Decorators.... Opinions on a smaller apt space

Sierra · June 2008

Sierra · June 2008

Hi Gals:

I posted a while back

am moving, d. sizing etc

almost moved

however, would ask for any ideas

I have a small galley kitchen

and am thinking might like to

put something at the door or NOT

THE ONLY thing I can see going

there are those beaded curtains

thought about using my lace table cloth

as a sort of Valance at the top of the

frame.. hmm.. but not sure

Any ideas are welcomed

as my head is swimming

with boxes right now

I really dont want to

incur any expenditures

uncessarily.. and maybe it can just be

left. as the gally is so small

Hope 1st Summer day is good to all!

I have been v. fortunate
to have people help
ie I can not really
plug a nail in the wall v. steadily
so a man I knew 20 yrs ago
has helped and offers still some assistance

and another fellow who is a landscaper
(so he says) has helped with a few
odds and ends (but I can see) he is a bit
more interested No THANKS>.

It really is handy to be able to do things
in the house and I am not one who can
do a great deal

Today, however, was v. lucky had
the student arrive, and was quite
willing and prepared to pay her
and then she says, NO.. I am volunteering
2 hours.. so what a great day!..
I gave her an Angel .. to look after her
tiny little thing.. it was

)

Sierra

Annie62 · June 2008

Hi Sierra,

I've read your posts for many years now altho I'm not much for posting myself! I hope your move goes smoothly and that your new place is delightlful.

As for a galley kitchen - I lived in a very small NYC apt for 8 yrs and I like to cook. I went for all light colors - if there is a backsplash, you may want to find a similar color tone to the cabinets - it may make the place appear larger. Also, even now, I keep most appliances off the counter to make it feel roomier . I kep the coffee maker and toaster oven out at all times since they are used daily. The food processer is out on weekends when I use it. Crockpot out only when I use it.

If you are putting in a new floor I have a recommendation. We did a laminate wood-tone floor in a house we lived in with a big kitchen - it was great. Not as expensive as tile or wood, the dog hair didn't show (dog hair and floor color are the same tone), mopped and swept up great. New house has a nice glossy wood floor - shows dog fur and dust like crazy! I was always a tile person till I had laminate.

Anyway I wish you well in decorating the new kitchen. I always wanted a Tuscon typ kitchen, but honestly as long as I've had good applicances, I'm happy!

Annie

Annie62 · June 2008

Hi Sierra,

I've read your posts for many years now altho I'm not much for posting myself! I hope your move goes smoothly and that your new place is delightlful.

As for a galley kitchen - I lived in a very small NYC apt for 8 yrs and I like to cook. I went for all light colors - if there is a backsplash, you may want to find a similar color tone to the cabinets - it may make the place appear larger. Also, even now, I keep most appliances off the counter to make it feel roomier . I kep the coffee maker and toaster oven out at all times since they are used daily. The food processer is out on weekends when I use it. Crockpot out only when I use it.

If you are putting in a new floor I have a recommendation. We did a laminate wood-tone floor in a house we lived in with a big kitchen - it was great. Not as expensive as tile or wood, the dog hair didn't show (dog hair and floor color are the same tone), mopped and swept up great. New house has a nice glossy wood floor - shows dog fur and dust like crazy! I was always a tile person till I had laminate.

Anyway I wish you well in decorating the new kitchen. I always wanted a Tuscon typ kitchen, but honestly as long as I've had good applicances, I'm happy!

Annie

Annie62 · June 2008

Hi Sierra,

I've read your posts for many years now altho I'm not much for posting myself! I hope your move goes smoothly and that your new place is delightlful.

As for a galley kitchen - I lived in a very small NYC apt for 8 yrs and I like to cook. I went for all light colors - if there is a backsplash, you may want to find a similar color tone to the cabinets - it may make the place appear larger. Also, even now, I keep most appliances off the counter to make it feel roomier . I kep the coffee maker and toaster oven out at all times since they are used daily. The food processer is out on weekends when I use it. Crockpot out only when I use it.

If you are putting in a new floor I have a recommendation. We did a laminate wood-tone floor in a house we lived in with a big kitchen - it was great. Not as expensive as tile or wood, the dog hair didn't show (dog hair and floor color are the same tone), mopped and swept up great. New house has a nice glossy wood floor - shows dog fur and dust like crazy! I was always a tile person till I had laminate.

Anyway I wish you well in decorating the new kitchen. I always wanted a Tuscon typ kitchen, but honestly as long as I've had good applicances, I'm happy!

Annie

Sierra · June 2008

Howdy Annie:

Tks for your input here

I believe most important

is to keep those counters clear

maybe a bowl of nice fruits, lemons

limes, etc.. but no toasters

I dont use microwave..

was even wondering re a rug on the floor

I love the Persian rugs myself )just tiny
with a good backing

but.. if I put up a curtain at the entrance

it might feel somewhat confined..

even the beads.. I will wait a bit

I do have lots of cupbards and also

the top of them I can place items

up real high

Need a different way to store spices

and might put mirrors on the b. splash

Many tks and wishing you well in

your Summer Life.. goes so fast

S:)))

MargaretB · June 2008

Sierra, I always like to put lemons and limes in a vase with water with our without flowers. Makes it nice and bright. I wouldn't do anything right now with the galley kitchen entrance, as it would make it appear smaller. Have fun.

JustOne · June 2008

Sierra, you're getting some wonderful advise and your new place sounds so cute!

I had a galley kitchen at one time and at the entrance was swinging bar doors, just a set of small ones in the middle of the doorway. I thought it was a perfect solution, but they came with the house...I have no idea the price.

Hope you have many happy days and memories in your home no matter what you decide to do...that's all that is important!

~Pam

KariLynn · June 2008

Unless it really bothers you to be able to see in the kitchen, I'd keep the door open. We had a galley kitchen and I think closing it in on an end would have made it feel very tight and confining.

Congrats on your new home - hope it works out great for you!

Kari

jerseymaria · June 2008

sierra, i've been thinking all afternoon for a name to go along with what i am seeing in my mind to no avail. i've been told by friends i'm the internet ordering queen as i get so so many catalogs in the mail. i've seen what i think might be the perfect thing for your galley kitchen in catalogs so many times but of course after trying many of the on-line sites i can't find any of them. they are like decorative grates, you know the kind you see sometimes over doors or windows. these are kinda of triangle shaped where they fit in the corner of the door entrance on both sides, are decorative and are just used to define the doorway. they just screw in and might be just what you're looking for. however it sure would help if i could think of what the dam things are called. well the more i try to think of it the more i draw blanks so i promise if i remember or get a catalog tomorrow that shows them, i'll let you know.

Sierra · June 2008

Hi Gals:

THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD WISHES>..

Im back, after nearly losing my

cat purse today!... LOL>> ahh well

Thanks for the ideas,

Margaret: I love lemons and limes

but you say you cut them up...

just in a clear glass bowl on the counter

I agree, it could be too confining if I put something on

there now.. I did put a little light on top of my refrige

to make it brighter.. It needs brightness..oh, my where is

that electrician I used to date LOL

Have seen those little doors, and they are v. nice
but expensive here.. I bet )

As I say, not even sure re the rug. I'll try it out

Love to hear all the different ideas, sure I have

been googling, but nothing like the personal touch

from you gals

Thanks to everyone here

The grate idea sounds nice.. but see this

galley is really NOT VERY BIG!! Believe me..

Ill keep you posted

PS There is nothing like fresh flowers
or even a single rose..does it for me..

I don't have a window in the kitchen

Sierra

am going to put some mirror on the back splash

MargaretB · June 2008

Hi Sierra, I don't cut the lemon or limes, just put them whole in the vase.

Blundin2005 · June 2008

High Sierra,

Our kitchen is small too as are the appliances...it's common in Europe. It's so small that we reach across the dishwasher from the sink to the oven without a need to side step!

We twist to reach the cutting block from Ikea that stands behind us next to the refrigerator....I keep the oil bottles, vinegars, wine, and cutting boards there.

I like to decorate with the things we use. I have herbs drying on string hung by paper clips....the oregano smells so good....so does the mint. I use our pitcher to hold the salad forks. We hand mugs on the wall. If there is space on top of the cabinets, we put some cooking things like the terracotta chicken (to cook chicken), and the fish steamer, a tin for cookies and a few red wine glasses.

Just beyond the kitchen is the area where we eat in winter....in summer we put the table out on the balcony. It's also a room for dishes and glasses and a fireplace and the sleeper sofa for company and small coffee table and stackable stuffed stools (from Ikea) for guests when they arrive. The top of the hip level cabinets are home to my ceramic dishes, pictures from the wedding, the iPod stereo, the TV, copies of Etruscan pottery and some of my own.

Oh, I almost forgot...about the doors...curtains instead of doors are nice even on cabinets....they can be tied back for easy pass through.

Best wishes in your new place....small can be fun. You would be surprised what we have served from our tiny little kitchen!

Sierra · June 2008

Hi Margaret:

Thanks, oh I am getting punchy...

Lemons are always in my stash

as have lemon juice each day

in water.. as soon as up..

Lovely to see the fresh fruit

now..

Blundin:

Hello, my goodness, your kitchen sounds a delight

small can be made quaint/intimae/cozy.. it is all in what you do

in fact the apt I am in now, is very large as big

as the luxury condos beside me..however..

a window in bathroom.. which I shall miss oh my

back to your post. I love the sound of your wee kitchen

and will, read more on this, just got up

I love natural items around me, and had some wonderful

mint on dessert yesterday. re: SPICES Most of my spices

are in glass jars, store bought, and I wonder if some have

even lost their efficacy, they are old. Should really sort them out

and just use fresh now.. except for a few

Curtains are always feel good items to me

PS.. I must get a good bottle of Italian vino

so plse suggest one, not too pricey

the move has cost me ... thanks in advance

then I'll make up some pasta

I do have a china cabinet, so this has

helped greatly.

Have a grand summer!

ps BLUNDIN: Do you keep your olive oil in
the fridge after opening and also re the wine
do you store the bottles lying down, I note
you said they are with the olive oil. Takes
more room to lay them down. I'll just put mine
under the counter ..I do have many cupboards
and even have a liquor cabinet, LOL.. but got
tablecloths and books in it now

Sierra

Decorators.... Opinions on a smaller apt space

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