LIFE AT THE COTTAGE

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #86 & Talented Time Travelers #85


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 86th Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!

Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

But it just wouldn't be right if we didn't have at least a little fanfare for some
of our talented time travelers from last week's party, so...


Green is one of my very favorite colors
And by now, you're keenly aware of my fondness of antique and vintage items.

Needless to say...
when I spotted this fantastic antique dresser—masterfully transformed by the
painterly touch of Shari @ turnstyle vogue DESIGN & STYLING
my heart went pitter-patter.   ; )


If it were not for the telltale signs—the fire extinguisher and the exit sign
over the exterior door—you would most likely never guess that this cheery space
 is actually the residence of a senior in an assisted living center.

In the words of Linda @ Beautiful Ideas, "The room ‘BEFORE’ was institutional,
bleak, impersonal and, admittedly, depressing…"  But once Linda applied
her loving touch to the space, it became a place of
comfort and homeyness for her mom.


Black is another color that I love to see used in
decorating schemes.

It can be bold and modern or serenely sophisticated...
as demonstrated by Jennifer @ DECORATING IDEAS Made Easy.

In many décors—including my own—it is even considered a neutral.
That makes it a favorite among decorators.

Now what creative ideas will you tempt us with this week?

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO
LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #85 & Talented Time Travelers #84


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. 
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 85th Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!
Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

But...
before we get this party started, let's visit a few of our
talented time travelers from last week.


When I saw this incredible bathroom redo by Deborah and Thomas @ The Fairfield House,
I fell head over hills in love.  Once I  read of the shopping venues used to amass
all these wonderful treasures, I knew why.

With goods from online shops like Pottery Barn, The Barnhouse Marketplace,
Faded Plains, White Flower Farmhouse, LauraAnna's Vintage Home, Dash and Albert,
IKEA and others, there was no way this room
was not going to turn out fabulous!


We're all familiar with the wonderful power of paint.
It turns the mundane into the marvelous—as demonstrated in this pretty project by

This is but one of several pieces that Revi "painted pretty."


Everywhere you turn in Blogland eyes are looking toward—and longing for—spring.
Audrey @ Elegant Economies gave us one last chance
to view her lovely sideboard as it was decorated for the holidays.

She also shared a fun tool for making a "ColorBar" by capturing the colors
used in your images.  Be sure to visit Audrey for the details.


In an attempt to tone down the "radioactive pink"—as she calls it—in her
 daughter's room, Miranda @ Pressing On decided that an infusion of
colorful cheeriness just might do the trick.

What sweet little girl wouldn't be pleased with this pretty project?


By combining components from a mid-century arm chair,
a vintage mirror, a side table, a headboard, curtain finials, and a shelf,
4 the love of WOOD was able to create this unique
one-of-a-kind cabinet.

A thoroughly creative use of materials, don't you think?

Now let's see your best projects for this week!

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO
LINK BACK TOTHE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #84 & Talented Time Travelers #83


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 84th Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!
Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

Let's travel back to last week's party and take a peek at
some of our talented time travelers first.


This truly is just a peek at the fab bathroom redo

Be sure to stop by Maggie's to see more of the delightful details.


Nikki @ nickety nackety noo has ambitious plans
to revamp her son's entire room for $100.00 or less.

This comic-book-covered chest was the first of her transformations for that space. 
At the whopping price of $3.98 total for this project—
including the chest—I would say she's off to a fantastic start.


This beautiful tiled countertop was the result of the transforming "girl power" of

Proof positive that power tools and females DO work well together.   ; )


If pretty paint projects pep you up,
then you'll want to visit Robin @ it's robin with an i for the terrific tutorial 
on how she transformed this lovely piece.


Want to visit a beautiful Bed and Breakfast
in the faraway land of South Africa?

Then be sure to stop by and say hello to Sandra @ De Oude Huize Yard.

Well that wraps up another week of project reviews. 
Show us what you've got going on this week.

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO
LINK BACK TOTHE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #83 & Talented Time Travelers #82


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~ 


Welcome to the 83rd Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!
Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

Let's pay tribute to some of our talented time travelers
from last week's party first.


We all have our favorite sources of inspiration
for our projects, right?  For Todd and Jodi @ Cottage Charm Creations that
would be Restoration Hardware—the inspiration for the piece above
and several others.

Can you believe that this gorgeous cabinet—with its new zinc patina—was once
just a run-of-the-mill  plain oak piece?



As someone who loves to sew,
I'm always drawn to pretty textiles.

Undoubtedly, Becky @ ...from generation to generation is too.
And she creates lovely pieces like this handbag from her fabulous finds.


I told myself that I would not showcase any
Valentine's Day projects again until next week.  But after seeing this
sweet tray, created by Kim @ La Bell Epoque Home,
I changed my mind.  


Husbands and wives teaming up for projects is nothing new.  As you know,
 the Yankee and I do it all the time.  But if he ever requested permission
 to post on my blog "edit free and without suggestions"...

Well, that's exactly what Mr. Dump of Dumped and Discovered
asked of his wife.  You're such a brave girl, Sarah—even
though Mr. Dump's projects do turn
out quite well!   ; )

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO
THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #82 & Talented Time Travelers #81


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 82nd Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!
Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

But you know the routine.  
With all the creativity shared at the party each week, we simply 
must revisit some of our talented time travelers.


Brigitte @ Evolution of a home was kind enough to make a
beautiful Valentine's gift for her friend.

To admire the rest of this gorgeous garland, just pay Brigitte a visit. 
She's a brand new blogger, so please be sure to show her
some bloggy love while you're there.   ; )


If you're looking for a simple, cute craft for Valentine's Day,
you'll want to head on over to Jane's @ Minnesota Junker to discover
how to create this sweet, woven, felt heart.


Some people love Valentine's Day so much
they start decorating a month in advance.

Such is the case with the The Greely Girls

The sweet decorations above are just a sample of the
prettiness you'll find when you visit them.


Though I'm not a red kind of girl...
I love this pillow with the red-bow-and-rhinestone embellishment.

It's just one of the many lovelies Laura @ Cottage and Broome shared
from her visit to a few quaint shops in MI.


And if you're not crazy about the traditional red or pink for your
Valentine's décor, Mary @ Sweet Little Bluebird has saved the day
with her marvelous multidimensional heart art.


And I'm sure there will be even more
Valentine's love shared at the party this week!


IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO
THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.