Decorating

Fun Updates for the Kitchen

I’m focused on getting our kitchen set up right now. I want to honor the old Victorian touches, but bring it up to date without a major renovation by adding some modern, quirky pieces. I’m working with Fab again to share my favorite finds, so I zeroed in on the kitchen and dining options. They have a ‘Smile Guarantee’ (free returns, free shipping on orders over $49, and price matching), and you can sign up for Fab’s email newsletter to keep up with their newest design sales.

Here’s what I’m considering for the kitchen…

Fab Kitchen Finds

  1. Coffee Mill
    I’m late to the coffee game and only started drinking it this year. Will a mill magically make my coffee amazing?

  2. Teatime Tea Towel
    It’s meta, and adorable.

  3. Chambord 3-Cup Classic French Press
    As noted, I am a brewing novice, but I’m not particularly happy with our electric coffee-maker’s tendency to burn the coffee. This seems like a possible solution.

  4. Red Mixing Bowls (set of 3)
    So sweet and classic.

  5. Copper Footed Colander
    Again, need I remind you of my excitement concerning all of the copper goods that are available right now? Yay, copper! Stick around, would you?

  6. Soma Water Filter
    Our last house had a fridge with a water dispenser and built-in filter, but not here. I’d been looking for pitchers with filters, but was disappointed with the options out there until I spotted this one. Glass, not plastic! Good-looking! Functional! Sold.

  7. Anthracite Bowl
    Long and low with graphic impact.

  8. Nokka Oil & Vinegar Set
    These also come in black, and would look so nice sitting out on the counter.

  9. Artisan Medium Paddle Board
    We have wooden counters, but they’re not good for direct food prep. This paddle board would be helpful, and beautiful, too.

  10. Orla Kiely Linear Stem Sugar Bowl
    Like you can’t guess why I’m into this one. Just look at it!

  11. Red-Rimmed Enamelware Plates
    Oh boy. These are awfully cute, and I like enamelware a lot. I certainly don’t need anymore plates, but our everyday dishes are a bit too large for the dishwasher here. Justification!

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • Heidi
    September 10, 2013 at 9:12 am

    Love those pops of red and copper! Thanks for sharing.

  • Noelle @ noelle mullins design
    September 10, 2013 at 9:57 am

    You always find the cutest items. Love the soma water filter and sugar bowl! Congrats on the new house :)

    • Making it Lovely
      September 10, 2013 at 10:51 pm

      Thanks! I like that the water filter bottle is glass, not plastic. It will be winging its way here shortly!

  • Amanda
    September 10, 2013 at 10:24 am

    I just purchased the Orla Kiely Sugar Bowl for my apartment. Was delivered yesterday, SO adorable!!

  • Yana
    September 10, 2013 at 10:25 am

    I absolutely NEED that copper colander! Love it and the price tag. Thanks for sharing!

    • Making it Lovely
      September 10, 2013 at 11:13 am

      I got the colander! I wanted everything, but bought that and the water filter.

  • Jenny B
    September 10, 2013 at 10:37 am

    Super cute items! As a long time Peet’s coffee drinker (the best coffee in the world) I would say get a coffee maker that has a carafe that keeps the coffee warm, and not one that has a warmer on the bottom. Those are what burn the coffee. The french press is problematic because years ago some studies came out about coffee that wasn’t filtered and that is can raise cholesterol (if I remember correctly).

    • Making it Lovely
      September 10, 2013 at 11:15 am

      Thank you. I’ll have to do some research! Filter, but no warmer on the bottom…

  • Karen
    September 10, 2013 at 10:38 am

    I looking at you – mixing bowls!

  • Hannah Carpenter
    September 10, 2013 at 11:06 am

    4, 5, and 11!! Great round-up.

  • becca waterloo
    September 10, 2013 at 11:56 am

    Love the french press! I use mine everyday!

  • patricia
    September 10, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    French presses make the BEST coffee!

  • Sasha
    September 10, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    If you go with a french press you may want to look at one of the all metal insulated ones – keeps coffee hot longer and no breakable pieces! No plastic, either!

  • Fiona
    September 10, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    French Press are great.

    Also awesome is a Chemex – http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/ .

    Works a bit like a filter.

    Most important is how fresh your beans are, even if you are grinding at home. Get to know a local roaster and try single origin beans and experiment with beans grown in different regions of the world.

    • Dee
      September 10, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      Yes yes! Exactly what I was thinking, and you can have your Chemex proudly displayed next to your Soma (which is absolutely gorgeous, btw).

      • Fiona
        September 10, 2013 at 5:07 pm

        Oh yes. I do think they are lovely from a design point of view too. They also make great presents.

        I also like Italian stove top espresso makers.

      • Making it Lovely
        September 24, 2013 at 12:42 am

        My friend, Kathryn, gave me a Chemex, and it is fantastic! (Such a perfect present.)

  • Stacey M.
    September 10, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    I absolutely LOVE my french press. It’s how I start my morning every day. Fresh ground beans and a press….ahhh. :)

  • Katie
    September 11, 2013 at 12:52 am

    This makes me so excited for my first house and my very own kitchen! :) xx

  • laura
    September 11, 2013 at 8:11 am

    I love that sugar bowl, the french press and the colander! I would say you are on your way with all of this! Great picks.

  • Sarah M.
    September 11, 2013 at 9:35 am

    A coffee mill might make your coffee more delicious, but it is such hard work to grind enough beans for a cup that you will only have a single cup per day. My persnickety husband forced us into a coffee mill and we used it daily for about six months, until be both got SO BORED with it we started drinking tea. After that, nothing seemed to taste as good as pre-ground beans. It is now a lovely decoration in our kitchen. xo

  • Niki
    September 11, 2013 at 11:13 am

    I love that oil and vinegar set! The tea towel is cute too!

  • Juliane at Modern Mural
    September 11, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    I love all the little red details. I’m also kind of over our electric coffee maker. I have a single cup French press which I love. It’s so easy and is consistently delicious. I took some tips from my barista friend, and my coffee life has been excellent ever since.

  • Kayli Schattner
    September 11, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    Love it all! The tea towel is one of my faves and the gold colander is too cute. :)

  • Kate
    September 11, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    Well thank you for helping me get my holiday planning and shopping done! I ordered a bunch of those tea towels and will whip up mason jars of vanilla sugar for us to give all of our friends and neighbors this Christmas. I’ll wrap the jars in the towels and tie with some red (and who am I kidding, gold?) ribbon or natural fiber, it will look so cute! Great find!!

    • Making it Lovely
      September 24, 2013 at 12:43 am

      I can picture it now. Cute gifts!

  • Erika (Your old babysitter)
    September 11, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    WE ARE OBSESSED W FAB. It is such a FABulous place and super addicting. Awesome for buying Christmas presents during the summer since their stuff does take a few weeks to arrive.

    The app is majorly fun and convenient but super dangerous for new homeowners on a strict budget (like us…).

    p.s. Congrats on the new home. It is beautiful:)
    p.p.s. Hi E and A!

  • Amy J.
    September 12, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Be warned, the Falcon Enamelware is cute, but made in China : (. I am on a mission to replace all my dishes with only stuff made in the USA since it seems dishes made in China are routinely found to contain lead! There are two companies that have been making dishes (good ole American white restaurant dinnerware, plus many more) since the late 1800s and early 20s…The Homer Laughlin company and H.F. Coors. Also, the reviews on the grinder weren’t great…five minutes to grind a tablespoon of coffee?? Um, no : )

    • Making it Lovely
      September 24, 2013 at 12:44 am

      Thanks for the info. Also, for the real scoop on the coffee grinder!

  • Amy J.
    September 12, 2013 at 11:04 am

    Also, just to be the odd man out…We are BIG time coffee drinkers and bought a Keurig last year. It was one of the best things we ever did! Makes WONDERFUL coffee. You just need to buy great local coffee…fresh…ground fresh is best and use your own refillable Kcups to make it economical. You can also make hot tea in it (Early Grey, English Breakfast) I was doubtful about it, but after multi use daily for a year, I can’t imagine life without it!

    • Making it Lovely
      September 24, 2013 at 12:45 am

      I hadn’t looked into it, but I didn’t realize there were refillable cups. The disposable nature of it is unappealing, but that could be cool.

  • Barb
    September 13, 2013 at 11:58 am

    I’ve been on the hunt for rimmed enamelware plates too and after checking out the ones from Falcon and West Elm, I found an awesome dealer on Amazon and could not be any happier.

    We ended up getting the black rimmed plates, but the dealer (Crow Canyon Home) has them in a bunch of colors for $6.95 per plate… cheaper than Falcon and West Elm.

    http://www.amazon.com/Enamelware-10-25-Dinner-Plate-Black/dp/B00ATT4SXM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

  • Aoife
    September 15, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Lovely pretty things on your list but my advise would be to get an electronic coffee grinder. It’s not as romantic as the hand mill but it’s a zillion times faster! I fell prey myself to the beauty of the hand mill and now I never use it. I took forever to grind a small amount and definitely wasn’t something I had time for in the mornings. The plug in grinder is sooo easy!

    • Making it Lovely
      September 24, 2013 at 12:46 am

      I’m going to hold off on a grinder. Brandon and I aren’t afficionados yet. ;)

  • thelady
    September 23, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    the coffee grinder reminds me of one of the Little House on the Praire books “The long winter”. They ran out of food and had to grind wheat in a coffee grinder to make sour dough bread.

  • LaTonya
    September 23, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    I too really want a Soma water filter! I love that it actually looks nice and there are no pieces of carbon float in the water. I’m sold too. I just need to convince the hubs. :-)