Spring Cleaning and Planting in Asti

 Mother's Day weekend for us was spent de-winterizing Asti and preparing for the summer.

Since we haven't been there in weeks, the spiders, mice, lizards and dust had to go!

 So did the old, ratty succulents, replaced with new ones in the back door urns.

Much better!

All the window boxes needed to be replaced.  The geraniums are five years old!

Mr. A found these iron fences when we were in Carmel.  Perfect around the Mulberry Tree!

  The property looks the best this time of year, especially with all the roses abloom. 

The biggest project was planting the vegetable garden.

Six tomatos, four Armenian cucumbers, four eggplants and miscellaneous herbs.

Nevermind the rattlesnake we discovered only ten feet away, but that's another story...

The newlyweds were around to help plant--their forte!

It's a good thing, because Mr. A and I were worn out!

We're now set for summer in Asti!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing you all a very Happy Mother's Day!

Furniture In The Bathroom: A Luxury!

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Having an armoire in the bathroom, filled with stacks of towels and bath essentials is to me a luxury.

I love how it brings a homey aesthetic to an otherwise utilitarian room.

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If it is an antique, all the better.

Google

Most bathrooms aren't big enough or have the wall space to accommodate a piece like this one, but oh, isn't it wonderful?

My Home Ideas

Perhaps it's possible to squeeze in a tall narrow piece?

Houzz

I like how furniture usually found in a kitchen or dining room, like this low cabinet can be repurposed for the bathroom.

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This antique black lacquered piece fits perfectly in a nook filled with clothing.

I can see it filled with stacks of white towels though.

There's even room here for a bench!

This cabinet isn't an antique.  In fact, it's from the Paula Deen Home collection.

I like how functional it is for towels and toiletries.

The drawers could be used for underwear, jewelry, etc.

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If there isn't room for an armoire, perhaps an open shelf or table would work.  This elegant piece looks fabulous with marble.

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A more rustic piece fits underneath a window and provides warmth to an all white vintage bathroom.

House Beautiful

Of course, I love faux bamboo!

This piece was squeezed in a tight spot, but it's worth it for its functionality and rustic aesthetic it brings to this little bathroom.  I would have found room for it too!

Traditional Home

Charles Faudree inspired me to find a faux bamboo piece for my own bathroom after seeing his, although I would have filled the bottom half of the cabinet with towels instead of books. 

Sorry Charles.  Just saying...

Here is my master bathroom with furniture! 

Originally, this space had an enormous built-in bathtub with jets.  When dry rot forced us to tear it out, I replaced it with a smaller claw foot bathtub.  And found room for furniture as a bonus!

 The slipper chair was found at a thrift store and recovered. 

And my favorite, the faux bamboo cabinet. It's tall and narrow, probably originally used as a curio or for books.

It's been repurposed to hold towels!

I consider it a luxury to have room for it, and to have found this wonderful piece.

I know I'll have it the rest of my life!

Stainless Steel vs. White Appliances

House to Home

Stainless steel became the surface to aspire to in kitchen design a few decades ago, causing those with white appliances to question whether they need to "upgrade" or wait it out until white makes a comeback.

Well, that time may be now.  White is definitely making a comeback, giving consumers an option to stainless.

  

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I love white appliances. 

 It is a clean look that looks fabulous, especially when paired with white cabinets.

White appliances have been the standard forever.  Until the harvest gold and avocado green of the 60's made them seem outdated.  

Style at Home

But white appliances will never be outdated.  I think it's a matter of preference these days.

That's because stainless steel isn't for everyone, and the professional kitchen look isn't for everyone.

The new white today is glossy, not textured.  It is sleek.

They both have their maintenance issues; white gets dirty easily and stainless scratches easily.

Although I have stainless now, I can see a day in the next house, or next life when I may choose glossy white!  

 If I were in charge at Viking, Sub-zero, Wolf or any other manufacturer, I would be offering that option to consumers.  Viking already does, as does Electrolux, Miele, Kitchenaid and others.

Pinterest

Are white appliances the new stainless?

  Do you see the love affair with stainless appliances coming to an end?

Talk to me...

The Graduate

There is a lot to be said about the cost of education.  

To me, it's priceless.

On Saturday, our youngest child Alex graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Human Resources and a minor in Italian.

He wore his study abroad sash and Italian honor cords with pride, and of course, the proverbial lei!

Proud doesn't even come close to describing this moment.

While everyone is smiling, I'm trying not to cry!

Four children, all college graduates.  For me, that means so much, as I did not earn a degree.

As an autodidact, I earned my degree from the "School of Hard Knocks" instead.

So now you can see why the cost of education to me is priceless.

Congratulations Alex!

"Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues."

Styling The Kitchen Cupboards

Inspiring Interiors

Putting everything back in the kitchen cupboards is a daunting task.  That's because I'm determined not to put everything back the same way.  

So, I've been looking for inspiration on Pinterest that appeals to me, yet provides practical storage ideas.

I really like the way this cabinet looks because it's neutral and soothing to the eye.

I like this also, however I want to get away from too many patterns on display. 

Between Naps On The Porch

What I really need is this, but it's not going to happen!

Unless I turn a bedroom into a dish storage room.

In the meantime, I've cleared out a cabinet in the family room just for holiday dishes, freeing up space in the dining room for my colored glassware.  Which gives me room in the kitchen to "style" my cupboards.

Kind of like "musical cupboards."

Joanne Hudson Kitchens

My idea of heaven!
This is my inspiration for the kitchen cabinets.
Concentrate on grouping my white ironstone together, yet mix it up with our everyday dishes and glassware.

BEFORE

This is how this cabinet looked before the paint project.
Everything in here is seldom used.


AFTER
I took out the cake stands and most of the glasses to create a whole new look.
This will probably change several times.

BEFORE
The only cabinet for our every day glasses.

AFTER
 Less glasses, more white ironstone.

The cabinet to the right of the sink stores our everyday dishes.
So far, the upper shelf is the only part I like!

And this is the reality:  No doors yet!
Thank God, they go back on Monday morning!
Although, it's kind of nice having everything you need at your fingertips.

On another note, we're off to Los Angeles today for #2 Son's graduation from college.
A very proud moment indeed!

Happy May Day!

Sending you these pretty May blooms to say have a happy May Day!