In my last post I revealed that one of our big goals this year was to buy a house. Every since I was a little girl I've always been very domestic. When I played with dolls I focused on their living situations more than any other part, (second was their fashion). This early obsession with living space is probably what led me to majoring in Architecture in college. So, needless to say, I've been dreaming of my "perfect house" for a long time.
But one mistake I made when I was young, was thinking that I had to wait until I had that dream house to live how I wanted. For example, I've always loved the idea of baking and cooking and secretly wanted a retro kitchen to experiment in. Perhaps I watched too many episodes of "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" growing up, but I was fascinated with all of Lucy and Laura’s various tools and containers. As I got older and eventually had an apartment of my own with my husband, I went out and bought "temporary" kitchen stuff –not the cool retro items or gadgets I had really wanted. For some reason I thought I needed to wait for that "dream kitchen" to fill it with all my dream things. Plus I thought all those things would be too expensive.
But one mistake I made when I was young, was thinking that I had to wait until I had that dream house to live how I wanted. For example, I've always loved the idea of baking and cooking and secretly wanted a retro kitchen to experiment in. Perhaps I watched too many episodes of "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" growing up, but I was fascinated with all of Lucy and Laura’s various tools and containers. As I got older and eventually had an apartment of my own with my husband, I went out and bought "temporary" kitchen stuff –not the cool retro items or gadgets I had really wanted. For some reason I thought I needed to wait for that "dream kitchen" to fill it with all my dream things. Plus I thought all those things would be too expensive.
All sorts of retro treasures to be found in Rob and Laura Petrie's kitchen from the Dick Van Dyke Show.
Then finally, not too long ago I realized there really was no reason to wait. I knew I couldn’t have ALL the things I wanted right away, (like that $$$ retro green mixer) BUT I could have some of the little things. So, slowly but surely I’ve been adding to my dream kitchen collection and actively using these items in my current kitchen.
I've been told I have a "coffee problem", and that I look like the lady in the sign - so I've been collecting these funny coffee signs to display in my kitchen and coffee area.
I love my retro green coffee container. Right now it holds Nespresso cups.
How did I acquire all these fun things? I did not go out and have a shopping spree buying them all in one day, but instead collected them over time, shopping all over the place (literally from Washington State to Wisconsin) and not settling for just anything, but the right thing.
My husband and I like to antique shop, and one of our favorite things to do on the weekends is go out hunting for old treasures. Sometimes we find extra special items and it can be hard because we can't afford to buy them yet (Like an awesome mint condition Eames lounge chair from the 1960's…) but it's fun to go around and dream together. Each time we go I give myself a little budget even if it's only $5 or $10. If I find the perfect item for that price – I buy it! If I don’t, I go home empty handed, and I’ve learned that that is OK. Eventually you will find what you are looking for. In fact, just this weekend I found a set of retro containers with wooden lids to hold my baking supplies. I’ve been searching for something like this for months, and the best part - they were on sale and under my budget for the day!
My husband and I like to antique shop, and one of our favorite things to do on the weekends is go out hunting for old treasures. Sometimes we find extra special items and it can be hard because we can't afford to buy them yet (Like an awesome mint condition Eames lounge chair from the 1960's…) but it's fun to go around and dream together. Each time we go I give myself a little budget even if it's only $5 or $10. If I find the perfect item for that price – I buy it! If I don’t, I go home empty handed, and I’ve learned that that is OK. Eventually you will find what you are looking for. In fact, just this weekend I found a set of retro containers with wooden lids to hold my baking supplies. I’ve been searching for something like this for months, and the best part - they were on sale and under my budget for the day!
My new canisters holding flour, sugar, and powdered sugar. I love to bake and having these items out and easily accessible is great!
What I have now may not be my "dream kitchen" but with all my little retro finds, it is so much more enjoyable and "me" than if I were just to have the standard inexpensive items that didn't have any personality.
Our favorite vintage yellow coffee cups found at a friends garage sale.
Our most recent find - beautiful wood Salt and Pepper shakers for the kitchen table!
Now each day cooking in my little kitchen is fun and I'm not always dreaming of a new sparkly kitchen cause the one I have has become my own!
If you make it your own (and it doesn’t have to be your kitchen) - whether it be with your favorite color towels or retro containers, it is a lot more enjoyable and adds to making your life just that much happier each day, and some days that can make all the difference.
I am a lady | adarose
If you make it your own (and it doesn’t have to be your kitchen) - whether it be with your favorite color towels or retro containers, it is a lot more enjoyable and adds to making your life just that much happier each day, and some days that can make all the difference.
I am a lady | adarose
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