COTTAGE MONDAY

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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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"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!