Solving the Awkward Sealed Door Issue (1 of 2)

Our place has great character and we love it, but it comes with some awkward spaces. Rather than letting it detract from the charm, we are looking for cool ways to turn our awkward spaces into cool and functional spaces. Take for example our kitchen wall. Amidst the exposed brick is a door that leads into what is now a separate unit. The door was sealed up ages ago and now it just looks funny:

With the help of a few shelves and hooks I am hoping to turn this awkward sealed door into a functional kitchen wall. Here's how.

Step One: Choose your supplies and design!
We have limited cabinet space in the kitchen so I want to add shelves. I also want to add a few hooks for dish towels and displaying a trivet. I am keeping it simple with a wall shelf set from Target and some standard hooks.

Step Two: Install the shelves and hooks
All you need is a pencil, a drill, and a level (and maybe a helper!) Hold the shelves in place before you start drilling to make sure you like the placement. Check your progress throughout to make sure they are level.

I strategically placed the hooks to look nice and be functional. I wanted a higher hook for my apron to keep the bottom from hanging on the floor. I wanted a few lower hooks for towel.

Step Three: Decorate!
Make sure you check to see what the weight limit of each shelf is before you place items on them.

Favorite Finds of the Month - July

Favorite Finds of the Month - July 2012

1. Yellow Floral Bath Towel by Target Home
I fell in love with these bath towels when I saw them at Target last weekend. They are so beautiful and soft and they remind me of towel my Grandma had. I picked up two sets! If they hold up well, I'll be back for more! http://www.target.com/p/target-home-floral-towel/-/A-14042785#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton.

2. Bee Watering Can

Perfect for watering house plants and looks so cute too! Available from Maxwell's Pottery: http://maxwellspottery.com/

3.  Egg Bird Feeder by J. Schatz

I've never been that in to bird feeders but i saw this in a magazine recently and haven't been able to get it out of my head. It's a perfect compliment to a bright sunny garden and comes in a variety of colors! I've been debating between the red (below) or the yellow! Check them out here: http://www.jschatz.com/eggbirdfeeders/index.html. 

4. "wine be gone" Wine Bottle Holder

Add some spunk to your kitchen or bar with this quirky wine holder! At Abacus. 

5.  Rag Quilt Throw

I fell in love with this quilt when I saw it. Wistfully romantic, perfect for summer picnics or, my favorite, Shakespeare in the Park. It reminds me of my favorite quilt, a one-of-a-kind, locally made quilt that I won at a charity auction a few years ago.  Available through Esty: http://www.etsy.com/listing/103860619/large-rag-quilt-throwpicnic-blanket-size?ref=sr_gallery_38&ga_search_query=quilt&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_ref=auto3&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_search_type=handmade. 

A Few Funk & Funky Floral Arrangements

Pink & Brown:
Pink and brown is a classic color combination. This arrangement juxtaposes delicate pink flowers and a rather utilitarian brown beer bottle to create a funky arrangement.

Blue Ribbon:
Perfect for the office, this arrangement uses a pretty blue ribbon to jazz up a simple arrangement.

Flowers in a glass:

I have more vases than I can count but sometimes the best look is a regular glass. This picture is not great, but to create this elegant arrangement, I simply placed several gladioli in a tall water glass.

Coastal Chic Floral Arrangement

I love having fresh flowers in the house and am always looking for new and different ways to arrange them. I liked the idea of combing fresh flowers with shells, stones and sea glass from the local beaches. It gives this simple arrangement a fun coastal vibe.

I used bright and sunny yellow chrysanthemums in a standard vase with sea glass:

Step One:
Cut the flowers to your desired height. This e-how postings has some great tips for making your chrysanthemums last longer in the vase: http://www.ehow.com/how_8114422_cut-chrysanthemums.html.

Step Two:
Add the water and then gently place the sea glass into the vase, making sure that you don't block the stems' access to fresh water.

Step Three:
Add a fun accent to enhance the coastal feel. I placed a clam shell full of stones from a nearby beach next to the flowers.

Welcome to My Bumblebee Hive

Welcome to My Bumblebee Hive: A blog about house projects, gardening, and cooking. I hope you enjoy the posts that follow. Thanks for checking out my blog!



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