How To Declutter Your Clutter Zones...Modern Country Style

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hey pumpkins,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have Clutter Zones in your house? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Those spaces that ALWAYS seem to have odds and sods lurking messily? </span><span style="font-size: large;">My first top tip in this Getting Your Home Ready For Christmas series is this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Use baskets in your Clutter Zones.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Boots </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living right on the edge of the country means that we're often tramping across muddy fields....and then building up a pile of messy boots by the front door? <i>Oh no, you don't! </i>A large basket in the hall is the perfect Modern Country Style solution! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJgdLLL6KtAUcafhNPWe-s-q8xqouqAHl1uxWdGAEmjWg4w3DB5yo7dBHpbzWcH2jdtcEoBnByxD2LfftCsdVhf5x4Z_G5XTA8-JHBTe_czZG2EkA3J9iP_n1kPADmE9QpLj46fbwPYQ/s1600/baskets+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJgdLLL6KtAUcafhNPWe-s-q8xqouqAHl1uxWdGAEmjWg4w3DB5yo7dBHpbzWcH2jdtcEoBnByxD2LfftCsdVhf5x4Z_G5XTA8-JHBTe_czZG2EkA3J9iP_n1kPADmE9QpLj46fbwPYQ/s640/baskets+053.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>{mine are rattan lovelies from <a href="http://www.gardentrading.co.uk/" target="_blank">Garden Trading</a>...you can get them </i><a href="http://www.gardentrading.co.uk/household/storage-and-baskets/thicker-weave-log-basket-set-of-2.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">here</a><i>}</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Throws and Cushions</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We often have a full house with various friends who come a-lounging. I keep extra cushions and throws in a basket so they are easily accessible for spending long evenings chatting by the fire...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoeaY0TVa-M7e97P8GvWmctQrygCjVc-tT6Kj6ROFHrn85Db_zmQd6l7bb8c3A_YHdthUEWKSvcuUxiiF0ELO7G9M3LMn1lSB43uAJdPZ1l3xxNZYsenfIDCXJSYPLjve9IXltvO6iqQ/s1600/baskets+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoeaY0TVa-M7e97P8GvWmctQrygCjVc-tT6Kj6ROFHrn85Db_zmQd6l7bb8c3A_YHdthUEWKSvcuUxiiF0ELO7G9M3LMn1lSB43uAJdPZ1l3xxNZYsenfIDCXJSYPLjve9IXltvO6iqQ/s640/baskets+023.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ironing</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now we get on to the real glamour of my life...Lugging large piles of laundry here, there and everywhere takes up lots of my time at the moment with so many littlies. I try and make the experience as lovely as possible by using...you've guess it...a basket! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IULheA1YuMAEdOp2UW-j42TeWxcfZabDtn3uVUZ00gH_gr4YC0093CDhPKhEqBp9CtYMYs8OqYZnIQiOrnA-Py1fRQzbj1W_q4qe5bgXrkvByjfPCvqcoLjI3pkR-5XMboqs78XmyVc/s1600/baskets+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IULheA1YuMAEdOp2UW-j42TeWxcfZabDtn3uVUZ00gH_gr4YC0093CDhPKhEqBp9CtYMYs8OqYZnIQiOrnA-Py1fRQzbj1W_q4qe5bgXrkvByjfPCvqcoLjI3pkR-5XMboqs78XmyVc/s640/baskets+119.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Craft</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you're anything like me, then you have a stash of pretty fabrics waiting to find their purpose in life. I've found that if they're out, but in a way that looks pretty, then I'm far more likely to do something with them, then when they're hidden in the depths of a cupboard...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYeVn41fw28Vv9Wq_xBWF4SroLxIbAJwn8XFuKhW-GsXXi0nQk05urnxLy-nFq1uHVQWrpTrXCsPWoyHkl9ZppU_9qHahvIYxIchpvMRTTZUl3EfvUPGS6Kxd0A0sVxFVETzA1sDkpOU/s1600/baskets+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYeVn41fw28Vv9Wq_xBWF4SroLxIbAJwn8XFuKhW-GsXXi0nQk05urnxLy-nFq1uHVQWrpTrXCsPWoyHkl9ZppU_9qHahvIYxIchpvMRTTZUl3EfvUPGS6Kxd0A0sVxFVETzA1sDkpOU/s640/baskets+091.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Guests</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love getting a basket of goodies ready when we have guests to stay. Towels, toiletries and a hair drier all fit in just so! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Baskets are PERFECT for open storage. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I love the soft greige tones of </span><a href="http://www.gardentrading.co.uk/household/storage-and-baskets/thicker-weave-log-basket-set-of-2.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">these ones</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_G3waJSCYePeq1TA2jT0d_6nVzlrvreszJAorZ8vwVJ7pqeFq4qcStDgDUM4ln4Fjgr1EZdjaGQrvl5wsHIrwmJS-GdH5EepYgz5a_0MsEKjTGV5Un2yvezfYPrP1fn6sGlyq6kRiow/s1600/baskets+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_G3waJSCYePeq1TA2jT0d_6nVzlrvreszJAorZ8vwVJ7pqeFq4qcStDgDUM4ln4Fjgr1EZdjaGQrvl5wsHIrwmJS-GdH5EepYgz5a_0MsEKjTGV5Un2yvezfYPrP1fn6sGlyq6kRiow/s640/baskets+130.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Magazines</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each month, I dust down my back issues of favourite magazines for that particular time of year and plop them all in a basket by my bed. Then I make a large mug of chai, and spend the most delicious evening flicking through. Chocolate may also be involved.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4LbY2ppvPiHd_OQta0lMD-uiPWVqFkZoqwesyf4XFmC0Y2Pa3dmxJQIvcoMkcaInjElKZBe0JotqVQXEf9Qzkw1GTP72LvjLQgHUVSw9b6MZnL2ttT-tM-oq5a7kjFCs-jGLX_bHFPk/s1600/baskets+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4LbY2ppvPiHd_OQta0lMD-uiPWVqFkZoqwesyf4XFmC0Y2Pa3dmxJQIvcoMkcaInjElKZBe0JotqVQXEf9Qzkw1GTP72LvjLQgHUVSw9b6MZnL2ttT-tM-oq5a7kjFCs-jGLX_bHFPk/s640/baskets+132.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I guess the moral of the story is this: The clutter is there for a reason...you have to actually live in your home, after all, but it needn't look messy. And, in fact, with these gorgeous <a href="http://www.gardentrading.co.uk/household/storage-and-baskets/thicker-weave-log-basket-set-of-2.html" target="_blank">rattan baskets</a>, those clutter zones can become a real eye-catcher.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>To everyone over the other side of the pond, </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JFrX3krRbi6guh2rlxEzQMAVqwURmP_QsTjEaHLhJCkup8I7zlujJ7eAkJUBxW821rGoYYoe3o4H1ksGNxTQdsjbCWTDtgZtAKk1zrV1VK_TBmNVAVMEbkD-Hhf7lDiq5CT-pPrhBk/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xfi351MsyndAYUmxHRkGj61sLDTTHthxjmqP_EqC0iadkaUpjrQDkUditdqsJUO44UYzJMr2L30-6QhSw3rOMyvnZOXIIuWdzCpbKvYZuRqn1fyarc_9lLE6E5bIUsmzFpoY5i9Ie40/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

How To Declutter Your Clutter Zones...Modern Country Style

Hey pumpkins, Do you have Clutter Zones in your house?  Those spaces that ALWAYS seem to have odds and sods lurking messily?  My first top t...

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Modern Country Hallway

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Modern%20Country%20Hallway" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMWo4vkQTtobZ2wryWTKkQvReGi-PC1V5gJEWyJQAH9R8LPBlp_L9h0Oi8TVLWK30G9YR0ezp6w3mws7vnyN99jV_DiBFwPAX5MzLP9vnGAbLRibn4HnFlcs0Y7txLT0_W0lNPYnXaEq9/s320/personalised-hallway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This picture is so Modern Country. I love it. If you look beyond the details, it is possible to notice that the staircase is rather dated, the walls aren't smooth and are those plasterboard lines on the ceiling?</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">But you don't see that, do you? You see the <span style="font-size: large;">Modern Country</span> <span style="font-size: large;">STYLE</span>: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the mix of photos, cohered by the black frames and consistently black and white photography;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the industrial vintage touch of the casually-placed printing block;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">a tight colour palette:  black, white and the hint of gentle winter-seas on the tongue and groove door;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the use of the scrolled  metal on the mirror brings a little softness, making this hallway firmly Country....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Scrumdiddlyumptious.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">image via Ideal Home</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Modern Country Hallway

This picture is so Modern Country. I love it. If you look beyond the details, it is possible to notice that the staircase is rather dated, t...

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Modern Country Kitchen: shelf reveal

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to our completed kitchen shelves. Please try to avert your peeping eyes from the gorgeous paint colour changes....more on that to come! Never let it be said I don't spoil you. ;-)<br /><br /><img alt="Farrow and Ball Blue Grey" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516318128604045106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-wA6KWnCvYZqScULCaVLup0rEf7TPtSWw8eS6hTpBjF-thn3_KSdFv6kvmISxJNMCtFYa-78UIn7bQYI9lAtmyglBu04TdvbRvdoRzQIGBFvs1ci-iiQ5Xf7JvFmCl20jDCbPBiRs50j/s400/10Sept02+093.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div></div><div>Take a peek at the 'before' photo below. Do you see that corner with the ugly old boiler? That's the space I was working with for this project. What a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">huuuuuuuuge</span> waste of potential, as well as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">humungous</span> eyesore. </div><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516315750664702482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWOA_vsftXgdev2f5XCFSM9MIHyo6lk-IBF-0fMQJemXIcdyvm0LsKGNbSOQk1RSaU2I11J0t6_lOv0LXuGD7Tix1ztzXiYD_CTbSE-gNAeyP0KTcW5mZBHeAuJDJgsbSkUFCkgZK7E6c/s400/106_0604.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>We had the boiler moved upstairs to the bathroom airing cupboard. Then our lovely carpenter came and installed three beech shelves and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">upstands</span> to match the existing beech worktops.</div><br /><img alt="Modern Country Kitchen" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516315745846635954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcCXBDsGJ6Ds7AyiFuVU8f8NnNLDAQSFOQBB97N6BzoAZiFcldV5p_mgK4B529AHdperCk1XI8BvGDpB9fIZwTYxRa7exCUHfmSTGVJ4MUlTSUc3meZNDKuTfkr1YtTsDjeHFeUCoI5HM/s400/10Sept02+058.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="Modern Country Kitchen" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516323772068474818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UxNivStmPs3XlCWHfCeuCRShHi9KFCdv2OuceE2GJBhuekPdffRHHHRDn7gMdCwkvxmCEuPEFbRSH-jOTfh85Ewo_hmwv7ze9yp0nHxzQvniBjcsCp9Xi7zhvZOokXkTY4z3E9MNTpCn/s400/10Sept02+047.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <div></div><br /><div>I've so enjoyed toying with ideas of how to fill this whole space. So, so, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">soooooooooooo</span> enjoyed it. I loved the whole process. Loved, loved, L.O.V.E.D.....Should that go here?.............Can I fit that in there?.......................I'm not sure about those.............<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aaaah</span>, now that's more like it!! </div><br /><div></div><div>Here's the shelf-by-shelf lowdown. Take it from the top......</div><br /><div></div><div><img alt="Modern Country mugs" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516314138517210770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeSqOF7WSfM6kGmEICjesgoOG8AkhNoSLtPpIZSujBQXpRocEgq4D9RN9dd6ERGOy68YF5w_zmseSLKJEZlZC2mi4kPrQCjD25EA2dvZrJHljRVpBKP7rq78tv7RFId23w_qUZAEtgDS4/s400/10Sept02+088.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><br /><br /><div><img alt="Modern Country" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516315736770783970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF15ExsQ3sFY6V5rDrufmAN3uQWBlEKPEA8LvFvbU1Z-HdaK3E-ZuwrHRIEZ9F6KnaODXmGqLrM7RZVmVm_sT5WOQtgaDhNJFB6jf_j1pKwPA1gTrdat3ca5UsCzU2twO1Av3mPPoHqf-C/s400/10Sept02+066.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><br /><div>And in second place...........</div><br /><img alt="Modern Country jars" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516323808324163730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBJCe4QmMh3NY0SLsd_VvVnKv4hUfnziB07xrdDjLiVOTT3x_s4c56s6f2VvvrkuGXkB-hqIm2xA-OcGOMsSM3nGZ6jyKuZIIVjXyDSIlr_YlsbPjlDAI9lTgrdCXD3P9KF5HovMzf72i/s400/19aug10+040.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><br /><img alt="Modern Country open shelving" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516323780655752930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaWHPmf5HJoOVr5oOldhyphenhyphenq8pY1wPTDP-whEqr5wFY7qsp3iEiyDqNmfeNJY9QzDCwOeH1KvvKOwkT7d3SBZmoF80nUcCkxnM06F6k0pTTIQu91ydj7lCsFe6CTeGogkxTXIWrLeStF__O/s400/25july10+030.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="old jars" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516315732541721506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7apvgZ2QYZ0RiNidrg50qssoy9coV_wmNUpbeBOaxmwAyoGRvd7Yzew6UJbyaK3uDQNc6R91cANcGZVlvK-V5e7wCmocgM2MPV7pCu5mNmdSvOxscZPADW3hGYbCZmj5x2C6UCX1QgrH/s400/10Sept02+082.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />And, last but not least, the bottom shelf........<br /><br /><img alt="Wooden shelves" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516323786231974834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIYG54fvOorgPAdsXOZETv4WmdmQSLPxDgdPe4JOe4TVU43pL0UPwpTZ2sMUKy_K1kXZDibDQT5XLN1qI4sNMU2P-bW1T8cSZjTUs-h_ndI_Hfyk9KYHnyRdpYXGtDkk_ANFE2oE0ANnT/s400/10Sept02+086.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><br /><div><img alt="Shelves" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516315721428476242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcnGQwaX4kVsEXiwrKuu3dEkywswNfM69uAtX95onjS8vic9ulmwLR9R3YH5cVxuEkGml2tOjP7UQ7AgR4tKLzhh5pq38mu5C3wO-zRgNQ9S0oeNArDxQhT5rV_AXyMwNKO_7fb-7UIlt/s400/10Sept02+087.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><br /><div></div><div>And, now, a serious moment, if you please. Here, revealed for the first time just for you, is the whole gamut of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">shelvery</span> (that *so* should be a word):</div><div></div><br /><div><img alt="Modern Country Kitchen" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516314162045515474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9fI5JyrKvk7mPJoFdFPqz00JDQrjf3fAHHFEYgIZVgEq293tyHVxtM4pr7ur109w__3r5wz1jNh8SkCIfLX2f4cj0qULeWZK1Fl2xkA2iu2IzMTd39plao4dbswnIwTAB2nunpcFkcG_/s400/10Sept02+092.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><img alt="Farrow and Ball White Tie" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516314155195696242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_X0S4u6kkvgaYxHO0owTMM-LIi7Ze77oHJacvXXBIDdjRRjbDB3XZmmgQnvVI0sklkDuWGdwcfw4npYmegvcY-CB-OmTH_4Dvh6QhmsKtMn-cmBjPzRxeMAfuaAUbBh-PvlDBrVZVUsP/s400/10Sept02+090.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <br />To be honest, I couldn't really help but improve on the monstrosity that was there before but I really am glad we bit the bullet and got the boiler moved. It was an expense but soooo worth it! Look at all the space we've gained!<br /><br /><img alt="Farrow and Ball White Tie" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516323795310617874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0faLS-47dMbl1AfS_hLXxaC-cK7ntLs059E2T9qGepkYzTF3fRjsd24QoedvtdnRwj-SAMPGJRqEEBn5nK_SPqIHosa8pr3snNsecXdDQv4ZyCKLI53NExgJCivTETRWJ2v20z-5srocZ/s400/19aug10+042.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />I've got lots of my favourite kitchen pieces out on show now, as well as practical items easily to hand. No more fishing around in the back of cupboards for the flour/sugar/ rice (not that my kitchen cupboards <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">are anything</span> but the epitome of organisation, you understand....).<br /><br />This post is linked to:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii164/Magnolias_Moonlight/butterfly-09-t-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZT28map2XuzHP2-UsMXM6DSyz_pmki-i5Fnig2GdSBw8FbW9k-muuryDLlQqg0rX4q3pn9mDmkxQYH-cxHo8o2sdBB2NcXIy6_yV5OQo0Mj_NNzIMQROF9a5Y-yNv5lcofajSwBBIxis/s1600/button4bmp-1.jpg" /></a></center>

Modern Country Kitchen: shelf reveal

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to our completed kitchen shelves. Please try to avert your peeping eyes from the gorgeou...

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Bottom shelf and Nigella......

<img alt="Modern Country Kitchen" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515212731984748178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JH4sG8bsLxcXuv69rb1lt2OvMQ9WNHlvSPgQ-bBpfubmXSr9ehPpWkA_zLgRFzqMJoqw1XupWNgwXvIGfuT5JrATIH7oEsOujdv2GE0Jo0DVmA2Ew8Nc8u9bYOI5fEwdOHzK9C5Grvyd/s400/10Sept02+087.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />I know I've plodded through showing you the shelves rather slowly. But that's not an apology, rather, I've done it purposefully. I have a tendency to race through the posts relating to showing rooms. I just get so excited and want to reveal everything all at once. Slow down, Mrs Modern Country. This time round, I'm determined to take the pace slower. 'm hoping your liking sseeing our kitchen gently unfold.<br /><br />So......now it's time for the bottom shelf to have its time in the spotlight. It's been patiently biding its time.<br /><br /><img alt="Modern Country shelves" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515212716424082946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDepXlHkx8ZywXEc8gLnjVro4xVcN8AWntGj2f0ZGbJN2ohKqyUNUv8DGwWmC9R6r4F8bf9OVxK9dVaiNdx_93qQCVmBTxUU8NYzlDfkhSOyWquyDtkQcladdWQZKVbRq3-XRLCUiWEhB/s400/10Sept02+085.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />First up is this platter is from Dibor. Do you remember me mentioning Dibor in an earlier post? It's where I got my top shelf large mugs from. They sell gorgeous French goodies by Mail Order in the UK. Definitely to be checked out if you haven't been there before. You're in for a treat.<br /><br /><img alt="Modern Country hearts" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515212695097666866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR_LsjEtJkbhRsEezNII8l2b43MrYq385EsBzzTVcY8hIGs4icBpFPm_2nN0XaE8PDnNaQkkD2pBiELCeElV4YgbxKbSaHJVHHadmv6Laof-tg4d-Sy63tGAqeaPlMuZTpTuUuEXr82YO/s400/28june10+055.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div>It's hand-finished. I love it so much! If we're having some kind of help-yourself meal, then I lay out food on here. Ooooh, so yummy.</div><br /><div></div><div>It looked a bit odd all on its own there so I put these four jugs in front. Two of them are made by Denby in their Greenwich style. They're such a beautiful colour. A subtle glaucous glaze. </div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515212729238005698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50LyAg1JNKE_-zwr7WkYl0y35dcnK5vlXccWKWZpPeDmK4GMCmQSTwEqS5uKsN4qv9UKsEpRcFkdWgtM9Hyy3nujlf0Z-34b-uxeQd3yPK-6rEoyiSk-Eo6JOr5uiQvFYqCuyDc6-xFkO/s400/10Sept02+086.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515222227205506434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6QMyo9I4WSzJu884BK6ceial_Rz5M2P2pcZvIIPO0-W1Bzt3jUCelPdYT4Mn4eqLB8lP8RecZMTGUTQPpsTBI6hHrtYdczVMusDRKOvCK6dch3lGvrIQodZoX9as00tvKnh0EAO-Ix3N/s400/10Sept10+020.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />I got this patterned jug from a little ceramics company exhibiting at the Country Living Fair. I love it's gentle monochrome roses, with a toile de jouy feel.<br /><br /><img alt="Modern Country jug" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515222215232727186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYZrBvFHDSQh_3Td-wfJbH86PgC5ObEA4eOV5AY0KNkYH9tnrWrg8QeO2_LgKkiArnCFuJj2eU6gATOiyIJgI1j9rAX0OWSpJ2N07YdS9N9Xj0203aSEKzhxdzvpSlnx8kPAanc3XEV66/s400/10Sept10+018.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515222233561955490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMduA3bRoXdAANAVTWutAH3hJ0MjwEwjPN426kV2UCATjok7TFuedZO9ZrZW0NvX8GsyrO_EA-ESZq_ubgKcRuvXDYlVpZ_A4OceqKGT-k_3D-3kinzp00t6DzJfn0icVVKIin_xGgU3aA/s400/10Sept10+021.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />The last jug was a present from my mother (along with some lovely flowers.). It's plain and elegant all at once. Just what I like.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515222250266702002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ65sqhsoA2YzLBqkFn0ZIm_UYp3i5_0MgOrIZ2vyhdBd5zq56YZMYSgNGs0FJOwT2LY6kff7luQzyV1Mvp2o1f83mSLF12pi-9hyphenhyphennYvkpkE1DAQKCVAElZlnGfzuOmUKpF8n7O4GoYjmQ/s400/10Sept10+023.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <div></div><br />Lastly, is my stash of favourite recipe books. <br /><br /><img alt="Nigella recipe books" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515212707618013954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJqZogEVu2C8_bT20KOFG_8-aLXZ6BghWbZMpXrGKrxYuImqUvO5rGJYqZsv-v67d2776LzA9Hv56poDNlJuEDaUZlKEROjxgpS7b-jEh88J1OjnuXryoZomgT3mF-O3hAlgoU_oxk8Gh/s400/10Sept02+083.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />Yes, you are seeing rightly. You're eyes do not deceive you. I have my very own Nigella shrine in the corner of my kitchen. I thought we all do? What do you mean it's just me?<br /><br />Seriously, what's not to love about her scrummy recipes? Aaaaah. <br /><br />Nigella, Modern Country Style salutes you. <br /><br /><img alt="Modern Country Style" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515222218686826498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_6UWotgN_8VaCzEV90p6TDDiPgvSkZego5YqDJc8937CLie6Z18SPM6H0a1dCoaixLai0L6iW8rM2Cs6Wu5ci-Fidf7F9r5nsqYYtZppgk222voNRxvQmQjJPw0zxHCAnzi0Cm3-2TDg/s400/10Sept10+019.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />

Bottom shelf and Nigella......

I know I've plodded through showing you the shelves rather slowly. But that's not an apology, rather, I've done it purposefully....

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Jars, jars and more jars.....

<div align="justify">Thank you so much for your lovely comments yesterday. They really meant a lot to me. It was a hard day for me and I greatly appreciated the warmth I felt from readers who have never even met me. So kind. Thank you.<br /><br />When we last spoke about the shelves. This is how I left you. The top shelf was finished (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">aaaaah</span>) but the two below looked rather empty.<br /><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514839551466951682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ztKSuGw8-bSE5WSErqpPUgQ0xJO8H0DvEWjlH1dsLRZsJngUxxhzWElxLaFNNHpH6dh1yCDk4SwkT8-pYmV0IaPhd39nosWxE0dHgAqbkNc0l-jWrQzKEvvTZJ1QebIWKB9ygGtG3Odf/s400/10Sept02+066.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />This is how I've been getting on.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514839513282612018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXjH_Of2VkFjQ8vCPv-g2MsDDeHO2ZqhhafKlN5hlXLH5282tEyHB_hFgVycqWwkNPrSicw4H8omZuBbGoeq_LSP6sRN_5fnQpMCKBFyUiHNN1T5BuGkyX-B2EmXt_Ve6KF3olU-h7T4Q/s400/1july10+122.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />I love the idea of having kitchen staples: pasta, rice, flour, sugar, easily to hand and on display in attractive containers, conjuring up an old-fashioned picture of homemade chutneys and scrumptious preserves, made using carefully-harvested ingredients, lining the shelves. Doesn't even the thought of it make your mouth water? I am drooling even as I type the words. That's what I wanted for our kitchen.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514841450606449234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu9Uj1hUJqATH6TGbZzzeeBkSFGfkIKgGlVZ6msw6uoKc8P34ZVVU3pLc1wfp_OdsN9dXviBFA0uXBaE8_EFe9iur3_DqhvYsibmwjm-vbe2DJgWBuhipYL-hlFafPseEUGMjtPYQ65Rc/s400/10Sept02+080.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />A while ago, my mother gave me two old glass jars, which have cork stoppers. Having things from my mother's kitchen makes my own feel so much more homely to me. When I look at the things I have that have been handed down, I can remember all the (many, many) times I would come home from school to find her standing by the stove, delicious smells through the house, stirring and preparing for our tea. To my eternal shame, I took having a wonderful meal set before me each night completely for granted, as I'm sure my children do now.<br /><br />But isn't one of the wonderful things about having a happy childhood, being able to take your parents' love for granted? Feeling they will always be there, even though,with age, you slowly come to realise that, of course, they won't.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514841460353941778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz63u6qDtDCdzzThk5MmrsyHuf7wvjt0iKs36p9RKiJsIM66zioIek1M5ltPjnhIhB-AwEd3JIaLbUf2EGdmCozQAPKQmSAB39FT8w6xO6TlZMriGlucCyHl-oTgK8ygrh2GVFsQteVGkq/s400/10Sept02+081.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />Yes, I'm still feeling a wee bit melancholy about my own children going off to school. How could you tell? :-)<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514839575336639410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OXuI8pqgVSmX1V6Y1gkJe1kU6nB_RdD5gZtVrv-9HpNe2FFJLpNoeUwVCzBK75M2TV64pyZr8nT9O6FWLVbhQPGTsBdAEU_1oGoQvSGgJsCJMdPOS9ulb9ILqGWRrGyzUAvkYL4ajzWi/s400/10Sept02+079.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />These lovely glass vessels of my mother's were my starting point for this shelf. I bought <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kilner</span> jars, which were traditionally used for jam-making, to stand alongside. I wanted some variety but not complete visual chaos on the shelves so went for several matching jars (also buying three spares....pessimistic, moi?! Having spares definitely makes for a more harmonious family life!).<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514839537795510338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CiaIc9fXq0Ba2uuyQymCIqv1-SVOXco9rkpOVAhQ_j7G2gq5OWrwtAR5HZOie38Zl5tJ4mlkNvmdou48-Vamjeux798Dx3qvEdjHWFd5r_bZJlXQESYMvaL77sqA7TJ7KusvzFTQKvcv/s400/19aug10+042.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />I added an old crock pot that I bought from a school fair years ago.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514841482610817410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrT6QO9GXZCtaUyQQUd3hYr2DdUL-Ie-Ks8k5FbgeawurQtrOXs265nh2ZqDKnb9f_lVlsx3Uw9-Se1d4nKZ6eCWRpEEWYbcqY-2giFlXibPfEgl1gbr6cWP4FOUxkHNxpOAeyA3bRIsH/s400/10Sept02+082.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514834629340438114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKz-u7rV8Ss_bhm6b7BcX2PzFUeB1r72SdouEhdNAXFTn8Gk3AyrppfDUpMkrRBotNC3zPGWqk9Ut9UMVynuF45CDqBwKzDoRrlLU4iq4y9fpXw2DZl7Y7xAOzDvCJZvCSBR-mwumy1-iL/s400/25july10+030.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />All the pots and jars are of a similar heights so I was able to have the shelf built with them in mind. I love the mix on this middle shelf of old and new. Even the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kilner</span> jars contain echoes of the past. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Oooh</span>, lovely!

Jars, jars and more jars.....

Thank you so much for your lovely comments yesterday. They really meant a lot to me. It was a hard day for me and I greatly appreciated the ...

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Who knew shelf-stacking could be so much fun?!

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514155882973649042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVkc5CDrzeEm1Y41lmX0XoVjlfRdSDCNp5tTDh9eqb9BJBl7w3hQoBV2OdUWQTmSKfWM5528XyiHO77zptjb06yxZ_XpcB2CwlZ7g3V8hyR8oW7695YiVaAM0z4sIoWCtlTMA1iVBUIkh/s400/5aug10+158.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div><div><div><div>I have two exciting bits of news before I get going on the kitchen in a sec. </div><div></div><div>The first is that my Homemade Snuggly cushion made from a woollen cardigan was featured last Friday on the brilliant, the wonderful, the amazing <a href="http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/"><span style="color:#33ffff;">A Brooklyn Limestone in Progress</span></a> by Mrs Limestone herself, who I think of as the queen of interior blogs. Waaaaaah. I was beside myself with excitement, dancing with glee.....seriously! If you want to see Mrs Limestone's post, why don't you<span style="color:#33ffff;"> </span><a href="http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/2010/09/steal-this-idea-cardigan-cushion.html"><span style="color:#33ffff;">click on down to her fabulous site</span></a>?<br /><br />If, on the other hand, you'd like see my tutorial, then<span style="color:#33ffff;"> <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/2010/07/home-made-snuggly-cushion.html"><span style="color:#33ffff;">get clicking here</span></a></span> to see some woolly magic turning this cardigan...........<br /><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514155877066980754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWg-T7UEXNENtB9-q1-FjYtKrAU0QvBoiuC0TKlrKpt4DNQKFL2xdyew45IIGxpqIocW5LCFaFBFdwKExBfbtwcx0MtNS2Pe543bB7O52qNHAqg5wLilO4zp7CvCHlUC8cXmL4ZfHhGhP/s400/1july10+008.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514155902418352226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pclB2T200hClQOtfNMnp_eH1tlN6d3Ok6Tp9Z8UTuK9WklgzBtkVujPjsGTgjFEn4qmRvqNfn2NfvuRBiEh_KsFhVWrqEo_THajMSXKhgsq4RgmIEi3A71YTsw0e9xid0xg-dQYkBN_m/s400/28june10+013.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />........into this cushion. You really don't need to be a pro for great results. Do please let me know if you've had a go. I'd love to hear all about how you got on. Except for if it turns out better than mine. Only joking. ;-)</div><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514155907677649874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU4fro12ZMT1P9JUzBloDf2rgVY02GSunYaQUHKvPnsxTsKpXMeH71CerOIUQvx2ViBGSJfjLp9VduPbxU-Gnsxk4xwI8fvBb3PkdNfjg5jRBDVCyKWtlzxzyAyIVGEnWNDOwN4iTcitC/s400/28june10+022.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />My second bit of exciting news is that I have twenty-five Followers! Yay! Well, that bit is exciting to me, anyway! Again, more dancing with glee. I've doing a lot of dancing these past few days, as I'm sure you can imagine!<br /><br />Along with the dancing and the being beside myself with excitement , I've been arranging shelves in the kitchen,which has bee a very enjoyable task. Remember how they were when Mr Carpenter had been?<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514159975648257186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptfb-6vY7KpPtj3kOEaXUkhx0mFcE1g1-bf7SHl9sXlLFZgHnNKJj-uuEJ-st230njN7ua3wlKdeGNOGpliG3Iw4-_Tr9OlpSVRq2HNFTHBUCTGJTdtU0jqBhpc6hZF0djCUejrHflnUc/s400/10Sept02+061.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div></div><div>All lovely but so very, very bare. They needed some Modern Country Style injected, don't you think? Now, the top shelf, especially, needed my thinking cap on because it was such an awkward space. Part of the chimney breast sticks out over it and the other half, where the ugly old boiler used to dominate, has quite a high space to fill. My mission, which I eagerly chose to accept, was to find beautiful things that would sit alongside each other without drawing the eye to the awkwardness of the room.</div><br /><div></div><div>That tall space was particularly irksome.........until ......... I found this gorgeous glass urn vase. The colour of the dull sea-grey glass picks up on the Farrow and Ball Blue Grey fantastically. I'm really pleased with it. It's height, its lovely shape. Gorgeous. Ta-daaaaaaaa:<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514159978636711570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeGJdWnSYnvjdexqTAiXdHMQR1eEz5kLU2BSyqiKS8lvv_juNb3e1gDePlXfVkKKShyphenhyphenwqEhmD48sqf8KNuMUF93LDx7hKuVH7T6aG-gKkY5jrPkLaLggmShKl4_3aHNGLCv3Rrxd-zdha/s400/10Sept02+065.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />The low part of the top shelf was begging to be filled with these lovely big mugs. They are by Cote Table (with a circumflexand an acute but I don't know you do thoseon here....), a French company but are available from Dibor in the UK. I love them for a nice warming cup of hot chocolate, or a tasty winter soup. They're a really nice design to snuggle with, both hands clasped around the chunky bowl.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514159999199723362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXxekitNdILoNx5r8WjAcqGjbvs3EtVs1r2_E6Y0v9WD6-xTyipT2Z_Mod4bDp1GNcJyWfnqM4dOvmXMObv__huH2npA6LQwGGQPlu5dBPgHSK550r942O_nax4VOlmg4dXiKnkJqXt8k/s400/26aug10+063.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />Aren't they lush? I think they're top shelf material, don't you? ;-)<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514159995241280994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYTRdnBoVNSwGLJZWkMxgECIGQSRSxlWgZwlAWOzI8Jqu6uweP7perwk4DyzjnlTRpeN1xI4rmqZ3Ztf3uVtuxpx1KLx8gldbWbKkGby8zGJGzqX7THGyOxx8AT1294SQ4A-DSg3kHF0h/s400/10Sept02+066.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div></div>

Who knew shelf-stacking could be so much fun?!

I have two exciting bits of news before I get going on the kitchen in a sec. The first is that my Homemade Snuggly cushion made from a wooll...

Read more »