This weekend was big for our little apartment… After months of living without an overhead light in the dining room, we finally found the perfect one (a vintage industrial light) at a flea market and installed it on Saturday. It’s funny how little things like a light shade or a coat of paint make such a big difference, at least in my book. Now that that’s settled, I feel a big sense of relief. I’ve been meaning to share photos of my new kitchen because it makes me happy… I hope you like it too!
You may remember my big paint revelation I had earlier this year. Initially I painted the kitchen light blue, thinking it would be lovely and calming, but after 3 coats of paint and a few weeks of living with it, I just couldn’t handle it. The blue made me feel like I was in a baby’s room and did anything but calm me, so I had the bright idea to use some dark gray paint I had left over from another room. I was a bit hesitant because dark gray theoretically seemed a bit abrasive for the kitchen, but after the first test patch I was sold. The color helps camouflage the terrible faux granite counters and gives the room depth and modernity. Now I actually do feel calm.
I love visiting flea markets and antique shops and am always on the lookout for bits and pieces for our apartment. Things like old cookbooks, antique utensils and quirky things are scattered about my kitchen. I found that sign, “Quality Our Motto, Coutesy Our Hobby” at a shop here in Brooklyn and it always makes me giggle. A poster from our first issue of Remedy Quarterly hangs next to it and below is a piece of art by one of my favorite artists Maira Kalman called “Have a Ball and a Drawing” (it’s a ball and a drawing in a box).
Another bright idea I had for the kitchen was bringing in an old medicine cabinet to hold extra bowls and towels. In addition to storing things inside, I can keep my fresh vegetables that don’t need to be stored in the fridge on top of it and not waste counter space. Of course I found a way to sneak a few fun things on top of it too, like an old ampersand and a lovely serving tray.
Besides the dishwasher, I think my favorite feature of the kitchen is this window. I love having natural light in the kitchen and being able to open a window. I’m thinking about starting a little herb garden, but am not quite sure I’m ready yet. Until then, I have my simple succulent that is the least needy plant ever.
So there it is, that’s where the magic of eatmakeread happens. As with many things (especially New York City apartments), there are things I’d like to change, but until then, this space makes me happy.
April 26th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Lovely kitchen! I so want a window in my next apartment. Makes for easier pictures!
April 26th, 2010 at 9:05 am
I love your kitchen! It is so cozy and fun!
April 26th, 2010 at 10:17 am
kelly, i love it! dark grey is like a magic color; it will seriously make any room look so fantastic.
xox
p.s. i tried orange bitters the other night and thought of you. i don’t know the exact measurements, but check this cocktail out…
white rum
strega
orgeat
lemon
orange bitters
April 26th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Wish there was a better shot of the old medicine cabinet. The top is just visible (love the ampersand) but would also love to get a feel for the entire look.
April 26th, 2010 at 11:27 am
I love all the light! I’m jealous
April 26th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I cannot stop chuckling over the sign. You know the one, the quality/courtesy bit! Awesome
April 27th, 2010 at 11:18 am
What a happy little cocina! Looks great!
April 27th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
What a wonderful space! I have a large kitchen with all the fancy stuff but no light. It drives me crazy – I spend much of my day in there and always have to have all the lights on just so I can see what I am doing. I would kill for a sweet little window like yours. Congrats on such a lovely place. And I love the paint! We have a dark (chocolate) brown bathroom which people tried to talk me out of. But everyone who sees it loves it.
April 27th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
We have the same taste-I love the grey in the kitchen. The whole thing makes me envious and inspired but our landlords will not allow our apartment to be changed. I have bright clay red vintage cabinets and that’s about as “funky” as they will allow. Some day I will have light in my kitchen!
April 27th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I agree with Anne that I would love to see the old medicine cabinet! Finding a new use for old things is always a boon, both to you and the environment.
Love/am jealous of your kitchen!
April 27th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
thank you to all for the kind comments!
i just added a few photos of the medicine cabinet… the lighting is a little off, but you get the point.
celia-
the drink sounds awesome!
April 28th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Your kitchen is lovely! And you’re right, the dark grey really does look amazing.
April 29th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
my kitchen – when we moved in, was baby-poo yellow – seriously – it was so far from calming that I ripped all the wallpaper down within 24 hours – and took down the wood paneling – yes – wood paneling in the kitchen – put there, I sadly found out, to hide the holes in the plaster left behind by the builder – in 19 freakin’ 68!!!!
So I quickly learned how to be a plasterer
and redid the kitchen walls and cabinets within the first 5 days. I too, tried the blue, which made me feel kind of queasy – but when I mixed in some gray – it created a lovely blue-tinted dove gray, and seemed cooler within minutes – I originally whitewashed the dark wood cabinets (pressboard tanks, big time) and saved myself $7,000 by not purchasing new cabinetry. A few years later, I looked at KraftMaid cabinetry and had a minor stroke at the now much bigger cost, so I matched the color of the cabinets I liked, at a home improvement store, and repainted the cabinets (again) to a bluer shade – and still, in the midst of Ohio Valley summer with all that humidity, my kitchen ‘feels’ cool.
Then I got a serious itch for a backsplash by the sink – so I found some discontinued navy 2×2 tiles, and laid them myself – cost me $10 bucks – including the blue grout
and I liked it so much I put a matching one behind the stove – guess I should take a picture!
Oh my goodness… I just realize I wrote a novel to tell you how much I love purposeful direction in light and color in the kitchen!! And yours looks fabulous!!!
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:34 am
Beautiful space! I’ll tell ya…for New York City, it looks like a palace to me. I love the sitting area and the new light fixture. It is funny how you get in a house rut and then introduce something new (throw pillows, new art etc.) and all of a sudden it starts to feel like a new space.
And I congratulate you for taking the time to make it all work. I tend to obsess over new apartments and feel I must get them all finished right away and end up with a rug or a table or a lamp that I hate just to have them in place. So bravo for taking the time to create a space that you love. Happy Sunday!
May 4th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
such a lovely kitchen, kelly! i i love your dining space and the overhead lamp.