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26 April 2010

SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY

Join me today at Show off Your Cottage Monday hosted by Cielo at The House in the Roses:
As well as Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Susan at:



Not everything in a cottage home need be an antique! If you love it, use it! Many a sweet find can be discovered not only at antique malls but also at flea markets, garage sales and thrift shops. I always keep an eye out for collectible cottage treasures wherever I go. You never know what you might find.
Now that the house is sunnier I've been feeling more motivated to do lots of little decorating projects. My decorating budget is still non-existent, so stay posted for lots of easy changes you can do that cost next to nothing. Most of these involved things I had lying around already, so it helps if you already have things like leftover paint from other projects etc.


The first thing I've done is add more shelving in our kitchen. The wall over my table was completely bare. We made some shelves (with the help of IKEA).  Originally I had planned to just put a bunch of stuff  that was cluttering up our countertops on the shelves, but after I'd added a couple of ceramic pieces I decided to add some hooks to hang beautiful cups.  Some of the cups came home with me a few nights ago from our local Home Goods store. They had been marked down to $2! What were they thinking? I know what I was thinking! What a great thrifty find!  I love visiting flea markets.  I'm especially excited when I find something beautiful, for very little money for which I can find a new home.   Have a look at the shelves and the cups:

I'm still not sure about the red butter dish yet.  I'm quite liking the aqua, green, blue and yellow ceramic containers.  Have a look at the cups I found:

Some I received as gifts and the two last ones with flowers I found at the thrift store.  I find the effect quite pleasing.  Each time I have a cup of tea now I treat myself to a beautiful cup as before they were collecting dust in my cupboard.

My friend was given a desk by her mother.  When I first saw it I figured it was not too attractive.  I was given similar furniture in the past and I'm sad to say that I just gave it away.  She told me she was sending it to a wood finisher in our area.  She took a  "before picture".  I could not figure out how she could make it more attractive.   She sent me this picture via e-mail:



I could not believe my eyes!  She told me they carefully sanded, repainted with several coats of white, and decorated with  delicate  rose appliques. The result is a stunning and beautiful piece! All the hinges, drawers, legs were changed.  It looks like a brand new piece of furniture!

I have so many projects on the back burner I'm not sure which one I will do next. For now,  I think I will just make myself a cup of tea using one of my beautiful cups.  Hope you can join me!
I wish we could sit down together
And have a cup of tea
But since we can’t
When you have this one
I hope you’ll think of me.

19 comments:

  1. thanks for the visit and the comments at my blog, you have very beautiful cutlery!good day

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  2. You are just so sweet my darling. A billion thanks for the lovely words you left on blog. You, my friend are the reason I love blogging, you make my world a sunny place.

    I love the shelves and the teacups of course, they are all lovely. The before and after photos are unbelievable, it is amazing what a little sanding and painting can do. Enjoy your week. Sending you huge hugs all wrapped with love.

    Duchess

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  3. You really have some special treasures there!

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  4. Wow that desk is beautiful =- I love the curved lines.

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  5. Love your shelves and desk!
    Merci pour ta visite and following me, following you back!
    Le 1er j'ai une linking party with everything French. I would love if you link up!
    Have a great day!
    frenchy

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  6. Love, love, LOVE this post! :) Your teacups are gorgeous, and the desk make-over a total success!
    I look forward to seeing more of your projects. I have a few in mind for our tiny cottage - but first I need to zip down the mountain to town to buy supplies.
    Wishing you and yours a lovely week!

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  7. So cute :) I like a mug for my tea, rather than a cup, but I do like to make sure I have cute ones ;)

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  8. My goodness those cups are beautiful! Love the color scheme - and the pop of red with that butter dish. Your blog layout is also gorgeous - love it!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  9. Hi..I’m Barb from New Friend Fri. I am your newest follower. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @ santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com
    & get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well. We also are having a Mother’s Day Giveaway til Wed. hope you can join in. Nice to meet ya new friend!!!

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  10. I love your shelves, they look great. Keep the butter dish.

    Your friends desk looks amazing. I wouldn't recognize it from the original.

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  11. Okay, those kitchen shelves are adorable. Seriously. The cups, everything. I kind of like the red butter dish, it squeaks, "Look at me, I'm unique." I am just getting into thrifting. What are your best tips?

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  12. I love before and after pictures!

    I gave you an award on my blog! You can go here to "claim" it and play along (although there's no pressure!!)

    http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/04/gold-star.html

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  13. Your kitchen items are absolutely delightful! so sweet and full of charm! I have become a follower and would be honored if you choose to do the same! until later...

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  14. Hey....just found you. Anyone whose interests are trying to look younger than they really are.....gets my vote!!! LOL LOL

    Sweet post, sweet cottage.

    Jo

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  15. Beautiful post - I am such a lover of cottages and tea - so that most definitely caught my attention. What a fantastic idea to hang your lovely tea cups in plain sight so that you would be encouraged to you use them. Sipping from such a cup just makes you feel special, doesn't it?
    Anyway, have a lovely week and thanks so much for stopping by!

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  16. Ummmm WOW! I love your shelves, the butter dish is perf, and the tea cups are so awesome!! You are so creative I love it!!

    ~Morgan

    Meet Virginia!
    Meet Virginia!
    Meet Virginia!

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  17. What amazing finds! I love what you've done with the shelves. I like your colors, and although the red butter dish doesn't match, it speaks loudly of character among the cool colors!

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  18. Anne-Marie, I didn't get to everyone yesterday so here I am today enjoying two of your sweet posts. Thank you for your visit to my Blue Mon. post.
    I love your shelf and everything on it. The red butter dish is fine because it really stands out and is sooo pretty. The tea cup addition is perfect. I too like my tea in a lovely cup. The change in your friends dresser is gorgeous. What vision she has.
    Enjoy your day.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  19. I adore the red butter dish. It's like the heart of your arrangement there. I would leave it just where it is. :) Your blog is so beautiful.

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