The kitchen had been muddled many times,
years before we even set eyes on it and it was a disaster.
Mr HB took time thinking about the improvements and figuring out a workable design...with 3 doors in the space and a set of stairs it was tricky...
The room off to the left is our TV room where we have two love seats.
The stove and island are in front of the stairs that lead
to the laundry room, hobby room, Mr. HB's work area and guest room.
Shaw French country sink and pantry cupboard on the right.
Glass fronted cupboards for crockery...
and an open workspace are essential.
Above the sink ~ windowsill orchids...
White ironstone
an assortment
Sophie Conran Portmeirion,
Emma Bridgewater
and
vintage china.
McCoy basket weave pot with my favourite wooden spoons and spatulas.
Two of these pots sit behind the stove with utensils at the ready.
I like using wooden spoons and they develop a patina over time.
The radio is on when I am in the kitchen...
I tune into the CBC most of the time.
The Kitchen Aid...
I keep it handy on top of the counter as I find it so useful.
Many of my other seldom used appliances are hidden out of the way.
My day starts with a cafe creme every morning.
A luxury that I acquired while visiting Paris and SW France.
This De Longhi espresso machine is small and efficient.
The sink "work station"
domestic life needs some organization.
Many hours every day are spent in the kitchen by choice as I love to cook.
So naturally it plays a prominent role in our home.
Working in a space that is pleasing to the eye...
with tools and equipment that help it function efficiently
and a few extras make my job here easier.
A drawer full of tea towels and napkins...
There is not a lot of storage on our small bungalow so I try not to buy too many gadgets.
Keeping things to a minimum is simple and it saves money too.
My feline "companions" are here most of the time keeping me company.
Chester lying on the table...
Pepper drinking from the tap...
I apologize for any inconvenience but in light of the recent flurry of spam and unpleasant comments
I have opted to moderate all blog comments.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
78 comments:
I have loved every photo of your kitchen. The cabinetry is beautiful. We have the same kitchen sink at our farmhouse!
I love reading your blog but I rarely leave a comment. I have been surprised at the nasty comments over the past few days. The pictures you post of your neighbourhood, walks and garden area delight to see, such a different landscape to here in Australia.
Not sure I've ever seen your kitchen in night's glow, so lovely! I switched to moderated comments, too. I dislike losing the real time element so I try to approve them rapidly as to keep the comments conversational. Luckily for all of blogger's mobile faults, it's very easy to moderate comments from a phone. Love seeing your cats! I miss having a cat.
I love your kitchen! Thanks for sharing the photos. It's so cozy and wonderful looking, you've done a great job with it.
There's nothing for it, blog comments need to be moderated these days with the spam and the anon commenters leaving nasty bits on blogs. I'm sorry you've had to deal with that Hostess. xx
A beautiful room - understated, efficient and - dare I say, elegant.
PS - I also love the radio playing while I cook - just adds to the whole experience.
How lovely and how welcoming, with all the gleam of wood and shine of appliances to greet you!
As a veteran of a mere six-month kitchen re-do last year (my lifetime wish: a PINK kitchen, modeled after my dollhouse of the forties), I have every sympathy, empathy and good wish for all the work it took to create this beautiful space.
And so much love for that fabulous sink---those are simply a work of useful art.
rachel
I really like the richness of your cabinetry. It is so important to have a well-organized and tidy kitchen. Our apartment has only a galley kitchen with no natural light (not conducive to spending time) but I have tried to keep it as clutter-free as possible. Listening to the CBC is part of my kitchen and driving routine. Chester and Pepper always seem to be so comfortable in your home. Thanks for sharing!
How beautiful and cozy.
It all looks so charming. I wish I still had a cat. 😊
Thank you for sharing your lovely home and gracious life. I am sorry that unkindness has been visited upon you through this blog. I just wanted to reach out and let you know how much you are appreciated. I am a long time reader and first time commenter.
Oh so we are sink sisters!
The sink is really large...and I have always wanted a vintage one like this but we were unable to find one, so we went with this new version from the UK...
my BFF has one too!
I have tried to keep my blog comments open to everyone but lately there has been an influx of negativity which I cannot abide so I have had to resort to what many other bloggers do and that is use the moderation option...
It is a sad state of affairs when one has to weed out comments and I have been very patient but after receiving emails from regular readers I knew that it was time to keep the blog a comfortable place for dialogue that is polite and not publish rude comments.
Our cats are a source of entertainment and I miss having a dog...
we loved our Golden retriever so much!
I have come to this moderation late but after the recent influx of nastiness I decided it was time...it is really unfortunate. Thank you for understanding that I want to keep the tone here calm.
Margie,
Thank you! Music can be so transformative.
I find that the CBC offers a variety of quality programming...and I am exposed to music that I would not normally choose to tune into...which enriches my daily round.
Hi Rachel,
I just noticed that you write a few blogs...did you publish a post on your pink kitchen? I must pop over and look for one...I have seen retro kitchen pictures from the 40's and 50's and now I am curious! Mid Century modern interiors frequently used interesting paint colours...
A small galley kitchen can be efficient too but if it has low light I would be inclined to work elsewhere too...I might find this to be helpful with the WW regime too as I would not be tempted to open the fridge as often!
I also listen to the CBC when driving...I like the variety of programs that they offer.
Chester and Pepper are quite naughty as they jump up on the counters and I rarely get a chance to put away the counter top cleanser and cloth!
Hope you have a fun week!
In the lights at nighttime the wood appears to glow...it can feel dark though during the grey days in Fall and Winter...but then I just turn on all the lights!
Perhaps there will be another cat in your future?
I miss our dog and it has been years since he passed away...pets are family members too and we never forget those that we have lost.
Such a beautiful kitchen,charming in evening's glow.
I cook exclusively with wooden spoons and spatulas.
Lovely cats!
I miss my cat and dog very much!
Nasty comments could be very disturbing
Dottoressa
Colleen I appreciate your kind words and hope that you will continue to enjoy the blog...
I hope too that the atmosphere here will return to that of a calm space, "savouring simple joys" snippets that elevate our daily round.
Hope you have a great week!
I've been meaning to mention this, but your Chester looks exactly like our male cat Sam. And they both have the same bad habit of sitting on the table. When I catch him at it he doesn't even have the grace to look guilty. I love your kitchen, and your blog posts in general. So calm and soothing. Thanks for all you do for us.
Your kitchen is so lovely and cozy. Thanks for sharing with us. You certainly make the best use of your space. Nasty comments are so common these days. You're lucky to have escaped them for so long. Have a wonderful day!
I love your bungalow kitchen! I especially love the transom window above the sink. One of these years we'll get around to making some changes to our kitchen, it was also remodeled many years ago, and some of it needs to be undone...wonder if that will change the cat habit of counter-sitting? HA! Judging from yours, it seems not.
Had to go back and have a look at the meanies who've been commenting. In so doing, I discovered your giveaway and entered! jen
Just love your A & C home and have the privilege from time to time to visit a friend's friend showplace A & C Bungalow meticulously restored (he's an architect) and just love the cozier smaller rooms!
Also love the dimmer lighting!
Passing along tidings of the season to your clan esp my buddy Chester.
Just wanted to leave a comment to say how much I enjoy your blog. I look forward to all of your posts, especially the ones showcasing the interior of your beautiful home. I can't understand why people feel the need to leave negative comments, as no one is forcing them to read the blog. I'm glad you've decided to moderate the comments rather than give up writing. That would be sad since your blog is lovely.
I'm glad you decided to moderate the comments, rather than removing he Anonymous option. Not all Anonymous commenters are horrible like the one I've noticed on your blog lately. I've heard that with our recent U.S. elections, there have been even more bullying and nastiness surfacing. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.
Your home is beautiful, I love all the dark woods and natural materials.
D.
Can't understand why anyone could say anything
unkind about you or your blog.
I read it because you make me feel calm
and welcome in your beautiful space/life.
Thank you for that.
I like kitchens that are unique and atmospheric, and yours certainly is. It looks to be one of a kind. I also like the vignettes here and there that serve a real purpose, but are beautiful at the same time. You have put a lot of thought into everything. Must be a joy to work in!
Love your blog, the cats always make me smile. a pox on the rude and crude comments!
Janice
Thanks for this tour of your kitchen - so warm and inviting. I do have a question - how do you keep your lovely pottery with wooden spoons from falling over the edge and down the basement stairs?
WE have the same DISHWASHER and KITCHEN AID!
WE have the same FUR BALLS that like to JUMP on counters!!!!!!!!
WE have a few things in COMMON!
What a lovely kitchen! I love the warm timbers and they get better and better with age and polishing. Storage in small spaces is a real science as well as an art isn't it? Although I have a reasonably sized kitchen in my present home, I'm always conscious of not filling it with gadgets and stuff. The 'essentiality' test comes up each time I think of buying something to put in it! I heard a fairly well known chef say a while ago that his most useful possession in the kitchen is a wooden spoon! I also agree with that. Thank you for your blog and for welcoming us into these aspects of your life so graciously. I think you are right to moderate comments - the only way to respond to negative comments is to delete them.
Love your kitchen! It is the very epitome of cozy...the kittehs add ambiance...
Your kitchen is beautiful. Three years ago we remodeled our kitchen and my husband allowed me to choose what I wanted. I opted for Arts and Crafts style cabinets and tile. Everything came together perfectly. I still love my choices and it is a pleasure to cook in it.
So sorry you now have to moderate your comments. I am not a blogger so hope it doesn't add too much extra work. I can't believe people leave rude comments. It just doesn't make sense, they can easily go elsewhere.
Thank you for another great post.
Suz from Vancouver
Such a well designed, and as well as beautiful kitchen. Sorry about the rude comments (I missed them, was out of town)
You did such a good job with the design and plus it is such a charming space. It is nice to see where all of those wonderful meals you share with us are made.
Miss Twiggley drinks out of the tap too - but don't tell anyone. I think we both might have spoiled our feline friends a bit.
Thank you for posting the pictures of your beautiful kitchen; no wonder you enjoy cooking. I've been enjoying your blog for some time now and am finally commenting, partly to say thank you for identifying your McCoy pots that I've coveted in earlier pictures. So fitting for your Craftsman bungalow, of which there are quite a few in my central California coastal town, too. I just wonder if I would be able to keep it as pristine as you do!
I love the painting of pink roses hanging near your radio, I have lots of my grand children's art in my house, too
Donna, sydney
I was surprised when you mentioned horrible comments etc so I have looked back and am mortified at the comments directed towards you. How awful but after the election in US (I live in Australia) where they have voted for someone so unsuited to public office I guess I am not surprised. People seem to feel it is their right to say what they want under the cloak of anonymity so I support your move to take away their voice. I hope you don't read too far into their comments before deleting them. Love your blog and reading about Canada...so far from us in Brisbane but so close in values and morals. It is encouraging.
I'm so sorry about the rash of nasty comments you've received. Your blog is a place of loveliness and I can't understand people who are unkind.
Your kitchen looks like a place of calmness and is well organized.
The nasty comments are really quite tedious!
Sherrie there are quite a few tabby cats that look similar...I saw on on the street the other and had to look twice to make sure that Chester had not escaped from our bungalow!
Sam and Chester may be relayed...Chester was shipped to Canada from California where he was rescued from a shelter.
I do not understand why anyone would waste their time reading blogs that they despise and then on top of that make comments!
Oh I do not think new counters would not discourage the cats!
It's rewarding fixing up a home...we have been here over 35 years now and still have not finished what we want to fix up!
Best wishes to you GSL...
The Arts and crafts era is not to everyones liking but I do appreciate looking at beautiful spaces...Edwardian, Mid Century Modern, Cottage style...I particularly appreciate it when homes and gardens are well cared for and preserved for the future.
Thank you Kathy...writing is important to me...if I did not write this blog I am sure that I would find other things to do. It is a hobby that I enjoy but I also like to knit, garden and paint...there is never enough time to do it all!
Perhaps you are right about the US election enraging people...it was disturbing to watch the process even here in Canada.
I hope things settle down a but and people can relax, take a breather and get to work on fixing up what needs doing.
If you had read the comments that I had to delete you would know why I could not tolerate them any longer!
Some made me laugh out loud...full of spelling mistakes and poor grammar.
It's better for everyone that they were not published.
Hi Leslie- I have the same McCoy pottery- but my husband doesn't understand why it is empty! Too precious for a plant, so I think I may have to copy you and move it to the kitchen.
Kind regards from your Pisces Twin.
I do work a lot in the kitchen...it is much more efficient than the one we had before...if you look in the sidebar and click on the topic renovations you can read the series that I wrote called The Ugly Truth...it shows before and after pictures.
I love that word pox...not as in chicken pox but the word has such clout!
Just lucky I suppose that the cats have not knocked the pots over the edge of the counter and smashed on the stairs! That would not be fun at all.
So that makes us appliance sisters I suppose :-))
My dishwasher is making a horrible sound and I fear that we will need to replace it before too long...
The fur balls do keep us entertained with their antics...
I have a box on the floor that we cut a hole into and the cats love hiding inside it.
Storage is a challenge and I am always looking for better ways to tackle it...
I agree that you can do a lot of things in the kitchen with the simple spoon...I think a sharp knife is essential too.
The cats are the stars here in The Humble Bungalow...we are merely their staff!
Thank you Suz...
I appreciate your thoughts and thank you for taking the time to send your supportive comments.
I noticed that you were away on a lovely holiday!
What a great way to spend time with your sweet family.
Oh Miss Twiggly....
She, Pepper and Chester are a naughty bunch!
I will not tell a soul about her habits!!
California seems to be the birthplace of the craftsman style...
Mr. HB and I enjoyed a trip to Bungalow Heaven in Pasadena California one year and absolutely loved the town...so many bungalows in pristine condition.
Donna that little painting is naive and it is one that I painted...
I suppose it does look like a childs' work of art!
Australia is where our darling daughter and her husband have been touring this past week or so...it sounds like an amazing country...so vast!
Hopefully with moderation we can keep the blog free of hate and move on.
You and I both are at a loss trying to figure out why people are unkind...I keep going back to the Golden Rule that we were taught in school.
The kitchen does not always look as calm...especially when am baking up a bunch of cookies or cooking several thjngs at the same time!
"Pisces Twin" Elizabeth,
The McCoy planters are really quite large and they are fairly sturdy so it would not be too fragile to use in your kitchen...
Your kitchen is wonderful (and so is the puddy-tat!)
Margaret P
McCoy pottery is always a great place for a plant. I have a matte turquoise pot like Leslie's white one. What you do is: Leave your live plant in the pot it came in, or repot in one a tiny bit smaller than the McCoy pot, and then just set it inside the bigger McCoy pot. Put a saucer or such inside on the bottom to catch any water runoff if not removed for watering. Voila!
I am still having problems commenting on the blog but today is a good day my tablet is behaving! Your kitchen is beautiful, you must be so proud.
I cannot understand why people come on blogs to be rude. Is it my age? Or is it a sign of our turbulent times. Please don't let it affect your writings.
I had written a long post last night echoing the sentiments of my fellow followers about the negativity that has been appearing in the comments but my internet dropped, and so...I really don't understand why people take the time to make negative comments. It takes more time to compose and post a comment than to skip right through. Why does the reader bother to visit your blog if the s/he does not like it? I occurred to me as I read one of the negative comments that the reason I want to retire right now (!) is because of all the negativity I encounter in my job. The comment sounded as if it came from the mouths of some of my students. It is constant and it is wearing me down.
We had a freezing rain day off from school so I set about "tidying up" my kitchen and decorating it for Christmas. I have one junk drawer left but I ran out of steam by late afternoon. Thank you for yet again, inspiring me toward making my space beautiful. Your use of polished stones in the bottom of a bowl is brilliant, and I admittedly stole your idea. Now my cleaning sponges are housed in an embossed bowl lined with stones so that there is plenty of air to circulate around them.
Although Craftsman is not my preferred decor style you and Mr. HB have so expertly married the antique style with modern function and made it all look extraordinarily beautiful. The glow of the nighttime pictures makes your home especially cozy and inviting.
Please do not stop writing. Yours is one of the blogs I visit almost daily and I would miss it terribly.
By the way, spying your vintage radio and reading your tale of listening to CBC radio while working in the kitchen reminded me of when I was in college in northern Vermont. I could only get a classical music station from Quebec and I don't speak French. It took me weeks to convert the temperature back to Fahrenheit when I returned home for the summer!
I love to see pictures of your kitchen ...it's quite beautiful and special. I know that you and your husband have worked hard to design it so that it works well for you, yet is in keeping with the style of your bungalow.
As I've mentioned before, please don't take to heart all the negative and mean spirited comments. There are so many more people who enjoy what you write and appreciate the good feelings that radiate from your posts. You bring a lot of happiness to many of us.
Take care and enjoy your week...I hope your grandchildren are having fun with the crowns!
Rosie
Good news about your tablet co-operating today!
I think some people can leave rude or controversial comments anonymously because no one can see their faces or know their identity...I don't think it has anything to do with our age...but perhaps my expectations for others are those that I expect from myself. I plan to continue writing...
Hi Carol,
Your day sounds busy and productive and I am happy that you used the stones in your bowl for the sponges.
If I were to move from our Humble Bungalow I think I would want to reside in an all white interior...so different from what we have now! I look at magazines and books and am quite smitten with whites.
The radio is a Crossley...and it only looks vintage. The company also makes a record player with speakers...I think the products are made in the USA. The sounds quality is very good too.
I should be tuning into a French station daily as my French teacher says it is the fastest way to pick up the language!
I still think in terms of Fahrenheit...
I knew I had to retire after 25 years working in the school system when I could no longer run and catch up with the autistic student that I was working with in the classroom...I had always planned to retire at 60....life sometimes dictates that we rethink our plans.
Thanks Rosie....
I am feeling very positive about the blog and have some ideas for new posts.
It is a busy time of year so I may not be writing as much but posting more pictures instead...I have baking and shopping still to get done and I love to give homemade gifts so I have been knitting a lot!
So pleased that you intend to continue. I suppose we go by the adage "do as you would be done by". My mother always told me that if I couldn't say something nice about someone, say nothing. Your description of your mother reminds me of her in lots of ways.
I've been following you for a number of years, and yours is my favorite blog of them all. It's so comforting, and cozy - I save it for last, because it's the best. I just want to say, I'm sorry and appalled that anyone would submit a thoughtless or unkind comment. I hope you will keep publishing, so the vast majority of us can continue to enjoy your insights.
Oh, I missed this lovely post (been busy this week), and I enjoyed seeing your beautiful Arts and Crafts wood kitchen very much. Wood is somehow much more satisfying than modern materials. The white pottery is the perfect foil for the wood, and I love it all! So sorry you have been bothered by awful spam and commenters - so unfair and pointless really. I can't understand the modern world sometimes. I hope they go away soon.
Another blogger I know has suffered from a spate of mean comments, also so off-base. I wonder if there's a mean elf out there wreaking havoc. If so, shame on you elf. Time to cut it out. Good bloggers do so much work with such good intentions, go be mean to someone who deserves it!
Thank you for your comments Lisa...
it is strange that someone feels they need to send malicious emails and comments.
I just don't "get it."
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