Ever since I interviewed Ruth Clemens – the self-billed “manic mummy and baker extraordinnaire” who came second in the first series of BBC2′s The Great British Bake Off – for nonstopmama, I’ve enjoyed her great home baking blog, The Pink Whisk (her first book is due out in April, BIG congrats, Ruth!).
Her latest post, A sneak peek into The Pink Whisk Kitchen struck such a chord that I just had to mention it.
Revealing her ‘real life’ kitchen – not as big as she’d like, and packed to the rafters with cooking kit and all the signs of super-busy family life – Ruth proves you don’t have to have a kitchen that looks like it’s been styled for a glossy interiors mag spread (or an impossibly pristine TV kitchen) to create one full of character, warmth and love.
Some of the most welcoming kitchens I’ve been in have also been the most modest, mad or cluttered (or, even better, all of the above) and FULL of character and heart.
One is my Italian Nonna’s kitchen – small but always spotlessly clean, swept and with a pot of espresso or pan of pasta water bubbling away on the simple, freestanding stove. Just-washed dishes were put away on the storage rack above the sink, which drained them at the same time – no frills, no fuss. She’d always sit at a small table chopping herbs at bionic speed with her mezzaluna, eyes sparkling and putting the world to rights with whomever was keeping her company. The family ate in the adjacent living room, at a big, round table, almost always with the TV on (so you’d need to compete with newsreader or game show host to be heard). Wonderful.
Do go and check out Ruth’s lovely blog, and let me know what you think here, too, about creating a ‘home that loves’, regardless of space, style and budget!
Thank you for the reminder (and validation) that you don’t need everything to be pristine or magazine-worthy in order for your home to be a one “that loves”. While I prefer a very de-cluttered look (and spent over a year paring everything down and being rather minimalist about everything), the most important thing, as you so wisely pointed out, is having a home that is cozy and warm. Pare down too much, and things start to look rather bleak…
Our New York kitchen leaves much to be desired by way of design, but it’s clean, and it’s where the magic happens. My boys are comfortable enough to play underfoot as I cook (maybe I should make things a little less comfortable…). What more does one need?
Wonderful post, and Happy New Year!
Thank you for the reminder (and validation) that you don’t need everything to be pristine or magazine-worthy in order for your home to be one “that loves”. While I prefer a very de-cluttered look (and spent over a year paring down and being rather minimalist about everything), the most important, as you so wisely pointed out, is having a home that is cozy and warm. Get rid of too much and things start to look rather bleak…
Our New York kitchen leaves much to be desired by way of design, but it’s clean, and it’s where the magic happens. My boys are comfortable enough to play underfoot as I cook (maybe I should make things a little less comfortable…). What more does one need?
Wonderful post, and Happy New Year!
Oh Rayna, thanks SO much, what lovely comments and I agree with everything you say! Spirit lifting!! Happy new year to you and yours, too – I have just discovered your lovely blog and your story is so heartwarming and also touched a chord (as an adoptee myself, and a daughter who is so grateful for the blessings of a wonderful mama and family!). Happy weekend to you and all yours!! XX