Happy Weekend! The cold is here on the coast of Virginia. We’re talking “get out the wool socks and light the fire people” — brrr it’s chilly. Still, the sun is shining and the air is crisp and clear, so it’s not all that bad. You’d never even know it’s freezing outside from indoors, which is where I am and plan to stay. It looks glorious looking out through the windows.
So let us start with the elephant in the room of the photo above. Yes, you’re seeing right, that’s my Christmas tree. It’s still hanging around. I know, I know … tisk, tisk … but I just love it. And it is potted after all, so really I could just start calling it a potted house plant and all will be good. I plan on finding a spot for it out in the back garden when the weather warms up a bit.
Now on to easy breezy cottage basics, things like area rugs, lamps, and window treatments. Things I wanted to purchase when we first moved in, but was distracted by other things like painted furniture and vintage mirrors. Rugs and window treatments didn’t sound all that exciting and there was always something prettier and more interesting for me to empty my pockets on. Well over the past couple of months I buckled down and focused and I’ve been bringing in the essentials, the things that really make a house feel more cozy. The cottage is feeling more welcoming and comfortable with the simple addition of drapes, rugs, and lamps.
I already had a nubby, natural fiber rug in our living room, but since Paisley chewed up the corner, I thought it would be a good time to replace it. It’s from World Market and is a 6×9, one size larger than my old one. I love the thick nubby texture so much that I ended up getting a second rug, one size smaller, for our office.
In our dining room, I went with a large round braided rug from Overstock.com, also in natural fiber. The dining room feels nice and cozy with a rug underfoot. The chairs have scuffed up some of the fibers from pulling them in and out, but I don’t mind.
I wanted another round rug for the front entry and I found this cool natural fiber rug from Serena & Lily. This is what you see when you first walk through the front door so I wanted it to be a little more snazzy.
I’ve been eyeballing these all-cotton tie-top drapes from Pottery Barn for months. They finally went on sale so I went for it. The sun porch has a lot of window so I really wanted something with a little drama — but not too over the top. I love these!
They were longer than I anticipated so they kinda puddle on the floor. One of the reasons I chose these was because they’re all cotton and I assumed they could be thrown in the wash. Nope, I realized when I was hanging them that they’re dry-clean only; but by that point I was already in love. Hopefully I won’t have to take them to be cleaned too often. I certainly have no room in my life for a high maintenance window treatment! Who does?
The sun room also got this cute glass lamp and ivory shade from Target.
This is such a fun look and it can really go with many styles. I tend to go a bit shabby chic at times and I think this lamp will look good when that happens too.
I also put one in our family room. I would like one in the living room too, but I thought three rooms with the same lamp might be overkill!
xoxo Sally
Just lovely, Sally. I love your toile drapes!
Thanks so much!
Isn’t it nice to see the sun shining through the windows again? Your home looks nice and cozy with your natural rugs and throws, and your new curtains have a cottage look that’s perfect for your sunroom. Whenever I visit your blog, I leave feeling like I’d like to throw a white slipcover over all our dark upholstery! I love the look you’ve got going, Sally! Stay warm!
Vickie
Sally, you certainly have been busy “fluffing” your sweet cottage. What I especially like is that you kept some winter in your decor. (The potted tree and the cable knit lumbar pillow on the sofa.)
I’m in love with the lamps you bought. I’m seeing a trip to Target in my future. I’ve been searching for the perfect lamp to put my living room and I do believe this is “the one”.
Thank you for sharing your lovely updates with us.
Stay warm,
Vanessa
Thanks Vanessa! I love the Target lamp too. I hope it works out for your living room.
Sally
So warm and cozy!!
Mary Alice
Every new addition looks so perfect for your charming home. It looks so cozy and welcoming – perfect for this bitter cold weather.
Cindy
I love your new rugs. I would love them for our home. I also love your new curtains and lamp. Great choices. 🙂 Julie
Great additions Sally! I love everything you’ve picked out but those lamps are my fav!
Your home has been such an inspiration to me Sally. It has the elements that I have been dreaming of for my home and is very spot on. I find so many interiors that are close to what I like to be too stark and without warmth. Yours are just right. I really love all the changes you have made.
I So love this room with the brick flooring, I could so look at this room in every post you do.
I love world market for there hand made papers, we lost our w.m store to the economy back in 2007 I so wish they would bring one back. I am planning to go into an outer city to do so world market shopping, and your finds inspire a trip for me.
See you soon
Xx
A beautifully inspiring weekend to you.
Dore
Love your new rugs, especially the round one from Serena and Lily. It adds great texture…
Also, I wanted to mention that I nominated Cottage Fix for the One Lovely Blog Award. Please accept only if you want to as I will not be offended if you don’t have the time. Details on my blog…
Have a great weekend,
Lisa
Thanks so much Lisa! Yes I saw the nominations on your blog and your beautiful photographs. I’ve been recovering from the flu this week – second time this season -it stinks. Thanks again for the nomination.
Sally
Hi Sally,
Thank you for taking the time to visit me and my door and knits.
As for your Christmas tree, last year I had one hanging around for a few months for your exact reasoning of liking the way it looked. So what I did is moved it I to the kitchen added to my herb counter and it seemed to look great there. Then I quickly tired of it and planted it in an area of the yard where I could watch it’s growth and then cut it down when the sized suited the look I was after to enjoy it another year of Christmas in my home. Maybe this is something you could do yourself, take and plant and dig it up next year or the year after to enjoy all over again 🙂
(Recyling )
Love you home style, your spirit, and the cozy warmth you put off.
See you soon.
Oh I am thinking about Knited socks lol 🙂
Xx
Dore
How in the world did I miss this post?
I absolutely love those rugs!