Before I get to the cool things we love to have in our kitchens, I want to thank you so much for coming here to my blog. Today marks my 6 year anniversary of blogging. Six years! That’s a long time, since the average blog lasts about as long as a fruit fly which I think is 30 days. They are a lot of work and it takes a long time to build an audience so most people just give up.
I knew nothing about blogging when I started. As I connected with readers and other bloggers I realized I had found my peeps. The people I connected to because of my blog shared my passion, unlike my local friends. Don’t get me wrong. I love my friends I see face-to-face, but those friends that share my love of decorating, I knew they ‘got’ me, just like I ‘got’ them.
Thank you for being there for me, and for reading my blog. I am so honored you are here. This blog has taken me on a wild ride. Because of my blog, I have been blessed to connect with so many amazing people, I’ve had my work featured in 20+ magazines, I got a book deal, I get asked to speak at events, I’ve done some TV work with more planned, and I’ve started a podcast. Truly I’ve been very blessed!
The other exciting news is that today we should reach 100,000 downloads for our podcast. Again, thank you so much for your support. If you haven’t listened yet, check it out!!!
Okay on to the kitchen…
I loved this discussion about the things we can’t live without in our kitchens. Kelly of My Soulful Home and Yvonne of Stone Gable had so many great ideas.
You can listen to the discussion HERE.
Here is Kelly’s gorgeous kitchen below.
Let’s get into what we all feel are must haves.
Bowl full of fruit
A bowl of fruit is great decor for your kitchen. It makes it look like you are about to bake a pie. You may not be, but still it gives that illusion. You could be ready to break out the rolling pin at any minute. The best part is the fruit is a healthy snack for your family.
Pitcher filled with silverware
I love the look of a pitcher filled with silverware. It looks elegant, and like maybe you are getting ready for a party. And you can actually use the silverware if the mood strikes. Try using a silver spoon with your morning coffee or tea. I think it does make the morning ritual feel like a special event.
Bread boards
These look great, whether they are large or small, vintage or new. I love the look. I keep the smaller boards on my counter top, and the larger ones above my stove, but I’ve also used them in my dining room and on the tables.
Maldon salt
This is Kelly’s favorite. I use Himalayan salt and I love it. I haven’t tried the Maldon salt yet. (affiliate link) You can buy it HERE.
Kitchen lamp
Kelly loves to have a lamp in the kitchen. Great idea for ambiance!
Artwork
Yvonne loves to use artwork in her kitchen. I don’t have a lot of wall space for artwork, but I love the idea.
Photo from Stone Gable
Stack of white platters
Kelly enjoys a stack of platters in her kitchen and yes I love stacked platters as well! I’ve got some in my cabinets.
Pots of herbs
Fresh herbs are lovely to have in the kitchen, and you can snip some when you need them for a recipe.
Cookbooks
Yvonne loves cookbooks. (affiliate link) Well we all do! Here is one of my favorites! Ann Criswell’s Houston is Cooking at Home CLICK HERE.
It’s full of the best recipes from the best restaurants in town.
Plug molds
These are outlet strips that are hidden underneath cabinets. I wish I had done that when we designed our kitchen. I did have the electrician install the outlets down low and sideways to minimize their appearance. You can see on to the left in the photo below.
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Love your blog!
The kitchens are beautiful and I totally agree with all of your “must haves.”
How do you handle things that are used everyday like toasters, etc.??
Enjoying the pod cast. As you are talking about what you have in kitchen unexpected is a Wing Chair. I love this chair. It is in the corner near me hutch. When I have company you will always see someone enjoying the chair. I also have pillows on my bar stools and my two captain chairs.
Thanks ladies!
Congratulations on six years writing your wonderful blog! I look forward to reading every blog post!
Thank you Karenann! I truly appreciate your note!
Happy #6!
Thanks Teresa! It’s been a wild ride.
Happy 6th Anniversary and many many more!!
I didn’t even know how to find a blog 6 years ago so I commend you for paving the way and keeping it going when the majority found you! I especially love the podcast. It’s so fun to listen to your conversation and giggles! I feel like I’m sitting at the kitchen island enjoying a cup of coffee with you. LOL
I’m so happy we’re there with you while you are drinking your coffee Paula.
Happy Blogvarsary! I LOVE your kitchen–thanks for all of the kitchen must haves! We just recently built a new house and all of those things definitely help make a new kitchen feel like “home”! I hope my kitchen will eventually look as elegant and timeless as yours <3 Tina
Thanks Tina! Congrats on your new home!
I love the pod casts. Listen to them in the car. Also wish I had known about putting plugs under the cabinets. Hate to see the wires snaking across the counters.
Thanks Linda! I feel like I’m riding in the car with you now.
Congratulations on 6 years blogging. Hope to see many more blog years from you. I have several of the “must” have items – the fruit bowl and a couple of lamps, but since we use our silverware every day, I store it in my grandmother’s silver box. The former owner put plugs under the cabinets as well as a couple on the side of the island so I’m very lucky there.
Thanks as always for a great blog.
So glad you are here Claire!!
Congratulations. I started reading because you are a fellow Texan but continued because of your style, your family values and your helpful, interesting posts. Thank you for sticking with it for six long years.
Thanks Pam! You are so kind! I’m so glad I met you through the blog.
Happy 6th Blogoversary, I enjoy reading your blog, so inspiring. The kitchens photographs shared are beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Kaycee. You are so kind.
We are reading off the same script!
I love Maldon (smoked) salt. I always take about 4-6 pkgs to the US for my girls because it is so much less expensive in Europe.
I also have a silver spoon & antique cup that I use for tea when I need a cuppa’—it feeds my soul.
Keep up the podcasts.
Yay Sandi! So glad you hang out with us.
Happy six years Anita…. Love your blog keep it going.Hope to have more beautiful and helpful posts in the future from you …..
Thank you kindly dear Barbara.
Congrats, keep up the good work!!!
Loved all nine ideas–wish I’d had the option for plug molds with the vintage cabinetry I have. I used bowls, platters, and pitchers to mask or minimize the outlets along the backsplash.
Marcy, ditto! I wish mine were hidden as well! But that’s what those bowls are for.
Congratulations, Anita, on your six years of posts for all of us! Just love your posts! And, love the podcasts, too! I just feel like I am sitting right there with the three of you, enjoying a cup of coffee!
Bless you for being such a special gal!
Oh Mary-Ann you are so sweet. So glad you share your morning with us.
Happy blog-aversary my friend and congrats on your downloads. I’ve been listing too. Wishing you continued success and unbridled bliss. xo
Thank you Katherine. You are such a lovely, kind, sweet person.
Happy Anniversary Anita!!! If not for blogging our paths might not have crossed. My life is richer & better with you in it so I celebrate this day!!
xx
That’s true for me as well Kelly. I’m blessed to call you friend.
Anita: Love your blog and thoroughly enjoyed your book. Many congratulations on your anniversary!
Thank you for your work – you brighten days for many.
Happy 6 year anniversary to you. Love your blog, keep up the great work.
Thank you for being there for us for the past 6 years and may you have many more years of blogging. I love my ironstone sugar pot filled with silverware which we use daily. It makes everything Taste better. We also keep a large vintage Aqua colored deco flower vase filled with fruit. The colors just pop and it cheers me on these cold snowy days. Thank you for the tips and beautiful pictures. Lovin’ the podcasts!
Congrats on ur anniversary!
I love your ideas, but I need to redo my kitchen before I can even begin to incorporate all these wonderful ideas.
So blessed to have found you, Anita! Continued success and happiness to you!!
❤Beth
Very much enjoyed this post! Kitchens are my favorite room in the house.
Your kitchen is so lovely. I especially like the upper cabinets with glass in them.
I love fresh herbs and pink salt!
Happy anniversary
I love having an antique spooner with my every day teaspoons on my island placed on an antique rustic tray. Other items on that tray are raw sugar in a crystal bowl, butter in a French butter keeper,antique salt and pepper shakers. I also have a few of my framed paintings on the walls that I often change out as they get sold! They are usually farm landscapes or food still life…I will look at something I’m cooking with and take a photo for later painting!