Cooking Up a Kitchen Lighthouse Theme

Are you tired of the same old boring kitchen? Do you want to do a kitchen remodel but, like a lot of us today, you just can't afford it? Or maybe you live in an apartment and you aren't allowed to do any major changes but you want to make the kitchen seem like it is more your own. A facelift just might do the trick and it will fit more easilty into your budget. Have you ever thought of using a lighthouse theme?

"Cooking Up a Kitchen Theme" is a series of articles on how to give a boring kitchen personality by using a decorating theme. This first article will focus on decorating your kitchen with a lighthouse motif.

Many may think that theme kitchens are tacky...if that's the case you might want to stop reading at this point! Others believe it can be great fun to collect the different components that go into the making of theme kitchens. You can experience "the thrill of the hunt" by scouting out items that will give your theme kitchen character. You will be amazed by the items that are available either at yard sales, kitchen shops, Christmas shops and lighthouse gift shops.

Here are some ideas for our Lighthouse Kitchen:

• Lighthouse gift shops have a tremendous choice of items that could be used in creating the perfect theme. For example, a pair of lighthouse bookends could be used on your cookbook shelf.
• A Christmas shop will surely have lighthouse ornaments that could be hung from your curtain valance.
• Post cards with lighthouse pictures could make a very inexpensive display on your refrigerator. Or buy some yard sale frames and hang the post cards in your kitchen. Better yet, find some pretty pictures on the Internet and print them out. The kids can help with this project!
• Find an old brass bell at a yard sale or flea market and polish it up to add to your collection. I saw what looked like a ship's bell mounted to a piece of driftwood and hung in the kitchen. Ring the bell when dinner is ready!!
• Speaking of driftwood, there are lots of nautical ideas that will fit into your scheme. If you can find the right piece, put some cup hooks in it and use it to hang your curtains. Or mount it to the wall and hang some lighthouse design mugs on it.
• If you have a large enough wall in your kitchen, you might want to consider a wall mural with a lighthouse pictured on it. I saw the perfect one at www.decorplace.com.

As you can see, between the decorative items that are on the market and theme related ideas for handcrafted items, the possibilities are endless for making a "Lighthouse" kitchen that is truly your own.