Sunday, April 11, 2010

~ Cottage Updates ~


Hello friends! I hope you all enjoyed a nice Easter! I've been busy doing some updates to the cottage and I'm finding myself itching to get outside more lately. Now that the inside is almost finished being prepped for the warmer seasons, I need to start gardening and working on the flower beds and outdoor spaces too. The painting is all finished inside and I found a new rug for the living room finally. I picked a Sisal ,which I adore! So I'll take you on a tiny tour and then my next post will hopefully show what have done outside lol :)

My kitchen door is a Dutch style door and original to the house, I just love idea that you can keep it half open and peek over the top :) I want to replace the glass with some leaded glass inserts to match my hutch, so that's my last project. Do you like Dutch doors too? The one below is so precious, I need that white door knob now :)

( Country Home )

Mine ( below ) needs a little work, but that's for next weekend :)


I had done a post a few ones back on my family room color make-over, from a deep Merlot color to a sage green, and the last thing to do in that room was recover some furniture and rip up the carpet and find a rug :) I was inspired by any room I saw with a Sisal rug, so that was where my hunt started. Sisal allows any color or variety of colors to be placed on top, which makes it go with almost any decor too! I've done Sisal in modern spaces for clients and also Cottage Country and Traditional also! So it was time I did my own :)

The above pic is from Better Homes and Gardens and while it's a bit sandier than mine, I loved the neutral back drop. Mine below is a tight wool and lighter in color, but it makes the room look more open and unlike my old one ( blue patterned carpet) it doesn't have to add another bold color to the space. It just adds as a soft backdrop. ( The chair to the left in the pic below is going to be my first attempt at re-upholstering myself, yikes lol )

I love this one below too, while it's hard to see amongst all the fabrics , it again, makes for a simple backdrop to all the colors! ( Country Living ) Love that checked ottoman too :)


This Sisal below is a lot more rustic and shabby, but I just adore the simplicity of it... and the room is sweet as pie simple too! ( uktv )

I'm not completely content with the Mantel yet, I'm going to go simpler, but that's the fun of decorating, Moving things around is like playing house :)

The kitchen cabinets were painted last week and the bead-board paneling above the counter was too, so that's crossed off the list finally! This pic below shows the view as you walk into the kitchen and I love seeing that bead-board , I think that's one of my favorite projects in the house. It's so simple and yet adds high impact too. And not to mention a lot less expensive than tile or granite. But, I have to say, I love love love subway tile, so maybe one day I'll change it :)

I'm on the hunt for a shelf like this one below , love the scroll work and how intricate it appears on another simple backdrop. I'll take the Laura Ashley cupboard too lol ;)

( uktv)

And last but not least, I finally found my chandelier shade design. Thank you so much for your input a few posts ago! I decided to combine the look of the 3 shades and do a little bit of ticking with the burlap too! So I guess that means I took all of your ideas! :) They aren't completely finished yet, but here's a photo-shop idea of what I'm doing...
And this is what they will look like when they are done and on the kitchen chandelier :) ....ps: I'll be taking away the German glass beads and adding a few sage green crystals hopefully too!

Well I hope you enjoyed my little tour and now I'm out to fix up the outside and cross the T's inside :)

I hope you all are enjoying the lovely Spring weather too and thanks so much for being such wonderful friends and followers!!

Till next week, Hugs and appreciation!!

~ Cynthia ~XO

45 comments:

♥ Noelle ♥ said...

i am SO in love with your kitchen! so clean, bright and airy! and that door... oh my!!!!

Riddlers cottage flowers said...

What a lovely kicthen it is just beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Cynthia, I love looking at the pictures of your home! The dutch door is so fun! and The sisal carpet looks wonderful too!

bee blessed
mary

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

I think your made the perfect choice on the lampshades! I just added a sisal rug to my living rm too, I love it especially with my dogs, it has held up great!!
Hugs~Kelly

Musings Of A Gem said...

Your kitchen is lovely!! I love the Stable door..great for the summer :D

Admire your style A LOT :D

Would love it if any of you guys could take a peek at my blog and leave a message

http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.com/

Gemma X

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love, love, love your home. The fireplace is wonderful and your kitchen is fabulous. I adore Dutch doors. Yours looks wonderful. I can't wait to see more. Thanks for the tour. Hugs, Marty

Lori said...

I love the wood top, painted bottom furniture. Your style is beautiful. I'm going to redo my mantle this week. I'm thinking white stuff.

Lisa said...

Your chandie shades are going to be beautiful! I love the combination of fabrics. And I am crazy in love with your kitchen wallpaper. It is just gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen has always been one of my favorites, especially the dutch door. Stop by for a visit. It's been a long time and my blog has a different name now.

LeAnn:)

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hi Cynthia...I adored your home tour...made my morning. I love that beadboard. We have thought about doing that, also thought about the ceiling tin stuff...but I think the tin stuff would drastically change the look of our farmhouse kitchen. Thank God hubby and I are on the same page...about decorating...most of the time! Big smile.
Glad your Easter was wonderful...ours was a blast...we have a huge family...so it was loud with lots of laughing.

Blessings,
Debbie

Brian + Cheryl B. said...

Hi Cynthia :-D

thank-you so much for providing this break! I am working on catching up the checkbook, figuring out bills, etc. Details that are usually bothersome, but have become absolutly stomich turning when mixed with this Vertigo!!! Caught things up recording wise, just need to double check things with the bank account on-line, but in the process of signing on, noticed you had updated ... Thank-you ever so much!

I am ever so far behind on any and everything in my house, in part due to figting this thing since mid. January. I really w-a-n-t to get at it, and you have inspired me even more to do so. :-)

I just finished revamping/redecorating our blog. I could do a little bit here and there and nobody came along and undid it in the mean time ;-p Nice!

Best of wishes on your out of door projects!

little cottage girl said...

Hi Cynthia
I absolutely ADORE your home ... LOVE LOVE, LOVE your kitchen ... so charming & vintage ... love the "dutch" door ... such a sweet room!

Thank you soooo much for sharing ... I throughly enjoyed my visit & can't wait to see what else you "inspire" thru your wonderful decorating!

Have a wonderful day & lots of fun checking things off your "to do" list outside! :)

hugs ~ Lynn (little cottage girl) xo

Julie Harward said...

I love your sweet cottage..love the dutch door, seems like Lassie should come poking her head in there any moment. It is so fun to change things about, I have seen your fireplace before, looks nice there. Do you ever come say hi? That would be nice :D

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

You have done a beautiful job of lightening and brightening your home for spring. I love Dutch doors. I had one once, but didn't have a screen, so don't think I used it much.
Love the beadboard in your kitchen.
We use beadboard every where. Your cabinets look so fresh. What color is the beadboard? My husband always wants ours white.
Your sisal rug was a good choice too. Can't wait to see the shades completed. They are going to be a one of a kind design.
I always enjoy your pictures of your home and am inspired by them.

debianne said...

Your kitchen invites me to come in and sit down for awhile. Love the work you're doing.

Anonymous said...

I adore Dutch doors, Cynthia! I think you can actually cut a door in half if you add weather stripping to the edges. Hmmmm....

Happy Spring!
Diane

aimee said...

i did love the tour and your style :) you inspire me.
blessings,
aimee

Anonymous said...

I just love what you did. I love your cottage decor. You have a very warm, cozy and inviting home.

Anonymous said...

beautiful blog, so pretty , i love Cottage stylo, Chany

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

I always enjoy seeing your home! Love that door and I think the shades will look so perfect!

Manuela

Pearl said...

I am so in love with your house! I've always wanted Dutch doors, I love the colors you have chosen. This truly is a labor of love. And I like yours sooo much better than the magazines!

mary said...

I love your kitchen, as well! You are so good at mixing and matching colors and prints!
I have a Dutch door exactly like yours in my kitchen. It was one of my favorite things about this house when we bought it. And it reminds me of Mr. Ed. Do you remember that show?

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Cynthia....Your home is so pretty! I love how you mix all the patterns and colors and it all blends together so well.~Patti

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Beautiful pictures. Your home is so pretty!!! Love & blessings from NC!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

I so love your bright cheery home. It has such a welcoming feeling. Love your fireplace and that pretty mirror and the plates above it. The chandy in the last pic is adorable!

I just posted about a silver wall grouping I just finished, so pop on over to see it when you get a chance.

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Just a little something from Judy said...

Wow! This makes me more excited than ever to work with you on my giveaway consultation. Every picture of your home exudes warmth, coziness, and a sense of "welcome". Your design style is so impressive to me. I really the sisal rug idea, and the colors of your home. This is another beautiful post!!!

Kathy said...

Cynthia, I love your blog. There is so much creativity and inspiration here.

I recently wrote a post on Homemaking and would love your thoughts and comments!

Miss Janice said...

Love your photos of your home...it's just perfect!

Ann at the Handley Bungalow said...

Beautiful pictures! I enjoyed each of them! That door in your kitchen is so cute. I also like your fireplace mantel. How pretty!

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近代則訛稱含有動物性成分的餐飲食物為「葷菜」,事實上這在古代是稱
之為腥。所謂「葷腥」即這兩類的合稱。 葷菜
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人多慾。[1]

《本草備要》註解云:「慈蔥,冬蔥也;茖蔥,山蔥也;興渠,西域菜,云
即中國之荽。」

興渠另說為洋蔥。) 肉 蛋 奶?!











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log 二0.3010 三0.47710.48 五0.6990 七0.8451 .85
root 二1.414 1.41 三1.732 1.73五 2.236 2.24七 2.646
=>十3.16 π∈Q' 一點八1.34

Unknown said...

Hi Cynthia! Loving the new pallet! I almost did a sisal rug when we got ours for the family room....now I kind of wish that I would have gone with that... They are so nice and neutral! Enjoy your spring weather!
~Liz

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Cynthia,
WOW! I have kitchen envy! I love your kitchen, golly I love your entire home! Really Cynthia its just so lovely and so my style too. Your little gingham burlap hats are just perfect and look so pretty. I really enjoyed your post today!
Take care and have wonderful day,
Big hugs, Elizabeth

Susan Freeman said...

I love your dutch door! When I was a little girl, my father added a family room onto our house. It had a dutch door going out to the patio and a bay window with a window seat looking out to the front yard. Oh how I loved that room!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Aubrey said...

Good Morning! I loved the little tour of your cottage! I don't usually like wallpaper, but I LOVE the paper in your kitchen! I too am starting renovations outside! So relaxing to work in my yard. Have a great weekend!

Eileen@Star'sFault said...

Just did the same thing in my house, sisal is wonderful and always feels good. The kitties love it and frequently run their aws over the nubbly surface.

Your beadboard is lovely, and I like that much better than tile too. Warmer, more friendly, and fits your cottage best!

Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault

Lori said...

I love a dutch door. You are a lucky girl to have one. My husband insists they are more trouble than they are worth. Also the scroll piece and the Laura Ashley cupboard would be coming home with me if I found them.

Camille said...

So so pretty!! What a treat to visit here! :)

Blessings,
Camille

Debra Howard said...

Oh Cynthia it turned out so beautiful and light and bright and happy. Just the kind of place I love to hang out in. Your family will enjoy it so much. Oh how I have missed you these past few months.
Debbie

Patty's Stitches said...

I adore your cottage! Can I just move in please? I can't wait to look back at older posts. I could look around for hours.
Blessings,
Patty

Mahek said...

I love your house cynthia...
It looks sooo warm and cozy wish i could come and visit you someday..

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Your home is just so sweet and pretty! I love the new shades!

Thank you for a lovely glimpse into your adorable home.

hugs,
becky

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

PS: That laundry room that you shared is my all-time favorite! I have it saved in my files for inspiration.

All I need is a Dutch-door.

Amy said...

Cynthia...your house is so pretty. It makes me want to redo my whole entire house (not really the whole thing but a few rooms for sure). Your dutch door is charming and it's so nice that the door was never removed. Just lovely!

Texas Preacher Woman said...

I, too, am soooooo in love with your kitchen. That gorgeous wallpaper is the perfect backdrop for all of your other luciousness!

Grins!
Pamm

Nishant said...

What a lovely kicthen it is just beautiful.
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