Gourmet Kitchens

Do you dream of one day having a 

beautiful gourmet kitchen?

Do you pin Kitchens on Pinterest 

like a mad woman?  :)

I know I do.

Here is my "Favorite Kitchens"

Pinterest Board.

So, you can only imagine how much I loved 

the kitchen I am about to share with you.

Remember I recently introduced you to a

 dear friend of mine, Jeanette - when we visited

 Carmel by the Sea together.

Well, it just so happens that Mrs J's

kitchen is the most viewed ever post

on HGTV's Rate My Space.

And with good reason.

Her kitchen was also featured on

the HGTV show by the same name.

She was also interviewed for the show.

How cool is that?

Look at these fabulous details... 

They chose a beautiful cream glazed 

cabinetry with lovely mouldings

and details.

Jeanette placed a wood cabinet

on each side of the large window.

The upper section features wire

for displaying purposes, and

it also fits in better with the design.

Isn't this stunning?

Plantation-style shutters and 

a mixture of hardware highlights this

gorgeous kitchen. Jeanette says the

knobs are from Top Knobs and she

used a mixture of eight different

styles, but they were all in a rusty

patina finish.

LOVE the Roo!

Jeanette says the table and chairs

are English imports.

The 48" tabletop is cherry.

Each side of the table features a

hinged section which converts the

table into a 72" oval table.

The next feature is one of my faves 

of this space.

Look at this beautiful built-in cabinet!

This cabinet was featured on Rate 

My Space as the inspiration area.

Understandable, huh?

Jeanette had the built-in cabinet painted

and glazed just like the island and 

cabinetry.  She wanted it to appear

as a piece of furniture.  The top is solid 

cherry.  In case you are wondering

why there is a small tv here...

There is a small sitting area just off the 

dining area where they spend a lot of time

reading and watching tv.

What a cozy and inviting area!

Here you can see the layout better...

I think you can all agree why this kitchen

is so popular on Rate My Space.

What I love about this kitchen is that

although it is very custom, it

is a look that can be easily achieved

by painting your cabinets, changing your

hardware and adding some moulding

features to plain cabinets for more of a 

built-in appearance.

Remember how I added inexpensive 

corbels to my own plain cabinets?

 Little touches really do make such

a huge difference?

It's all about creating a beautiful

look for less.

"...its all about the detail!"

Thanks, Jeanette, for allowing me to

share your remarkable kitchen with

my readers.

xxoo

Carmel by the Sea {part two}

Last week,  I posted about my

memorable California trip to see these

two dear friends of mine.

Kathysue of Good Life of Design,

and Jeanette. (of HGTV fame)

One of the many travel days we enjoyed

was a trip to Carmel by the Sea.

Look at my Part 1 post when we visited

Jan de Luc's French shop.

I also wanted to share with you pics of

some of the other amazing shops we visited.

We were disappointed this charming

 Tea Room was closed. 

But, tucked just behind this was a cute

garden shop where we found these...

I "heart" these stepping stones.  :)

You've heard of the now-popular Fairy Gardens...

How about a Rooster Garden.  

One of my fave places was a French-style

Floral Shop...

I know, let the ooh's and aah's commence.

Buckets and buckets of flowers where you

could build your own bouquet...

- or simply choose one of these breathtaking

pre-made bouquets.

Sigh worthy.

Don't you just love these French flower baskets?

Just outside, was a charming courtyard -

Filled with more "loverlyness."

In fact, loverlyness overfloweth.

I am definitely copying this idea this Fall...

"Nests" of straw at the base of topiaries.

Look how the mini orange pumpkins just pop!

This is another topiary base, but even a plain

ole' terra cotta pot would make a statement

when given this beautiful pumpkin

and straw treatment.

And I don't know about you...

But I am going to be on the lookout 

for a Rusty Roo.

:)

After a day of shopping,

we just had to end our day with a sunset visit to

Carmel Beach.  Its the "thing" to do.

So, after a yummy dinner, with to-go

lattes and cappucino's in hand, 

we headed out here...

I thought for sure we would see

Clint Eastwood lounging around.

(we didn't see Doris Day, either)  :(

But, we saw this...

- and I stepped into the cold Pacific ocean 

for the very first time...

Jeanette and I needed no words to

say exactly what we were feeling...

After frolicking in the waves... we settled down 

in our beach chairs to watch this -

and this...

and this...

Whaaaaat!  Stop the truck!

Huh?

Introducing the one guy at Carmel 

who thought it was ok to stand right in

front of us, a few feet away.  

So I kicked sand on him.

No, no I didn't.

But,  this Carolina girl wanted to.  :)

Eventually, he moved.

And we witnessed a few moments of 

pure wonder.

These are moments when you thank God

for family, health, fortune and

good friends...

Life friends.  Get your toes in the sand friends.

Thank you for letting me share my

trip to Carmel with you.

Soon, I will share our trip to Mill Valley

where we toured one my fave chef's

beautiful shop, Tyler Florence, and also ate

at his restaurant, El Paseo.

xxoo

Sharing with Wow Us Wednesday with

Kim at Savvy Southern Style.

Open for Business

Several months ago, I had a very 

serious health scare.

Or, as I call it -

God's Wake-up Call.

I answered on the first ring!

I put my real estate company up for sale,

and made the decision to pursue 

a "job" that makes me happy,

fulfills my creative spirit...and hopefully

will be less stressful and physically

harmful to my well-being.

I decided to become a full-time Blogger.

In the next few weeks,  I will start that

transition as I prepare to close the doors

to my real estate company.

(and just in time for another serious  health scare, I might add)  :(

The other major endeavor I put in

place was to open an 

Online Retail Store.

I named it "...details!"

www.detailsforhomeandgarden.com

My super-duper, ultra-patient and

talented website designer has been feverishly

working behind the scenes to get me up and 

running.  My thanks goes out to Shari

at Little Blue Deer Design.

Because, I am beyond thrilled to say that I am -

Open for Business!

I will be adding more and more items as 

we go along.  I am really looking

forward to adding some of my

vintage Euro treasures!

To celebrate my opening,  I am

giving away this cute 

Metal Bucket with Burlap Tag.

You have four ways to win.

Just come back here and post each time

you do one of the following:

1)  Follow by Google Friends Connect,

or sign-up for my RSS Feed.

2) Like The Everyday Home Facebook Page.

www.facebook.com/TheEverydayHome

3) Post about this on your own blog.

(Both the opening of the shop, as well

as, the giveaway)

4) Add the "...details!" logo to

your sidebar.

Winner of the metal bucket will be 

announced this Friday!

This could be YOURS!

I am also offering TWO lucky winners

a 25% off coupon towards a future purchase.

I look forward to offering you a wonderful

selection of uniquely vintage Farmhouse,

French and English treasures as well as

one-of-a-kind Euro finds.

The shop is now OPEN.... please come on in.

xxoo

Shrimp Salad

Large White Bowls were meant for 

Shrimp Salad.

No really.  It's true.

Only large white bowls with little

knobbies on the side should be used for

Shrimp Salad.

It enriches the taste.  :)

Ok, maybe it's the creamy tarragon

sauce that I make from scratch...

 or maybe its the fresh cooked NC Shrimp, 

or possibly its the chopped fresh parsley....

It could even be the basil.

Or you could say its the fresh garden veggies...

But I am pretty sure it's the

Large White Bowl.

Remember the story I told you 

about why I married a man with a truck

and my new chippy blue door ? 

Well, this is one of the first dishes

 that I made for him over 20 years ago.

Shrimp Salad.

A Southern favorite and a Family Classic.

I have always wondered if he fell in love 

with my cooking before he fell in love with me. 

:)

Do you also have a Family Classic?

Here is my recipe:

~ One large box of cooked pasta, al dente

~ (1) pound cooked shrimp, peeled

(I add a heaping palmful of Old Bay Seasoning to the 

water to add some extra taste to the shrimp)

~ (2) Cups Real Mayo (I like Dukes Mayo)

~ 1/2 Cup Olive Oil

~ (1) palm-ful of dried Basil

~ (1) palm-ful of dried Tarragon

~ squeeze of lemon juice, about 1 Tbs

~ dash of hot sauce

~ 1 Tsp sugar

salt and pepper to taste

I mix the mayo, oil and remaining ingredients

(minus shrimp and pasta) in a bowl, mix well and set aside.  You can adjust the taste according,

 i.e more hot sauce, etc.

While pasta is cooking, I finely chop a large

cucumber, a medium onion (you can substitute green onions), and a large green or red pepper.

( I had green on hand but prefer red for the sweetness)  

Finally, chop a small bunch of parsley.

Drain the cooked pasta, add shrimp and add tarragon sauce.  Mix well.

I like to make mine and let it chill

overnight to meld the flavors.

This is always a big hit at Family Events 

and Parties.  

If you don't have fresh shrimp, 

it's okay to use well-drained canned shrimp.

When I use do use canned shrimp, I create

a "Cajun Seafood Salad" by adding in

(1) can each of shrimp, crab meat and clams.

I also add (1) Tbs of Old Bay Seasoning

to the Tarragon Sauce.  

Yummi-yummo!

Remember how I served my

Summer Gazpacho Soup?

In margarita glasses?

This salad is also pretty served in

those same glasses.

Or a cute red dish...

Or, a styrofoam bowl works good, too.

:)

So if you are looking to pull in a man with

a truck - so he buys you chippy blue doors

 20 years later,  or you have an upcoming 

Family Reunion or Event where you

want to knock their socks off with your

cooking prowess - fix this 

Shrimp Salad.

In a Large White Bowl.

xxoo

I am joining Michael at Rattlebridge Farm for
Foodie Friday.

Heather and Vanessa @ at the picket fence
for Inspiration Friday.