just right

I've been on a hunt lately for just the right container to hold jars 

for kitchen organization and storage.

photobucket

I've seen wonderful ideas in blogland for using jars and 

jar carriers for a variety of uses and I wanted one.

The Virginia House

I've found some on Etsy and other places but none so far

have been just right for me.

etsy

etsy

They have all been either too expensive, too simple,

lacking character, too small or just not me. 

Then, I found this:

This old wooden and metal tote was it!

Four jars fit in it perfectly.

Love all the rustic detail.  There are little holders I guess for

screwdrivers or whatever that would hold pens if I decide 

to use it for something else.

I put my jars in and sat it on my little "tableisland".

I added the forks, knives and spoons.

On the other side, there is room for paper plates and plasticware.

It holds it all perfectly, makes everything convenient and easy to get to

and frees up a whole drawer in the kitchen to use for something else.

My little kitchen tableisland is a one stop shop for whatever we need.

I love this little unique tool tote. I could use it for so many things.

I'm still on the lookout for just the right milk bottle carrier.

I still want one but for now, this tote is just right.

I've been noticing a change in my style over the last few months.

Have you noticed it too?  

I think it's evolving into something unexpected for me.

I'm working on a post to explain it all.  

It may mean some little changes are in store for this little blog.

Stay tuned.

New old kitchen island

I have a nice sized kitchen.  It's not one of those ginormous open kitchens but it's a good size for us.  It had plenty of room for a smaller kitchen island and I really wanted one.  I've been looking for the right island for years.  I wanted something not too big, not too new, preferably white, multifunctional, a little chipped up, and really cute.  So, Jennie and I take a little trip to a small town in East Texas to hit a couple of antique shops.  There I find the perfect table.  So, perfect that I think about all the possibilities of how I could use it; all the possibilities except a kitchen island.  It was only about $30. so I get it.  We put it in the kitchen and left it there until I could decide what I wanted to do with it.  After living with it in the middle of the kitchen for a couple of days, I realized it could be my perfect kitchen island.  Here's what I did.

Here's the table.  It's solid, not wobbly like most. 

Love the old nails.  Even though it appears a little rough, it's actually quite a smooth surface.  It's just so worn down to a soft, smooth finish.  We found an old metal paper towel holder for $10. at the same shop and attached it to the side of the table.

Here's a close up of the holder.  Notice anything?  Look closely.  My husband attached it upside down.  The little raised lettering says "Scottowels"...upside down.

We found a large cheap galvanized gate handle at Home Depot and attached it to the front.  It's the new hand towel holder.  We always have a  little red kitchen towel on it that's easy to use for a quick dry of the hands.  This is the one and only time we had those ugly paper towels in the holder.  Now, we only have plain white paper towels on the holder.

I also found an interesting bread box and sat that on top of the table.  Love the little latch.  This holds so much bread, rolls, muffins, etc. so our lovely lab, Bella, can't get them for a mid-day snack when we're not home.  She often helps herself to something we have forgotten to put away or up high.

I added a couple of old ladderback chairs I got years ago at DAV (disabled veterans thrift store).  I got a set of 6 without seats for under $100., painted them and replaced and covered the seats.  Then added a small red rug from Pier One (which is so cute but I didn't get a good picture of it) and there you have it...a great kitchen island!  There's plenty of room to put a great large basket under it for more storage. 

Total costs for my new old island: table $30, paper towel holder: $10, bread box $15, handle $5

for a grand total of  $60.