Adding summer to your home....

Most of us can't redecorate every season, but I often find myself itching to lighten and brighten my home come summer and then cozy it up come fall.  I thought I would share a couple ideas with you. For summer, I simply added a couple of my straw hats to our back door coat rack along with bags that I take to the farmer's market or beach. Besides the practicality and convenience...

FUN SALE!

Remember when I told you about my friend who had  a booth at the Farm Chicks Antiques Show? Well, despite having GREAT success at the show,  she had a few gorgeous pillows that did not sell.  I mentioned that I have blog readers who seem to love a new beautiful pillow as much as I do and suggested I offer them for sale on  Forever*Cottage!  So today is your lucky day! 18”sq. Includes...

Who says you need a sofa?

via I have always loved a conversation  grouping like the one pictured above. So, when clients asked me to  help them with the design for a VERY awkward living space {holy cow, two spaces with a fireplace smack in the middle!}, I knew I had found the opportunity to design {half}  the room without a sofa.  The room is asymmetrical, has no less than 5 doorways, 2 windows...

Real World....

This photo illustrates well the old saying about the cobblers children with no shoes......how about the decorators home with mismatched pillows  and no drapes....but it is real life and shows how imperfection can be pretty too.   This is our great room and as much as I would love to do many things, our financial priorities are elsewhere right now.  So, I have fun helping others...

Thankful.....

Week one of summer vacation for my children is in the books.....we survived, it was good. I have no reason to complain, at 11 and 14 years old my girls are pretty darn independent, besides driving them here and there, they are very easy to entertain. What is different for us is that this summer is that momma is working.... You see, I had a dream and decided to go for it, it's that simple. My...

we have A chicken....

Can you see her? We have considered getting backyard chickens - just a small  coop, but have decided it's not happening this year.... perhaps, next spring? We'll see. In the meantime, I thought this sweet vintage chicken would dress up our patio nicely for the summer.... I found her at the Farm Chicks Antiques Show in Spokane a few weeks ago... I have to admit, I had...

Pretty photo and winners.....

This photo has nothing to do with this post except that it calls out  my peculiar cat-eyed glasses collection......no explanation for it, but I have quite a few......Most are collected in a cup on my desk but I have  a couple favorites set here and there..... Hmmm.....So I guess the photo does have something to do with this post - glasses can make a fashion statement for sure...

Summer accessorizing.....*fashion edition*....with a giveaway!

Like me, I am certain many of you are fans of my friend Paige Knudsen's photography and lifestyle blog.  Paige has a caring heart and a beautiful soul, is a dedicated mom to four gorgeous daughters, is a gifted photographer, an enthusiastic Noonday ambassador,  a provider of literary and culinary inspiration to me and so much more! Paige's love of fashion and style is infectious...

Coming soon to a newsstand near you......

One of the best things to come my way since starting this blog, almost SIX years ago, is the opportunity to work with some decorating shelter magazines.  I was, and remain, a HUGE fan of decorating magazines and getting to be a part of how they are put together has just been a blast! I am working with two publications this summer - one shoot at a local client's home and the other...

John Robshaw love......

Via I am sort of obsessed with Pinterest.......for a design-junkie like me, it's my drug of choice!  Because of it's popularity, Pinterest images often seem on repeat but sometimes a room literally stops me in my scrolling along tracks!  This room, in the home of the  great fabric designer John Robshaw no less,  is my definition of of pattern mixing perfection!  It...

A happy front door.....{a girl's entitled to change her mind, right?}

Via Really, from the moment I applied the hunter green {circa 1985} paint to my front door, I knew it wasn't right.  But I am stubborn and was under the gun to complete the project....I even posted it's sad state on my blog....pretending like, "oh look at me, bringing 1985 back".... You guys didn't buy it and neither did I. While perusing the almighty Pinterest I stumbled upon the...

Today....and a winner!

The winner of the Minted.com Father's Day gift giveaway is 'Kelly and Seth'!  Congratulations!  Please email me to  claim your $75 credit to Minted.com! ****************************************** Today's a big day in our house....my big girl has her last day of grade school.  The next time I take her to school it will be high school!!! It's true, time flies when you...

Father's Day...a giveaway from Minted.com!

If you're like me, you are overwhelmed with all the end-of-school year activities,  last days of homework, teacher gifts, etc.....never mind Father's Day is right around the corner!  Thankfully, the folks at minted.com will have you looking oh-so-well-prepared for the day!  Minted.com has such cute Father's Day cards and gifts for the special daddy{s} in your life!...

Farm Chicks 2013.....

 Farm Chicks 2013 didn't disappoint....this year was different though... My friend Mary, who attended her first Farm Chicks show last year was a vendor this year!  I helped her set up and style her booth on Friday. As a shopper and overall fan of vintage goods, it was such a thrill to  see all the vendors setting up their booths - so much creativity  under one roof!  Plus,...