cff June 2015 | Simple and Serene Living

Friday, June 26, 2015

SMALL SPACES: UTILIZING YOUR WALLS

When you are living in a small space it is important to utilise every possible space, and the walls are often overlooked real estate. 

I hate clutter in the bathroom, but I also like to easily get to the things I use on a daily basis. Often in small bathrooms there are no drawers, which I hate, but this seems like a great solution to use the wall in your bathroom to be functional and pretty.

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Here is a kitchen that has made great use of their wall space. The hanging pots and the many sized shelves give it a cozy feel, while taking care of a lot of storage.

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Of course pegboard is always a great idea for a kitchen wall in a small space. Hanging all of your kitchen utensils and pots is visually appealing as well as a great space saving idea.

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Most small spaces do not have a lot of room for a home office, but this is a great idea for organizing above your desk.

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We all have photo and other wall hangings that we want to display and a wall gallery is a wonderful design element. It can also be a way to help disguise that TV we all have.

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What are some of the ways that you utilize your walls to create more space?



P.S. Find more small space living on my small space living board on Pinterest here.


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

THE COMFORT OF MEMORIES

Memories!!! They can be so comforting. Like wrapping yourself in an old worn robe on a cool rainy day. 

umbrella on a bridge


Memories of jumping rope in a schoolyard filled with other laughing children or skipping stones on the lake with a favorite childhood friend. 

Memories of roller skating down a bumpy neighborhood sidewalk or bike riding around a small town that was safe and secure. 

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Memories of after-dark games of hide and seek or curling up in a chair on a bitterly cold winter day with a cup of cocoa and a new Nancy Drew mystery.

Sometimes memories seem to come out of nowhere. This morning when I took my first bite of cereal I was suddenly transported back to the breakfast nook in my grandparents' home. 

There I was sitting in my favorite pink shorty pajamas on a hot summer morning. I could feel the peace that surrounded me. The sounds of the early morning birds and the talk of the workers as they arrived to work in the family florist next door. 

Without warning, tears welled up in my eyes. Tears of sadness for what was gone, but also tears of joy for what had been.

memories old photo


Do our memories bring us more comfort as we grow older, or have they always been there, hovering under the surface to rise up when we're most in need of wrapping ourselves in their comfort? 

I often wonder why they pop up when they do, but I do know that a touch, a scent, a taste, or a sound can all trigger memories. It is as if they are hiding just beneath our senses waiting to be ignited.

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I know that all memories are not good. Some memories are painful, but when we focus on the good memories, they can bring us comfort when we may need them most. 

As I sit here sipping my tea, the memories of jumping rope and skipping stones are bringing a smile to my face on this rainy summer morning. 

So it's the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember...
The way we were...
The way we were...
                               Barbara Streisand





Saturday, June 13, 2015

SMALL SPACE DINING IDEAS

There was a time after I became a single mom when my daughters and I were living in a small apartment and our dining space had to do double duty. 

My older daughter recently made the comment that she grew up thinking it was normal to have a sewing machine at one end of the dining room table. I just saw the sewing machine as a better option than their absent father at that place at the table. 

I have a feeling that the sewing machine may once again occupy a place at my table when I move into my small apartment in a few months. 

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Small spaces create some unique dilemmas for those of us who do not want to spend our dining time sitting in a recliner while eating our meals. 

I guess I am just old-fashioned enough to want to set a pretty place at a table and sit down to a nice healthy meal.

If you are lucky enough to have space in your small kitchen for a table this is a pretty cute one. I love the drawer in the table, which would be a handy place to store your flatware.

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If all that you have is a small corner, how about some built-in space-saving benches and a round table. 

Depending on how you cover the cushions or what style table you use, this would work for most decorating styles.

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How about a kitchen island that can also be used for a dining table. 

Great use of space.

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I'm loving these chairs. Vintage and turquoise!!!

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Hmmm, I'm not sure about having a ginormous human anatomy chart over my dining table, but I guess there is a style for everyone.

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Living in a small space doesn't mean that we have to give up a cozy eating spot.

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It just means we have to get creative with the use of the space. 






Wednesday, June 10, 2015

OPEN SHELVING IN THE KITCHEN

How do you feel about open shelves in the kitchen? I would have to say there are plusses and minuses.

In a small kitchen I love the way they seem to open up the space.


kitchen open shelves rustic
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Open shelves can be an inexpensive alternative to cabinets.

shelves open kitchen inexpensive
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Removing a cabinet door can be a great way to create a display area in your kitchen.

remove kitchen cabinet door open shelving
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I love the homey feel that the open shelves contribute to this space.

kitchen homey open shelving
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The tradition of a farmhouse kitchen just seems to call for open shelving, where everything is in easy reach for the busy cook.

open shelving farmhouse kitchen
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There are so many things to love about open shelving in the kitchen, so what are the minuses. Well I guess it is hard to hide clutter and things might get dusty, but for me the plusses definitely outweigh the minuses.

How do you feel about having open shelves in the kitchen? Do you think they are a simpler way of decorating?

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Monday, June 8, 2015

TAKE "ME" TIME

You may have noticed that I have been absent for the past three days. Frankly, I just completely wore myself out. Between moving my mom, moving my antique booth, spending all Saturday morning in the ER with my sister after she fell, and preparing for a big family weekend I depleted all of my reserves. So I decided that I would just kick back a bit and spend time enjoying my family.


Sometimes with all of the responsibilities of life we forget to just take time for ourselves, and it is important to remember that no matter how much time we may need for ourselves we are worth that time. 

I know that I am going to be more vigilant about taking time to care for "me". I am just going to say no when I am unable to do something, and I am going to try and remember that I am no longer 20 years old. 

So take time for yourself this week. You are definitely worth it.


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P.S. There is more Monday inspiration here.

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