Friday, December 27, 2013

Blue Willow/ Winter Decor

I am ready to throw off the shackles of this sad holiday and forget Christmas 2013.



The added pressure to get it all done was almost too much for me at times and I was stressed out. 




I am ready to pack up all decorations and say good-bye to it all but I won't.



I am hosting my family on Saturday so putting away the trees will have to wait but I was ready to change things up in the kitchen.



You have seen my red and brown transferware collections but I don't think you have seen my blue and white dishes.



I have a set of Blue Willow dishes from my grandmother. 
My mom in her antiquing quests added to her mother's collection by including some 
Blue Onion pieces. 


We choose a blue and white pattern for our wedding china and I continued collecting it throughout the years.





tired of all the pattern and color about 13 years ago and packed it all away. 




After a separation of sorts, I was able to pull it out to use
on occasion.



It looks beautiful with the white cabinets.





As I was thinking about my post holiday decor, I thought the blue and white would feel cool and wintery. 



I pulled it all out a few years ago but that was before we painted the kitchen cabinets. 



I love the pop of cobalt with all the white. 
Pretty.



I love this little corner with the "pie safe."




I found the pillow and the little heart at the big Christmas store in town.





I don't know why I love switching things up but I love having a new look every once in a while.



One of the benefits of having neutral color scheme is the ability to change the accent color on a whim.
I love it.
Katie   
Linking with,
French Country Cottage 
Common Ground   
Funky Junk Interiors   
Between Naps on the Porch   
A Stroll Thru Life   
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia   
Savvy Southern Style   
A Joyful Cottage   
French Country Cottage 
  


18 comments :

  1. Katie, the blue and white looks amazing with your white background. Perfect any time but especially for January. Here's hoping for brighter days. :)

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  2. Love the blue and white! Your kitchen looks beautiful!

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  3. You've got so many pretty pieces, Katie. I've been itching to paint our kitchen walls a neutral color so I can change things out, too. Maybe that's my 2014 project. Your blue & white dishes are perfect for winter accents!

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  4. Blue and white, always a classic, always in style.....can't go wrong with that.......and it goes with everything!!!

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  5. I collected blue and white for awhile, and I just didn't have a place for it when we moved to this house. I don't have nearly as much as you do, but maybe someday, I will use it again. Even before you said you said you thought it would look all cool and wintery, that's exactly what I was thinking. It looks so pretty against all of your white cabinets. I love that you can change your color scheme so easily. I am SO bad at changing anything around. But you are inspiring me Katie, to at least think about it! Wishing you peace in the new year.

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  6. So beautiful! Blue and white is my favorite color combination. It has a calming influence and goes with almost anything.
    Thanks for sharing the beautiful collection.
    Happy New Year, Ginger

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  7. I love the blue and white look and I make changes in the house - constantly. The principal of my old school (I retired last June) told me that my classroom had more arrangements than any other room in the school.

    I wondered why your Christmas was sad so I read backwards. I am glad you made it through Christmas and I totally understand your sadness. My father-in-law passed away the first year we were married on Thanksgiving. My father too died on Thanksgiving 17 years ago. The next year my husband's mother died on Christmas. I told my mother I would never forgive her if she died on Christmas. The holidays are difficult in so many ways and then to add the sadness of grief makes it so hard.

    I hope 2014 proves to be a happy year for you.

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    1. Thank you for your sweet words of condolence. I knew it would be tough to grieve with the added pressure to get everything done. I did get it all done but didn't do all I usually do. It has given me a new understanding and compassion for those who experience loss at the holidays. Thank you again.
      Katie

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  8. My husband and I dont do all that holiday stuff any more. We are age 62 grown children and grandbabies live like 2000 miles away from us. This yr we spent Christmas in a log cabin in the woods jaquzzi and all. I slept till noon on Christmas Eve and Day. No cooking no cleaning.

    Your kitchen is very pretty!
    Pamela
    Ohio

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    1. Thank you for stopping in, Pamela. Your Christmas sounds so relaxing.

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  9. I really love the blue and white dishes mixed with your white everywhere else too! It looks classic and fresh and stylish. When you use a lot of it around it sets a theme which I like. Have fun with your family!

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  10. Katie, just found your blog through Wow Us Wednesdays. Your blue and white is perfect for a winter look. I plan to look back to see your red and brown collections.
    I, too, am grieving this holiday season. Lost my mom on Thanksgiving morning and then two weeks later, my aunt. It's been a roller coaster of emotions, but I've found comfort in the twinkle of the lights on the tree and across the mantel. I'll be sad to pack it all away in the next day or so. I'm sorry for your loss. My mom and aunt had both lived long, full lives, but I suspect your brother was a young man. It's not easy to say goodbye no matter what the age, but the loss of a young person seems sadder. Take care………..

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    1. I am so sorry, Sarah. Jim was only 56 but health wise he was much older. Even though it was expected since June, it was still difficult. I am feeling much better now that the added stress of the holidays is behind us. Prayers and blessings to you as you deal with this first year without your mom and aunt.

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  11. Hi Katie, your kitchen is so charming. Love the blue and white; your collection is fabulous. I found your blog via a comment you left on Karen's A Desert Cottage. I would love it if you would share this post at my blog party, Every Room In The House. It's a month long party, with this month's theme room being The Kitchen. Here's the link: http://www.ajoyfulcottage.com/2014/01/every-room-in-house-party-1.html -- I hope you'll party with us. Happy New Year! Nancy @ A Joyful Cottage

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  12. Katie, I love the blue and white together! Such a clean and cozy feeling. Your collection of dishes is just gorgeous and I love your white cabinets! I pulled out a few blue and white thrift finds in a cabinet downstairs. Kind of liking it for a change.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  13. I love white kitchens! and your touches of blue are perfect.

    Visiting from the Joyful Cottage kitchen party!

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  14. Hi Katie, Happy February! I've featured your very pretty kitchen in this month's Every Room In The House party. Thanks for partying with us and I hope you'll link up this month in The Living Room. xx ~ Nancy

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  15. I love your blue and white kitchen....Inspiring me to bring out some of mine tucked away! Nancy at "A Joyful Cottage" brought me to your site...Following you now. Will stop by again!
    Judy

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