Morning campers! Hope you all enjoyed a happy Mother's Day. We spent it with a bbq right on the waters edge at the wharf, it was windy but we were well-wrapped.
For a while now I've wanted a large chalkboard somewhere in the cottage and see the Beach Cottage Inspiration Board for lots more inspiration – a portal for all things, white, vintage and beachy. I thought about painting directly on the wall as I've seen in some magazine shoots but always thought that looked somewhat 'flat'. And considering that I find it particularly difficult to find any kind of art that I like I thought that I might try and re-work a vintage piece to lean on the wall in lieu of art.
Which takes me to this old door. I could tell ya that I picked it up from a beautiful old antiques shop and paid a small fortune for it or any other such tale but actually it was found for me for a cost of nil by my number one sourcer. And I don't need to tell you who that is, do I? He phoned me one day on his way to work about an old door he'd seen outside a turn of the century old cottage, with a hand-written sign on it 'Free to a Good Home' and he wondered if I might like it.
Hmmm, it sounded gorgeous, but I have to say I was rather dubious, Mr BC can be somewhat, shall we say, blinkered at times in the taste department.
Anyway I loved it and my first plan was to turn it into some kind of shelf and hang it horizontally in the family room, but after it taking three of us to even get it inside the cottage we decided that it wouldn't be a good idea, should you be sitting there happily watching tv when an old door fell on your head…we have enough of those sort of events in skate parks.
So this is what I did to it over the weekend, gave it a quick coat of oh-so-delicious, beachy white, my secret formula, hahaha and then a coat of chalkboard paint…simplicity itself to do, I think it's the mix of textures I like..
I'm pretty pleased with it & however much white painted furniture there might be around here, there'll always be room for a vintage door re-worked with beachy white…
This week's giveaway is two of the putty striped cushion covers, just right for you to stick on an old vintage white chair to give you that old beach housee ambiance and as you know, my favourite thing to do is to team old vintage pieces with a coastal feel…laid back, easy and just nice…
As before, no rules, just comment, as many times you like, the more you comment the more you enter. Simple. Of course I'll ship worldwide baby.
If you subscribe and add my little button I'll add you lots and lots! (just copy the code and pop it in the html section)
<href=http://abeachcottage.com><img alt="swing by the Beach Cottage Giveaway" src=http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/abeachcottage/plaincottagebutton.jpg border="0" />
Blogged for Susan's Metamorphosis event, thanks Susan and lovely Rhoda, whose blog is always a great source of inspiration for the thrifter and for that matter the decorator out there.
And the winner of the beachy napery from last week is Suzann-Marie - can you let me know your address, abeachcottage@gmail.com
Great Idea for a blackboard combo door.
I’ve also been having a blackboard painting frenzy – I learnt the hard way, that the paint should be applied with a roller and not with a brush, otherwise the chalk doesn’t dust off easily – what did you use Sara?
Of course I adored all your other photos on your blog – as usual Simple Perfection
Noice!
Hi, just found your blog. Tried to comment on the one about the tablescape but it didnt work for some reason… never mind, I’ll try again here. I love your oh so white house. It is indeed very calming and soothing and it is a balm for my eyes. I live in Egypt (but am South African) and there is nothing so pretty here. No yardsales or second hand stores to scour, no pretty sea side shops to browse in so… if you ever feel like sending one of your give-aways all the way to Egypt, they would be very welcome, be they the gorgeous putty striped cushions or the cute shell serviette holders, they would be most welcome in this land of dust and sun, and not much else. Pop over to my blog and see how polar opposite my life is… I can only dream of the land “down under”…. I will be back for more. I’ll see you on twitter too.
Hi! I love your chalkboard. I have just done one in my office and will be posting about it in the next few days. I did it without the frame, but am still undecided whether it needs a frame too – possibly looks too flat!! Yours looks great!
love the way you have put together the shades of white!
The chalkboard is a great idea. Love it . What do you mean when you say subscribe for the giveaways ?
Hi there – thanks for entering my giveaway! I’ll keep your button on my blog and would love to be entered in for your one this week too, please! The chalkboard door is great – we had a ‘found’ chalkboard propped against our stair banisters when the boys were little, just for their scribblings and artwork…
I LOVE your blog!! We live in USA but visited Australia in 1987 and I actually began to date my husband there! (We were on a team from our university!) So we LOVE all things Australian. We even have a daughter named Sydney!
I am thinking of doing just our bedroom in all white because of your inspiration!
Jen
Maryland, USA
Hi reading all the comments must make you feel so good!You provide inspiration world wide! I am in England and am Australian so just love your blog! Your ideas are great love the chalkboard. Just had to ring my sons school to make sure his school trip wasnt today! So obviously I should have a chalkboard too! Have a great day Sharon
Hi Ms. BeachCottage! This is the absolute best idea I have seen for an old door!!! Love it!! I would fear putting chalkboard paint directly on a wall if you wanted to paint over it in the future but this is an excellent idea!!! I love your cottage style and dream of someday living near the water; would love to have spent the day on a wharf windy or not!!!lol No need to enter me in your giveaway; I just wanted to compliment you on your great idea! Have a fun week – Sincerely, Jeannette
I mist so many of your posts I have like 25 to catch up….. I had a quick look at the pictures but will be back again to read some more.. I have 2 pictures lying on my kitchen table with a beachy atmosphere that I must make into a great bedroom … hopefully soon
nana Missed that must be
That door is scrumptious! Love the pillow!
But right now I’m pulling out my beachy decor for Summer sprucing up around the house…your blog is inspiring beyond words…Happy Monday~Hugs~
I love your blog all year long, it makes me feel calm
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the door! It is just perfect, with the way the windows are on the side, creating a perfect frame. LOVE it!!
AS always your place looks so cozy and comfy! wish I would come and prop my feet up.
PLease enter me in your giveaway. You Know I am a follower.
Love the door – what a great idea! Chalkboard paint rocks!
Manuela
LOVE the old door/chalkboard idea. It fits in beautifully with the rest of your decor. I get relaxed just strolling through your house (in pictures)!
Hi. I just found your blog thru:
http://chriscandjonjroy.blogspot.com
I have to say, reading your blog and looking at your pictures is like looking at my favorite beach magazine. Very impressive. I have to go grab a cup of coffee and keeping reading. Looks like a wonderful site.
You can plase enter me in your giveaway too. I love the beach. I’m a frequent visitor to Sanibel Island in florida and I have a beach house in Kentucky on the lake. I am going to have to steal some of your decorating ideas.
I’ll be back!
Love your blog and your beach cottage!
Yay for Suzann-Marie! I hope you take pics & share how your beach cottage table linens look on your table.
I’d love to have those pillows, Miss Sarah! A little Aussie beach cottage style in my home would make me so happy
)
In the right column of my blog is a “to do ” list… one of the things there is to repurpose some old doors. A chalkboard won’t work, the panes are too small, but I love how yours turned out.
I adore your door (ha, a-door your door)
What a great idea to make it into a chalkboard!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
I adore your decor and photos. I used to decorate with dark, heavy, country colors and decor. I’m gradully moving over to lots of white and lighter colors. It lifts my spirits! Your blog is such an inspiration. ?
The chalkboard is great! Gosh, I would love to win a pillow. I think they are so pretty. I’ve admired them since I started reading your blog. They would look nice in my house!!
I would be thrilled to be entered in the give away. I love the door. Can’t believe you got it for free. I really love all the white as well. How do you keep your white sofa soooooooo white? Do you wash it all the time? I want a white slip covered sofa for my beach house in Texas but with 5 grand kids (they visit occasionally) and three dogs (they visit when I do) I don’t know about all of that white.
Anyway, I really, really love your blog and look forward to all of the posts. Thank you!
what a great way to add a chalkboard- it has a great “feel” looking at it! I have been brainstorming some creative ways to incorporate chalkboard paint into our new home…
Great old door….cute idea!! I love all the white too….I really would like to change the beige slip covers on my couch to white.
Have a great week!!
Hugs~T
love that door. I am all about the inspiration board. I found the couch of my dreams this weekend after weeks of thrifting thru craigslist. It looks like yours in these pics. I might have to print this post and put it on my inspiration board. thanks!
What a lovely idea! Your chalkboard door came out great! I’ve been wanting one as well and have had the chalkboard paint for a little while…just need to get moving! Did you use spray chalkboard paint or the brush on kind/
Love your cottage, so inspirational.
How cute! I’ve been looking for some just like it!
Great door project rehab. You’ve got your dh so well trained. I love that he is always thinking of you like that when he finds cool free finds on his way to work. You are blessed!
Please enter me in your giveaway. I love the pillow coverings.
Gretchen
http://www.mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com
I am a huge fan and have a deep fondness for chalkboards!!! And i love yours! Oh yes I do!!! looks great.
LuLu
You are so brilliant! I love this idea so much. Too bad I don’t have the space for something similar. ::pout pout::
I am so inspired as I look through your blog and see the pictures of your home. It’s very calming. I live near the beach – San Diego, CA and currently transforming our little home into a more calming place. I’ve painted all of our furniture black and cream. Lightened up the walls with Antique White (love it) and spray painting a lot of my accessories cream. It’s fun and you’ve given me some inspiration! Thank you. And thank you for the chance to win those great pillows! Count me in please.
Blessings,
Marie
blog: http://emmacallsmemama.com
email: marie@waltercom.com
Love the blackboard door! The pillows are just beautiful, too.
Ok, I have been reading thru your blog all morning. You should seriously be putting out a magazine. You have an eye for decorating and a flair for writing and your photos are wonderful. It was a great way to spend my morning.
Easily one of the best blogs I’ve ever read.
I love your chalkboard- I was just here trying to figure out what color chalk board paint to use in my sewing room when I sidetracked onto your blog (which is common since you have my favorite blog in blog world!) Does that get me 2 entrees? Love your house!
Ok, missie, sign me up for the giveaway. Of course, I love that old door & you have such a way with the camera & making your beach cottage look so lovable. When is a magazine gonna scout your house? That’s the question.
When I first read your post, I was like “What happened to your door?” But thanks for the giveaway. I love the effect of the different striped pillows and especially the potato sack (is that a potato sack?) cover. Did you make it or buy it?
I love the putty stripes. I know just where they will go if I win.
I subscribe.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Oh Sarah, I love the door. I am always amazed at your photos. You really need to have your home published in Coastal Living. As I have told you before, it is so hard to pull off the “white look” but you have perfected it.
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
I love your blog and the wonderful beachy feeling. I read it almost every day. thanks for the giveaway. love the cushion covers. Paula
hiddenlakeranch@blackfoot.net
Love your blog and would love me some pillows. Please enter me in your give away.
COnnie
Love love love~the door.I wish I could get my MR. to keep an eye out for me for things like this.What a creative idea!
Oh by the way I subscribe and have your button
http://cjsmommykimberly.blogspot.com/
Funny – I get more inspiration from your photos than I do from the well planned set ups. Yesterday I found my family (+2 dogs) watching the Laker game surrounded by the Sunday paper, icey glasses all over the place, flip flops everywhere with lap tops and ipods whistling snappy tunes. With all the crap and changes in my life right now I couldn’t imagine anything more comforting. Your little aussie beach cottage showed my little california beach house the way. I owe you big time.
Oh, now I want to have an old door with some chalkboard paint on it! I have pantry doors with chalkboard paint, but your door is so much cuter. Love it. And I would also love those pillows. Please enter me in the drawing. And please pick me for the winner! Love you blog…you do white so well!
Perfect, just perfect!
I bought a scrappy old door I am going to hang horizontally between my kitchen and living room……..I just need to get it put together. They are a bit heavy though, aren’t they? I’ll hope mine doesn’t fall…
Blessings,
Spencer
Great door, and finding it for free makes it even better!
Love it! I’ve got one similar leaning up against my kitchen wall – mine used to be an old mirror.
I love the idea of decorating with an old door. I know a woman that put a small, old red barn door in her living room. It looks great! Your comment about not putting the heavy door on the wall made me laugh. We have wooden fireplace mantle above our bed as a shelf and I’m hoping it never falls on our heads at night. I’m sure it would do serious damage!
Thanks for entering me into the drawing. I have your button on my blog.
Brenda in San Diego
Sign me up for the giveaway
Sign me up
I LOVE your beach decorating!!! You have inspired me
Your house is just lovely! Marilyn xoxo
Congrats to Suzann, lucky girl.
How cool to have Mr BC on the prowl for treasures for you. It is looking good propped on the wall as a central message point for the family. Have you seen whiteboard paint in your hardwares stores yet? Saw it blogged about and thought that could be fun to repurpose furnishings.
Thanks again for my super prize. I’m the luckiest girl in the whole wide world. I am in love with that burlap pillow on your sofa – just yummy!!!
What a GREAT idea for your chalkboard. You are so creative!
I just want to move in! Another beautiful project!
Amy
Another great addition for the Beach Cottage Sarah.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Your husband obviously knows that you can take something that looks like nothing and turn it into a beauty. How wonderful! (Do you lay on the floor to take your lovely photos?) laurie
Gorgeous door – ingenious transformation!
oooh, I’ve been jonesin’ for those pillow covers ever since I first saw them on your blog. And since your blog has inspired me to redecorate my living room in a beach cottage style, I’ve been looking for them! They would be perfect, as you know. I’ve subscribed, but when I added the button html to my blog, it didn’t work (scroll to the bottom of the right column of my blog and you can see). Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve had your lovely link to your blog on my blog for ages now, as I love to read your inspiring posts. I’ve now added the Beach Cottage Inspiration to my blogroll, and I’m sure I’ll visit it just as often!
For some reason, it seems my first comment didn’t get saved here. I’ve tried to add your button, but my wordpress blog doesn’t let me add html. I did subscribe, and I have links to both your sites now! Thanks for the entries, can’t wait to hear.
aha! html problem resolved. Your button has been added – and a cute button it is!
Love the door, love your cottage! You should be featured in a magazine! Deb
I am loving the cottage so glad I found it from wayy over her in TEXAS !!! lol
Great find by Mr BC, just perfect for a central message centre. Have you seen the new white board paint in the hardware stores in your area? Another blogger posted about how much fun they were having with it and sure sounds like a good idea for converting furnishings.
I love old doors and windows. Yours was such a good find and well a perfect price. The transformation was both great and fits well with your interior.
Kris
I Love your door! It sure would be a classy back for a desk. I think those beach pillows would go real well in our Florida Beach House. I really have enjoyed reading your blog. TTFN
Huggs, nancy
http://www.coeurdalenegifts.com
http://www.coeurdalenegifts.com/blog/
Great idea to turn the door into a chalkboard
It’s interesting and unique, and a great way to showcase a wonderful old door. It’ll be an ever-changing piece of art as you and your family jot down notes on it 
I added your button to the sidebar of our blog
Kelly @ DesignTies
I think these pillows would help spruce up my couch – I need to do something about the old ones! I’m going to subscribe… I love your calming style!
I am positively head over heels in love with that door!!
It’s just perfect, and I agree with having unique “art” pieces!! I just love chalkboards, and this one is gorgeous, lucky duck you!!
This is incredible!! ::insert sound of thunderous applause here!::
First off, Mr, BC did a brilliant job (“…blinkered at times in the taste department.” HAHAHA!
And that’s the nicest curbside door I’ve ever seen…it really lent itself perfectly to your chalkboard project. I’ll never be able to look at a door on the curb the same way…
And yes; I think those cushions would look lovely in the shore house.
I love your blog – just looking at your Home Page brings a sense of serenity. How I wish I could actually be there to smell the pure air that surely surrounds your wonderful cottage!
Please enter me in your giveaway – I absolutely adore the pillows!
I’m having a giveaway too – albeit not as exciting as yours! Come see . . . and visit for a few minutes:
http://lifeloveladybugs.blogspot.com
It’s me again, trying really hard to win!!
Your chalkboard/door is wonderful. Can’t wait to see what words of wisdom appear on it soon!
Beautiful. I have linked to you on my sidebar also and in my blogroll.
Those beachy kiddos have no excuse now for not letting you know where they’re headed off to. Just chalk it up there on the old door. I had a few old doors I found once and of course decoupaged them. I’d never heard of chalkboard paint back then. There was a time that if it stood still long enough, it got decoupaged!
Brenda
Lovely! I’ve painted my little hall wall with chalkboard paint…never regreted it…Love your house! One can see it a bit better now with the bigger angle..
Love your blog!!! A quintessential beach cottage…very ahhh! Love the pillows too.
I love your beachy blog. After living in my house for a year, I’ve finally decided to start decorating. These lovely pillows would get me off to a great start! Thanks for the giveaway!!
HI there! Have joined your blog for daily updates as I too live at the beach in our sunny, sunny state. You have given me loads of ideas and I have my daily fix of design blogs whenever I can. Anyway thanks so much for a bright and breezy blog and yours is one of my favourites!! Cheer, Lyn
Hi Sarah…
Oooh…I’m really enjoying your blog…it’s just like looking through a great design magazine with lots of beautiful photos and great ideas!!! So inspirational, my friend!!!
Okay…this has got to be the coolest idea ever!!! I love how your old cottage door looks with the chalkboard painted right onto the glass!!! Love, love, love this idea!!! And you’re right…this is so much sweeter than just painting the chalkboard onto the wall!!! Congrats, my friend…for having such a GRAND idea!!!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
I would have never thought of that ever! You are so amazing.
These pillows are charming. They look like they could dress up or dress down any room.
What a good idea – it looks great and functional too. Why am I not surprised to see a copy of “At home with White” sitting on your coffee table!
love your decorating style! I’ve been painting furniture this week myself.
I really love all the white in your cottage, we are surrounded by dirt and fields so no white here everything is always dusty, but those striped covers would be awesome.
forgot to say that I have subscribed to your feed. would love to win
oh wow, I just saw the tulip picture hanging on your wall, it is gorgeous!! I may have to change a photo I took to black & white and have it enlarged, that is so striking.
Have I told you lately how much I love your cottage and want to rent it! Well I do!!!
hugs and happy day,
Lulu
I have enjoyed browsing your blog! The cushions are gorgeous and perfect for that beachy feel!
I just have to find something to use blackboard paint on…just have to find the right thing…absolutely adorable.
Now, to subscribe..
Your old door/chalkboard is lovely! I went to an architectural salvage place today and saw lots of lovely old doors and windows, though I didn’t want to spend the money with no specific plans for them. Now if they were free, I would have snatched them up
Hmmm…just lovely. You are just so creative. Marilyn xoxo
Love your chalkboard, love your pillows!
An old door…it looks wonderful in your home. I see these old paneled doors waiting for the trashman all the time…hmmmm, now you’re stirring up ideas. Thanks so much!
Would love those pillows! Please enter me!
Beautiful door! I also love all of your putty and white. Very pretty!
Beautiful door! I also love all of your putty and white. Very pretty!
I love your chalkboard door! I did the same thing with an old window!
You have a beautiful home!
Hugs from Eventually Cottage!
That was a great idea and looks so wonderful in your beach cottage! Very nice addition.
I absolutely LOVE that door. I never would have thought of chalkboard paint on an old door. Just found your blog. I will be back! Love it!
And I love those pillows. Count me in, please.
Shannon
I love the door as a chalkboard. Too much creativity out there in blogland. But I love it!!!
I just found your blog and love it! Your home is GORGEOUS! =) What a great giveaway too. Love the pillows!
Beautiful. Gorgeous. Fabulous!
What an awesome idea!
Great idea for the door. I’ve got a couple of old doors in the garage I’ve been wanting to do something with. Thanks for sharing your idea.
Your photos are lovely. Your home looks like such a breezy, happy place!
God how good does that door look, great job kiddo. Ok so I really really want those cushion covers, they would look soooo devine on my front veranda…..
Hope you had a great weekend
Lyn xxx
I love your beach cottage. Great job!