G’day lovely Beach Cottage ladies…wanna come in and see some nautical cottage decorating? I do hope so cos I sure love cottage decorating!
Back in September when we made over the sad and sorry state of the Family Bathroom, I did a quick botch job of the window dressing. I had two main objectives, one to cover up the awful aluminium window and two to make it into more of a feature, to draw the eye to it and frame the light (& keep the eyes away from the other not-so-nice features in there)…oh and to add some beach decor, do a little bit of nautical cottage decorating. We spent a couple of weekends, Mr Beach Cottage and I working together in a too small space, him talking about the physics of DIY and me whining about, errrm, just about everything.
Anyway I ran out of steam with the window dressing, to be honest I’d just about had enough of the whole thing…the double bracket pole was already up and I had planned to make two lots of drapes, one neutral on the outside and one in heavy white denim for the inside, for a bit of Beach Cottage decorating & layering.
But what I did instead is stick up the white wooden blind for coverage and then seized a leftover piece of linen and cut it with pinking shears so it didn’t fray, turned the top over about four inches to make a kinda inbuilt pelmet & fastened this whole piece to the curtain clips. Job done in about, oh 2 minutes, that’s my kinda nautical cottage decorating. Tops. Isn’t that just the best metamorphosis?
Morphing a yucky aluminium window into something a bit more acceptable in the time it takes to make a cup of tea? Oh yeah.
Lying in the bath, door locked, with cocktail and candles, I’ve often mused at, actually, how these pretend drapes don’t look too bad. And more, the no-fuss light filtering is just what it needed. I so like it when things work like that. You can find more morphs at Susan’s…
Here it is before
And after, I used piles of candles, stacks of towels, painted the floor with tile paint and the wall tiles white…I added linen on the windows and white blinds…I think white and linen and candles is great for nautical cottage decorating and baskets add to that look too!
So that’s it, a nautical cottage makeover from nothing to ok, far from perfect but a whole lot better than before
Bye lovely Beach Cottage ladies, I will catch you later
and another nautical cottage here and a beachy budget table here
Oh and I’ve had lots and lots of emails and questions about how we got to Australia, how we emmigrated, why we had to buy a fixer-upper, how I got into nautical cottage decorating, beachy decor and various other questions that I just simply have not got my act together to reply to that I found myself, for no other reason than I was in a completely revolting mood and was needing downtime, which I found by mooching round my blog, composing a little bit more information about how we got to getting, if you see what I mean, the Beach Cottage, here’s a snippet
G’day I’m Sarah, owner of A Beach Cottage. Welcome to the chronicles of my eventful life at my old cottage by the sea.
I�m a thirty-something (okay I’m nearer 40 than 30) owner of a tatty old beach cottage in a beautiful seaside town in Australia, mother of three, wife to one, seaside taxi driver…
But I haven’t always lived here, for nearly my whole life I resided in the same, very pretty village in England. Life was quite comfortable, filled with country pubs, cricket on the village green, walks in the woods, lots of drizzle and warm beer. Our children went to a good school, we had a good income, nice holidays, two expensive cars and some cash floating around for a nice life.
If you are like me, incessantly nosey & want to read the rest, see on the menu bar above ‘Beach Cottage Story’ or click here
Good grief Sarah what a difference, your new bathroom by the sea looks great. I have never done anything to my gruddy old cannot swing a cat around bathroom (except paint it what I thought at the time a nice brighten me up *yellow* & now dash in & out as quick as I can because I cannot stand it anymore) & hubby put in a large Linen cupboard that no one dares open anymore because everything falls out to meet you! So now I am kinda thinkin’ perhaps it is time to do something in there even though it is going to be demolished one day. Hmmm now you have really got me thinking!
Ahh, Sarah, you know I am one of your biggest fans..I like every single thing you do to your beach cottage…and I LOVE your bath’s little curtains.
xo bj
Hi Sarah, Thank you so much for the read about your move to Australia. We are kind of in a similar situation, living here in Germany we both have good jobs, a nice home, able to travel if we choose…but something seems to be missing. My husband’s always dreamed of living in Australia and as for me, I would just love living near a beautiful beach. I was an army brat and as it is with army brats, they can live just about anywhere…so if hubby ever did find a job in his country of choice I wouldn’t hesitate to follow (as long as the ocean isn’t far off). Anyway, I love reading your blog, it inspires me to keep working on my cottage and not to give up my dream of one day having one by the sea.
Siggie
Sarah, I can’t believe I don’t need to sew to be so creative as you. Love Love your drapes in your soothing bathroom. love it!!
I’m ready to run to my bathroom and transform it!
Have a great day,
LuLu
That’s a gorgeous makeover, the bathroom looks great.
The blind and clipped up curtain looks really good, I like that a lot. I’ve not every tried using the clips but I can see that for a lightweight curtain they’re really good. I’m thinking of making a new curtain for my little one’s bedroom but it’s such a faff I’m putting it off!
Good Morning! I so much enjoy reading your blog everyday and seeing all of your inspirational stories and creative ideas! Your home is the most charming and you should be so proud of how cozy and charming it is. Your story is wonderful and how I wish my husband and I would have just taken a leap and made a change in our lives. It seems to be a home filled with love and isn’t it amazing how our lives take such crazy turns but those turns can give us such peace? I look forward to more stories and beautiful projects! Have a wonderful day!
Sarah
I love the curtains! So cute! I love what you have done to your entire home. The colors are so pretty and relaxing. You’ve inspired me to add more blues, browns, greys, and whites to my own home.
What a wonderful story you wrote on how you moved to Australia. You were a brave women to have moved such a long distance and it sounds like you are so happy! Sure wish I was able to invite you over to my home for a cup of tea but New Jersey, (USA) is a long drive:)
Enjoy reading your posts. Good for you, following your heart to Australia. Hubby and I are planning a move to SF, following our hearts. Not a beach cottage, but rather a high rise studio.
Sarah I love those little drapes! And I’m loving burlap a lot these days, might have to find somewhere else to use it. I did those 2 monogrammed shades in my DR & how cheap & chic it is! Great fabric & perfect for your beach cottage.
In my opinion, if you are female, you are nosy. And I am both. Your bathroom looks like just the place to get away from the kiddos, drop your head back as you relax in the bath, and dream of future auction fun.
Brenda
You’ve really achieved a nice beachy feel in your bathroom with the soft colours and natural elements. I love the shot of the shelf with the square candles and basket of towels.
Sarah,
I wish I lived in Australia. U.S. is great, of course, but I’ve always dreamed of AU!
Your home is so cute. White is also my favorite color.
I’m going to clean my house and take pics to post on my blog…or maybe move junk from room to room.
You’re an inspiration! I just picked up a table from an alleyway and I think I going to retrofit it and paint it white. Nowhere to put it yet though.
Thanks for your posts!
I always look forward to reading your latest blog entry. Your bathroom make over is stunning and I love the curtain idea so much I think I might have to steal the idea for my laundry (if you don’t mind!) Thanks x
Thanks for the comment. I live in the desert, but I used to live on the coast and I love beach style. I am trying to incorporate more light and airy colors and pretty things in my home, and am starting to feel more relaxed already. I used to have an olive green color on my living room walls, and it was driving me absolutely crazy. Now it is a light grey blue and I love it! Anyhow, thanks for all the great decorating inspiration!!
I’ve just now read of the devastation in Austratia. I follow your blog and couldn’t help but think of you immediately. I pray that you and your family are okay and that God cares for the hurting people of Australia.
Dear Sarah…I just read the further Sdetails of your A Beach Cottage Story…and how you and your family came to land on Australia. You should write a book! I love your pictures…thanks for sharing!
hello sarah… i’m so glad you reposted your bath pix. i love what you’ve done! KUDOS to you and mr.bh. however i have one suggestion that would make it even *better! if you’ve already done this then, great… i think you need to take the extra slats off the blind so that it sits inside the window sill. it’s not that difficult a job as i’ve done it with mine. again, awesome job!
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
G’day ladies, oooh have I got a good Beach Cottage recipe for you or have I got a good recipe for you. Well it’s actually not Beach Cottage, I cannot claim that… So, a couple of months ago I met up with a couple of blogging friends, AllConsuming and Mrs W for a lil [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Another great post! Hmmm you have give me a lttle hope of making the bathroom in this rental nice…Thanks for the inspiration!
Sarah xxx
Good grief Sarah what a difference, your new bathroom by the sea looks great. I have never done anything to my gruddy old cannot swing a cat around bathroom (except paint it what I thought at the time a nice brighten me up *yellow* & now dash in & out as quick as I can because I cannot stand it anymore) & hubby put in a large Linen cupboard that no one dares open anymore because everything falls out to meet you! So now I am kinda thinkin’ perhaps it is time to do something in there even though it is going to be demolished one day. Hmmm now you have really got me thinking!
Have a great night
Lyn xxx
Ahh, Sarah, you know I am one of your biggest fans..I like every single thing you do to your beach cottage…and I LOVE your bath’s little curtains.
xo bj
Hi Sarah, Thank you so much for the read about your move to Australia. We are kind of in a similar situation, living here in Germany we both have good jobs, a nice home, able to travel if we choose…but something seems to be missing. My husband’s always dreamed of living in Australia and as for me, I would just love living near a beautiful beach. I was an army brat and as it is with army brats, they can live just about anywhere…so if hubby ever did find a job in his country of choice I wouldn’t hesitate to follow (as long as the ocean isn’t far off). Anyway, I love reading your blog, it inspires me to keep working on my cottage and not to give up my dream of one day having one by the sea.
Siggie
Sarah, I can’t believe I don’t need to sew to be so creative as you. Love Love your drapes in your soothing bathroom. love it!!
I’m ready to run to my bathroom and transform it!
Have a great day,
LuLu
That’s a gorgeous makeover, the bathroom looks great.
The blind and clipped up curtain looks really good, I like that a lot. I’ve not every tried using the clips but I can see that for a lightweight curtain they’re really good. I’m thinking of making a new curtain for my little one’s bedroom but it’s such a faff I’m putting it off!
Mel xxx
Your story is wonderful and I am always amazed at the ways God moves within our lives.
Good Morning! I so much enjoy reading your blog everyday and seeing all of your inspirational stories and creative ideas! Your home is the most charming and you should be so proud of how cozy and charming it is. Your story is wonderful and how I wish my husband and I would have just taken a leap and made a change in our lives. It seems to be a home filled with love and isn’t it amazing how our lives take such crazy turns but those turns can give us such peace? I look forward to more stories and beautiful projects! Have a wonderful day!
Sarah
You make all things simple seem loved, tranquil and perfect.
Beautiful bathroom…very relaxing..
I wouldn’t want to leave!
I think the curtains are perfect, what a fab idea to use the linen.
I love the curtains! So cute! I love what you have done to your entire home. The colors are so pretty and relaxing. You’ve inspired me to add more blues, browns, greys, and whites to my own home.
I could stay in that bathroom for hours. It truly is beautiful.
Great job Sarah.
Love Claudie
What a wonderful story you wrote on how you moved to Australia. You were a brave women to have moved such a long distance and it sounds like you are so happy! Sure wish I was able to invite you over to my home for a cup of tea but New Jersey, (USA) is a long drive:)
Oh I love your style. It really is perfect for a beach cottage. Just beautiful…
Gorgeous bathroom! Love all the personality you’ve added to it.
Sarah, Love the transformation! Superb taste! ~CC Catherine
Another fabulous post. I think you need to come to my place for a little holiday and do some redecorating for me. Your home is beautiful.
Alison
Enjoy reading your posts. Good for you, following your heart to Australia. Hubby and I are planning a move to SF, following our hearts. Not a beach cottage, but rather a high rise studio.
How fresh and nice!
Linda Q
I think your “pretend drapes” have a whole lot of style!
Sarah I love those little drapes! And I’m loving burlap a lot these days, might have to find somewhere else to use it. I did those 2 monogrammed shades in my DR & how cheap & chic it is! Great fabric & perfect for your beach cottage.
In my opinion, if you are female, you are nosy. And I am both. Your bathroom looks like just the place to get away from the kiddos, drop your head back as you relax in the bath, and dream of future auction fun.
Brenda
You’ve really achieved a nice beachy feel in your bathroom with the soft colours and natural elements. I love the shot of the shelf with the square candles and basket of towels.
Nice job on your speedy curtain project!!
Kelly (one half of DesignTies)
Your new look is so soothing and peaceful. This should be featured in a magazine!
Kathy b
This is lovely. I think this is perfect in this space, what a great, creative solution!
Sarah, How come I can never think of anything this quick and easy?! Looks great!
Susan
Sarah,
I wish I lived in Australia. U.S. is great, of course, but I’ve always dreamed of AU!
Your home is so cute. White is also my favorite color.
I’m going to clean my house and take pics to post on my blog…or maybe move junk from room to room.
You’re an inspiration! I just picked up a table from an alleyway and I think I going to retrofit it and paint it white. Nowhere to put it yet though.
Thanks for your posts!
I always look forward to reading your latest blog entry. Your bathroom make over is stunning and I love the curtain idea so much I think I might have to steal the idea for my laundry (if you don’t mind!) Thanks x
Thanks for the comment. I live in the desert, but I used to live on the coast and I love beach style. I am trying to incorporate more light and airy colors and pretty things in my home, and am starting to feel more relaxed already. I used to have an olive green color on my living room walls, and it was driving me absolutely crazy. Now it is a light grey blue and I love it! Anyhow, thanks for all the great decorating inspiration!!
Loved being nosey and even more loved your bathroom- I might have to move to Australia! Just so I could be your friend and hang out at the beach.
Sarah, thanks for sharing. I choose to think inquisitive versus nosey.
Renee
I’ve just now read of the devastation in Austratia. I follow your blog and couldn’t help but think of you immediately. I pray that you and your family are okay and that God cares for the hurting people of Australia.
I absolutely love your charming cottage. Could you possibly tell me where you got those tan/white stripe pillows?
Dear Sarah…I just read the further Sdetails of your A Beach Cottage Story…and how you and your family came to land on Australia. You should write a book! I love your pictures…thanks for sharing!
hello sarah… i’m so glad you reposted your bath pix. i love what you’ve done! KUDOS to you and mr.bh. however i have one suggestion that would make it even *better! if you’ve already done this then, great… i think you need to take the extra slats off the blind so that it sits inside the window sill. it’s not that difficult a job as i’ve done it with mine. again, awesome job!