Shabby French Cottage

Fabulous and French Guest Room

2012-05-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some more photos of my guest room, this time concentrating on the vignette on top of the bookcase! I kept with my limited color palate of Pink, Green, and White to help it feel more serene. Utilizing found objects such as mother of pearl buttons and vintage embroidery thread make great filler for oh so chic apothecary jars. The tissue paper faux flowers are made from vintage sewing patters and are edged with glitter for extra sparkle. Follow the link below to see more!

I love all things French, if you didn't already know.

When I saw this German glass glitter encrusted Eiffel Tower at a favorite shop, I knew it had to be mine--but the price tag suggested otherwise. 3 years later, I was able to get one that had been lost in the shop for next to nothing during a huge sale they were having to clear out smalls to begin renovations.

I have another smaller Eiffel Tower on a stack of old books, as well.

The glare makes it hard to see, but it says "Paris" on it.

Can you ever have too many mother of pearl buttons??? Oh--just you wait and see. Here's a hint--my garden urn turned coffee table is now FULL of them!!! I promise to post photos here soon!

I just love all the soft pinks and green.

My friend, Brenda, made all of these sewing pattern flowers. The are all wired to a clip so you can put them any where. They tend to end up on a Christmas tree, but once it comes down, they scatter to another vignette around the house! The tatting was made by my great-great grandmother.

A rather large tiara crowns the vignette and the sparkle of the rhinestones keeps your eyes moving.

Here's one last look. Check back soon for more goodies! Feel free to pin away!

A Breath of Fresh Air. . .

2012-05-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

Whew! It has been a whirlwind here at Shabby French Cottage over the past few weeks! Check out the changes I made in my very chic guest room! I've revamped, rearranged, and repurposed to create a beautiful place for guests to relax, or for me to curl up with a favorite magazine. On top of everything else, I've started a new full-time job. Needless to say tying up loose ends and saying goodbyes at my old job was a challenge, physically and emotionally, but also starting fresh and learning the ropes with my new job has been quite the feat, as well.

Please enjoy these photos of my guest room! I will try and concentrate on specific areas in several posts this week, as there are TONS of photographic eye candy in this pink, green, and white space!

I moved my beloved pink chaise in here when I got my new sofa from Ikea a few months back.

I popped a rather regal and ooooh so very French pillow with a bee, crown, and laurel wreath on it.

As well as this antique silk piano scarf. The rug is a clearance find from Kirklands I got while still in college.

The chandelier was $15.00 at a yardsale around the corner from my house. The lampshades came from Garden Ridge a about 5 years ago. I want to say it was about $14.00 for six of them.

I love the play of the soft pinks, creams, whites, and greens in the room. The Martha Stewart Ballet Slipper Pink corner cupboard started life as an ugly dark-stained pine piece. It is a new piece constructed of salvaged barn wood, but the finish looked cheap, so it got a heavy coat or two of paint to freshen it up.

The zinc French flower bucket is a vintage find. I picked it up for $1.00 several years ago. Did I mention I bought about 30 of them in assorted sizes that day??? I use them all around the house. . .

Of course the flowers are faux. . .I need to plant some peonies so they don't have to be.

The bed crown is fashioned of packing paper flowers and yards and yards of vintage lace.

The French bench at the foot of the bed is begging for white paint and linen upholstery. One of these days. Anyone up for trading services???

The bed is a cherished antique I picked up at a shop a few years ago. I love the original chippy white painted finish!

Check back soon for more photos of my guest room!

Garden Art & Antiques

2012-04-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

If you didn't know, one of my sponsors is Sycamore Antiques & Architectural Art. I wanted to share some of the photos of their fabulous shop! Click through to the rest of the posts for photos of their fantastic shop nestled among a myriad of antiques shops, specialty stores, luxury apartments, art galleries, and yummy restaurants in the historic Old Towne neighborhood in Petersburg, VA.

I was there a week or two ago doing a photo shoot to update their website--yes, I do that, too--if you're interested in help with your website or photography (Richmond, VA area) please use the contact form and I will respond to your request ASAP! Very reasonable rates....okay, enough commercial!

I love these antique concrete garden statues! And wouldn't those cast-iron columns make great bases for a fern in the garden?

Plenty of lovely antique furniture to choose from.

I love this set of transferware. I wish I knew more about the pattern to share with you!

The keen eyes of the owners who have all been in the antiques trade for many years has lead to a very well curated selection of budget friendly home accessories.

I love this Eastlake Victorian piece.

Antique toys are another specialty here.

This frenchy piece is a favorite of mine in the store!

Look at all that detail!

One owner stocks wonderful country store items including store fixtures, display pieces, showcases, and other primitive wares like these crocks.

Add a graphic punch to tired walls with some of these original signs.

The selection of silver pieces is wonderful.

Another owner makes beautiful home and garden accessories from found objects, including these flowers.

I've got some exciting news to share, plus some other things up my sleeve--so stay tuned for details!

Collectible Trend Alert--Religious Items

2012-04-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

Recently, several nationally published magazines featured big antique trends for 2012 and featured religious items! I wanted to share some of my collection I recently changed around in my dining room! If you didn't know I collect mercury glass hearts, pressed tin ex voto hearts, and other religious items including hymnals, altar furniture and fixtures, stained glass, and crucifixes. I've even got some organ pipes!

I have found religious items at estate sales, yardsales, thrift stores, and even modern reproduction things from major retailers and catalogs!

As for an update on the state of the room, You can see I haven't painted the teal chairs white yet. . .shame on me! I also finally hung the new chandelier that's been in a closet for almost two years! I tried to sell it at a yardsale or two, but there were no buyers. Go figure! I also want to paint the inside of the china hutch.

I'm not complaining--it is beautiful!

Because of the religious significance of these items, I always try to display them in a reverend manner.

Here I created a vignette of items on an antique mirrored plateaus and covered them with rather large cloches or glass domes. The hymnal above is a favorite of mine because it has an image of a crown in the C of Coronation.

I snapped these photos yesterday morning when the sun was streaming in the dining room. I love morning light!

Here is my collection of mercury glass and metal ex voto hearts.

The small mercury glass heart in the foreground is a french antique that was given to me by Tracie at My Petite Maison.

The grape and flower candelabras are Nordic French antiques. They are from a chapel somewhere in France. They would have been used in the last half of the 1800s.

Beautiful nativity scenes needn't be reserved solely for Christmas.

I'll be back with more, including some really nifty guest posts I'm getting lined up!

In the kitchen. . .

2012-04-11T15:16:00.001-07:00

Folks always ask if I cook in my kitchen! Yes, I do!!! I'm even hosting a Pampered Chef Party in about a week. If you're in the area (near Richmond, VA) and would like to come, please drop me a line on Facebook or via the contact form!

Since my kitchen renovation I have cooked much more than I used to. (Before and After, More After, Construction, More Construction, Vent Hood DIY, Feature in Romantic Homes Magazine)

Having a sunny kitchen helps, now mind you it means my living room is dark, but I do get light reflected from the bevy of mirrors I have. I love being able to look out at what I've done so far in the back garden and hope to do more when finances allow.

I was making cookies a while back and snapped these photos.

Hopefully I'll share some more goings on in the kitchen. I also have some other things I'm working on to share here!

Pretend you don't see a pile of laundry in the background!

Check back soon--I've got lots planned! If you'd like to guest post or have something featured, please let me know!

Happy Easter 2012!

2012-04-08T04:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating the resurrection of Jesus!

Oh--I'm sorry about the Facebook like box...it's only supposed to pop up on your first visit, or each visit after you clear your cookies....I'm working on getting it fixed ASAP, in the meantime, you can just click the X in the box to close it without waiting.

All Spring and Easter merchandise in the online store is 50% off!!! There's still plenty of Spring to use it!

2 Year Blog Anniversary + Guest Post by Nicki Morrow-Winkles

2012-04-04T19:33:00.004-07:00

I celebrate two years of blogging on April 5th, 2012! To celebrate I'm having my first guest post! If you don't know Nicki Morrow-Winkles, you need to check out her blog! This chica knows her stuff when it comes to budget decorating!

Read all about how to lighten and brighten your room on a budget after the jump! Also, if you'd like to guest post or have a project featured, drop me a line--I'd love to hear from you.

Nicki shares her secrets on:

How to Lighten and Brighten a Small Room on a Budget

First don't be afraid to get rid of things....look around your room and decide what are your favorite pieces? Ask yourself does it have good bones? If it it's not a favorite then sell it! You can use the money to pick up items that you will love more. I sold most of my dark furniture on Craigslist and turned around and purchased the pieces I really wanted most from Craigslist, yard sales, and Goodwill.

TIP: Clear out unneeded clutter. Keep the pieces you love and group collections together.

(Before)

(AFTER!!!)

TIP: Always remember paint and fabric are cheap and usually easy fixes. I adore my French style sofa I found at the Goodwill for $17, but the fabric was U-G-L-Y! I'm not an upholsterer so I just put a pretty ruffled blanket over it with some vintage pink pillows and a fluffy throw.

TIP: I can't say enough about mirrors, really. If you place them strategically they can make a room look larger and bounce light around the room making it brighter.

TIP: Chandeliers with crystals are another great way to reflect light around a room. It doesn't have to be expensive! I found mine on Craigslist for $25.

TIP: Don't be afraid to bring the outdoors in with garden elements.

* * *

WOW! Thank you, Nicki for the fabulous tips and the lovely photos of your home! Please pop over to her blog and tell her hello for me!

If you would like to guest post or be featured, leave a comment, contact me on Facebook, or shoot me an email! I can't wait to hear from you!

Check back very soon with lots of new goodies on the way!!! PLUS Spring and Easter merchandise is 50% off in the online store!

~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage

Spring Desserts with Buttercream Blondie

2012-04-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Meghan McGarry

Have you heard of Buttercream Blondie yet? If you haven't you must experience her! She is a pastry chef and then some! Today I am sharing some of her wonderful Spring Desserts. There is even a video tutorial on how to make her now famous Glamour Peeps! Seriously make your own Peeps that SPARKLE!

Meet Meghan McGarry, Buttercream Blondie in the flesh.

Photo Credit: Meghan McGarry

"[She is] a pastry chef originally from New York City. [She] started out as an economics major and four years in [she] decided to follow [her] passion and become a pastry chef. [She] attended the French Culinary Institute and [has] worked in numerous high end bakeries and restaurants in both NYC and Boston. [She] love[s] what [she] do[es] and [she is] excited to share [her] thoughts, tips, and tricks with fellow baking enthusiasts."

Photo Credit: Meghan McGarry

What she failed to mention are her amazing food styling and photography skills! Amazing!

Photo Credit: Meghan McGarry

If you love Cadbury Mini chocolate eggs as much as I do, you have to try your had at her Cadbury Mini Eggs Cheesecake bars! Check out her site for the full recipe and instructions.

Photo Credit: Meghan McGarry

I found these babies on my local news station's website. I know, right? When does that happen. Well, I'm glad I did. She makes these. There. Can I say it again? She made these, edible glitter and all! Wow!

Photo Credit: Meghan McGarry

You can view her tutorial video below or visit her blog here for complete instructions! The best part is they're made with things you probably have in your pantry aside from the Disco Dust.

Last but not least is my personal favorite thing from her blog--this Meyer Lemon Chiffon Cake!

Photo Credit: Meghan McGarry

Again, for full instructions pop over and visit Buttercream Blondie here!

This is the first of hopefully many guest posts and features to celebrate my 2 year blogging anniversary on April 5th! If you'd like to guest post, or would like to be featured, please contact me at dmfuller [at] liberty [dot] edu for more information!

Special thanks to Meghan McGarry for permission to use her photos!

Spring Sale! Save 50% or more!

2012-03-29T04:33:00.000-07:00

I've got a sale going on in the online store! Many items have been marked down up to 50% off! All Spring merchandise is 25% off. But wait--there's more! (LOL) Use Coupon Code SPRING25 for 25% off your order of $25.00 or more! No really, lots of good deals to be had, plus more new goodies have been added, and more are coming this week-end.

Sorry if you've already seen these, but here is a taste of what's in the shop:

Sorry, but I'm completely sold out of Ex Voto hearts for now.

Amazing Architectural Salvage

2012-03-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

I LOVE architectural salvage. I've got it throughout my home and garden. It is one of my favorite things, not to mention super hot in design right now. Its staying power is two fold--it recycles and it adds charm and character from days gone by that just is not found in modern homes--even many of the top-dollar custom homes.

I am lucky in the fact that I live in an area steeped with history dating back to the Colonial Era. Unfortunately what some refer to as progress really means tearing down beautiful gems of architecture and replacing them with ugly faux stucco fronted metal buildings. But fortunately for me, there is an ample supply of stained glass, mouldings, doors, garden statuary, chandeliers, and more! I went to this shop in Lynchburg, Va. a few weeks ago. Enjoy the photos! Interspersed are some photos from my home you've probably already seen that give you an idea of how to incorporate architectural salvage into your own home decor.

Gosh! I LOVE stained glass!!! Here are some places I use stained glass in my home:

(Click any photo to for a larger view!)

Of course you can't have too much vintage garden items! I love this chair!

. . .and these chairs. . .and those wrought iron gates. Yum!

More gates. Wow, I'd love to have those in the garden! But don't limit yourself to only using garden items in the garden. A gate makes a wonderful headboard or statement piece hung over a mantle. You could hang on from the ceiling as a room divider. Garden tables and chairs look great in a casual dining room. Use a birdbath for a side table or night stand. Here are some photos from my home showing you what I've done with garden items, inside and out:

(Click any photo to for a larger view)

Tip: Group similar objects such as door knobs together as a bowl filler

Tip: Garden gates make great artwork indoors

Tip: If you find garden furniture with a great patina--seal with matte spay sealer in case of lead paint and to preserve the chippy color

Tip: A garden urn makes a great coffee table when topped with glass

Tip: Old ballroom chandeliers look stunning even in a 1964 rancher

Of course replacing your doors with antique ones is fabulous, but don't forget that old doors are deceivingly multi-functional.

Tip: Use them in a retail setting to create a sales counter

Tip: Use them as a table top (cover with glass) or as a head board

Tip: Hinge several together to form a room divider

Tip: An old door with frosted glass inserts are perfect for getting light into windowless hall baths while still maintaining privacy

Tip: Use L Brackets to fasten two tall windows missing their glass into a 90 degree angle to use as a trellis for climbing roses or if your luck enough to find 8 matching windows, use them as corner supports for an arbor or gazebo

Or if you have a TON of windows, you could even build a greenhouse!

You can never have too much stained glass!

These are the doors to my dream home!

I hope you've enjoyed this post. I'll be back soon with more tips and goodies very soon. Please pin away!

Downtown Lynchburg, VA + Farmers' Market

2012-03-16T08:11:00.003-07:00

Most of you know I went to Lynchburg, VA last Saturday to celebrate my great-great-aunt's 101st birthday! We had a blast. She loved seeing all of us together--there's a ton of us, too! We went to one of her favorite restaurants, Charlies, one of my favorite haunts when I lived in Lynchburg. While I was still in town, I headed Downtown and hit some antiques and junk stores. See posts here. I also went to the Farmers' Market! Here are some photos from Downtown and the market:

A crate of apples at the Farmers' Market

Some of the fabulous shops. . .see more photos here soon!

More neat buildings and shops.

Fresh greens to take home.

mmmmm.....leeks....yum. I'd love to make som potato leek soup.

Eggs. . . fresh out the chicken's. . .well. . .umm. . . .nevermind.....lol!

More neet buildings...

And all the fabulous hand-painted signage! LOVE!

I'll be back soon with more goodies and photos from my trip!

Junker's Heaven

2012-03-15T10:20:00.003-07:00

Last weekend I went to Lynchburg to celebrate my great-great-aunt's 101st birthday. As I previously lived in Lynchburg for several years, there were a few places I wanted to go while I was there. While I was out antiquing, I stumbled upon a place I hadn't been. Fred's. I'll say it again Fred's. This place should be the Mecca of Junkers. It is a huge warehouse turned Salvage/Thrift store. While the building is obviously dirty and in disrepair as

I nearly fell when my foot went through a rotted section 4th floor stair landing, it is a fabulous "trove of treasures untold" to quote Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Don't worry--I'll be back to pretty photos of beautiful things in the next few posts, but had to share this place with the world! I'll get the address and number for Fred's posted here soon.

The sign says it all! While the place seems disorganized at first, there are decently wide aisles to walk down and everything is sorted by what it is into piles. Piles of desks, piles of computer monitors, piles of this and that. . . .Tables stacked to the ceiling. While I'm sure you won't find a priceless antique, I'm sure you'll find the perfect thing to inspire a project.

Just look at all those desks and chairs! Wouldn't it be great to style a funky modern dining room using those chairs?

They have everything, even the kitchen sink! Sorry for the dark photos, but the place has very few windows.

I'd love to have this chandelier! It is HUGE!

There were tons of chairs that need equal amounts of work, but the frames were in good shape.

There had to have been thousands of chairs in that room.

I love the French chair--it was walnut and $42! Check out the hairpin legs on that footstool or the fabulous trestle table.

Need a bike? Take your pick--plus that's not the only pile of bikes there, either!

More headboards than you could shake a stick at--there are even beautiful brass beds hiding!

Need a side table?

Or a mirror? Fred's has 100's to choose from. I only bought a mirror for my bedroom.

Check back soon for more photos from my trip to Lynchburg, including my visit to the Farmers' Market and a fantastic architectural salvage shop!

Mikey Fuller Music

2012-03-14T20:09:00.002-07:00

Most of you know by now that I play piano and organ. If you didn't already know that, well, I do! I recently launched a new web page dedicated to my music. On http://www.mikeyfullermusic.com/ you'll be able to listen to some samples, book an event, or learn more about my experience in music. I'd love for you all to pop over and check it out, then pop back here and leave a comment letting me know what you think. And don't worry--Shabby French Cottage isn't going anywhere!

Come back tomorrow for photos from my trip to Lynchburg, VA this past week-end. Boy have I got some fun things to share with you.

Spring Cleaning. . .

2012-03-13T09:12:00.002-07:00

I've been Spring Cleaning, so needless to say the house is a disaster right now! But I hope to be able to use my hall closet for the first time since I moved in, as it still full of stuff I never unpacked plus stuff I sort of shoved in there with no rhyme or reason. I've lived here for over three years now...no more excuses! I'm sharing some photos of some Spring goodies today you may have already seen. . . sorry!
But don't worry, I got to go to some really fabulous shops over the week-end plus some other shops you'll have to wait to see photos to believe! I even made it to the Farmers' Market and got some hand made lavender products. I'll get to all of that later this week after I'm finished sorting through the hundreds of photos I took!

I'm having a Spring Cleaning Sale in my online store! Lots of goodies are up to 50% off. Spring Merchandise Ships for FREE until Friday + Save an additional 25% off your order of $25 or more with Coupon Code "SPRING25" until March 31st, 2012!

Also check the shop frequently for newly listed items as I glean my collections to help pay the bills. . .as my finances are in the toilet. Seriously. So think of it this way--your purchases from Shabby French Cottage keep a roof over my head and puts food in my tummy and doesn't buy some corporate CEO a second vacation home or a new yacht!

Featured Today on Houzz.com!

2012-03-06T15:15:00.002-08:00

I got an email from the folks at Houzz.com letting me know that my work was hand-picked by one of their writers for a featured Ideabook on the homepage of the site! The photo used came from my recent mantle scape.

See the photo gallery from the article below:
(I'm the 11th photo!!!)

The Indoor Gardener: Reconsider Fabulous Ferns

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More»

Read the full article here.

Browse Storage And Organization on Houzz- For Example:

Bookcases Cabinets And Computer Armoires · Closet Organizers · Clothes And Shoes Organizers · Coat Stands And Umbrella Stands · Hall Trees · Hooks And Hangers · Media Storage · Medicine Cabinets ·

Spring Is in the Air

2012-03-01T07:58:00.003-08:00

With Spring just around the corner, I made a few changes in my Dining Room I wanted to share!

I still need to paint the aqua french bistro chairs and do something about the Whoville green chairs. . . .

But since I've been selling just about everything that wasn't nailed down, I'm really liking the leaner, cleaner look. I'm really able to appreciate the things I have more--because they aren't distracted by other visual clutter. Check my online shop for some of the treasures I've been clearing out!

Of course, there are cloches in here, too! I love these. Originally they were used to protect seedlings in the garden from late frost and animals, now they really make your home accessories make a statement. Here they help artificial greenery pass as real.

My Nordic French altar candelabras have a home on the altar turned sideboard.

I hope you've enjoyed this mini-tour of a room you've seen before! I'll be back soon with more goodies!

French Chic

2012-02-27T09:53:00.002-08:00

As my regular readers know, I love religious statuary and other objects and relics from churches--I have an altar as a sideboard in the dining room! (really!)

When I posted changes to my living room when I got my new Ektorp Sofa, folks asked me over and over about the Virgin Mary statue I had.

It took some searching, but I was able to obtain two, nearly identical, but slightly smaller ones for the shop!

They have the same FABULOUS chippy French Bleu, creme, and white paint. These are a modern reproduction made from a resin-type material--the same as my larger one. They stand a full foot tall and will make a substantial presence in with your other religious items. It'd be a fabulous way to display a treasured rosary--it'd look beautiful with a Santos crown or Ex Voto Hearts, as well.

Here's one more photo I took as the sun was starting to fade. If you'd like one of these, pop over to the eShop! $44.00 each plus S&H!

Don't forget, I've got to reveal the Spring changes in the Dining Room, plus some changes in the Kitchen! And slowly but surely, I'm getting the final touches on my bedroom!

New Arrivals for Spring!

2012-02-25T15:20:00.002-08:00

I just listed a bunch of super cute Spring decorations in the online shop! Visit my online store for more info!

Be back soon with lots of new goodies!

Junkmarket Style Member Junk Spotlight!

2012-02-22T10:17:00.004-08:00

My recent DIY end table project was just featured in the Member Junk Spotlight in the JunkMarket Style newsletter! Read it below!

Thank you, Sue Whitney and crew at JunkMarket!

Here is their recent newsletter:

Latest Postings:

Meet Chipping Charm - Vendor at JUNKMARKET Under Glass - "March Madness"

Laurel of Chipping with Charm joins forces with Joan of Signs of the Times and Larry from Country Junk to create one amazing look at JUNKMARKET Under Glass. You have to see it to believe it! Their booth is always hopping!

more

Vendor Sassy Cass Creates a Petite Ruffled Rose and Grey Filigree Necklace

You can see Cassie of Sassy Cass and her Mom, Colleen Rausch at JUNKMARKET Under Glass "March Madness" March 1-3 at Otten Bros. in Long Lake, MN. You'll love what they do as much as I do.

more

JUNKMARKET Under Glass "March Madness" Just Around the Corner!

Be sure to check out all the vendors at JMUG at our events website by clicking here and check out the video atjunkmarketstyle.com from last years event!

more

memberjunk spotlight: Garage Sale Cubby

by dmfuller

Junk Beautiful

Room by Room style makeovers with JUNKMARKET Style

Sue Whitney & Ki Nassauer

Paperback

$21.95

Buy it now!

join junkers like you

Create your Profile

Post Your Projects

Junk Beautiful Outdoor Edition

Sue Whitney with Kimberley Melamed

Paperback

$21.95

Buy it now!

Hairpins Are For More Than Up-dos!

2012-02-21T06:06:00.001-08:00

Okay...If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you've probably seen this table at one point. I got it at a garage sale for $5.00 and have never found a home for it. Since I got a real sofa last month, it has become an end table.

I got these fabulous hairpin legs from eBay.

I just flipped it over (not easy, it weighs close to 100 pounds!) and screwed on the new legs.

I love how they make it look like the cabinet is floating there.

It really adds a nice touch of industrial to a very chic room. Don't forget about the SALE in my online shop! Use coupon code RH15 for 15% off through March 15, 2012 due to Shabby French Cottage being featured!

Refreshing Your Home for Spring

2012-02-17T10:52:00.001-08:00

It's Spring. It's time to Rearrange, Revamp, and Renew. You've probably heard that I was featured in March 2012's Romantic Homes magazine French Glamour issue. Here are photos from my living room, the room pictured in the article as it appears today.

I've been working on this in my house. By simply moving treasured items around, you can rediscover them.

This is a budget friendly way for you to redecorate a room or your entire home.

If you didn't know, I've really been struggling financially to get by for several years now, but the constant want for new and different things never goes away. By rearranging, you get the feeling something is new, even though you may have had it for years!

For example, I've had these candelabras for almost 5 years. They've been moved here and there around the house, but they never really found a place until now. They were almost going in my "accessory out box". I actually have a box for items that no longer fit my style or I simply no longer want. Nicer items end up in my online shop or go to a consignment store. Less nice items go to the yardsale pile or get donated. I've actually made some money from selling off some of my collections. At first it was really hard parting with things, but last April when I finally got going at it I cleared out literally over 10 truckloads of furniture, dishes, lamps, artwork, and then some! I sold enough stuff at the first yardsale to pay for my kitchen remodel! Oh--did I mention that my home is only 1,180 square feet?

I love this vignette! I got this antique set of Shakespeare books at a yard sale, I love their faded aqua color. The linen topper is a kitchen towel.

I added legs to this garage sale find cubby to make it a proper side table. More on that next week.

Lots of cloches with faux plants help complete the Spring transformation.

When I got the new sofa, I moved the settee into my bedroom, and placed the sofa underneath the window. I love how it really opened the room up. I need to move the chaise into the pink guest room and find a nice pair of chairs to go in the living room. I might paint the green chairs in my dining room with the fabric spray paint I discovered yesterday! More on that soon.

Yes--the peonies are fakes, too, but you have to be on top of them to tell! I got them at Pier One for 49 cents a stem!

FYI--as of this positing, there is one Santos Crown and one set of 3 Ex Voto hearts left in my online shop!

I put the chaise over here for now. I need more seating in the living room, so this will have to do for now.

The table and chandelier on a birdcage stand help divide the space from the dining area. I'm thinking of putting a room divider screen here. What are your thoughts?

Again, nothing new here. Flowers from the kitchen, bust from the dining room, table from my bedroom, mirrored plateau from under the sofa, marble compote from the dining room.

On another note, I'm thinking of carrying hand made in the USA beaded bulb cover in my online store. I'm currently talking with a supplier and am waiting on product samples. I would probably have to do pre-orders to start. I'm not 100% sure what the lead time would be. They come in rounded and faceted beads in clear, topaz, aqua, pink, and red. They would range in price from $30 (candelabra sized) to $100 (standard light bulb) each. You could also opt for ones made from Swarovski crystals, but they would start around $140 each for a candelabra sized bulb cover. Email me with questions or if you'd like to pre-order!

Check back soon for:

A post on adding legs to a garage sale find to make a functional side table
Photos of my dining room done up for Spring
Another Give-A-Way
Dabbling with some spray paint designed for upholstery

Chat at you next time!

~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage

Spring Mantel 2012

2012-02-15T07:52:00.001-08:00

Well, the Christmas décor is finally put away! I've had this vision to re-do my mantel for Spring in my head for some time. That darned Pinterest makes you want to rip everything in your house apart and start from scratch daily!

I'm still in a very French farmhouse mode and pulled out all of these beautifully aged terra cotta pots I bought a few years ago at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

I filled the pots with artificial greenery, because I can't keep a ficus alive. Ha! I also put my tole hydrangea fireplace screen up. I love this piece. It's really meant to fill/disguise the firebox part of your fireplace during the warmer months, but I like it against the wall of my faux fireplace. I pulled the pink chaise over to create a cozy reading area.

This clock has been in a closet for a while. It is a very Rococo form made of crushed mother of pearl and resin. I'm really glad I got this stained glass window hung. It's never really had a place in my house. I can really enjoy it now. Keep scrolling for more photos:

I'll be back with more nifty things soon!

Heart 2 Heart 2012 Valentines Swap

2012-02-13T07:39:00.001-08:00

This is my second year participating in Sarah's Valentine's day swap. You can visit her at Makin' Projiks for more info! There were lots of wonderful Valentines included!

For the swap, you make 15 Valentines and ship them to Sarah, and she sorts them all and you get 15 Valentines back just in time for the big day!

Sarah made the fabulous pastel pierced heart.

This fortune cookie even came in an egg roll bag!

I made these spinners. I tried to get them to look like a vintage Valentine.

Coming soon at Shabby French Cottage:

- Heart 2 Heart 2012 Swap

- DIY--make a industrial chic table from a Garage Sale find

- Spring Decor Preview

- Spring Mantle

- Spring Dining Room Changes

- Decorating with antique windows

- Master Bedroom Partial Reveal

Plus Free Shipping + New Markdowns + Like me on Facebook for a 15% off Coupon Code in the online shop through 2/14!!! There is one Santos Crown and two sets of Ex Voto hearts left!

Me at the Piano "In the Bleak Midwinter"

2012-02-11T13:30:00.001-08:00

Well, it was snowing earlier today--the first time this Winter. It didn't stick, but I thought I'd share this photo from last year when it really snowed! I've also embedded an mp3 of me playing In the Bleak Midwinter on the piano.

I love this tune and did this arrangement at the end of last year. Let me know how you like it in the comments section!

I'll be back tomorrow with Valentines goodies, and some sneak peaks of Spring Decor!

Romantic Homes March 2012--The French Glamour Issue

2012-02-07T07:39:00.001-08:00

Well tickle me pink! Beth Livesay contacted me several months ago to include me in this publication! It was so hard not to say anything!!! Check me out on page 12, along with the other lovely blogs featured in the Site Seeing article by Beth! This issue will be on newsstands by February 14th!

A few friend from blogland let me know they got their copy, and when I got home my copy was waiting for me! Ironically, my living room looks almost completely different from what is pictured! Don't worry, the mirror arrangement is still the same--do you know that went viral on Pinterest? Ha!

I've been busy re-doing things since I had to re-arrange furniture to fit in my new sofa! I'll be back soon with a post on those changes, as well as a side table I made from a neat old hardware cabinet, plus my bedroom that has been forever in the works! Oh--I almost forgot--I'm getting things ready for Spring! Hopefully I'll get the first of these posts up sometime this weekend!

This is a photo of my living room now (minus the remnants of Christmas) from almost the same angle.

Thank you again, Beth, as well as Jacqueline deMontravel, Meryl Schoenbaum, and the other folks at Romantic Homes! Thank you, Sue Profit for being the first to spot it, as well as the kind words from Janet Coon over at Shabbyfufu, thank you to Nana Diana for the blog post, and to everyone for all the positive feedback!