The New Kitchen & Photo Inspiration
28 Jul
My New Teeny Tiny Kitchen
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that my Aztec Imports miniatures order had arrived, and I was in for quite a surprise when I unpacked the box. Based on the catalog descriptions, I thought that I was purchasing the bottom section of a white kitchen set, as in, the sink, stove, and lower cabinets but not the upper cabinets. When I opened the boxes, I discovered that the upper and lower cabinets are sold as a unit, so I have nearly the entire kitchen at roughly half what I had anticipated to spend–yay! All that’s left to buy is a cabinet for the refrigerator and a unit with two stacked ovens, both of which will cost less than $10. Not bad. I think I’m going to use one of the Paris kitchens from the Paumes books I talked about yesterday as decorating inspiration.
Itty Bitty Counter Space
While running errands this week, I also picked up a daylight (or white light) bulb, and once I have a little more cash, I’m going to buy one of those goose neck lamps to set up lighting for my photos. On sunny days, the light in my work/photo area is orange-y in the morning, which can look cool depending on what I’m going for, but by late morning the light is blueish, as you might be able to see in the kitchen photos here. I can correct for it up to a certain point on my computer, but sometimes too much tampering leaves the photos looking odd, and particularly when I’m shooting an item that I intend to sell, I don’t want to alter the photo very much to ensure that shoppers are getting an accurate view. Bottom line: I’m excited to have a source of light that will allow for clear photos, regardless of the time of day.
A Cooler for My Picnic Area
This week, I’m going to be working on a number of new preparation boards for my upcoming show, and while I was browsing in a bookstore in Memphis a couple of weekends ago, I came across an awesome cookbook in the bargain stacks called Frame by Frame Cooking: Quick and Easy. Every page is filled with bird’s eye view photos of each step of the recipes, so if you’re in need of preparation visuals, this is a goldmine. Oddly enough, while at the library this morning, I found a nearly identical book called Cooking from Above: Classics, and now I’m good to go with preparation inspiration. Another honorable mention in this category is Martha Stewart’s Cooking School, so be sure to check out these titles if you need help with your prep scenes.
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What a beautiful little kitchen! I will have to explore that Aztec store as well.
Thanks!
Just a heads up: Aztec is wholesale only, so if you see something you love, I’d be happy to add it to my next order. Unless, that is, you want to get a biz license and spend $100 on your first order.
This kitchen is absolutely lovely, I wish I had one like that in real life!! Congrats on a super purchase and I’m sure you will fill it with amazing goodies. Can’t wait to see it!
Thanks, Chani! And I know what you mean. If I made a mini version of my real kitchen…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be nearly as cute. Or as clean.
I can’t wait to take pictures of the mini kitchen once I have dishes and other accessories set up!
I *love* those cabinets- what a great deal! And you’ll love your light once you get it set up- I love mine, although not how hot it gets.
Thanks for the tips about the books! I don’t know if I’ll get into prep boards, but that’s really good to know just in case.
Ugh, I hadn’t thought about the heat. At least I can still work without artificial light on most days, and I can turn it on just for swanky food photo shoots.
No prob about the books. If you keep making minis, I bet the prep board bug will bite you eventually!