Wednesday, December 22, 2010

I love this idea


I picked up a copy of one of my favorite mags; Canadian House and Home magazine (December issue).  In the Design lessons section (page 72) they featured an article titled; Open House Secrets.  The entertaining ideas were fabulous and useful.  One that I really liked was the use of an inexpensive wicker trunk from Ikea to use as a discreet beverage fridge.  They place two Styrofoam coolers inside to keep bottled drinks frosty and free up space in the fridge for food.  I tried unsuccessfully to download the image so instead I picked up a wicker trunk on one of my jaunts to Ikea.  Here is a shameful attempt to reproduce a similar look.  I’m definitely doing this for Christmas.  My husband loves to use coolers in the house to store beer and the likes (for parties), and I’m not a fan of the look.  I’ll take pictures and share the after with you.  I’ve also included some of my other favorite entertaining items.  Happy Christmas to each and every one of you. Love, kelly

I love these little trivets of wood from Winston Flowers in Boston.  I use them for everything, they look great when layering or placing a hot pot onto.
Small white square dishes from Crate and Barrel are inexpensive and work really well as hors d'oeuvres dishes.
Vintage jelly jars are a great gift and a perfect way to display my collection of coin silver
Inexpensive wine glasses ($1.99) from Ikea...I buy them by the crate.
Wine decanter from Pottery Barn, I love them for wine but they are also a great vase for a ilex berry branches.
My favorite wine makes everyone  feel festive...J vineyards , pinot gris ...yum

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. Such an obvious idea and yet it NEVER occurred to me. I've always hated the look of those necessary coolers. LOL Actually, it would be a great way to store party supplies in plain sight ... after the fiesta.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy your blog so much. It is one of my favorite sources of inspiration. Thank you for sharing these entertaining ideas which are so doable. I love the cement looking pots! Would love to get my hands on one of those. I now have my glass canisters in my kitchen sitting on a breadboard form the inspiration on your blog. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas!

for the love of a house said...

Great idea! I also love an old copper tub filled with beverages!
Your home looks lovely and festive for the Christmas!
Now I'm needing a trip to Ikea! Wish it was closer, but it's worth the hour and twenty minutes (I've timed it;) drive!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

joan

Amy Kinser said...

Love the wicker basket holding the cooler. What a great idea.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

I use 2 wicker laundry baskets for my living room stereo speakers. It's sorta like the cooler idea I guess!

Beach House 27 said...

What a great idea! I have 2 wicker baskets loaded with extra blankets and pillows - 1 more for drinks would be perfect.
Thanks so much.

Marsha

Ness Lockyer said...

yay Kelly I have an old wicker trunk just like this that I might use as a cooler fridge...I hate those things too- we call them Eskies here in Australia. Love your other ideas too.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Ness xx

Tina said...

Thanks for sharing the fabulous wicker trunk idea Kelly! Much lovelier than your average cooler being on display! Wishing you and your family a wonderful christmas and a fabulous 2011. ~ Tina xx

Living It At Home said...

Great idea! I hate the look of coolers too! Your kitchen is so lovely! I would love for mine to look like that! 1990's dated kitchen is just not cutting it for me!

{darlene} said...

IN LOVE with this tip. Thank you for sharing!
{darlene}
www.fieldstonehilldesign.com

Pam @ Frippery said...

Fantastic idea!!!

paula said...

I fell in love with your house...it's gorgeous.

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

I too hate having a cooler sitting out for drinks when everything else is looking so good. I just featured the same fabulous idea from another blogger. Loving your blog!

Londen

Karyn said...

In a friends kitchen we hid the garbage and recycle bins by putting them inside of pretty laundry baskets with hinged lids but it was a little more costly than I like, Ikea baskets would have made much more sense. Next time...