Lots of crocks, cola cases, galvanized buckets, white cotton bagging, black and white check, touches of red. . . .That's what our Summer Farmhouse Kitchen is made of. . . .
Last week I shared with you our Keeping Room in
Summer Farmhouse Kitchen Reveal-Part I. . . .The Keeping Room and Kitchen are together in a long and open 24' room. . . .Each has it's own function. . . .I think we know how the kitchen is used. . . .the Keeping Room is the dining/sitting/open hearth family area. . . .Be sure to see that post if you missed it. . . . .Today, we're off to the other end. . . .
It's a joy to work in our farmhouse kitchen. . . .a real joy.
I love the huge window at the sink, filling the room with light even on cloudy days. . . .There's nothing this farmer's daughter likes any more than looking out over a field of white cotton blossoms--unless it's a field of white, fluffy cotton. . . .Each day seems to bring more. . . .pretty white blooms that will later turn red. . . .I can almost smell them through the window. . . .
Light from that window flows into the room and fills every little nook and cranny. . . .Rarely do I need additional lighting during the day. . . .
There are no overhead cabinets in this kitchen--a choice I made once the lower ones were installed. . . .I enjoyed the openness so much, that I didn't want to change it. . . .Extra cabinets would take away from the natural light that I love so much.
I have to come up with some innovative storage, though. . . .Because the room is so large and open, it's easy to add large crocks on the countertops. . . .In a smaller kitchen this # 8 might be a little large, but here the larger items work just fine. . . .I hide rice, beans, quinoa, sunflower seeds, bread, crackers here--carrying on the color scheme with a black and white dollar store towel as a cover for the #8 and a vintage bread board for the #3. . . .A large glass jar holds plenty of napkins, handy for meals and snacks.
I try to keep clutter to a minimum, especially close to the stove. . . .The apartment size Westinghouse dates back to the early 40s. . . .and bakes like a dream. . . .large enough oven to cook a full size turkey. . . .with room to spare. . . .
Sandwiched between two windows, there's plenty of light to the left for what I call the breakfast area. . . .This is where John perks his coffee, mixes his oatmeal, or grabs a bowl of cereal each morning. . . .The percolator is hidden in the large crock on the left. . . .sugar in the smaller one. . . .coffee filters in a small graniteware colender.
I visited Our Old Country Store and couldn't resist bringing back the vintage pamphlet display. . . .filled it with my own mix of favorites and information that's handy for summer cooking and canning. . . .It's saved me many steps.
Don't you love the 40s Scotty dog peeking over one of the phamplets? . . . .His brother is in a lower slot. . . .I've kept Daddy's grade school photo, ca. 1930, in this kitchen from it's beginning. . . .wouldn't be our kitchen without him. . . .I think John talks to him every now and then, too. . . .There's something comforting about it. . . .
For me, there are two favorite work areas. . . .The lower half of a Hoosier at the center island is a wonderful place to prepare meals and visit with friends and family at the same time. . . .I try to keep it simple here, too. . . .It only takes a minute to move the 7-Up case--filled with plates, napkins, and silverware--out of the way.
Boo (my feline companion) often sits on the vintage metal stool to watch. . . .That's as close as I let him get to the food. . . .He loves veggies, so I have to keep an eye on him. . . .
The second favorite work area is at the baker's cabinet. . . .
Last Spring, I was determined to replace the baker's cabinet with a Hoosier. . . .with no success. . . .I had in mind the one I wanted--never found it. . . .John says he'll build me one soon--just like I want. . . .We already have most of the parts and pieces. . . .In the meantime, I've grown fond of this older cabinet again. . . .Once I brightened it up with white runners and vintage lace, I rather like the look. . . .
Canning jars are a must in the Summer. . . .We've already prepared ten gallons of plums from our trees, twenty-five pints of blueberries, and who knows how many strawberries--some for jams, the rest into the freezer for good winter eating. . . .Next up are apples, figs, kraut, tomatoes, chow-chow, pickles, pumpkin, squash. . . .Makes your mouth water, doesn't it?
Below, more crocks hold freezer containers and items used in canning. . . black and white dollar store towels keep everything dust free. . . .
The fridge hides behind this prim, whitewashed barn door. . . .
Once used for picking cotton, the vintage baskets above provide more storage. . . .
Here's the view from the fridge. . . .
You can see how everything ties in together using a basic color scheme for the entire room.
We built our kitchen to be the bright spot of the house. . . .It's 'hearth and home' at it's best. . . .Because it turned out so well, I'm planning the same white with touches of black, farmhouse primitives and pops of color in the living room. . . .It will be so nice to tie the two together in that way. . . .helps the flow of things from one room to the other. . . .Why spoil a good thing, anyway?
Hope you've enjoyed visiting our Summer Farmhouse Kitchen/Keeping Room. . . .We've certainly enjoyed it this year. . . .Fall isn't far off, when we'll have to prepare the room for the Winter. . . .uncover the open hearth fireplace for those chilly mornings. . . .but, we have a couple of months of Summer to enjoy first. . . .Using neutrals as background, it's one room that is easy to change with the seasons.
If you'd like to see more:
. . .from my farmhouse kitchen to yours. . .
