Masthead header
March 11, 2013

Baskets in Our House and an Easter Basket Giveaway!

In my last post we looked at how baskets add texture and storage in several pretty spaces.  Today I thought we would look around here at some of the baskets that are used in rooms in our house.   I love that one in the top photo that holds plants on our door (and its twin is hanging on the back porch.)  The green ones in the playroom, below, help keep all the game systems organized.  It would be a disaster without them!

All of our movies are organized in these baskets in the great room.  I have sorted them alphabetically by title and made tags with card stock and clear plastic frames.  Ribbon is hot glued to the back of the frame and tied to the basket.  The ones on the playroom baskets are baseball card holders.

Also in the great room is this basket holding bottled water and an ice bucket on top of a large piece of furniture.

This one in the kitchen holds magazines and computer printed recipes most of the year.  At Christmas it’s where I stash the Christmas cards we receive.

This next one is in the master bathroom atop the antique cupboard that is in there.  It holds extra towels that don’t fit in the linen closet.  It came from Pottery Barn Kids many years ago, and I would love to find another one just like it.  The laundry room is missing it!

I don’t have a recent photo of daughter’s desk baskets, but here they are in the Valentine’s post.  Obviously, they hold books in her room.

Now don’t you think it’s time for another giveaway?  Yes, I thought so, too.:) After looking at all the photos of baskets in the last two posts, I thought a basket would be a good giveaway.  And not just any basket…no sirree…I have a treat in store for you!

One of my readers, Barbara Hinkse, has had her first novel published.  Isn’t that wonderful?!  It is a delightful read about a widow, Maggie Martin, who has inherited an estate (that she knew nothing about) in a small town. Maggie moves into Rosemont, adopts a precious little dog named Eve, gets involved in trying to solve a political corruption mystery, and even throws a big Easter celebration at her new home in the small town of  Westbury.  (It was a fast read, and I want Barbara to do a sequel so that I can find out what happens to the love interest of several of the characters.)  She has a website (here) if you would like to read more about her and the book.

So my giveaway Easter basket has a copy of Coming to Rosemont, a mug and box of Earl Grey tea for you to enjoy while you read, some new Caspari napkins (that I just love!), a stuffed animal version of the little puppy that Maggie adopts, a bag of my daughter’s favorite chocolate candy (what’s an Easter basket without candy??) and a chalkboard plant stake (that I forgot to put in the second photo) packaged together in a basket for one of you.

All you have to do is leave a comment on any (or all) posts published between now and Sunday, March 17 (lucky St. Patrick’s Day!)  I’ll close off the entries at midnight that night, and a random number generator will choose the winner.  Good luck!  That wraps up all I have on baskets for now.  I hope to hear from you in the comments.  Here is a question to get you started:

What is your favorite Easter basket candy?

 

Posted in Our House, RoomsTags: , ,
   
say something nice
Cheryl - March 11, 2013 - 11:54 pm

Oooo….oooo…me…me! (Do I sound like one of your students? ~smile~) I’d love to be put in the drawing for that lovely basket!

My favorite Easter basket candy? Robin’s Eggs. You know those malted chocolate things that come in a little carton…those things that I can eat until I am sick? Yeah, those.

Love your baskets and how you use them.

Dayle - March 12, 2013 - 12:07 am

Love all of your baskets! That’s quite a few you have there. I love accessories that have multi-purposes.

Sign me up for the drawing!

Pam roach - March 12, 2013 - 1:33 am

Love your baskets and your ideas. Since I have always!!!!!!! loved Peeps – I would fill a basket with yellow peeps. :) )

Sandy - March 12, 2013 - 2:41 am

I recently became a young widow back in 2010. This book sounds very interesting and I’m sure is a good read. The pup is delightful and who doesn’t love chocolate. Thanks for the give-away. Blessings, Sandy

Sallie - March 12, 2013 - 3:30 am

I love to read and keep lots of books in baskets-The book sounds like it would be a good read while eating chocolate!!!! Thanks.

Sue - March 12, 2013 - 5:07 am

Whoeever said you can’t teach an ole dog new tricks was wrong! Thank you,Kelly,for giving me ideas on how to use baskets thruout my home!When I was a little girl my favorite Easter candy was chocolate covered marshmellow eggs:-)

Erin Buchanan - March 12, 2013 - 6:11 am

what a cute giveaway!Baskets really are the best way to store item’s that would otherwise clutter up our spaces.~

Monica Converse - March 12, 2013 - 7:29 am

I cannot wait to read this book! I am going to order it right now and IDI won the basket, I will give the book to a friend! Thanks for all of your delightful blog stories!

Kathy - March 12, 2013 - 7:33 am

I would love to read Coming to Rosemont! My favorite Easter candy is Reece’s Peanutbutter Eggs….the large ones! And, I love your blog. It’s a good day when I have a Talk of the House email notifying me of a new post!

carol jane - March 12, 2013 - 7:34 am

Love the Easter basket. That would be so much fun to win. I love the green baskets. So pretty and neat.

Theresa L. H. - March 12, 2013 - 7:55 am

Nice Giveaway! My favorite things….books, baskets, and tea. Thanks for some great ideas using my baskets. Been in the spring cleaning and organizing mode the last few weeks and now I have some more great ideas!

Becky - March 12, 2013 - 8:15 am

Love the baskets. My daughter tells me I have too many! Wish I could find one like the first one.

Sally - March 12, 2013 - 8:15 am

I love too many different kinds of candy to even go there. I especially love Reese’s eggs. It seems like they have extra goodness packed in the middle when they’re eggs. :)

Loretta Hamilton - March 12, 2013 - 8:16 am

Love your basket ideas for using …and in some cases labeling…storage! I have a few but am inspired now to get more!

Amy O'Quinn - March 12, 2013 - 8:17 am

I love the idea of alphabetizing the videos/movies and putting them in baskets. Our ‘media’ cabinet gets in a huge mess in a hurry, so that might be a great solution for us. I really like how you’ve incorporated baskets throughout your home. I enjoy using baskets too, and I use them for towels, magazines, etc. But it looks like I might need some more after seeing your excellent ideas! :)

Arlene@Nanaland - March 12, 2013 - 8:26 am

Favorite Easter Candy? Well Jelly Bellys are one of my favorite year round candies and in the chocolate category, the Dove White Chocolate Eggs are a favorite this year. Love all your baskets. I may have to go around my house and take some photos of baskets and containers for a future post. Thanks for doing the giveaway. That novel sounds like a good one. Congrats to your reader on her publication!

Talia - March 12, 2013 - 8:31 am

I love how you’ve incorporated baskets in your home. I’ve an old (as in VERY old) house with very little storage space, so baskets are a must for us!

Favorite candy? Dove chocolates! And, since I’ve given up sweets for Lent (what was I thinking?!) I can’t wait for Easter! :)

Fingers crossed!

Yarlette Gebarowski - March 12, 2013 - 8:32 am

I love all the baskets. They sure help control clutter as well as look great. I use them all over my home. I would love to read coming to Rosemont. I am always looking for a good book . My husband bought me a nook thinking I would cut down on buying so many books. I do read some on it but It is just not the same as holding the book in my hands. we have books all over the house. Earl Gray tea is my favorite tea. What a great Easter basket give away. Always love your blogs. yarlette

lynne - March 12, 2013 - 8:53 am

I love all baskets. I saw a trunk basket at a flea market this weekend and wanted it so bad but didn’t want to pay the price. My favorite Easter basket candy is the speckled malted milk eggs. I love those things. I never cared for the peeps like my daughter did. I had to hide my Easter basket from my younger brother growing up because he would eat his and then come looking for mine. One time he found it and ate all of it. I was so upset with him. From then on I didn’t try to save mine and make it last. I ate it in a couple of days so he wouldn’t get his sneaky little hands on it.

Patty in Michigan - March 12, 2013 - 9:23 am

Hi Kelly! My favorite Easter basket candy hmmmmmm probably the speckleed malted milk eggs and the pastel M&M’s. I have those hidden right now in the pantry. Hidden so mom won’t dive into the bags! This basket you have put together is so cute. I love that little doggie and the chalkboard slate with your beautiful handwriting! This would be a wonderful gift for me if I can say that since my b-day is Saturday! We’ll see :) Have a great week1 Patty

Mary F - March 12, 2013 - 9:23 am

My favorite Easter candy is robin eggs. Love your baskets!

Lori Hall - March 12, 2013 - 9:40 am

I love all of the ideas that you come up with. Simple and beautiful. My favorite Easter candy is/are Robins Eggs. Have a great week Kelly!

the farmer's wife - March 12, 2013 - 9:53 am

Ooh, fun! I haven’t had an Easter basket in years.

I love the basket on your front/back doors.

Sandy Bowers - March 12, 2013 - 9:58 am

I’d be lost without my baskets! They hold everything under the sun. The book sounds great! Thanks for a great giveaway!

jerri - March 12, 2013 - 10:09 am

Love the basket of goodies. Especially love the Jack Russell puppy…we have two!

Tamar Time - March 12, 2013 - 10:15 am

This year my fav candy is Dove Coconut Eggs. Pretty aqua foil wrapped half eggs. Looks really pretty in a teacup on the counter. Not messy. Target. Like Mounds, but way better.

Kelly, and anyone aho has wood kitchen countertops,

Do you recommed them? Onine research yeilds mixed reviews. Are you afraid to really use them and get them wet, or do you just throw caution and enjoy? Thanks for any input on that!

Very generous and thoughtful giveaway!

Betty - March 12, 2013 - 10:20 am

I am a basket lover as well…enjoyed seeing how you use them in your lovely home.

Please do enter me in your ‘gift-away’. I’m not sure that’s correct but it seems to fit the occasion.

Blessings,
Betty @ Country Charm

Kayleigh Harkins - March 12, 2013 - 10:33 am

I love all the baskets you use in decorating. My mom is a huge fan of them too and has them in different places around the house. I need to start saving up my coupons and purchase a few for myself! My favorite Easter candy is jellybeans, but they have to be Jelly Belly or Starburst. I’m not a fan of the cheap kind – go figure! :)

Leigh - March 12, 2013 - 10:36 am

I love baskets, too, and love your ideas for putting them to use in your home. My favorite Easter candy is M & M’s peanuts….already have had too many!!!

Diane Hinnant - March 12, 2013 - 10:40 am

Hi Kelly! I love baskets, too, and enjoy using them throughout my home. When visiting Charleston a couple of years ago, it was amazing to watch the Lowcountry ladies sit and weave their very special baskets from palmetto and sweetgrass. Your basket giveaway is wonderful … please sign me up with a lucky number. :) (My favorite Easter candy is anything chocolate!)
Diane

Mary Hanson - March 12, 2013 - 11:05 am

Love your blog and can’t wait for each new one. Just started my easter baskets for my grown sons, yes grown but they love a basket of sweets and now my new little granddaughter. My favorite easter candy is M&M peanuts. Already ate on bag of the easter candy. Better wait to replace until closer to easter. Love the new give away! Mary

Heather - March 12, 2013 - 11:14 am

I sold Longaberger baskets before I had kids about 10 years ago. Most of them sat without anything in them and were mainly for display purposes. I have over 250 of them. As the babies came along though, they quickly filled up with diapers, sweet blankets, tiny shoes and onesies. Now my boys are in elementary school and they are filled up with Lego’s, Hot Wheels, Nerf guns and video games! I’ve never meet a basket I didn’t like!!

DAWN - March 12, 2013 - 11:25 am

I collected baskets for years since my childhood but have lost so may of them over the years – in moves, loans, hurricanes! I was drawn to them as a child because of their artistic beauty and intricate simplicity but as I grew up, learned to appreciate their utilitarian value – something beautiful and made ‘a la main’ (by hand!) and useful as well – true ‘lagniappe’! Thank you for sharing your genuine sense of awe and wonder in simple things. Dawn

Cindy - March 12, 2013 - 11:28 am

Good morning, I love baskets, if they are used for something. You do a very good job of that. My mother had baskets just hanging on the wall, dust collectors, can’t handle that. Now to the good part in my Easter basket I love to find Robin’s Eggs, the taste, the color. I would love to win your basket of goodies, since Sunday is my birthday wouldn’t that be special!

karen - March 12, 2013 - 11:53 am

Hershey’s candy coated eggs are my favorite….though I haven’t had them for years. They are like a huge M&M!

Thanks :)

Garden, Home and Party - March 12, 2013 - 12:00 pm

Kelly,
I love baskets and the one in your giveaway is the best way to use them, filled with goodies. The book you’ve mentioned sounds great, I will pick it up even if I don’t win! My favorite chocolate for Easter (or any time) is See’s candy. I’m putting together a basket for our granddaughter…we’ll be spending our Easter with her in Austin, can’t wait.
Karen

Marlene Wilson - March 12, 2013 - 12:16 pm

Please put me in your basket for the giveaway. I love baskets and love how you have used them throughout your charming home. They are attractive yet helps us keep organized. The low country baskets made in Charleston are lovely and had the ladies makes me placemats, hot pads, and coasters. When I was a little girl I always got new pj’s and bubbles in my Easter basket and carried it on to my children….and now with a little grandson…I am adding it to his Easter basket. Always loved having jelly beans in my basket too. It was so much fun wearing new pj’s to bed on Easter night!
Blessings…Marlene

Liz - March 12, 2013 - 12:20 pm

What a lovely basket idea. Can’t wait to read that book!!

I do really love Cadbury eggs, gotta say…

Wish I could find another beautiful basket like yours on your doors with the flowers…gorgeous!

Monika (who recently moved to Hilton Head Island) - March 12, 2013 - 12:29 pm

Fav Easter candy you ask? Definitely Marzian eggs covered with chocolate. Having grown up in Germany those where the best treats one could find in the basket. Have to make a trip to Cost Plus World Market to see if they have any this year …
Have to copy your idea for the basket on your front door – beautiful!

Cynthia - March 12, 2013 - 12:59 pm

I inhale books…so I would so love to win this basket! My favorite Easter candy is Cadbury Eggs..I love it when the commercials start each year.

Catherine GieskeCathygieske - March 12, 2013 - 1:03 pm

Jelly beans are my favorite! What a cute giveaway…I love your blog especially your travels through the Carolina’s!

Ann - March 12, 2013 - 1:26 pm

I will definitely be shopping for more baskets now! I loved the one on your door, especially. At first glance, I thought the little doggy in the giveaway basket was real!! Lovely post, as usual. (Favorite candy: Snickers in any form.)

Jennifer from Chesapeake, VA - March 12, 2013 - 2:25 pm

Oh this is an EASY question for me……Chocolate covered Peanut Butter eggs from Reese’s!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs - March 12, 2013 - 2:43 pm

I love baskets and you have beautifully placed them throughout your home…nothing like the great texture of a great basket….Favorite Easter candy…well, hands down for me would be a dark chocolate covered marshmallow easter egg or bunny…dark chocolate and marshmallow anything is my favorite!

Barbara (WA) - March 12, 2013 - 2:49 pm

Well, you already know how much I love baskets and that book sounds just like what I enjoy reading – so pick me :)

Barbara (WA) - March 12, 2013 - 2:52 pm

Forgot to answer your question (and I am assuming your random number generator thingy will only count me once – I am not cheating!!).

Jelly beans. I used to sit in my walk in closet to prepare the boys baskets and munch away :)

Pam - March 12, 2013 - 3:22 pm

Love your blog! …and your baskets, too. Would love to win the Easter basket. Looking forward to reading Coming to Rosemont. My favorite Easter candy has to be chocolate bunnies. Followed closely by the big chocolate eggs we all use to get when we were kids with our names written on them.

Julie - March 12, 2013 - 4:02 pm

Thank you for the opportunity to win the Easter basket. I love baskets!

Louvina - March 12, 2013 - 4:48 pm

I especially love the flat basket with potted shamrocks and gardening tools on your porch table that is featured in your header! I always look forward to see how you decorated that! My favorite Easter candy is homemade peanut butter chocolate covered eggs.

Mickey - March 12, 2013 - 5:36 pm

What a wonderful giveaway. I love baskets and also have them throughout my farmhouse. I loved the post on all the beautiful baskets and so enjoyed your pictures from your trip to South Carolina. Mickey

Debbie w - March 12, 2013 - 5:38 pm

I have always loved baskets. I have lots of charleston baskets at home and lots of handmade baskets at our cabin! Would love to be the winner of this special basket! Thanks for the chance to win!

Lindy James - March 12, 2013 - 6:39 pm

I would have to say that my favorite Easter basket candy as a child use to be jelly beans, especially the black ones, although that has changed! Love your use of baskets throughout your home especially like the ones hanging on the front and back doors. Thanks for giving someone the chance to win such a nice Easter basket.

Joi - March 12, 2013 - 7:26 pm

What an adorable basket. You just can’t enough of them. My favorite candy for Easter are the candy coated malt balls. I think I’ll go get some now. By the way, really enjoy your blog. Found it yesterday. Enjoy your day, and thanks for the chance to win.

Kelly D - March 12, 2013 - 8:11 pm

I love Reese’s cups that are shaped like Easter Eggs, or Cadbury eggs.

Jeanne Bell - March 12, 2013 - 9:31 pm

I found your website a few weeks ago and love it. I always thought I should be a door to door salesman just to see inside pretty houses. I love the Easter basket and would love to win it. My favorite easter candy is Cadbury eggs.
Have a great day!

Linda - March 12, 2013 - 9:40 pm

What a kind thing to do! I’d fill an Easter basket with children’s books, seasonal napkins, ribbons, and the small candy coated Cadbury eggs.

Sharon H - March 12, 2013 - 9:48 pm

Love baskets! I love how you have used them around your house!
I love white chocolate bunnies or snickers! I would love to win the basket! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Dawn - March 12, 2013 - 10:48 pm

Ok, Kelly!

You have got me reeling! I LOVE the green baskets you have in your tv room! (Big surprise). I really like all of your baskets! They are great for organization and texture. The giveaway is fantastic! I could read that lovely book, while enjoying tea and chcolates over my Easter break from school! The adorable doggie just tops the super cute basket off all too perfectly! Of course my favorite Easter basket candy is anything chocolate! I LOVE chocolate. I especially love chocolates when they are in a basket of green grass! Swoon…baskets, chocolates and green! Be still my heart!

I wish everyone a lucky St. Patrick’s day! Gotta love that green!

Carol - March 13, 2013 - 9:04 am

I am a lover of baskets! Count me in! The book looks like something I would love, too!

Stacey - March 13, 2013 - 10:43 am

You have great organization ideas Kelly. The baskets are all wonderful and I’m going to try to replicate some of these ideas. I often have flowers on the front door in a basket. It’s such a homey touch that makes me smile.

Your give away is amazing! I would love to read the new book. :0

Cindy - March 13, 2013 - 11:27 am

I love using baskets for storage. My favorite candy for my Easter basket would be M&Ms.

Wanda - March 13, 2013 - 12:27 pm

Love this giveaway! Please include me!!!!!!,

Paula B. - March 13, 2013 - 12:49 pm

A new book to read and you know the author, excellent! And, a basket filled with more goodies, oh my! Sign me up, and thanks Kelly, for the sweet giveaway.

Pat Peele - March 13, 2013 - 3:13 pm

I have never met a basket, I didn’t love, And if it was filled with dark chocolate M&M s in pastel cors with pink ribbons…..Oh My!

JEANNE BELL - March 13, 2013 - 5:32 pm

I love the basket and would be thrilled to get it. I also love marshmellow bunnies.
Thanks,
Jeanne

Stephanie - March 13, 2013 - 5:44 pm

I love the Reese’s Eggs! Reese’s are my favorite and they are the absolute best at Easter time. They have so much peanut butter in them and that’s my favorite part!

Don’t you just love baskets? They are so handy for storage and they look good while doing it. Lol. Thanks for the chance to win a book that sounds like an awesome read.

Dawn - March 14, 2013 - 1:24 am

Recently found your blog and am enjoying it so much! I loved the malted milk ball eggs.

Stephanie - March 14, 2013 - 8:31 am

I am crazy for these little chocolate eggs that have a hard candy shell… but I have no clue where to buy them (which is probably a good thing) and I have no idea what they are called. But I love them!

Vickie White - March 14, 2013 - 10:20 am

I love anything CHOCOLATE!!!!!

Sharyn Davis - March 14, 2013 - 10:49 am

Well, I think maybe I’m very spoiled, as I only want Fannie May candy in my Easter basket. Those tiny foiled wrapped solid Easter eggs, the solid chocolate bunny rabbit will do me just fine!

rose g. - March 14, 2013 - 12:05 pm

What a super sweet basket…filled with loveliness…whether or not I win the basket I am going to buy the book to read!!! Oh yes…I love jelly bellies!!!

carol - March 14, 2013 - 3:22 pm

These were some great ideas for ways to use baskets around the house.

Dicksi - March 14, 2013 - 3:38 pm

My fav’ Easter candy is chocolate covered malted milk eggs. Thanks for a chance to win your basket. I love decorating with baskets and boxes. Makes all your stuff look neat and together!

Lori - March 14, 2013 - 6:52 pm

Catching up on your blog. I’ve missed out on some posts.
The previous basket post was wonderful. LOVE baskets. So many uses.
Favorite Easter candy…..Ferrero Rocher. They are my fav
all year long. :)

Rhonda - March 14, 2013 - 7:08 pm

My favorite candy I can only get at Easter are little chocolate hazelnut umbrellas that look like carrots (by Lindt I think). My daughter loves these too so this year I smartened up and bought extra so I could have some.

Thanks for the giveaway, the book sounds like a good read.

shannon - March 15, 2013 - 11:12 am

We are big on baskets at our house.. The kids usually have one by their beds to hold all the books they read before bed. I love how you used them for movies.. Neat idea! Favorite Easter candy would have to be the Cadbury Caramel eggs.. :)

Charla - March 15, 2013 - 7:01 pm

I am new to your website and loved the basket ideas. I can’t wait to hang one on my front door! As far as my favorite Easter candy, it’s the malted milk ball speckled eggs for me. By the way, I have already read Coming to Rosemont and I loved it! Couldn’t put it down. This basket is a great gift for some lucky person.

Tammy Loves Dishes - March 15, 2013 - 7:41 pm

What a super basket giveaway filled with some of my favorite things, Earl Grey tea, chocolate and a good book! I’m adding Coming to Rosemont to my wish list (in case I don’t win) so that I can be sure to read it in the future.

I love using baskets to organize things. I have a friend who weaves the most beautiful baskets and I especially like having her basketwork around the house.

Mickey - March 16, 2013 - 7:59 pm

I have alot of green in my old farmhouse, living and tv rooms along with bathroom upstairs. Right now I am trying to find a nice charcoal gray to paint my office, any suggestions? As always love your blog!!!! Mickey

Lisa K - March 17, 2013 - 6:52 pm

Your “new green curtains” are great; so fresh looking! Hmmm…my favorite Easter candy – anything chocolate! And I do love Earl Grey Tea. I so enjoy your blog!

Pattie - March 17, 2013 - 7:34 pm

Love all your baskets AND your ability to quick change your living areas. Look great!

Peggy Barber Mossing - March 17, 2013 - 9:48 pm

The green is great in the kitchen. It will be fun to see what you do with it next.
Thanks for the chance to win the book gift package.

Katie - March 17, 2013 - 10:34 pm

Love your use of baskets! So fun! Basket are really perfect for stylish storage. Plus our cat loves to nap in them! ;) . Love the giveaway – books sounds great! xx.

March 9, 2013

Weekend Wandering in Baskets

source

Have you seen one of Pottery Barn’s recent catalogs with all the gorgeous baskets for spring?  Easter has me thinking about baskets.  Does it you?  I started noticing that so many of the rooms I am drawn to have a basket or two in them.  How about the basket/trunks in this foyer?

pub1.emagazine.se

And this space over at BHG makes such great use of them all over the room.  See how many you spot:

bhg.com

bhg.com

bhg.com

Here is another one from BHG where baskets add storage and texture to the living room.

bhg.com

And then there are baskets in the kitchen. Not like years ago when Martha Stewart covered practically her entire ceiling with them, but used sparingly for specific jobs.

cultivate.com

But don’t worry.  Martha has learned to use theme sparingly now, too.:)

marthamoments.blogspot.com

And I think this is such a smart idea…hide your coolers in them – out of sight and very pretty.

athome.kimvallee.com

Don’t you just love this sitting area off the kitchen here?  What a great spot to enjoy your coffee!  The trunk and the chairs and the blinds all work together so well.

designindulgence.blogspot.com

I started by talking about the Pottery Barn catalog.  They use baskets everywhere.

under daybeds in the corner….potterybarn.com

under more daybeds (this would work great in our room over the garage)….

potterybarn.com

and under beds.potterybarn.com

Baskets come in handy in the bathroom, too.brabournefarm.blogspot.com

Kelly, over at The Polished Pebble, does a beautiful job using them all over her house.  Check out her laundry room…

ppebble.blogspot.com

and even her cute office space has a basket or two.

houzz.com

I have baskets out on our porch, but here is an even better use for one there –  under a coffee station.

hometalk.com

If I had an area like this for potting plants and flower arranging, I’m sure I would use baskets there, too.

houzz.com

And aren’t these planter baskets absolutely beautiful?!  (Goodness they make me want to work outside in our yard.)

pub1.emagazine.se

So, yes, I am seeing baskets everywhere!  I might even be wandering around them in some shops this beautiful springlike weekend as we take one of our sons out to celebrate his 25th birthday.  I’ll leave you with a question today.:)

Do you use baskets all over your house?

potterybarn.com

Enjoy your weekend!

Posted in RoomsTags: ,
   
say something nice
House Crazy Sarah - March 9, 2013 - 1:33 pm

I love baskets – can’t get enough of them… the natural fiber textures, the rustic colors… just love ‘em!

Barbara (WA) - March 9, 2013 - 1:46 pm

Oh yes, I do use baskets in every room in my house. I also have seasonal baskets I use just as decor. Recently I put a trunk basket with a tray basket on top of it next to my reading chair in the master bedroom. Great place for books and magazines. I’ve used baskets as wall decor in the past, used them to hold rock collections, piano music, movie popcorn, etc., etc. You’ve hit a sweet spot with post!

Nana Diana - March 9, 2013 - 2:31 pm

I love baskets-always have. I have them here and there all over the house. You have some wonderful examples here- xo Diana

Maria - March 9, 2013 - 2:44 pm

As a Longaberger consultant, of course I love baskets! Use them everywhere in my house. Love your blog. Keep up the great work!

Monika - March 9, 2013 - 3:10 pm

Hi, Kelly, Have loved decorating with baskets ever since I can remember. Toted them from house to house as we crossed the US of A. When we lived in Ohio I collected Longaberger baskets and many really old ones I was lucky to find at sales. Lots of very good old stuff can be found in Ohio. No so much in CA …
And Kelly, you must have been a “child bride” – you are much too young to have a 25 yr. old :-) Thanks for another wonderful post. You brighten up my day!

Jennifer from Chesapeake, VA - March 9, 2013 - 5:05 pm

ahhhh, what a LOVELY Saturday post. I use baskets everywhere in my house. From decorations, to magazine holders, to storage. Love that coffee station………..My husband and I usually sit and enjoy an afternoon cup of coffee. What a great idea. Once again I heart your blog!

Garden, Home and Party - March 9, 2013 - 5:10 pm

Kelly,
I love baskets and I use them throughout the house. The Kubu baskets used as planters was a great idea…Ikea has those baskets for a song, I may be visiting the local store this week. I loved the Houzz image with the antique piece and the canes and art, such a great room. Great post.
Karen

Rebecca@MidCenturyModernRemodel - March 9, 2013 - 5:19 pm

I go through phases. Sometimes lots and lots of baskets, other times not as much. I do have a few here and there.

Rose L - March 9, 2013 - 6:13 pm

Great pictures of inspiration again today, Kelly! I love baskets too. I have a very old collection of woven wooden baskets that are my favorites and a few larger sized wicker type baskets. I use a lot of them in my sewing room and quilting room to organize all the bits and pieces with. My husband and I just talked this morning about building a platform for our king sized bed similar to the daybeds in your photos above. I think that would be a great way to store some out of season clothes and extra blankets and bed linens. There is a lot of valuable real estate being wasted under all of our beds if you think about it. This old house has very little storage so baskets are a necessary fact of life for us. I always think of door wreaths when the seasons change. I love to decorate outside as much as inside! Great post.

the farmer's wife - March 9, 2013 - 7:20 pm

Yes! I love anything with closed storage. With three boys, a husband, and all of their paraphernalia, a girl looks for a variety of ways to hide it : )
You may have inspired a future post. How many different mediums of closed storage can one have!? Trunks, and baskets, and boxes… oh my!

carol jane - March 9, 2013 - 8:25 pm

I do love baskets, but I feel they give a very country style decor. Would they work with french, vintage, and shabby chic ?

Colleen - March 10, 2013 - 12:53 am

Oh!! How I love baskets and POTTERY BARN (what I can see via pinterest,blogs etc) I live in Cape Town and we cannot access Pottery Barn sites here, even just for inspiration. If anyone would like to send me a couple of their old ones I would be soooo grateful

for the love of a house - March 10, 2013 - 2:15 pm

I do!! Love them for their practicality and for the texture they provide a room. The one with the ice chest inside is genious! Happy Birthday to your son!
joan

Dayle - March 10, 2013 - 3:45 pm

Those photos are gorgeous! They almost made me want to go clean my house.

Love, love baskets. I used them more in past years, but still love them. I’ve started using them again in the last year or two and there is currently one on my mantel … and I happened to “find” one behind the sofa the other day. Must put to good use.

Dawn - March 10, 2013 - 3:45 pm

I love baskets! They organize and add texture, so what is not to love? I even had a Longarberger shower before we got married. So I have tons of baskets everywhere. I love all kinds of baskets not just the super neat and well planned ones, like Longarberger. The huge ones hold blankets and extra sheets. The small ones hold tissues and recipe cards. I might have a slight obsession with baskets. I even have a few with green woven into them. But that is a whole different obsession all together. I love baskets and green.

Kelly - March 10, 2013 - 4:32 pm

Sarah – And they come in handy for storage too, don’t they?! There is/was a shop in Cashiers, NC that is called The Basket Shop(original, huh?) that had the most baskets I have ever seen in my life. Neat store for those of us addicted to baskets.

Barbara – Sounds like you know what to do with them! I would love a trunk with a tray top. It would work well on my porch I bet.

Diana – I believe you are in the “I love baskets” club too. So glad you liked all the photos here today!

Maria – Too funny! Yep, you most definitely should love baskets! :) Thank you for the sweet words about the blog.

Monika – Although they are light, baskets take up a lot of space when you are moving! Goodness. I hate that you don’t have the great selection of baskets in CA that you had in Ohio. Maybe ebay can provide you with the old ones like you like.
Thank you for the “child bride” compliment. LOL. I am afraid I was in my late twenties when I had my first child…late bloomer here.

Jennifer – Thank YOU for reading the blog on a Saturday afternoon. So glad you liked the basket post! Baskets do make great (and pretty) storage. I could go for an afternoon cup of coffee right now on this Sunday afternoon…and it is nice enough here to enjoy it on the porch.

Karen – Goodness…I should have stopped in at Ikea yesterday afternoon. Darn it! I could have picked up some of those baskets for planters for the porch. Oh well, I think we are headed back to Atlanta in a couple of weeks, so perhaps I can persuade a certain someone to stop in there then.

Rebecca – I used to have many many baskets out mostly for their decorative element, but over the years I have narrowed them down to just the ones that are actually being used for some kind of storage. I guess that makes it more purposeful decorating. I know what you mean about going through phases, though. My phases seem to be linked to the seasons!

Rose – I agree that under the bed is a valuable space not to be wasted. I love how you could organize so much with that style of bed. I have thought about having my husband build the exact same thing too for the kids’ rooms (but his honey-do list has gotten quite long and doesn’t need another thing added to it!) I hope you can get a bed built for you like that.

Julianna – Yes, baskets are great at turning all of our junk into attractive items! As a mom of two sons (and a daughter with lots of paraphernalia) I know just what you mean about finding ways to hide all of it. Glad I could give you some inspiration for your blog!

Carol – I agree they can give a very country element to a room. That is why I have whittled ours down to just those that are being used for storage- a touch here and there. I can definitely see them being used in vintage and shabby chic style rooms – especially those baskets that have a whitewashed or gray coloring. I don’t think they would work in a formal French room, but they would be at home in a French country styled space – perhaps like a Charles Faudree styled room.

Colleen – I just love Pottery Barn too (and could be quite happy living in the store!) I will try to save you some of my issues and send them to you when I have a few. Email me your address and hopefully I can send you some in about a month.

Joan – Thank you for the birthday wishes for my son! Baskets fit so well in your beautiful home. Wasn’t that ice chest idea great? I am definitely going to have to copy that. It would be wonderful out on the porch for parties.

Dayle – Almost made you want to clean your house, and finding a basket behind your sofa…hilarious! Thank you for making me laugh out loud. :)

Dawn – You must REALLY love baskets if you had an entire basket shower! Glory…give you a basket with green on it and you must be in Heaven!:) I used to have a super huge basket that we used to store fire wood. I really hated to let that one go, and it was so large you could have put 4 small children in it! I like the idea of a big one to hold blankets.

Kelly

Wanda - March 10, 2013 - 7:48 pm

Oh this is so dear to my heart! I have so many baskets! Mostly in my sewing room and kitchen. Do you remember when Longenberger baskets were all the rage?

Kelly - March 10, 2013 - 7:56 pm

Wanda – I DO remember that, but I never did buy any back then. My budget was much smaller at that time! I think the old ones may be collectibles now.

Kelly

Pat - March 11, 2013 - 6:45 pm

Yes, I too love baskets, and at one time, like Martha, I had my family room ceiling covered with them. When I finally took them, and all the dust down, it was like the sun was shining! LOL! I still have some, they are so handy, but not like I did before!

Kelly - March 11, 2013 - 11:52 pm

Pat – I was guilty of hoarding baskets, too. When I lived in the mountains of North Georgia my apartment had sooo many (plus it was very easy to find them in all the shops around there.) I love your analogy about the sun shining in after you took them all down from the ceiling. Perfect description!

Kelly

susan@avintagefarmwife - March 13, 2013 - 9:19 pm

Hi, Kelly! Hope your school year is going well. It will soon be over, won’t it? I fell victim to the Longaberger craze and still have 2 nieces who sell them. Now I have them hidden away. I guess I am not going to sell them to pay for my retirement, which I believed when I bought all of them! LOL! I do like the ones in your pics!

March 7, 2013

The Room Over the Garage…Inspired and Confused

We have lived here since 1996 with an unfinished space over the garage.  It would have been nice to have it as another room when all the kids were growing up, but there were many other do-it-yourself projects over the years that took precedent.  So the poor little room never got any attention (plus it made great attic storage for surplus furniture.)  Recently, my husband has gotten motivated to complete the space.  He has been working up there practically every night…finishing the walls, putting up the ceiling, installing plumbing, etc.

Here is what the room looks like now.  Ignore the chairs covered in plastic.  I plan to sell them.  Ignore the Al Gore bulb.  It’s temporary, and ignore the paint color.  That is primer on the walls.

The photo at the top of the post is where the teeny tiny half bath will be located.  The dormer space below will be a very small kitchenette area with a microwave, refrigerator, sink, and maybe some kind of cooktop.

Now here is where you will begin to understand my title “Inspired and Confused.”  When I first started envisioning this space, I saw it as a den used as another hang out space…something like this (without a glass topped coffee table):

creategirl.blogspot.com

But as the kids have gotten older and moved away to college and on their own, the need for that space diminished.  I then began to dream of it being used for my own office/studio where I could do lettering projects, sew, or anything else my little creative self wanted to do. (The heck with everyone else!)  I could even turn into Martha with a beautiful green cabinet craft room just like hers.

marthastewart.com

Or perhaps it could be something more simple, but still a great workspace like this…

pinterest.com

or this.homedit.com

But then…one night I was up there alone and I could hear something scurrying downstairs in the garage. And then the dog began to bark.  (Yes, he does that a lot.)  And so it was that this chicken girl decided that her husband could have the room over the garage for his office, and the current office inside the warm and cozy house would be hers.:)

But then…middle child decided to move back home for awhile after college, and that room might make a great space as an apartment for him.  I found the perfect inspiration in these photos to really make the room over the garage into something special.  Take a look:

myhomeideas.com

myhomeideas.com

I thought it was ideal for a twenty something year old.  But then…he is planning on moving out to go back to school, and he won’t be needing the apartment.  So I began to rethink the use of the room again.

This room then became my inspiration for what could be done with the space (obviously not an attic, but I could use many of the color and fabric ideas from the room.)

foundbydomesticbliss.blogspot.com

And the kitchen area could have cabinets and shelves similar to these:foundbydomesticbliss.blogspot.com

I really thought I had found a direction for the room.  But the more I studied the photos, the more I felt that it wasn’t quite right for this house.  I couldn’t put my finger on what was the problem until I found this photo that made my heart go pitter-patter:

salon.ru

I love it.  Don’t you think it suits this house more than the other style?   And I can see it as my husband’s work area tucked into one of the dormer spaces (without the bookcase unfortunately.)  I think the problem with the other inspiration photo was that it was lacking in warmth and color, while this one has that dose of tan and a little red that I always seem to want in a room.

And to go with it, I also found this photograph…srgambrel.com

and this photograph. (Both made my heart go pitter patter, too.:))restyleresource.com

Neither of these are actual spaces that I can copy, but they give me a good feel for the use of some linen with red in the room – and we are planning on it being my husband’s work space.  So now I have a direction to go thanks to more inspiration (and perhaps a paint color thanks to the desk-in-the-window photo above.) Maybe by the time the room is at the “decorative decisions” phase, I will be able to make some choices.  I guess it is a good thing it has taken 17 years to finish!:)

Which of the inspirational rooms do you think would be the best?

I’d love to hear.

Posted in Our House, RoomsTags: , , , ,
   
say something nice
JoAnne - March 7, 2013 - 7:17 am

All of your inspiration photos are gorgeous. Since it’s going to be hubby’s office, I think the one you chose is just perfect. We have a similar room with dormers that is going to be our teenage son’s room ~ the room with the daybed and trunk is giving me some great ideas for that space. Can’t wait to see how your room turns out!

Jennifer from Chesapeake, VA - March 7, 2013 - 7:18 am

First off………..LOVE it!!! What a fun project. I’m totally in love with that rope chandelier. The bottom 3 photos remind me of your house or what I can see from pictures…and I bet hubby is excited to get an office space (secretly I would rather have the house office too, then it is all MY decorations!) ;) Although he would let me decorate because he doesn’t care about those things he may not KEEP it all beautiful, so better to give him the garage room! I love all the styles and textures of those linens together…..beautiful and cozy. Can’t wait to see what you do!!

Arlene@Nanaland - March 7, 2013 - 7:29 am

We had an attic space in our town house that we converted to a man cave/ grandkids play room. Really it is a place for my hubs to watch sports while I watch HGTV. It also has plenty of shelves for books as well as a built in desk for the pc. Then there is a nook with all the grands toys and finally a trundle bed for the grands when they sleep over. My husband insisted on a full bath up there and while I was skeptical at first, it was the right decision with grands staying overnight up there. I also have a little room off the man cave where I do crafts so it is really a useful space. I like all your ideas and look forward to seeing what you decide to do with your bonus room.

Kelly - March 7, 2013 - 7:41 am

JoAnne – I loved that daybed and trunk room too! I think I remember that being in Cottage Living many years ago. So glad I could give you a little eye candy for your space.

Jennifer – Your logic is so smart about not keeping the room neat! The only thing about not having the over-the-garage room is that it is about 3 times the size of our current office, and I could sure use a lot more space…but oh well. Once we move all of his office things out, it should be fine (especially the closet stuff!) We currently have 3 computer work stations in our one little home office, and it is right…um…cozy. (That’s a nice way to put it!) I can’t wait to see the project finished too. :)

Arlene – Your room sounds wonderful and perfect! I don’t think our space is big enough for all of that, but I love the idea of the trundle bed. (And I especially love the idea of the crafts space right off of the room.)

Kelly

Kelly@HGF - March 7, 2013 - 8:35 am

Kelly I love the last photos for your husband’s office space. I too love red (my kitchen cabinets are red) so of course I would use any of those fabrics. Steven Gambrels window seat is gorgeous and if you could recreate that I would be sooooo jealous! Lowes had an double hung Edison light that would look great hung over a long desk similar to the pic.

karen - March 7, 2013 - 9:24 am

I like them all but the final picture looks awesome! I love the wood on the ceiling too….totally warms up the space! Good choice

House Crazy Sarah - March 7, 2013 - 10:29 am

The thing about a room like that is that it could be any number of things – at the same time. Office/guest room/den/rec room. Wouldn’t take much to change the uses up – especially if you already have plumbing in there! (Love those attic dormer window spaces – always so enchanting to work with!)

Nana Diana - March 7, 2013 - 10:51 am

Oh- What a wonderful space. I LOVE ALL your inspirations, Holly. I am so glad that you are going to get it finished. There are some spaces that are good to just “give over” to someone else-and it sounds like it will work for the hubby. Now do you get to redo HIS room as YOUR OWN soon? xo Diana

Leslie - March 7, 2013 - 11:16 am

Love your pictures and you have so many options for that room a restroom and kitchen area. Just wondering if you have a place for when the kids return home to stay? Eventually there will be others with them and it is nice to have a nice place for them to stay. Having their own bathroom would be wonderful for the spouses and if there are babies with them – you would be able to sleep and not wake up with their parents. So although it will be an office space for your husband, you might want to make this into a place for visitors for the short time they are at your home.

Garden, Home and Party - March 7, 2013 - 11:55 am

Kelly,
This is a post filled with great ideas. I can see the possibilities and know you’ll make the space fabulous, no matter who ends up using it. I’m with you, let Hubby use that space, scurrying creatures won’t concern him! lol. It will be so much fun for you to decorate the room and I love some of the inspiration photos you’ve shared. Keep us posted.
Karen

Barbara (WA) - March 7, 2013 - 12:29 pm

Your story is a perfect description of what really goes on when doing home design!!

Rose L - March 7, 2013 - 3:16 pm

Hi Kelly, What great inspiration photos you’ve collected for this project/space. There is something to love in each and every one of them. When I read this post and all the thoughts you’ve had on it, I tend to agree with Leslie’s ideas the most. It would certainly solve the issue you were having a couple months ago when you were trying to figure out how to fit larger beds into your son’s bedroom. If your oldest son is anything like mine I bet he would welcome the privacy that such a space would afford him while he is temporarily hanging out at your home. I guess I would think in terms of “mother-in-law” suite and try to squeeze in one larger bed or a good quality hide-a-bed or even a Murphy bed if you have one larger blank wall in the space. I love that the space will have a half bath and a snack area for making popcorn etc. You also will have a lot of short walls below the slant ceilings and I think you could add some shorter bookcases in some of those areas for your husbands things. Last but not least you could have weekend getaways with your husband and never leave home!! ;) Good luck, it will be fun to decorate.

Wanda - March 7, 2013 - 4:54 pm

I am just envious you have attic space to renovate and decorate! I know you chose each picture because there was something you loved in each. Why not take what you love about each and mold it together into your own? You are so good at that!!!!!!

the farmer's wife - March 7, 2013 - 6:43 pm

First, I really like the shape of the room and the wood ceiling! Good job, TOTH husband! And I agree, there is something of a kindred spirit to your house in that last photo. I think it’s because it’s not so monochrome as the rest. I think we’ve shared with each other before that that particular trend is probably, at least partially, due to how well those spaces photograph. That last space shares a depth and richness with your house that is warm and inviting.

Shirley@Housepitality Designs - March 7, 2013 - 7:15 pm

Love all the images…especially the first one…so Candice Olsen…and I love the red and white fabric and your inspiration room….that room is so very cozy…a perfect choice…Have fun designing the room…even though it is a bit in the future!…Have a great weekend!!

Lindsay - March 8, 2013 - 8:40 am

Love all of your ideas! I can’t wait to see what you do with it. I’m loving the last ones you posted because you seemed to like those best and think they fit best. I’m such a firm believer that what you love is what is right…there are no right answers. It’s your home after all. Excited to see the final product!

Kelly - March 10, 2013 - 4:45 pm

Kelly – I would love your red kitchen cabinets! Thanks for the heads up on the Lowes’ light. I can’t wait to start shopping for all the fun decorative things that really make a room. Lowes will definitely be one of my go-to places for things (especially since all the wood and plumbing supplies have been from there, too!)

Karen – So glad you liked the inspiration photos. I will be happy when all of the ceiling is finished with that wood. It makes such a difference in the room. We should have done the walls in planks, too, but as my husband pointed out, that would have been quite a bit more costly. I need to win a lumber mill!

Sarah – You are right about all the options available. I think that is what is confusing me! LOL. Actually, if it is my husband’s space, it needs to stay professional looking for meetings with clients when he retires and does consulting work. That is why I can’t combine it to make it the boys’ space. (It would NOT look professional with them in there. :) ) But it certainly could have a sofa sleeper for occasional sleepovers of guests.

Diana – I will be doing over the current office some…especially the closet space. I also want to put a window seat in there..which is something we had planned to do when we moved in years ago. The first order of business for that room though is to get rid of the old carpet. The subfloor would be better than the condition of the carpet that is currently in there!!

Leslie – You are right. I need to think of that, but all my children tell me that is sooooo far in the future. LOL A sleeper sofa will probably be in the picture at some point (but moving one of those up the stairs is not something I even want to think about!) Oh my goodness they are heavy.

Karen – Thanks for your vote of confidence! It will be a fun space to do. We were in fabric shops in Atlanta yesterday, and I kept seeing fabrics I loved and saying “ooh this would be great in the room over the garage.” I had to keep reminding myself I was SUPPOSED to be shopping for fabric for the sofa in the great room! (Didn’t buy any though.) One project at a time…I did fall in love with this matelasse that I just have to find a spot for: http://forsythfabrics.com/detail.aspx?ID=4762 AND they had it in red (although I loved all the colorways.)

Barbara – You mean everyone is as indecisive as this?! LOL You have to know the use of the room before you can figure out how to best use and decorate the space. The use is what has been the hold up for me with this room.

Rose – My husband loved your idea of the weekend getaway! :) We will be inheriting a sofa in the next couple of weeks to use up there. I think a sleeper sofa, as you said, would be a very smart option for it, but unfortunately the sofa we are getting is not one. I hope we will be able to replace the “inherited” sofa down the road with a sleeper though. I could possibly squeeze in a daybed somewhere, but being that this is going to be my husband’s “work” place to possibly work with clients, I still want to keep it as professional as I can…Now if it were MY space, it would definitely have a daybed…for naps! :)

Wanda – We have never had an upstairs room anywhere to decorate, and I have wanted one since I was a child. So this is going to be fun! I am even looking forward to doing something with the stairs. Yes, there are things I loved in each photo…the daybed in the “boy” space, the neutrals in the gathering space, and the planks and colors in the desk space photo. I will see what I can do like you said with these details. And then I found sooo many fabrics to love yesterday in Atlanta…too many good things to choose from!

Julianna – My husband says “thank you” for the compliment! And I say thank you for the “warm and inviting” compliment. The monochromatic rooms look so calm in the photos, but once you add snacks, kicked off shoes, and newspapers, they probably don’t look as good in real life; do they? :) Or at least that is what I tell myself.

Shirley – Weren’t all those red and white fabrics great?! Love them. I saw lots of great red and white fabrics yesterday in Atlanta…too many to choose from.

Lindsay – Thank you for your sweet comment! I, too, believe you should love what you put in your rooms and not be bound by trends. And obviously, I do love red. But goodness at all the beautiful color ways I saw yesterday in fabrics in Atlanta…I could love most ANY color after seeing all of them.

Kelly
S u b s c r i b e   b y   E m a i l