Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Christmas Cottage

Hello everyone,
     I am glad you stopped in today as I have more pictures to share of our little Gardeners Cottage that this time of year becomes The Christmas Cottage. I have had fun decorating it for our Christmas house tour coming up on December 10th..

Each year I like to give it a little different look. So this year it is more of a  french country theme.
The quilt on the bed is Marie Antoinette -a taupe and cream toile.
I bought these old skates at a thrift shop and gave them a coat of grey stain. 

The tree and all the decorations where Dollar Store or thrift store finds.

The cupboard in the corner was built for me in the summer and now holds my cream dishes with some greenery for the season.
This little electric stove was a gift from my daughter and I gave it a coat of ivory paint .It gives a little bit of heat to take the chill out on cool days and adds some ambiance.The mirror is the top of a yardsale dresser but it works good here.also.

These chairs were also a second hand store find a few years ago but I did have them recovered.I gave the wood a wash of ivory paint.

A closer look.


The netting over the bed was also a yard sale find-it adds a romantic touch.
Some gifts under the tree-aren't they cute???

Our Christmas Cottage last winter.

I am joining French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday and My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday where there is lots for you to enjoy.I am also joining Haken for Show Off Saturday.

I hope you enjoyed a peek inside The Christmas Cottage.

Take care,
Carolyn

71 comments:

Cottage Rose said...

What a beautiful room,,, I just adore it all.... I never tire of looking at all your lovely photos of your home a garden... thanks for sharing.

Have a wonderful weekend

Hugs;
Alaura

Victorian1885 said...

Wonderful job Carolyn.. it looks so inviting. Your guests on the tour will think they are in Heaven. Take care..

Wanda

Unknown said...

Spectacular! Your little cottage is adorable and so beautifully decorated.

Jean Tuthill said...

The cottage looks perfect and is sure to be a hit for your tour! I love it all, especially the bed, and the new corner cabinet!

Carmen said...

I love your blog, I think it's my favorite of them all! I especially love when you use your red transferware- I have a small collection as well, and never tire of looking at them in my cupboard. Thanks for sharing all the ideas!

Linda said...

I entirely forgot that I was in the Garden Cottage, Carolyn! Everything is just so beautiful. I won't need to buy another Christmas mag this season...I'll just keep coming back here! Lol

The tour is going to be so exciting! How many homes for the holidays will be open to the public?

Wishing you a beautiful weekend,
Linda at Beautiful Ideas

Sue said...

It's just beautiful and restful. What a lovely spot for reading and sipping some tea!

Deanna said...

Dearest Carolyn, You have outdone yourself! Absolutely love your decorating touches! The colors are so soothing and I think it's awesome what you have done.

PLEASE make a Calendar! PLEZZZZZZZ.
Have a sweet week and God bless.

I know your Open House will be delightful. Wish I was there! Pics are the next best thing,
d

Unknown said...

Words escape me! I've never seen anything more gorgeous!! WOW!!!!!

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

Your cottage is exquisite Carolyn! I want to come hole up in your Christmas cottage. PRETTY please??? :-)

Hugs,
Judy

Cottage and Broome said...

Love the skates and the cream and white room, beautiful! Laura

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

Hi Carolyn... just discovered your blog for the first time, and I am loving your beautiful cottage and garden. Looking forward to following along.

Oh, and I love your name too :)

Pamela Gordon said...

I think this is the prettiest the cottage has looked! I love all the creaminess and every sweet detail. Wish I could see it in person!

The Old Parsonage said...

I want o live in it! Gorgeous!

Leann

Jill said...

This must be a lot of work - it's really beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

HI Carolyn! Oh, I just love your little space and it's so magical and charming! You decorate so beautifully.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Susan said...

I love the Christmas cottage. Just love it. I'd love to spend a sweet Christmas night there, dreaming amid all the enchanting beauty. Thank you for sharing, dear Carolyn. Great job! Susan

Carrie said...

Yes, I enjoyed looking around your delightful christmas cottage...the monochromatic color scheme makes a very elegant statement; all the varied textures and subtle hints of color provide great visual interest as well.

❦Bayside Gal❦ said...

Simply breathtaking! Your little cottage is wonderful. I would love to have a lovely spot like that to play in.
Hugs, Jean

Georgianna said...

Hi Carolyn, I love your new theme for this year! It's charming and sophisticated at the same time.

So glad to be able to enjoy your decorating as I doubt I will get to it this year. Beautiful job as always.

Wishing you a cozy weekend. xo – g

Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} said...

What a cute little cottage! LOVE it! Your Christmas decor is beautiful. Love those skates ;)

Candylei said...

Love all the white dishes! You decorate so beautifully. Glad the garden is asleep so you can show us all of these lovely pics! I think you are busy all year long! ;-)

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Nothing sort of dreamy. What a lovely place--hardly looks real!

flowersandhome said...

So beautiful!!!
Bye,
Marian

It's me said...

It is so beautiful !!...love from me.............♥.. ♥... ♥....

EDYTA KUBICZEK said...

Beautiful !!!

Mariaelena said...

Oh my....so gorgeous!!!...I scrolled through the photos at least a dozen times...thx for sharing this cottage...you are very talented and have fabulous taste...I MUST have the cream and taupe quilt!!...going back to look again...lol...xo, Mariaelena

wäschewerkstatt said...

Einfach wunderschöne Fotos!!!
Man weiss gar nicht,wo man zuerst schauen soll,so zauberhaft.
Andrea

Anonymous said...

Carolyn, lovely bedroom, it's so romantic. Cozy photos!
kisses,

Cristina

Have a nice weekend!

La Table De Nana said...

So so pretty Carolyn..Just gorgeous..the last photos ties it all up:)

Anna said...

How wonderful, this post is a dream! Anna

THE VERANDA HOUSE said...

HI DEAREST CAROLYN I AM FINDING A DALING POST OF CHRISTMAS BEAUTIFUL FRENCH LOOK I LOVE IT EVERY BEAUTY HAND PICK BY YOU ,I TAKES TIME TO DO IT YOU ARE SO CREATIVE .THIS IS A MAGICAL POST THANK YOU FRIEND..HAVE A MAGICAL DAY .BLESSINGS ...

Dylanarman said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lynn said...

Wow, just incredible!!!! I want to live there. I can see all the love and hard work you have put into this project, it shows :)

PASSIONEDECO FRANCESCA said...

you always leave me speechless...wow!!! Looks like a Winter Wonderland.....
*____*

Fra

gartenmalereien said...

WOW
when can i come visit your Guestroom
incredible beautiful and magical

as comfortable and as for a princess

love your blog

Have a nice Weekend
PS: do you have snow already?

Stephanie

giovanna said...

ooooohhhhhhh......it's all so beautiful....!!!!!
giovanna

Mäntylän Mummi said...

This is so, so, so beautiful... I like everything in this cottage !

Madelief said...

Oh Carolyn,

Your cottage looks so romantic! I have been scrolling through your photo's several time now. There is so much to see on each one of them. You must have been at work for days, making it all look this beautiful. I didn't know you did Christmas tours as well. It sounds like so much fun!

Wish you a happy weekend!

Lieve groetjes van Madelief

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Quite beautiful. You did a lovely job of decorating it. V

Camille said...

So lovely, Carolyn. Just love looking through all your photos. Such an inspiration! Love all the creamy whites ~

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Sooo sooo gorgeous!! I just adore this room~ how beautiful! Sharing it on FB- thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

Mimi said...

Love these images. Staining the skates was a brilliant idea. I often see interesting things, but I sometimes bring them home before I have a plan.

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

Your cottage is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

Tiziana said...

Hello Carolyn!
I'm gazing at this beauty! if I were dreaming of a beautiful home for Christmas I would dream that something very much like your home!
You did a great job, you're really smart! Even the artist's touch of gray shoes for brushing the ice!
I do not get if you painted shabby style the Christmas tree ......
is really all incredibly nice and made ​​with great attention to detail, I love it all!
I think that your will be a wonderful Christmas! Great!
Happy weekend!

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Simply heavenly! I am adoring each and every detail. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful cottage!

Cindy said...

So lovely! I wish I lived close enough to take the Christmas House Tour.
Cindy

Katy Noelle said...

Absolute magic, Carolyn! It really is!

I've been looking forward to seeing more since your little sneak peek.

It's so hard not to plunge into Christmas, here, but, it does, indeed seem so strange to do so until after next Thursday and Thanksgiving. At least, I can go Christmas shopping and I'm trying to clean the house with a fury!=]

Still, living vicariously through you....;)

Love, Katy Noelle (yes! My middle name is Christmas! =]) xo

Unknown said...

Dear Carolyn,
I know you have enjoyed your Thanksgiving Holiday but I just wanted to wish you another Happy Thanksgiving from the USA...I'm sure you will enjoy the day in your beautiful home.
Kindredly,
Shirley

Dixie said...

Amazingly beautiful!! I could look at your photos all day long! LOVE it!!

Biljana said...

Adorable, absolutely beautiful room, I love all:-)
Hugs, Biljana

chateau de fleurs said...

wow, your tour guests are in for a real treat! I think they will be talking about this little cottage for a long time! It's BEAUTIFUL, XO Christie

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

Stunning! The cottage is simply divine. I love it!
... Thank you for sharing :)

Greetings from Australia♥

Angela said...

I wouldn't get out of bed if that was my room, snug under the blanket enjoying every corner of your beautiful room.
Last year's picture of the cottage is a perfect postcard view.
Happy Holidays.
Hugs,
Angela.

Alex aus dem Gwundergarten said...

Hi Carolyn
That looks so cozy, I could just move in :o).
You did a great job!
Take care
Alex

Kathy said...

Hello Carolyn,
You always do a beautiful job decorating. I am so glad you share with us - for those who will not be able to come to your tour - someday - I hope, I hope!
The first word that came to mind was serenity! I hope all goes well for you!
Blessings,
Kathy

Andi's English Attic said...

It's just magical.

I like the mirror with the iron shutters. xx

Amy Chalmers said...

Wow what a beautiful bed you made up Carolyn. I love that taupe toile quilt. Where did you get it? And don't say the thrift store~lol! The cottage is christmas perfection!

Bernideen said...

I think you would like the movie "The Christmas Lodge" - by Thomas Kinkade. I notice that alot of Hallmark movies are actually filmed in Canada. The lodge is like his painting "The Christmas Cottage" Your cottage is always so lovely and I agree - it is fun to try things in new places.

Vintage Rose said...

So very lovely.

Gail said...

Tasteful, elegant

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Carolyn,
I just came from your Christmas blog, and am amazed at the transformation!! Your French Country Cottage is Stunning and so elegant!!
I never would have thought to stain my old skates, what a fun idea!
Hugs,
Bella

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Carolyn, This is so beautiful it takes my breath away.

Cindy said...

I jusr found you from Amy at Maison Decor. We were talking about my bedroom redo, and she said to look at your blog, and especially your quilt - and... omg... i'm pretty sure that nothing is prettier than the little christmas cottage, and that bedroom! the whole thing is breathtaking, i'm sooo going to use ideas from this room in my bedroom. If you don't mind divulging where you got that quilt, i would die and go to heaven... either way, i will be following your blog now, and i can't wait to read all your posts...

Cindy

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Carolyn, I've always been one for color but in this case...you've won my heart over for the whites and neutrals with the grey. Breathtaking doesn't describe this! I would LOVE to be the guest in that cottage. You'd never see me though as I'd relish in just 'being' in that room! I adore the skate finish as well...actually I noticed that right away and thought she had to have done something to make them look so great...and yet you can still see the 'vintage' in them! Really lovely! I have a pair of black skates that I hang on the door every year over a wreath...hmm I'm thinking they may need a little spruce up now! =)

I don't see an email link on your blog as I'd like to chat more about a giveaway. You can email me at:
nancysellstransferware@gmail.com (on my sidebar, upper right side as well).

I so enjoy every visit to your beautiful blog,

Nancy

Sonia said...

What a magical place...a Christmas Cottage sounds and looks perfect for the holidays!! Absolutely gorgeous! Have a Blessed Holiday Season!
Miss Bloomers

Elaine said...

Your Christmas cottage is absolutely stunning. I love the neutral color pallette you used, so calm and serene.

The ice skates are wonderful and love the toys under the tree.

It is all very lovely.

achter de 2linden said...

hello Carolyne,
i love your pictures! Thanks sharing with us! greetings from the Netherlands
Heidi

Linda said...

I LOVE the beauty in this room. I am also a lover of taupes and creams and whites. I have whiteware too and it just goes so nicely with any decor.

Your decorating takes my breath away. I simply adore your blog!

Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Simply Simplisticated said...

WOW What can I say that hasnt already been said about your lovely home? Outstanding.Thank you
Deidre~
Http://simplysimplisticated4.blogspot.com

Kimberly Stevens said...

You have a great eye for country chic/shabby chic and you have make your space a little romantic haven! Great job and continue having fun!