Bookshelves In The Dining Room Fail.

So when was it, Thursday morning? I spent the day moving furniture around, specifically in the dining room trying out my bookshelves.

It did not look good.

The configuration was pretty limited, too - there's a vent on the left and a power outlet on the right so I couldn't add anymore bookshelves (so it all looked more substantial) and I certainly couldn't use less (too dinky).

Moving the sideboard/buffet over in the living room didn't look good either.

But I kept the sofa table behind the couch.

The next day I moved the bookshelves out and put the buffet back. I tried a few different things though. I took down the white shelves, brought in a lamp, some books, a silver tray. Just to see.

with a big picture

with a mirror

But everything just looked like it was hiding behind the dandelion pendant. From the side, no. But from  the kitchen you can't see through the pendant enough.

 

Next, I thought I would try hanging a few pretty plates like I talked about but I realized that I liked the mirror idea... Not this round mirror pictured above, but a big tall silver mirror.

It would be nice to see the reflection of the dandelion pendant from the living room... and it would make the room look bigger and brighter -- but most importantly, I could spy on the kitchen! Bad kittay!

The round mirror was too small (23") and the picture frame was a nice width (36" square) but even if I hung it it'd be too short. So I'm looking for something as tall as 4.5' and 3' wide? Around there.

Too bad Ikea's Songe mirror isn't smaller - the curved top is my favorite part so the rectangle version doesn't do it for me.

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This one from World Market is gold, but I could spray paint it. Eh.

(19.6" W x 32.6'' H)

Or maybe I could hang multiple mirrors vertically, sort of like this... but just two or three.

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I have a few matching mirrors around the house I could try. Or maybe I'll go raid my mom's house this weekend! :)

Told Her So

I'll be back Monday with an update on my (no-so) brilliant idea to add bookshelves in the dining room, but first...

Let me tell you a quick story: My mom and I went shopping Saturday and hit up My Favorite Place and against my advice she left behind this giant bird bath / flower planter.

She texts me the next morning in a panic saying how she can't stop thinking about it and something about regret and could I please go back to see if it's still there and grab it for her -- and to not say I told you so.

Of course I went back!

She was so excited! I am awesome, and I told her so.

Roominating: Dining Room Bookshelves

Because I had coffee before bed, and because it's after midnight, and because I can't stop thinking about our dining room, and because I can't start moving furniture for another 8 hours (minimum), here's this post.

I was contemplating moving the sofa table back behind the sofa (I've really, really missed it) when the idea of moving the dining room sideboard over to take its place hit me. Then I thought about what I could use in the dining room instead --

Why not the bookshelves?

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Why didn't I think to try my bookshelves in the dining room? Why?! Now I have to carry them up again!

I think they could look pretty great, but I'm hopped up right now. But if they look even half as good as they do in my head -- it's got the potential to be fucking fabulous! Plus, they'll solve my cook book storage problem, my extra dining-ware storage problem, and my collection of pretty-things-I-want-to-display problem.

It's a win win!

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I've been wanting to make the dining room less formal (without spending any money on new furniture and decor) and more relaxed. Bookshelves are pretty traditional and naturally kinda class up a space... but they're also cozy, to me. They remind me to sit down, to take a break, to enjoy the peace and quiet.

(images found on Pinterest)

Riiight?

(images found on Pinterest)

I just have to make sure to keep things looking modern and uncluttered -- I have a soft spot for traditional and french pieces but I'm wanting a cozy vibe minus the country charm. 

A Pretty Handy Kitchen Corner Cabinet

About a month ago I was looking around my kitchen thinking of all the things I wanted to do to improve it - to make it work for me. When we moved in stuff was just thrown in the pantry and cabinets without much thought to a work flow (just because that's where it was at the old place) and now 8 months later my kitchen is working against me.

I started by adding more work space. But now the mess over the dining room sideboard needed addressing. Hanging the white shelves was a way for me to put up some of my pretty white ware. But I ended up not liking any of that there.

So I started thinking about where in the kitchen I could display some of it and saw a few options: Above the sink, above the stove, or by the windows.

As you can see I used the cabinet by the windows. I took off the door and gathered up my favorite items and played around with the display until I had something I liked.

But the best thing about this new little set up is not only how pretty it is (it is, isn't it?), it's how handy everything is. 

My favorite mixing bowls and matroyshkas measuring cups at the ready.

An extra set of measuring cups hide inside the pitcher and
an extra measuring spoons hide inside a small baking dish.

These dessert bowls also act as ingredient bowls while I cook or bake.

My cake stand holds more bowls for mise en place (and dips and sauces too).
My cute (espresso sized) coffee cup holds toothpicks. 

More mixing bowls, plus a pretty mug hold my best measuring spoons.

Our favorite coffee cups hang right below. Thanks previous owners!
This square platter now holds salt/pepper and oil (and garlic)

I still have more stuff to clear and rearrange in the dining room and our kitchen (especially the cabinets) still need lots and lots of work - but every little bit is getting me closer to a kitchen that works for me, instead of the other way around.

Best Kitchen Towels Evah!

My kitchen towel supply was wearing kind of thin. Most of them were over three years old and definitely showing signs of abuse. My favorite for years has been Ikea's Tekla dish towels - I love that they're all cotton and have that pretty french stripe. Plus, they're less than a $1 each!

But over the years the quality has gone down (the edges crinkle like crazy!), so I was hoping to find something new. Last year I bought some new organic cotton ones (here's that post) and those still look great, but I really wanted something white and less towel-like and more linen-cloth. Like what I had, but better.

I'd read somewhere (lots of places actually) that flour sack towels were the bomb diggity so I ventured into Wal-Mart to find some. I found them in the kitchen towel section sorta hidden in a bottom shelf:

I like to buy my kitchen towels on the cheap since I'm pretty rough on them so I was happy to see they were 5 for $5! Niiice! I'm so glad I bought them! They are a dream!

• They are super absorbent. You don't have to go over the same spots to get all the moisture streaks off. 
• They dry fast too. I think because they are so thin (like a really thick cheese cloth).
• They are sooo soft!
• Durable
• They're also a little bigger than standard kitchen towels, which is nice actually.
• But my favorite part is that they don't crinkle so they fold flat!

They remind me of baby burp cloths (not at all like a towel). I love them! They clean up so easy, too! A little oxi-clean on the worst stains, a quick spin in the "sanitary" cycle with some bleach, and wah lah!

But by the way: I got these too while I was there - I couldn't pass up the charming french stripe!

However they were a big pack of crap.

Worse than crinkle cut potato chips. I returned them and used the money to buy more flour sack towels.

So buy the flour sack kitchen towels. You will love them!