Banquette

Recently, an article was published on the E News web site. Drew Barrymore was quoted, saying, " If you have an  eat-in kitchen, I love a banquette! No matter how inviting I try to make every other room of the house, everyone gravitates to the kitchen banquette."

 

This set me on a course of googling images of banquette kitchens. I am now in love with this idea, and agree with Drew! If you don't think your kitchen is large enough to be an eat-in kitchen, consider a banquette.

This  charming built-in bench not only adds seating, but adds storage and creates an inviting atmosphere. Chose chairs that fit snugly underneath the table to maximize space. This type of seating invites guests to gather and comfortably lounge around the kitchen. The idea of mixing accent pillows is a terrific way to tie in additional colors.

 

There are many different styles and options, and storage definitely has to be considered when designing a banquette. These photos are a few of my favorites. I can tell you, my next house will feature a kitchen banquette! Enjoy!

 

 









 

 



 

 

 

Outside the Box

Need storage ideas? Think outside the box, literally. Find a new purpose for old items. Recycling isn't only for paper or plastic. Reuse vintage items for organizing your house. Look at all that junk in your basement or garage with a new attitude.

 

 

Stow picnic items in a vintage suitcase.
Bring the entire suitcase to the picnic.

Vintage picnic baskets make perfect storage for larger items.
 Hide gloves, serving trays, craft supplies and toys.

Add casters to a vintage picnic basket.
An adorable mobile table.

 Metal picnic baskets as hidden storage in a kitchen.
Storage all your baking items out of sight.



 Wooden tool box for organized desk storage.
Use mason jars for paper clips, pens and other small items.

Attractively hide office supplies.


Do you have clever new uses for everyday items?
Share your ideas by posting them here!

Say Cheese

  

The dilemma: boxes of family photos that need to be organized. Its one of those projects everyone will get around to "someday'. Sure, a select few to frame or file them away in photo albums. But, what should be done with the rest of the photos? Here are some solutions.

 

(Digitize.)

 

Turn those prints into digital files. by scanning them into the computer. Tackle the project in small intervals. Set an easy to attain goal, such as to scan 25 photos each week. File the photos as they are scanned. Throw the paper photo away. It is hard to do, but once its scanned them there is no need to keep the photos. It will becomes cluttered junk. The most important step in this process is back up the files. This can be done online or with an external hard drive. A great online storage is Shoebox. It's only $5 a month and produces random searches. IPhone's and computers can sync automatically. Its truly an amazing app. If you must keep your old photos, label the boxes and store them neatly, where they won't get wet or become affected by humidity.

 

(I've been framed.)

 

A family photo wall is always a favorite in any home. However, try to include more than just the kids school photos and wedding photos. Mix in candid photos of all family members. Hang a photo of the friends and relatives who visit on a regular basis. Nothing makes guests feel more welcome than seeing their photo hanging on the wall. This is also a fun decorating idea for your child's room too. Use brightly colored coordinating frames and include photos of grandparents, school friends and accomplishments.

 

 

(Think outside the box.)

 

Be creative when arranging photo displays on a wall.  There are a ton of idea's on Pinterest. Some favorite idea's include:

• Hang a grouping of various sizes and frame finishes together to fill a large space.
• If you have an old frame, hang photos from clothes pins on a piece of twine. 
• Make a photo collage under a large piece of glass on your desk.
• Tack photos on a large bulletin board and mix in memento's
• Paint a tree on the wall and hang photo's from the branches

(Party on, dude!)

 

Support a party theme. with photographs. Photo CD are great party favors. Burn CD's of the photos for family members for holiday, anniversary or wedding gifts. Use a childhood photo of each guest as place cards for a dinner party. String old photos to make garland. The idea's are endless. Be creative and think outside the box... or, uh, outside the photo album.

 

 

Don't Junk that Trunk



Decorating with trunks is a hot trend. Since the later part of the 18th century, trunks  have been popular. Remember grandma having one for storage at the foot of the bed? However, trunks are making a huge comeback and are reappearing in all rooms throughout the house, especially vintage trunks. They offer a touch of history, unique charm, and even promise the hope of travel.

Trunks serve as a nice way to bring a touch of history into a modern living room. Use an old trunk as a coffee table. Flipping a trunk on end transforms the trunk into a pedestal. When on its side, a lamp can be placed on the trunk to add reading light  behind a chair. It can also make a pedestal to hold for plants or a shelf for mail and keys by the front door.

 

(That junk inside your trunk.)

 

These pieces of furniture can be useful in almost any room: a family room to store board games; a kitchen to baking supplies; in the playroom  to hide the kids toys; or even the bathroom. Think of how many towels you could fit inside a trunk. Regardless of which room you decide to utilize a trunk, they serve as a wonderful storage unit.

If you are one of the lucky few to still have your great grandmothers hope chest collecting dust in the attic, make the rest of us jealous  and  bring it down from the attic. Clean it up and put it on display for the rest of the world to admire.

(Its Kismet how junk appears when you want it.) 

 

Many antique and vintage stores sell trunks. If there isn't one in stock, talk to the store manager know. There may be one in storage. Check Craigslist, Estate Sales and Auctions for vintage trunks.  Try a Facebook post to family and friends. Finding a trunk could be easier than imagined.