Red and White Checks

What do you think of when you see red and white checks?

Does it remind you of American Country? Swedish Country? Country Cottage?

Is it dated, or does it still look fresh?

I think the backsplash in this kitchen designed by Anthony Baratta and William Diamond looks very fresh and unexpected. What makes it work is that it is a pop of color in an otherwise all white kitchen. I don't know if I would be brave enough to do this though.

This farmhouse sink skirted with buffalo check fabric also works because of the white backsplash.

Country Living

You have to admit, checks are classic!

What a fun treatment for this pantry's walls!

My Home Ideas

And, I love these retro red and white checked linoleum floors.

They conjure up nostalgic memories of days gone by. Just add cookies and milk!

Country Living

I think red and white checks can be fun, fresh and playful as seen here in this bathroom.

Painting the tub and chair red kept the look from being too predictable.

House Beautiful

Red and white checks can be quite sophisticated too. I have had this photo in my inspiration file forever. Who knew a sectional sofa could look this good!

In my sunroom, I had this chair slipcovered in a small red and white check several years ago.

I think it still looks ok, but lately have been wondering if it's time for a change.

Is it time to retire my checks?

Are they getting a little tired or dated?

I also upholstered my kitchen chairs with checked fabric. Time for a change?

Yea or nay?

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Tuesday Inspiration: Mud Rooms

iVillage

When I think of a mud room, I think of this photo.

Wellies lined up, rain gear at the ready, and of course a brick floor to hide the mud.

Homes and Gardens

A more contemporary mud room with slate floors and built-in bench.

I like the clean, fresh look of this room.

Mud rooms also make for a great place to arrange or pot flowers and keep everything organized like this room does with floor to ceiling baskets.

Country Homes and Interiors

What a luxury to have a place to corral all the shoes and coats.

Southern Living

Even the soccer balls and tennis rackets have a place.

Oh, how I wish I had a place like this when the kids were little and playing sports.

Country Homes and Interiors

I love this room for it's versatility. It's both mud room and sun room, a quiet place to sit and contemplate with a cup of tea.

Our mud room in Asti truly is a mud room!

Accessible from both the front and the back of the house, it is basically the entrance, a place to take off those muddy shoes and put on your slippers. The laundry room is just off this room.

Homes and Gardens

When your mud room is also your laundry room, it's nice to hide the washer and dryer behind a skirt.

Country Home

My favorite laundry room is Lisa's, my friend who inspires me so with her original and elegant design ideas. Behind the skirt is her washer and dryer. Above, her collection of wash buckets and bread boards.

Country Living

This solves the ironing board dilemma. Mine seems to always be set up, even if I don't need it. As soon as I put the ironing board away, I need to iron something. It's a vicious circle!

Elle Decor

I like how the stainless steel appliances relate to the galvanized sink, tubs, watering cans and other items in this homeowner's collection.

Another one of my favorite laundry rooms belongs to Kelley from The Polished Pebble. Again, more stainless and galvanized metal. She loves her Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products!

Houzz

This laundry room is serious about laundry! Great for a large family, it's organized and laid out well.

My laundry room/mud room/potting room...

Really, it is a catch-all, staging room for items to be either distributed to the garage or upstairs. It is quite a challenge for me to keep it organized, but I'm working on it!

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