Friday, February 24, 2012

Simplify

Do you subscribe to the magazine A Simple Life?  I absolutely LOVE this magazine.  Every issue speaks to me and where I want my house to go- Early Primitive.  
To move in this direction, I need to part with many, many items. 
Along with parting with some of my junk treasured items, I really need to simplify my displays.  I decided to start tonight on my kitchen cupboards.  The first 2 photos are the before.

I haven't changed this display in ages so it was really time.  Those old tins are the first things to go. If you like old tins or collect them, shoot me an email, I'll make you a super good deal on them! (I'll be happy to send you a close up of the ones I'm parting with.)

Everything came off the top of the cupboards and I decided to put some of my crock collection there.

The After....much better (still not exactly what I want, but WAY better) 


It is extremely hard to get good photos of this area, you can see the glare of the overhead light in the in the top of these photos.   

The next thing I need to clean off is my white fridge.  I think I cover it with pictures of my kids and my nephew and nieces so I can't see that it's white.  I want a black one!  


I am much happier with the simplified version.  Next will be my kitchen counters - they need an overhaul too.  I'll show you those as soon as I figure out what I want to keep!
Have a great weekend. 
~Ann

P.S.  I'm thinking I need to plant the seed with my husband that we need to repaint the kitchen cupboards in a putty color - Neutral is my new mantra.  I'm not thinking he's going to be real excited about the prospect....

15 comments:

  1. I have spent the past 2 days throwing out stuff.
    Seriously. It was ridiculous. There is something about primitives that makes one collect, gather, and become over run LOL. I went through almost EVERYTHING, and only kept what I liked, and made only a small pile of "stuff I am not sure if I want to get rid of or not" pile. I feel soooo much better! From now on, I am going to be more discerning. I will display the nicest stuff, but the rest has got to go. I feel free. It is a LOT of work though. I am de-clutering too! :)

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  2. Looks great Ann!
    Can't wait to see what else you do.
    Oh, and frig looks exactly the same way.
    :)
    Hugs,
    Tam

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  3. Your cabinet displays look great! I tried it and failed, lol. I would loooove a black fridge and stove. :-)

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  4. I think it would look cute with all your crocks on one side and some of your baskets on the other side. :) I love the color of your cabinets!

    Blessings~Karen

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  5. Looks like you are on your way to a prim kitchen. With primitive decorating I see that less is more is the approach. I need to do this to my cabinets, time to scale down the decor on top.
    Looks good, can't wait to see more.
    Tamera
    Country at heart

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  6. Less is more... that's what I keep telling myself when I see more goodies to add to a collection! lol! Your cabinets look so much more "relaxed" with having only a few favorite pieces displayed! Keep up the good work! I do like the red of your cabinets.... but I like the putty color idea too! lol! ;-)

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  7. I go through stages, less is more, more is more, more is not enough! LOL. Your fridge and mine look alike, good luck with the cabinet redo. I actually like all the crocks together and maybe some baskets with quilts hanging over. You know you can NEVER have too many baskets or quilts!
    Wendy

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  8. Since I deal and sell I have to purge every few months in the spring through fall or I get overwhelmed.I used to pile it up but have realized that the simple better pieces make more of a statement.My problem is I get attached sometimes, thus my sun porch and computer room are usually piled with "think about" things.I'm getting better though.Your simpler displays look wonderful.Warm Blessings!~Amy

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  9. Your simplifying looks great! I have to pare down every now and then also..too much to keep clean. I am trying to convince JWS that we need to paint our cabinets also, not really getting anywhere although I do have him convinced to tear out the ones between the kitchen and family room. That's only taken a few years...
    Have a great Saturday!

    Cathy

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  10. Your simplification is looking wonderful Ann....but strikes pangs of guilt in me....Try as I might, I just can't "let go"....There so much to love and collect! (And what I wouldn't do for space like that above my cupboards!) I love, love, love the coffee grinder and candle mold you had up there....Hope you're not parting with those....I have to work on my counters as well - we need a new sink, and the countertops should be redone too - but first I have to FIND my countertops. (grrrr....) Hope your weekend is filled with blessings and inspiration! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  11. It's funny you are doing this...as I'm packing...I've put away all the snowmen and valentines first. My displays are quite minimal..and I thought..wow..everything looks so...clean! Lol..Maybe I'll do the same as I get things back out. I already have the back of my vehicle packed for goodwill!! Katie

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  12. Ann ~
    Yeah for you! It sounds so good to me, but I keep adding to collections. I guess I'm just not yet ready for less is more.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  13. I liked your displays in your before pictures but wow, what a difference it made when you brought all that down. The crocks were a wise choice. I miss having that space above the cabinets to decorate with. I love the color of your cabinets! The wall color you have with them blends beautifully with your prims. Mine are a boring oak finish, at least yours are a pretty color.

    It's a good time to be simplifying. The beginning of a new year always brings that about. I try so hard but I just can't seem to part with my prims. I do buy a lot less now than I used to. So I tell myself it's okay to hold on to what I have, lol.

    Looking good, girl~

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  14. Kudos to you! I am trying, but it's not easy letting go of some things. You can paint the fridge you know~ I have heard of paint for that. I am going to do my kitchen at some point, but I have to finish the bathroom first. My ankle sprain sort of set things back a little. Good luck to you on your changes.

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  15. I did the same thing above my cupboards,I used a paint from called basketry in kitchen and livingroom. Paint color crushed peanut in diningroom. What a world of difference!

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Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm so happy to "meet" you through blog land. ~Ann