Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Vintage Cottage Style for Spring



It's been so cold and dreary and I have been 
yearning for Spring! 
 Since I can't change the weather outside, I decided to bring springtime in. 
This was easily accomplished by dipping into my collection of vintage floral and crocheted linens.
All inexpensive and gathered over time. 




I also added my collection of vintage McCoy pottery to my Kitchen Queen cabinet. 




I started collecting this pottery as a young bride. Over the years I have added a piece here and there. 




I love the pink and blue stripes. 

My Dear Mother also gave me several pieces. 




They coordinate so nicely with my Robin's Egg Blue pottery. 

I've added a sweet rose sprigged tablecloth and a vase of dried roses to my table. 




On the table in front of my daybed, I've placed a few little springtime treasures. 
The soft green painted tray and crocheted lining were thrift store finds. 
I wrapped a simple fluted glass vase with soft gray lace and pinned it with a sparkly brooch. 
The flowering branches are silk - another thrift store find. 
I draped a pink beaded necklace on the tray and added two silver candle pots- sweet gifts from special loved ones. 




I draped some vintage crocheted tablecloths over a rod and added a garland of grape vine hearts. 




I replaced a winter scene I had hanging here with this bird painting from the pages of a book. 

Again, a thrift store find. 




Keeping with the springtime theme, I hung this shadow box over my daybed. What signifies spring more than birds, butterflies and flowers? 
This dear little shadow box was a Christmas gift from my son's sweetheart, Jen. It is magnetic and there are two butterfly magnets to hold sweet mementos. 

The three little quail were my Dear Mother's. 




Here you can see the butterfly magnets holding a sweet vintage booklet, entitled 'Words of Friendship'. 
A precious gift from my Dear Sister-in-Law, Donna. 

I am holding one close so you can see the detail. 




Opposite my daybed, I have added some glass crocks holding vintage photos and jello molds. 

I collect both. 




This little pillow was made from a vintage silk embroidered handkerchief. I hand sewed it onto some pale pink chiffon and added the tiny lace trim. I tucked some sweet home made potpourri inside in a small drawstring pouch and then stuffed it. 




The rest of the pillows are vintage flowered pillow slips. I simply slipped the existing pillows inside and tucked in the ends. 




Place your pillow inside and then grasp the end of one side of the pillow slip in the middle, forming a point. Tuck this carefully inside the case behind the pillow. 




Fold down the other side (inside) and smooth out any wrinkles. 
You can whip stitch this closed with heavy quilting thread so you can clip it if you need to wash it, or just leave it be and turn this side to the bottom. 
That way, you can change them any time you want to redecorate and they are easy to remove for washing! 




To add to the springtime atmosphere, I hung some colorful vintage pot holders. 
I found these for only $2 packaged in a plastic bag all together at my local thrift store. 
They are so bright and cheerful and something I probably wouldn't find time to make myself. 




I hope my Vintage Cottage Style decorating inspires you to bring a little springtime inside for yourself. 
Look around your own home to re-purpose linens and lace. 
Dust off that china you have stored away. 
Take a peek inside your local thrift store to find some inexpensive treasures. 

My Grandmother, Beatrice Euphemie would approve. 



xoxo
Linking to:  Young Heart Old Soul
Weekly Thrift
  http://www.youngheartoldsoul.com/2013/02/thrifted-link-up.html

39 comments:

  1. i like the shadow box, the european goldfinch print, but i LOVE the old sewing machine. my mom had one like it. :)

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    1. Aw! Thanks Theresa! I'm glad you stopped by because I had no idea what kind of bird that was in the print! Of course you would know! I actually use that sewing machine. I have it out to oil it up and get it back to working order again. Thanks for the bird identification. xx

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  2. Karen, I always love reading your blog posts because you bring so much inspiration to our lives. I'm so happy you found a special place for the shadow box. It looks beautiful and love the sweet touches you added to it. I hope you're having a great week and it was so nice to spend the day with you last weekend. Love Jen

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    1. Oh, Jen, that is so nice of you to say! I'm glad you like where I put the shadow box! I held it up here and there and couldn't decide where to hang it until I put it there. It is perfect and I love it. I so enjoyed our day together! Those shops......I am still drooling. Hugs and love to you, sweet Jen. xoxo

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  3. You have a beautiful rustic looking home.

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  4. Dearest Karen,
    Lovely post and full of nostalgia, interwoven with fond family memories. Your Mom had some very pretty things, like those little quails and she gave you some precious McCoy pottery to which you've been adding over the years. Sure, your Grandma Beatrice Euphemie would approve of your pretty home. Better called a real NEST, built and put together with love. We are having heavy rains and it will continue one more day...
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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    1. Dear Mariette, thank you for your dear comments, as always, so sweet and heartfelt! I hope you do not get any flooding from your rains. We are all so anxious to have some spring sunshine, but we must be patient, I suppose. Stay warm and dry and I hope you don't have to drive anywhere. xoxo

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    2. Dearest Karen,
      We DID get some flooding... I'm worn out as I stayed up all night and went to bed by 1:00 PM this afternoon when Pieter took over and had installed a 2nd wet vac. Water is still coming in. We got tile flooring but it is no fun. His work place is the worst. We have to change our gutter system I guess as it pours over as they are too small for handling this. Than the water all runs down into the burrows of chipmunks etc and finds its way into the house. Our Rose Suite is for a big part below surface, at least the front side of the house. The work place has no windows. Let's pray and hope this will get solved. My hands are tender from all the cotton cloths (dweil in Dutch) we use for mopping up the water and wringing it out... Good thing we have that kitchenette for pouring the water out into the sink.
      Hugs to you, tomorrow we will feel better after some more sleep with on and on still mopping up water and emptying the two wet vacs. Late at night we could not buy a second one... Pieter had a Rotaract meeting this morning at a Highschool and he came home with that 2nd one. What a relief!
      Mariette

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  5. Your home looks so warm, cozy, and inviting! I love all your special touches here and there. The heart garland is so pretty for Valentine's Day! You really have a knack for putting together a room :)

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    1. Thank you, Tammy! I found that garland years ago and find a new place for it every year. It's fun to drag out old stuff and find new uses for it. Hope you have a lovely Valentine's Week! xx

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  6. I love every single thing in your house. It is all so sweet. The cottage look is wonderful. My house is done in beach cottage so I have a mix of styles. I am looking forward to the spring time too - and doing some decorating now that I am recovered from the surgery (almost completely).

    I did notice the rain on your deck - we have had such a rainy winter, hope it doesn't continue into spring - although I'll be glad for rain instead of the snow back east.

    Today I was playing around on ebay and found the EXACT tablecloth that we had when I was growing up - it was supposed to go to me, but alas, never did - and so for a very good price I got me a 53x72" hand crocheted tablecloth - it is supposed to be here by Saturday - I can't wait to use it - for Easter dinner for sure!!!

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    1. Thank you, JoAnn! I like the cottage look because you can mix and match pretty much anything you like! Yes, we have had a dreary winter, and I am glad it is almost over (hopefully). I don't think I would like all that snow either, although it is very pretty! Congratulations on your crocheted tablecloth. It is amazing the amount of work that goes into them compared to what they sell for. I just love anything handmade. It will be lovely for your Easter dinner. You will have to post it on your blog! Have a lovely Valentine's! xx

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  7. Love, love, love the shabby chic look of this!!!
    You put everything together beautifully!
    I've been aware of McCoy Pottery pretty much all my life. I now live about an hour and a half from where it was founded. You have a lovely collection.

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    1. Thank you, Carletta, I have not tried the shabby chic look until now and I think I really like it. Now if I can just convince Hubby to let me paint all the walls white! (Never going to happen!) I hope you get to find some McCoy pottery for yourself. There are so many lovely patterns. Have a lovely week and thanks for visiting! xoxo

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  8. Your home always looks so inviting Karen, Love the shabby chic look, everything is placed as it should, Beautiful shadow box & fabulous pottery.. I enjoy your wonderful posts they are full of inspiration... Have a good week Hugs May x x x

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    1. Thank you, May, you are very sweet! I hope you have a lovely week, also! Hugs to you! xoxo

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  9. Oh I would so love to sit and visit with you and share a tea and wonderful conversation looking out your beautiful windows and enjoying the beautiful view surrounded with your beautiful (looks like a magazine) decorating. Oh Beatrice you have made yourself a beautiful lovingly attention to detail home. I can see the Love. Wow lots of beautiful's but I hope you understand my meaning. HUGS B

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    1. Dear Buttons, that would be lovely, I am sure we would never stop talking! And I could take you for a little walk and you could bring Leo! Thank you for your lovely comments - I always enjoy your visits! Hugs to you xoxo

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  10. I love that cabinet and I LOVE that bird painting.

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    1. Thanks, Keith! I liked it the minute I saw it, too! Hope you are having a wonderful week and thanks for visiting. xoxo

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  11. i love all of the little accent pieces you used to pull the look together! Your home is beautiful and your pottery collection is amazing!!!

    PS- don't feel too bad, on Saturday we're expecting to see lows in the 20's. What the heck is up with that?! :)

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    1. Thank you, Wendy! Oh, lows in the 20's! I am shivering just thinking about it. Well, at least the days are getting a little longer, even if they are cold! Thank you for hosting - it's so fun to see all the different treasures everyone finds! Bundle up! xoxo

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  12. So pretty, Karen! I especially love your vintage silk embroidered handkerchief pillow and the shadowbox! I haven't done a thing about decorating for spring, but now I am definitely inspired! :)
    Hugs,
    Zuzu

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    1. Thank you, Zuzu! I had fun redecorating and it really has boosted my spirits! I highly recommend it! Enjoy your week and think 'spring'! Hugs xoxo

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  13. Your home is so pretty! I especially love your kitchen queen cabinet! Beautiful!!

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    1. Thanks, Jori! My kitchen queen was my Dear Mother's. She painted it purple! With hand painted flowers! She loved bright pastels and had a lovely home. It took several coats of paint to cover the purple ( I hated doing it, but purple didn't work for me) and I am pleased with the results. Hope your week is lovely. Hugs, xoxo

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  14. Everything is so pretty and springy! I love the McCoy pottery, I collect their pastel flower pots. And that little pillow made from the hankie is perfect. Love it! thanks for sharing you pretty home and inspiring us to bring spring inside, even if it's still winter outside:)

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    1. Thanks, Cindy! Oh, the flower pots are really special. I have not found any here. They are quickly snapped up! I keep telling myself that we turn the clocks back in less than a month so spring must not be too far off! Thanks for visiting today! xoxo

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  15. Love the bird theme that you have going! So chic!

    The Darjeeling Darlings
    http://darjeelingdarlings.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Darlings! I am partial to our little feathered friends! Hope you have a lovely week! xoxo

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  16. I remember those seemingly endless months of rain in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and the longing for sunshine and SPRING! Here, I am ready to know there will be no more SNOW for a while. Right now, it is 32 degrees and bright sunshine. I love the Spring touches you have added! It really does look like Spring inside even though it might be raining outside. Spring will come...don't worry!

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    1. I know you do understand these long dreary winters, Dianne. You really have been hit with a lot of snow this year, but it must be beautiful with the sun shining on all that white. I love how the snow sparkles in the light. But along with that comes the cold, I know. So bundle up and keep warm! Thank you for stopping by, I always love your visits. Hugs, xxoo

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  17. You know what I love about your decorating, Karen - none of it is junk that just takes up space and gathers dust. You recreate your home with things that you would use anyway - that makes it so cozy and unique.

    It has been downright cold here in Louisiana, too, but I am not going to jump into spring just yet. Winters are so mild and short here, that I want to relish it for a while longer. <3

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    1. That's sweet, Stacy. My home is too small to have anything just for 'show'. I have three rules, 'Is it small - is it useful - is it beautiful?' before I buy. I think William Morris said that or some version of that.

      I love your enthusiasm for all things 'Winter'. A true Southern Belle. xoxo

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  18. McCoy pottery and vintage linens...two of my favorite things! It was fun to take a peek at your collections. And I love the name of your blog, BTW! :)

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    1. Thank you, Heather, and thanks for stopping by! I love the name Heather - my daughter's name,too! xoxo

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  19. Oh, Karen, I love your style! It looks like everything I've dreamed of. It doesn't look extremely fancy, it looks more cozy and your personality really stands out! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Alkistis! And thank you for visiting and following. Welcome! xoxo

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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