welcome






Welcome to my entryway!  When you step through the front door of my house this is where you stand and this is what you see straight ahead.  I would love a real entryway but I don't hate mine either.  I'm pretty content with this little place.

Anyway, this past weekend we had a baby shower here (still no baby btw) and several people who had only seen pictures of my house remarked at how much larger it appears in photos.  It is 970 sq ft so that is by today's standards pretty small.





If you take a step left this is your view.

The point I'm trying to make is that the kitchen is a major part of what you see upon entering.  Your eye is drawn there bc of the floor I think?  I've taken a bit of flack whenever anyone publishes pictures of the kitchen on social media, their chief complaint is that the kitchen isn't really usable with a chandelier, oil painting and drapes.  But the truth is I cook 3 meals a day in it every single day. This morning I just felt like I needed to get that off my chest for some reason.






So as long as I'm talking about the kitchen I may as well include a shot of the sink area.  Because I've pretty much turned the house upside down and rid it of so much clutter, things have moved around.  Right now I love the ginger jars here.

It's citrus time in Redlands and oranges and grapefruit are falling off the trees. Those are my Vitamin B12 drops up there too bc I know someone will ask. I love you guys and happy weekend.  xo

62 comments

  1. There's no law that says a small kitchen needn't be beautiful if its functional. Egnore the naysayers, and keep up the good work. Btw, I love the pale yellow beadboard. Sweet! -- Karen

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    1. Sorry, "Ignore"...sheesh, auto-correct drives me nuts sometimes.

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  2. Omg. Whatever social media commenters. They are just jealous! Your kitchen is perfect! When I hear people say things like that I'd love to ask them. Was your house featured in a magazine? Oh it wasn't? Oh ok. Lol. Love your house! LOVE!!!!!

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  3. Your home is absolutely beautiful and I wouldn't change a single thing. I love how you add beauty in simply ways that have such a calmness and elegance. It is 970 sq feet of absolute perfection and I would rather live in your well-loved cozy home than in all the mansions in the world. I have mentioned before that I am a single mom on a strict budget and your style is very inspirational. I have learned all I need is well-loved sentimental objects, beauty that comes naturally from nature, and people who mean the most to me to have a wonderful life. Thanks so much for sharing your home!!

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  4. It is small and lovely! Why do people think you have to have a huge kitchen, or home for that matter?

    Do you use your ginger jars for storage, or are they just decorative? x

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  5. Your home is gorgeous and I love your kitchen:) I'm laughing at how having a chandelier, curtains and a painting would render a kitchen "unusable" LOL. Maybe not having a stove or a fridge would make cooking difficult but sheesh, people can be so silly sometimes!

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  6. I adore your home and the special touches that you have added to your kitchen make it the "heart" of the home...
    why anyone would critique your style Janet, I have absolutely no clue...
    waiting for babies is hard work...especially for the Mom!
    XO

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  7. Hope your Grandbaby comes soon! I love baby showers:). Your kitchen is pretty and practical, shows your personality:). I painted my kitchen ceiling a beautiful blue from MS years ago and sponged painted a kitchen wall yellow too. Still love it!
    Our homes reflect what we love and like us, it can change, always revolving.
    Have a sunny day in Cali,
    Kathleen in Az

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  8. Yes, Yes, Yes to chandeliers and oil paintings in the kitchen! I have some of my grandmother's oil paintings from the 1960's in my kitchen. Have had several of her paintings in my kitchens through the years, and they are fine, but then again I'm not always cooking meat and causing a bunch of grease, and neither are you. Ha Ha! Love seeing these angles of your home Janet.

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    1. that's so true emily. i rarely even use oil these days.:)

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  9. I love your kitchen. It seems like the best cooks do not need gigantic kitchens.
    Like you, I have paintings in my kitchen.
    Looking forward to hearing about your new baby. How very exciting and wishing you daughter patience as she await.

    Helen

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    1. Absolutely agree. Love your kitchen, specially the floor tiles and the chandelier. Have artworks in our kitchen too. We do cook with meat sometimes, including frying or roasting in oil but we have an efficient extractor fan. So no problems.
      Your house may be small but it's divine! Best wishes, Pammie

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  10. Emily is spot on. Cooking without meat makes for a much cleaner kitchen. Those that chose to complain about your kitchen probably fry meat and, veggies in oil.

    However, it still baffles me that they would criticize your lovely kitchen.

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  11. Plueeze! The chandelier, oil painting and drapes in the kitchen are so wonderful, which also adds tons of character. I see the same old, same old kitchens posted...nice to see diversity:-)
    Of course that could be because I have paintings in my kitchen as well :-) Working with happy husband on a chandelier! Paula in Seattle

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  12. Just a suggestion....have you ever considered enclosing your front porch to create a real entry ? Also, building a screened porch off the side entrance?
    I thought of these things long ago, but never knew you were bothered by the lack of a real entry. (It does add a bit of separation and a sense of privacy at the front door.)

    Gloria

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    1. oh yes, i've considered a million ways to remodel this place! but i always just come back to "it is what it is" and deep down i'm good with that. :)

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  13. I love your little home and you are an inspiration to me not only in your minimalism, but also your veganism.

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  14. I love your house and have studied each and every room featured in Country Living magazine. It's one of my top 5 favorite houses in blog land! There's no accounting for the rude comments people make. Why would a chandelier and oil painting make a kitchen less usable?! Crazy.
    xo,
    Karen

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    1. You know, one of the most gorgeous photos I saw was of a chandelier hanging from a high ceiling over a claw-foot tub in a bathroom. When we renovated our 1923 cottage, I wanted to do the same thing; even had the chandelier. But the contractor absolutely refused to do it! Said it was dangerous to have lighting over a tub of water. I've since seen this sort of thing more than once and a chandelier over a sink or bathtub seemed to have worked out just fine for other people! Anyway, I love chandeliers anywhere and I have a vintage one, with glass prisms, over my dining table in a eat-in kitchen. And I have art all over my kitchen walls; always have!! And we have a gas range. I agree with other commenters here; the haters must be fry-crazy. Please take all our comments to heart, dear Janet; your readers LOVE YOUR KITCHEN; WE LOVE YOUR HOME!

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    2. that is a ridiculous reason that contractor gave. has a lighting fixture ever just dropped out of your ceiling?! lol i'm sure it's happened somewhere but geez what a lame excuse!

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    3. I know. I think there were a lot of things that these people didn't want to do just because it was hard. It was pre-Recession and they had more remodeling/construction work than they could handle; they sure got hungrier later. We turned a maid's dining nook into a tiny laundry room and the plumber refused to put a drain in the floor; just flat-out said it was too much work, and that guy was not even associated with the contractor; I hired him independently and even KNEW him. I always worried that if we had a leak or pipe problem, that my newly-refinished hardwood floors would be ruined, not to mention a lot of my other stuff, from no place for the water to drain. My husband installed those special pressure hoses to the equipment that are supposed to prevent a pipe burst but, you know, I worried anyway.

      Yeah, I'd be stronger today and stand up more firmly for what I want. Live and learn.

      Janet, I noticed in an earlier reader comment that you replied, in terms of cooking, that you're really not even using much oil anymore. I've been noticing that olive oil is giving me a lot of heartburn. Even oil & vinegar dressings but I really don't think it's the vinegar. Do you use some other type of liquid, like maybe veggie broth when cooking now, instead of oils?

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    4. I have a chandelier over my bath. But the electrician was very hesitant. It has to be a certain height above the tub to comply with code. Luckily I have a high ceiling in the bathroom, so I was able to get it installed.

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    5. Ah, so that's the diff. Makes sense; the higher ceiling...I guess not so much the fear that the chandelier could fall into the water but rather a person IN the water being too close to the chandelier...sort of like when a ceiling fan hangs too low...

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  15. hello darling AJJ!
    I see nothing but perfection. simplicity. elegance. practicality. and beauty everywhere!
    XOXO♥

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  16. Janet, I feel your gripe! My front door opens straight into my front lounge. It's not ideal and I long for a proper hallway but I live with it because my little cottage makes up for that shortfall in other ways. And I agree that if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it makes sense to make those hours a pleasant experience. But again when I look at your pics I see that I still have much work ahead of me to get my home "breathing" fairly like yours is doing, it's so fresh and light-touch and serene. I'm going to have to put in the hours ...

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  17. Love your house and love your genuineness, simplicity, minimalism and honesty. Our front door opens directly into our living room and we love it! After 30 some years of having a formal foyer (wasted space), we now own a home that is so inline with yours and we love it!

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  18. I love your kitchen! And your entire house! I'm a minimalist, too. And would feel overwhelmed if I lived in a big house. I am curious, though, can you tell me what brand of B12 you use? I am vegan an looking for a good B12.

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  19. I love your kitchen! And your entire house! I'm a minimalist, too. And would feel overwhelmed if I lived in a big house. I am curious, though, can you tell me what brand of B12 you use? I am vegan an looking for a good B12.

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  20. I love your kitchen! And your entire house! I'm a minimalist, too. And would feel overwhelmed if I lived in a big house. I am curious, though, can you tell me what brand of B12 you use? I am vegan an looking for a good B12.

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  21. Janet, can I just say I love you!? I have learned so much from you over the years we've been blogging and you're approach to living is spot on!

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  22. THE FACT YOU COOK IS VERY REFRESHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I DO TOO!!!!!!
    XX

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  23. Funny the naysayers think that a culinary school graduate and trained chef would have a kitchen that's not usable :)

    Janet, there's more life in your 970 beautiful and curated square feet than many a homes, what with the wedding and parties and Thanksgiving meals and baby shower -- it's impressive ... and lots of wonderful memories for all who have been lucky enough to attend!

    Shelley Rose

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  24. I love your sink area. I did open shelving in our cottage kitchen (a reno) and the first cabinet person I met with refused to do the shelving, citing she knew better and I would hate it. cabinet person #2 got the job and I love the open shelving so much, I am trying to incorporate it into our main home kitchen renovation.

    Your range, are you happy with it? I am appliance shopping right now and e price difference between "good enough" and what I really want is huge.

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    1. Oh, I so get this; sometimes you bring so-called 'experts' in and then wind up with what they'd be happy with but which you are then NOT happy with, which is a hard lesson I learned with a first-time home renovation. I got shot down more than once on my ideas and I regretted that I didn't stick to my guns on what I'd researched and wanted. Sometimes you can just do too much compromising to where your vision of what you dreamed of, is then lost. Most of us know what sings to us. What zings our heart in a good way. It's our money, our house. You've gotta be able to walk into it every day and have that wonderful feeling of: "Ahhh, I'm home; I'm home!"

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  25. Hi Janet, I love your ginger jars on the kitchen shelves. And it's your kitchen you can have whatever you want in it!

    Wondering if your grand baby has arrived yet...that was the worst waiting...especially once Amanda's labor contractions started. She got sent home from the hospital twice!

    Linda
    xo


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  26. Who would ever have the audacity to say anything negative about your beautifully-tended, beloved cottage? This raised some ire in me! How dare them! You have my dream cottage, Janet. It is perfect. Love you, too.

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  27. The house is so fresh, serene, and beautiful. A pleasure to look at.

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  28. Janet, I'll bet the people critiquing your kitchen are cooking fatty, sputtering, greasy meats -- and in those kitchens, drapes wouldn't be practical. But in a vegan kitchen they do just fine!

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  29. I had no idea that you couldn't put paintings or a chandelier in a kitchen - naughty me, I have three paintings, drapes, a chandelier and just added a pig! Well...sort of a pig.

    I think that your kitchen is charming, elegant, and apparently functional, what more could one ask for. Lovely.

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  30. I love everything about your cottage, Janet! You are so wonderful to share the details with us so we can copy! I'm amazed constantly at the lack of vision and creativity for some people. LOVE your kitchen paintings, chandelier, and drapes!

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  31. Hello there, I'm new to your blog! Can't remember how I found it, but I'm glad I did. Love your kitchen - it's beautiful. I've added your blog to the blog roll on the side of my blog and will be visiting you often. I hope that you pay my blog a visit, too! :-)

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  32. Hi Janet! Your cottage is perfect! I've adored it for years! Interesting that your photos make it look larger. Is the kitchen the largest room in the cottage? What are the dimensions of the kitchen?

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    1. the dimensions of the kitchen is approx 10x15. the living dining area is just a tad bigger.

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  33. Love your home more with each posting! Charming, elegant and welcoming too!
    Would you consider posting more of your grocery lists and menu ideas -- I am needing some fresh spring food ideas! Thanks for all of your hard work -- and can't wait to see pics of the new grandbaby!

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  34. Janet I really love your kitchen so much and I'm with you, the ginger jars are so pretty on the kitchen shelves.
    I'm just back from South Carolina and inspired to do some redecorating (and the de-clutter that goes with that of course). I saw some beautiful houses in Charleston and one in particular made me think of you, you would love the style! Happy Spring to you my friend. xo

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  35. I think your kitchen is incredibly practical! The chandelier, drapes, and oil painting are marvelous! I have curtains and oil paintings in my kitchen -- and if I desired, I would also have a chandelier. I am working on a little less clutter on my counters, but I have out what I need/use on a regular basis.

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  36. I never get tired of seeing your beautiful home. As we remodel our little house, I'm always thinking of yours.

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  37. I adore your little house and it shows that your kitchen is truly the heart of your home! It's welcoming, classic and timeless.

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  38. When you declutter like I have you question why you bought it in the first place. It really makes me want to REALLY question every future item I buy. Do you do as a general rule 5 a day or do you do one big declutter once or twice a year? I'm trying to determine which way is best? I get an absolute HIGH doing it that maybe I should do 5 a day so I get my "daily fix". I wonder if a person if they kept that up consistently would have any items in their home left? Lol. I can't say it enough. I LOVE TO DECLUTTER!!!!!!!!!! Xoxo. Jen

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    1. i do a combo of both daily and seasonally. i'm pretty ruthless on the daily and the seasonal purge takes longer and i'm more thoughtful. i need both tho!

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  39. Yesterday's 5 items for me were:
    1. Pretty Oil and vinegar decanter that was a gift but never used
    2. Pretty bed sheet that "had" had it
    3. Apron I never wore
    4. Faded worn out black jeans
    5. Necklace I never wore

    Can't wait for today's 5 items!!!!!!

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    1. Keep talk'in, girls; this is a bug I want to catch!

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  40. My bungalow is one sun room bigger than your cottage (someone must have closed in a back porch because the floor is slanted!) and I've always had chandeliers and art handing in the kitchen and the bathroom. I mostly loved it, but what I didn't like was the asbestos siding someone added. It literally sucked the life out of any color I tried on it. But, now, thanks to you, Janet, it's painted in "black-bean soup" with a light creme trim and I completely love it. The siding kicks back some of the light and it just glows! As the note left by an artist friend said, "Love the new house color! What an elegant (and brave) choice." So, thanks for sharing your brave and elegant choices.

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  41. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  42. This is one of my all time favorite houses. As I'm getting older I am so itching to downsize and get rid of my collections and to live more simply. Your home is an inspiration to me. I love the decor, including the curtains, paintings and chandelier in the kitchen!

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  43. I am a new reader. I love your kitchen and house. I would not put a chandelier over a bathtub but I'd have one in my kitchen. In fact a chandelier did fall in the kitchen years ago. As far as paintings go, if you're vegan then fine for the kitchen; if not then try an acrylic paint one. This is the voice of experience talking; once years ago I was in a very upscale private club. A friend of mine was eating escargots when suddenly the escargot took flight and hit a very expensive painting, dribbling a trail of butter sauce down the painting. I immediately (and with great experience) got a waiter and explained the situation. The painting was discretely removed from the wall and taken back to the kitchen. we offered to pay for the expense or buy the painting whereupon the waiter said "Not to worry, it was an acrylic painting and was fine now!". Moral of the story: Beware of flying snails and hang acrylic paintings instead of oil in the kitchen. I hope you don't take your blog private as I'm just now discovering it.

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  44. the words "and with great experience" in my comment above should have read "and with great aplomb". The aplomb was fake, I was worried. The waiter was absolutely gracious. Apparently butter sauce can be easily wiped off and acrylic painting. I know the problem with the view from the door. Much better to look at a kitchen than a bathroom, however! I look at the entry to your kitchen and wonder if a sliding door of frosted glass could be installed or a French door. I am enjoying your back blog posts.

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  45. I just love your house and always have.

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  46. OH Janet, I hope you don't make your blog private. I enjoy it so much and you are such a inspiration to me in so many ways. Please do not worry about derogatory statements or criticisms from other. In all honesty, deep down inside they are probably very jealous that you've managed to create a simple live with such grace.

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  47. I love, love, love your kitchen. I am moving to a very small home soon, and your kitchen has been my inspiration. I want beauty and function. I think a kitchen should be designed around the way you live, not how magazines or other people think you should live.

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