After devouring a perfectly seasoned piece of baked tilapia and a side of potato salad for lunch today, I snapped a couple of shots of what I've been up to in the Kitchen recently.
Ever since I took these pictures a few months back, I've always kind of been drawn to using the color red as the accent color in our Kitchen.
I know. Holy-step-outside-my-neutral-comfort-zone, right?
But I really do love how well it plays with my "barely blue" wall color.
Here are some other blue and red rooms I found on CountryLiving.com...
For a while there, before I painted the walls blue, I was thinking that my accent color was going to be green. So I painted the back wall of our china hutch (that I got from a furniture liquidation warehouse in Montgomery, Alabama) a dusty shade of apple...
Then I filled it up with a bunch of my inexpensive, white IKEA, HomeGoods and Pier One dishes, and some other accessories I had around the house...
...but the combination of apple green and barely blue looked sort of like the Easter Bunny came and had his way with my Kitchen. So I started to cut up an old burlap sack that I bought for $3.25 at a flea market. It used to hold walnuts...
So this....
...is now transforming to this:
I will post the full tutorial here when I'm done doing the left side of the cabinet, and have everything in place.
In other burlap news, I picked up this itty bitty burlap sack at a antique store for $3.00 a couple weeks ago. I'm using it as a "plant pot cozy" around the little pot I had on top of my cast iron pedestal...
(Lettered Cottage Home will offer "plant pot cozies" in the near future too!) :-)
Would you believe that I've had the little sand dollar that's in the photo since 1997? I picked it up on Manhattan Beach, in California. I've kept it with me ever since. I've moved so many times...I can't believe it made this far.
The pebble on the lower left is one that I picked up while travelling with my Mom to Charleston last June, and the "lettered olives" on the right remind me of her so much too.
Ever since I took these pictures a few months back, I've always kind of been drawn to using the color red as the accent color in our Kitchen.
I know. Holy-step-outside-my-neutral-comfort-zone, right?
But I really do love how well it plays with my "barely blue" wall color.
Here are some other blue and red rooms I found on CountryLiving.com...
For a while there, before I painted the walls blue, I was thinking that my accent color was going to be green. So I painted the back wall of our china hutch (that I got from a furniture liquidation warehouse in Montgomery, Alabama) a dusty shade of apple...
Then I filled it up with a bunch of my inexpensive, white IKEA, HomeGoods and Pier One dishes, and some other accessories I had around the house...
...but the combination of apple green and barely blue looked sort of like the Easter Bunny came and had his way with my Kitchen. So I started to cut up an old burlap sack that I bought for $3.25 at a flea market. It used to hold walnuts...
So this....
...is now transforming to this:
I will post the full tutorial here when I'm done doing the left side of the cabinet, and have everything in place.
In other burlap news, I picked up this itty bitty burlap sack at a antique store for $3.00 a couple weeks ago. I'm using it as a "plant pot cozy" around the little pot I had on top of my cast iron pedestal...
(Lettered Cottage Home will offer "plant pot cozies" in the near future too!) :-)
Would you believe that I've had the little sand dollar that's in the photo since 1997? I picked it up on Manhattan Beach, in California. I've kept it with me ever since. I've moved so many times...I can't believe it made this far.
The pebble on the lower left is one that I picked up while travelling with my Mom to Charleston last June, and the "lettered olives" on the right remind me of her so much too.
Another exciting development taking place in the Kitchen, is the progress I've made on picking out fabrics for the cushion and pillows on the Headboard Bench. 
Here are the ones I've settled on:
The cushion will be burlap, with a fancy, little folded skirt out of the blue fabric in the middle, and the pillows will be made out of the floral and the striped fabrics. Two of the pillows will have piping made out of the blue fabric in the middle. Can't wait to have it all in place!
Okay, gotta get back to work....I don't want to miss a second of Design Star tonight! :-)
Layla
Very pretty : ) I love the red accents too as I tend to fall back on red as a favorite. Can't wait to see the cushion and pillows!
ReplyDeleteI love red. Red is my signature color (said in my best Shelby from Steel Magnolias voice). Layla, I love your blog and visit it often. I'm kind of new to blogging but I hope you'll come visit me sometime.
ReplyDeleteI do love the red! I've been hard at work on some of your suggestions over here, and things are starting to shape up nicely. ; ) Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteI love pops of red in design! That is how I have added red I love as well with my blues! I think it adds another element of whimsy to a room...which everyone needs! Love it!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
~Victoria~
Beautiful as always!!! It's nice to incorporate color here and there. Have a fabulous weekend.
ReplyDeletethose fabrics on either side are the fabrics in my bedroom right now. i'm changing once i move, but i still love that set. love the red!
ReplyDeleteI love deep red as an accent color with pale blue. That color combination doesn't seem as common for some reason (compared to, say, green and red), so it's a nice surprise.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see how everything is coming together. You're right, that hit of red really is nice. I love that you posted the blue and red bedroom photo from Country Living. I'm actually hoping to get some new red bedding next weekend but have a bunch of navy. Had been toying with the idea of combining the colors in my bedroom. That photo helped me to see a bit of the vision. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have to chuckle a bit as I write this...I love color and use it here and there in my neutral home. I chuckle because the colors you used as your touch of color are more like my neutrals. It looks great. Love it!
ReplyDeletexxx kim
I have started to veer into foreign (aka red) territory of late. And I'm all about the pale blues. I agree, they work so well together! Two words: Cath Kidston. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Layla! Im so exicited about this weekend. I know the garage sale will be fun but you and Rhoda will be the icing on the cake!!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great - I love that you broke your own mold a bit with the touch of red!
ReplyDeleteHi Layla! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and its new look! I love the fabric you chose for your bench cusion and pillows. Can't wait to see the finished product! No pressure though...:)
ReplyDeleteWill be thinking "what would Layla do" while watching Design Star in 65 minutes!
Red is my very favorite accent color. I love your fabric choices for the pillows. And how cute is the pop of red in your new header!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love your fabrics, they will really pop... can't wait to see the finished project!
ReplyDelete* You're always such a darling UPPER, Layla!!!... and I ALWAYS enjoy "visiting you"~~~ You're such a delight!!! Great ideas here~~~ am sooo looking forward to seeing that "HAS-TO-BE-FABTASTIC" cushion, n' pillows will be deeeelightful!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Linda in AZ *
It's going to be gorgeous! I love a little red thrown in with your decor too. You've got the knack, girlfriend. :)
ReplyDeleteDeb
I LOVE light blue with red accents. Red is such a cheery intense and positive color. It is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteDid you find someone to make the cushions or will you make them. When I read your description, I totally had the itch to make them. I'm that much of a sew-a-holic!
Can't wait to see it all!
Gorgeous work Layla. I love the burlap lining for your cabinet back - such a lovely way to add texture and interest and a historical-look. You are such a talent!! The red accents will also be so lovely...can't wait to see it all together.
ReplyDeletexo Terri
You have got it all going on! LOVE the burlap! The lettered Olive plays a happy role in my life too.
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen is beautiful!!! I love, love, love your use of burlap at the back of your cabinets...brilliant!
ReplyDelete:) T
Love the red. I have the same fabrics in my living room paired with green and I am desperate to switch it up. Can't wait to see the blue.
ReplyDeleteI think the red will be a nice accent, and be a subtle nautical touch to your beachy look. Pick up the Coastal Living Color Guide on the newstand... there is a whole section of rooms exactly like that, for your reference.
ReplyDeleteRed is totally fab and I believe it brings so much character to a space... I loved the Country Living outdoor space... how divine (I'm addicted to saying "How Divine" - for some reason from your's truly - Candice Olson from HGTV's Divine Design... I'm a dork! I know! I can't stop!) Anyhow, can't wait to see the bench with all it's fabulousness! Design Star is addicting.. I know!
ReplyDeleteyay for using burlap!!! you know it's my fave tee hee. xoxox
ReplyDeleteLove the red accents. I have a lot of neutrals as well but I like to incorporate red or a bit of orange. And burlap - I love it! I am always dragging home some burlap and flour sacks. I'm a sucker for bold letters!
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me hope with the blue/red combo. I painted my baby girl's room the same blue in the CL porch photo because all her furniture is white. Then I realized that NO baby bedding is designed for blue girl's rooms! I knew I wanted red but not in a primary zoo kind of way. I found a pillow at IKEA that inspired me to use blue/red/yellow/green with tans and whites in forals and stripes. I'll send a photo if it turns out well. If not, at least the baby will have room darkening curtains finally.
ReplyDeleteAndrea in CO
I really like the touches of red.
ReplyDeleteBTW, do you have any coffee roasters in your area? They are a great source for burlap and it smells soooo good. My local place, SLO Roasted gives them to me for free.
I love red in kitchens! I used it as an accent color in our last kitchen but in our current house it just doesn't seem to work so far so I haven't really developed an accent color...but I love all the ideas you're giving me!
ReplyDeleteLove the burlap on the back of the cabinet. Love the texture. I also think the red accents are perfect. Love red. It's so striking. Beautiful kitchen!
ReplyDeleteRed will be a great touch and it is great to start with a few flowers in the shade you are considering. Anytime I can bring the garden inside, I am thrilled, so naturally I hope for the floral!
ReplyDeleteLayla,
ReplyDeleteI've tried getting on your new website but it always stalls when I click on the links. It very well could be my computer issue but it doesn't seem to happen on any other sites. I just wanted you to know in case there was an issue. What I've seen looks great!
You always inspire.
I like the green. ;}
ReplyDeleteI want so badly to 'get' the burlap thing....and....it's not happening. LOL
Everything you touch is magic, this is all no exception, love it!
I love the red accents! It totally makes the room pop with a little more warmth. I am a little partial to red, being my fave color and all, but I think it will be wonderful in your kitchen!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I had that red striped fabric in the kitchen of my first house many years ago. Still a great fabric.
ReplyDeleteI just made curtains for my master bedroom with those two fabrics!
ReplyDeleteI love them to pieces. I did the striped fabric for the top 2/3s, and the floral for the bottom 1/3, and then used a gold fringe as the trim between the two.
They look SO great. I cannot wait to see what your pillows and cushion look like!
Oh I LOVE what you are doing with the burlap in your cabinet!! I can't WAIT to see it finished!!
ReplyDeleteI just blogged about a made a burlap bulletin board for my office and I'm loving the burlap - I think I may do my office drapes in burlap too!!
~TidyMom
I love the burlap in the cabinet and I think it's a decor touch that I'd like to try in my cabinets in the living room.
ReplyDeleteAlso I just completed the hanging of the wall art that I purchased from you. I'd love for you stop by and see what you think.
http://enjoyalllifehastooffer.blogspot.com/2009/08/diy-how-to-create-interesting-wall-art.html
I have these colors in our bedroom and really think they are soothing, but at the time time find them to be cheerful.Oh Yea , I had the exact same thing for dinner you did! good luck with the house.BTW .. how is that cute little cottage next door? Julie in Hollland.....
ReplyDeleteI just recently found your blog and looooove your home and the way you decorate! You are truly gifted! I love the green, but can't wait to see the sack when your done, too! I also loved seeing your pictures of the rooms in blue and red. My husband really wants some indigo blue in our home and a big color presence, and I'm trying to think of ways to keep my country cottage/pottery barn look with that... so the pics help some! Keep the ideas rolling! You are inspiring us!
ReplyDeleteI recently stumbled upon your blog and instantly became a fan. Your style is wonderful. Love the use of the burlap walnut sack on the back of the buffet. Also love the way you create things that the "common folk" can actually attain. So excited that you started a retail site...I've been lusting over your herb holders on the wall. Keep up the fabulous work!
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled upon your site & I have to admit... I'm an instant fan. Love the choice of pictures and design elements you feature. Cheers to a job well done!
ReplyDeleteLove the burlap in the cabinet and the plant coy - I'm a girl that loves burlap.
ReplyDeletei love the way you stacked the dishes, very interesting. and my fav. color combo is carolina blue and red. can't go wrong there.
ReplyDeletevery pretty
Love your site! Don't ask me how I found it - but really glad I did! I love the coastal, cottage influence in your design!
ReplyDeleteLove your post! I found you through my aunt, Cherdecor, who loves your decorating. I do, too! I'm so glad someone else likes blue. It's my favorite color, always has been, and I try to change it to keep up with current decorating trends. Beautiful rooms!
ReplyDelete