It's been a loooong time coming but I'm finally ready to start sharing some photos of our new home! But first, some background info for those of you that are new around here-
My small family recently purchased our first home! (by recently I mean close to a year ago, time flies when you're working your butt off) We went from a 1000 sq ft rental, to a 1700 sq ft 1979 ranch style house. We got a killer deal on it, but it needed WORK. The bones were good but it needed a major face-lift. It was mostly stripped of any character and it needed paint and love desperately. My husband and I are all about DIY and were prepared to do the work and put our sweat equity into it. What we were NOT prepared for was how long it would take doing all this with our toddler running around in the middle of it.
We're now at a place where the boring stuff is mostly out of the way and we can start really putting our stamp on it. One of the places I had to make welcoming immediately was our kitchen and breakfast area. We cook at home everyday and eat all of our meals there so it had to feel cozy and relaxing while the insanity ensued in the rest of the house. We still haven't finished the major kitchen projects like the paint, tile, cupboards etc but it has definitely received the GypsyYaya treatment.
I thought I'd share my breakfast nook with you while I had the table all set for breakfast with some of my fave dishes and table linens. The runner and place-mats are vintage and the cloth napkins were a dollar store find. I'm devoted to cloth napkins and use them at every meal, I have a big basket of them that I've collected and then I just wash em' with the dishcloths. They make the table so much prettier and I don't have the cost or waste of using paper.
Dishes are one my favorite things to collect. I adore setting a pretty table, occasion or no occasion. Those gorgeous hand-painted bowls and plates are from Grand Bazaar Shopping and totally make a table with their colors and patterns. I couldn't wait to show them off, I've wanted a set for ages. They just scream GypsyYaya don't they? The gold flatware was thrifted along with the glasses and mugs.
I mix and match patterns indiscriminately as long as they fit into my color scheme, which is usually some version of indigo, amber and raspberry. It's wild but it works.
I started by painting the half wall a softer color, it was a horrid shade of penitentiary gray before. I took down the dusty black 80's window blind and replaced it with a bamboo roll down, then added some more natural elements with the woven sea-grass rug (a $5 thrift find) and a wicker plant stand.
I prefer to keep the view of the backyard open so the "curtains" are actually an Indian sari cut in half and clipped on curtain rings to add color and warmth without obscuring the view. A big wood framed mirror opens the space and reflects light into the room and plants bring life and color. The dining set is the classic and crazy affordable Jokkmokk set from Ikea that I have had for years.
I would love to eventually add a built in bench under the mirror and have a round table and two upholstered chairs in here but that's at the end of the list at the moment.
I tossed one of these throw pillows on my chair the other day and discovered it made the chairs way more comfy and then I was like why not? They add so much color and texture and make thangs a little more luxurious. So they are staying. I'm always happier the more I add!
On another note, I was totally inspired by all of the cottages with names while on my trip to Nova Scotia. My favorite being "Shady Rest" and I think my house needs a name for romantic points but also so I can tag it on Insta. I'm leaning towards Casa Bohemia because it has some Spanish vibes but I'm not sold yet. I'm all ears if ya'll have any ideas!
xoxo-Andrea
