A Joyful Cottage Christmas 2016

Welcome to our 2016 Christmas cottage.




In keeping with our simple lifestyle, I've taken a minimal approach to decorating at A Joyful Cottage this year.




A nature-inspired wreath hangs on our door.




Potted rosemary is dressed in plaid and accessorized with a burlap "Merry Christmas" star. If we happen to brush the rosemary as we enter the cottage we receive a pleasant scent as a reward. 




 The fireplace is the focal point of our cottage, so it's where I expend the most Christmas decorating energy. You'll find the whole story of my mantel transformation from its every day look to Christmas splendor at Wayfair, and have a chance to see the pretty Christmas mantels of seven other bloggers.




 A tablecloth done in Swedish weaving covers the dining table.  (You can read more about the tablecloth in last year's Christmas post here.) It's one of our favorite possessions.




 In line with the Scandinavian simplicity, the centerpiece is a humble wooden bowl filled with rag balls, pine cones and a tiny wreath.
I've had this nativity for almost twenty years. It wouldn't be Christmas without it.
The little cubby where I keep cookbooks receives some attention, too. 
I like to make small seasonal changes on my stove hood shelf.

The snow globe I received last year from AnnMarie of Musings of a Vintage Junkie reminds me that I've made wonderful friends through blogging.



One of the collages I made hangs on my studio door.




Finally, the teeniest of tiny Christmas trees. . .nestled next to the plants in my garden window.



This is Christmas 2016 at A Joyful Cottage. Uncomplicated and relaxed. 

 Life is good. God's in His heaven -- all's right with the world.

May you enjoy a peaceful and hope-filled season.



Sharing with Home for Christmas.
By Nancy at 39 comments
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Living Large In Small Spaces - Kent Cottage

Now that I've returned from my hiatus, I hope you're ready to jump back into the weekly series Living Large In Small Spaces.

 This charming cottage in Kent, England popped up on my screen while searching online for Christmas decorating inspiration. Once I saw it I knew it would be the right home to share during the holiday season. 
Kent Cottage
:Photo by Chris Snook- Browse shabby-chic style home design ideas

Welcome to the eighty-fourth post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".

Kent Cottage


 The duck egg blue door opens into a romantic and whimsical cottage. 


Kent Cottage


Exposed beams, nooks and crannies. . .everything I crave in an old-world cottage.



Kent Cottage

The cottage has few windows and small rooms. Light colored walls, ceilings and furnishings brighten the space, and mirrors reflect the light and give the illusion of depth.

Kent Cottage


There's an elegant informality about this room.


Kent Cottage


Exposed aged brick makes a nice contrast to the light walls and adds warmth, as well as character.


Kent Cottage


 The furnishings have a fairy tale quality.

Kent Cottage
I have to say that I love the Christmas decorations in this cottage.


Kent Cottage


 Some natural and rustic, some sophisticated and refined. . .little surprises everywhere.
Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage


A beautiful crowned swan under a cloche lends an air of enchantment.


Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage

Unfitted kitchens like this one remind me of my grandfather's cottage kitchen, where as a child I spent many happy Sunday afternoons playing gin rummy and drinking 7-up. Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to them.



Kent Cottage


 Notice the scalloped edges of the table's top? So interesting.

Kent Cottage


Now this is what I call a cottage kitchen.

Kent Cottage

I'm ready to start a star collection after seeing all the ones displayed in this home.
Kent Cottage


 There's seems to be a lot of storage in this small kitchen.

Kent Cottage


 Two bedrooms upstairs possess as much charm as the rest of the cottage.

Kent Cottage



I really like the patchwork quilt in this bedroom.


Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage


I like the fact that the bed is unpainted. It's a beautiful piece and deserves to stand out against all the white, in my humble opinion.


Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage
Kent Cottage


 Is it possible to have too many pillows?
Kent Cottage



 I hope you enjoyed seeing this cottage in Kent as much as I did. (Warning: Like me, you may need to scroll through the post a few times to catch all the delights.)


Kent Cottage
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Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series


Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours and small living ideas in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.
By Nancy at 33 comments
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Season of Simplicity

Yesterday I woke up to see snowflakes gently falling outside. Our cottage garden was covered in a blanket of white and all I had imagined it could be in this season it had become. A beautiful tapestry of texture and muted colors. I stood at the front porch window and drank it all in.


In the past I would have cut down all the perennials and removed the annuals from the pots, but this year I didn't and I'm glad I resisted that chore. My winter garden is so much more interesting this way.

 Earlier in the week, while it was sunny and warmer, I dug up and potted my rosemary. It will sit on the porch for a couple of weeks and then I'll bring it inside.


Truthfully, I was surprised by its size. I guess I hadn't been paying attention to its rapid growth. It started out as a small plant last spring.

 I'm getting over a cold. Don't you hate those? Seriously, I would rather have the 24-hour flu. Miserable for a day and then it's over. That fits my impatient nature so much better.

 Right now I prefer snuggling under a quilt and drinking tea to decorating the cottage for Christmas.


Speaking of Christmas decorating, have you seen the charming cottage of my friend Kim at Exquisitely Unremarkable? Sooo pretty.
Kim's Cottage Christmas

I'd like to have Kim come and give our cottage a festive look.

 Cold weather brings out the cook in me. I especially like to make soup and have thought for awhile that I'd like to try making borscht. (Ever since my first slurp of borscht made by a Ukranian chef in Estes Park, Colorado I've been hooked. Really.) I made my first attempt yesterday. It's not hard to make, but it does take about half a day. Here's the stock cooking on my little stove.
I like beef in my borscht - the stock simmers for 4 hours.

Have I mentioned how much I love this range? It may only be 20", but it hasn't hindered my cooking whatsoever. So glad I opted for a smaller stove so I could preserve my counter space. Now that's important to me!


 But I digress. Back to the borscht. 

 I used a recipe found here. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't up to the Colorado Ukranian standard with its full-bodied, satisfying richness that made me swoon. I will not give up though. I continue in my quest for the perfect borscht recipe. I know it's how there. . .just waiting to be discovered.

 Someone mentioned in a comment that they wanted to see our cottage garden in the summer. Here's a little video I produced in July, if you're interested. Very short. . . about 2 minutes.



Enjoy the season!




By Nancy at 27 comments

Welcome December and a Little Decorating Inspiration

Happy December Cottage Friends!

 Is it snowing where you are? It snowed for about 45 minutes yesterday morning, but then the sun came out and melted all the white within a few minutes.

 Thanks for the nice things you said about my collages in my last post. I sold half of them at the Holiday Bazaar last weekend, received an order for two more and some nice leads for future custom work. 

 I met some wonderful people, and really think that was the best part of the show. Greeting the public reminds me that there are an awful lot of nice folks in the world.
My display last weekend.
This weekend I hope to sell the rest of my stash, along with a few additional pieces I made this week. I won't bore you with all of those, but I do want to share my favorite one.



All this creating has kept me so busy I haven't had a chance to start any Christmas decorating. I think I'll get started on Sunday. If you need a little jump start yourself, here's a little eye candy that might do the trick.
Rose Garden Romantic Home
Frontgate
Traditional Living Room
The Farm at Banner Elk - Pasture Lane Lot 5
By Nancy at 22 comments
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