The Ordinary and the Mundane

Rainy days always produce the most soft and beautiful light.  I couldn't resist these worn and messy corners of my home in the gentle light of this drizzly day.  The beauty of life's little details is worth appreciating; we take so much for granted:  the textures in a pile of white laundry, the design of a splatter on the stove, the patina of a window sill that desperately needs a coat of paint.  Go ahead and put away the laundry, wipe the stove and paint the sill, but not without taking the time to appreciate the beauty of the ordinary and the mundane.

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a day full of appreciation,

Sandra

From "No Man's Land" to cozy deck




BEFORE




AFTER

Earlier this summer we decided to remove a huge pine tree from our back yard, the tree was encroaching on our house, our neighbour's house, becoming a hazard and completely blocking the view (and the light) from my studio window.


With the tree and stump removed we discovered a huge amount of space that had previously been hidden and unusable.  Also, we finally had a little sunlight in our yard.   I set aside a small space that will become a vegetable garden next year and decided to use some of the remaining area to create a low level floating deck. 



With the pine tree gone all the ugliness of this corner of the yard is exposed!

Tree cut up and ready for removal




A short section of fence (to the right of the chair) used to conceal a heatpump...
that fence had to go too.



I staked out an area for the deck 10' x 10'.....



 and leveled the ground.



Geotex fabric to prevent weed growth and a layer of gravel to ensure good drainage

With the site prepared the fun work of learning to use a table saw and mitre saw could begin.  I watched several You Tube videos on deck construction and borrowed a book from our library.  I was a little stubborn in my determination to build the deck alone; I just needed to prove to myself that I could learn to do something new.  My husband was a great sport about it and let me do just about everything.  He did wheelbarrow in several loads of the gravel and held the end of the twelve foot long planks while I sawed them.  My parents too were an encouragement, every couple of days they'd come by to see the progress and cheer me on. 



A simple frame of 2" x 6" planks supported by patio slabs



Its taking shape but there was too much of a drop to the existing walkway




Building another small 3' x 6' platform solved the problem of the difference in height

I painted a couple of Adirondack chairs and planted some big daisies.



Here's how it looks now, a nice sunny spot for a cup of tea

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Sandra

Nesting

Before I begin this post let me confess that I am not a very well balanced woman.  I don't mean that I am in any way a risk to myself or others; however my tendency is to become completely consumed with an idea or project and to immerse myself in it often at the peril of other interests and even responsibilities.

Over the past couple of months our home has been my obsession.  In July I took a critical look at our home, it was a moment of truth.  (Not unlike the day when a woman stands naked in front of the mirror that she has been ignoring for months or years, and takes an honest inventory and decides that the time has finally come for action). I think of our home as a patient and loving protector, strong, sturdy, humble and unassuming.  For twenty years she has provided our family with a safe environment in which to raise children, deepen our marriage, welcome and love friends, family and neighbours.  She has never demanded expensive repairs or shocked us with sudden "conditions".  She's had a few aches and pains which we have tended to and in return she has continued to embrace us.



Living Room during "facelift"

What I felt was a deep desire to create a beautiful environment that expresses where I am and who I am at this point.  I created a long list, mentally walking through each room. I allowed my imagintion to run from the obscure to the practical making a dream list for each room.  I sketched little diagrams in the margins and visited Pinterest for ideas.  I visited shops and second-hand shops looking for bargains and inspiration.

And of course I got down to work.  The kitchen you already know about.  I painted the living room, hallways and entranceway of our home.  Moved furniture, sewed pillows, changed drapery rods, found vintage linens, quilts at yard sales, bought candles and changed light fixtures.  I garbage picked (a coat rack and a gorgeous pine armoire!!) and I did a little decluttering too.  I took out the china and mixed it in with the everyday dishes and use both together.  I learned how to build a floating deck (thanks to my husband, my dad, You Tube, and a library book) and built it by myself and yes, I used the "big saw" and still have all my fingers!

Living Room - still in progress but with new paint and accessories

Pulling together "forgotten" items from other rooms to create a new grouping

I haven't finished everything yet but I am taking a little break to come up for air and to catch up on some of those other chores that I have conveniently ignored for weeks.  With the cold months approaching and the need to spend more time indoors it seems like the perfect time to create an environment that we can snuggle into in the months ahead, while at the same time nurturing our humble home as a way of saying "You are beautiful and we appreciate you."

Thank you for taking the time to visit My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a day full of comfort,

Sandra

My Top Twelve Rituals that Comfort

It is mid-August, the sun is dipping a little earlier in the evenings, the morning air has the slightest chill and the stores are reminding us that "back-to-school" is closing in on us.  There is one maple tree on our street whose leaves begin to colour early each August.  I noticed those red leaves this morning as I walked the dog and I whispered to the tree, "Nooooo...".  



Withered Hostas Leaves
S. King-Allikas

While we cannot prevent the fading of summer and it's easy-going routines, I have put together a list of twelve rituals and ideas to help comfort and nurture through the busyness of autumn.

1. Gradually set your alarm earlier and earlier over the next couple of weeks until you have created a half hour (or more) of quiet and solitude for yourself each morning.
2. Drink your morning coffee or tea from the prettiest cup you can find (buy one if necessary).
3. Use the good china for breakfast.
4. Light a candle on the breakfast table (remember to extinguish it). You are sitting down to breakfast aren't you?
5. Pack a linen serviette in with your lunch. (mismatched vintage ones are great for this as you don't need a matched set.)
6. Listen to beautiful music as you commute instead of the radio.
7. Remember that God gives each of us enough time each day to do what really matters.
8. Make the entrance to your home welcoming; ditch the withered flowers in hanging baskets.
9. Indulge in the best slippers you can afford.
10. Visit a local farmer's market.
11. Drop one committee or group that you loathe attending.
12. Take time to cuddle your children, your partner, or your pet and whisper "I love you."

I hope this list inspires you to create additional routines that nurture your body and cradle your spirit.

Thank you so much for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life.

Wishing you a happy day,

Sandra

Recycling Inspiration

A recycled bedspread creates subtle texture and colour as a cover for a bench and pillows.
S. King-Allikas

 

 

This short post is just to inspire you to think outside of the box when it comes to throwing or giving away old linens, throws, spreads etc.    I've just spent a couple of hours snipping and sewing a bedspread that my mom was giving away.

 

We have a six foot long white upholstered Ikea bench in our living room (a Kijiji find!).  I absolutely love white upholstered furnishings, but with a mud-loving dog, relaxed life style and my easy-going attitude about cleaning, I loathe taking off those Ikea slip covers and washing them. 

 

BEFORE: Ikea upholstered bench with white slip covers
 

 

My solution, thanks to my  mom's donation, was to sew two made-to-measure covers for the upholstered bench (while one is being laundered I have the other to use).  The scalloped edges  create a soft effect and with the left over fabric I recovered two pillows. 

 

AFTER: Easy clean cover and pillows

 

Now I have the beauty of white furnishings with the ease of washing nothing more than a small cover. 

 

Thank you for stopping by at My Turquoise Kettle Life.

 

May your day be covered with possibilities,

 

Sandra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Kitchen Window Seat - Simple and Easy

Here is the 1930's buffet that we converted into a kitchen window seat. This idea worked beautifully it was frugal, simple and easy.

Kitchen Window Seat - former buffet

 

 

When we were given this buffet a year ago, the legs had already been cut off, a 1960's alteration to give the piece a sleeker more modern look. I removed the handles and sanded off the heavy varnish finish, leaving most of the dark stain. Using semi-gloss latex paint intended for doors and trim, I streaked on two coats of paint, rubbing off some spots to give it a weathered look. I rummaged up some old knobs that had been on our kitchen cabinets years ago to replace the originals, which now looked too large and heavy on the white finish. Two vintage quilts folded soften the seat and a few throw pillows finish off the window seat. By the way, can you believe I picked up the hand stitched quilt complete with cross-stiched details at a neighbour's yard sale for $3!!

This cozy corner has become my (very) early morning spot. For the few minutes that it takes for the kettle to come to a boil, I sit in the darkness and listen to the chirping of the crickets and marvel at the deep blue of the pre-dawn sky. The cool air wafts in and the world seems like a sleepy, peaceful place. That is a nice return on a project that cost a total of about $35.

Buffet - free
Paint - on hand
Quilt - $3.
Pillow forms and fabric $30.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a peaceful place in the world today,

Sandra

Minimalist Kitchen Renovation - Update

Since my last kitchen reno post I've decided to become a lot more hands-on in our kitchen renovations.  I've managed to install the baseboards, do some basic carpentry to finish up the cabinets, painted the cabinets and installed new drawer/door pulls.



Kitchen Reno update

 

Learning some basic carpentry skills

 

 

Last week-end I ordered a laminate countertop which should be installed in about a month.  We bought a new kitchen sink and faucet.  The sink and faucet feel like a little splurge, as I had thought I'd reuse the old ones but recently my veggie sprayer broke (yay!) and I managed to rationalize a new sink as well.  Once the countertop is installed we can finish off the backsplash and the trim around the windows.



Having full countertops will be so nice.

A little bonus has been realizing that a wooden buffet that we were given last year will fit perfectly under the kitchen windows to create a window seat.  We tried it out last weekend.  With a couple of layers of quilts and some throw pillows, it became the most coveted seat in the house.  I'm currently deciding what to do about the finish; it is very glossy dark wood.  I need to decide on the look I want for it.

I can finally see some light at the end of this renovation tunnel.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May this day be full of happiness,

Sandra