Twelve Timeless Kitchen Looks

Here are some kitchen decorating ideas that will probably continue to be in style, even years from now. They are classic looks, yet not stuffy.

1. Stainless Steel Appliances
Photo is from the article "Home Features" by Dee Marie Fischer

2. The Combination of Blue and White - from antique transferware to contemporary designs
Photo is Wedgewood Dinnerware from Bloomingdales

3. Ironstone Pitchers - you could use one as a vase for flowers or to hold utensils
Photo is a pitcher for sale by Seaside Rose Creations on Etsy

4. Marble Counters - although they stain, the look has been popular for ages and they're heat-resistant and chip-resistant
Photo is from an article called "The Benefits of Marble Countertops" by Rodican Home Design
See also - Robinson Builders' Marble Pros and Cons

5. Subway Tile - currently white subway tiles with dark grout is a popular look, but the tiles themselves have been popular for years
Photo is Taupe Grout with White Subway Tile by Homemaker Remodeled Blog

6. Herb Gardens - basil, rosemary, and mint are particularly easy to grow and to use in your cooking
Photo is an Herb Garden for sale by YLiving

7. Dove White Paint - use it on walls or cabinets; Designer Thomas Pheasant is fan of using it "for brightening spaces"
Photo is Benjamin Moore White Dove seen on The Cow Spot Blog

8. Cast Iron Cookware - think of Lodge frying pans and Le Creuset dutch ovens
Photo is Le Creuset Dutch Oven on the Why Research website

9. Orchids - they require surprisingly little maintenance yet make a big impact
Photo is by Zinnia Floral Design

10. Breakfast Nooks - preferably with built-in seating in the form of a banquette
Photo is from Decoist's Ideas for Breakfast Nooks
See Also - Pretty Little House Things' Eight Breakfast Nook Ideas

11. Oil Still Life Paintings - this is particularly true for paintings of food (lemons, oranges, apples, etc.)
Photo is of Yellow Lemons Painting by Hobson Fine Art on Etsy

12. Recessed Lighting
Photo is Recessed Lights by MacEwan Electrician

To see some of these looks together see this kitchen from Marianne Simon Design. It incorporates ideas #1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 12.

Home Cleaning Checklist

ALL ROOMS

Clean Windows

Clean Sliding Glass Doors

Clean Lamps and Light Fixtures

KITCHEN

Clean / Disinfect Countertops

Clean Microwave

Clean Stove and Burners

Clean the Exterior of All Appliances

Scrub Sink

Wipe the Exterior of All Cabinets

Vacuum and Mop Floor

Clear the Kitchen Table

Remove Trash and Recycling

BATHROOM

Dust and Wipe Things on Countertops

Disinfect Countertops

Clean Tub and Shower

Clean Toilet and Sink

Clean Mirror

Wipe Baseboards and Door

Polish Cabinets

Remove Trash

BEDROOMS

Dust and Polish Furniture

Dust Pictures and Frames

Clean Ceiling Fan and Vents

Remove Cobwebs

Change Sheets

Make Beds

Dust and Wipe Blinds

Vacuum Floor or Carpet

Wipe Baseboards and Doors

OFFICE

Dust Electronics

Empty Paper Shredder

Remove Trash

OTHER ROOMS

Clean Baseboards and Doors

Dust and Polish Furniture

Clean Ceiling Fans and Vents

Vacuum and Mop Floor Area

Treat Carpet Stains

Vacuum Carpeted Areas

Clean Front Door Glass

Dust Pictures and Frames

Remove Cobwebs

Autumn Home Decorating Using Honey Tones

Inspiration
In my previous post, Autumn Decorating Using Warm Colors, I gave an example using an entryway decorated in a traditional style. Here is another example that is a bit more playful and fun. It uses honey-toned yellow as a backdrop.

Items Shown

• Ceiling Light - Shades of Light Small Orbit Chandelier in Aged Silver
• Console Table - Stein World Chesapeake Narrow Console Table from Wayfair
• Front Door - Fun Color Idea from This Old House shown with Affinity Door Install Service
• Indoor Outdoor Rug - Royal Natural / Terracotta Rug 5'3" Round Rug from Overstock
• Umbrella Stand - Vintage Painted Wood Octagonal Stand with Lion Hardware by amcrjc828 on Ebay
• Rain Boots - Ladies Tall Below Knee Flat Knit Cuff Rubber Rain Boots by Forever Young, available through Amazon
• Boot Tray - Smith & Hawken Copper Shoe Tray from Target
• Seasonal Pillow - Crate and Barrel Berry Pillow
• Lamp - Threshold Ceramic Lamp Base in Yellow Medium shown with Room Essentials Lamp Shade, both available through Target
• Flameless Candles - LED 2 Pack Candles from Target
• Chair - Hillsdale Charleston Side Chair from Wayfair (sold in sets of two)

Other Ideas
Besides the items above, you could add warm fall color with any of the following items: a wreath, a seasonal table runner, baskets, a throw blanket, paintings or other artwork, or natural elements such as pumpkins and gourds.

Autumn Decorating Using Warm Colors

Inspiration
When it is fall, usually people prefer a bit more warmth in their homes. This can be achieved by adding candles (such as vanilla or spice scented ones), or by incorporating warmer colors (oranges, reds, or gold), earth tones (yellows and browns), or warmer metals (like bronze or copper) into their rooms. People also crave practicality - you will want a space to sit down and take off your boots. Here is one example using a traditional entryway.

Products Shown

• Boot Tray - Crate and Barrel Zinc Boot Tray with Liner
• Boots - LL Bean Boots in 8-inch Brown
• Umbrella Stand - Crate and Barrel Kensington Umbrella Stand
• Warm Metal Lamp - Crate and Barrel Grant Table Lamp
• Weatherproof Front Door - Therma Tru Door
• Boot Chair - Hillsdale Charleston Side Chair from Wayfair (sold in sets of two)
• Seasonally-Colored Pillow - Red Kilim Pillow by Sheepsroad on Etsy
• Console Table - Renovations by Thomasville Bryant Park Chestnut Birch Veneer 1-Drawer Console Table through Home Depot's website
• Indoor-Outdoor Rug (will handle rain and snow) - Indoor Outdoor Rug by Safavieh, Courtyard Red and Natural Color, 6'x4' size, from Overstock
• Warm Metal Ceiling Light - Shades of Light Modern Industrial Ceiling Light in Bronze
• Cheerful Pillar Candles - Crate and Barrel Cranberry Taper Candles
• Candle Holders - World Market Taper Candle Holders

Color Sensitivity Test

Did you know that 1 in 10,000 people is yellow-blue colorblind? Red-green colorblindness is more common. For more on colorblindness, visit this National Institutes of Health (NIH) vision deficiency page.

But, how astute are ordinary people like you or I at perceiving the differences between colors? It turns out there is a free quiz for that - you can take this free Online Color Challenge and find out!

My score was a 31, which was a little disappointing since I wanted a lower score (lower scores mean you are more sensitive to color). I took the test again and this time, I turned the brightness of my computer monitor up to maximum. I got a much better score this time, an 8, although I still had trouble with the blue part of the spectrum.

Take the Munsell Hue Test - I bet you can beat my score!

My Twelve Home Basics

Inspired by this post series, "The New Basics: The 12 Home Items I Can't Live Without" on Design*Sponge.com, I created this list. The idea is simple - complete this exercise by looking around your home and assessing which items have stayed with you or will definitely be with you for the next few years. Below are my answers.

• 1. My blue IKEA Hemnes dresser, because I love its color and functionality
• 2. My found-by-the-side-of-the-road bureau which holds my art supplies
• 3. A handmade toy box I've had since I was a child
• 4. A tribal beige rug, because it goes with everything
• 5. My mattress (practical) and my tulips vintage pillowcase from Etsy
• 6. My giant blue poppies print from Target (no longer available)
• 7. A handmade quilt from my aunt for our baby
• 8. 9. & 10. Our pets (all three of them)
• 11. Our collection of decoy ducks
• 12. An abstract self-portrait I painted in college

Now you tell me, what are your own 12 basics?