Hope you enjoyed the weekend. Ready for a chic coastal makeover? You got it.
We had a very busy weekend, absolutely chock full of sport…nothing on my list was completed apart from getting this old unit in after it had been the recipient of the Beach Cottage Makeover treatment.
I bought this an age ago from a garage sale, to be very honest I have forgotten exactly how much she cost me…I think it was about 30 dollars or so…I know there were definitely eyebrows from my lovely husband when I forced him to help me bring her in and stash in the garage…that is the trouble with hunting out vintage furniture as a shopping hobby…a lot more tricky to get things in and hide them in the back of the wardrobe…
So she sat in there for a long time, doing nothing, dusty, sad and waiting to come in…but you know what, I had no idea where she would go…I mean it’s getting packed in here and Mr BC is having a bit of a ‘crikey there is too much of your old **** furniture in here phase’ ahem, yes I know, I need to get my favour giving skills brushed up
Anyway, the last few months I have been looking for a unit for the family room, one with doors that would hide junk…before we had one of those IKEA open shelving units here with baskets in it and it always looked messy…I mean it is a Family Room for heaven’s sake, meaning kiddos hang out here…and they sure don’t care about tidy, but I thought something with doors would mean we could stuff and close…
I did a lot of searching for a piece of furniture that suited me and my budget…and if only I had just walked downstairs to the garage…
Really, I wanted either a frenchy grey type affair and had seen one for $3500 in the little frenchy boutique or a more country rustic feel with a butchers block top…and had seen one at one of those furniture shops that pretends that it is high-end but in reality the stuff is all made in the same warehouse and shipped here by the same companies…cheap furniture, labelled with a fancy name and high price tag…
I had also seen one in the beachy shop…very kinda coastal-driftwood-chunky-rustic, but again it was in the thousands and with my track record of changing my mind almost daily on whether or not I like things, that wasn’t really an option either…
Then there was the stuff on ebay…I must admit if I were to buy upcycled furniture I would want it at good prices…it makes me laugh when you see stuff on there for bundles ..when you know they got it from the auctions or garage sales for a few bucks, slapped some paint on it and offer it for $$$…oh and you have to organize your own courier too
After looking for a long time, I remembered this old girl sat in the garage on her own…
I didn’t want pure white in here…as you can see the sun comes in through my boyfriend and there is rather a lot of white going on already…
So I painted her first with my go to primer, Zinsser and then with a coat of hand-mixed beachy white…(I am afraid I have no before shot for you, I swear I took one but I can’t find it anywhere…just imagine wood the colour of the oar only a bit more yucky)
Then I got some grey paint and kinda dabbed and wiped it on with my paintbrush…the paint i picked up at the paint shop in the sale section – it was a mistint…. all paint shops have these…normally a little area near the till that has paint that has been mixed up incorrectly or paint that people have brought back…I love buying mistints...the cost is really low, sometimes only a few dollars a tin! It makes trying out new colours so much less scary because the outlay is not huge, also mistints have a splash of the actual paint on the lid of the tin so you can see the exact colour inside the tin…rather than trying to squint at one of those little colour cards…you will also find a lot of different whites in these sale sections…I can only assume that many people get a white mixed up and are not happy with it and bring it back…or the paint guy hits the ‘wrong’ white when he mixes…who knows but it’s a no brainer people…
I wish I could tell you that I had the most wonderful paint technique like those DIY Bloggers who do it all, with a power tool strapped to their apron-ties, but really, I had no idea what I was doing here and to be quite honest I thought while I was doing this and before it had dried for a few days that this was going to be getting a coat of white not long after…
But the dabbing and wiping with the grey paint is just the look I had in my mind…it is not perfect…much more ahem rustic…
I left the drawers without the grey…and washed the white on…
There has been little if no comment from the Beach Cottage Crew, hoping I may get more on here lol!…though resident teenager’s friend did have a question…at least someone ’round here has not become immune to furniture painting and re-arrangement…
As ever in this old cottage on the wrong side of town the photos are about the tidiest this area will look until the next time it appears on the blog…
See you next time beach lovers…the sun is out here and I am going out to an Adirondack for goat’s cheese with home grown salad and a new (to me) salad dressing recipe which right now is looking very rich…
Yours in upcycling, painting things, saving sad old furniture, oh and saving c. $3470.
p.s. the Beach Cottage How To Blog e-course will be available very soon
Hello I am a fellow Brit who loves your style! I also do some french provincial/shabby chic stuff and sell on e bay (at reasonable prices tho LOL)
The bad news is my name is Angela (truly) Iam a nurse AND I have 3 girls although mostly grown up and a lovely hubby who thinks I spend far too much time scouring yours and many other blogs . These are where I get many of my ideas – so keep a lookout on Ebay for a dresser similar to yours as once again Sarah you have given me another fab idea !! i will agree with the other ANGELA though, the op-shops have become more expensive lately ,well here in adelaide they have -anyone else noticed or is that my scottish stingy side coming out?
Also a fan of your style Sarah my wardrobe has had an influx of stripey tops and tee’s and am getting quite a scarf collection going.
I love what you have done with this cabinet – looks great! I love the colours and the atmosphere of the photos – very serene. The star in the blue bottle looks beautiful – l love stars; they are my favourite shape.
And while on the subject of all things wonderful, I did your all in one roast chicken & veg for dinner tonight – yummo! Very easy – I could even do my cenus while doing it! Too easy!! Must try out some of your other dishes. Just wish there was someone here to share them with…….sigh!
Goodnight!
Your house just makes me want to curl up and read a good magazine. I’d say book, but wouldn’t sit long enough. It has such a cozy, airy feeling all at the same time,
Fabulous Sarah, I think you did a fine job. I do love picking up the mistakes at our local HD too, they usually only cost 2 bucks here.
The Frenchy grey you mixed up looks super and I love that piece of furniture. It has great curves! You better watch her so close to your boyfriend! I think those doors are already taking a shine to her!! .
So inspiring as ever Sarah – now even more desperate to get my hands on hubby’s grandfathers gruesome dark book case. Think he’d notice if it turned shabby chic white over night??….
Love it!! I’ve got a dining room set that I want to paint shabby chic white/cream…just not sure how to begin since I’ve never painted furniture before. Maybe I’ll get up the courage and go for it. Thanks for all of the beautiful inspiration!!
When you said that you forgot you had your cupboard it reminded me of myself soooo much as I put my “treasures” aside while I ponder.
I once read a book (you know one of those guides to getting in touch with your inner self and the meaning of life ones). This particular book said we all have everything we need and we should consider looking more closely when we have the urge to buy or accumulate. I have used this idea many times and strangely, often to my delight I really DO have what I’m wanting to buy or acquire. With a bit of creativity or a few changes I can often make do or re-create.
Mr alison shakes his head at my treasures and says “The house is full!” He’s right but …………..Sarah I just have 2 old WWII wooden ammunition boxes I want to find a use for. They’re 20x20x40cm and 20x20x50cm, timber, very fragile rusty hinges. Have you or anyone else got any ideas???
I was gonna say coffee table too…nice with glass though it is exxie
I kinda just love things like that propped around though…I love old suitcases under tables and on top of wardrobes…great storage too. as long as they are not stinky inside
I am not sure how functional you would want them to be but I think they could look great stacked on top of each other at the end of a sofa as a pseudo end table or statement piece with a little something on top.
Or perhaps as a coffee table – stacking them side by side with a piece of glass on top but given they are different heights you could adjust the lower one with some large antique looking books on top with the glass over?
And you could possibly clear (matt) lacquer the hinges so they don’tstain anything – hoping that in doing so, they are not some incredibly rare beast that would fetch $$ thouands for
Sarah is right about the glass being ex, but they would look great under a glass top table even… They may not be useful to store stuff but are a bit of eye candy. I just love old things with character.
I love love love your family room furniture – it looks sooooo good. Your design skills are awesome and your photography is to die for! Other than that, I don’t like your blog at all! LOL – Just kidding – everthing about it is fabulous. Just one question – the sun is shining through your boyfriend?
my boyfriend is my nickname for the door I put up with a horrid one for a few years when we first moved so when this white stacking one came in I loved it so much it’s now my boyfriend…yeah I need help in my little life
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
Hello I am a fellow Brit who loves your style! I also do some french provincial/shabby chic stuff and sell on e bay (at reasonable prices tho LOL)
The bad news is my name is Angela (truly) Iam a nurse AND I have 3 girls although mostly grown up and a lovely hubby who thinks I spend far too much time scouring yours and many other blogs . These are where I get many of my ideas – so keep a lookout on Ebay for a dresser similar to yours as once again Sarah you have given me another fab idea !! i will agree with the other ANGELA though, the op-shops have become more expensive lately ,well here in adelaide they have -anyone else noticed or is that my scottish stingy side coming out?
Also a fan of your style Sarah my wardrobe has had an influx of stripey tops and tee’s and am getting quite a scarf collection going.
Regards Angela
I love it but then I always do love your make overs. Looks very french and perfect with the touches of grey, makes me want to paint something
x
I love what you have done with this cabinet – looks great! I love the colours and the atmosphere of the photos – very serene. The star in the blue bottle looks beautiful – l love stars; they are my favourite shape.
And while on the subject of all things wonderful, I did your all in one roast chicken & veg for dinner tonight – yummo! Very easy – I could even do my cenus while doing it! Too easy!! Must try out some of your other dishes. Just wish there was someone here to share them with…….sigh!
Goodnight!
Angela, your jealousy is showing. If you don’t like Sarah’s AWESOME blog, don’t read it.
Sarah, your piece is GORGEOUS!! All I can say is WOW!! Love it. You are so taleted with a paintbrush. Wish you could come paint my stuff lol
Looks good! I love how it looks in your house.
Your house just makes me want to curl up and read a good magazine. I’d say book, but wouldn’t sit long enough. It has such a cozy, airy feeling all at the same time,
I love your latest addition to the cottage! Great idea and love how it’s settled into your lives quite nicely and quickly!
Fabulous Sarah, I think you did a fine job. I do love picking up the mistakes at our local HD too, they usually only cost 2 bucks here.
The Frenchy grey you mixed up looks super and I love that piece of furniture. It has great curves! You better watch her so close to your boyfriend! I think those doors are already taking a shine to her!! .
Love it! I love the key in the door as well, I love old keys!
Of course…in 66 comments, I wonder if this will even reach to you! But WOW. Super awesome…i’ll hunt for mistints…the effect is wicked brilliant.
oh yes, it certainly will!
I honestly never tire of looking at the refreshing palette on your site. It is so relaxing.
So inspiring as ever Sarah – now even more desperate to get my hands on hubby’s grandfathers gruesome dark book case. Think he’d notice if it turned shabby chic white over night??….
Love it!! I’ve got a dining room set that I want to paint shabby chic white/cream…just not sure how to begin since I’ve never painted furniture before. Maybe I’ll get up the courage and go for it. Thanks for all of the beautiful inspiration!!
Love it! I love buying Oops paint, too, and you hit the jackpot with your nice soft color. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sarah
When you said that you forgot you had your cupboard it reminded me of myself soooo much as I put my “treasures” aside while I ponder.
I once read a book (you know one of those guides to getting in touch with your inner self and the meaning of life ones). This particular book said we all have everything we need and we should consider looking more closely when we have the urge to buy or accumulate. I have used this idea many times and strangely, often to my delight I really DO have what I’m wanting to buy or acquire. With a bit of creativity or a few changes I can often make do or re-create.
Mr alison shakes his head at my treasures and says “The house is full!” He’s right but …………..Sarah I just have 2 old WWII wooden ammunition boxes I want to find a use for. They’re 20x20x40cm and 20x20x50cm, timber, very fragile rusty hinges. Have you or anyone else got any ideas???
alison
yes send them to me!
I am a WWII freak
Mr alison would gladly give them to you if he knew!!!! But he doesn’t.
alison
I was gonna say coffee table too…nice with glass though it is exxie
I kinda just love things like that propped around though…I love old suitcases under tables and on top of wardrobes…great storage too. as long as they are not stinky inside
x
I am not sure how functional you would want them to be but I think they could look great stacked on top of each other at the end of a sofa as a pseudo end table or statement piece with a little something on top.
Or perhaps as a coffee table – stacking them side by side with a piece of glass on top but given they are different heights you could adjust the lower one with some large antique looking books on top with the glass over?
And you could possibly clear (matt) lacquer the hinges so they don’tstain anything – hoping that in doing so, they are not some incredibly rare beast that would fetch $$ thouands for
Wow Amanda!
You’ve got my brain going into overdrive. Thank you so much for these great ideas.
Cheers
alison
Sarah is right about the glass being ex, but they would look great under a glass top table even… They may not be useful to store stuff but are a bit of eye candy. I just love old things with character.
Love the new makeover, your room looks so bright and sunny!
I love love love your family room furniture – it looks sooooo good. Your design skills are awesome and your photography is to die for! Other than that, I don’t like your blog at all! LOL – Just kidding – everthing about it is fabulous. Just one question – the sun is shining through your boyfriend?
my boyfriend is my nickname for the door
I put up with a horrid one for a few years when we first moved so when this white stacking one came in I loved it so much it’s now my boyfriend…yeah I need help in my little life 
Hello
I think furniture is the must for house and all person need these furniture because without these furniture house is empty and looking very bed.
Your lovely painted white furniture is just what we need in the UK. Our winters are so gray and dreary the white furniture would brighten up any room.
Love it! It looks wonderful next to your boyfriend!