I am on a Quest.....

<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For brightness, not necessarily whiteness. Let me explain.  With a house of more windows then I care to clean and more then the number of football players on a team , my core kitchen is still not very bright. Sounds crazy, but it's true. Windows are situated across the room and not in this immediate area. You can see the entire kitchen <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-have-secret.html">here.</a> </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB4XIA7mvNaseEV0_AHEpgjuROq9At3CYIDw4v7N791SQA5I-4Jd9CftEKB1ffcHuok4R6M0A_1h32iP0OiwuIgRtf7Q8S8Rgfy6B0acObU8l2Q3scHddcuWNZKHVRe4eOuea3ITeml8M/s1600/IMG_7115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB4XIA7mvNaseEV0_AHEpgjuROq9At3CYIDw4v7N791SQA5I-4Jd9CftEKB1ffcHuok4R6M0A_1h32iP0OiwuIgRtf7Q8S8Rgfy6B0acObU8l2Q3scHddcuWNZKHVRe4eOuea3ITeml8M/s640/IMG_7115.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So my quest began......</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">About 2 years ago when I changed  my butlers pantry to a creamy distressed color.<i> FYI-  this piece use to be black.</i></span><br /><div><div class="separator" id="ssnoshadow" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiUXlAhOVs3QN_4ewygMEioXjXeBDd8a2J48oLiC5wF6eViDypawKaZ0pwOV571tPsx1HmX01CLUSdVoWwZ5NbLVMbm7PRM1bt8PpAWQXy1pFt_tEu-wbcYH6zZHQ03fKrwfbGF-dNnfM/s1600/IMG_7219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiUXlAhOVs3QN_4ewygMEioXjXeBDd8a2J48oLiC5wF6eViDypawKaZ0pwOV571tPsx1HmX01CLUSdVoWwZ5NbLVMbm7PRM1bt8PpAWQXy1pFt_tEu-wbcYH6zZHQ03fKrwfbGF-dNnfM/s640/IMG_7219.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="368" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Over the course of 10 years, four different changes to the wall color in my Breakfast and kitchen area .  <i>FYI- the previous colors have been school house red, a gold, a green color and now the current color called Polished Pearl.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfA0jTpK6va4d5EXcv9b479YOlA2JEbdCzlv4e7KFikcUnFgSIN_Lzj0JpaiICU1KuP6Z-AOZ-atc4faKc9e3Q8kKxHezhOncEBbjTVxYyz-Ol4UpmX9S6LUa6bvMFJuXMeYjxxTMLUn9/s1600/IMG_6240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfA0jTpK6va4d5EXcv9b479YOlA2JEbdCzlv4e7KFikcUnFgSIN_Lzj0JpaiICU1KuP6Z-AOZ-atc4faKc9e3Q8kKxHezhOncEBbjTVxYyz-Ol4UpmX9S6LUa6bvMFJuXMeYjxxTMLUn9/s640/IMG_6240.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Changing the mantle color to Old White</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMQBjwnNrh_ryy2Dzh2yZCrcSx65b5w2FoWrbLDJb2wbaEP9aTvqfOg1N8P1oXlHY3Zt7wK1EMdhyphenhyphen2lQC9FdIom5DmlEPhZT_ArYnU1HBYQ6Il9E64MLpPfPkNliA0SSwhnAJqJOITsUt/s1600/IMG_5777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMQBjwnNrh_ryy2Dzh2yZCrcSx65b5w2FoWrbLDJb2wbaEP9aTvqfOg1N8P1oXlHY3Zt7wK1EMdhyphenhyphen2lQC9FdIom5DmlEPhZT_ArYnU1HBYQ6Il9E64MLpPfPkNliA0SSwhnAJqJOITsUt/s640/IMG_5777.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and the built-in cabinetry</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VTJqsrOJMEX-3MQ1P4omEXuYrKd6jFUMIYHwI_y-PJJoGl3co479QnmE61iT1GLJL9MYRUVo70vg6JFDiwcXTCMYPOQh2HufUT2A0reCBVlhiP__e7YpZeYpG3kj01Xj7E3Bgcu3xzWW/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VTJqsrOJMEX-3MQ1P4omEXuYrKd6jFUMIYHwI_y-PJJoGl3co479QnmE61iT1GLJL9MYRUVo70vg6JFDiwcXTCMYPOQh2HufUT2A0reCBVlhiP__e7YpZeYpG3kj01Xj7E3Bgcu3xzWW/s640/IMG_6371.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The latest in my quest for brightness was painting the mantle above the cook top so that both mantles shared the same color scheme.  I may decide to paint the entire cook top cabinet so that it gives it a more cohesive look.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dFsjY7uEGQQnY7FmdZUfhNI8Jx6vN8wwRD-LpTlW2BtTQ3iMOz2hMzJUyeJxQUgwi3F4yqzTlNr99O7ip7xOVBW_0aCWxsUeocBebETvMtSaeBZ_lgje0mL7_7Ds4c4G8M-yuf5j5-KF/s1600/IMG_6134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dFsjY7uEGQQnY7FmdZUfhNI8Jx6vN8wwRD-LpTlW2BtTQ3iMOz2hMzJUyeJxQUgwi3F4yqzTlNr99O7ip7xOVBW_0aCWxsUeocBebETvMtSaeBZ_lgje0mL7_7Ds4c4G8M-yuf5j5-KF/s640/IMG_6134.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So what else is next you ask in my master plan of changes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, because I don't have any interest in painting all of the cabinets in my kitchen and I like the combination of painted and wood cabinetry, I will paint the island. At this point I have not decided exactly what color I will use, but it will be light and not white. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl5B3K1KEim8KDtJsRfGEPA_MUiW_Ssw0k9rnKFOODd5C9RWl-rzgUHLUBLqyuDJAXo1tLAeeH55Su1zRRNBmCK0nWssU4bbbcmoQhIR7x5JA6nb9Xsn6nVbnecT0pirTiIF7j8oyV3eq/s1600/IMG_6279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl5B3K1KEim8KDtJsRfGEPA_MUiW_Ssw0k9rnKFOODd5C9RWl-rzgUHLUBLqyuDJAXo1tLAeeH55Su1zRRNBmCK0nWssU4bbbcmoQhIR7x5JA6nb9Xsn6nVbnecT0pirTiIF7j8oyV3eq/s640/IMG_6279.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am also going to replace the back splash with a creamy white subway tile.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pEAtRVauB-BpV-Qa8_hSUbkvcfa9HzzeF37vK1jbIO_W2duD_iSYTIoyu_dkE7jmZzQ1cgoMdP331TBNWilsw_InRFlEvJrPBCDfARzyRV1-SkLrto02UStbvhd_Xxh_uAXBEbMaszHP/s1600/IMG_6261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pEAtRVauB-BpV-Qa8_hSUbkvcfa9HzzeF37vK1jbIO_W2duD_iSYTIoyu_dkE7jmZzQ1cgoMdP331TBNWilsw_InRFlEvJrPBCDfARzyRV1-SkLrto02UStbvhd_Xxh_uAXBEbMaszHP/s640/IMG_6261.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> I think incorporating these minor changes will help to achieve the brightness that I want in the kitchen, and even after all of the changes are completed one thing will remain the same- I still don't like to cook but at least it will be brighter!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have you been on any quest's lately?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A husband who does!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>PS- you can follow along on my quest <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/10/painting-when-heights-are-not-option.html">here</a>, <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-lunch-hour-makeover.html">here</a>, <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2013/02/when-my-paint-brush-takes-me-to-new.html">here</a> and <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-rest-of-story-of-breakfast-area.html">here</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Want Top This Top That delivered directly to your inbox?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6a6969; line-height: 20px; padding: 13px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It’s easy!  Just enter your e-mail address.</span></div><br /><div><form action="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify" method="post" onsubmit="window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TopThisTopThat', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars=yes,width=550,height=520');return true" style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 3px; text-align: center;" target="popupwindow">Enter your email address:<br /><input name="email" style="width: 140px;" type="text" /><br /><input name="uri" type="hidden" value="TopThisTopThat" /><input name="loc" type="hidden" value="en_US" /><input type="submit" value="Subscribe" /><br />Delivered by <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/" target="_blank">FeedBurner</a></form><br /></div>

I am on a Quest.....

For brightness, not necessarily whiteness. Let me explain.  With a house of more windows then I care to clean and more then the number of fo...

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The Rest of the Story of the Breakfast Area

<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This poor room has been through a lot... I actually felt sorry for it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A lot of paint changes, color changes, rug changes, accessory changes and furniture changes.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All for good reason though....see this poor room had a case of mistaken identity. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQEKBT_yN0_wZUpPCRb47qdTCgzieGP7DBjWysIKvrMj8s66kBZYfUnHqs9H6iCiUxwV0Ayb5RdTVU9fcAmxtX1MgVETu5gj6HtBz-vokNAND5H-w3IZxN81e3HVe1ugawFxMVWN3jQY-/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQEKBT_yN0_wZUpPCRb47qdTCgzieGP7DBjWysIKvrMj8s66kBZYfUnHqs9H6iCiUxwV0Ayb5RdTVU9fcAmxtX1MgVETu5gj6HtBz-vokNAND5H-w3IZxN81e3HVe1ugawFxMVWN3jQY-/s640/IMG_6388.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><center><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftopthistopthat.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fthe-rest-of-story-of-breakfast-area.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3Oq5VrEOuv4%2FURJAdPoYSbI%2FAAAAAAAAaLA%2FH7VBuY-NlHQ%2Fs1600%2FIMG_6388.JPG%22%20imageanchor%3D%221%22%20style%3D%22margin-left%3A%201em%3B%20margin-right%3A%201em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20height%3D%22640%22%20src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3Oq5VrEOuv4%2FURJAdPoYSbI%2FAAAAAAAAaLA%2FH7VBuY-NlHQ%2Fs640%2FIMG_6388.JPG%22%20width%3D%22426%22&description=Breakfast%20Area%20Before%20and%20After%20at%20Top%20This%20Top%20That"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a><br /></span></center><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When we first built our home, this room was designed as our Family Room. It was right off the kitchen, central to the house and has a nice big fireplace to cozy up on the couch. It completely made sense to us and made us comfortable on that couch in front of the fire, over the course of 7 years in the house. </span><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipar2DZ9WH6NUQow2C482foIFX7xNiGwMh6VS6hVYg-8AGyXULOL3CljWOgN59tM02ULZTCb5EoM7al460KAnJvQUObG9DB4tENfAjA-xm_Zqzbrr1mX-o_nIubLznb5zbP5LavrasREM/s1600/brendas+visit+to+georgia+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipar2DZ9WH6NUQow2C482foIFX7xNiGwMh6VS6hVYg-8AGyXULOL3CljWOgN59tM02ULZTCb5EoM7al460KAnJvQUObG9DB4tENfAjA-xm_Zqzbrr1mX-o_nIubLznb5zbP5LavrasREM/s640/brendas+visit+to+georgia+066.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And then something happened as we entered into our 8th year. It occurred to us that maybe the room was a design blunder, that maybe it would be better served in the room that was originally designed as our sunroom. <i>You can read about that <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-latest-family-room-episode.html"><b>here</b></a>.  </i>So we began the transition of creating what once was our family room into an extension of our kitchen, which is now our breakfast area.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANlMm3v6TkZ2pjX7trf08r07_zp1Ghct2BBYc_854I4j_vHVZnG-udCNN3syLVDorTJHqeo9f6G81nAWpo7Mz6etEv_rCSzS6RHSslWgV6yZXMSILPzqdqRqjU5kq_TesSaOQ5_dzV4Ga/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANlMm3v6TkZ2pjX7trf08r07_zp1Ghct2BBYc_854I4j_vHVZnG-udCNN3syLVDorTJHqeo9f6G81nAWpo7Mz6etEv_rCSzS6RHSslWgV6yZXMSILPzqdqRqjU5kq_TesSaOQ5_dzV4Ga/s640/IMG_6384.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">During the last few years I have tried to make a space that really wasn't intended to be a kitchen seem like part of the kitchen. Truthfully it wasn't easy. Color was a huge challenge and after four  changes (<a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/10/painting-when-heights-are-not-option.html"><i><b>here</b></i></a>) I am confident that this color is meant to be in this space. This was the space with the previous color.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSV7_lXj16z193GTvl-hEdanR7-oCHB2T03Mq8D2bRUtgydfNt0tUA1eHu7tJzhQU8mp4uFiixkXApoVFulUg-9yvXTzUVNMasffKnod8lvQsvFrS9htv31T6YM3LsoYh-y-3EBbjkWcXw/s1600/IMG_9914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSV7_lXj16z193GTvl-hEdanR7-oCHB2T03Mq8D2bRUtgydfNt0tUA1eHu7tJzhQU8mp4uFiixkXApoVFulUg-9yvXTzUVNMasffKnod8lvQsvFrS9htv31T6YM3LsoYh-y-3EBbjkWcXw/s640/IMG_9914.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Next it was time for the mantle (</span><a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-lunch-hour-makeover.html" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>here</b></i></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">) and built-in cabinets (</span><a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2013/02/when-my-paint-brush-takes-me-to-new.html" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>here</b></i></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">) to get freshened up with a lighter color as well. The contrast between the wood floors, ceiling beams and the lighter cabinetry just works in this space.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VTJqsrOJMEX-3MQ1P4omEXuYrKd6jFUMIYHwI_y-PJJoGl3co479QnmE61iT1GLJL9MYRUVo70vg6JFDiwcXTCMYPOQh2HufUT2A0reCBVlhiP__e7YpZeYpG3kj01Xj7E3Bgcu3xzWW/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VTJqsrOJMEX-3MQ1P4omEXuYrKd6jFUMIYHwI_y-PJJoGl3co479QnmE61iT1GLJL9MYRUVo70vg6JFDiwcXTCMYPOQh2HufUT2A0reCBVlhiP__e7YpZeYpG3kj01Xj7E3Bgcu3xzWW/s640/IMG_6371.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is the view looking into the kitchen. I am working on a few other "minor" changes that will help to create more brightness in that area. You can read more about my "quest" for brightness not necessarily whiteness <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-am-on-quest.html">here</a>.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn9e5kZAyMZn1H4Fx8S2UVd6qn2MGIQFCaBaLZfsvC27AVepMk-fV8CMag6K8yfJBQLzseDpc5ECf1zf20fBmBgmWC5UKp_o4Xyac18E_3KpvNvxy7qy_-6ULaQ4DCfP84OoQbBYqVOY9/s1600/IMG_5923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn9e5kZAyMZn1H4Fx8S2UVd6qn2MGIQFCaBaLZfsvC27AVepMk-fV8CMag6K8yfJBQLzseDpc5ECf1zf20fBmBgmWC5UKp_o4Xyac18E_3KpvNvxy7qy_-6ULaQ4DCfP84OoQbBYqVOY9/s640/IMG_5923.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Looking back from where we started, I am beginning to think that this blunder wasn't so bad after all.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ0FxFCWKTO2g0QiU0lgN3RLx4zNBSD-NqQ1HzE18vzJ5EHp7OJFBCEqgYD4rBwPwWBQRhX5c2v24HVWMgLoQIqvu-ZJB5Va9hjmPybToX7xSs7Kj1Eovz7fI-G5K9uyaIto_p4RUY7d0/s1600/Kitchen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ0FxFCWKTO2g0QiU0lgN3RLx4zNBSD-NqQ1HzE18vzJ5EHp7OJFBCEqgYD4rBwPwWBQRhX5c2v24HVWMgLoQIqvu-ZJB5Va9hjmPybToX7xSs7Kj1Eovz7fI-G5K9uyaIto_p4RUY7d0/s640/Kitchen2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMrXxkc6wp7qszumCduYk2l9Q1xtKKjpf8faWsbpedva7jWLL1Q6yuOJVZXIbBw-d2hIesNRFqYKAi2uMjPsjNxoZ2VBc5fH0soMiae38WfdtagidvmsivM0J7-l-UNRcjGLfeX8dQsHj/s1600/kitchen+updates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMrXxkc6wp7qszumCduYk2l9Q1xtKKjpf8faWsbpedva7jWLL1Q6yuOJVZXIbBw-d2hIesNRFqYKAi2uMjPsjNxoZ2VBc5fH0soMiae38WfdtagidvmsivM0J7-l-UNRcjGLfeX8dQsHj/s640/kitchen+updates.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> In fact if blunders can look and act this good, maybe we can hang out and do things more often.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for~</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A husband that just goes with the flow with changes like this. As long as he has a chair and a remote he doesn't care where the family room is!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Sharing at~</i> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-124/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tuesdays-treasures-124"><i>My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</i></a></span><br /><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/"><i>Savvy Southern Style</i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whisperwoodcottage.com/2013/02/2013-1st-project-of-year-party-win.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3JF4ivWJk6PZXfyRVEe28NMsNgFdWuEwbvjK8wFSUd7CoanNOJYNsGV-BvGWnHHfZZnfkg5xOdilcP6m5t58KkSMOaqtVKoQD_JzGrIY2DoMbZaOjuTF__SYquatxGLYYIq8iKAYi3AI/s200/1st-project-party-2013.png" width="120" /></a></div><br /><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Want Top This Top That delivered directly to your inbox?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6a6969; line-height: 20px; padding: 13px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It’s easy!  Just enter your e-mail address.</span></div><br /><div><form action="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify" method="post" onsubmit="window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TopThisTopThat', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars=yes,width=550,height=520');return true" style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 3px; text-align: center;" target="popupwindow">Enter your email address:<br /><input name="email" style="width: 140px;" type="text" /><br /><input name="uri" type="hidden" value="TopThisTopThat" /><input name="loc" type="hidden" value="en_US" /><input type="submit" value="Subscribe" /><br />Delivered by <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/" target="_blank">FeedBurner</a></form></div><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />

The Rest of the Story of the Breakfast Area

This poor room has been through a lot... I actually felt sorry for it. A lot of paint changes, color changes, rug changes, accessory changes...

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Cottage Kitchen Renovation on Dog House Lane

<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Part of the dream my husband and I had when we purchased our property in the country, was building a guest cottage for extended stays for our family and friends.  The Cottage sits on 'Dog House Lane'  and got it's name just in case hubby gets out of hand, I wanted him to have a comfortable place to sleep! <i>honey if you are reading this, just kidding</i>!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl_ycDDQbioI7HFxjqCiaKbXi7DmIsfkE9imErZJfXzw3gPANI6AQ9ECnQdauw6kFveWMHTHUtvp4k0SX28wSjY85ZxZ0QTOxyn0xaeBZs_SKO5Uiam99xOJs84UD8eDXWDGvAm73QMxE/s1600/IMG_6245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl_ycDDQbioI7HFxjqCiaKbXi7DmIsfkE9imErZJfXzw3gPANI6AQ9ECnQdauw6kFveWMHTHUtvp4k0SX28wSjY85ZxZ0QTOxyn0xaeBZs_SKO5Uiam99xOJs84UD8eDXWDGvAm73QMxE/s640/IMG_6245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While our house was being built we actually spent 10 glorious months in the cottage and when we moved into the house the cottage was used by parents, family and friends. Some visits ended up being a tad bit longer then the intended 'long weekend', so we needed to make adjustments to the weekend concept and turn it into a functional everyday kitchen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivWC2_d5maJ2EXQWeJuaSAs3YYhtkye_Dz8-70GqN3PGXxJRjjEonMakC3SYRoHsEpgsPljb8LJB7-fZgbWqDODyL6zuN0rEHw8TCO78bUL6Z2IcSv0YliR8pBvAk5mkFpXAHYfYFTjKb/s1600/IMG_5174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivWC2_d5maJ2EXQWeJuaSAs3YYhtkye_Dz8-70GqN3PGXxJRjjEonMakC3SYRoHsEpgsPljb8LJB7-fZgbWqDODyL6zuN0rEHw8TCO78bUL6Z2IcSv0YliR8pBvAk5mkFpXAHYfYFTjKb/s640/IMG_5174.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><center><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="none" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftopthistopthat.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fcottage-kitchen-renovation-on-dog-house.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-FLTSADIVvfM%2FUPdR96N9xJI%2FAAAAAAAAZtY%2FZ6HJ7-dg124%2Fs1600%2FIMG_5174.JPG%22%20imageanchor%3D%221%22%20style%3D%22margin-left%3A%201em%3B%20margin-right%3A%201em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20height%3D%22640%22%20src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-FLTSADIVvfM%2FUPdR96N9xJI%2FAAAAAAAAZtY%2FZ6HJ7-dg124%2Fs640%2FIMG_5174.JPG%22%20width%3D%22426%22&description=Guest%20Cottage%20Renovation%20%20at%20Top%20This%20Top%20That"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2RBPKpwCSFRV3NRng3Ine14tneGl8pGtWyS7TXLt1kcYFu7q7NlCRoDVzerZTaC7BV-bBCnVFQwrkhUwyG4aZOwiK14Bj0qrhio0q5lkJ1b6Bo7x9ru0PqilesgQvKnj5bliZvXku61T/s1600/IMG_5172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2RBPKpwCSFRV3NRng3Ine14tneGl8pGtWyS7TXLt1kcYFu7q7NlCRoDVzerZTaC7BV-bBCnVFQwrkhUwyG4aZOwiK14Bj0qrhio0q5lkJ1b6Bo7x9ru0PqilesgQvKnj5bliZvXku61T/s640/IMG_5172.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is the renovated space. The space that I lived in for 10 months was red, had a small counter surface, a dorm sized refrigerator and playhouse sized stove. Which if you recall, I am not much of a</span><a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-have-secret.html" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> <i>cook</i> </a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">so it completely met my needs, but those "long weekenders" began to complain, so the renovations began.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg9rFlLLt40vGImoLcLTFi_Lj0knhwapxwyx_dKn2Kcn-sPwAA8Q1EW3a-PxzJEGNaxiczhiMGZCPbAtelYtV-qLdebmQPJ9gz7x41VDyDDUImy288DcoSYwlBcYoc7yFr9oryWdPo8D4/s1600/moms+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg9rFlLLt40vGImoLcLTFi_Lj0knhwapxwyx_dKn2Kcn-sPwAA8Q1EW3a-PxzJEGNaxiczhiMGZCPbAtelYtV-qLdebmQPJ9gz7x41VDyDDUImy288DcoSYwlBcYoc7yFr9oryWdPo8D4/s640/moms+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first thing we did after painting the entire cottage and painting the floor <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-to-paint-floor-and-love-it.html"><i>here</i></a>, was to gut the original kitchen space and redesign the space into an L- Shaped formation. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXAGHX5K4h7kq8f9FPSJqk92_mN9CF3t3hswho_D_inhvLOhm2zOFFojoKjS6ValANyWnX7JzWrVoL1n-64Zxs59FQJcCE2gomVdajSHLlb893fGvki1xZD0V94EKw3JhzKLWrjEpYcTU/s1600/guest+house+renovations+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXAGHX5K4h7kq8f9FPSJqk92_mN9CF3t3hswho_D_inhvLOhm2zOFFojoKjS6ValANyWnX7JzWrVoL1n-64Zxs59FQJcCE2gomVdajSHLlb893fGvki1xZD0V94EKw3JhzKLWrjEpYcTU/s640/guest+house+renovations+042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocqHJ4WQLL1D_kpuDMeJT_zzPysCeSi9qMsmc9WY0r0tb6w4Pc9egRtKsqPut0ug4ZnkvRG7OldBpKYhAfUTqmfnIewMjD3mgthhwJojlKqAdYvjY-mmYoynKNTjmuKqrMwP_1jDWnH0U/s1600/guest+house+renovations+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocqHJ4WQLL1D_kpuDMeJT_zzPysCeSi9qMsmc9WY0r0tb6w4Pc9egRtKsqPut0ug4ZnkvRG7OldBpKYhAfUTqmfnIewMjD3mgthhwJojlKqAdYvjY-mmYoynKNTjmuKqrMwP_1jDWnH0U/s640/guest+house+renovations+053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Since this is an open concept cottage with knee walls, this allowed me to maximize my counter space and to fit a full size oven. For a pantry, we use an over sized armoire that we picked up several years ago at Garden Ridge Pottery. To blend with the colors in the kitchen, I color washed to lighten it up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4HwsTQ4GA47n-3eZ_AZSxgHlTqeEl7dMN8pIKDYP9ht2gJdIeMquJG6mohWjQCL6LKk-dlFnCGJfBPaHeW_3Jfw_EWhQcJFUjkX0wv2JhfIS8e2080aKuYYGtKQOkxw-Gl8VIF84B0tt/s1600/guest+house+renovations+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4HwsTQ4GA47n-3eZ_AZSxgHlTqeEl7dMN8pIKDYP9ht2gJdIeMquJG6mohWjQCL6LKk-dlFnCGJfBPaHeW_3Jfw_EWhQcJFUjkX0wv2JhfIS8e2080aKuYYGtKQOkxw-Gl8VIF84B0tt/s640/guest+house+renovations+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The unpainted cabinets were stocked cabinets from Home Depot. They got primed and painted in a semi gloss color called Wasabi by Behr.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGCxw2DI5X5z_xdufWfF4Kt1tAWkgOxAmnCPc0Tp8WzSCjSQ7J0gxn1DP0P7rHE39wnOKwRp3_ix8rLqeATxQSrGSpmaHF98pHSh3OaVUcVny6tO0XbdC7rIJdRv25tJa49srVDA3Xt4K/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGCxw2DI5X5z_xdufWfF4Kt1tAWkgOxAmnCPc0Tp8WzSCjSQ7J0gxn1DP0P7rHE39wnOKwRp3_ix8rLqeATxQSrGSpmaHF98pHSh3OaVUcVny6tO0XbdC7rIJdRv25tJa49srVDA3Xt4K/s640/IMG_5176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We used bead board for a backsplash over the sink and for the  wall where the oven is. It was painted in a semi gloss color called White Wheat by Duron, which is the same color as the rest of the trim in the cottage. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The wall color is called Dried Plantain by Behr.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyN_TkpjHuA_t3FV3ghzZCaVFaAy-lqF28QRDsbFjwo9Yhmm6k3OQoGfynuCUvbZd9lhvtfxS201vGDhl4N3M9ufzVlffYqXkHHKRG5s7CuYLPEf-TxviwsunTRat5HbEUdO1mVWvlJIKZ/s1600/IMG_5184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyN_TkpjHuA_t3FV3ghzZCaVFaAy-lqF28QRDsbFjwo9Yhmm6k3OQoGfynuCUvbZd9lhvtfxS201vGDhl4N3M9ufzVlffYqXkHHKRG5s7CuYLPEf-TxviwsunTRat5HbEUdO1mVWvlJIKZ/s640/IMG_5184.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Because we were limited on wall space, the full size refrigerator sits next to the "pantry", which makes putting the grocery's away real easy. Refrig or Pantry?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU6WnQWMJ8NnlHrAmYPzFUtts2o9IafeP4iYXuZL18YT8xaHAWDjywZQSYXHD-74PXMndbhVmB7sC1diCCVwRwFFh_XeUX_YPMcELoubcVSmgToc0JzqPwgCCfqzyNHityw9xull75zGH/s1600/IMG_5177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU6WnQWMJ8NnlHrAmYPzFUtts2o9IafeP4iYXuZL18YT8xaHAWDjywZQSYXHD-74PXMndbhVmB7sC1diCCVwRwFFh_XeUX_YPMcELoubcVSmgToc0JzqPwgCCfqzyNHityw9xull75zGH/s640/IMG_5177.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It took a couple of months for us to complete the renovation, excluding the time it took to refinish the floors. We just love the new space and so do the "long weekenders".</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am also happy to report, that hubby has not had to sleep on Dog House Lane since I named it!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To see more of our Guest Cottage click <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/06/guest-cottage-tour-on-dog-house-lane.html">here</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Family and friends that come to visit and being able to provide them a kitchen that <b>THEY</b> can cook in.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">        Want Top This Top That delivered directly to your inbox?</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #6a6969; line-height: 20px; padding: 13px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It’s easy!  Just enter your e-mail address.</span></div><br /><div><form action="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify" method="post" onsubmit="window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TopThisTopThat', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars=yes,width=550,height=520');return true" style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 3px; text-align: center;" target="popupwindow">Enter your email address:<br /><input name="email" style="width: 140px;" type="text" /><br /><input name="uri" type="hidden" value="TopThisTopThat" /><input name="loc" type="hidden" value="en_US" /><input type="submit" value="Subscribe" /><br />Delivered by <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/" target="_blank">FeedBurner</a></form></div><i>Sharing at:</i></center><center><i><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party_17.html">Jennifer Rizzo</a></i></center><center><i><a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2013/01/overflowing-with-creativity-119/">It's Overflowing</a></i></center><center><i><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a></i> </center><center><i><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between naps on the Porch</a></i></center><center><i><a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/01/tweak-it-tuesday-24">Cozy Little House</a></i></center><center><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/01/cowgirl-up-50_21.html">Stonega</a>ble</center><center><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/"><i>Savvy Southern Style</i></a></center><center><br /></center>

Cottage Kitchen Renovation on Dog House Lane

Part of the dream my husband and I had when we purchased our property in the country, was building a guest cottage for extended stays for ou...

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Holiday Dining Room

<br /><script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/SocialBoom/OID4166_Cetaphil_SocialBoom_092/@x13"></script><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This year I had to make sure that the Dining Room didn't upstage my "Greenacres" inspired Living room <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/12/holiday-living-room-kinda-like.html">tree</a>, so I decked my halls down with neutral colors of cream, soft golds and shimmering silver accents. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBC9jBtNN5cV2n2Gpo6amI5A0X8ltLkE035MNU-0NpmrD9Ai0kBLCdooxh78oDVqpBxHE3HMo3W72ITzjPYXyg7qd1xWT3RbnlC3Xp4WRh1MZAuLE8pj3Y8cg731OQoignuVMaOUKL2rK/s1600/IMG_4954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBC9jBtNN5cV2n2Gpo6amI5A0X8ltLkE035MNU-0NpmrD9Ai0kBLCdooxh78oDVqpBxHE3HMo3W72ITzjPYXyg7qd1xWT3RbnlC3Xp4WRh1MZAuLE8pj3Y8cg731OQoignuVMaOUKL2rK/s640/IMG_4954.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I mean come on now, it's not like a paper mache reindeer sprayed in brilliant silver, glass balls scattered with some mercury glass votives could compete anyways</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE8xrSa0PkZhtf4gaL7AUhexb2c7hQG1ufOk1HNP5EfNvJJkKjkKbvi0GcFWgoQ7II0COYvnHQcEU8KJdOlhiDwNv5fFw7Znu-j-EbKKpSuGybFDiQ_bozQPZWifDU9SVNqf_AbabxZlh/s1600/IMG_4947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE8xrSa0PkZhtf4gaL7AUhexb2c7hQG1ufOk1HNP5EfNvJJkKjkKbvi0GcFWgoQ7II0COYvnHQcEU8KJdOlhiDwNv5fFw7Znu-j-EbKKpSuGybFDiQ_bozQPZWifDU9SVNqf_AbabxZlh/s640/IMG_4947.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">but if you were to throw </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">all that on top of a burlap runner it does make a simple but elegant centerpiece, don't you think?</span><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Sr_P-wZ1dDQL1PNyetnud-b6nC1H48spWQRy1e2t9MFqVrNv-ROoCV-mn6R3JPNW2b95Har1DU4srZ-nhIAjBAMLFSsrMPfgxQybBPe-54LthkYyK4wat56XD_Gga5kQv4N759u9hZjy/s1600/IMG_4807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Sr_P-wZ1dDQL1PNyetnud-b6nC1H48spWQRy1e2t9MFqVrNv-ROoCV-mn6R3JPNW2b95Har1DU4srZ-nhIAjBAMLFSsrMPfgxQybBPe-54LthkYyK4wat56XD_Gga5kQv4N759u9hZjy/s640/IMG_4807.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And it's not like my first time doing something other than "what's for dinner" on my chalkboard even comes close to the bling on the tree, although I am just loving my 'Oh Holy Night'.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcM75pkcqv3R-82j9g4XL7qJG5udEjTBOXWEiEJosZXcQ1Tb8NbIiVQnhRT3qWx-IqEASwEIZ7kqijlkqaOMv3HZc_raAlFX5gT8cTb14vTdhoVtMC-frpcZOzK1sIzTStrA6o_xW3v8o/s1600/IMG_4949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcM75pkcqv3R-82j9g4XL7qJG5udEjTBOXWEiEJosZXcQ1Tb8NbIiVQnhRT3qWx-IqEASwEIZ7kqijlkqaOMv3HZc_raAlFX5gT8cTb14vTdhoVtMC-frpcZOzK1sIzTStrA6o_xW3v8o/s640/IMG_4949.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><center><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="none" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftopthistopthat.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Fholiday-dining-room.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-lL3aJ5CvtkI%2FUM_EUY4t6lI%2FAAAAAAAAY6I%2FJjYbR8psk7Q%2Fs1600%2FIMG_4949.JPG%22%20imageanchor%3D%221%22%20style%3D%22margin-left%3A%201em%3B%20margin-right%3A%201em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg%20border%3D%220%22%20height%3D%22640%22%20src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-lL3aJ5CvtkI%2FUM_EUY4t6lI%2FAAAAAAAAY6I%2FJjYbR8psk7Q%2Fs640%2FIMG_4949.JPG%22%20width%3D%22426%22&description=Holiday%20Dining%20Room%20Top%20This%20Top%20That"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And the smell of a fresh rosemary tree in the room couldn't smell nearly as good as the artificial tree unless your nose is blocked because it smells just divine.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUL2y_TzPxo0o9p6Lbsdpw7hQCU3Un7I65MiaCftfNo3TzfSQm0OqjqI4TulKg94zWFdTMNuxJYCT9MvIsHvDFg2fP416ljDk8-Q1X4j3oRT_5fhBqhoa3Sslz9XMqqfhkSj7kS_1VFSUk/s1600/IMG_4639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUL2y_TzPxo0o9p6Lbsdpw7hQCU3Un7I65MiaCftfNo3TzfSQm0OqjqI4TulKg94zWFdTMNuxJYCT9MvIsHvDFg2fP416ljDk8-Q1X4j3oRT_5fhBqhoa3Sslz9XMqqfhkSj7kS_1VFSUk/s640/IMG_4639.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The only thing missing now is dinner on the table, and sadly as I mentioned <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-have-secret.html">here</a> I don't cook,  but .........</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMByjIuKtB56N1PzgdKFXNQTO6On7DaWckmPMdeRhkBqZ0evasTpdCMTX5DhE1rY5k4ZiB9EEr0I07BwG5dVW8dbda8TSdNUs_a1YA1wePYions-dNoUGk8bxF7kOuyd9h-E4uVhCQgamc/s1600/IMG_4952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMByjIuKtB56N1PzgdKFXNQTO6On7DaWckmPMdeRhkBqZ0evasTpdCMTX5DhE1rY5k4ZiB9EEr0I07BwG5dVW8dbda8TSdNUs_a1YA1wePYions-dNoUGk8bxF7kOuyd9h-E4uVhCQgamc/s640/IMG_4952.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I think Cracker Barrel delivers. </span></center><center><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">For more of my holiday home and holiday projects click <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/p/holiday-inspiration.html">here</a>.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My little man getting better each day </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Sharing at: </i></span></center><center><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-116/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tuesdays-treasures-116">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a></i></span></center><center><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/12/wow-us-wednesdays-97.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SavvySouthernStyle+%28Savvy+Southern+Style%29">Savvy Southern Style</a></span></center><center><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French County Cottage</a></center><center>The Nester</center><center><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2012/12/tutorials-tips-and-tidbits-27.html">StoneGable</a></center></div><div><br /></div><div><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Holiday Dining Room

This year I had to make sure that the Dining Room didn't upstage my "Greenacres" inspired Living room tree , so I decked my ...

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Holiday Entry Way

<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Ya'll , come on in!" That's what you would hear when you step into my home , or better yet "hurry shut the door, don't let all the flies in".</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe-kRouRyKK3WhoziGDHB39qYXmAxSbONFJZEKeBleFvGg56huTMSuw35m_x6Wnuh8usWogr0I3A98Sd6UByu14WxbIWx7QFkGxCXyjsMhR3ci3jloMV7evDSyb2_oXCJKqtv4O0F2a-s/s1600/IMG_4393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe-kRouRyKK3WhoziGDHB39qYXmAxSbONFJZEKeBleFvGg56huTMSuw35m_x6Wnuh8usWogr0I3A98Sd6UByu14WxbIWx7QFkGxCXyjsMhR3ci3jloMV7evDSyb2_oXCJKqtv4O0F2a-s/s640/IMG_4393.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Welcome to my house where no frills meets a bit of glamour this year. Where burlap collides with mercury glass balls. And where poinsettias get dressed in tulle in my favorite silver bowls.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohzzs1B37gSzpaMNTLI49sAw3nKKty5glTxJFjmchqxBw4GeFfv9Cj83VS-vQCcLA0kjxHniqqIg4c46WJN3k1nj7EuAzfNGy7WWtMUE_cjVDRLEsHW2jtAT2wGL4_V2D4vTpltjCl9nt/s1600/IMG_4105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohzzs1B37gSzpaMNTLI49sAw3nKKty5glTxJFjmchqxBw4GeFfv9Cj83VS-vQCcLA0kjxHniqqIg4c46WJN3k1nj7EuAzfNGy7WWtMUE_cjVDRLEsHW2jtAT2wGL4_V2D4vTpltjCl9nt/s640/IMG_4105.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A house where you would just want to stay for hours chatting about your kids, parents and the weather. Yes weather.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr02t35LCmup7KjpCD4v8b7e8yuOesUSyHSJpAyofvj2wC6OvzNCgAB1L35UlzxOAFL389RHym4ZPUtULjxpPQxCaqj43Ua2c596iMyr6CDkyZrmef_a7IQ4beh2rgPbLDo14Qd7pE7Ev/s1600/IMG_4112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr02t35LCmup7KjpCD4v8b7e8yuOesUSyHSJpAyofvj2wC6OvzNCgAB1L35UlzxOAFL389RHym4ZPUtULjxpPQxCaqj43Ua2c596iMyr6CDkyZrmef_a7IQ4beh2rgPbLDo14Qd7pE7Ev/s640/IMG_4112.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We would talk about how one day we are in shorts putting up the Christmas lights <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/12/outdoor-christmas-lights.html">outside</a> and the next day we are bundled up as we decorate the Christmas tree in the <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/12/holiday-living-room-kinda-like.html">Living Room</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcygBUygdYrmSrY2LEjTiC-i3Rypy8nFLonXcJWu8FAXQXaAkRU3aAsZZ_dH5AxTAU_zZcDytsLuTRpN4E2Gm6kTKZlrK6x9JQ24ZpLbLKlnDcpF3H260RmWoaJ2H3pjFGnHtSnt7EMrl/s1600/IMG_4670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcygBUygdYrmSrY2LEjTiC-i3Rypy8nFLonXcJWu8FAXQXaAkRU3aAsZZ_dH5AxTAU_zZcDytsLuTRpN4E2Gm6kTKZlrK6x9JQ24ZpLbLKlnDcpF3H260RmWoaJ2H3pjFGnHtSnt7EMrl/s640/IMG_4670.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then you might turn your head and peek in my dining room and ask what time you should show up for dinner with your parents, <strike>out-laws,</strike> in-laws and your 8 kids.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSiRbsTyMu4lj8xYZCsKDXgN3F2fkUwPVklE57By4a_P5kXNjWYGelh2IBoONVlquREKGrqQu501bgNveN2R_T5xLeJXJOT37_pA_6m119zxhblr0_x8e0SOTlOF8sbu5AbLv5zYITzzn/s1600/IMG_4084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSiRbsTyMu4lj8xYZCsKDXgN3F2fkUwPVklE57By4a_P5kXNjWYGelh2IBoONVlquREKGrqQu501bgNveN2R_T5xLeJXJOT37_pA_6m119zxhblr0_x8e0SOTlOF8sbu5AbLv5zYITzzn/s640/IMG_4084.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">That's when I probably show you to the door and say "thanks for coming by, you tell your mama hello for us".</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Ya'll come back now"!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Having my mom here for Christmas this year</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div><i>Sharing:</i><br /><i><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on The Porch</a></i><br /><a href="http://www.athoughtfulplaceblog.com/2012/12/christmas-vignette-link-party.html">A Thoughtful Place</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>

Holiday Entry Way

"Ya'll , come on in!" That's what you would hear when you step into my home , or better yet "hurry shut the door, don...

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My Favorite Room

<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In case you missed my favorite room of the house over at <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/">Kim's</a>  Favorite Room Series a few weeks ago, I wanted to share my Keeping Room, aka "Mom's Zone".</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCcpfk3-EsOrle2FFLHpH6ohD3ixOj6Zl84_wQrAKmwwv2B4_pMEYpGRbwjsiF4sT2QrTYFXf4SHn_aUBYzriWjGMYyas_MGGXcNczxg6fKrt6Ltq_E2FOrmBItjPgdhU6IO23c2lVPZi/s1600/IMG_2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCcpfk3-EsOrle2FFLHpH6ohD3ixOj6Zl84_wQrAKmwwv2B4_pMEYpGRbwjsiF4sT2QrTYFXf4SHn_aUBYzriWjGMYyas_MGGXcNczxg6fKrt6Ltq_E2FOrmBItjPgdhU6IO23c2lVPZi/s640/IMG_2186.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Keeping Rooms are generally located right off the kitchen and back in the day it was used to gather the family and keep them warm, as it was close to the main heating sources of the home. But for me it's a place to look out the window and enjoy nature from the indoors. The room is actually the reflection you see in our backyard pond.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECJgufYjEagL4vQBcF70WVBerSf_wunXgUJUV0pxz4k44z-d35GDmwJ-f2g3Tv5FBGmGdJUoc0AgCudW5PGcGME6t4kuhLf_MAWc44MmJRlbp6pv4ihfEFRrygO2AyneW3dE7WVC_tDrv/s1600/IMG_9010-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECJgufYjEagL4vQBcF70WVBerSf_wunXgUJUV0pxz4k44z-d35GDmwJ-f2g3Tv5FBGmGdJUoc0AgCudW5PGcGME6t4kuhLf_MAWc44MmJRlbp6pv4ihfEFRrygO2AyneW3dE7WVC_tDrv/s640/IMG_9010-001.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A place to read the Sunday paper and drink my tea.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A place to meditate, look out the window and be thankful for what I have and for a room that is mine! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A place when girlfriends visit we can sit and chat. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In fact, it's also a popular staging area for a lot of the projects you see here at Top This Top That.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Curtain details are <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/03/debate-is-over.html">here</a>.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6y-kySNi5NJ2zw2ARlaAxXbHklYYasmYRxMbCTxkH5VKayDSd4prpWV81VMxenmNjBcJgQh5whyphenhyphenbs3SyX3Mk_zHZBFdPOU8CzOUM9PoLAD3zNQwVhEG6821QxkaoKH5ouCyw_yI7-Lxi/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6y-kySNi5NJ2zw2ARlaAxXbHklYYasmYRxMbCTxkH5VKayDSd4prpWV81VMxenmNjBcJgQh5whyphenhyphenbs3SyX3Mk_zHZBFdPOU8CzOUM9PoLAD3zNQwVhEG6821QxkaoKH5ouCyw_yI7-Lxi/s640/IMG_2164.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Occasionally when the mood is right I will invite my hubby in so we can sit back and appreciate all of the hard work that went in in constructing this room and the details that make it special to </span><strike style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">us</strike><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Like the wood beams on the ceiling that came from Cypress Trees on our property.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3Y5TKebD6dvC26LdQ9ERSjTvjYGC4bQd2m7b5KuLVEhp9lRPojOeS6Ta3_mQAv3HXA2EYz6ucSEJTcBourBdxKVgQxXUtSuAe1sqfGy43QSgu5XuJITiFautdQuYSL0V0fgQgRalNM3l/s1600/IMG_2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3Y5TKebD6dvC26LdQ9ERSjTvjYGC4bQd2m7b5KuLVEhp9lRPojOeS6Ta3_mQAv3HXA2EYz6ucSEJTcBourBdxKVgQxXUtSuAe1sqfGy43QSgu5XuJITiFautdQuYSL0V0fgQgRalNM3l/s640/IMG_2514.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Or the transformations and journey that it took to get to this point. This is how the room looked when I decorated it when we moved in 10 years ago. My husband swore that the valance looked like a circus tent! I happen to like it, it's the red <strike>tent</strike> roof that perhaps was over the top!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguTD5gZeu0UYs5pOqUCDYKxsWi3Pm_R2wF4KQd9BH4mGPZKS7QIscZFVglawUtk38tQS2MAyQV2TkM1rAFd1Uhoh0Iq_R6mzP8SquTvx-ulBENnev5v1tyS7MFVFnXfpX_il5Ftgr7Syv/s1600/brendas+visit+to+georgia+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguTD5gZeu0UYs5pOqUCDYKxsWi3Pm_R2wF4KQd9BH4mGPZKS7QIscZFVglawUtk38tQS2MAyQV2TkM1rAFd1Uhoh0Iq_R6mzP8SquTvx-ulBENnev5v1tyS7MFVFnXfpX_il5Ftgr7Syv/s640/brendas+visit+to+georgia+068.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And when my color senses settled down a few years ago and the room was a bit more serene and calm.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArm_tvbN7fuVFo34YhWEW4ocOBPu_NgYpILGxyouxbu5RofyUr2H9Rmgcfrc0FxC52TqF0hEg_cBzEFt4MeEKnSpgO0qBixAtB_xOmQyQEkVrhsO4rtzs4Ki6ByW3YY1-Tu1YHp7g7UcL/s1600/IMG_5636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArm_tvbN7fuVFo34YhWEW4ocOBPu_NgYpILGxyouxbu5RofyUr2H9Rmgcfrc0FxC52TqF0hEg_cBzEFt4MeEKnSpgO0qBixAtB_xOmQyQEkVrhsO4rtzs4Ki6ByW3YY1-Tu1YHp7g7UcL/s640/IMG_5636.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And the room as it is today. A room that is more of a reflection of me, who I am and what I want others to see.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Simple, clean and quite, unfortunately that's  generally less then 1% of the time when the kids aren't around.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">See my table transformation <a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/2012/01/from-drab-to-fab.html">here</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjta-OJzbnp8yGDKQ6JvNC9OdpgmXpHt_kjkrapLak7BOlqNg_yJp3BYKQrXAdcSVaM-RvRVBswLmJS95vUKM_uRW434uAbZTJQR4SRLFVitHI-DuUZw4q38z9RocA8e82sDOfs-kQMOjP4/s1600/IMG_2172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjta-OJzbnp8yGDKQ6JvNC9OdpgmXpHt_kjkrapLak7BOlqNg_yJp3BYKQrXAdcSVaM-RvRVBswLmJS95vUKM_uRW434uAbZTJQR4SRLFVitHI-DuUZw4q38z9RocA8e82sDOfs-kQMOjP4/s640/IMG_2172.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A room that was meant just for me but I do have an extra chair in case you want to come over!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eJSZ9n5MLYEfDSKAjWiT-nLHQz-kP6ppr4ux2kqScqNqHut_WzPJP0Hqld81kE8GQ-3EmYmYRGe9lhRHh2FEE_nX_-noFaINQLgW8ixkV1ApWitT-w1SGOiui4Hf-VzGu7cMhm8cR-jw/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eJSZ9n5MLYEfDSKAjWiT-nLHQz-kP6ppr4ux2kqScqNqHut_WzPJP0Hqld81kE8GQ-3EmYmYRGe9lhRHh2FEE_nX_-noFaINQLgW8ixkV1ApWitT-w1SGOiui4Hf-VzGu7cMhm8cR-jw/s640/IMG_2176.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What's your favorite room in your house?</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If you want to see where the rest of the family hangs out in my house, you will want to visit my </span><a href="http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-my-home.html" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Home Tour</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> .</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hope the week is off to a great start. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU3OKzyOdHaopD2CWBcFnFbtYcjCxCewkNd9YMxjX6k14Y2ZWnsAuFZ_jGHuTdreqXrPAJkxBUdMnSi0aaUcIQjytTkdT_-DsIYbtGCL_su-kVksQse5yag2Wq-6MwPT55-qyDVohdVG2/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Grateful for: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A safe trip back" Home" from spending the holiday with my family in S.Florida.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Sharing at:</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/11/its-inspiration-friday-no-91-welcome.html">At the Picket Fence</a></span><br />French Country Cottage<br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

My Favorite Room

In case you missed my favorite room of the house over at Kim's   Favorite Room Series a few weeks ago, I wanted to share my Keeping Room...

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