Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Heart of the Home Party

I love parties, don't you?
Even though you have seen much of my kitchen as background for my recipes and for my holiday decorating posts, I don't think I have shown pictures of the whole kitchen before
I'm joining Shelia @ Note Songs for her
My kitchen is the Heart of Our Home. With 10 grandkids, I spend a lot of time cooking up meals and goodies for them. Nothing makes me happier than when one or more asks "Can I help?"  Sometimes that slows down the process a little, but I always find something to do for anyone who asks.

Starting on the right side and working around.
There is one of these corner cabinets on both sides of the kitchen
This is my "candy counter" which I have shown many times decorated for different holidays. I should have my fall decorations out but.....

Skipping the fridge and laundry room door, this is probably my favorite area.
COFFEE
My farmhouse sink (great for bathing grandbabies or hiding dirty dishes)
Above window over sink.
Corner to left of  sink
Spice cabinet
Below spice cabinet
We chose to use subway tile for the backsplashes and tile for the counter tops instead of granite so we could use these tile pieces with the black liners around the edge. I wanted a more retro look and saw in a magazine where this look was retro 1920's.
Mr. SS did all the tile work and was ready to "wring my neck" by the time he finished all the cuts.
I love my stove top and oven.
Not much room for a fancy hood with the microwave, but we managed a
little one. The center is a door with storage room inside.
Counter next to stove.
 A close-up of my bin pulls. These came from Pottery Barn  a long time ago and I had saved them for this kitchen. They are a vintage reproduction.
Above the other window.
My appliance garage. Love being able to hide my mixer, food processer and blender here.
An important cupboard in the Parks household is this one. There is a giant Lazy Susan behind that door that holds all my baking supplies.
I saw a cabinet like this in a magazine.
It had beans and pastas in the little drawers, but I knew I had to fill it with these for the kiddos.
and Mr. SS...well maybe the York mints for moi.
Counter underneath

Corner cabinet on other side of kitchen
Now the island in the center.  I am never happier than when someone is sitting on one of the stools talking to me as I cook.
This is one place, I gave in to having granite. It is so useful for food prep and baking and easy to clean.
The other side and sorry, I forgot I had not put away the milkglass pieces before I snapped the picture.
I really thought this prep sink was a little extravagant when Mr. SS insisted in putting it there, but I really use it as much as the other one, because that large door next to the drawers is a trash can, I clean all my veggies here and wash and prepare meat.
For all holidays, I decorate the center of my island. But in between, I usually go with a lemon theme here as well as with the other little vignettes around the kitchen.

I think I have told you before that my youngest son Brandon and my husband built all my cabinets. That's the only way I could get everything exactly like I wanted it. I showed them pictures and made a list of must haves and I really wouldn't change a thing.
The love they put into making it exactly like I wanted it really helped make it the
HEART OF THE HOME.

Be sure to visit Note Songs and see all the really special kitchens shared by others.




27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Beverly! It's 4:17 am and I'm up in your kitchen. Hope I don't wake you up as I was just too excited to sleep! :)
Oh, your kitchen is fabulous! What gorgeous cabinets and to think your hubs and son built them! I love all the little shelves above that you've decorated so beautifully!! I want an appliance garage! Maybe one day! :) Love your tiles and the edges - you really knew what you wanted, didn't you? I love it all and your color scheme of blue and yellow! You've lot of pretty vignettes too! Thank you so much again for coming to my party!
You are a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Susy said...

Hi Beverly. Another night owl is visiting your fantastic kitchen. The design is beautiful, and it looks like you have a place for everything. What fun you must have had decorating. Thanks for the tour. I give it five stars!

Dogmom Diva said...

Hi Beverly, oooh your kitchen is beautiful. Love the retro tile and bin pulls...that farmhouse sink, to die for girl...and I love subway tiles...as a person who has assisted in tile cutting a time or two, yes those cuts were a true sign of love, lol! Hopefully one day I can see it in person and sit on your kitchen stool and visit and help you clean veggies in that sink!

hugs
Barb

Jane said...

You have a beautiful kitchen!! I love all the details and the thought that you put behind it to make it work for you. Can't pick a favorite area because I love it all!
Jane

Unknown said...

I LOVE all your blue and yellow!! Actually I love your whole kitchen! It is just gorgeous.

~Liz

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Love your kitchen and WOW...your son and husband built those awesome cabinets...they look outstanding! Did they make the legs for the island or buy them? We need to get some and would love to know more info on yours...thanks so much.

Blessings,
Linda

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful kitchen. How nice that you have such handy men in your house and how much more special it must be knowing the love that went into creating such a dream kitchen. Love your sink and that baking center. Patty

Atticmag said...

Great kitchen and so many wonderful features -- I think your corner cabinets are genius. Dropping by from HOH. Jane F

Suzanne said...

I never tire of seeing your beautiful kitchen(s). Dennis and the boys are so good...good at their craft and good to grant you your hearts desire. Everything so so well thought out and well planned. A true labor of love by the whole family!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

All the detail in your beautiful cabinetry is stunning. Gorgeous kitchen and lovely decor. Hugs, Marty

SmilingSally said...

Hi Beverly,

I love your specially built kitchen cabinets, and I especially love all of your cobalt blues. You MUST come play Blue Monday someday!

Please come and check out my book giveaways.

bj said...

Oh, my....this is a beautiful kitchen. I love everything about it..and your colors are wonderful and cheery. Love it all...

Unknown said...

G'morn Beverly ~
I don't know where to begin ... first I love the 'candy' drawers, so cute an idea! Your colors POP against the magic of white! Love it all.

Have a beautiful day ~
TTFN ~ Marydon

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Beverly,
Oh my goodness! Your kitchen is amazing! I adore it..two thumbs up for hubby and son, they did a fantastic job on your cabinets. I love subway title, its my favorite..
Your decorations are so lovely..everything is beautiful.
Have a sweet day and hugs~Elizabeth

Pink Daisys Blog Spot said...

WOW!!! Love it.. And my favorite is the candy corner and the candy in those drawers! That is the best idea I have ever seen :) Your kitchen is more than beautiful.. Thanks for sharing.. WOW

Kim said...

What a wonderful place to cook and spend time with the family!
xoxo,
Kim

Lori Lynn said...

Love your farm sink!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Lori Lynn ♥

Unknown said...

So gorgeous kitchen!

Hugs

Charo

Unknown said...

You have a wonderful kitchen. I so love the farm sink, I wish to have one of these some day...
Thanks for sharing.
Michele

Simple Home said...

You are so fortunate Beverly. You have a couple of talented guys around there who've done beautiful work. I know holidays at your house are wonderful. Your kitchen is beautiful!!
Blessings,
Marcia

Michelle said...

I am totally in love with your kitchen. Stunning! And, it has so many of my favorite elements. The sink, corner cabinets, etc....

Sally said...

Your kitchen could be in a magazine. It is so wonderful. I just love all the little touches of "Beverly" you put into it. The design is so great and you know just how to decorate all your wonderful spaces in it. I think my favorite spot is the candy drawers. Just love them. You are a great decorator!
Hugs,
Sally

Linda said...

What a beautiful kitchen...you are so lucky to have a husband who built it just as you wanted it...that makes it special!

Annelies said...

I just knew it....you have my dream kitchen. I am a teeny bit envious, but I always say "if I can't have it, I am glad that it is someone wonderful that does"!!!!
XXX sent hopefully GERM free (G)!!!!

French Kissed said...

I always love seeing photos of your beautiful and inviting kitchen...makes me wish I were part of the family! That candy jar holding the lemons in your candy corner is gorgeous. Hope you enjoy a wonderful Autumn weekend, Beverly.

~jermaine

The Decorative Dreamer said...

What a wonderful kitchen. I am just popping by late from the party. I just had to tell you how much I adore those candy cabinets! So sweet!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Such a gorgeous kitchen! Love the island, especially.

You’re invited to a link-up event at my place on November 5th and 6th called, The Airing of the Quilts. I hope you’ll hop over to my blog and grab the event button so you can share this opportunity with your blog followers.