COTTAGE MONDAY

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http://houseinroses.blogspot.com

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com

I'm finally back with a cottage makeover update. Although, some days seem like "one step forward, two steps back", I know I've actually made great strides in not-quite three months. I can't honestly say that I have even one room that is complete, but maybe you would like to see some before-and-after---or should I say---in-progress pictures. So here goes!

Today, we're looking at the dining room.

 

New windows and a new door

I started out with my antique table, but the gate leg design made it somewhat impractical for comfortable dining. So, I've relocated it in favor of a rectangular pine table. Not as interesting, but it's more functional for chowing down.

Amazingly, one of the few walls in the house that would accommodate this hutch was the very wall that I wanted to use it on. What luck!

 

A chandelier!

 

There was never one here before. With the very low (7-1/2 foot) ceilings, chandeliers can be problematic. I'm only 5'2", but some people are taller than that! Since this hangs over the center of the table, it works! It's very simple and was also very budget-friendly, but I think it fits with the cottage-look.

I have to admit...I'm really happy with the way this hutch looks!

 The dining room steps down into the den. 

(More on that room coming soon.)

I decided to start out by painting the majority of the rooms a rather un-inspired off-white.  I felt that that would freshen and lighten the cottage and give me a blank slate to build on. I will definitely add color as time goes by. I'm shopping for a rug to go under the table. Also, would you add cushions to the chairs, or do you like the look of the woven straw seats? What about an accent color on the chair rail? Ladies, I welcome your opinions and suggestions, so bring 'em on!

COTTAGE UPDATE

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http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

"Like topsy it grew"

The cottage renovation continues! Progress is slow, but steady. Things seem to be more by happen-chance, than by design. My extremely patient contractor just rolls with it, as I continue to come up with new ideas. 

Not unexpected, in an 80-year-old house, I had to have $8,000 of electrical work. Not fun, but if the house burned down...

I have new tile floors in the bathrooms and laundry room now and new french doors in the guestroom. (Forgot to take pictures---what a bad blogger!)

Plantation shutters have been ordered for the den, along with a Pottery Barn slip covered sofa. (dog-friendly!)

 Here's  picture of the new granite counter tops in the kitchen...

It's called Gold King, and is 3 cm with a double beveled edge and a 4'' back splash.

For years, I've been a fanatic about having a large, single bowl stainless sink,  in any of my kitchens.

 I had small recessed can lights put in the kitchen ceiling, and  found these pendants to hang over the sink. The ceilings are low in this old house (about 7-12 feet!)  Much to my disappointment, that pretty much rules out chandeliers. But, I'm happy with the look of the pendant lights. And, considering that my view, from the kitchen windows, is of the swimming pool and palm trees, I can't complain too much.

                                          

Tomorrow, the sea grass is being put down in the den, all three bedrooms and the two hallways. Here it is, but it's hard to tell what it looks like..

We've had it in the beach house for years, and it's another very dog-friendly material. 

(Do you see a theme here?) 

 Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, I'll have even more to show you!

A ROCKIN' MONDAY MAKEOVER

Today, I'm linking to 3 fun blogs---a first for me!  Susan, Sally and Rhoda---thanks ladies!

  
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com

http://southernhospitalityblog.com 

When the "powers that  be" gave out genes for DIY, they totally passed me over! Not to mention the gene for thriftiness! -lol- But, I'm trying to learn, so I started out small. I spotted this wicker rocking chair in a dump flea market, and since I love wicker, I gave the man five dollars for it. 

It looks white, sitting here in the Florida sun. But, actually it was grayish and very dirty. 

Can you imagine that I've never really painted anything until now? I believe that wicker is usually spray painted, but I couldn't find the color I wanted. And, then it occurred to me that if I painted it with a brush I could get more of the uneven, "antiquey" look I wanted. I bought a color called True Turquoise. It's just cheap Walmart paint, although I've heard that their store-brand paint is made by Benjamin Moore. (Does anybody have information about that?)

Anyway, without further ado, and no skill whatsoever, I slapped the paint on. I tried to use a skimpy amount of paint in some areas, to make it look worn. (Trust me, it's very worn!) I would welcome any suggestions as to whether I should try to "highlight" the carved inserts and how to do that.  I tried putting some walnut stain on them and wiping it off with cheese cloth.  I thought I remembered reading about some kind of "technique" like that. But, I couldn't see that it made any difference. 

Here's the finished product. The wicker is brittle and the chair is a bit rickety, so I plan to only use it for display. I had fun doing it, and it's a start! As for the shells, I collected them on the beach at Ft. Morgan, near Gulf Shores, Alabama.