Updates in the kitchen are ready to share! I can’t believe this is all finally done. It feels so good. 🙂
Hopefully, you’ll see from today’s post how easy it is to update with fabric. This plan has been simmering in my head for a few months, ever since I ran across a 5 yard fabric remnant earlier this Spring at Old Time Pottery, of all places. I used part of it for pillows on my deck and had dreams of renewing my kitchen with new fabrics. It’s the large scale floral below. Then, the hunt began for companion fabrics and I found them at Tonic Living. They have some really great modern fabrics and good prices too (and I’m not getting paid to say that!). I loved the mix of the stripe and the yellow lattice fabric. So, I had my 3 fabrics ready for the changes. I did a simple window treatment stapled on a board. I figured that was something even I, a non-sewer, could handle. And I think it turned out pretty good for a novice seamstress like me. I’m very happy with how it brightens up the kitchen breakfast room and the best part, it all blends so well with the existing green paint (Laura Ashley Olive 4) which I didn’t want to change. This update cost me less than $100 and even that was almost an even trade, since one of my readers bought my old window treatment, along with the extra fabric and some of the hardware. So, it was almost an even exchange! You can’t beat that. You can see in these pics that I added some charcoal trim along the top and bottom and I really love how that just gives it an extra punch and seems to bring it alive. I railroaded (fancy term) the fabric instead of turning it sideways to cut. I didn’t mind it like this at all, since that scrolling vine of leaves and flowers was appealing to me. So, it’s all done! I did take pics along the way to show you how I put this together. It’s not fancy and a real seamstress would laugh at how I did it, but I managed to make it work for me and I’m pretty darn proud of it. It turned out just as I envisioned it in my head (and that’s always a good thing!). I’ll do the tutorial later on, since I took plenty of pics along the way. You’ll notice some pics down below were taken before I added the charcoal trim. I didn’t want to retake all the pics. Close-up of the flat charcoal trim I found at Hancock’s. I spent $20 just on the trim, but it was worth it and I think it adds a lot of punch.I shared recovering the chair seats here, just a couple weeks ago. Now, for the other changes in this space. Do you see the addition here?? Yes! Those 3 fern botanicals are all framed and were perfect for above the antique French cupboard. I’ll tell you all about those in a later post, but I couldn’t wait to share them. Aren’t they gorgeous?? I added in a couple of my white urns in the cubbyholes of the cabinet. I moved the bunny lamp up on the shelf to better show off the botanicals. Added a few yardsale finds along with it and that’s it for here. I kept it pretty simple with just a few pieces on top and my plate rack to the left. It does sort of cover up one of the botanicals, but I don’t mind the layered look. I love the old white plates above them that I found at a yardsale. Looking towards the dining room. One of my fave oil paintings that I found yardsaling too. Green Bordallo dishes that I’ve been collecting for years still have a place above the sink.
One side of the kitchen. And the other side. Our kitchen is rather long and narrow, so there is no room for an island. It functions very well though. Before the trim was added. This is the white corner cabinet that I found and painted last year. And you can see the transformation on it here and see the changes my kitchen has undergone in the last couple of years. The whole view. I decided against this rug. It was too small and moved around too much, but I like the color and pattern. I’ll keep looking for the perfect one, but I do love, love how the fabrics brighten up the space. A final peek in from the living room.
So, here’s my lesson on bringing in new fabrics. It really doesn’t take a whole lot of money to change out fabrics in a space like this. And as much as I love the neutrals, whites and grays that are OH so popular now, I just can’t bring myself to get rid of my color and start over with that look. It’s just not me. So, I stick to what works for us and color it is.
- Find a fabric you can fall in love with.
- Look for companion fabrics that might work too, think in groups of 3.
- Use one for chair seats.
- Mix the others around the room.
And that’s a mini-lesson in mixing fabrics and changing things around without spending a ton of money. I’m really loving the updates. Just a few tweaks here and there, along with the fresh vibrant fabrics really add a lot of energy to the space.
I love my kitchen and breakfast room! Fabrics can really give a quick update.
Do you have a space that could benefit from some new fabric choices? Tell me about it!
Linking to:
My Casa Bella says
I love the colors in that fabric and the color on your walls, very complimentary! Beautifully done.
MCB
Household Sapper says
I cant wait to re-cover my dining room chair bottoms. They’re so blah and I have a two year old and one due any day now, so they MUST hold up to high chairs and sticky hands! Im thinking a deep red floral to go with my red dining room walls. LOVE!
Kim says
Thank you Rhoda for linking up!
Vanessa says
Gorgeous fabric Rhoda! That treatment turned out “sew” beautifully!
🙂 The colors are gorgeous and I am totally coveting the fabric on the chairs. Great job!
Vanessa
Carol says
Your kitchen is gorgeous & your fabric window treatment & other accents is great. I had a custom sewing business for years, & believe me, I’m not laughing. You did a great job.
Carol
kathy says
I just love your style..I have your chandelier and love the fabric, I think we are cut from the same cloth! Got here from Savvy Kim, glad I did!
sherry hart says
Big impact for so little money!
Erin@like grandma's says
Love, love, love your house. It is all simply gorgeous… I have the bunny plate that matches your BP pottery above my stove, I love that stuff too!
Kathy :) says
Hello Hello,
I have been away for a couple weeks….so glad I popped in, what a fresh new look !!!
Kathy 🙂
Kinga at blueloom says
Hey Rhoda
I love your new window treatments. You did an excellent job matching different patterns. All fabrics complement colours of your kitchen wall, furniture and accents. Love it! Your kitchen is very warm and inviting.
I’m looking for fern prints like yours but have not luck…have to keep looking.
🙂
Kinga
Robin says
Rhoda,
Fantastic re-do!!! I absolutely love the window treatment….you do a great job! I especially love that floral fabric and the yellow on the chairs. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us!
Susan says
Hi Rhoda….Love your kitchen update! That fabric is wonderful and you did a great job making the treatment! The trim does totally make it pop…what a great look…love it! 🙂
carols says
Love the changes in the kitchen and the fabric and window treatment is perfection Rhoda! I have a blank canvas on a similar double hung window in my kitchen. I’m toying with hanging a simple red strip waverly fabric from it for now to see if I warm up to it. Hate to cut off any light in the room, so I love that yours is hung high. Love your style! stewcarol
Rhonda says
Rhoda,
I love the changes! I have purchased fabric at Old Time Pottery too. They have some very nice pieces.
The botanicals are great – I have been wanting some.
Rhonda
Shelia says
Hi Rhoda! Oh, I don’t know how I missed your post! I love your new window treatment! And you did a great job you little nonsewer you! 🙂
Love the fabrics you’ve chosen and you’re so right – the trim just really makes it! Love your breakfast room and your kitchen. Wish you could have joined my kitchen party last month!
I’m going over to check out the fabric site you’ve told about.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Rene@Bargainhoot says
Your home is beautiful and I love your window treatment!! I picked up a pair of pillows from HomeGoods in that same large floral print a few months back and also a green lattice table cloth from Walmart to coordinate 🙂 We think a like 🙂 I’ll have to show you how they look early spring when I swap out my pillows….
xo Rene