I’ve got some good stuff to share with you guys today! I’m kicking things off with a peek into a modern farmhouse kitchen that I’ve been totally drooling over followed by a 15 minute how-to for a simple but stunningly beautiful summer centerpiece. Let’s go… (post includes some affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
I’m all about checking out kitchen designs lately as I plot and plan my own remodel and there’s little inspiring bits and pieces I take away from each kitchen that I see but {this modern farmhouse kitchen and dining nook} designed by Sita Montgomery is a little bit different. I love EVERY thing about it! Take this whole kitchen and plop it into my house and I’d be one happy girl! From the combination shiplap/wood range hood to the gorgeous open shelving, brick backsplash, and those swing arm sconces, I’m just totally dying over it! (images by Sara Boulter)
Sita Montgomery Interiors
And the dining nook is equally gorgeous – love everything from the gorgeous pendant lighting to the pedestal table and modern spindle back chairs. And those tall black-framed windows with that fabulous view aren’t too shabby either!
Sita Montgomery Interiors
You can only see a peek of it in this pic, but the wood design element added to the ends of the island is another favorite part. Love the little desk area too! You can see lots more pics showing both of those kitchen features and more over on Sita’s blog {here}. I also love, love, love this home’s stunning entry:
Sita Montgomery Interiors
and beautiful family room:
Sita Montgomery Interiors
Check out more pictures of the entry and family room and several sources for these gorgeous spaces {here} (that rug is actually on killer sale – wish I had a spot for it!). And if you want to see the rest of this I-could-totally-move-right-in-today home, check out the little girl’s room {here} and the master bedroom and bathroom {here}. Thanks to Sita Montgomery for allowing me to share her amazing work!
Update! I finished my own kitchen remodel! Check out my kitchen remodel {here}!
Now switching gears…
If you’re looking for a simple summer centerpiece that’s stunningly beautiful but super quick and easy to put together, a lemon-lined vase of flowers is one of my favorites! For this tablescape that I put together last spring (you can see more of it plus get my favorite salad recipe {here}), the centerpiece took no more than 15 minutes to put together:
What’s the trick? Well you definitely don’t want to just throw some lemon slices into the same vase as your flowers – they’ll be dead by the end of the day! The trick is to take a plain cylindrical vase that’s a little shorter and smaller in diameter than your main vase and put one inside the other. My main vase is {this medium hurricane vase} that can also be used as a candle holder – it’s not cheap but as those of you who have followed my blog for a while have seen, I use it ALL the time. The simple cylinder glass vase on the inside is one you could find at craft stores, florists, or online {here} (mine measures just under 4″ in diameter and 8″ in height).
Once you’ve put the one vase inside the other, simply slice up some lemons (you could also use limes, oranges, or a combination of fruits) to a thickness where they fit snugly between the two vases and, starting from the bottom of the vase, stack them around the perimeter until you reach the top:
Once the gap between the two vases is filled with lemon slices, add water to cover them (it keeps them from drying out so they last longer). Then simply add water and flowers to the inner vase and you’re done! Super easy and always a crowd pleaser!
Calypso in the Country says
You make the lemon vase idea look so easy. In fact, I remember when you shared it last time and I planned on trying it…I still need to do that! Enjoy the rest of your week!
Shelley
Kris Jarrett says
Definitely try it – it’s so easy but looks like you spent hours slaving on your centerpiece 🙂 . Hope you have a great week too!
Marie Maitland says
I copied your lemon lined centerpiece for a bridal shower I held a few weeks ago and it was such a hit. And the best part about it was, I had planned to hold the shower on my backyard patio and it ended up raining and being a very dreary afternoon. But with the help of that centerpiece, the food table was so cheery, fresh and sweet. Thank you for the great idea. It was easy to pull off and it made a great impression on my guests and my sweet niece, the bride-to-be!
Kris Jarrett says
Marie, I LOVE hearing that!! So glad your shower went well even with the rain 🙂
Linda says
I love your centerpiece but I am curious about something. Would you really use this when you are sharing a meal with others at the table? How would you see each other to talk? I see many beautiful arrangements for tables but I don’t understand how they work when you want to see who is across the table from you. I would love this on my table if no one was sitting there, or on my buffet while we were having dinner, but on the table? I have always wondered about this.
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Linda!
For me it depends on the dinner party – the vases I use are footed vases that raise the flowers up higher so when you’re sitting down at the table, the flowers aren’t actually blocking your view of other people. That being said, my dining table isn’t huge so when we have a full table of people, after appetizers I usually put a centerpiece like this to the side in my dining room bay window to have room for all of the serving plates!
Melissa says
Yes, the centerpiece is gorgeous! However, I must agree with Linda…I’ve always been told that centerpieces shouldn’t interfere with the eyesight across the table when entertaining. Also, it’s so big that the branches appear to be hanging over the plates.
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Melissa! Since these vases are footed vases, they raise the arrangement up enough so that everyone can see each other well when sitting other than two people sitting on the ends. But that’s usually my husband and I so we’re ok with that 🙂 But if you don’t like having any kind of centerpiece at your table, you could still use an arrangement like this elsewhere like on a piece in your foyer or in your kitchen so I thought it was a fun idea to share!
Vel says
That house is gorgeous in every possible way! Love that killer hood and the windows!!!!
Thanks for the gift ideas for father’s day and the tip on your always fabulous centerpieces Kris!
Kris Jarrett says
Isn’t that house phenomenal?! Sita is so talented!!
Steffi D says
Great ideas! So inspired by this post! Thanks!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Steffi! Hope you’re having a great week!
Garden, Home and Party says
So pretty! I love the hurricane with lemon slices. There’s some great father’s day ideas too.
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Karen!!
Angie Riley says
I just love your blog! I have tried several times to incorporate lemon and orange slices into my floral arrangements with disasterous results! Haha. I just ordered the beautiful hurricane vases and also the smaller cylinders for inside. Can’t wait to show off at my next gathering (of course, I’ll be honest and share your site!).
Our family will be together this August and I’m always looking for a fun craft to do with us girls. I went to Michaels and picked up everything to make your tassel bracelets! I’ll let you know how we do. Thanks again!
Kris Jarrett says
Definitely let me know how it goes with round 2! Hopefully it will work super smoothly for you this time. You’ll love those vases – I use them ALL the time. They look beautiful no matter what you put in them!
Lisa says
Great gift guide Kris! We have that cast iron skillet and use it all the time, great for grilling chicken breasts when it’s pouring outside and I can’t get to the grille. The flat bottomed skillet is great too, we probably use one of those two every night! Enjoy your weekend and Happy Father’s Day to Mr. Driven By Decor 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
Can you believe that we don’t have a cast iron skillet? I’ve got to change that!
Heather says
Hi! I’m in love with the vent hood! What type of wood did you use around the bottom and for the shelves and what is the stain?
Thanks!
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Heather – that design is by Sita Montgomery Interiors so unfortunately I don’t have an answer for you. You might want to hop over to her site from the link in my post and see what additional details might be there! 🙂
Samantha Davenport says
Love the centerpiece idea and plan on recreating! What type of flowers are those?
Kris Jarrett says
Honestly I can’t remember what these are called! I clipped them from my front yard! 🙂
Karen says
Love this home:) where would I find this chandelier?? I’m in love with it!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m not sure but if you visit Sita Montgomery’s website through the link in this post, she might have a source for you!
Jane says
Where did the leather and wood chairs in the family room come from?