They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. If that is true, my heart might be a traitor.
Because I have a love/hate relationship with my kitchen. Please don’t judge me. Cooking and cleaning are just not my thing. And it seems the kitchen requires a lot of that.
I always pictured me in a white kitchen saying, “Why, yes, darling, I would love another glass of chardonnay. How nice of you to offer.”
Let’s just say that’s not exactly how it turned out.
So what have I done to ramp up my love for the kitchen? I’ve added a few little kitchen luxuries that make my time in “the heart of the home” feel special and more of a treat rather than punishment.
Here’s what I’ve done:
Add Fresh Flowers
Store-bought bouquets never work out for me. I fluff and I puff and I rearrange and the look never makes me happy.
But a plain bouquet of just roses or tulips or whatever is in season at Trader Joe’s looks so beautiful. I picked up these blue hydrangeas this week and they are just perfect for the holiday weekend.
Pro tip: hydrangeas are thirsty little buggers 😂. They can look wilted in the store and won’t perk up in a vase. The trick is to slice UP the stalk so the water can travel up the stem. The next morning, perky fluffy hydrangeas!
Create Comforting Rituals
How fancy can a box of tea make me feel? From my first cup in the morning to my last cup in the evening, I thoroughly enjoy my tea. And in the summer, I ice it for daytime drinking.
This makes me feel even more special: I add a splash of maple syrup and stir it in with a silver spoon I got from my mom. Every day.
I’m always on the lookout for fancy boxes of tea to add to my collection. If I live to 100 and never buy another box, I think I have enough. But will I stop purchasing? Hmmm.
Make It a Place You Want to Be
Once the kitchen is reset, I usually settle in here with my tea and laptop for a little work. I could work in my office, but most mornings I’d rather be right here where the light comes in.
Maybe that’s the real luxury—not creating a perfect kitchen, but creating one where you actually want to spend your time.
Add Soft Light
Soft light in the kitchen has been such a sweet discovery for me. My flameless, rechargeable tea light candles go on to softly illuminate the kitchen in the night. When I get up at daybreak, I turn on my two rechargeable lamps for just enough light to start my morning.
During the day and while we’re cooking, we light actual candles to freshen the air and create a cozy atmosphere.
Make Homemade Treats
Okay, this is the love/hate part. When I bake I destroy the kitchen. And the outcome isn’t always a masterpiece. But homemaking treats means I know what ingredients are being used and it means I always have something in the freezer to tame the horrible hungries.
I just made a second batch of these chocolate chip cookies, and I haven’t found an easier or healthier recipe.
Putting them on a beautiful vintage crystal plate makes them pretty enough to serve to company.
Homemade granola has been on my rotation for a couple years. Now I have Ryan and his friend Matt hooked and have to make double batches.
A bit on top of a bowl of Greek yogurt adds crunch, substance and a bit of extra protein. If I’m hungry at night I’ll make a little bowl with milk and it’s just enough to fill my belly before bed.
Here is the recipe if you’re interested.
Use My Linens
My sisters have gifted me various and beautiful cloth napkins over the years. I love having some out on display and I love using them.
They aren’t just for company!
And speaking of linens, during the recent Amazon sale, I bought a new stack of tea towels and dish cloths.
These tea towels are five stars and I highly recommend them. They have just enough design to feel fancy but aren’t a crazy pattern.
Wrap Up
How do you feel about your kitchen? Is it a happy place?
Mine has become a happier and more peaceful place simply by adding a few affordable luxuries. So many of the little things we do are saved for company—but why not treat yourself as you would an honored guest?
If you have made it this far, I thank you kindly for spending a bit of your holiday weekend with me.
God bless.