I’ve had people say, immediately upon entering my kitchen, “Wow, this place reminds me of my grandparents’ house.” I think it’s a compliment.
One young mother who visited years ago said she loved old houses. She said my house had personality.
A very sweet elderly lady with beginning dementia wondered if she had been here before until she reached the kitchen where she said, “I know I’ve been here before. I remember this kitchen.”
While people are going wild over ViNtAgE, I’d like to remind everyone that what they are going wild over is pretty vintage. Vintage that’s in good shape. Vintage that’s been painted or polished up and put in antique stores. 
What people don’t like is vintage that is yucky, unsightly and hard to use. I have got some of both in my 1921 house.
The pictures you are seeing are pictures of my newly-contact-papered kitchen counters. Yes, contact paper. Now you people with granite countertops take a deep breath. I know it’s hard to not be jealous. But try.
Jessamy, if you are seeing this, I know you know the drill all too well. Do you know how many contact paper designs I’ve been through by now?? In the 80′s and even into the 90s contact paper was in style. I would go to the store thinking, “Hmmm, wonder what kind of contact paper I’ll choose.”
Folks, I know it’s a shock, but contact paper has recently fallen out of the top 100 decorating designs for the home, and now I have to hunt a little harder for any design. Now I go to the store thinking, “Hmmm, wonder what kind of contact paper I’ll have to buy.”
The only real choice they had this time was fruit. But it looks vintage, in its own fruity way and it has been a big hit with the fam. One day maybe I’ll have real countertops. I can dream.
It’s Monday, a work day for me, but I got into the garden for my requisite few minutes this morning.
I filled up a dry-as-a-bone bird bath.
I searched for creatures and found that in the shadow of a black-eyed Susan, the spider had won.
I continue to study Home Education by Charlotte Mason, in preparation for the upcoming school year. I am reading aloud to Michaela every evening from Little House on the Prairie. We are slowly moving our way through the Little House books as bedtime read-alouds, along with beautifully illustrated nursery rhymes (do these ever get old — even for adults?), and some nature readers.
Michaela is reading to me from Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and practicing narration. We are doing only a little a night — maybe only a paragraph and I am already seeing an improvement in her ability to remember details.
Today’s Thought on a Charlotte Mason education. Method versus System:
Teaching with CM is to use a method. Not just a system. A method has spirit, and touches every part of our lives. A system can be just a series of things to check off a list each day.
Method implies two things–a way to an end, and a step by step progress in that way. Further, the following of a method implies an idea, a mental image, of the end of object to be arrived at. What do you propose the education shall effect in and for your child? …The parent who sees his way–that is, the exact force of method–to educate his child, will make use of every circumstance of the child’s life almost without intention on his own part…” ~ Charlotte Mason. Home Education Volume 1.
Happy Monday
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
lynn… lots of fun nifty similarities in our posts this morning, lol. I see we both wear aprons in the garden.. but there I think our gardening appearances cease;)
my countertops are a dreadful greyish linoleum. contact paper would be a significant improvement☺
Dear Lynn,
Poor bee! Can’t someone explain to spiders about beneficial insects?
The reading aloud and narration sound fun~sneaking in education is great!
Love,
Marqueta
I have discovered the same about the selection on contact paper. I recently was able to find SUNFLOWERS. I had purchased shelving for my laundry/kitchen storage room that had open grid shelves. I cut cardboard to fit and covered it with the pretty sunflower contact paper. Walllah! Instant joy. When I begin surfing the internet I go to your website and start your music. Love it. It is my background music. I wish there were more but I bet it is limited. Your selections are wonderful.
Lynn,
I love the comment about the elderly woman. I could almost see the twinkle in her eye.:)
This is weird, I went shopping for contact paper too and couldn’t believe it was so hard to find! I wanted to line the interiors of the draws on the vanity redo. I went to four stores before finding any. Who knew that contact paper would become a vintage item! lol
Loving your apron and your choice of read-a-louds. Louisa May Allcott is one of my favorites.
From my little home on the praire to yours…
Have a day filled with joy,
Diane
Oh Lynn,
Your kitchen is lovely! And the contact paper suits is just find
Thank you for inviting us into your day…I enjoy visiting just to see how you are doing ;D
many blessings to you dear friend,
lady m
The counters are actually pretty. I wonder how well they wear, though. I can’t imagine that it’s very long lasting. But I understand all about making do with what you have or what is available.
In the scheme of life, it’s so minor.
Diane, it was amazing the similarities in our posts! We think alike. What can I say?
Marqueta, I’ve tried and tried to explain to the spiders about bees AND about coming into my house, but they just don’t listen.
Becky, thanks! I like the music too. I think I could add more to the music selection — and want to, but just have not had time. It’s on my to-do list.
Diane M, she did have a twinkle in her eye.
Yes, contact paper is harder and harder to find. I should put some rolls up. Hmmmm.
LadyM, thank you.
I always enjoy visiting your cottage online too!
Jimmie, thank you! You’d be surprised how long it lasts. I get about two years MAX. By then there are tears beginning and it is unsightly. I like to only push it to a year or 18 months, but life gets so busy! It’s really rather durable. I don’t cut on it, just on a cutting board. This last roll was only 6.97 so that’s not bad, especially if you could see what’s underneath. :p
Lynn
Your kitchen looks so inviting and the counters look great! You amaze me sweet friend!
Look forward to (hopefully) seeing you sometime soon!
Love
Leslie
We have a ton of little kids in the house for the week and with your reminder of the greatness of the Little House books, it brought back a flood of memories. That was one of the series of books I read to the kids. I am very, very grateful for that time together.
I am so happy I found your blog! I was looking for contact paper counter tops and found it. I really want to do a ‘country theme’ type of kitchen with off white cabinets and wood counter tops – but I just can’t afford any major rennovations right now and will need to make do with what I have. Just curious, how you got the seamless look to the countertops? Thanks so much I can’t wait to enjoy more of your website.
Hi Holly! Thanks so much for your comment! I used contact paper for a LONG time. Just be sure if you use it that you really want it! It can leave behind a sticky residue after time. Getting it to look seamless just takes time. I just tried to lay it so that each sheet of paper lined up perfectly to the next piece. No overlap! And I used a sharp boxcutter to trim at the edges of counter at top and bottom once I had put a piece down and rubbed out all bubbles. And if you do get a large bubble that you cannot rub out, stick a straight pin in at one spot then the air will come out and the paper will lay down and stick.
Good luck!!