The magic of the Nook

I absolutely love small spaces.  I love the intimacy and the closeness of a small space.

The little nook in our little blue house was magical. 

When we moved into the little blue house 16 years ago the nook was all dark wood, with two benches on each side covered with a mustard colored, pizza parlor material.  The nook stayed that way for about 14 of the 16 years.

I never really cared for the dark wood and the functionality was limited.  The U-shape didn't exist until the remodel, therefore anyone who slid into the "booth" type seating would be stuck up against the back wall. 

In the early days, prior to kids, getting stuck in the back was a really bad thing.  Often referred to as the "drinking nook" friends would come over to play cards and games.  The person stuck in the back could never escape and always seemed to feel the worst the day after!

The nook remodel was phase II after the kitchen.  The original kitchen was just as dark as the nook and the cabinets were said to be disintegrating when the contractor began demolition.

We decided to take the kitchen down to the studs.  We were trying to save the cabinets but it just wasn't going to happen.  Dave and I try to do a lot of projects on our own but there are times when DIY just doesn't suffice.  This was one of those times.  I enjoy quality craftsmanship and this house deserved to have quality.

We selected custom ash cabinets, granite countertops, classic subway tile and stainless appliances.  A piece of tiger maple was selected for the coffee station to add a bit of variety aside from the granite.  Granite wasn't my first choice, but a compromise with my husband.  While the kitchen looks simple.  It was far from simple to create.  I spent years reading design pubs and books.  I researched colors, style and materials.  In the end, however, the design was just a gut instinct.

Pantry space was limited.  The custom moss and turquoise cabinet was designed with storage in mind.  I though my contractor was going to have a heart attack when I selected those colors, but in the end he did a brilliant job.

The wall color was by far the most difficult decision.  The kitchen was connected to the nook and the family area and the color needed to allow for light to reflect at all times of the day.  Through the years that space had been difficult to keep bright and cheery.  The goldenrod was an ideal selection.

The mosaic lighting wasn't selected until the end of the remodel and I have to say it added an eclectic talking piece to the kitchen area.  When illuminated they resembled beautiful art.

While we loved the kitchen, we knew the nook needed a remodel as well.  The kitchen had exhausted all our money and the nook would have to wait.

Two years after the kitchen remodel it was time to conquer the nook!  The entrance was originally two open doorway entrances.  A beam ran straight through the center.

I found an amazing restoration specialist.  Fortunately, he was able to see my vision.  I wanted a U shape nook to utilize the entire space and an open entrance. 

In the end I also determined I wanted to paint the woodwork of the windows to offset the goldenrod walls and blend with the colors of the kitchen.  Fabrics were selected last and added a tone of whimsy.

 

I can't even begin to tell you how many enjoyable evenings were spent in that nook.  The nook was perfect for gourmet breakfasts, crafting, homework, long talks, cups of tea and moments of clarity.

I mentioned earlier that the kitchen was connected to the nook and the family area.  I decided to stay consistent with the color scheme and them in the family area as well.  The end result was an extension of the magical nook.

Toward the end of our stay in the blue house I enjoyed every last meal we made in the kitchen, every last craft we created in the nook and every last laugh we shared in the family area.

I don't intend on recreating this look at the farmhouse in Wisconsin as I feel it deserves a story of it's own.  Perhaps elements of this magical space will reappear.

A few of my favorite things

Sitting here, sipping coffee and taking in this gorgeous spring morning.

I began to flip through my photo log.  There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to the click of my camera.  It's pure "whatever catches my fancy!"

So the Farmhouse Countdown has begun.  59 days.  My design mind is swirling.  Enjoy the visuals and I hope you are inspired too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The temporary Art Studio

Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs a place to art.

 After moving from the little blue house, watching the movers pack up my studio I literally thought at one point I would stop breathing.  Dramatic, yes, I know.  That's exactly what it felt like.

I have spent countless hours in the studio after bad days and good days.  Laughing, crying singing.  The outcome was always the same.  I felt more alive, confident and at peace after I spent time in the studio.  

It was no surprise that the studio was where I would choose to "begin" in the new farmhouse.  

I have read countless design books and magazines.  I pinterest, etsy and twitter.  I'm a seeker of ideas and information like the many others.  After moving to this farmhouse the seeking stopped.  I no longer wanted to find the answers.  I wanted to create them.  I wanted them to be my own.

I shared in an earlier post that one of the main reasons I loved this old farmhouse was the third floor, unfinished space.  Most people buy homes for the kitchen, the bathrooms.  Boring.  I saw this unfinished space and I saw the potential.  I saw what it could become.   I could see the natural light, the structural changes and lots and lots of color.

Why buy a new home when you can have this!

While we figure out what the heck we're going to do with this space, I needed an interim art area. 

The room off the dining room filled the temporary need. 

I went to my organization, go-to person, Cate, and we started unpacking the studio boxes.  Box after box.  

 

Before I knew it, familiar and treasured trinkets were being made visible and I could feel the creative juices flowing.  I could breathe again.

 

Once the boxes were carefully unpacked the elements started to come together and a studio was born.  Even if it is for a short while.

 

At the end of the day we ended up with this. Still a bit cluttered and messy for my liking, but nonetheless a place to create effortlessly!

The next morning I awoke to laughter in the studio.  Music to my ears.  Ava and Cate were already making themselves a spot in what was considered my sanctuary.  I was fine with the scenario as each one is a constant muse. 

Where do you begin when you move into a new home?  How do you choose where to make your imprint first so that the rest of the home just flows. 

Here's the answer: go with your gut.  Find the spot that is going to inspire you.  Look at the the colors that motivated you before.  Chances are, if you loved those colors before, you're going to love them again.  Perhaps in a new way.  

Use pinterest, etsy and all the design magazines you want.  I love them all!  At the same time, remember that you know what you like and your instincts are probably right 99% of the time. Whatever you do find your soul and pour it into your home.

When I stepped foot in the studio I knew I was finally home.