The Keeping Room

I just shared my S p e c i a l P l a c e  with you...

The one down the road a spell,

 that is old and full of history,

with the farmhouse kitchen!

Well,

there is another room we are making decisions for...

the

The keeping room dates back to colonial days and was located just off the kitchen.

In those days this room was filled with utilitarian pieces such as jelly cupboards,

samplers children would stitch as part of their schooling,

hand-hooked rugs,

candles to read by,

wooden bowls and buckets,

rocking chairs and tables made of pine,

baskets for gathering from the garden and storing goods.

This is where the cooking was done so it was the warmest room

and is where families gathered to talk, stitch, spin yarn, play games, read,

and visit with company who came to visit.

The keeping room fireplace was lit from early morning throughout the night, 

always ready for that next meal or baking of bread.

In the evenings before bedtime embers were taken from the kitchen fire to light other fireplaces so rooms would be warm for sleeping.

I've always loved this type of furnishings 

and have been wondering about the difference between primitive and colonial?

Primitive indicates something coming from an early time,

in the very ancient past where there was no advanced technology,

very simple and basic.

Colonial pertains to architecture and furnishings related to the British colonies in America in the 17th and 18th centuries, adapting local materials from English styles,

where the keeping room was a common room and used for multiple purposes.

BPM

Keeping rooms today are still just off the kitchen.

They are quaint,

most have a fireplace,

and depending on the size it is still a place where family and friends gather to spend time together, to dine and play games, or possibly it's an intimate sitting area.

Either way, it is separate from other areas of the home allowing those in the keeping room to be close to the cook.


And when meals aren't being prepared what better place to cozy up to the fire,

to visit with a friend,

or with a book and cup of coffee for a little quiet time...

Personally, I've always been drawn to this style of furnishings,

oil paintings,
homespun linens,
saltboxes,
crocks,
Windsor chairs,
dried flowers,
chippy cupboards..

Maybe it reminds me of days gone by,

simpler times,

when it was all about family,

honest work,

helping your neighbor,

necessity,

the basics.

It was an exciting day when Mr. Heart suggested combining our tiny kitchen with the adjoining den for our new kitchen.  I've always dreamed of a large farmhouse kitchen and keeping room and it's coming true!  Slowly, we are getting close to the completion, but there are still decisions to make...what furnishings, lighting, style?

Ours will have an area at the fireplace and room for a table, chairs, and cupboard.

Here are some of the inspiration pictures I've been swooning over,

thought you may enjoy them too.

A little French, English, modern, rustic ... what's your favorite?

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picture sources

So much inspiration and each one has its own character and charm!

Which is your favorite?

Hop over each week for AMAZE ME MONDAY...