NEW COOKWARE REVIEW

There's nothing like having two children getting married roughly three months apart to remind you how old all of your kitchen materials are. 

In the summer of 2021, both my oldest son and my daughter were married. It was hectic and wonderful all at the same time! It was a beautiful few months of parties, showers, teas, and lots of family time. I would do it all again if I had the opportunity. However, as their wedding gifts started coming in, I started making some comparisons (which is always a bad idea!) between all the shiny new kitchen gadgets they were receiving, and all the old, worn out, even some hand-me-downs I was using. So, after the money stopped dashing out the door for the weddings, I decided it was time to replace a few things in my kitchen. 

One thing I ordered and have loved is this new set of cookware. 

Rachel Ray 13-pc Non-stick Cookware

I did a good bit of reading and researching before I made my decision. I do cook, but I don't cook all the time. So, I was trying to find something that was a good value that would also last me a while without breaking the bank. This set had great reviews, and I also liked the color. (I mean that's important, too, right?)

It may be reading a bit green in this picture, but it's the perfect light gray with some blue undertones. Another great thing about this set is all the lids it comes with. That has been a problem for me in the past: not enough lids to go around when I'm using multiple pots or skillets. I have been really pleased so far. I've had my set for almost a year now, and it still looks brand new. It cooks evenly and everything washes up well. So far, not a single complaint.

If you could also use an upgrade in the cookware department, I think this set is a great option. Let me know below in the comment section if you have any questions. 

Happy cooking!

THRIFT SCORES AND COFFEE

Last week I shared a few things that I found at the antique malls over the past month or so. You may have seen them already if you follow me on Instagram, which I hope you do! Today I'm showing you what I did with some of my haul.

I told myself I would never leave a large tray/basket behind again, so this one came home with me. It has a few broken pieces in the weave, but nothing so bad I can't use it. The plates were from two different vendors. I paid $8 for one and $2.50 for the other one. That's the thing about thrifting, if old stuff is your thing, you can find lots of things to love at great price points. And once you start thrifting often, you know what's a good price and what you should leave behind. I found the milk glass earlier in the summer. My favorite find of the day was the silver-plated bowl that I bought for only $2. It was tarnished terribly, but I knew it could easily be revived.

First things first.

I had to clean and polish the little silver bowl. This is what I use on silver and silver-plated objects. It is the best stuff and so easy to use. It comes with a sponge, and all you do is rub it on generously and rinse it off. For harder to clean objects, like my new old bowl, just go through the cleaning process twice. Try it for yourself here.

WRIGHT'S SILVER CREAM

Once the bowl was all cleaned up, it only took me a minute to decide what to do with it--coffee filters. I'd been wanting to create a coffee station by the coffee pot, and when the filters fit in the bowl, I was on my way.

I started with a tray from Target that I'd had for a while. The trim is white, but the inside is a pretty natural wood shade.



After realizing the filters fit perfectly in the bowl, it started coming together. Look how well the tarnished bowl cleaned up. I bet if the vendor who sold it for $2 had polished it first, he/she may have gotten a bit more than $2.

I added our coffee to a candy jar, thrifted of course, that I found sometime around Christmas last year.

I added a few of my favorite old coffee mugs (OLD, OLD, OLD coffee mugs) that I drink from almost every day. Notice they have just a touch of blue. :)

Next, I added this flower vase from another spot in the house....

... and swapped out yellow tulips for these red ones I was using in the foyer.

Then I added the thrifted Churchill plate, the rose pink and white version of Blue Willow.

Now everything is at my finger tips when it's time to prepare and drink my coffee.

If you like this look, you can shop for similar accessories below to help you create your own organized coffee station.

Red Tulips  //  Silver Bowl  //  Tray   //   Coffee Mugs  //  Glass Jar  //  Red and White Plate

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a wonderful 4th!

Kathryn

Woodbank Lane receives commissions from purchases made through links on this page. 

WHY I LOVE THIS ROOM: TEN TAKEAWAYS (#3)

Today I'm sharing another room that when I came across it made me pause and linger. I'm not exactly sure where I first saw it, but more than likely it was on Pinterest. After a bit of investigating, I found out the kitchen is from the Southern Living Idea House of 2015, and it's located in Charlottesville. Bunny Williams designed the room. (That explains a lot!) 

Evidently many of you like it as well. I shared this picture on Instagram, and it was my most liked post of 2018. :-) "Why I Love This Room" is a continuing series that I started last year. You can go here and here to see the other rooms I've shared. So what is it about the room that speaks to me? So glad you asked!!

Ten Takeaways

ONE

The most obvious objects of my affection in this endearing kitchen are all the blue and white pieces. The transferware hanging underneath the cabinets works perfectly in that space, and the tableware pattern is a pretty choice! You can't go wrong with blue and white, and I've decided you can never have too much. 

TWO

And speaking of the blue and white, look how creatively it's stored. The dishes are not simply stacked, but they are up-right, symmetrically displayed to show off the happy, fun pattern. 

THREE

I think I would like glass-front cabinets in my home, but I'm not really sure. They would require me to be more neat than I am now. However, in this kitchen I really love them. They are certainly a good choice if you have China, collections, or boldly patterned dishes you want to show off to your guests. 

FOUR

The combination of blue and white + a touch of green is one of my favorites. The apples provide the perfect pop of color to the counter top. Yellow lemons would also work to add color. 

FIVE

I don't know about you guys, but any time there is greenery (real or faux) in a picture, my eye is quickly drawn to it. This one is no different. Greenery adds the natural element we all like in our decorating.

SIX

Could the chairs be any more perfect for this eating area? I think not. The blending of the fabric on the chairs and the wood table works wonderfully. And don't miss the white on the chair backs. It coordinates well with the white of the cabinetry and bead board used throughout the room. 

SEVEN

At first glance I wasn't crazy about the light fixture. But the more time I spent with the room, the more I decided I do like it. The contrast to the white background makes it stand out. It's not stuffy in any way, and adds a hint of cottage/farmhouse style. 

EIGHT

The flowers give a mismatched touch of whimsy. To me, pretty flowers add just as much to a table as the dishes. Luckily, most grocery stores now stock flowers. I hope to one day have a Trader Joe's to run to for fresh flowers. 

NINE

Look how great the table covering looks! It adds the perfect amount of color without taking away from the blue and white. It provides a stunning backdrop for the dishes. 

TEN

And last, don't miss the rug. It ties the room together by incorporating all of the colors used, from the shelving all the way to the tablescape. 

On another note, I did a little research while getting ready for this post, and as it turns out, the dishes used in this room are available through Ballard Designs. They are from the Campbell House Dinnerware Collection.

Bunny Williams for Ballard Designs

Until next time...

Kathryn