Marvelous Makeovers

Photo "Cottage Garden" by Urban Combing: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paradisecircus/1444040228/in/pool-1110228@N21/ Some Rights Reserved

Are you all geared up for Memorial Day weekend? I'm thinking I'd like to spend it in this lovely cottage garden. Maybe have a few friends over for a cook out. I'm sure there must be a welcoming dining area somewhere in this colorful retreat. If not, we could arrange one don't you think?


French-inspired Garden Dining Photo By: Amy Neusinger for House Beautiful
How about this? 
(Maybe with a touch of red to celebrate 
this patriotic holiday. )

Blue and white is one of my favorite color combinations. It always looks fresh and crisp. Do you have a favorite color combination?


Speaking of combinations, Dennis and I make a pretty good combo when it comes to furniture finds. We've been bargain hunting for storage pieces to use in the back room of our shop and managed to score some pretty good deals. And while we were at it, we snagged a "free" (yes. . . free) coffee table. Mr. Eagle Eye saw it first, just sitting all by itself in somebody's front yard with a "FREE" sign. It's got good bones and is made of solid wood, but needs some refinishing. Photos and project blog will be forthcoming. 

This week I participated in a blog hop and met two bloggers who do remarkable furniture makeovers. They gave me permission to share their project photos with you.

First up is the repurposing of a plain mirror by Tracy at Soulstyle


She took this Ikea Mongstad mirror


 and created this "old door" mirror

Fabulous, right? (Frankly, I also like everything reflected in that gorgeous mirror.)


See how Tracy -- an interior decorator and home stager -- did it at her post "Mirror, Mirror (or Door) on the Wall"


When I hopped over to "Simply Chic Treasures"  and saw this table that Cynthia picked up "for a steal at a local auction" 




I thought, "Oh my, that veneer is shot. What in the world can she do with that?" Well, let me show you what this clever girl accomplished.



Yeah. Uh-huh. That's the previously beat-up table now looking adorable. Pretty amazing. And that's exactly what I told Cynthia. "That is truly an amazing transformation." I will never again walk by a ripped up veneer furniture piece in the thrift store and shake my head in denial of its potential. Cynthia's project has inspired me to give it a chance, for goodness sake. You can see how she did it at her post "French Script Coffee Table".


Both of these projects are totally doable. Check them out and go make some fabulous redos of your own. 


A big "thank you" to Tracy and Cynthia for letting me share their photos and projects on A Joyful Cottage.


Hope you all have a wonderful weekend wherever you are.





Blessings,





Pretty Things

Photo "The Deverills" by Ian McLean: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mclean246/3974700730/in/set-72157623721279260 Some Right Reserved




I wanted to get this posted last night, but I was just too tired. And when I'm tired I never do a very good job of blogging. We've been really busy at the gallery and shop, but we're having fun and making new friends, so no complaints.


With that said, how about that thatched roof cottage above? Isn't it wonderful? I love the quaint brick wall with the greenery, and the picket gate. Did you catch the pink roses next to the front window? Lovely.


Of course every lovely cottage needs pretty things inside, so I did a little cyber browsing today and discovered some delightful items. (This is how I relax and it's less expensive than a trip to the spa.) Here's what I found.


Dinnerware
Photo of "Shelley" by "two pink possums": http://www.flickr.com/photos/twopinkpossums/2808005934/in/pool-43567671@N00/ Some Rights Reserved.
Beautiful pattern.






Photo "Glasses" by two pink possums:http://www.flickr.com/photos/twopinkpossums/2766555961/in/set-72157594240353692/ Some Rights Reserved.
Delightful stems on these glasses. The green and blue is pretty, don't you think?




Photo "Glasses" by two pink possums: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twopinkpossums/4507191090/in/set-72157594240353692/ Some Rights Reserved

I'm crazy for these Italian made glasses. Seeing them makes me want to make real lemonade and invite a friend to sit with me under a shady tree in the corner of a cottage garden. Of course we'd have to sip from these exact glasses.




Photo "Cream and Sugar" by two pink possums: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twopinkpossums/3751218627/in/photostream Some Rights Reserved.
If someone walked into my shop with these, I'd buy them in a heartbeat for myself. The pattern is Sophie Chintz from James Sadler. So pretty. 




Photo "Vintage China" by Sherry's Rose Cottage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherrysrosecottage/2521212992/in/pool-92356270@N00/
Some Rights Reserved


Green and rose is a very nice color combination.




Vintage Table Linens
Photo "Linen" by two pink possums: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twopinkpossums/4442745846/in/set-72157594240353692/ Some Rights Reserved.



Interesting texture. Have you noticed a repeating theme here? Roses, roses, roses. I never tire of them.






Photo of Vintage Tablecloth by two pink possums: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twopinkpossums/1565335271/in/set-72157594240353692 Some Right Reserved.


I see this cloth on a porch table dressed for brunch with glass tableware to allow the charming design to show through.




White Embroidered Cutwork Vintage Tablecloth at "Our Attic" Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/listing/82339316/white-embroidered-cutwork-vintage
A lovely cutwork tablecloth. This would be pretty with blue and white dinnerware.


Photo "Blue Willow"  by Bethany Gronberg: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethanygronberg/1884492744/
Some Right Reserved
Like this.




"Now I lay me down to sleep." 
"Pillowcase" by two pink possums: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twopinkpossums/2764787490/in/set- 72157594240353692/ Some Rights Reserved.

Sweet dreams on this vintage pillowcase. Gorgeous colors.




Photo "Paisley and Toile" by Posh Living LLC: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerryanndame/2945420651/in/set-72157626606018915/ Some Rights Reserved

I was just talking to a client this week about mixing textile patterns. Now matter what the designs, if they are in the same color family they work. Just as this does.


Little Extras
Photo "Cottage Clutter" by Daisy's Little Cottage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23307472@N08/2559929132/
Some Rights Reserved.
I'm kind of coveting that red plate. Love how it pops on the yellow wall. Beautiful flower arrangement, too.




Photo "Mismatched Old Silverware" by Daisy's Little Cottage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23307472@N08/2528234494/in/set-72157605232068052/ Some Right Reserved


Just the right amount of bling in this vignette, in my opinion.




Photo "Great Finds Recently" by Daisy's Little Cottage:http://www.flickr.com/photos/23307472@N08/2506982171/in/pool-741465@N22/
Some Rights Reserved
Very pretty collection.




As I mentioned earlier, we've been very busy at the shop. A lovely couple purchased Dennis' oil painting "Sundance Mountain".
"Sundance" Oil by Dennis Reinke


This garden table went home with the same couple.






The table was crafted completely of recycled material by a local artisan. I'm so happy to know it will be enjoyed for years to come by the new owners.


"Odessa Creek"
This is the painting Dennis is working on now.


Hope you're having a dreamy weekend.



Blessings,



Linking up with Thee Networking Blog Hop May Edition and Inspire Me Monday



The Magical Cottage for Inspiration Friday #64


"The Magical Cottage" photo by David Nagy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndave/1205249580/ 
Some rights reserved.


There's a surreal quality to this Swedish cottage, don't you think? No wonder it's called "The Magical Cottage". I would love to see the interior. And I wouldn't mind seeing the backyard, too. Alas, I'll have to leave that to my imagination.


So. . .I'll imagine a garden in the backyard with this.
"Maxwell, IA Garden" photo by Carl Wycoff: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlwwycoff/3757334456/in/photostream/
Some rights reserved.



"Classic 50's Garden Chair Free Find." Photo by Dog Leaps: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63842604@N07/5813220321/
Some rights reserved.
Boy, would I love to get my hands on this chair. What do you think? Robin's egg blue? Aqua? A pale green perhaps? Or maybe a bolder color. Hmmm.



"Antique Shop" Teddys Antikshop, Norra Skolgatan, Malmö. Photo by Christer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27376974@N02/4643123868/in/photostream
I'm thinking I'd stage this sweet little set under gorgeous blooms. Can you picture it outside this Belgian cottage under the amazing wisteria?


Belgian Cottage. Photo by RenéDB:http://www.flickr.com/photos/rigoletto/145220028/in/set-72157603499942123/
Some rights reserved.


A girl can dream, can't she?



One thing I'm no longer dreaming about is a sandwich sign outside our shop. Ever since we opened our gallery and consignment home decor shop four weeks ago, I've wanted such a sign to help steer all those nice folks way down at the end of the sidewalk our way. We're a little off the beaten path. Dennis constructed one for me last week and I love it. (But not more than I love him.)


Facing South
Facing North



Chris our sign guy did the lettering. We intentionally left the rest of the sign plain so we can change it out to suit whatever is happening in the shop. (Or just hang one of Dennis' paintings, and place pretty flowers in front of it.)


Today I'm linking up for the first time with Vanessa and Heather over at The Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday #64.


What's inspiring you?


Blessings,




A Tour of Three Welsh Cottages

Johnson Cottage in Brockweir

Welcome to A Joyful Cottage. 

I've got a special treat for you today. We're going to take a tour of three cottages in Wales. And when I say a tour, I mean of both the exteriors AND interiors. If you've been reading this blog regularly, you know how much I like to search the internet for cottages to share with you. A few weeks ago I struck gold when I came across Blaentrothy Cottages at www.cottage-holiday-wales.co.uk.  Since I'm a fanatic about respecting copyrights, I contacted Caroline at Blaentrothy Welsh Holiday Cottages and asked if I could feature photos of her agency's cottages on this blog. Caroline replied with a very sweet email giving me permission to feature the cottages (with the appropriate link to the agency website), which just confirms what my mother always told me: "It never hurts to ask." So, here's a huge "thank you" to Caroline for allowing me this grand privilege. 

I'm so excited to give you this tour. We'll start with the interior of the Johnson Cottage (photo of the exterior above).

The living room is so cozy. I love the exposed rough beam against the white finished beams of the ceiling, and the natural stone. 



Dinner is ready. The dining room is soft and warm. Lovely. Isn't that door fabulous?


The modernized kitchen still retains much of the cottage charm. Great color choice for the walls. It looks like a garden view from the sink. In my opinion, a cottage should always have a window over the kitchen sink. Preferably with a garden view.


Speaking of views, how about that incredible scene through the second bedroom's window? Imagine waking up to that. The write up indicates there's a fireplace in this room. Nice.

On to the master bedroom.

Ok, for the record, I'm crazy about that bed. 

What a wonderful bathroom. The floor, the wainscoting. And that gorgeous roll top tub. Pure relaxation. The website description reads: "When you get out, fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers await you!" (sigh)


A leisurely stroll after dinner, perhaps?


Shall we move on to Monk's Hall?






Monk's Hall dates back to the 12th century. "A truly historic building, which once belonged to the monks of Tintern Abbey, and which is believed to be the oldest house in the Wye Valley."


This is a large "cottage" that has received a major renovation. The result is stunning.




Beautiful rooms.




The architectural details are impressive.




There are so many things right about this room.




Charming.








A completely different bath from the first cottage. Beautiful tile work.



I appreciate the fact that this building has been saved.

And finally, Nanternis Cottage on the Welsh coast.



Gorgeous entry.





Love the gate with the cottage name.





An updated kitchen with a cottage look. Lovely exposed white stone.









Very eclectic room. Not exactly my style, but the architecture is wonderful. I would like to snatch the table.





Nice touch here.







Great ceiling detail, and the door is great.


This is my favorite part of the cottage. The garden.










Breathtaking scenery along the Ceredigion Coastal path.

I hope you enjoyed the Welsh cottage tour. Again, I want to thank Caroline* for allowing me the privilege of sharing these wonderful cottages. You can see more cottages on the Blaentrothy Holiday Cottages website.


Have a lovely weekend.

Blessings,




*Blaentrothy 'Holiday Cottages Wales', Blaentrothy Farm, Grosmont, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 8HN
Caroline@blackmountains.biz 




Linking up with