the birth of lemon avenue cottage...

Two years ago we bought what was to be my dream cottage.  It was built in 1954, in a quaint, tree lined neighborhood with a multi-gabled roofline and the most amazing, park-like backyard.  It has multiple 60 year old ash trees and there are three terrific garden areas just waiting to be filled to the brim with flowers and even a small vegtable patch.  This was to be my forever grandma cottage even though I had no grandchildren when we bought it...and then...I don't know exactly what happened, here I am two years into it and I have not done a thing to put my mark on this house. 

All that is about to change...thanks in part to the wonderful home loving blogs out there, I am feeling a decorating spurt coming on. 

With the economy such as it is and our budget pretty tight, I have surveyed our little home and decided that I will start with the kitchen.  Luckily, the previous owner had just installed solid surface countertops and I inherited the most wonderful red kitchen cabinets. 

Thanks to our underground pipes breaking last year, I also have new wood floors throughout the kitchen and dining room.  New appliances are definitely not in the budget, so the white range with the stainless dishwasher and fridge will have to do.  The one thing I do have control of is the color. 

The walls are buttercream and since they were just painted last year, I can't justify changing them even if I wanted to, so...my starting point is the barn red cabinets and yellow, buttercream walls.  I have a collection of fabrics to choose from for the curtains.  Since I have two inch white wood blinds, I think a simple valance on the windows and the side door is all that I need.

Here's what I have on hand...

I am thinking a pop of turquoisey blue or jadiete green will keep things fresh.  What do you think?

Hmmm...

Patty