Winter Tour at the Little Cottage

It’s ironic that I’m writing about winter, when it’s forcasted to be in the 70s all this week, in the first week of February! We don’t use our fireplace unless the temperature falls below 50 degrees, and we’ve only used it three times this entire season. That’s ok, we can turn the air conditioner on, and look at the winter decor while we’re inside the house. With all this warm weather, I might need to make a pedicure appointment! Let’s start with the entrance, because that’s the first sign of hospitality for any home. We bought the ornate wood-look pvc screen doors for both porches (for only $98 each) a few years ago at Lowe’s. Then, Hurricane Matthew blew through and ripped the front screen door off. After that, we learned to latch it and exit from the side porch during evacuations! When the children press on the screen repeatedly (instead of pushing the door open the proper way), it gets loose. My husband buys a new roll of screen mesh and replaces it. The doors have an elastic type band that sets in a groove and holds the screen in place. Thank goodness they’re easy to repair.

I usually hang one large flag, then place several small ones around our yard. I spray them with Scotch Guard Fabric Protectant, and use them seasonally for about 5 years, After that, they’re faded from being outdoors the sunny South Carolina Lowcountry. You can see the Sweet n’ Simple Valentine Flag I made last year. I do enjoy making burlap garden flags, and have made quite a few. I had two gnomes on my porch, but one of them met his demise while we were carrying in groceries one day. I’ve always loved our brick “stoop.” It’s wide enough to herald each season with plants, pumpkins, reindeer, bunnies, or whatever. Our house was yellow with green shutters a few years ago. Then, we bought the tin roof. I ordered red roofing, then changed my mind and ordered green. Lowe’s did not get the memo, and sent red instead. At that point, I figured it was meant to be. So, we painted the shutters orange, then used a darker terra cotta/salmon type color for the trim. Everyone thought it was going to be ugly but recanted their opinion when the house was finished. The porch floors and bottom of the house are red like the roof. My husband wanted the darkest color at the bottom, because of all the rain (and splashed up dirt) we get here.

I made the Hugs and Kisses Valentine Sweater Wreath last year. It’s reversible, and has a Christmas look on the opposide side. Most of my signs are reversible as well. The DIY Buffalo Plaid Cozy Little Cottage Sign in my kitchen has an orange pumpkin scene on the back. In the fall, I just turn it over.

Come on in! The first thing you’ll see is my beloved maple china cabinet on your left. Right now, it’s bedazzled with greenery, silver, and gold. Funny Valentine Pet Silhouettes let everyone know who rules this cottage, and that Valentine’s Day is near.

We call this first room the “overflow” room. It’s kind of a walk-through area that contains the china cabinet, the piano, and our computer desk. Fauna and Fur Valentine Decor dominate our  Yamaha piano.

Our family room is the heart of our home, and the place I decorate the most. She gets a pillow change and fresh thrift store decor with each season and holiday. I don’t change the furniture, rugs, or pictures on the wall, of course. The leather love seat and sofa get new pillows or covers (or old “new” pillows that were put away for the next year), and the flat surfaces like the mantle and coffee table get makeovers.

I added an old Valentine project, and began a new one for this year’s winter mantle. Our Mommy and Me Mini Valentine Pillows grace the mantle, while my January Crafty Destash Challenge Love is Not Perfect Valentine Sign leans beside the fireplace.

An Old World Platters and Plaid Valentine’s Day Vignette sets atop the curio cabinet. I used thrift store angel figurines in most of my winter scapes this year.

You can see my side porch in the picture above. It has a red door too, and the same pvc screen door as the front porch. The needlework gallery wall is on the right side of the fireplace. There are many needlework groupings hanging in the little cottage. Someday I’ll have to show you the ones in my bedroom, on-suite bathroom, and kitchen. Whenever I see a nicely worked and framed piece of needlework art, I buy it. I do make my own pieces, from time to time, as well.

The gallery wall behind the sofa is an eclectic mix of a 3D bridge, a 3D guardian angel, and an old covered bridge painting that once hung in my highschool home. Covered bridge art is another thing I enjoy collecting. A friend of mine had the little house sign hanging in her Key West cottage, and posted a picture of it on her Instagram page. I ordered one exactly like hers. I wish I could remember the name of the company that made it, because they have the best signs!

A group of thrift store snowwoman singers and a Diamond Button pink Depression glass candy jar comprise the side table’s winter vignette. The side table where I sit is not pictured because it’s piled high with my books, journals, and magazines.

The coffee table vignette contains Dollar Tree Valentine items, icy floral picks, some decorating books, a Christmas cactus, and a bronze angel holding a little rose.

Last but not least, is the Chocolate n’ Chintz Coffee Corner in our galley kitchen. The kitchen has been turquoise blue and berry red for over a decade. Thank goodness this color combo has become popular lately! It’s so easy to find accessories now. Cracker Barrel has a whole cherry-themed kitchen line with this same color scheme. I had to include a picture of my Christmas present, a 5 quart Artesan Kitchen Aid mixer. I hope you enjoyed the Winter Tour at the Little Cottage!

Happy Winter!

Kristie

This post was featured on: Scraptastic Saturday, Home and Garden Thursday

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