These are turbulent times in modern culture to live through as we feed our families, nurture relationships, and juggle responsibilities as best we can. Kitchens are often the heart of our homes and easily become cluttered because of how much they deliver for us. I find it easy to procrastinate through the winter months rather than address corners of chaos. SPRING has a way of lighting up those corners. How to bring pretty spring refreshes and subtle spring touches of calm to my kitchen?
Subtle Spring Touches in the Kitchen
Over the decades and more than a dozen moves to different kitchens, I have consistently found it is truly possible to create a tranquil yet hard working workspace.
More importantly, you can think creatively to arrive at a space just right for the way you live. I’m aware not everyone is into sedative. Maybe your kitchen needs to energize you! I can only do me. You’ll see images weaved into this post of the past three kitchens we renovated for our unique needs.
No. 1: Clear & Scrub Kitchen Counters
I’m not just talking the talk. Your girl likes the place to be tidy, and your girl is tragically DIY. I begin the sprucing by clearing the counters. Not always a quick chore, I can’t express the level of gratification at the end!
While I work, I like to have something keeping me company on TV…nature shows (pot bellied little monkeys in Vietnam frolicking and devouring succulents? a youTube lecture on everyday mysticism?).
Listen to music or a favorite podcast or the birds from an open window while decluttering.
I move everything on the counters to the kitchen table including plants, canisters, lamps, cutting boards, crocks, cooking utensils and decorative objects.
Maybe begin the cleaning process near the sink. My own corner sink is often a disaster. Houseplants create issues on the window sills and hard water stains are everywhere.
Those sills need a scrub and touch up paint to spruce them up.
Hardwater stains around the faucet and sink are addressed next with Iron-Out and a Mr. Clean eraser. It feels amazing to make spots disappear and see the counters free of clutter!
Part of me always wants to leave the countertops free of everything in true minimalist fashion. But the stuff of everyday living has purpose. What helps is seeing the space with fresh eyes to determine where essentials should return.
WHAT YOU MAY GAIN FROM SPRUCEUP IDEAS?
Objects living on kitchen counters have energy which affects yours. If you can keep those surfaces as free as possible, you’ll have more workspace and somehow you’ll be more inclined to wipe them down more frequently. (For me, the sight of a cluttery countertop is an energy zapper.)
These round swivel counter stools are the exact ones we’re now using in our Arizona snowbird kitchen:
Can you believe it has been over a year that we bought the place in Arizona? Time is moving way too fast. The only thing left to do at our sweet desert cottage kitchen there is upgrade the countertops, but we are taking our time in case it’s time to renovate another fixer.
More finds from my own home that we continueu to rely on:
No. 2: Add Beauty from Nature
If your kitchen is devoid of natural materials such as the warmth of wood, plants, stone, metals, rattan, etc., you may be unaware of the calming effects of organic material. When we’re in the market for for easy-to-care-for materials, for the kitchen we’re often steered toward vinyl and synthetics.
It’s one of the reasons I dissatisfied with the laminate counters in the Arizona kitchen. But we can deal with sub-par counters that feel less than natural in a creative manner.
A simple bowl of green apples or lemons on a table or counter can be a lovely start.
If you don’t have a sunny spot, even dried florals or a plain ol’ branch in a clear glass container can look chic and natural.
No need to stress about the perfect branch with buds or spring growth either. Even bare branches offer pleasing silhouettes, contrast, texture and warmth. Try it!
Adding nature to the kitchen is especially important should there be an excess of synthetic design elements.
Stay tuned for Part 2 for more ideas!
I have a Pinterest board HERE and white paint favorites HERE devoted to paint colors so you’ll score ideas.
BONUS TIP: Create your own Pinterest board devoted solely to white paint colors.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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