So hello, here we are again, in my tatty little cottage on Sydney's beaches talking about all things white, vintagey, beachy, coastal. I aim to please ;-)
Thanks for all who guessed in the impromptu giveaway posts today…too funny…yeah I am a wicked old teasing Beach Cottage Witch….I really enjoyed this, that'd be my warped sense of British humour coming through…some great comments, love you gals thank you…
…errrrm BUT what I didn't expect were the emails protesting that this giveaway was a little bit leaning towards those of us in the Lucky Country cos a lot of you were asleep. Well, I must just point out here, that Down Under, we often miss out when we are snoozing but I have decided to extend this giveaway to include this Reveal Post…but it won't last all week like usual, giveaway will close when the next post goes up ;-)
So yep as many of you guessed a nautical inspired coat rack, actually inspired by a shop round here where they wanted $400 for one of these…as is my usual fashion I set about making my own and was hoping to utilize those knobs from last week, alas they weren't rocking it on the oar at all.
Now, this actually all started though sometime last week, when I happened to get into a conversation
about style and styling, who has it, who doesn't have it, who wants it and who thinks they have style 'cos they can head to the nearest trendy homewares store with a big price tag and chuck a few thousand dollars at it.
It got me to thinking alot about it. A throwaway comment from a wannabe with just a tad too much casheroony on her hands led me on a mission.
So, having been thinking about the state of my hallway and it's general grubbiness from those pesky BC kiddos coming and going I decided to put myself up for a challenge…a budget makeover for a very small space…it's amazing what a lack of being able to throw money around can do for ones 'style', cough cough.
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There is no getting away from it, I have one seriously tiny entrance hall. Not that I am moaning (as if you would hear such a thing from me).
But no fear fellow beach cottagers, there ain't nothing white paint, beadboard, vintage things and knobs can't fix!
This is one of those makeovers that you start on a rainy weekend, when you are already in the midst of a bathroom makeover that is taking the longest time e v e r. When your cottage is such a tip that you feel a burglar must have ransacked through in the night without your knowing, when your husband is so up to his eyes in business that you have to offer him things to crack his face into a smile, when your teenager has exams and you really should be playing Perfect Beach Cottage Mum, floating about in white linen, dolling out comfort food and aiding revision notes. When you are suffering a pretty sore head courtesy of a night at lg's.
Yup when you have all that on your plate, you announce to the family that there is some serious need of some serious hallway kerb appeal…you declare that we are gonna sweep the decks of all the old, paste on some beadboard for a nautical vibe, we will add vintage oars for a coastal twist and slather everything in a pure zap of white for a wash of pure.
The design brief for the Stylist Extraordinaire intiated from, my friends, problems when we enter our little cottage….it was getting um rather packed, was to get rid of some of the furniture and free up some of the precious space. So this new minimilist me with a vintage twist would mean the Beach Cottage hallway would be free of too much paraphernalia from treasure hunting trips so we will be able to walk in without dodging a vintage cupboard, we will not need to shimmy around various beach baskets hung for decor but with no real purpose in life and we will not need a deft little twist as we walk into the breakfast room to avoid the leaning vintage ladder.
That was the plan…a tiny hallway that we could walk through, a front door that spoke softly in dulcet tones of glossy black, hints of an old house by the sea, a glut of knobs, a dab of Frenchy chic, a dash of laid-back whitewashed beach…
Halfway through the weekend, with a 1970's amber glass panelled front door halfway through its transformation, a wooden floor splatted with spills of white paint, wallpaper that had come unstuck, no roast dinner to be seen, school uniforms not washed and husband's mumbling, I had to give myself a stern talking to. Along the lines of get your act together lady.
Hours of white paint brush in hand later, a cleaned up floor, a whitewashed oar, and freshly painted beadboard walls and I was one very happy beach vintage loving girl.
And we all know what happens in Beach Cottage Land when Mrs BC is happy!
Stop by tomorrow for Part II (what's on the other side)
Let me know what you think, c'mon Lurker Babes you know you wanna!
comment to win the Beach Cottage Care Package
white treasures, vintage finds and of course a shell decor ball
hooks : IKEA Lillholmnet $18 for 2
oar : garage sale $5 for 2
white paint : Dulux White on White $50
beadboard wallpaper : Graham and Brown (not in Aus) $50
mirror : thrifted
white paint on mirror : Dulux whisper white sample pot
stylist : free
gaffer : free
painter & decorator : free
TOTAL COST OF MAKEOVER : PRICELESS
shared atShabby Nest and Romantic Home & Miss Mustard Seed
You won’t miss that dodging, shimmying, and twisting, I’ll bet !!? I’m de-cluttering, too: let’s cheer together !!! Yippee !!!
_ Tanya, Queensland.
Hi Sarah, I have just discovered the blog world and in it your blog and am absolutely LOVING it! I love your vintage/beach/whiteness.
I am currently trying to decorate my first home and being able to get inspiration from so many different blogs has really changed the way I look at my home….several times!
I just love the idea of the old oar coat rack, your entry way is just beautiful.
You’ve really made me want to go out and search for pre-loved items that I can make my own!
Cheers.
Erin.
all so very pretty- i want to make my house over to look just like yours!
Looking great Sarah…love the mirror!
Cant believe that people have complained about the timeframe of your giveaway…some appreciation for the giveaway may be a bit better than complaints!
Anyway, thanks heaps for doing what you are doing…I for one am very grateful and love what you are doing!
I would like to enter…I’m beachifying my li’l place so items will be more than welcome here..
Love your sense of humor! Glad to hear there are other gals out there, who also spill a bucket of paint! Luv, luv, luv the Entry Room! Looks Fab!
I really love that mirror and that knot ball!!!!
An entrance for entering..so refreshingly calm and clear yet layered with stylish depth and care. You are the best Sarah because its all real and beautifully honest….now we need to see that front door and the other side and get beadboard paper in Australia…
Hey Sarah – your beach cottage is divine! I also live in Australia and the prospect of actually winning a giveaway is super exciting! I love your blog and also live in a little cottage that I’m trying to make ‘home’ on a shoestring budget – Many thanks for sharing your home with us! xx
The entryway is dreamy! I love the mirror, heck, I love the whole space. Divine.
Maaaaate. Inspa-bloody-rational. (This blog was sounding a bit too English for me) ;) PS: I would kill for an entranceway. Well, that’s going a bit extreme. Perhaps slightly maim someone who deserved it, possibly a person who had robbed a little old lady, or something like that.
Mission accomplished! It looks oarsome!
It is absolutely divine, gorgeous, beautiful and useful. I told you it would definately be something we’d all like and want Sarah! I’ve enjoyed playing along with your little games, I stayed up all night just to see what the end surprise was!!
Thanks Sarah for providing me with hours and hours of entertainment!!
Now it makes me wish I had an entryway too!!
Sarah you have done it again this was a great post!!! So funny no roast dinner but hey look how great the hallway turned out Couldn’t agree more about being able to splash the cash where would the fun be in that lol It looks great ! x
As usual its amazing and has got my little mind ticking over with ideas for my entry, I don’t have an oar but I’m thinking and thats the main thing! ;o)
As for the bead board paper…… I really wish we had it over here in OZ, Do you or any of your followers have ANY idea where I can order some that delivers to australia?
Cant wait to see the door. Mine is dark dark grey and I love it! xx
Gorgeous! But then again, so is everything you touch! Can you come to my house???
What a very practical and stylish outcome for the oar and hooks and Mr BC is clever. Where did he drill the screws on the oar, their not showing up on the photo. Looks as though the oar is magically hovering. xx
You nailed it when you totally did your own little number rather than feed into the stress of being mum or wife!!! Sometimes the stress of every day life just bum us out and for that we can reach for white paint and turn our dreary days into sunshine….you go chickie…..love the hallway, sure wish I could figure out the configuration of your house tho, is it a 2 story??? Nothing better in the world than putting on your stinky grubby clothes for painting, have a ball….hugs…susan
Sarah, I was so drawn in to your story of your entrance hall, it left me gaspping for more, you have away with words that draws you into your world like one’s really there, have you written a book at all, if so I would like it, “I want more”. your images are amazing, and you really pulled off your design….breath taking.
Hugs
Kirstie
Sarah, I happened upon your blog about 3 weeks ago. I have totally redecorated my house, went through loads of white paint. I have always collected wish pictures of white cottage looks. You inspired me to GO FOR IT!! Last Saturday my daughter and I dove in. It was my birthday present! Thanks for the inspiration…I LOVE IT!!!!I will send in before and after pics.
Janice, Apopka, Florida
I love love love this entryway…so beautiful! What a peaceful room to greet you as you walk in the door. You must be so proud! (of yourself and the hubby :)
The oar with the coat hooks? Genius.
the oar coat rack is amazing!
Everything is so purdy :) I’m very inspired, but don’t seem to have the time/energy to do the same here. Now, if only I could get Mr Wagwaan to do some decorating. Hmmmm. I have a cunning plan………
I thought the bead board was real till I read it was wallpaper! Where did you get the rope knot? Love the re-do!
Nice work woman! Looks awesome – you have so many cool ideas! Count me in on that care package – I want to play!
Hope it’s not too late!
Love your hallway entrance makeover Sarah. I think I need to borrow Mr BC for abit… I have ‘crownies’ too – LOL
Oarsome!!!(sic)Great use very practical too…
My goodness where do you get your energy…and your ideas, this looks lovely… the white pushes those walls out giving space you don’t have…
I have no idea what beadboard is but I will google it and find out!
You know… whenever I see anything white I find myself thinking Hmmm I wonder what Sarah would do with that!
Great look… the door will be interesting
Oh by the way…(and this isn’t to get the package… although I wouldn’t say no… just wanted to tell you)
…I was on my way back from the op shop on my scooter passing rubbish bins etc… and noticed an old wooden bouncer that had been dumped with a few cardboard boxes.
We don’t have hard rubbish collections here but it is code that if you put something out on the nature strip it is a ‘free to good home’ item…A scruffy old sofa of ours disappeared in minutes to a neighbour, as did a lovely cupboard you would have liked Sarah!
So I back up and gave it a good home… very pleased with myself I am… the grandkiddies will enjoy playing with that! It just needs a coat of paint…hmm what colour will I choose lol…Thrifting is fun!
I love your photos! The oar coat hanger is fabulous! I just adore all of your photos!
Jeanine
This beautiful new entrance just says “Come on in!” So inviting, again you’ve transformed trash to treasure in the so chic way only you can do. Love the oar.
I’ve actually been searching (unsuccessfully) for one of those myself. Great job.
Your home is beautiful, I love the effortlessly beachy cottage :)
Visiting from The Shabby Chic Cottage…
I love this whole room but especially that oar that you turned into such a great piece! I may have to borrow some of your ideas when I redo my master bathroom in a nautical/beachy look. :) Lookin’ good!!
I so agree.”there ain’t nothing white paint, bead board,vintage things,and knobs can’t fix.”….and it is sooo much fun!
You make everything sparkle! Love you “new” white entry with its fresh paint and beadboard. ~ Sarah
Yes I am a lurker and yes I feel compelled to respond! It’s the beadboard wallpaper you see! How did you get your hands on that wallpaper in Australia?! I have searched high and low and no one posts to Oz. It looks divine! Our builder told us that a ceiling lined in authentic tounge and groove will crack the supporting plaster. Thought this would be a great, lightweight alternative!
I saw an oar similar to yours in an antique shop, couldn’t afford it, regretted not just throwing it on the credit card and went back a few days later to buy it…GONE! Have never got over it! But now, inspired by your creation, I can attempt to make my own.
thanks for sharing.
Briohny, (Victoria, Australia)
I am shuddering at the vision of your old amber glass door. So lovely, I would have like to known what the “throwaway” comment was. Oh to visit and be able to breeze through that tiny, serene entryway myself.
I love it! Great job!
Love your entryway!!! Fantastic! I love your style…still working on painting, etc. our new “beach house” ..its been 9 months and we’re still not in!! Ugh. I am getting into the white thing…but my white is a bit creamier….can’t get any other now or dh would have a fit! I do have some colors in some of the rooms though. I recently bought 2 oars for $40…you got a steal!! I have no patience to find them for that price and nothing is cheap in CA…not that I have found anyway. I love what you did with the oar…thinking of keeping ours the old wood color though and just have them crossed at a corner of the wall..might look good against the white?
Anyway, love your style and ideas! Keep ‘em coming!!
Patti
Forgot to ask: you have to paint the wallpaper? Just wondering….I would love to use that one of these days…probably on the hallway wall….its fantastic!!! Your’s looks super!!!
Patti
Very sad I have no entry way in this house. In my first home, I had a wooden church pew in my entry. IT IS AWESOME! Now it is in my den-not as much fun and certainly not as fun as yours :)
It looks perfect and I really enjoyed reading about the process. I can relate to that spur of the moment makeover that sends the household into disarray. :)
I don’t know how I got so lucky to have stumbled upon a great bunch of links and ultimately this site. I live by the beach in Boston and I LOVE all the great eye candy going on here. Thanks for the inspiration!! I may not be able to travel the world but the world of blogging sure makes me feel like I can!!!! Thanks
Holy beautiful! I love the minimalist-vintage-french-beachy look. I would die for an entry way, even it was itsy bitsy. Happy to have found your blog (via Layla’s site). I’m sure I will find much inspiration from you as I makeover the freckled cottage. LOVE your floors, too.
Yes, I too am interested in doing something with a nonexistent entryway. I have dogs that need leashes by the door, garden boots and gloves that need to be grabbed, an excavator husband who sheds boots…you get the picture, right? The space just unfolds when you open the front door. I have a hankering for trying the wallpaper to go with my hooks and baskets in place that hold the needful, as it may give some country appeal to that back door style (mess) I have goin’ at my front door!
Hey still tryin’ to work the camera…my latest post was all me behind the lens fiddling with settings and moving moving moving as you told me to do. Thx, I think I am improving!
I love everything Sarah!! You’re inspiration and joy and rolled up into one!
Thank you for all your beautiful posts dear friend.
I am always so excited to see what you have been doing!
Have a fabulous weekend!
You’ve got me itching to do something new around my sweet little home.
Sally
xxxxx
Hi Sarah, I have just purchased 2 oars at a garage sale, because of your inspiration. Thinking of putting them in my bahroom as towel rails. Will have to cut them down though.
Fab entrance! so inviting and welcoming like it’s calling me to go inside :)
this looks beautiful, i love the details all along the hallway, the wall hook, i see that the paddle is not touching the wall. how was that done?