One of the most enjoyable things to me about having a cottage has been renovating and decorating it. The cottage was in poor condition and we (by we, I mean Mike) gutted it, raised the ceiling to make a cathedral ceiling, sheet-rocked, built cabinets, and so much more. I helped where I could and did much of the painting. We spent little on the decor, shopping at garage sales, dumpster diving and accepting the many beautiful gifts that friends offered. Here are a few photos – hope you enjoy.
Come on in! I’ll show you around.
Mike salvaged the wood used for the window and door trim; the plates on the wall are from a garage sale. I cross-stitched the fish on the wall and Mike made the frame. (Our children were homeschooled on that table).
A chair we picked out of our neighbors trash; I recovered the cushions. The stools are from a discount store. I decoupaged them. My mom gave us the little round table which I painted and my sister Michele gave us the lamp.
Here’s a better view of the stools. We paid $10 each for them. I painted the legs, and then I cut pictures of antique lures out of Mike’s fishing magazines and decoupaged them onto the seats.
Here’s our kitchen area. We decided on open shelves for two reasons. Because the place is so small, we wanted a more open look, and we wanted guests to easily see what they needed and help themselves. The dishes are all from garage sales, or gifts.
Garbage picked. Mike made minor repairs and I painted it.
My friend Joy and I got right into that dumpster for this one! Mike spruced it up.
The front porch with a sweet little buffet that my sister’s Grandmother-in-law gave to me. And we painted the floor plaid.
The living room and kitchen are all one small room. We bought the clock as a Christmas present one year at Penney’s, but we told everyone it was from a garage sale. My friend Joy gave me the fantastic little fish plates that are hanging on the wall, and Sandi gave me the cute pillow on the chair. My sister Mary made the pottery on the top shelf below the clock. There’s tons of stuff all over from friends and family. It’s what makes it such a great place!
The two little bedrooms were a bit of a mess today, so no photos for now. Hope you enjoyed your visit. We hope to see you again!
More Cottage Living posts you’ll enjoy:
How to Hang Clothes When You Don’t Have a Closet
How We Safely Drink Lake Water
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Leah says
i love it!!! can’t wait to see the bedrooms!
Leah says
and hilarious that the garage sale clock was from Penney’s! hahaha
learningandyearning says
Everyone believed us. Hope you can keep a secret!
Jennifer Berentsen says
I love the ceiling and wood floor! All of the different paint colors look fantastic together.
learningandyearning says
Thanks, Jenny. I love to do things at the lake that I would never do here at home.
Cathy says
Beautiful, what else can I say, except you and Mike could make a box under a bridge cozy and filled with love!
learningandyearning says
Awww. That is so sweet.
Lois Welsch says
I’m thoroughly enjoying your Cottage Living series: These photos are delightful! What beautiful work you’ve both done- obviously a labor of love! Looking forward to the bedrooms…….thanks so much for the tour, Susie.:)
learningandyearning says
I think I’ll let you come see the bedrooms for yourself, Lois!
Jenny says
I LOVE THAT KITCHEN! We’re building our little place on our acreage and I’m planning on having my husband install open shelves. We’re doing it mainly to cut down on the cost of cabinetry. Did you all install these yourselves? Was it pretty easy and have you been happy with it? I’ve heard you do have to dust the dishes every so often.
susanv says
Thank you for the nice compliment! My husband built the kitchen shelves and installed them; he has done all of the work on the cottage. He really enjoys it, and whistles while he works! It’s been about 15 years now, and everything is as good as new. I just make sure that I use the dishes enough so that they get washed and I don’t have to dust them.
Stephanie says
charming, charming, charming! beautiful!
susanv says
Awww, thanks!
Holly @ Your Gardening Friend says
What an adorable cottage! I’m new to following you (just signed up yesterday for email subscriptions). 🙂 Is this your home, or your home away from home?
Where did you find that gorgeous stove? I saw one once at a flea market, but it was already sold. 🙁
Susan says
Hi Holly. Welcome! This is our little summer place on a lake. The stove came with the cottage when we bought it. It also had a fantastic, old refrigerator. The frig stopped working about 10 years ago. We tried to save it w/o success. 🙁
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Scrolling around on your blog as you are from PA …I am looking to see where ( I am south of Pittsburgh down in Washington County ) I love your dear little cottage decor! 🙂 So much work and love gone into it quite plain to see and enjoy 🙂
Susan says
Hi Deb, we’re from the opposite corner – NEPA. Thanks for stopping by and for the nice compliment!
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harry says
wow, what a great place, thanks for the tour
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks, Harry!