if the cold wintry greyness is getting you down, then I have something to bring a happy smile to your sad little face.

Just look at what I have for you today.....

Gorgeous After

Only one of the most fantastic before-and-afters-on-the-cheap in the whole world ever.

Bleurgh Before

Yes, siree.

This is the kitchen of Anne Turner who was Assistant Decorating Editor for the magazine Cottage Living. It was featured in its last ever issue.





Anne has taken her kitchen that's best described as bleurgh......and made it scrumptious...but without a complete overhaul.





Her budget at the time was needed elsewhere.

{I don't mean to get off-track but was she wearing her slippers in that photo?}





{Aaahaaa, I see some of the budget went towards some new snazzy footwear....}

Let's look behind the scenes at this virtual decorating miracle. :-)

They've had the existing cupboards up towards the ceiling and added moulding around the top.

Then, with the extra space created, shelves have been fitted under the units. Aren't they darling?

They've changed the tiles, the worktop, appliances, sink, hardware, doors, taps, flooring and lights.

The result is like having a splediferous new kitchen without the huge cost of new units.

And don't you love the paint colours?

Pigeon on the dining room walls,

Lime White on the kitchen walls,

Stony Ground on the doors and windows,

Mouse's Back on the units.

 All by Farrow And Yummy Ball.

{Which I do believe to be their official name.}

Well, are you smiling yet?

No?

This afternoon I will be having the pleasure of ironing my way through the laundry equivalent of Mount Everest.

Oh, the joy.

 Bet you're smiling now....you ol' meanie.

10 Things to do in Palm Springs

1.  Visit Old Town La Quinta
Old Town La Quinta is beautiful! The archways, the Saltillo tiles, the flowers, the mountains, every building is lovely to look at. It is an experience, not just pulling up to some strip center on the highway. The bogenvilia was beautiful climbing up the columns.  I love Saltillo tiles, especially on star risers.

 
Old Town La Quinta Palm Springs

This is definitely my car of choice to drive in Palm Springs
  
Old Town La Quinta Saltillo tiles on stair risers

 
Carthusia Note Fiori di Capri Home fragrance left /Caldi Caldi Boutique Old Town La Quinta Palm Springs

Check-out the wonderful boutique Caldi Caldi. I was lured into this home furnishings store by the most delicious smelling scent from Capri called Note Fiori di Capri, which apparently was the home fragrance used by Jackie O when she was in Capri. Now every time I spray this scent I am transported to another world and time.

2.  Go on a Palm Springs Windmill Tour
When driving or flying into Palm Springs, one of the most striking sights you will see in the Coachella valley is the vast array of wind turbines that sprout from the desert floor. The words "wind turbine" have evolved into what the locals call windmills. My curiosity was piqued so we arranged a tour which was excellent.  Our tour guide Ken Huskey was very knowledgeable, with a lot of the facts and figures that went right over my head. But what did stick with me was how huge the windmills were close up.  To give you a perspective of the scale of these windmills (in the picture below on the left) if you look closely you can see the small figure of a maintenance person dangling from a wire.

Palm Springs Windmill Tour Coachella Valley
Palm Springs Windmill Tour at the Spa Resort & Casino.

3.  See a rainbow over the Palm Springs Desert mountains
It was unfortunate on this trip to Palm Springs that there were heavy rainfalls which resulted in flooding and the closure of many roads, but I was fortunate to see this beautiful rainbow one afternoon when the rain had stopped.

Rainbow over the Little San Bernardino Mountains Palm Springs

4.  Richard Avedon Photography Exhibit at the Palm Springs Art Museum

The Richard Avedon photography exhibit at the Palm Springs Art Museum runs through January 30, 2011 and showcases 90 black and white images of notable Avedon subjects including Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan and, of course, some of the Richard Avedon’s iconic shots of Dior’s early work.  I went to the Museum with friends not knowing what was showing. I have long admired Avedon’s photography from afar, so you can imagine my delight in being able to see his iconic photographs up close. His photography is mesmerizing and I had to be dragged out of the exhibit.  I quickly rushed into the Gift Shop and bought Avedon postcards and the Richard Avedon book Women in the Mirror, so I could continue to feast my eyes on his work.

           Richard Avedon, Self Portrait 1980 / Amazon Book: Women in the Mirror
 
Richard Avedon, Twiggy 1968, gelatin silver print
      
Richard Avedon, Dovima with elephants 1955, Evening dress by Dior

5. Look at Mid Century Modern Real Estate in Palm Springs

Mid Century Modern Real Estate Palm Springs

 
Mid Century Modern Real Estate Palm Springs

6.  Shop at the Cabazon Outlet Mall

The prices and selection are fantastic!!  Some of my favourite stores are Tod’s, Gucci, Prada, Elie Tahari, Michael Kors, Dior, Ralph Lauren. 

  
 

7.  Have supper at Jillian’s Restaurant on El Paseo Drive, Palm Desert

Jillian’s Restaurant is housed in a historic 1946 hacienda style building.  The building was originally built as Fort.  It is still intact complete with the artillery room in the rear.  At the front entrance at Jillian’s you can look at interesting pictures of it in the 40’s.  I found it amazing that when it was was built it was the middle of the desert with nothing around it.  That is hard to imagine today, as it is in the center of the busy and thriving Palm Dessert El Paseo Drive shopping area. Below is what I had for Supper at Jillian’s, which was absolutely delicious.  I think the Apple Dumpling has to be the best desert I have ever tasted!

 Jillian's Restaurant El Paseo Dive Palm Desert

Appetizer
Tower of Fresh Crab 
Fresh Dungeness crab meat layered between diced avocado,
sweet tomatoes and toasted brioche
Entree
Rack of Lamb
Rack of Colorado Lamb rolled in Dijon herb crust,
roasted and presented on a fresh Rosemary scented demi glace
Dessert
Apple Dumpling
A tart apple cored and filled with cinnamon and pecans, encased in puff pastry,
baked then drizzled with a luscious caramel sauce and served with vanilla bean ice cream

8. Visit the Salton Sea & Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve

 
Salton Sea

 
Thousand Palms Oasis Coachella Valley Preserve

9. Pick an orange from the tree

Picking fresh, juicy, sweet oranges right from the tree.

10. Swim in Palm Springs Natural Hot Mineral pools
The pool I swam in had water that flows from springs 300 feet deep in the earth and comes out of the ground at 115 degrees Fahrenheit. These Palm Springs therapeutic pools claim to be beneficial for arthritis and back pain, heart and diabetes, weight loss and insomnia. What I like best is that the water is odorless and tasteless.  It is a treat to swim in water that doesn’t smell like chlorine.

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