Open Pantry Living

I've always had issues with decor vs utility.   Our existing kitchen reluctantly held my grandmother's behemoth hutch.  The bottom drawers were catch-alls, and the top shelves displayed dusty, unused, barware.  Cordial glasses.  Brandy glasses.  Champagne Flutes.  Port Glasses.  Glass Carafes.  Shakers.  Seriously, the most action seen by any of my six (!!) "on display" brandy glasses was when I converted two of them into terrariums.

Inspired by M moving in with me, I've started downsizing & organizing.  The kitchen hutch was one of the first to go.  In its place, I wanted to put an open pantry for our dry goods.  This not only inspires us to eat healthier, but it transforms utility into decor, which is a huge goal of mine.

Click "READ MORE" below for the Open Pantry Upcycle

Edward Gorey & DIY Poster Wall Art

This blog post shows a remarkably cheap way to decorate your home with some unique Edward Gorey Illustrations, perfect for kids and adults alike.

CLICK "READ MORE" BELOW FOR EDWARD GOREY DIY WALL ART

Saul Bass & DIY Painted Cornhole

For Christmas this year, my brother gave everyone in the family a custom set of Cornhole boards (Bean Bag Toss,  Corn Toss, Baggo, not sure what you call it.)

He built them from regular 1/2" ply and 2"x4"s and I think it is one of the coolest gifts ever. (Build Your Own Cornhole Board Tutorial)  Even though I live in New England and had to wait over five months to consider using them.  :)

Now that we are in full swing of Yard Game Season, I decided to finally paint the boards.


Being a movie fan AND a serious admirer of Saul Bass' graphic designs from the 50's/60's, I decided on replicating some Saul Bass Movie Posters.   

I sanded them down, primed them, and used 8oz sample paints from Home Depot.  

I'm really diggin the way they turned out and considering hanging one or two in the house.

LawnGames-cum-WallArt.  How Utilitarian!  :)

CLICK "READ MORE" BELOW FOR LINKUPS & ORIGINAL SAUL BASS

Coffee Stained Bread Boards : A Tutorial

 
Inspired by Diana at Our Vintage Home, yesterday I made several little pine bread boards.

Being pine, they are not ideal for heavy duty cutting/washing.  But they make adorable bread boards, cheese boards, etc.  Plus they look nice around the kitchen!!

Each is stained with extra extra strong coffee and sealed with Butcher Block oil, making them food safe.  Some are also letter punched with an iron stamp set.

I'd like to experiment with different stains next: varying strength coffee; tea; beet juice; tung oil; etc.

Click "READ MORE" Below for the Tutorial!