So, G'day out there, a sunny slightly cooler day here Down Under, I am checking in with a teaser & a giveaway post, all rolled into one. Gotta love it when your fave blog does that huh?
I don't know if I've said on this here broadcast to white beach vintage lovers that I have been de-cluttering like crazy in this old cottage. It started with the garage, moved to my wardrobe, carried over to china and on Saturday we started on furniture.
There is nothing that can be done to keep some of these pieces round here, I just simply and utterly have to accept that it is getting too packed coupled with the fact that a leggy teenager needs some space to sprawl out and trip over…so out has gone a good few things down to the garage ready to be put up for sale (I'll let you know when and where).
On Saturday then, I spent a good few hours directing males on furniture placment and we moved in a new desk I have been working on for the kiddo's computer (yes it is Beachy White, but there is a leetle twist)...a desk found on a recent Beach Cottage Treasure Hunting foray and one that has turned out much better than I had hoped.
Oh-so-artfully put together (ahem) above it is this little double layer frame vignette…you already know I am having a love affair with empty frames and I had been looking out for a rustic woody sorta one, with the grain showing, that I could remove the pic from, here's how I found it, actually more green than it shows in this photo
This one I thought might well be just right for what I was after…it was just waiting to get the Beach Cottage treatment don't you think?
… it wasn't until the last minute though, white paint on the brush that I decided to go for the pebble grey instead.
So glad I did.
I am pleased with how it turned out, I'm loving the grey with the rustic, with the layering, with the starfish (from Gail McCormack here), with the white. There is something gratifying about wall art like this, one that costs you next to nothing, minimum fuss, tiny effort, pretty good impact.
Whaddya think, is it a keeper?
Now less of empty frames and more of this week's giveaway, it will be featuring, the Beach Cottage and ummm me (yikes) in an Australian magazine, a very good Australian magazine that came here a few months ago to do a shoot.
To celebrate I thought well how about I giveaway the magazine featuring the Beach Cottage *and an Anthropologie gift card for a double candy whammy (not of course that I was training for the gold in Anthropologie Stalking over the weekend when I was meant to be working, no not at all).
So to win leave a comment asking me anything you want (I'm following Cindy and Kate's lead and the blogland trend in Q & A)
Sound good to you?
Looking forward to it, please no favours questions :-)
* through 19/03/10, all comments, all week, all posts, twitter/facebook=double-up *
thanks for entering the Lisa Leonard last week, c.500 entries
winner is Jeannie the Cosmic Cowgirl (she prayed to the Junk God!)
blogged for Thrifty Treasures and Met Monday
How often do you get back to England to see your family?
Hey Sarah
IMO it’s a keeper!
Cheers
Judy
Love Love Love your blog, your style, your cottage!! Thanks for your inspiration! When would you say you started going with the cottage theme?
Yup!! Double hanging is almost always very, very good!!!
Who could resist those beachy little starfish???
A nice de-cluttering is good for the soul…
My question to you is: Where in England were you born?
annie
My question is….will we get to see the new desk for your boys soon? I have been on the hunt for desks for awhile and haven’t found anything, so need a little inspiration.
Thx!
I love your blog and your casual, breezy writing style. I’m putting beadboard in my bathroom after seeing it in your kitchen.
Do you almost always find treasures when you hunt or is it hit and miss? I don’t seem to have the luck you and others have at spotting the fabulous finds.
The picture turned out fab-u-lous my friend!!
Love the frames!
OH my…is that inspiration coming around the corner of my room???
Why yes I think it is!!
Gotta go and do a bit more gazing at your beautiful post!!
Thank you dear friend for taking a really rough day and turning it into a smile!!
Sally
xoxoxo
Oh my gosh….oh my golly…I was so taken by the beauty of your new artwork…I completely forgot the giveaway. Just so you know…I’m turning myself into a pretzel ago for luck. Fingers…toes…legs…arms are all crossed.
Please oh please Sarah!! I would be in the Land of Bliss if I won. The Land of the beauty of the beach…..sunsets….sunrises…the beauty of the ocean!!!!
Sally
xoxoxo
Would love this giveaway!!
Does your wardrobe reflect your decorating style?
half lurker, okay maybe…but i do comment occasionally, see? have been enjoying your blog the past couple of months or so.
my question for you. where do you shop when you need something specific and fast??
Did you like Batman as a child? Just wondered …*snicker*
I love the gray frame around the picture…lovely!!
Just discovered your site and I love it. Here is my question. My home decorating style has changed. I am drawn toward more of a cottage feel these days and am trying to transform my home. Do you think chair rail and boxed trim fits into “cottage style?” Why or why not? Also – what would you say truly defines cottage style homes?
Thanks so much! I can’t wait for your response!
I really like the grey frame. I like the contrast of the dark against the white wall and inside frame. I’m not sure I’ve seen this before in the beach cottage. Is this a “new direction” for you?
Congrats on being featured in a magazine. Your home is perfect for beach lovers and everyone.
Love the frames.
Gretchen
http://www.birdnestcottage.typepad.com
I love the pebble gray on the frame. Only wish I could get to your sale. My question: When do we get to see pictures of your garage and the outside of the marvelous cottage?
Just hearing you’re clearing out makes me want to come on over and scoop up all your discards. I would be happy to take every little crumb of whatever you’re parting with! Hey, I do love the frame, that bold bit of color makes a big impact. Nice job as always.
I may have to evolve and grow a little more before I am able to declutter so am enjoying the vicarious experience of watching you first! My question is similar to Terri’s.. If you weren’t able to, or got tired of your beachy white style.. what other style and colours might you be tempted to have a fling with?
I love your home and have subscribed to the blog by email so I don’t miss a thing-would love to get my hands on that Australian mag!
Do like the frame with in a frame and the choice of colours are so very beachy.
Q&As
You share so much with us already, what about your wish list for future treasure hunts or the oddest purchase that you now wish you didn’t.
Hi Sarah, I know what its like to declutter.Our last two house moves I became ruthless and only took what I really wanted. Anything less was put out on the verge and was snapped up pretty quickly.
As for the question, Im wondering how much time you have to put into starting a blog and how to get the best pics? Fiona
I would love to live near water – any water, but I don’t. What would you suggest I do to get a “beach” feel in a room or two? A corner would do, really. :)
hey!! So we are moving this JUNE! I cant wait to set everything up and send you some pics :)
If you get a second, go to this link and vote for me to win a dream wedding from a local radio station here in Maryland :)
GO TO:
http://wpoc.clearcontests.com/front/image_contest2.asp?s=A6889271C4BCB3A3557BA5BEA5B19D84939EB49BB6B4678DD1CF8B998EAFA6BDBD777CA6CCC6C2BCA1897D65658270877FA4BC6F8B756866A6B5AF948C6A618499A7A0737C84636C756D828BA4A2BB8B78576B
or http://www.wpoc.com and click or dream weddings, then click on our picture shown above title TIFFANY AND JASON
Love the frame…how did you attach the white frame in the pebble grey one?
Cindy
I love your blog. Its the first one I check each day.
I’m wondering what made you decide to pick up and move to Australia.
If you could live by any Ocean/beach in the world, if money were no object, where would you choose? and why?
I know 2 question but they tie in together.
Love the pebble grey. How did you come up with the idea? It’s “out there” but works fantastically!