The Heart of Our Home

Okay, so you are about to get a major glimpse into my inner nerdiness. The fact that I am a full time stay at home mom is no secret. I do sometimes like to dabble in a little blog design or creative outlet on the side just to keep things interesting but they are definitely not things that could be considered a "job".

So, here it comes, are you ready for the nerdy part?? Sometimes I like to pretend I need to get my house "magazine ready". What the heck is magazine ready you might ask?? Well, it means that Martha Stewart Living will be here in about 30 minutes and they are going to be photographing each room for a special feature they are doing. I told you I am nerdy.

What can I say I find it fun, it motivates me to clean up, and today I took it one step further. I decided to go ahead and photograph the end result in my kitchen and share it with you! If you don't make fun of me I think I might just do it for each room in our new house over the span of the next week or so...if you do make fun of me I'll probably do it anyway, so feel free!!

Our new home may be a little bit of a downsize from the original one we chose in the suburbs, but what it lacks in square footage it makes up for in charm. I think my favorite room of the moment is the kitchen because it really does feel like the heart of our home. It is where little people eat, yummy smells are found and people just seem to naturally gather. So come on in, welcome to our kitchen...

One of the challenges of renting a home (yes we still just haven't seen the benefits for us to buy one) are inheriting the paint choices, decor choices, etc. of the previous owner. But, for the first time in a long time, our new house is right up my alley. I've never been afraid of color and love the cheerful coral hue in the kitchen. It makes me happy. I played off of my apple green Kitchen Aid and added accents of the same hue everywhere...

It makes me smile every time I walk through the door...

And while it is a little smaller everything has found a spot. A Cookbook spot...

A Binky spot...

A dish washin' spot...

Spots that remind me of where we've been...

and where we are...

A spot just for Carter to eat and enjoy...

I found this great little vintage Cosco stool for her at a junk store...

it got a fabric face lift from my mom and looks great...

We also did some matching curtains in the same fabric...

And I'm loving the fact that even Emme's highchair looks right at home (this Dwell for Target cutie is now highly discounted at Big Lot's if you have one accessible)...

Homemade goodies (thanks mom)...

and delicious local peaches (thanks Nonna)...

have quickly filled our kitchen with deliciousness. But my favorite thing hands down about all the "spots" in my new kitchen are the little people that fill them. Carter helped me break things in the other day when we made some brownies...

And cracked me up when she thought it was chilly and had lunch in her jacket and hat...

And I adore my sweet little Emme who has yet to meet a food she doesn't like...

and I think Martha Stewart would agree...my kitchen is a happy place indeed!