G'day!
It seems to be a time for memories and occasions here at the Beach Cottage. It's been a full weekend with sport, sunshine, birthdays, celebrations of other sorts, presents, new dresses (show you those tomorrow, love) and today now it's all quiet and everyone has gone off to their respective places,
And I find myself here in my place, fussing over the teeniest Powder Room makeover ever.
In my slew of celebrating this weekend, I've not got too much done but I did manage to get the unit up on the wall.
While I was in the garage painting shutters for the other side of the deck I thought hey why not shop my own personal garage sale and thrift a totally free piece of furniture from in there – and spied this unit…a unit that we shipped from England four years ago. One of the few select things that made it with us and has since been sitting in various garages covered in dust and spiders and the like wondering if it'd ever make it back in.
This unit holds a lot of memories for me, it is the first thing we bought for our new unborn baby when we were young newlyweds and I had no idea what my style was but found myself gravitating to patchwork quilts for the baby's cot, an old rocking chair and a country style unit to hold his special things.
I had the same feeling I get when cutting into fabric when I painted this, I almost couldn't do it, and certainly had a tear in my eye when I put the primer on. And rather than the excited feeling I have when I makeover other furniture for a new life, this was a different feeling, much more melancholy. A plethora of memories flooded as I washed it with white. But once the rhythm of the painting ensued I scoffed at my reluctance, as it took on the look of our new life, now.
Because really having this piece full of memories in the Cottage now, on the other side of the world to the house we brought that that little big 9lb baby home to, just about sums up everything I am striving for here – the warmth and contentment that come from home – the belief in ritual, comfort and tradition – it's what was tinkering around in the back there somewhere when we decorated that baby room all that time ago…
So enough of that emotional philandering, what do you think? That baby thought it closed it in too much. It probably does.
But like that toilet, it won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
blogged for Met Monday and Rhoda's Thrifty Finds
I take back my earlier comment about this area being too narrow for a shelf on that wall.
A. it is a narrow shelf
B. It is an absolutely adorable shelf
therefore the rules of space do not apply!
I love the little cupboard and think it is exactly the perfect place.
Love the shiny B against the rustic shelf! It all looks great! Love your blog!
Love it.
Stop by and check out my giveaway!
Renee @ Cottage Lifestyle
Love this also, so many great ideas.
Question, could you quickly explain exactlly how you white wash your furniture.
Cheryl
The cupboard is beautiful and accessorized perfectly…
It looks wonderful ~ like it was always there
Sharon
Oh! I just love it! I’m looking for something similiar myself.
Love the wonderful cubboard, you decorated it so beautifully!
Tina
That cupboard looks great and it looks like it belongs there, Sarah. I enjoy reading what you write in your posts, they are so interesting. You express yourself so well. I could take lessons for my blog, I sound so stilted. Not how I sound in real life. Hugs ~cindy s~
I think the cabinet looks great! I know what you mean…having an emotional attachment to certain things…
Michelle
Very pretty.
I also spend to much time dealing with the simplest things.
I always enjoy your lovely posts and pictures, Sarah, because I am simply desperate for a beach cottage of my own! I love yours. Have a perfect new week…Kathy
I love it, Sarah!
Looks terrific and you did a superb job with the finish. Jane T.
Looking good, Sarah….I have the exact(well, very, very similar) cupboard in my bathroom (in England)…was it pine when it started out ?
I Farrow and Balled it in Lime white, a bit of distressing and it was good to go for another few years. XXXX
It looks great and if reasonable sized people can still use the toiletwithout knocking their heads then it all works well. I have a few old peices that I just can’t paint over so they stick out like a sore thumb. Good on ya for being so brave. Cherrie
I love love love it!! (said in a sing song voice)
And i too love how you’ve styled it
Totally get the sentimental situation, I have a table that my Father stripped back to its original glory oh so many years ago that I so want to paint but just can’t yet!!!
Yay to you
x Justine
Looks gorgeous Sarah!!
Hey, I am a girl who knows about spiders in the garage! This looks great in its new home. Sweet and peaceful.
It is such a sweet little cupboard and much better to use it than have it sitting in the garage
Alison
Hello, just wanted to pop in & leave you a comment because you have such a delightful site ! I’ve loved looking at your pictures and reading your posts – they are great !
Thank you so much for sharing them
Hi Sarah
Wonderful result – I can understand your hesitation – but really it’s the same old original cabinet underneath – you’ve just sort of taken it to the Hair Dresser’s – it will always be your special piece you bought over with you from England – lucky it, to have had a wonderful revamp and ended up where it is
xo
Well, I love it.
It looks great. The emotional memories make it so much more important, too.
I love it Sarah! Most of all, I love it’s story. Beautiful!
oh my gosh you are oh so TALENTED !
OMG WOW!!!
I love it all!!!
The end result of your painting this piece is just spectacular. I love the freshness and the simplicity of the white… an it’s still YOUR piece with all its memories.
I don’t think it closes the room up too much. Since it’s white like the walls, it works. I love the things you put in there; interesting but not cluttered. Good job!
Love the little cupboard, and the story! I know you are totally opposed to color, but maybe a soft pastel on the inside of it?
Sarah -
That cupboard is beautiful and the story is too preious
Toni
That’s beautiful, Sarah! I’ve been contemplating building one for the girl’s bathroom, and this is just the encouragement I need! I wondered if it would be too much for the space, but now I think it will be perfect. Love the piece on the bottom, I might just have to steal that idea from ya!
Hugs & wishes for you to have a great day,
Gina
It’s so gorgeous! And I’ve got a letter b too, wider… and it sits on the floor.
It looks so clean and CHIC!! You have a great vision. What a beautiful life!!
I love the simplicity of it. Love the few things you placed inside. Makes it all the more interesting. Sharon
Love it LOVE IT L-O-V-E I-T as always.
Come for a visit.
Its So Very Cheri
There is one room of my home that I call the beach room. It’s painted a cottage blue, with an antique bed and yummy quilt straddling the most of it. I think your blog is going to help me finish it!
Thanks for sharing your most wonderful memories about this darling little capboard and how it came about. Love the way it looks in your Powder Room!
Have a wonderful & happy day.
Vicki
Oh, Sarah…I love, love, love this cabinet! It’s absolutely perfect for this space!
Smiles,
Rachel
Sarah! That is THE perfect shallow little cupboard! Love love love it! And such special memories tied to it. I love that even more! (big sigh) I have some pieces that I really want to paint and just haven’t been able to yet! Someday maybe.
LOVE the shelf and the greenish colored bottle inside.
I have a thing for shelves… there’s just something about them.
Sarah…it looks perfect…a perfect match for you new home. Love the sweet story/memories. I can soooo relate to those feelings…my little one is grown and gone now…I miss him.
Susan
It’s coming along so beautifully! It’s hard to tell if it closed it in too much without seeing a shot of the entire room.
Please stop by my blog if you get a chance:)
Jenny
Sarah, Your little cupboard has found a perfect spot! And such a nice story behind it too. I’ll bet it’s much happier here than in the garage!
xo Roberta
LOVE that little cabnet…just perfect!! hope this finds you well,Chrissy
I can understand your reluctance to paint it Sarah but didn’t it turn out perfect. Just right for your teeny weeny space on the wall. Anyway, it will give teenage BC something to look at while spending a minute in the powder room.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Its gorgeous!
Amazing. I love the weathered beachy feel!
Ok, I totally take back my DUMB idea for recessed shelving. Clonk me on the head for that very stupid suggestion. This is sooooo much better. I have something similar tucked in a corner, waiting for me, but I see mine facing the other way. Are you left handed, Miss Sarah?
Love the shelf. Because I watched your video I can hear your voice when I’m reading your blogs. It makes me feel like I know you.
I just love the cupboard it looks fantastic!! You have so many great ideas and I am storing them up for when I have my own house, keep em coming!!!
Lovely poignant post, Sarah. xx
I love your blog and the sweet cupboard — it’s just perfect.
Did you think of putting a shelf above the window — as high as possible so that you do not cramp or close in the window. Put a few baskets up there to hold extra toilet paper and hide cleaning supplies etc.