I thought it might be interesting for my first "in the kitchen" page to literally be....in the kitchen. My kitchen. It's always interesting when I hear people say the kitchen in houses they're looking to purchase aren't big enough. When we moved back to California, Dan wanted me to have my "dream" kitchen....granite counters, huge center island, stainless steel appliances, two ovens, cabinets galore, a huge pantry, etc. I got it, but in the end it really wasn't all it was cracked up to be. After watching me prepping Christmas dinner, my Mom said it looked like I needed roller skates to go from one side of the kitchen to the other. My brother-in-law said the center island was big enough to land a plane on. I felt I was running laps more than I was cooking most of the time. 
When we started looking for an apartment in L.A., we knew we wanted a vintage kitchen with a restored O'Keefe & Merritt stove and a galley layout. Yes, you read that right. I wanted a galley kitchen. So, as we start the "tour" of my new dream kitchen, let me tell you right off the bat it measures 11 feet x 7 1/2 feet. That's 7 1/2 feet wide.....not between the counters.....at the widest point. I'm never much more than a step or two away from anything. It's absolutely perfect! 
Vintage kitchens are not for everyone. By today's standards, they can be a little difficult for some people. Our kitchen has one electrical outlet. One. Needless to say, it made it easy to figure out where the coffeemaker would go. It doesn't have a microwave or a dishwasher or a pantry. It does, however, have an adorable assortment of drawers and cabinets. You can tell this kitchen was designed at a time when people really cooked. Drawers are the perfect size to hold spice bottles and baking sheets. A closet large enough for a trash can and an ironing board. A large window lets in afternoon sun perfect for growing herbs and plants on the wide sill.
The rustic Simon Pearce jar in the corner has deep sentimental value and always has a place in my kitchen. It was a gift from my Dad. After he saw me admiring it in the Simon Pearce shop prior to our being seated for dinner at their amazing restaurant, he ducked out during dinner and bought it for me. The jar had been designated "flawed" because of a tiny black dot that presented after the firing. It's the thing I love most about it as it's a constant reminder that no matter how beautiful something is, nothing is perfect.
The Parapluie-Revel poster provides the perfect pop of color above Georgia and behind the pot rack Dan made for me years ago out of copper water supply pipe.
The wine bottle behind the pepper mill was signed by the winemaker....same name as my husband's family.... and is all that remains of the tenth anniversary gift from the best man at our wedding and dear friend, Chuck. Georgia has one burner that is a slightly temperamental and frequently needs to be lit manually so a box of matches near the stove is a necessity. My choice is always HomArt's wonderfully playful boxes. The lobster box is a constant reminder of our future...and final....destination of Maine.
