Cottage

Cottage season has opened and our cottage has become an appreciated break from our house on the market. We not only avoid Open Houses, but it is a place to relax and not worry about that smudge on the bathroom mirror. For a while, I carry a J-cloth in my back pocket. Now, I am relaxing and even having anti-imaculate house days; when I don't make my bed or do dishes immediately. Luxury!

So now that the house is finished, my cottage is ALMOST finished. Here are a few shots of my favourite place:

BEFORES:

Yes, it really was this ugly. Not to mention: a slanted floor, fish grease on the walls and vermin living within. You ask: what were we thinking? Well, the out doors is what sold us...

So we did this:

early non-decorated days

I love this view

and love this porch!

So now we do this:

and this

We have a couple things more to finish. The screened porch (way above) is clad in pine wainscotting, with a little drywall from the top of my head up to a peaked ceiling. I thought of fish wallpaper and making it kitschy cottage, but now I am leaning towards serene and fresh.  We are at the painting stage and need a counter for the kitchen. That takes care of the interior, plus the fluffing. Lou talks about "Phase Three of the Waterfront Development" - can you tell he's a builder??? This consists of making a lower deck below the one above and then a ramp down to dock. This is all a fine idea (he walked me through it 2 weeks ago), but before the summer kicks into high gear (when we really don't want to be working), I would like to finish the interior. PLEASE HONEY????

On a totally different vein, was inpired me to write about the cottage was this great idea I want to do for the cottage, Citrus Fruit Votives I found on HGTV"

Citrus Fruit Votives

By: Chantel Guertin

These easy, fragrant candles are a great addition to any backyard barbeque or summer fete.

Materials:

Assortment of fruits: oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits
1 bag of shredded candle wax
Wick
Grapefruit spoon or small sharp knife
Paper towels
Muffin tray
Optional: A few drops of citrus oil extract (found at craft stores)

Directions:

1. Cut the fruits in half (lemons and limes lengthwise; oranges and grapefruits widthwise).
2. Use a grapefruit spoon or small sharp knife to hollow out the skins. Dry the insides of the skins with paper towels. Place the skins in a muffin tray.
3. Cut wicks to approximate lengths. Make a small slit in the bottom of the each fruit half and stick one end of wick into the membrane so that it stands on its own.
4. In a medium pot, add citrus oil extract (optional) and melt the shredded wax on high heat until it becomes a clear liquid. Pour wax slowly into the fruit halves, holding the wick upright with your free hand until the wax starts to harden.
5. Let the wax cool. Trim the wick to desired height (wicks should never be more than 1/2" above wax). Store the fruit votives in the freezer until you are ready to use them.

Caution: Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Jack Arnold

One of my most favourite architects is Jack Arnold. Anyone who is a Traditional Home fan would have seen his designs grace their pages. My own Dream Home would be similar to his French Provincial plans. It came as no surprise to hear he sometimes works with Charles Faudree (another traditional fav).

via Cote D'Texas

The rest of these pics are from Jack Arnold website:

Here's the plan to the above drawing:

Elle Decor June Issue

Never to disappoint and soon becoming my favourite magazine, Elle Decor's June issue is fantastic! Besides having Meg Ryan's Martha's Vineyard renovated Post and Beam, it is filled with tasteful, contemporary and airy delights. I envy Meg's view; she describes the property as "operatic" - I just love that -"The sun rises over a shallow bay on one side of the house and sets over a deep harbour on the other. And then the moon comes up over the bay". Ahhh.

The kitchen was my fav room of the house is the kitchen. Again, my eye is drawn to steel framed windows. Notice Meg also has a steel framed windowed door leading to the Living Room. The house is filled with them, leaving it open, fresh and views everywhere.

I am not sure I like the tub (too small for me), but I love the simplicity of the bathroom.

This setting looks so idilic. 

The above pictures via Elle Decor

Photographed by William Waldron

I couldn't decide on which story I liked best. The "Connecticut Cool" house also delivers on views and freshness:

I would change the ottoman here, otherwise it is a lovely room. I love the use of large-leafed plants to place a single stem in a vase. Amy Butler does this well in her Midwest Modern home.

Gotta love this wall of windows:

I love this simple table with fantastic comfy-looking chairs from the sixties.

Here the cover shot with a different table setting. I prefer the shot they chose (below).

Would you believe these are Ikea sofas? This sunroom is my fav room of this house. I can picture spending evening here with candles lit and soft music, so not to drown out the cicadas.

I have to say: we painted our cottage bedroom this colour and I hate it. It was a compromise on the lightest colour on the shade card and a darker one Lou preferred. We met in the middle with this one and I can't wait to paint it over! Maybe I should try a bedcover with orange in it first. Currently, there is a red toile Tommy Hilfiger comforter. This is actually a cloth wall from the couple's furnishings business York Street Studio.

Beautiful!

I would have loved to see more of the outside of the house, as I would have Meg Ryan's. I suppose the magazine would have the thickness of a doorstop then.

A great issue; you can see these photos and more online but the mag is worth the price and a keeper for reference.

The above pictures via Elle Decor

Photographed by  Miguel Flores-Vianna 

Another look at checkered floors

I posted about black and white floors before and now my artistic sister, Carol, is contemplating a Harlequin floor in her newly built foyer to her studio and home. Her hubby think it may be too busy. When she told me she was thinking a 6 inch square, I thought it warranted a look at the difference the size of square could make.

via Avant Garde Design

Take a look at the lovely kitchen above. The squares are approximately 6-8 inches sq. Now have a look at the picture below. Here is an example of what a larger square can do to the look of a room. Now Carols rooms is approx. 20 x 20, so a large space.

via Liesels House Party

The large squares look majestic and make a grand entrance, whereas the smaller squares are quite country. Here is another look at the squares laid on a diagonal:

via S*HOPtalk

 Now small...

via Elle Decor

And large...

via Fric and Frac

via Belle Vivir

And different...

via Elle Decor

via Simply Seleta

via  Carmen Rose Studio

via Country Living

via Velvet and Linen

Saving the best for last, I really LOVE this one below:

via Fric and Frac