Saturday, August 22, 2009

Sunshine in the House!



Thanks to a beautiful day, I was able to shoot the new photos of the kitchen yesterday. I'll be posting them randomly, throughout the week. Here's the first few...

The newly hung plate collection...



I'll go into more detail about where I picked up all the different plates later this week.

The new seat cushion and pillows on the headboard bench...



Teresa Porter made the seat cushion for us out of a super-soft cotton duck fabric I gave her. I asked her to put a pleated skirt on the bottom edge, and she did a wonderful job with it...it's flawless!
I bought the two smoky-blue pillow covers on Ebay, and had Teresa add braided jute trim to the edges of them to tie them together with the color and texture of the middle pillow a little more. I got 25 yards of the jute trim on Ebay for $4.99. The 18" pillows inside the covers are from a flea market, and cost just $3.00 each.



The middle pillow came from PotteryBarn.com.

I just love the way it all turned out and can't wait to see Kevin's reaction when he gets home tomorrow morning. He's been gone for a month, and I've really been missing him around here lately.

We still have a looong way to go in the Dining Room. Here's a glimpse of where we're at right now...



A couple random photos I shot yesterday morning...





And lucky for us, I finally found a complete set of white dishes to fill our china hutch just in time for the photo shoot.
I picked up for just $18.00 at a flea market. It serves eight, and there are no chips in any of the pieces...





Hope you're having a wonderful weekend wherever in the world you are!

Tip du Jour: Listen to the Beatles.

83 comments:

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Breathtaking!!! Such gorgeous touches. LOVE the arrangement of plates and accents of red here and there.

Becky

Pony Girl said...

Looks fabulous, Layla! I love your photos and little details. Did not realize your hubby has been gone so long....but it looks like you've kept yourself busy! I just won a set of your nesting crates from "Peanut Petunia" blog and I am SOOOOO excited!! My kitchen is pretty tiny (an apartment) so I'm going to have to be creative. I might need your help in how to arrange them, LOL!

Amy said...

Wow. What a breath of fresh air. Your home reflects the amazing weather outside. Thanks for sharing your home with us. It's always a pleasure to catch little glimpses of your home, and your life.

Let it Shine said...

Looks fantastic, as always!
I adore the pleating!!

Aura said...

Beautiful! I love all the soft colors. All the furniture in our house is black wood so I love to see how other people decorate with it.

Christi said...

two questions for you!!

1. what seller did you buy the jute trim from on ebay?

2. do you have a seller recommendation for the printed burlap bags?

Katie said...

beautiful, happy shots! great vision for the bench seat cover, the pillows and the trim. kevin will love it!

Peanut-Butter Kitty said...

WOW!!!

Unknown said...

It looks A.MAZ.ING as usual! Those blue pillows...i'm wanting. So creative with the jute :)
Have a wonderful weekend and can't wait to see the photos of your dining area when you're finished.

Unknown said...

As always, beautiful photos. You are too cute Layla.

Love the new look of your "website".

Good luck!

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Your home looks beautiful and I love the bench your hubby made for you and I also like how you hung some of the dishes below the wainscoting, good idea!
Hugs~Kelly

The Tattered Cottage said...

Layla -
Everything looks fantastic. You have such wonderful style in decorating making your home beautiful, welcoming and inspiring. Can't wait to see the rest of your photo's :)
Toni

Cathy said...

As always, absolutely beautiful!

{{Big Hugs}}

Cathy

paige said...

you are truly walking on sunshine
i love it all! & great find at the market...white dishes are perfect
xo

Hudson Goods said...

I love the idea of the screen door, really great!

Sami Jo said...

Love, Love, Love, the bench! It came together so beautifully! Good find on the white dish set and I'm excited to see the Dining Room!! Welcome home Mr. LC!
Regards, The Lady of the House

Sue said...

There is always an ongoing project, isn't there? Things are looking good on your end. Like the bench a lot, especially with that pillow- what detail in the pleating. And white dishes.... What can I say? I have place settings for 32 in a 3 different patterns. LOL
:-) Sue

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Everything is looking gorgeous. I love the bench and the pillows. Your new china is wonderful too. I really like plates hanging on the wall, and yours look super. I can't wait to see more. Hugs, Marty

Lori said...

I love the pillow from pottery barn and the old enamel pot you have in your hutch. Everything looks so great ~ you must be pleased!

Amber said...

Like everyone here, I love following your site ~ I admire your aesthetic. One of my favorite things are the baskets you use throughout your home; they're perfect!

Kelly B said...

It looks beautiful!! I love the bench and the pillows are just too fab!! I am sorry your guy has been gone a month. That is always hard. My Hunny used to be gone 3 weeks at a time, and I would have all the kids (4 then..) by myself. I wanted to say thanks for all your pictures of your kitchen and dining area. My love is finally interested in helping me with our house... so I may finally get a nice looking kitchen!! :)

Julie M. Jackson said...

Love it Love it Love it! Keep it up! I have an old home that I am slowing fixing up and your blog is my "muse". Ha!

Swan Family said...

YOu are truly talented I love Love LOVE your work!

Farmgirl Paints said...

Gorgeous! Love the burlap on the back of your cupboards. The bench is soooo cute. You just really have an eye. Thanks for sharing:)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, girlie, love, love the new pillows & the plates. perfecto! :)

The Old Painted Cottage said...

Layla,

I love how the plates turned out on your wall. And I'm completely smitten with the white pleated slipcover on your bench. Can't wait to see more!

oxox
Jennifer

Brenda Pruitt said...

It's looking beautiful! I like the way you took the photos in the mirror. Very inspired! The pillows are really a nice touch.
Brenda

Tanya said...

Love your white dishes. I can never have enough. The bench looks beautiful with the pillows on it.

Anonymous said...

Breathtaking! That's the word! Miss you!

Shannon said...

Beautiful! I love those pillows.

MilkMaid said...

You are such a cutie thing.

I reaaaally like that seat cushion, nice choices!

Chris said...

Once again...everything is just perfect! It all looks so beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Hey Layla,
What a great idea to add the jute trim to the pillows. I was just there last night and bought a couple more pillows. I am crazy about their pillows. I guess you could say I'm a pillow snob!!! I have those linens ones in the orange. Your bench is perfect and what a beautiful seamstress she is, the ruffled edge is perfection.

LeAnn:)

Adrienne said...

wonderful pictures Layla! the plate display looks great on both wall surfaces. i also love the ruffle on your seat cushion. :)

Jenny Froh said...

Everything is SO pretty!!!!

Anonymous said...

lovely pics layla!

anita said...

its all so pretty layla...

Sarah said...

Great find on the white china! It is looking good.

diana said...

I love white dishes... they go with everything...
You have been busy and it looks great.

Rene'@kelsiskloset.com said...

Layla,
It is all beautiful. I love the jute trim on the pillows. Do remember the name of the ebay store or seller? I want to buy some!!

Rene'

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Geez girl - you never cease to amaze. I especially love the pleated skirt on the bench. Perfection!

Terri said...

Beautiful! I have a question... HOW do you hang your plates??? I don't see those springy-plate-hanger-grabber parts peeking out of the top and bottom. I want to hang more plates... but I like how yours look!!! Maybe in your upcoming post about the plates you can share your secret? Blessings!

Blue Creek Home said...

Layla, Everything is just scrumptious.
I live a stones throw (plus a little!) away from ya...I would love to see your Lettered Cottage in person one day!!!
You could also come junking around the lake and visit me at my Blue Creek Home!! Rhonda

Shannan Martin said...

It all looks smashing! Three cheers for good lighting, too! {clink!}

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Everything is LOVELY!!!

Leanne said...

I can't believe I'm the first to comment. I'm never first. I love your plate collection and the scale. Your bench is beautiful and I love the pillows. The braided trim is perfect.

Tiffany said...

Oh, Layla, I LOVE your style. You have inspired so much of my latest re-decorating in our house. Thank you!

Kacey said...

Soooo pretty! I LOVE the bench and the pleating on the skirt is just precious. Great job!

Teresa said...

Hi Layla,
Everything looks so wonderful! I loved every second of working on this project with you. And you just take the most beautiful photos! You are so inspiring, and I am so thrilled to be a part of your "team", and bringing your vision to life. Looking forward to many more projects!

xoxo
Teresa

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

Absolutely fabulous, as usual! I am in hot steamy LOVE with those pleats on the bottom of that cushion. I want some pillows like that BAD!

If you have time, I'd love for you to stop by and see my creative cover up I constructed out of drop cloths and nailhead trim. Hope you had a great weekend.

~Amanda

~Amanda

Melissa Miller said...

It's all so beautiful! Love all the pillows. :)

Tracy Watier said...

Beautiful pics, Layla! (hi to you in the mirror!) Love the new changes and the pleat on that bench cushion is perfect.

Missy said...

beautiful! i showed my husband your blog yesterday :) we both love your clean style.

DesignTies said...

Fantastic pillows... love the jute braiding on the blue ones :-)
Looking forward to hearing the details on your kitchen feature.
Victoria @ DesignTies

Beautiful Day said...

I am loving what you and Teresa have created. The pleats! So classy. The jute trim! Never knew there was such a thing. The mirror! LOVING!! The plates - adorable!! What I really love is that there are masculine and feminine touches. Good find with the white dinner set too. Wendy xx

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

It's really lovely, Layla! Really, really lovely!

Nancy@ThatTechChick said...

Hi Layla,

I am a regular reader but a first time poster! I love the bench and new pillows and your kitchen is one of my all time favorites.

Thanks for sharing your hard work and creativity!

Nancy Williams

alissa said...

love all the little details on your bench...just perfect!

Anonymous said...

HI! Oh! All your new things are just perfect! I adore your new pillows~you made the right decision with the fabrics. I can't wait to see more pictures especially of the mirror. You must just love walking around your home and just looking at all your pretty things! I could stare at something for hours and my husband thinks I'm plain crazy! :) Don't wait too long to post the other pics. How's the bathroom coming along? I'm hanging my photos this week that I got from LCart.com. Love them.
Sarah

Decor To Adore said...

Best tip of the day! :)

I adore your bench. It turned out beautifully.

amy said...

Wow your kitchen and diningroom are looking even more amazing!
And your blog is looking really great! I love the new look.

Wendy said...

Always amazingly beautiful. You have a true gift, my dear!

Cindy said...

Your home is looking so beautiful! The bench looks so great, the pillows on it and the seat cover are perfect. You have great flair and style! Everything is so great looking! Hugs, Cindy S

Bluebird said...

LOVE the new kitchen!! you did a great job! :-)

Gloria Fox said...

I love the plate collection. Looks beautiful. Can't wait to see more.

To The Moon and Back said...

Love the peek into your kitchen. I am loving the touches of red too! Can't wait to see the finished dining room.

Cheryl said...

Layla,
your house is so beautifully done and looks inviting.
I have been looking for some braided jute trim myself. I saw some pillows in Pottery Barn and thought, "I could make those myself." But first, I have to find the jute trim. I will have to give Ebay a look.
Loving the finished look of the bench. That seat cushion with the ruffles just makes me smile.

Kurtzhals said...

Love it. I knew that I was going to be crazy over that middle pillow and bench cushion. I've never seen that braided trim before. Cool find.
Speaking of the Beatles someday when you have one of these little "daughters" you'll be making something like THIS:
http://ilikethewayyoudo.blogspot.com/2009/08/beatles-tank-dress.html
I made and posted it over the weekend. :)

Melissa said...

I love the plates! What is your secret on hanging them? You can't see the hangers! You should do a tutorial. :-)

Laurel said...

Those pleats. To. Die. For.
Those plates. Just plain lovely.
That mirror you took pictures through, new? Love it.
New Dishes. Great find.
All around priceless....

Unknown said...

Lovely, as always Layla!!! I am so happy that things are going so well for you and TLC. Can't wait to see where you are featured!
~Holly
www.inthefunlane.com

Philigry said...

it all looks so great! beautiful job. i can't wait to see more of the dining room.

Diann said...

The pleated skirt is lovely!

Anonymous said...

Have fun with that sweetie of yours!

Its So Very Cheri said...

Looks beautiful, as always.
I'd love for you to come check out the Knock Off Knock Out party.

Cheri
Its So Very Cheri

Unknown said...

Looks awesome...love that headboard bench!!!

:) T

Ann said...

You did a great job with the plates ... your space looks so fab and chic

Kim said...

It looks fantastic!!!

{darlene} said...

Fantastic changes. Everything just pops, and at the same time is soft and soothing. you are very talented!!

Deb said...

The touches are awesome, Layla, truly awesome! :)

Deb

Hopeless Chest said...

I LOVE how the back of the cabinet is lined with burlap sack... That's a great idea.

-- KJ
http:.//hopelesschest.blogspot.com

edeenut said...

I love the look of that little pleated ruffle! I love duck cloth too. I'm curious though about how the cover got so smooth with no wrinkles. Did you iron it? I find that duck cloth is the hardest thing to iron after it's been washed (even with HOT steam).

Autumn said...

I love your style! Just found your blog today--so beautiful!