One things leads to another

I don't know whether its the grey skies of winter, or a sudden burst of energy after Christmas, but January is a month I often find myself having the urge to freshen up the house and do a bit of decorating and DIY. At the end of last week I emptied the contents of a crockery cupboard in the kitchen so that I could give everything a good wash.

I've always been an avid collector of blue and white china. I mix and match all shapes, sizes and patterns and no piece ever seems to clash with its neighbour. I love it.

When the sparkling crockery was back in the clean cupboard the kitchen curtains were next for the freshening-up process. I've always been fond of these curtains with their warm creamy background, scrumptious pink roses and sprays of pale blue lilac. Into the washing machine they went.

But what a nasty shock I got when the washing cycle had finished. Mysteriously most of the darker pink roses had developed gaping holes in their centres. As you can see from the picture the fabric was ruined and beyond repair. I remain mystified as to why this damage should have occurred only on the darker pink roses. These curtains have been washed several times before with no damage at all. (Does anyone out there have any ideas?)

In typical 'flutterby' fashion I had gone from crockery, to damaged curtains in one morning and was now thinking that new curtains were essential and with them the possibility of a new kitchen colour scheme. Out came the paint shade cards and the usual inspiring magazines. No more cleaning for me, I spent a happy afternoon and evening looking at pictures of beautiful kitchens and making plans.

Along the way I fell in love with this picture of pretty bed linen in shades of aqua with pink roses. I love this combination and kept returning for another look. But hey! I was supposed to be looking for kitchen inspiration not ideas for bedrooms.

Oh dear! I have a confession to make. I have succumbed to temptation. On the following day, during my search for curtain fabric, I found myself in the local Laura Ashley shop. In a corner of the shop was a room setting that had a bed with linen in the same delicate shades of aqua and pink that I had admired the day before. I immediately fell in love with the quilted bedspread. In the end of season sale it was reduced from £80 to £31, can you believe that? It was a bargain too good to miss.

The sale at Laura Ashley has some remarkable reductions at the moment. So with the 'country kitchen look' uppermost in my mind I headed for the stands of curtain fabric. I was immediately attracted to this woven gingham in just the right shade of pale blue. It was reduced from £14 per metre to £7... wonderful. So now I have some curtains to make.

The kitchen walls are going to get a fresh coat of paint before the new curtains go up and I'm going to renovate this little spice cupboard ready to hang on the wall. I shall paint it and perhaps give it an 'aged' look but can't decide which colour to choose. So its back to the shade cards and the magazines for more inspiration. What fun!

Until next time

Eli

Comments

[Selia]

Eli,

I love blue and white too! I love all of the photo's and cannot wait to see your decorating! The quilt is so sweet. I have been away for a couple of weeks running my husbands business, as he was out of town and I am catching up this week! The roses...that is a mystery! Maybe strong dye?
Blessings,
Selia

[Redwood House]

Hi Eli I love the blue and white china and fabric from Laura, how very strange about your kitchen curtains are you sure there wasn't a sissors handy so you could go fabric shopping!!!!! The little is cute it will interesting to see what you decide to do...I haven't been to Laura Ashley for a whild it sounds like there are a few bargains to be had so I may take a little trip.
Bye for now.... Jan

[Lucy@Attic24]

Hello Eli
oh you and i in a very similar place right now, excepting I'm in the bathroom. I'm hoping to paint a little cabinet and make a simple curtain too next week, might have to pop into LA and see whats what in the sale.
Lovely to "find" your blog btw!
Lxx

[Paula]

Dear Eli,

Your blue and white dishes are so pretty. I have a small collection that I enjoy. I am so sorry about your gorgeous curtains!!! (I cannot imagine why that happened!) But, what a blessing to go to Laura Ashley and find some new curtain fabric and a lovely bedspread in colors you love and at such good prices! I love what you chose and look forward to seeing your kitchen makeover. I have been freshening up my home too! I love the British Country Living magazine and I am so glad it is available here in the states.

Enjoy your decorating. It is always such a delight to visit you!
Love, Paula