This little space under the stairs has a teensy bit of my sewing paraphernalia in it, so I’m just gonna call it the sewing nook.  As you can see, there’s no table on which to sew and very little storage for several boxes of fabric.  And I have quite a good deal of the woven stuff.

The doorway with fabric is a boarded up door that apparently used to be the backdoor of the house.  It was closed off sometime after the back porch was turned into a kitchen and another room and bathroom was added to the back of the house (circa 1950).  I can hardly imagine how tiny the house must have felt in its original state.  Of course, it used to be a summer beach cottage.  Neat, huh?

The dressform seems to scare my guests a bit, like there’s a person freakishly lurking in the corner.  But I’m hoping to put her to good use once I get more settled here.  It’s gonna happen.

I hesitate to share this one because the chairs we bought were shoddy and the whole table & chairs set is being returned.  We’re on the lookout now for either a good thrifty find or plans to make our own.  I was pretty disappointed that this didn’t work out, but maybe it was for the best.  I love modern furniture, but maybe it’s just too modern for this space.  I don’t know. :)

A new friend of mine suggested I check out Ana-White for furniture plans, and that might be the trick.  Just gotta convince Evan…

Our new house in Norfolk has been a lot of fun to decorate.  We moved in with a sherbet orange kitchen awaiting us.  This might be a lovely color for many folks out there.  It’s really not too offensive.  I mean, it’s not lime green.  Which I am guilty of using.  In a very large living room.  But I digress.

Even if we’re just renting, and even if it’s just for a year (we don’t know for sure), I needed to change these walls.  So my dear mother-in-law visited and helped me paint them a semi-gloss white.  (I love her.)  Of course, we had to enlist the help of Evan to get the highest points.  He was a trooper about it. :)

I love the tile on the floor in here.  It’s a terracotta with accent tiles.  I never would have chosen this, but I absolutely adore it anyway.

I even love that old stove.

And here’s a little nook of shelves, filled with some of my favorite kitcheny things.  (This shows just how bright white the kitchen is now.)

It might be a bit much, but I can rearrange it every day if my heart desires. :)

I’m thinking about putting a “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster on the wall to the left of the stove.  What do you think?  Has the fad worn itself out?  I just like the red & white together.  And now it makes me think of The King’s Speech.  Which is great.

Well, there’s a bit of the kitchen.  I’ll be back soon to share more nooks and crannies in our new home.

What are some of your favorite decorating resources?  I love Decor8 and Design*Sponge.  Now that we’re in our new home in Norfolk, I’m scouring all my favorite sites for ideas.

Here are some places inspiring me now:

• all the luck in the world - Cheerful and fresh and handmade
• Smile and Wave - Rachel Denbow epitomizes vintage-modern, which I adore
• here’s looking at me kid - I love Mandi’s interior and her vintage wardrobe
• nice*room - the name says it all
• AprillAprill - I don’t have to understand the language to appreciate the blog, but the English translations are nice :)

We’re on the market for a new sofa too.  I’m so torn between slipcovered furniture or leather.  And the price difference is kinda huge.  So I’m having analysis paralysis.  Oh, and Evan needs to sit on a sofa before he’ll commit.  Understandable.

I like this one at Ikea.