A little trip to Paris...

I hope every one has had a beautiful start to the New Year! Welcome 2013! I know I'm welcoming it for sure :) I have lots of new ideas, lots of kitchens and miniatures I want to design and create! It's so exciting starting off the new year with a list of projects. That's the first thing I did when the clock struck 12. I made sure my list was made and then I started finding all my inspiration photos, putting together my thoughts and then putting the ideas to paper. Making the list always makes me feel productive and starts the dreaming going :)! We all know one thing for sure, the new year is filled with possibilities and that's what makes it exciting!
But, lets take a little step back for a sec... before I can move on to new items and designs, I first had to finish last years project: The Paris apartment kitchen! Truth be told, it's not all the way complete, I'm waiting on deliveries of moldings, fireplace corbels , and a few pieces of very unique furniture and it has some more lighting work to complete. But, it's almost there! I thought I would show you the "work in progress" so far.
So.... Lets step into a different part of the world for a bit... Imagine you are in the heart of Paris, in a beautiful old apartment , with perfectly in-perfect pale pink walls, a little bit of vintage wallpaper, old flooring, pieces of furniture you found at a local market sale in the back streets of Paris, a fabulous new stove/range you saved for forever, a mix matched collection of your favorite antiques , and then... enough passion for a view of what the rest of Parisians are doing all day long that you preferred to cook with a view of it every day... You just got back from your morning walk to get a croissant and coffee. You're arms are filled with fresh flowers to arrange and your market bag is overflowing with fresh breads and treats for the day ahead.

Where to place it all? Well these old Parisian kitchens are not known for a lot of counter space... So the small counter and refurbished kitchen island will have to do... :)

You put away your market items, arrange your flowers for the vase on the mantel, and sit at your little island to finish your coffee. It's time to look around and realize that each piece of furniture has it's own story, that each antique or newly found item is something you love. You're in Paris after all, and that was always your dream. So every thing after that, is just icing on the cake....

And of course, its a beautiful day out. :) The Sun comes through the apartment just as you like it, and that's why you took it. Despite it's age and need of work, you fell in love....

Knowing that it needs work and isn't perfect, you also know that adds to the charm of it all. You'll light the candles for yourself or when friends come and no one will notice anyway :)

And a sweet little lamp on the counter gives the space a cozy feel too...

It's the perfect place for you to cook and come up with new recipes and linger about puttering...

You know you're spending the day today again in the back streets of Paris, scouting out markets for that perfect reading chair you want in here , and half the fun is the search, the lingering in the markets, the people you meet along the way. You need a little something special for the corner :)

It's coming soon,that special piece, so until then and until the apartment is complete, you will love it anyway... After all, it came out of the love, romance and dream of Paris...

Thank you for coming along on a tiny tour of my apartment kitchen, as soon as I get back from the Parisian market I'll photograph all my new finds and the last details of the kitchen. Till then,Bonjour sweet friends!