I get a lot of questions and emails along the lines of this:-
'there is no hope for me and my house, it is brown, filthy, stuck in the 1970's, in the middle of a wood, has orange carpet and purple walls – it will never look anything like a beach cottage or for that matter any cottage. I have a tiny budget, no money for professionals, please help do you think there is any hope for me? I am so fed up with my house…'
this is for you…
And if we can do this, thousands of miles away from friends and family, on a shoestring budget and with no help whatsoever, then anyone can…here's to white paint and sunshine!
~~~~~~~~
I recently came across a whole load of pictures on an old phone of the day we first viewed the beach cottage (there's more coming people, my goodness no wonder I was upset the day we got the keys to this tatty old place, boy were we brave)
so what we were faced with here was a whole lot of mess (& you thought the non-art on my walls was bad)
(I mean people who has an Open House like this? hello!)
first impressions, hideous grimy colours, piles of junk, outdated fittings…a door that had been blocked up with a melamine bookcase…and did I mention the errrrm fragrance?
but wait and look beyond and you'll see a fairly decent ceiling with a bit of detail and no gunk, wallpaper that could be easily removed, a faux bookcase that could be ripped out, a wide double sash window with heaps of sunlight streaming in and a wood floor under years of carpet layers…and a space that while not perfect offered opportunities away from the Family Room for quiet time…
So here's what we did, first we pulled up the carpet layer, then the linoleum layer, then the newspaper layer and underneath we already knew was a beautiful wood plank floor (we sneakily pulled up every piece of carpet as we walked around).
That was sanded, in-filled, varnished and sealed.
Next we painted the whole room in simple, standard white (since been changed to Dulux Whisper White which doesn't show up but is a touch of cool grey to the white) to clean it up and give us a quick easy palette should we want to change it in the future.
Painting everything in white meant we didn't have to worry about cutting in and meant it was not only much quicker but meant we could buy in bulk meaning more economical.
The faux bookcase (purlease) you can see in the top photo that the owners for some reason put in was to the left of middle of one wall, it meant the room felt very tight and boxed in, apart from the its errm aesthetic properties…
So we pulled it out, it hid the original doorway to the breakfast room. You can see here the original architrave is still there, we considered pulling that off and making it slightly wider, more of an arch but in the end because, again of time constraints we just painted it white and left it at that
We've since talked about a glass door here but I now kinda like the little old doorway…
Old sash windows was on of the things on our list of must-haves for our old Beach Cottage when we were house hunting, these were for sure worse for wear, but they came up pretty ok and I love pulling them up with the breeze blowing in… Mr BC is not so sure and threatens to replace them in Stage II (like he's got a say *wink)
One of the panes was cracked so we repaired that and I spent a whole morning from very early til after lunch cleaning this one window. Years and years of neglect were stuck on there – I scrubbed the little runners with a toothbrush. That afternoon as the paint went on it all suddenly started to look just a little less frightening…
Here's the other side now
and often the blinds are up, windows wide and displaying a few shells
~~~~~
So on the window we added white blinds to emulate plantation shutters but without omitting the beautiful light that streams through here and without the cost.
Next up went a double layer curtain fixture in matt steel, with clear round finials. Bottom layer drape natural unbleached linen and top layer a white heavy drop cotton.
The other side of this room there is another door to the tiny entrance hall which makes this room tricky to arrange furniture and this little corner has seen many a camera shot as I have collected various pieces of treasure and tried them out here… for the moment it is like this but one of the changes coming up is a small two seater sofa for here somehow…on the other side of the coffee table
So that's it, a little cottage trash to beachy treasure
you can find more sofa pics, where it's working for a living at the Beach Cottage and see how the furniture gets up and moves around all by itself here, here, here, and here.
and you can read hereways to add a bit of coastal country style in your sitting room for not a lot
window: poles, finials, IKEA, blinds IKEA Lindmon, drapes (unbleached) IKEA Aina, drapes (white) IKEA Merete rug: IKEA coffee table: ten year old recycled pine table + natural distressing side table: old meat safe (more pics here) from junk shop, painted with Dulux Antique White lamp table: old sewing box, one of my first thrifted finds ever trunk: thrifted butler's tray: garage sale pot cupboard: auction, sale, read about it heresofa: our trusty old white slipcovered, similar IKEA/Pottery Barn slipcovers pillows: now closed beach shop similar Target, bulap – made by me with coffee sack covers lamps: old vintage – auction, clear base, Target mirrors: all thrifted lantern: IKEA throw: Bed Bath & Table decor balls: shells, now closed beach shop, pearl – Freedom pitcher: Wheel & Barrow canvas: oh goodness, again IKEA
stay tuned for more gruesome reveals, this little photo find has shown me a whole lot about how far we've come, wait til I show you the garden tour, euuuh…and if white coastal style is not your cup of tea you can easily do a similar transformation in a more modern spiffy style – if you can look past the details you can change a room easily with some DIY, a lot of elbow grease and a bit of paint
p.s. I'm on the mend and OUT of bed and if you have a question leave it in the comments I'll answer it there
Hi Sarah, just thought I’d stop by and say hi after neglegting my regular blog reads for awhile. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, thanks for posting about your home!
I really enjoy seeing what you’ve made out of your cottage, it is such an inspiration. I hope it gives those that think they can’t do any type of renovation work the confidence to start on their own.
It’s refreshing to see it come from a regular chic just like ourselves and not from a glitzy magazine, which make you believe you can’t have a nice place unless you spend oodles of money. I do like to look at magazines for inspiration every once in a while, but getting inspiration from the real deal is so much more fun!
Honestly, you’ve got a gazillion comments on how wonderful this is but I HAD to add mine anyway. So lovely and what a wonderful mood it has. So lovely and calm!
Sarah, you have come a long way with this one! Undaunted at that! Here’s just a thought I had. That door that you speak of that you’ve considered a glass door for? How about an old vintage screen door? Folks are using those inside all the time now for their vintage prettiness! Glad you’re on the mend!
Brenda
I would love to know what you have hanging next to the butler’s tray in the picture–looks like maybe shells? I love it….
glad you feeling better Sarah!
Brenda Bliss
Hi Sarah…I’m new to the blogging world…but I love your blog…Just one question…Do u still have any of the tan striped pillows u were selling???I’ll be reading your blog and hoping the answer is yes…Susan C
What amazing photos you have taken! I loved seeing what you have done. The white is perfect for a beach cottage. And I really love the wood floors, Beautiful!!
-Angela
Nice, calm and peaceful and clean. I like the look…for some reason I have to have a lot of color in my home….I tried white and beige and it got to me….don’t know why cause I think it looks so nice!! We have had to do the same kinds of things as you–tearing out rugs, paint, clean , cry etc. (don’t know if you cried—one house we moved into the kitchen was so filthy and I had been cleaning and scrubbing forever , and I sat on the floor and bawled….but it eventually came clean). The problem with the house I now live in is that it has lots of shelves and I tend to over clutter them!!! ah well
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 …]
Well G’day Beach Cottage ladies. Of course some of you guessed correctly, no flies on Beach Cottage gals are there? A Summer House window dressing, beach vintage style. One that I got very wrong. I’ll keep this short and sweet The vintage crochet patchwork curtain? Love. Pure love. But, put it this [...]
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
here, here, here, and here.
side table: old meat safe (more pics here) from junk shop, painted with Dulux Antique White lamp table: old sewing box, one of my first thrifted finds ever trunk: thrifted butler's tray: garage sale pot cupboard: auction, sale, read about it here sofa: our trusty old white slipcovered, similar IKEA/Pottery Barn slipcovers pillows: now closed beach shop similar Target, bulap – made by me with coffee sack covers lamps: old vintage – auction, clear base, Target mirrors: all thrifted lantern: IKEA throw: Bed Bath & Table decor balls: shells, now closed beach shop, pearl – Freedom pitcher: Wheel & Barrow canvas: oh goodness, again IKEA 
that is amazing! glad you are doing better!
What a wonderful transformation.
I love it! What a great result from all of your vision and elbow grease! Lovely!
All I can say is WOW!!! What a lovely job you and Mr. BC have done!
Smiles,
Rachel
Love this! Wow, great job, and what beautiful floors!
Beautiful and serene after you got ahold of it and worked your magic. Love it! Thanks for sharing the before and after.
amazing! nice work!
Fabulous – I’m a white fan too and even though ‘they’ say not to paint the outside of the house white I did anyway and am so happy with it.
Everything you do around your cottage is perfect and inspiring to me -
Marsha – chandelier magic
Fabulous difference!!
that is wonderful. Thankyou so much.
What an amazing transformation to the sittng room. Those wood floors are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Hello Sarah,
I just found your inspiring blog and I just adore it. I’ll be back to visit again soon.
This is truly an amazing transformation! Love it all! ~Gorgeous floors and furnishings.
Have a wonderfully blessed Holiday weekend,
~Warmly, Melissa
It always amazes me when you hear people say…oh, but it’s hideous..so dark, and dirty!
With vision, you’ve made a stunning home…from a little ugly duckling.
Your home is beautiful…I love your simplicity of taste.
hi Su
thanks so much, too kind
just took a look at your talent, wow! love it – you can sponsor a Beach
let me know if you want details…
Cottage giveaway if you like
Sarah
*abeachcottage.com*
*abeachcottageblog@gmail.com*
*
*
*Follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/abeachcottage*
On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 5:42 PM, wrote:
There is NOTHING quite as fun (in my book) as a good before and after!
…Now, THIS is a good before and after.
WOW.
An amazing and inspirational transformation!
My best,
Tricia
It looks absolutely beautiful!
You should be so proud of all that has been accomplished.
Hi Sarah, just thought I’d stop by and say hi after neglegting my regular blog reads for awhile. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, thanks for posting about your home!
I really enjoy seeing what you’ve made out of your cottage, it is such an inspiration. I hope it gives those that think they can’t do any type of renovation work the confidence to start on their own.
It’s refreshing to see it come from a regular chic just like ourselves and not from a glitzy magazine, which make you believe you can’t have a nice place unless you spend oodles of money. I do like to look at magazines for inspiration every once in a while, but getting inspiration from the real deal is so much more fun!
Honestly, you’ve got a gazillion comments on how wonderful this is but I HAD to add mine anyway. So lovely and what a wonderful mood it has. So lovely and calm!
tracy
absolutely beautiful!
all the best
Ilse
Sarah, you have come a long way with this one! Undaunted at that! Here’s just a thought I had. That door that you speak of that you’ve considered a glass door for? How about an old vintage screen door? Folks are using those inside all the time now for their vintage prettiness! Glad you’re on the mend!
Brenda
Sarah,
What great advise to give! Especially the white paint. It can work miracles along with lots and lots of elbow grease.
Now the special little touches you’ve added, can only be done by “Sarah”. That’s my favorite part of your home.
Gretchen
Sarah, The transformation is jaw dropping, I love every detail, you have to be so proud of your home… it’s such a special place!!
xo,
LuLu
Beautiful! I love the neutral colors. What a great transformation.
I love paint and I love slipcovers. . . can change the whole room’s atmosphere. Wonderful.
I would love to know what you have hanging next to the butler’s tray in the picture–looks like maybe shells? I love it….
glad you feeling better Sarah!
Brenda Bliss
Oh, um, WOW…even SUPER WOW! What a stunning transformation, and a beautiful room. Just gorgeous!
What an incredibly beautiful space! I LOVE the coffee table!
hi Brenda
it’s a driftwood hanging I bought from a local beach shop
xo
Hi Sarah…I’m new to the blogging world…but I love your blog…Just one question…Do u still have any of the tan striped pillows u were selling???I’ll be reading your blog and hoping the answer is yes…Susan C
Gorgeous! Unrecognizable, the before to the after!
Janell
What amazing photos you have taken! I loved seeing what you have done. The white is perfect for a beach cottage. And I really love the wood floors, Beautiful!!
-Angela
Oh those floors! How I envy you!
BEAUTI-FUL. INSPIRING. LOVE IT.
Thanks for sharing!
Very cozy and bright!
Great inspiration post, Sarah! You were so smart to see the potential hidden in your beautiful beach cottage.
Just Beautiful! It makes me want to curl up with a book and enjoy the breeze! I love the white… so freash and dreamy
Nice, calm and peaceful and clean. I like the look…for some reason I have to have a lot of color in my home….I tried white and beige and it got to me….don’t know why cause I think it looks so nice!! We have had to do the same kinds of things as you–tearing out rugs, paint, clean , cry etc. (don’t know if you cried—one house we moved into the kitchen was so filthy and I had been cleaning and scrubbing forever , and I sat on the floor and bawled….but it eventually came clean). The problem with the house I now live in is that it has lots of shelves and I tend to over clutter them!!! ah well
Its so pretty! Amazing transformation!
Those floors are gorgeous.
Amazing transformation!
Waht a striking and beautiful difference! It’s wonderful! I love it.
:)
absolutely breathtaking!
But did you at least keep the “Mummy” poster? hahahaha!
Seriously, WOW — girlfriend, you have some SERIOUS vision. I had NO idea how amazing the transformation was! BRAVA!!