The Enchanted Kitchen

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different, and if that is not ENCHANTMENT, then where is it to be found?” ~ J.B. Priestley” snow1

The professionals define enchantment as something that is  alluring, charming, magical, captivating, fascinating and charismatic. The spoken word  ‘enchantment’ itself,  evokes an abundance of emotions that are pleasing to our minds and souls…It reminds me of my childhood where many of the  fairytale books I read, romantic  movies I saw, (Cinderella, Sleeping beauty,)  or inspiring plays our family went to ,  always had magical, joyful and colorful characters along with a captivating story line. There are so many things in our life that are enchanting…the music we listen to, (like J.B quoted above,) the first fall of fresh white snow, the  night sky filled with a myriad of twinkling stars, the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, the prancing fireflies, the sound of thunder and rain, watching a garden grow from it’s very beginning, (eminently elated over each days growth,) r a new recipe that you create that  turns  out to be a Five star meal. 🙂   Another Enchanting part of our lives can be our homes…Perhaps just one room that you bring alive with magical, captivating decor, or your entire haven. The atmosphere around us, undoubtedly  carries a lot of influence on how we feel, think as well as our moods. I think  putting together an enchanting room would  not only  be fun but would challenge us in our “creativity department.” 🙂  Remember that’s the fun part! 🙂

“I don’t think of decorating as a science or discipline. People always say, ‘start with the rug,’ but it is often the last thing I end up selecting. I BEGIN with whatever makes my heart sing.” ~ Katie Ridder

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Yes, we are surrounded by a myriad of stirring, gallant and exquisite ‘ideas’ for beautiful home decor, but it is your innate tastes and “favorite things,” that will bring about your home’s warmth and unforgettable ambiance.  Ask yourself a few questions…What surroundings make you feel happy inside? Fulfilled? Winsome? What is your signature style? Favorite colors? What type of home decor is aesthetic and eye-catching to your soul? One of the decorating themes I love to use, actually comes from the ‘muse’ of my favorite childhood stories…Especially the tales of Peter Cottontail, Brer rabbit and Beatrix Potter’s, Peter rabbit. YOU’VE HEARD  of the “Enchanted Forest?”…the place where the trees have eyes and roam amongst the lush woodlands? The flowers sing delightful melodies and the fireflies sparkle, radiate and dance among the willow branches all year long… 🙂 In my ‘Maritime Home’ vignette, I illustrated how you could ‘steal away’ some of the natural beauty of the sea  and allow it to reside within your own home…In doing so, you bring forth a portion of the romance, mystique and legends of the ocean, right into your own berth with your bethnic, decorating style. The same is true of the enchantments of the timberland, the stories of our youth, the magic, wonder and  delight we experienced every night, as our moms, dads or grandparents read story after story to us and our soaring imaginations took us into each Folklore’s land, and into their lives until we fell asleep and dreamt we were really there. 🙂

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For this Blog, I would like ‘to introduce some ideas,’  using one of my favorite combinations of decor, which is bunny rabbits and the beauty of nature, to create “The Enchanted Kitchen.” This blog will be filled with ideas from the magical tales and legends we grew up with. A kitchen filled with bunnies, flowers, a rainbow of colors and charming accents such as dollhouses, decorative plates, recherche’ wreaths, dried flowers, ‘rabbit lamps,” bird houses and nature’s beauty at it’s best!

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Whether real life or animated, the rabbit and it’s baby bunnies are a gift to nature as well as our souls. It is known that the hinterland, (the great outdoors) and it’s bounty of rainbow colors, brings forth comfort, serenity, calmness and joy. It makes us happy…how can one not be fortuitous when driving through a French countryside where all  the diverse hues and shapes of bonny flowers cover the hills. It is a site to see…beauty, in its rare, natural form. (Like they say, “The Handiwork of God.” )

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In creating a kitchen with adorable rabbits in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures, along with the magic of nature and childhood nostalgia, you will find that this combination will bring forth charm, allurement and JOY! It’s a reminder of spring and the playful months. It represents new life and new beginnings, even when wintry weather is right outside our front doors. You can dress your kitchen bunnies up for the autumn season with the brilliant, fall colored leaves and garlands. At Christmas time, using top hats and red roses are alluringly festive as well as lush green garlands festooned around their chubby necks with bright, cherry red berries. (The same is true of your accent pieces that surround your bunnies.)  I have been using bunnies to decorate with for many years and never have ‘grown out of love’ with their sheer, charming magic. 🙂 Truly, they gladden my soul!  Sometimes, I give them a rest, but whenever they are taken down out of the attic, dusted off and placed out amongst our home, I feel like our little haven is filled with color, magic and a fairy-tale like ambiance. In this blog, we are going to be decorating one room and that is your kitchen. Whether you enjoy decorating your kitchen in blue and white, a maritime theme, French Country, Vintage or Italian decor, most kitchens are agreeable with these little guys, but we will look at a few  kitchens, especially ready for their arrival. 🙂

Here are a few facts about  REAL LIFE rabbits and nature that you may not know…

A male rabbit, like a male deer is called a Buck…Can you guess what a female rabbit is? A Doe. The babies?…they are named after someone very special to me…a Kit. 🙂

Rabbits and bunny’s actually purr just like a cat. (So, if you ever have a pet rabbit and do not have a kitty,) when you hear that ‘purr’ sound in the middle of the night, don’t think you are hearing unworldly things, it’s your bunny.  🙂 Pet rabbits can live to be 10-12 years old. They are so cute and cuddly, they just have a Brobdingnagian amount of  continuous droppings, and can be hard to keep up with. 🙂 (Yes my sister and I once adopted two very large rabbits as house pets…Our carpet was never the same… 🙂 But, they can, if you have the time, be potty trained. 🙂   They have exceptional senses. If you ever see a bunny with it’s ears up and eyes open, KNOW that they are not in danger...that is what they do when they are happy and at peace. When they are not tranquil and serene and are being pursued by one of their predators,  sly foxes, dogs, hawks, raccoons and eagles, (even if one of their enemies doesn’t lay a hand on them,) they can die instantaneously. Yes, rabbits can be literally, scared to death! That’s daunting!

Connecting with nature, ( the bucolic countryside, baronial timberland or it’s galvanic critters,) not only brings your life  BEAUTY and WINSOMENESS but it can significantly boost your mood. Did you know that nature also lowers your blood pressure?  Flowers, especially in pastel colors, bring our souls serenity, calmness and well being. So, I figure that if you decorate with some of natures beauty and gifts as well as bunnies, you will  benefit in several ways…you will be fulfilled with a beautiful kitchen, feel more peaceful and joyful in your life as well as be nurtured by the special comforts and memories of your childhood. 🙂

Tell me you are not smiling after you see this next picture….:) bunny1

Here are our favorite childhood bunnies… All the fun-loving little critters we grew up with, either on the movie screen or in our bed time stories that were such a  comfort to our souls and helped us to enter into slumber-land sooner. 🙂 My grandmother must have told me  the renowned Uncle Remus tale of Brer Rabbit  over 100 times…Who can forget Peter Cottontail, Alice and Wonderland’s ‘White Rabbit,” The Velveteen Rabbit, (excellent lesson in that story,)  🙂 “Rabbit” in Winnie the Pooh, Thumper in the classic ‘Bambi,’ Peter Rabbit, Bugs Bunny and the prestigious “Harvey” with James Stewart.

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I love these wonderful quotes about natures divine worth as well as the wisdom about  a few of our favorite creatures! 🙂

“Until one has loved an animal, apart of ones soul remains unawakened.” ~ Anatole France

” How strange that nature does not knock and yet does not intrude.” ~ Emily Dickinson

“Wait…I’m getting a signal.” ~ Bunny with ear up.bun3

“An animals eyes have the power to speak a great language.” ~ Martin Buber

“If you chase two rabbits, you will loose them both.” ~ A Native American saying

“Oh Honey Bunny…” ~ Jessica Rabbit bun2

“It is a perversely human perception that animals in their native habitat are running wild.” ~Robert Brandt

 

This is one of my favorite quotes from The Velveteen Rabbit.vr

“I can enjoy society in a room, but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.” ~ William Hazlett

“The Poetry of the earth is never dead.” ~ John Keats

Are you ready to begin creating your Magical Kitchen?

I chose these kitchens for two of your backgrounds with your “Enchanted Kitchen” theme, as  they have ample space as well as some ‘nooks and crannies‘ to give your rabbits a snug home. These two kitchens have an abundance of different shades of white, (egg shell, off white, creamy whites and a pillowy beige – white,) in the marbleized counter tops, thus bringing about “the perfect color foundation” for the bunny decor below. Your elfin ‘mise-en-scene’ will only highlight and enhance the ambiance and patina of your kitchen. Both of these ‘cucino’s’ have excellent color palette’s.

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This is one of my favorite rabbits…he is very colorful, confident and a bit on the formal side. Perhaps placing a kaleidoscopic wreath, an antiquated doll house, a bunny lamp as well as an accent towel would bring forth a bit of allurement and wonder to these kitchens. To introduce the beauty of nature, maybe some topiary trees, flowers  and other ‘critters’ of the forest!  I hope these ideas inspire you with your current kitchen, or for your future kitchen …(The ‘cucino’ of your dreams.)  🙂

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This wreath, (also easy to make,) blends in perfectly with the colors of the rabbit, don’t you think?

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This “bunny lamp” is not only authentic and fabulously blithesome, it will add a lovely romantic lighting to your kitchen. They have soft amber, low wattage  light bulbs now that create such a warm ambiance in any room. (I just got two, one for my living room and the other for the kitchen.)  I love their soothing touch.

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This red plate would look riveting in the kitchen with the red accents…along with all the adorable and engaging  pewter squirrels. 

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I like this wreath with it’s natural, woodsy and subtle appeal.  It brings froth a a novel and august beauty.

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Adding greens in different shapes, textures and shades  will bring a wealth of  charm to your room. Don’t forget, green is  the color of LIFE… 🙂

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These are so adorable. I place my stuffed bunnies in a chair, (almost like I would a designer pillow.) What an adorable pair… These two characters would look great in the kitchen with the red accents.

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Here is another warm and hypnotic kitchen for your magical theme. This lovely and alluring kitchen is perfect for an ‘Enchanted Forest’ ambiance as it already embodies a multitude of  the soft and lulled colors of nature…It actually resembles a little cottage with it’s charming architecture, captivating whites and gorgeous wood flooring. I adore all the little shelves and spaces where your rabbit decor could be placed above the stove and  upon the center Island. This kitchen is stunning!kitchencottage

I  would choose the bright color of the  white wood, a soft yellow with hints of pastel rose as well as shades of green for this kitchen’s color palette. The choice and top-notch bunny for this Kitchen would be one that embodies this rooms brilliant and tasteful cottage look.  I also would add some cabbage style bowls and plates, (whether on plate stands upon a shelf or hanging on the wall with plate hangers,)  perhaps a few multicolored adventuresome bird houses, another rabbit themed lamp,accent towels and some hints of nature.

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Adding cabbage designed plates or bowls in pastel colors is very charming as well as alluring… I especially prefer the rose and  green tones mixed together for this theme.

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This kitchen decor is so clever, life like, BRIGHT, cheery and  very creative!

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This quaint and adorable Boyd’s bunny is a ‘must have’ in any room , especially on the kitchen counter or nestled in a kitchen chair. She is so romantic and whimsical… She makes me smile!

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This beautiful kitchen is a perfect ‘cucino’ for creating “magic.”  It’s lovely butter cream yellow, combined with the soft whites and hard wood flooring brings forth a nurturing and enveloping room. It’s light, airy, tasteful and embodies plenty of space to decorate.

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The ‘choice’ bunny for this kitchen would be one that has a hint of yellow, ( enhancing the light, sunny walls,)  as it would set your color scheme in motion. Adding an animated picture, a romantic, petite dollhouse, some flower baskets, topiary bunnies, a  quaint lamp, and few small  rabbits upon the window sill, would most certainly  give this kitchen that “enchanted ambiance.”

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This is also an actual ‘rabbit lamp.’ It has a subtle, soft light, glowing  from within and adds an eminently enchanting and cordial ambiance. He is adorable! (He would also make a great ‘night light.’)  🙂

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This animated picture would be absolutely striking, framed in a light wooden frame with a white, pale green or light rose colored matting. It alone, embodies a ‘magical’ and playful ambiance.

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Our years  spent in Arizona became my “introduction season” to ‘learn’ how to bring forth a winsome home, create beauty through crafts, stretch my wings at decorative painting and to be honest with you, it was one of the happiest times of my life.  This was my first kaleidoscopic flower basket I had ever made and I was “Oh so proud.” It would look great in the center island of this enchanted kitchen.  (Leave the over sized bunny for a ‘much larger’ room. 🙂 (Though she would look really cute sitting up in a bay window with motley , fluffy pillows.) 🙂

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Topiary trees add the beautiful green of nature and these bunny’s are so darn cute!

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Another type of flower basket to add would be one with ample buttercup yellow flowers mixed with another of natures bounties, ‘baby chicks.’ I love this basket, (the green moss is an ‘upbeat’ addition,) very animated and life like. Like the kitchen, its wispy, light and delicate.

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Dreamy, beckoning and fairytale-like. ! I love it!

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These bunnies would look splendid upon the window sill…giving you added charm at every turn.

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This is a great idea for a center piece for the center island in this kitchen. The idea of the topiary bunnies within a flowering pot is a great foundation…You could add some tall flowers, a miniature birdhouse or little bunnies on a stick and use green moss instead of the shredded paper. The finished product would bring forth a brilliantly, sanguine addition for your animated ambiance.

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This next “cuisine” as the French would say for  the word ‘kitchen,’ is distinctive, companionable, rich and warm in color and the lavished, polished woods are alluring to say the least.  I adore the overhead lighting, the eat in bar around the center island and it’s spaciousness is ingenious for your magical look.

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The color palette I would choose for this kitchen would be gold or amiable yellows, mixed with a very subtle, pastel grey, light hue of rose and different shades of green. (And of course, use the highlights of black and white to tie in the appeal of this quaint kitchen.) The bunny, (or bunnies ) would need to be colorful yet resplendent and heartwarming as well.

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There is nothing like a fetching birds nest amongst an array of majestic flowers to bring the glorious theme of ‘nature’ into your room.bl27Bl41Bl38

A few of these rabbit  throw pillows would be wonderful for the black, artful bar stools in this ‘cuisine.’

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I adore this bunny lamp…It is not only classy but the colors are so vibrant and charming!

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A great dish for assorted potpourri’s or candies…even filling this bowl with small sea shells would be a soothing and refreshing added touch.

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Here are some great artful concepts for table settings…I love all the creative napkin ideas. These are great colors for this kitchen.

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How about a kitchen with warm layers of shades of green already incorporated in the kitchens foundation. If you currently have a green and white kitchen, you are already ‘half way there’ in your preparation for a magical enchanting ambiance.  This particular kitchen is a French country ‘cuisine,’ (as they call it,)  but its’ decor of roosters, ( the French’s national symbol,) can easily be exchanged with your relished displays of natures colorful bounty as well as your kitchens new guest of honor, the “whimsical  bunny.”) 🙂  I will be illustrating  some “Bunny” Back-splashes for your stove tops later on in this blog…a new way to add the ‘decor of your choice,’ to your kitchen.

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Lets begin our decor with the eye-catching , “center of attention.” Your rabbit! For this ‘cucino,’ I think going with a color palette of diverse greens, antique reds and a splash of blue amongst the whites would be a great choice. This guy is way to cute! 🙂

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These would be great accents, adding more hues of green and soft creamy whites. (Both very whimsical and dreamy.)

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Another bright, clever and felicitous decorative item.

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Charming and warm… Very easy to create and yet it looks like it took hours! 🙂

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In this case, less is more. 🙂 He’s so adorable! (Okay, maybe add a bright yellow bow around his chubby neck…)

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Whether you choose fresh or dried flowers, both are notably enhancing to any room in your home as they add texture and color and are a beautiful, whimsical  decorative item.

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A throw pillow,  cozily nestled in a chair, always adds texture, layers and warmth…These pillows are  especially amiable and welcoming…I enjoy all the lovely, vibrant  colors and their faces are so life like, playful and cute. (The kind of ‘cute’ where you want to ‘pinch their cheeks.’ ) 🙂

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Don’t underestimate some wondrous and delectable baked good around your kitchen to bring your theme even further home… These are so cute and I bet they  taste out of this world!

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You can never go wrong with a Beatrix Potter plate. What an talented artist. 🙂

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This next kitchen is so warm, rustically inviting and filled with hospitality. It creates a very welcoming home for  your ‘whimsical and enchanted bunny.’

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The main color scheme of this room is definitely the charming mixture of vintage and French Country woods with some accent colors of green, reds and butter cream yellows. This center piece is breathtaking, winning and top-notch, I absolutely want one! FR46

A few more ideas to add color and warmth to your ‘place of creation,’ your kitchen,

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These additional flower pots are bright, chic and motley… “Colors are the smile of nature.” ~ Leigh Hunt…

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This would be a great throw pillow for the kitchen chairs… It’s creative, artful and original.

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This delightful kitchen is bright, cheery and overflowing with warmth.  The color scheme I would go with would be  a myriad of shades of blue, green and white, with accent colors in tones of buttery yellows and romantic- vibrant reds, with a touch of ‘pewter’ to add some classiness.  The blue tile in this kitchen is refreshing and alluring, warmed by the soft, golden wood cabinetry.  Beautifully winning!

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Let’s choose the right Rabbit! I am thinking a shiny and animated bunny upon a red ‘hatbox.’ What do you think?

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Decorating with  pewter rabbits is another refined and baronial addition to your “Enchanted Kitchen.”

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This elfin, enchanting miniature house would look captivating on the counter top, enhancing your fairytale ambiance.

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This adorable glass tableaux would be a beautifully added touch to this kitchen’s center island with it’s hushed, pastel colors of nature and animated characters.

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Filling up the recherche’ and quaint blithesome cabinets with a soft and artful collection of rabbit  plates is a wonderful addition for your kitchen.

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This plate would look great on a plate stand on the counter top…theses plates are all so beckoning, yet so diverse. . . Both would look gregarious and sublime in  this statuesque kitchen.

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An enlivening , colorful and ‘eye-catching’ wreath would add ample warmth and texture to this charming kitchen.

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What an original, docile and creative decor piece. Very lovely and creative. 🙂

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Some accent towels with an abundance of reds would be a delightful addition.

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I love the rustic, soft feel of this charming kitchen. There is not a lot of space, but the chopping block has an area below that is perfect for an enchanted display or perhaps a few bunnies on the counter tops. This room already looks magical and cozy…I would stick with the color palette of diverse  shades of blue grey, light brown and add a little bit of mirthful yellow and daring red for the accent colors.

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This little guy still has his price tag on him. 🙂 If I were shopping, I’d take them both! They are so cozy, warm and snug…ideal for this kitchen.

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The soft pewter plate and tan linen accent towel  are novel and yet admirably  hospitable.

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These little casual guys would look marvelous atop the shelf…they are euphorically playful as well as diaphanous.

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Your enchanted look would not be the same without some of natures  exuberant beauty…whether delicate birds nests or the vibrant greens in this charming rabbit and sylvan  floral basket …be sure to include them in your over all decor.

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This kitchen is absolutely one of my favorites. It looks like a Kitchen in a popular TV sitcom show  like “Happy Days” or  a  heartwarming, Doris Day movie, where all you feel is a cordial invitation to stay, chat, have some coffee, a glass of wine and you have this instinctive feeling that any minute now, you are going to hear;  “Oh, you just have to stay for dinner.” This kitchen embodies an abundance of ‘built in’ charm… It’s just crying out for all  those rabbits to come and set up their residency there ! 🙂

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In pondering over what  the color theme for this kitchen should be, I came up with a cheerful yellow,  a potpourri of brown tones, lively greens and an accent of  serene blues.   There is  plenty of space for your decor amongst the center – Island, a plate rack, a quaint shelf and an abundance of counter top space. These colors will add warmth and yet not be overwhelming.These brown tone bunnies would be ideal…I especially like the two bunnies with the umbrella…they would look very ‘dapper’ atop the center- Island with some fragrant as well as  vibrant yellow roses.

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This mirror is perfect for the shelf over the stove. Mirrors not only create a sense of space, but they gorgeously reflect colors and light, bringing forth depth and richness into your room. I like what the decorator has done with the bunnies, soft ribbons and outdoorsy ambiance with this mirror’s display!

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I adore having throw pillows in my rooms… Not only do they add charm, personality and color but  they beautifully reinforce your rooms theme as well.

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These decorative bunny plates would look blissfully  regal in the mirthful and stunning white glass cabinets.

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This is a magical, enthralling centerpiece for your enchanted theme. It would look entrancing as well as  sublime upon the polished and august center – island.

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Magical! This would be a beautiful piece of artwork to frame for this kitchens wall…I would choose a white frame with a pale, blue or light tan matting. Don’t you just adore his face? (Now, if he were our pet, (like Grantham,) he would just have to look at me one time with those huge  brown eyes, (like Grantham’s,) and I would give him as many carrots as he wanted. 🙂

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For those of you who love the more natural look, these bunnies are a delightful pare.

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A gleeful, stuffed bunny looks so welcoming in a chair or atop a shelf. She would be perfect for this Marion Cunningham kitchen. 🙂Bun

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I adore this galvanic, winsome and top-notch kitchen. It’s style is catching and  fabulously inviting. There is not as much space in this ‘cucino’ as in some of the others, however, the eat in table is a perfect place to  display a brilliant center piece to enhance your rooms enchanting ambiance.

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Adding felicitous accent towels, a homemade bunny wreath with an abundance of green and white, along with the noble and quaint pair of magical rabbits would undoubtedly brighten this kitchen for your Picture-book patina.

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This animated and stellar tableaux would  make for a choice and riveting center piece.

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More colorful and alluring throw pillows.! You know my motto… More is more…You can never have too many  pillows…:)

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These plates are so motley and chromatic…They would be a lovely addition to this kitchen…either  hanging on the wall or sitting upon plate stands.

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These  adorable bunnies are so diverse in their colorings…I have never seen anything like them. I would place these on both sides of my kitchen sink!  🙂 (They even match the rabbit plates above beautifully!) Bl10

 

Lastly, for a fresh, crisp and pristine backdrop, an entirely white kitchen is galvanizing. It can be likened to a blank canvas…you get to choose the exact colors you want to bring forth for your rooms decor and style. This ‘cucino,’ festooned in our ‘enchanted theme’  will look absolutely marvelous, welcoming and winning. What would your color palette be?

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You have plenty of ‘nooks and crannies,’ to display your elfin charm, a partial wall and amiable counter tops. Lets see what colors  would liven this quaint and ornate room up…

I have in mind a more ‘formal and regal look’…Adding soft shades of green along with the poppy red towels, would bring warmth as well as spirit  to this all white kitchen. I really like this inspiring, magical  bunny wreath. 🙂

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These two rabbits with the table display of birds and flowers is eminently luxurious. I think it is an ideal centerpiece for the center – island table.

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This multicolored, gorgeous bunny would be a graceful and charming centerpiece as well . It could also be placed on the counter top or in one of the nooks and crannies in the Center Island table. She looks regal, refined and royal!

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Another exquisite tableaux for this explosively beautiful kitchen. I adore these tall white candle holders with the creamy yellow pillar candles on top.  It is so hard to decide… I love all three of them!

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This little guy is a ‘must,’ with his top hat and cane. He is so full of personality and character.

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It I was an animated , tiny, petite character, I’d take this house any day! 🙂

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This piece of artwork would look divine, framed in a wooden frame with a pale, pastel rose color for the matting! How beautiful and opalescent.

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This bunny is regal and courtly…proper and welcoming…He would make  a great  kitchen door stopper! 🙂 Did you ever think there would be so many bunny rabbits to choose from? I am sure you could find some of the Folklore bunnies, ( Peter Cotton Tail, Brer Rabbit, The velveteen rabbit etc…)  in either ceramic decor, glass or even stuffed rabbits…I prefer the diversity of all different types of bunny rabbits. Remember, as you are creating this “Enchanted Kitchen,” you get to choose whatever colors, bunnies, flowers, trees, whimsical houses and forest critters that you want!  

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For those of you who have a stove top area that one of these Back-splash tile murals could be installed to enhance the beauty and theme of your room, here are some ideas for the “Enchanted Bunny kitchen.”

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The repeated bunnies in the light sage green are resplendent. I adore the brown and light green one as well. Both of these Back- splash tiles are earthy, rustic and bring the outdoors glorious wonder into your kitchen.

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This Back – splash tile looks like something out of Alice and Wonderland. It within itself is magical and enchanting!

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If your little ones want to get in on all the excitement in creating this “Enchanted kitchen,” with you,  here are a few craft ideas for them… (All you need is paper plates, cotton balls, glue, pipe cleaners, yarn and construction paper. (A Michaels or Holly Lobby close by would be great too.) 🙂

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Before I leave you with my  “Coconut carrot cake recipe,”  to bring this blog to a ” bunny-luscious finale,”)  🙂 I have to share with you something I found out as I researched for this particular writing on the “Enchanted Kitchen,” (with bunnies as the “star of the  show.”) 🙂

You have to meet Darius. (True Story.) I did a double-take when I first saw him, thinking it was a stuffed rabbit, but oh no…he is real. Darius is three years old and is the worlds largest bunny…he resides in the UK , is three years old, 4 feet, 3” long, weighs in at 50 pounds and is insured for 1.6 million dollars. He does not live in the wild…(He would never survive….) He has a beautiful home with an owner who dotes upon him and loves him very much. (I can certainly understand why.) 🙂

Darius, meet my readers, and readers, meet Darius! 🙂

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Darius enjoying his afternoon snack. 🙂

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The Continental Giant  and his friend over for a play date. 🙂 (Don’t roll over on her Darius… You are bigger than you think.) 🙂

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Can you even believe this? Perhaps some of you already knew about this Gentle Giant….Boy would Graham love one of these as his play mate… 🙂 (Well, maybe?)

OK, I would not be honest if I did not say that as I researched  Darius, there was “breaking news” on another blog…” They now, have a new “winner.” With a diet costing his owner $90.00 a week. Another Bunnie from the UK, weighing in at 55 pounds and  one year older than Darius is Ralph. All I can say is “Wonders never cease to amaze me.” Here is Ralph and believe me, not even one of these rabbits stuffed would fit in any of these kitchens we have looked at together! 🙂

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If either one of these bunnies were  put on a diet of this carrot cake recipe  I am giving  you,  they would both be the ‘heavyweight championship bunnies of the universe.’ 🙂  It’s a very rich, moist, dense, delicious and ( mostly) a healthy cake. 🙂 Enjoy!!!

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The Best Carrot Cake in the World! It’s bunny-luscious 🙂

You will need; 2 cups  all purpose (unsifted) flour, 2 ½ tsp. Baking soda, 2 tsp. Cinnamon ,  1 tsp. Salt, 1 cup oil, 2 cups sugar, 3 eggs, 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, 2 cups grated carrots, 1  cup shredded coconut,  and ½ cup chopped pecans.

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl, set aside.

In another bowl beat oil and eggs and sugar until well blended.  Add flour mixture, beat until smooth. Blend in remaining ingredients and pour into greased 10 inch tube pan or 13×9 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan then remove and frost.

Frosting, (This is the good part.) 🙂 You will need:

1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, 3 cups of powdered sugar, 1 cup shredded coconut,¼ cup butter + another ¼ cup of butter, 1 tsp vanilla and milk or half and half.

Saute coconut in butter until golden brown. Spread out on an absorbent paper, towel, allow to cool. Cream ¼ cup butter with cream cheese. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar alternatively with the milk  and vanilla, beating until smooth. Add half of your browned coconut and stir into frosting. After your cake is frosted, top with the remaining browned coconut! (I use  Coffee Mates liquid vanilla creamer and half and half cream instead of milk.I also use a tad bit more butter, creme cheese and coconut as well…(than is called for in the recipe.) 🙂

I just had to show you my “Mrs. Rabbit” from  the above writing,  sitting in her natural habitat when we lived in Arizona. She looked much more at home in our Living room, don;t you think?)  🙂

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Enjoy!

If you have any questions, give me a holler on my Contact page. 🙂

PHOTOGRAPHS:  In placing your computer mouse upon any of the photos or graphics, it will display where the picture originated from.

LINKS: To learn more about the newly added links within Living Winsomely, please read the blog “WE NOW HAVE LINKS” in the category section. 🙂

Additional Links:
Victoria Magazine
Country Living magazine

 

 

 

 

 

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Bunnie-luscious Coconut Carrot cake

 

Here are some of your beloved childhood rabbits from all the classic fairy tales….which one is your favorite? I always favored Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby,  as my grandmother told it to me all the time with such animation. 🙂 Uncle Remus was a great folklore writer.

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We are blessed to have a wealth of “muses” to rely upon to help us conjure up creative ideas as to how we want to decorate our havens.  Nostalgia is a wondrous troubadour for creating… Whenever I see the ancient, colossal Oak trees with their beards of hanging Spanish moss or read novella’s with stories about the romantic and remote  Murrels Inlet or Pawleys island, I get so nostalgic for the South, as  a good portion of my heritage is from there. When ever I see ‘The Wizard of OZ,’ I  begin to get a little maudlin and sentimental…it’s almost like a sudden down pour of rain…I reminisce about all the joyous times my large family would huddle up together on the couch to watch the scary flying monkeys… I would always shut my eyes tight whenever the wicked witch appeared in her evil, dark aura.  The same thing happen when I go to Barnes and Nobles and browse through the Children’s book section…seeing all the beloved stories from my childhood. (Especially all the Folklore  with the prominent and mischievous Rabbits in them.) Who can forget Beatrix Potters, Peter Cottontail,? Uncle Remus’ Brer Rabbit, and the Velveteen Rabbit who learns that becoming real is not as easy as he thought, (but surely worth it.)  🙂 In my vignette on the “Enchanted kitchen,”  I hope to inspire each reader with ideas to turn there room of ‘cooking and creation’ into an ambiance and aureole of  a childhood, enchanted forest.You know, the place where the trees roamed the timberland’s and spoke elegantly of their poignant domain, the kaleidoscopic flowers sang such beautiful, whimsical melodies and the fireflies would dance as they brilliantly glowed, fluttering around  the garish weeping willow trees all year long?   These are the fairy lands that brought so much comfort to us as youngsters and still do, when we allow the blissful memories to emerge…So why not create a room that takes you back in a time ?

With each Kitchen Blog, I am sharing a recipe conducive to the decor of that particular “cucino.” For this kitchen, I am sharing my “much loved” recipe for a very delicious Coconut carrot cake. I hope you enjoy it!

carrot

The Best Carrot Cake in the World! It’s bunny –  luscious 🙂

You will need; 2 cups  all purpose (unsifted) flour, 2 ½ tsp. Baking soda, 2 tsp. Cinnamon ,  1 tsp. Salt, 1 cup oil, 2 cups sugar, 3 eggs, 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, 2 cups grated carrots, 1 cup shredded coconut,  and ½ cup chopped pecans.

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl, set aside.

In another bowl beat oil and eggs and sugar until well blended.  Add flour mixture, beat until smooth. Blend in remaining ingredients and pour into greased 10 inch tube pan or 13×9 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan then remove and frost.

Frosting, (This is the good part.) 🙂 You will need:

1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, 3 cups of powdered sugar, 1 cup shredded coconut,¼ cup butter + another ¼ cup of butter, 1 tsp vanilla and milk or half and half.

Saute coconut in  melted butter until golden brown. Spread out on an absorbent paper towel, allow to cool. Cream ¼ cup butter with cream cheese. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar alternatively with the milk  and vanilla, beating until smooth. Add half of your browned coconut and stir into frosting. After your cake is frosted, top with the remaining browned coconut! (I use Coffee Mates liquid vanilla creamer and half and half cream instead of milk, and I still use the vanilla.) I also use a tad  more butter, creme cheese  and coconut than the recipe calls for…This cake freezes extremely well and tastes just as fresh, when thawed.

If you are serving this for an intimate dinner party or :Mad Hatters” afternoon tea, it looks beautiful on a lovely cake plate.

Enjoy!!!!!!

Additional Links: More Cake Plates

PHOTOGRAPHS    If you place your computer mouse upon any graphic or photo, it will display where the picture originated from.

***If you would like to learn about about the newly incorporated links withing Living Winsomely, please read the blog, “WE NOW HAVE LINKS,” in the category file. Thank you, 🙂