"Cottage Retreats...Decorating Ideas for Every Mood" by Lisa Jill Schlang is full of wonderful photos and ideas for your cottage style home and mine. One of the first projects for the fall is to finish up my living room. You and I know we are truly never finished with a room but I did get the new white couch and added some old windows in the corners but I want a change for my coffee table...
So while I was browsing through the book I saw this...
I like the black and white contrast. However maybe I just need a whole new table...
I also need to get some new pillows for my couch to add a pop of color. I was not even thinking about a change to my mantel. I love my little shutters as a fireplace screen...
But when I saw this I fell in love! It looks like part of an old crib and you know I would definitely paint it white...
I adore mirrors over fireplaces and I would love to find the perfect vintage one to change out the print especially at the holidays. Now, moving right along to my bedroom the only project on the back burner was to paint my bureaus white. However at times I think my bed looks too plain. Sometimes I wonder if I should get my Jenny Lind style head and foot board out of the attic and paint it white...
Or maybe something simpler like this...
I think this look will suit my Paris Hotel Suite much better. I guess I just talked myself into that project!! Now, get ready to sigh...
Isn't it fabulous? I would love that in my bedroom to hide the big TV! A girl can dream can't she?! Well...summer is winding down. Next week my son has another soccer camp here in town then high school tryouts the following week with practice every day after that. We will go back to just camping on the weekends until Columbus Day. Every year at this time I think the same thing, that my house looks so plain on the outside and wish it could look something like this...
It is pretty simple here at home...no outside feathering ~ I do all that at my campsite. Thank goodness I have one lovely hydrangea bush to add a bit of color out front. For now I will enjoy sitting in my favorite spot...
I will be sitting here, still looking for inspiration, making notes and lists and getting excited for all my fall projects. Hmmm...I wonder how many will actually get done? Hope you enjoyed all the beautiful photos I took from the "Cottage Retreats" book. Thank you for visiting today and I hope you have time to sit and enjoy all the other inspiring whites over at Faded Charm!
25 comments:
I LOVE all the pictures but especially the outside shot of the house. The white house with the shutters is really calling my name! Have a wonderful WW!
Take care, Sue
OH, your post was soooo pretty today and I am definitely going to find that book. I love where you sit....so peaceful looking! Would love to sit in the other wicker chair and go through books and magazines with you and ooooo and ahhh together! I don't have any sisters or friends around her who love what I love or even have the time to sit like I do.
My project is to paint the inside of my walk-in closet a seafoam green. I started it once, spilled the can of paint on me, our white dog and my white bedspread. What a disaster! Oh, and all over the carpet!
So, you have inspired me to get the paint out again today and work on another wall....I hate painting!! Well, walls and anything big...I don't mind redoing something small in gold, white or pink....
Have a great day and please visit my blog and leave a note....I posted some gorgeous children's chandeliers!!
Inspiring post. I love that chippy mirror over the mantel. ~~Sherry~~
Love the post with all the pictures. Our house is white with the green shutters too. I find it such a wonderful old classic...timeless really. Love that big armoire-would sure love to steal that piece away. Diana
Can't wait to see all your projects come to life!!! How exciting!
Perfect Inspiration Photos ~ My Favorites are the Bed/fireplace screen & the Outdoor Area.... Beautiful!
Since you have ALL this wishful energy...get on down here and help me with mine too!!!! :)
Your living room already looks like something out of a magazine! I say paint your coffee table black, sew a few fall colored pillows, put some dried hydrangeas here and there and you are done :)
I did enjoy all of the photos...you are so inspiring. I'm in the middle of RE-DOING my whole studio! sssssh. It's a secret. I haven't told a soul yet. And I have company coming in TEN DAYS! My whole studio is all over the guest bedroom right now. I'm about to paint a wall (or two) and then put it all back in. Why I waited until the LAST minute I have NO idea.
So see? I'm begging you...you gotta come help!
;))))
Keep giving me that wonderful inspiration girl...I love it! (my body don't, but I do!!!!)
:))))
I have so many projects I want to do but with unpacking from vacation and only 2 weeks left before I head back to work, I wonder just how much I'll get done. It is nice to be inspired though and think of all the lovely things we could do. :) Love the contrast of the white and black, too. A great book for sure. I came back with some lovely magazines from the States, ones that I can't find here ... and I know they will continue to inspire me for some time. We can all dream ... Best wishes for a beautiful day. Tammy
I definitely think you should put a mirror over your mantel, it opens up a room. We're in need of a headboard also. My FIL made my MIL one out of an antique door, they still have a bunch leftover so if we can figure out a way to get one over here that's my plan for mine:)
As for your coffee table, I love the one you have and I think you should go for it and paint it dark!!! If you don't like the contrast you can always paint it white and distress it to let the dark show thru!
I've been swooning over little cabins in Lake Arrowhead lately, every time we go to the grocery store I grab the free real estate mags...I found the cutest little cabin for $50,000!!! I can dream:)
That looks like a great book filled with lots of inspiration! Love the mantel and the shutters in the fireplace. Definitely my fave pic!
Jeanine
Ok, Sandi.....now I've gotta go buy that book! So many inspiring photos there to get that creativity going. I can see that your plate (and your head!) must be so full of ideas now! Oh my gosh! I love your window in the corner of your room. I love your idea of a different coffee table. Have you thought about making one from a door (like the one in my living room)? I can see that you finally created the perfect mantel, huh? lol! I love the salvaged piece for a headboard, too! I'm currently making one out of a fireplace mantel and old library door. :) Well, I can hardly wait to see what projects you get done! lol!
xoxo laurie@heavens-walk
Hi Sandi~
Just popping back in to say thank you for stopping by my Blog & leaving a lovely comment. BTW, I have that book too and love it. I wish I could just pop into some of the pages of some of my Cottage books and LIVE there. Yeah, that's me...always dreaming-lol
I am so glad I found you-you are doing a great job on your living room. I know what you mean though-even though something seems right (your coffee "table") and it is lovely-it might just not "feel" right. Then, ya just keep looking!
The other thing I forgot to add before is that I absolutely love that old curved foot board for a fireplace "screen". In my old house I used to fill my firebox with big green live plants during the summer.
I love that book! Very inspirational indeed. I live in a small cottage so I love looking at cottage books for inspirations as well. Another great book is called "Cottage Style" from the editors of Country Living magazine. I own it and never get tired of browsing the pages. Thanks for stopping by.
-marie
I ADORE that fireplace screen made out of part of an old crib, however I do not have a fireplace. I think that would look neat mounted above a bed with netting hanging from it too if it didn't stick out too much. Oh to dream and dream and dream...
I don't have that book and I am a book addict! oh my...now to hunt for it...eek!!
Hugs~
Hi Sandi, your pics are very inspiring. I love all white interiors, and no your bed does not look plain. I love the shutter and the big white sofa. It is all so calming and relaxing. You already have done a great job. Have a goos weekend.
The Swedish Room
Your home is coming along so nicely, Sandi! I can see how the inspirational photos have influenced your decorating style. You've done a great job of taking from that inspiration and making something special of your own... beautiful!
Have a wonderful weekend,
~ Jo :)
Ahhh yes! I too have that book and just adore it. I have a large bookcase with the entire top shelf devoted to nothing else but decorating inspiration books. Aren't they a great way to spend some quality time?
Blessings,
Karen
Girl, that new couch is fabulous!
And I really love that crib part, what a great idea!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Anne
Hi, I know exactly what you mean. I have so many projects to do and I keep waiting for some inspiration to hit so I can get them started. I love your pics from your Cottage Retreats book. I should go through some of my magazines and book to see if I could find something inspiring.Have a wonderful weekend.
Rebecca
Oh my it is soooo wonderful to plan a change! I just love to paint and rearrange! The pictures are really pretty! I am not sure that I could do black for a coffee table, but the contrast would be neat. I am thinking about a pretty new curtain in my living room for fall, but listen, if i can't find it cheap i don't do it...you know me. Anyhoo, I will be excited to see what you are up too and I adore the screen you have...hmmm...sometimes i get stuck just because i don't want to give something up. LOL.
Good luck and keep up the dreaming!
Hugs,
Olivia
Thanks so much for sharing about this book. I'm writing down the title. I just received a Barnes & Noble giftcard, and I want ideas for books like this. If you have anymore ideas like this, I'd love to hear them.
Blessings,
Marcia
Very inspiring photos! I have to see if I have that book in my collection;)
~Debra XXX
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens
O h my. I have that book from so long ago, and I discover something else every time I open it. It is a favorite. I think you should keep that wonderful coffee table you have and paint it whatever color you need to . It looks exactly like the one in the book, and it's a chest too right? you can always use a blanket chest. great pics thanks so much , very enjoyable!
i sure enjoyed your blog - you have such great taste - i'll be back to visit -
love ya, maria - cottage feel-
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
I have that book, too, and love it so that I thumb through it often. I've just come across your blog and have enjoyed it so that I've just become your newest follower. Im new to blogland......only about a month in, so please, please come visit me and maybe you'll follow me back. 8-)
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