Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Look-a-Like Chairs!

Do you recall when I found these chairs on the side of the road?
{chair recovered)

Look what I happened upon when blog surfing the other day...


Don't they look strangely familiar?
Any idea what these chairs are called?
I'm borderline obsessed.

*photo courtesy of house of turquoise

Monday, August 29, 2011

If You Can't Stand the Heat : Kitchen Progress!

Hi all,
Happy Monday!
This weekend was full of fun, family, and friends.
It was absolutely lovely.
As lovely as my weekend was, I did and do continue to
pray for those who were in the path of Hurricane Irene.

Here are some of the pretty things we saw...







The scenery was so peaceful.

We were in and out of a lot of homes this weekend.
All I saw?  Fabulous kitchens
Naturally, it got me thinking about our kitchen.
While it may be awhile before we can collect a chunk of change
to replace the countertops, backsplash, sink, and possibly the hardware,
I'm always on the hunt for deals in our area.

The cabinets have been professionally painted and we've replaced all the appliances.
That alone has improved the look of the kitchen tremendously.
The kitchen hardware is the same as it was prior to us moving in.
Not ideal but not awful. 

A few before shots...

Some progress...





The look of honed marble is my absolute favorite.

How insanely gorgeous does marble look with this color cabinetry?
The width of the slab doesn't hurt one bit either!

I see this color and material combination all the time.

{really lurve the gold hardware too}
I've thought about it.  What do you all think?


Despite how jaw dropping gorgeous marble can be, the maintenance of the stone terrifies me.
Based on previous experience {polished marble bathroom floors} and others reviews, I'm on the fence.
Plus marble costs a pretty penny...and boy do we have a lot of counter space!
My search for marble led me to white granite and quartzite. 
While it can't be an exact match, I do see some of the same qualities.

{white fantasy quartzite}

{white princess quartzite}

{luce di luna quartzite}

{white princess quartzite}

So what do you think?
Marble?
Quartzite?
Soapstone?  Just threw that one in there...I adore this stone!
Would it appear to dark in my space?

What I do know is this...

{farmhouse sink}
This will be mine!

Backsplashes are questionable.

{small marble subways}

{classic white subway}

I'd love your thoughts!

*photos courtesy of unknown, unknown, pinterest (2), gardenweb (4), pinterest (last three)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Old Charm and New Charm

Tomorrow is fridayAren't you excited?
I sure am.
Before we all kick off the weekend, I'd like to share some images of the
character and charm at the cottage.
I'll also add some suggestions/hints on how you can add that historic charm
to your not so old home. 
It's a question I get asked a lot.
The reality is...
Old homes can be a pain to take care of and
the ones that have been so lovingly kept up are hard to come by. 

Nonetheless, I eat, sleep, and breathe charm

Let's begin outside.
{brick pathways}
We have brick pathways in both the front and the back of the home.
It truly takes me away.  I can't explain it.

{white picket fence}
Ah, the American dream. 
A white fence would definitely be a suggestion of mine if you'd like to
 add character to the exterior of your home.

{full length door shutters}
Not only are shutters a great option to frame out windows,
they are equally impressive on the sides of a door.

{cedar shakes}
Cedar shakes scream the Hampton's or any place
 more enjoyable then the Midwest!

Please, come in.
{glass door knobs}
Nearly every door in the cottage, besides the recently installed french doors,
have glass door knobs.
Head to antique stores and begin collecting hardware.
It's a great way to add character and interest to your doors!

{french doors and beadboard ceiling}

{another set of french doors}

{ceiling in our master bedroom}

{window seat placed in between his and her closets}

{close up of window seat}

{hardwood floors throughout}
I especially find the dining room floor special.


{tongue and groove accent wall}
Adding beadboard to a ceiling or to an entire wall can add a cozy lived in feel. 
 Another option is to add beadboard at chair rail height or higher.
Adding a ledge is a touch I never seem to get tired of.

{beadboard ceiling in our laundry room}

{beadboard ceiling in our sun room}
Add some blue!

{a step down to two other bedrooms}

Now for some of the nooks and crannies...
{wall and ceiling detail in the guest bedroom}

{drawers built into the closets}

{secret cubby that leads to the linen closet}
Perfect for the guest bath!
Just reach in and grab a towel, if you wish!



{the details truly matter!}

and of course...
{wood in all the windows}

A few more suggestions for our friends with newer homes...

{add a farmhouse sink}

{mounting your sink and/or hardware is always a great plan!}

{add built in's and stack them with all your favorite goodies}

{hex tile...this will definitely send you in the right direction}

{a claw foot tub}
Even better...paint it!

{have fun}

{using corbels when possible}
A project you'll eventually see here at the cottage.
Our dining room is dying for a pair.

Intermission...
Let's give Sarah Richardson some love
The last three photos are her designs and I'm in awe every time I look (drool) over her work.

{open shelves to display dishes and glassware}

{incorporate antique furnishings}

Don't let the age of the home stop you from
making it the home of your dreams.

Charm the pants off your house!


*photos courtesy of (first 4 pinterest), (next 3 sarah richardson), last photo couresty of pinterest