May 2012 Cottage of the Month Award

 I'm honored, Jennifer. Thank you!

This photograph is only one of  many taken by Jennifer Grey a couple months ago.  The photo shoot was time consuming for sure, but only now do I know how time consuming is her Cottage of the Month feature.  I was on the telephone with Jennifer last night as she was editing photos and working on the text.  Even as we talked about the feature, she continued working and made record time finishing her post just before midnight.  WOW.  I'm amazed and grateful!

Here are a few more photos taken by Jennifer.  For the full tour, visit Jennifer's website!

Thank you for stopping by....

CLOUD 9

I'm telling the world... (bear with me!)  Our home is featured on the COVER of Casa Romantica Magazine!!!!

Well, it's an Italian publication and I don't have a copy, nor any copies to share....YET!  I found out the news on Facebook...this morning....

Details to follow.....soon, I hope.

If anyone knows how to get a copy, let me know!

Kids' Bathroom Renovation

RUB A DUB, DUB....4 KIDS IN A TUB?  

Well, our 4 kids are older now and prefer to shower.  So, we made a decision to remove their bathtub and install a walk-in shower.  

The bathtub is out and the dam is built.

The toilet is out and the floor tiles are in.

Down comes the old wallpaper that covered the walls for over a decade.  It's difficult to believe I chose that wallpaper!

 New plumbing is installed.

Former pedestal sinks are out and the new double vanity is in.  The vanity is actually a Home Goods purchase, perhaps a couch table or an island?  My husband cut holes in the top for the two sinks.  He was able to shorten the depth of the first and last drawers to preserve partial storage in those drawers.

 Now comes the FUN part....finishing touches.

 Drawer handles are convenient for hand towels.  There's plenty of storage on the bottom shelves.  I store extra white towels, bars of soap, toothpaste, first aid items and cleaning supplies.  Our former pedestal sinks provided no storage space, so I'm loving this new unit.

 We purchased the glass sinks and stainless steel fixtures from Lowe's.  

 We hung bead board and an old window frame we had fitted with double mirrors.  

 My husband built a simple little shelf at the bottom of the mirror WHICH I LOVE!  The shelf is perfect for a candle or fresh flowers.

We installed the same marble tiles for the floor and for the shower walls.  We opted for a glass block shower wall instead of a sliding door.  It's modern, open, and easier to clean.

I purchased this hook/rack at an antique shop long ago.  I love the chippy paint and scroll detail.  I knew I would find the perfect place for it someday.  

The kids hang their bath towels on the hooks.  Much easier to use than a towel bar which requires constant towel folding.

A clock above the toilet.

A feather wreath on the door.

Fresh flowers!

My husband began "demolition" in January 2011.  He miraculously completed the project in a couple of months with plenty of time to spare for Fifi O' Neil's visit in July 2011.  You can find our home and this bathroom featured in the March 2011 issue of Cottage Style Magazine. (Photos by Mark Lohman) 

Here's a peek:

 Welcome to our journey....

Belated Easter Photos

 How did Easter sneak up so quickly?  And now it's over! 

 I had minimal decorations this year.  Here are the photos I took.

Easter is not just a holiday, but also a Holy Day. 

 I hope yours was blessed!

IT'S HERE!

FINALLY!  I'M EXCITED, HONORED AND RELIEVED!  Our home is in the March 6 issue of Cottage Style Magazine.  WOW.  

Even though it's been less than a year since Fifi O'Neill and Mark Lohman were here taking photographs, waiting for the publication seems like an eternity.  Oh, but well worth it!

I credit Elyse at Tinkered Treasures for setting in motion this dream come true.  On March 3, 2011, almost a year to the day, I posted our master bedroom redo entitled, WHITE.  Elyse left a comment urging me to send my blog link to Fifi.  It was Elyse's sweet words that gave me the courage to follow through and send Fifi some photographs.  I'm glad I did!  Only 4 short months later,  Fifi and Mark were here for the photo shoot.  AND as fate would have it, Elyse has the byline on the article.  Elyse and I have come full circle on our journey.  Elyse, you're an amazing writer and a sweet blogging friend.  Thanks, again! 

This special issue features 15 homes from New York to California, each offering decorating styles from bungalow to Euro-inspired, from coastal and romantic to camps and cabins.  Our home is romantic style and Nordic inspired.  Here are a few photos that are featured.

I didn't post all the photos here, so you can see the rest in the magazine as well as numerous amazing images of 14 other homes.  Also, don't forget to visit Elyse because she posted about the article on her blog, too.

Cottage Style Magazine doesn't offer subscriptions, but you can purchase issues at grocery stores, book stores and yes, even The Home Depot where I purchased my issue(s).  I've heard from some ladies that they can't find the issue, so I have a few extras on my website.  It's a DOUBLE issue with 144 pages of new decorating ideas.  A keeper!

(Stay tuned for more news and more photos in another potential feature published in Denmark! Hint, hint....)