Pretty Tools

 Homemaking is a job. Sometimes it's a tiresome job, full of repetitive and mundane tasks.

Like all jobs, homemaking requires the use of certain "tools". As I folded the never-ending laundry pile one day, I glanced over at my nice little stack of kitchen towels.

These are some of the hardest working tools of this homemaker. Yes, they are worn and faded and stained, but I still think they are pretty!

Their patterns and colors make me feel happy and more content to be doing my "job". 

It's very grey and gloomy (and a little snowy) here today and I'm just so grateful for pretty tools that add a touch of cheer to the mundane : )

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely." -

 Louisa May Alcott 

Warmed Up With Red- Part 2

I don't know about you, but I'm still feeling somewhat somber in light of the terrible events in Connecticut. It just doesn't feel right to be too silly over decorating, etc. 

I don't have alot of words today, but I promised to show you the other area of the house where I like to use red at Christmas time, which is the kitchen/dining area. Yesterday I shared how I warmed up my normally neutral master bedroom using cozy color and fabrics.  I hope you enjoy taking a look at some of our colorful details!

 Our Christmas/Winter dishes, out for the first time this week for blueberry pancakes on a bright morning.

Some fun vintage kitchen items: My mixer is now sadly retired after recently failing to help prepare the Monkey Bread icing :(

 I'm not going to say it makes the best coffee, but it still works great for boiling water!

Some of our fun aprons.

Some vintage cookie cutters and my grandma's old fruitcake tin. When I got it, it was full of her old buttons and sewing notions!

I couldn't decide if I wanted to keep the pail! I went ahead and listed it in the shop {sigh} Sometimes it's hard to let go.

As fun as it is to have some cheerful red through the Christmas season, I have a feeling by New Year's day I'll be ready to go back to my winter whites : )





I'm working on a few things for the The Penny and the Pearl this weekend. Come take a peek when you have a minute!

See you soon!

Jeanette

Sharing at these fun places! :

 
Debbiedoo's Newbie with a Twist Party!
Knick of Time Tuesday! 

Warmed Up with Red-Master Bedroom

Recently I did a post called Perfectly Pale where I highlighted some of the whites and neutrals in my home, indicating that is where my design "comfort zone" is heading. Less color, more whites, in pursuit of a more peaceful atmosphere.  I also mentioned (and promised to show you) how I do still use and enjoy color at Christmastime. 

If there is ever a time to add an infusion of red to your basic neutrals the Christmas season is it! I have two areas in our home where I bring in the red most during this season, for an infusion of cozy cheerfulness. One is the kitchen/dining area, and the other is my master bedroom, which I'm sharing today.

Now, I've only been blogging "seriously" for about 8 weeks and I guess I feel a little shy about showing such a private area of our home to my 44 followers the WORLD! Awhile back I did share a little part of this room when I showed you my Faux Fireplace Mantel, so I guess I'm ready to go for the rest? Well, okay then, come on in!

 

 I know I always seem to be apologizing for my photography, but I'm doing it again. It was dusk AND it was gloomy and gray out, so some photos aren't too sharp. This actually works a little to my advantage because I didn't vacuum! : ) Oh, how I would love to snap my fingers and have that ceiling fan be replaced with a lovely chandelier. But we're not here for that!

Normally all the fabrics in my room are pretty white/neutral. Simply adding layers of linens and pillows in varying red prints instantly creates a warmer feeling in the cold winter months.

I sort of fantasize about painting the bed white someday, but I'm not ready to tackle it yet.

Yes, there is a superfluous twin bed in my room right now. It came out of the kids' room and I intended it to go to the basement, but it landed here and stayed. We use it sort of like a daybed/sofa when my laundry pile isn't there. 
Again, just adding layers of colorful blankets and pillows and decorative items, like the postcard garland on the vintage sled, immediately creates a warmer feel to the room.

Red print pillows and a soon-to-be skirt on my "project chair" in a Waverly floral fabric I've been in love with for years.

The name escapes me at the moment, but it has been used in many ways around my home(s).

  
This piece doesn't really have anything to do with cozy color (except it's warm wood tones) but I thought I'd show you just because it's a favorite of mine.

 I think it's the front panel from an old piano? But for now it's standing in the corner of my room being used as a clothes hanger!

 I'm thinking it's also destined to be painted white someday. 

Ok, so I only just realized today that my dresser has a FACE! I can't decide if it's funny or just creepy!

 All her "age marks" just make me love her more.

 An interesting note about the dresser top; the shop owner I bought this from told me that when she acquired the dresser the veneer top had been badly damaged. She removed the veneer and covered the top in this Ralph Lauren wallpaper (!) and a heavy piece of glass.

Over the years it's been fun to put photos, cards etc under the glass. I've been tempted to see what's under the wallpaper, but I'm sort of afraid to mess with it! Maybe I'll cover it with some of my vintage sheet music next?

Nothing says "warm and cozy" quite like a red plaid blanket, right? Especially layered on top of fluffy white duvets and charming red print bedding. The super heavy PB quilt is actually on loan from my friend who's living in China right now and the Waverly floral is a fabric remnant from a past project. I have always loved florals and plaids together, and I think I always will.

It's so easy to use things you already have to pull color into a room! I used some of my favorite crafting/decorating books here. Tired of this color? Swap them out for another! Don't get me wrong, books never need to match a color scheme, but when you are doing a seasonal (temporary) color scheme, why not use something you already have and love?

Blankets, pillows, books, candles, picture frames are all easily whisked away when your design mood changes, with very little time and no money spent.

There's my cozy (I do like that word!) little electric fireplace I made the mantel and faux brick backdrop for.

Thank you so much for visiting my warmed-up-with-red winter bedroom! Rest assured, in a few weeks I'll be ready to have things back to Perfectly Pale in here! It's been a long day....I am SO climbing in this bed right now : )



 









over at:

  

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At the Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday 

Common Ground-Vintage Inpiration 
Six Sisters'-Strut Your Stuff Saturday 
It's Overflowing-Overflowing With Creativity! 
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Liz Marie Blog