Here's the Powder Room as it is now. You've probably gathered that this hasn't been my most fave project in the cottage. You'd be right. And it's taken me 3 months to even get this far.
I confess, it was the challenge that lured me, to make this over with what really is nothing in terms of budget and see what I could come up. I think there really is no dispute that it is an improvement and now it feels more like a room than what before was a tangle of plumbing and 80's design mistakes. They are of course still there, just a little less prominent.
Here is the before and I have to mention here that before this 'before' shot it was a lot worse, as you can only imagine, when we bought the cottage…filthy with an attractive veil of off-yellow paint on the walls and a blind that had ahem seen better days…
Yes I know it is not lime green, or 70's orange but it wasn't too pretty…
and as it is now
So the walls are painted with Dulux White on White, the tiles we cleaned and painted with tile paint. Attached the shelf above the cistern for a place to display a few bits and bobs and provide a bit of interest…
If you remember, I had all sorts of grand ideas for the window dressing but then went for just a simple rod and an old vintage tea cloth, with the most delightful texture just pinned up with those curtain clips…it filters the light beautifully and blows in the wind which I believe is a much better result than the more formal blind affair I had originally envisaged…and to be honest, very much more me.
The basket I painted with a white wash and stenciled on an 'S' and the float on the other side makes it look a little less jaded in there.
I wanted a wall of mirrors but once I started planning this I thought it would be too much, this is a very very small space and so when I found the round pie crust mirror at the same garage sale that I picked up the Glory Box from I thought it was just big enough to work alone and just detailed enough to add that vintage touch…
Either side of the sink we put up a set of three hooks for towels and I've hung a couple of my jam jar lanterns off there…and on the other side I painted an old cupboard with Dulux Whisper White, it brought back lots of memories (you can read that here).
I don't need to bore you again with the sink and skirt issue, there were some wonderful ideas and thanks to those of you who also took the time to email me with ideas, and photos and inspiration, I so appreciate that.
But really what I got most from all this, my whining on this blog about the skirt and my disillusionment with the whole thing, was two things.
First of all, suck it up sweetie, it's a pretty ok extra bathroom.
Second, the power of budget and white paint.
mirror : garage sale cupboard : already owned
glass vase : Vinnies coral : Freedom shelf : IKEA
curtain : thrifted vintage teacloth curtain pole : IKEA
I had faith in you all along. You have such wonderful style I knew it would be beautiful when you finished. I love the float and the simple curtains….and now I bet you find yourself smiling when you walk in that room. Even if it’s just the powder room. : )
It turned out great, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The shelf above the toilet is perfect and the tea towel curtain is perfectly simple. I absolutely love the mirror, it’s stunning and the jam jar candles are beautiful. It is beautiful, great job!
It is lovely, I have a big collection of jars filled with shells, sand and candles and I love them hanging from a hook like that. I cannot wait to work on my own powder room. They are small but can turn out so adorable! You did a great job!
The entire room is dreamy! That pie crust mirror? Absolutely perfect! The tea towel curtain? Divine! Yes, white paint and creativity…two of the most important design tools ever!!
Just beautiful…that mirror is flippin’ amazing! I also love the simplicity of the clipped curtain, and the shelf for pretties. The room looks to fit right in with your casual, fresh, beachy home. Loverly )
The shelf is a brilliant idea and certainly detracts attention away from the cistern. Overall, I can imagine that it would be quite pleasant sitting there (can I say that?)
Yeah Sarah, Lovely job. I have been curious to see what you would do in this room as there are some similarities to our ensuite. Love the little cabinet!
It’s great. The mirror is lovely. I have mirrors on the brain as I accidentally left a red Venetian one in the charity shop on Fri (one of those ‘I’ll come back and look at it again’ but forgot, moments) and I can’t wait until the place opens up again tomorrow to see if it’s still there! Ben has just suggested your ‘wall of mirrors’ idea to lighten up our dark living area and I love it,so I really want that little red mirror!
You’ve certainly made a utility room into a pretty hideaway. Your guests won’t mind relaxing in there. Do we have a makeover of the laundry yet. I think it is just as important as the loo. Cherrie
You have SO inspired me!! Your bathroom is gorgeous! The white and the mirrors and the seashells and flowers….well, I am blown away….I have a ‘powder room’ that is,well, HORRID and I really try to keep the door SHUT as much as I can, so I don’t have to look at it…it is half paneled and half papered and I think both are at least 20 years old! UGH, right? I am now going to rip it all out and take your advice and paint it white and make it crispy-clean looking…I really don’t know how to thank you for all you share of your house and yourself on this blog…I read it everyday as I drink my tea in the morning and wait for all the new, wonderful things you show us how to do…have an awesome day..
The fabulous mirror just makes all your creative touches come together – great look now Sarah. Love the shells and votive candle in the jar – what a sweet idea. Was wondering what to do with my shells, other than pile them in a big white bowl – next Summer I’ll be filling jars, thanks!
Good morning Sarah, this is a so wonderful work… love it so much!!!! Bright, airy and delicate, and cozy too!!!
Have a wonderful week
Cariños
María Cecilia, from Chile
It is so beautiful. I love the jar with the seashells and candle. Going to have to pass this on to my oldest daughter. She has a lot of jars like that left from her wedding. It was outdoors and we hung them in the trees with candles in them.
Sarah, I love it! That round mirror is oh-so-cute, perfect in there, as is that wall shelf. You really improved that little space & it’s so cute. Well done, you!
Now that curtain was the perfect solution Sarah. Seems obvious now… but sometimes we overlook simple when simple is usually best. I think the mirror is the final piece that really sets it all off. Just lovely!!!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
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 …]
Beach Cottage ladies, we have some vintage linen and some wood/twig washed up on the beach today here in Beach Cottage Land….don’t say I don’t keep you entertained now will you . Â Come on in. So, yep I have posted about colanders on this blog, about things sourced from the side of the road, about [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? Â 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. Â 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
Â
6. layer on top the cream combo
Â
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
Â
*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 ;-)Â
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. Â 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.Â
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. Â Oh yeah. Â 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. Â 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
I think it looks amazing.
gorgeous
Nice loo!
Love the window dressing and the jar candle on the hook is lovely! It’s all very clean and pretty, great job.
wow it is beautiful! I especially love the window treatment!
Smiles!
Michelle
Love it! The jar with shells and a votive is so something straight out of a magazine! Love it!
I had faith in you all along. You have such wonderful style I knew it would be beautiful when you finished. I love the float and the simple curtains….and now I bet you find yourself smiling when you walk in that room. Even if it’s just the powder room. : )
It turned out great, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The shelf above the toilet is perfect and the tea towel curtain is perfectly simple. I absolutely love the mirror, it’s stunning and the jam jar candles are beautiful. It is beautiful, great job!
It really turned out nice, Sarah! I love that sweet cabinet on the wall and the shelf above the toilet. Nicely done – very lovely!
It is lovely, I have a big collection of jars filled with shells, sand and candles and I love them hanging from a hook like that. I cannot wait to work on my own powder room. They are small but can turn out so adorable! You did a great job!
The entire room is dreamy! That pie crust mirror? Absolutely perfect! The tea towel curtain? Divine! Yes, white paint and creativity…two of the most important design tools ever!!
Amy
the difference is amazing!! love it!!
Brilliant! The pie-crusted mirror is my fav, but the whole space is full of ingenious ideas!
wonderful…and so clean and fresh and beachy! Kudos, Girl!
Just beautiful…that mirror is flippin’ amazing! I also love the simplicity of the clipped curtain, and the shelf for pretties. The room looks to fit right in with your casual, fresh, beachy home. Loverly
)
I think it’s just perfect.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!
I have been waiting soooooooo long to see this makeover, and boy was it worth the wait!!
I LOVE it! and so many ideas for my own powder room, you truly are an inspiration Sarah
)))
This is so pretty. You add so many unusual extra touches. I love that hanging candle in the jar with the shells in the bottom. laurie
It’s VERY “ok”!!!!!! Bright & airy loveliness!!!!!
m ^..^
A lovely lu
The shelf is a brilliant idea and certainly detracts attention away from the cistern. Overall, I can imagine that it would be quite pleasant sitting there (can I say that?)
nice and bright and fresh!
dear Sarah…it looks beautiful…the shelf is a lovely idea as well..
seems like a LOVELY little possie to sit & ponder!!
gorgeous..
xx andrea
Yeah Sarah, Lovely job. I have been curious to see what you would do in this room as there are some similarities to our ensuite. Love the little cabinet!
Hi Sarah
Looks wonderful!!
As expected!
xo ~Gail~ xo
Me again
I meant to say
Apparantely a burning candle absorbs smells – so what a wonderful enviromentaly friendly alternative to a room deodoriser
It’s great. The mirror is lovely. I have mirrors on the brain as I accidentally left a red Venetian one in the charity shop on Fri (one of those ‘I’ll come back and look at it again’ but forgot, moments) and I can’t wait until the place opens up again tomorrow to see if it’s still there! Ben has just suggested your ‘wall of mirrors’ idea to lighten up our dark living area and I love it,so I really want that little red mirror!
You’ve certainly made a utility room into a pretty hideaway. Your guests won’t mind relaxing in there. Do we have a makeover of the laundry yet. I think it is just as important as the loo. Cherrie
Great job Sarah. I’ve been following your blog for a while and it never disappoints. Keep the ideas and makeovers coming.
You did it again..clean, simple & beachy lovely.
Beautiful.
Wow! Gorgeous just like the rest of your house. I love the mirror (and everything else!).
another fantastic job sarah! simply perfection! ruby
You have SO inspired me!! Your bathroom is gorgeous! The white and the mirrors and the seashells and flowers….well, I am blown away….I have a ‘powder room’ that is,well, HORRID and I really try to keep the door SHUT as much as I can, so I don’t have to look at it…it is half paneled and half papered and I think both are at least 20 years old! UGH, right? I am now going to rip it all out and take your advice and paint it white and make it crispy-clean looking…I really don’t know how to thank you for all you share of your house and yourself on this blog…I read it everyday as I drink my tea in the morning and wait for all the new, wonderful things you show us how to do…have an awesome day..
The power of white paint saves the day again! Lovely metamorphosis, Sarah!
The fabulous mirror just makes all your creative touches come together – great look now Sarah. Love the shells and votive candle in the jar – what a sweet idea. Was wondering what to do with my shells, other than pile them in a big white bowl – next Summer I’ll be filling jars, thanks!
oh, i love it!
so inspiring, girl! wish I had your energy!
happy monday!
Powder room perfection! Lovely.
Susan
Sarah–
It looks amazing. As always. I love the jar with the tea light–pretty extra touch for the photo session.
Cheri
Good morning Sarah, this is a so wonderful work… love it so much!!!! Bright, airy and delicate, and cozy too!!!
Have a wonderful week
Cariños
María Cecilia, from Chile
Beautiful, Sarah! I love what you have done! Have a great day! Beth.
It is so beautiful. I love the jar with the seashells and candle. Going to have to pass this on to my oldest daughter. She has a lot of jars like that left from her wedding. It was outdoors and we hung them in the trees with candles in them.
Sarah, I love it! That round mirror is oh-so-cute, perfect in there, as is that wall shelf. You really improved that little space & it’s so cute. Well done, you!
OH. MY. GOODNESS…Sarah…this looks amazing!! I LOVE it!! LOVE the mirror! The shelf and the cabinet are perfect!
Smiles,
Rachel
Now that curtain was the perfect solution Sarah. Seems obvious now… but sometimes we overlook simple when simple is usually best. I think the mirror is the final piece that really sets it all off. Just lovely!!!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Sarah you are an inspiration to us all. It looks fabulous
Alison
It is lovely and elegant and simple, Sarah. And so truly you! Love it!
Brenda
I love it! Great job!
I want that mirror!! This little room is lovely. Well done.
So pretty and dreamy… Great job!
pk @ Room Remix