Kristi's kitchen
Funny title, yes! You know, sometimes us Courageous Homekeepers have areas in our house that I would describe as “quirky”. Most of us, if we are raising our children on only our husbands income, don’t always get to choose to live in a nice, new house with our 2.5 American children or drive nice new cars. Contrary to popular belief, my guess would be that the large majority of us would not consider ourselves rich. We would more likely describe ourselves as thrifty, frugal, and able and willing to find contentment in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Often that contentment is found in “working with what you have”. I would describe my house as a somewhat “quirky” house. It was built in 1950, out of cinder block, and was originally a mother-in-law house for the big house that we share a driveway with. Over the years, it has been added on to, from what I understand from neighbors the ceiling was raised at one point, and somewhere along the line the original porch of the house was framed in to make a long skinny room, which we call our mudroom and use as an entry way, a library and my husband’s office currently.
One of the quirky things though about having a room that used to be outside is that there are windows (that used to look outside the house) that look from the kitchen and laundry room into the mudroom. And that’s kind of weird, really.
We’ve been in this house for 3 years now. Over the years, I’ve wondered what in the world to do with those windows. Originally, I had thought it would be easy to frame them in and just make them walls. But that would block a lot of light… add to that the fact that the walls are made of cinder block and it’s not as easy as I would have hoped.
The main and very large window that looks from our dining room into the mudroom, I have turned into a display for my bulk beans and rice, etc. I’m hoping to eventually make a second shelf above the first. I also have some decorative plaques hanging down from the top of the window frame which I love because I think it’s super cute, and a little off the wall. Sorta like me. *smile*
The second window however has been more of a challenge. It is behind the sink…the perfect place to have a window overlooking the backyard. Except it’s the mudroom. But I finally figured out a fun and kinda funky solution. I turned it into a chalkboard! Did you know you can use chalkboard paint on just about anything? I didn’t until I read the back of the can. But you even can use it on glass….which is exactly what I did.
I love it because it’s a bit unusual, it’s fun, it’s colorful (or it can be), it’s a great place to write notes to each other, or to display verses. I’ve written the “menu” there when we have company for dinner. The possibilities are endless really. And it inspires me to think of other uses for all my leftover chalkboard paint. I’m thinking of maybe painting the inside of the girls’ bedroom door….
What are some solutions you’ve come up with for your quirky house?
That is such a great idea to do that to your window! Love it! I’ve made chalkboards out of mirrors but I hadn’t thought about windows! What a smart cookie you are!