A Dream Kitchen.....Let's Go Coastal!

The Maine House is still in the planning stage of the possibility of a new home.  A dream kitchen.....what will it evolve into? Another style that Darling and I both love is Coastal! Of course we love it....we live in Maine! But, how natural would this style be in Texas or in Atlanta? Would this look be totally out of place in a southern home? Hmmmm....again, we will give this some thought!

A blue-and-white color scheme is a classic coastal look. But let's also envision cool, sea-foam green or a soft sage for a look that’s as tantalizing as the waves outside. The soft ocean hue pops against bright-white walls.  Beaded board, marble countertops, and vintage appliances can set the tone for a fresh, inviting space. “White makes an interesting backdrop for appliances and accessories of any color. A monochromatic palette paired with glass shelving makes even the smallest kitchen feel more spacious.The timeless combination of blue and white never goes out of style. Handsome stripes paired with nautical prints and hand-rendered accents impart a sophisticated edge to any outdoor room. Darker blue tones, such as navy create a more serious, tailored look, while softer shades such as sky blue lend a playful air. I read to layer varying shades to give depth, and try pale blue on the ceiling-the color not only recalls the sky, but also is rumored to deter insects.

 

A Maine House Mosaic

A clean and classic look works well in any room of the house, but especially in the kitchen. Perfect in a coastal environment, the lack of color creates a blank canvas for ocean views. Whites reflect changing light throughout the day, constantly transforming the overall mood of the room. Whenever you want to open up a space, choose white. It lends a bright and airy feel to even the coziest quarters.

I adore this vintage range!

Love the look and love the feel....relaxed, airy, comfortable, cool and inviting! That pretty much fits our lifestyle. I think we will keep this on the list of possibilities!

Easy Summer Fresh Peach Cobbler

1/2 cup unsalted butter

 1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar, divided

 1 tablespoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 cup milk

4 cups fresh peach slices

 1 tablespoon lemon juice

 Ground cinnamon and nutmeg

Melt butter in a 13" x 9"  baking dish. Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt; add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter over butter (do not stir).

Bring remaining 1 cup sugar, peach slices, and lemon juice to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly; pour over batter (do not stir). Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg as desired. Bake at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve cobbler warm. Estelle's serves this cobbler with a little pitcher of cream.

Estelle's Peach, Nectarine, Pear Salad

4 White Peaches

4 Yellow Peaches

4 Nectarines

2 Bosc Pears

2 Bartlett Pears

Juice of 5 Key Limes, about ¼ cup

3 to 4 Tablespoons Honey

 Use a paring knife to cut the peaches and nectarines into irregular shapes, slicing and dicing as you see fit. Slices, cubes, and random shapes are par for the course. Place them in a large bowl. Peel and core the Bosc pears and slice them into irregular shapes, adding them to the peaches. Slice the core the Bartlett pears, peeling is optional. Cut them into irregular shapes and add them to the peaches. Add the juice of the Key limes and the honey to the fruit in the bowl. Toss the fruit until all is covered in the juice and honey.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours before serving.