Tuesday 30 June 2009

Loving Ruffled Kitchen Skirts





I love the informality of ruffled kitchen skirts. I'm thinking from a budget conscious point of view this might be a fun option when we renovate our kitchen at our Stradbroke beach cottage. Are they a pain to use and keep clean?? I would love to hear from anyone who has had these before...

image 1 - mary ruffle, image 2 - skona hem

26 comments:

Chelsea said...

La La Love! Especially the 2nd one.

beachvintage.com said...

Anna, I am just about to do this at home. Let you know how I go...

LJ said...

We used to have one at our holiday home - and I will admit that it was a bit of a pain. If you spill, you can't just wipe down with a cloth and disinfectant. The whole thing has to go in the wash. Depending on what type of fabric you use, stains hold. Also, just does creep into the 'cupboard' as it gets kicked from underneath.

They do look pretty though!!

Sorry to be so negative.

Tricia said...

i've never actually tried a ruffled kitchen skirt anywhere, but I've seen them in several homes (mostly in laundry rooms and bathrooms) and i have always admired them. there is something very classic and cozy about them.

your blog always has such inspiring photos! :)

Delightful Domestic Science said...

They are so beautiful but terrible to keep clean. Imagine all the drips that you can quickly clean up with a damp cloth. Not so on fabric :-(

Amanda said...

I love the ruffles Anna, I think it would be perfect for a holiday house. So pretty, does it matter if it's functional? ;)

Sharnel said...

I think they are gorgeous, but I can't imagine it would be practical. And with your taste in fabric, I can't imagine it would be a cheaper option!
Only suggestion would be to use oilcloth, but I'm actually cringing as I type!

Sharnel said...

sorry, I meant it wouldn't be practical in a kitchen because i the nature of the best. but maybe a bathroom or laundry it would work better.
Other option would be is use an inexpensive fabric that can be replaced easily and without any tears shed.
xx

Lisa said...

I used to have one in my old kitchen when we were renovating and it didn't seem to get too dirty. Maybe you could try one in oilcloth.

Ulrika said...

Dear Anna,
I read your blog almost everyday and it inspires me a lot!!
Then I became really proud to see the image from my old cottage (the second picture with red stripes). I'm happy that you like that!! Not very practical but quite easy to wash..
We don't rent the place any more.. To much with our B&B business that we run... All the best from Ulrika in Mariefred, Sweden

kate said...

I think there a Great look and easy to use, be sure and pick a fabric that can be washed and rehung with out wrinking, Go for it, I love the look
kate

Carolina Elizabeth said...

My sink skirt is set on small metal hooks and just slide off to stick in the washer. I pick a fabric that I could do that without fading or shrinking. That part is easy--no diferent than scrubbing cabinet doors. The part that bothers me is that I feel that I am constantly straigtening them. That might be me just being fussy, but that is just between you and me.

home before dark said...

I have one in my kitchen. If I were to do it over again, I'd use outdoor fabric.

Taylor said...

Maybe use a a vibrant patterned fabric (Brunshwig & Fils-ish perhaps?) with more going on than the striped ones you pictured and scotch guard (seal) it like you would for outdoor use so that stains and water don't affect it so easily. I adore the use of fabric in this way but haven't tried it yet. I have a pedestal sink that is just waiting for a skirt!

RP said...

Hi Anna,
Tomorrow I get the new keys to our house and we're thinking of doing a small make over on our kitchen until we have a bigger budget. Your post prompted me that something like this would be great to go over the big gaping whole in our cabinetry where a future dishwasher is meant to go. I'd love to send you pics if the plan eventuates.
Mrs P
xx

Unknown said...

Oh, these ruffled skirts are so pretty! I have never actually had one in my home but I have known others who have and they love them! Just make sure the fabric is easy to come down so you can wash it!! Daisy~

maisy and alice said...

I just love that red stripey one, I used to have one a while back, I didn't really find it a problem, just threw it in the wash occasionaly, worth it i think!

Laurie said...

I currently have a skirted sink in our cabin kitchen. It gives a cottage look and I rarely need to wash it. I painted the kitchen cabinets which were hot pink to resemble watermelon-seeds too! 5 coats of paint was enough to convince me to use a skirt instead of more painting. I love the look! I had them in my old kitchen to just to break up the cabinets-not a pain at all!

Pythea said...

Two suggestions to make this work: 1) Choose any fabric you like; ScotchGard it before you sew it into the curtains. This prevents stains from setting.
2) Use drapery weights in the hem to keep the curtains more vertical. If they're kicked into the cabinet space, the weights will pull them back into plumb.

juditsd said...

Hi Anna,
I've just find your blog and I love it!:)
Id give it a try. I'd saw multiple skirts from different fabrics and would change them depending on my mood!:) It's fun!:)

the old boathouse said...

Feeling very nostalgic as I had a little kitchen in manly brissie that I did ruffled kitchen skirts just like this in yellow and white. They looked fab when freshly laundered but were constantly needing cleaning and getting tugged at by little people that thought they were great to hide behind. So yes look fab but are a bit high maintenance cheers Katherine

Jen Beaudet said...

Hi Anna,
I just found your blog and think it's beautiful just like the name says! I will be visiting again. Thanks for having this lovely place with great ideas. I love the sink in the second picture. Someday, if I ever have my own house, I want one just like it!

SWES Elementary Battle of the Books said...

forget the skirt- let's talk about that great plate rack on the left of the sink in photo 2. I am in love!

A rootdigger said...

I have some out door fabric like the red one. I was watching something once where this guy said he covered his couch in outdoor fabric. He said it was more durable. That's what gave me the idea for the skirts.

Jessica said...

Gorgeous!! Such a fun idea for kitchens :)

Katie @ Yankee and Peach said...

I have them and love them. Two tips:
(1) Use outdoor fabric - wipes much easier and launders well for heavier drips
(2) PATTERN PATTERN PATTERNS! Drips don't show as much, obviously. It's a bold soul who tries all white!