Simple Countertop Centerpiece with Thrifted Finds

Centerpieces or vignettes are a fun way to incorporate your style and some seasonal decor into your home. They are also easy to put together with items that you have on hand or with inexpensive, thrift store finds. I like to keep one on my kitchen table and also on my upper counter on my kitchen island. Here is one that I just created for the winter months using only thrifted items.

Keep reading to see how to curate items to create your own seasonal centerpiece. 

This centerpiece is low profile and in this spot I am okay with this. It sits in front of my stove on the upper island counter. Not having something with height means it is easier to converse with people or guests that are in the great room area.

You want to start with something to put your centerpiece on or in so that you can easily move it when needed. I am using a wood trough or dough bowl that I got for $2 at the thrift store. The warm, light wood is perfect for the winter months. You can use a tray or a platter, a large book or a cutting board.

I think every, or at least most, centerpieces need greenery or stems or something natural. I chose to use faux pampas grass stems and pheasant feathers. These came together in a big bunch with pine branches. They were all brand new with original, hefty price tags on them. I think I got $50 worth of faux stems for $5. You can use twigs and branches from your yard, good fake stems, or real that you change out as needed.

I also used some bells from this wall hanging that I thrifted. It came with ten bells on it. I like the bells for winter and for "ringing in the new year". Find other small objects that interest you for your centerpiece. Pinecones, brass objects, small, vintage books, vintage kitchen utensils, figurines, or anything that you love that matches your style. 

Next step takes a little playing and will be unique to you depending on what items you are using to build your centerpiece. Arrange your items in different ways until you find a pleasing arrangement HINT: take a picture to better SEE the centerpiece. Think irregular shape and odd numbers. Asymmetrical displays are more pleasing to the eye. 

I placed both pampas grass stems on one side along with the single feathers. The large feather stem is on the opposite side. The bells, that I tied together with jute, are more towards the feather stems rather than in the center of the wood trough.

I placed the centerpiece on a rattan table runner that I got for $3 at the thrift store. I folded it in half because it was too long to not. This simple centerpiece warms up the countertop space with the organic textures and natural wood. The white pampas grass looks so real and is the perfect white for winter without being a cold white.

Shop your home or the thrift stores and play with different items until you come up with a vignette that works for your home. Oh, and remember to have fun!

Thrifty Thursday

I think Thrifty Thursday is making it's return in 2024. That is where I share recent thrift store finds and how I use them or a project made with thrifted finds. I also hope to "let you into my brain" a little more (scary, I know) so you can know why I chose to buy something and to hopefully help you better hone your thrifting. 

Here are some recent finds:

These items have a common color theme, red and blue. I find my eye has been drawn to red with Valentine's Day coming up. And I will always love blue. It helps me when I am thrifting if I have a theme or word in mind. Of course, I don't always stick to it because you have to be open to what is available, but knowing ahead of time I am looking for red items helps to better see them.

Currently, I am using the vintage, needlepoint pillow and the red cocktail book in my home (that can change). The book sits on my bar with coasters sitting on it and the pillow sits in a side chair. 

I will fill and sell the large red and white pillow cover and also sell he vintage apron that makes me laugh. I thought about passing it on to my niece who is getting married next month. 

I buy Le Creuset items when I find them for a reasonable price. This red pitcher was one of three I bought at the same time. I will share the others later. I love the ombre, cherry red coloring on the pitcher.

The poster print on cardboard is vintage and was very inexpensive. I will add matte Mod Podge to it to give it texture and depth.

Simple smalls that I know I can resell are always a yes--a 1945 cookbook (okay, it may be a keeper) a pretty mug, a Milk of Magnesium blue bottle, a white and red tin. 

A $2 red stepstool may get a paint makeover and then I will use it as a display riser in my pop-up shop. 

What have you thrifted lately that you love?

Kitchen Remodel Sneak Peek

We had a productive first week of 2024. We remodeled our kitchen--well, half of our kitchen. And by remodel, I mean we made our kitchen better, but we did not tear down cabinets or walls. What we did do was rip out the pink, yes PINK, Corian counter and built in sink, and backsplash. 

There is more to come, but I couldn't wait to share this sneak peek with you.

As I shared in my previous post, I am working towards creating the un-kitchen look in my home. That means my kitchen will be cozy and welcoming and more like a family room than a utilitarian space.

I painted my cupboards 5 and half years ago with Fusion Mineral Paint. SEE the details HERE. It has held up beautifully and I still love the colors I chose. The uppers are painted with a color called Putty and the lowers are painted Midnight. White a wood go well with these two colors--classic and clean.  This color scheme goes well with so many other colors as well--oranges, yellow, red, green. 

I chose white tile to brighten up the space and because it is a good neutral that looks clean and crisp. We laid the tile in a stacked pattern which is more modern and less farmhouse.

We have three appliance garages along this stretch of countertop. Appliance garages are an outdated convenience that I truly love. Mine hide my mixer, microwave, toaster, blender, and coffee grinder. When I painted my cabinets in 2018 I wasn't sure what to do with the accordion roll-up garage doors so I left them the same purple-cherry color the cabinets were. 

I was concerned they wouldn't work if I painted them. But, with white tile going in, they needed a makeover. I could have painted them the same putty as the upper cabinets, but I wanted to hide them as much as possible so I chose to paint them with white spray paint. They are SO much better now.

The white tile brightens the space so much, but I do find white cold and boring and clinical. the butcher block counters definitely add warmth. But, adding vintage, thrift store finds really help to cozy up the space and create the un-kitchen mood. A tea tray sits in one corner to the left of my sink, next to the fridge "wall". The vintage, green, mushroom tea pot holds ta, as well as the glass canister with the wood lid. A green Le Creuset olive jar holds sugar and a vintage style, glass coffee jar holds instant coffee packets (that we mostly only use camping and backpacking). Another mason jar holds friendship tea--instant tea with Tang, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Thrift store art depicting a teapot rest behind the tea tray against the appliance garage door. This garage bay holds the appliances that I don't use regularly.

In the other corner there is a little more space for decor and a chance to bring in color and personal objects that I love. A pair of green candlesticks sit on a golden yellow tray, along with a brown pottery bowl. Right now the bowl holds rocks. Yes, I m an eight year old child who collects rocks. But, I think the rocks will get replaced with something else. 

An art print I decoupaged and framed, a warm, wood cutting board, a stack of vintage cookbooks, an antique tea tin all incorporate color and warmth into the space. We are replacing the under cabinet lights. But, the best way to add a cozy vibe to your kitchen is to include a small lamp. I have this light on in the evenings and mornings when I am not needing more task lighting. 

I am so happy with how our un-kitchen kitchen is looking and I can't wait to share more of this space with you soon.

The Un-Kitchen Mood Board

Have you heard of the term un-kitchen? It is the feeling and the mood that I think I have been trying to create in my kitchen and dining area for the past few years. But, the term un-kitchen is new to me and it means creating a kitchen that feels cozy and warm space that feels more like a living space than a utilitarian space. 

We are VERY slowly working on creating such a space in our kitchen. And while I painted my cupboards almost five years ago, we are currently working on the next remodel steps. Here is my mood board for our kitchen:

Keep reading to learn more about the un-kitchen and to see the details I am using to create this feeling in my space.

My cupboards are a dark navy blue on the lowers and a stone/tan color. You can see them HERE. I have been living with blush/pink Corian counters and backsplash for years. My color-blind husband couldn't see the pink so it never bugged him. The faucet was leaking so badly (into the sink, not under it) and it was rusted so badly that we decided it was time to remove the whole built in sink and counter. We are replacing that counter with butcher block. We are tiling the backsplash with 3" x 12" white subway tile that we will place in a stacked arrangement. What is happening with the pink tile and Corian on the island is up in the air. One step, one bite of the elephant at a time.

For years I have been unsure about using butcher block because I know it will ding and dent. But, after watching an episode of Capturing Home (the show that has also inspired me to create mood bords), they talked about how butcher block ages and wears beautifully and how the dings and dents add character, I was sold on it. Warm wood is crucial in the un-kitchen vibe.

There are beautiful tiles out there--lovely colors and designs. But, I know myself and I change my color schemes and style fairly frequently so we chose basic white tile. I am happy to repaint walls or furniture every 3-5 years, but pulling out tile and redoing it? No thank you! Keep the big projects, the hard work jobs and big expense items neutral. We are stacking rather than staggering the tile for a more modern look. The white will help to add light to the kitchen too, which is needed.

Part of the un-kitchen idea is to remove upper cabinets. That is not happening right now. I will be using other elements that are typically in other home spaces. Lamps placed on the counters, 

art, handmade pottery, 

vintage cookbooks, worn cutting boards, brass candlesticks and greenery all add to the warm and cozy style that I am hoping to achieve.

I use lots of colors in my home--white and wood, navy blue and tan, rusty oranges, deep yellows and dark greens. They all work together and help to create a personal and unique space that is welcoming and certainly not a blah and outdated kitchen space. 

Stay tuned for finished pictures!

New Year, New Curated Finds

Happy New Year! 

Boy, my blog has been quiet and has taken a backseat to my opening of my pop-up shop. Here's the thing--blogging takes a lot of time. Several hours go into creating a single blog post so posting quickly on social media is o much easier for me. 

BUT, blogging has introduced me to so many wonderful people and friends and has brought me lots of opportunities and now that my shop is up and running, I am planning on returning to regular blog posts.

And, one post I will be sharing regularly is showing off my recent curated finds.

What do I love about curating home decor items? I love the hunt. I love finding unique, one-of-a-kind items for customers. I love showing you how to use these objects in your home to create a personal and welcoming feel, and I like to give you and idea of what you should keep an eye out for while thrifting.  

These recent finds have a common warm and neutral theme. Organic texture and a faded, vintage palette help to create a warm and exciting look when used in your home. You can do neutral without being blah and boring.

Baskets and brooms, warm weathered woods, old books all add warmth to any space.

Although I think she may be on her way out, I am continuing my love affair with brass. This singing bowl was a fun find and has lovely tone. It sits on a suede rag rug style table runner. Browns are definitely hot and we are saying goodbye to cool grey tones. 

I had to rescue this vintage, needlepoint pillow with a tassel trim and the tall candlestick is made from gorgeous wood.

This vintage, two-lidded, Japanese tea tin will add a touch of elegance to a space.

A vintage, Czechoslovakian, wood block puzzle is not only challenging, but a thoughtful item to have in a guest room or space.

A two-tiered, bamboo and rattan tray is perfect for organizing kitchen or bathroom items.

A few tips when choosing curated items for your home:

* Look for items that have lovely, worn patinas.

* Think textures, especially if you tend to decorate with a monochromatic scheme.

*Check items carefully before buying and look for damage.

* Choose something out of your comfort zone--something weird, quirky, unique.

HAVE FUN!

Pop-Up Shop

What I have been busy with...

Golden Makeover for MCM Chairs and a Barley Twist Table

I try not to over-make my makeovers, i.e. I believe less is more when possible. So, when I set out to fix-up a barley twist table and a pair of MCM chairs I wanted to leave as much of the original finish as possible intact.

The wood on the chairs was in fairly good shape, just a few scratches that needed some furniture polish. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep any of the three layers of chair upholstery fabric because they were too stained.

I chose a golden yellow velour to recover the seats with.

The fabric is soft and definitely has a MCM vibe. 

The top of the table had been repaired. It had a split all the way through it that had been glued, but it was still visible so I decided to paint the top of the table to match the chair fabric.

You still can see the repaired split, but it seems less noticeable and I like the pop of fun color with the wood. 

These two chairs and table make a great side seating area in a family room or bedroom.

I love that I was able to keep the original wood finish and just needed to give this a minimal update to freshen them up.

A Curated Centerpiece for Fall

I have been oh so busy getting ready to open my occasional shop or pop-up shop. I have been collecting, fixing, upcycling, and curating items to sell. It is exciting and stressful and what I have dreamed of doing for many years. 

I styled some of the items I have been collecting to create a warm and cozy centerpiece for fall.

I started with a beautiful, carved, wood tray.

Look at those corner details! Isn't it just perfect for autumn?

I added some faux and dried flowers to a lidless, brass teapot I found. I set this on a tea towel with apples and pumpkins on it.

The towel helps protect the wood tray and adds more warm color.

A trio of brass candlesticks, all curated from different places, complete the fall centerpiece.

While the items will be sold separately, I love sharing ideas on how to use random, curated finds to create a cohesive vignette.