Content in a Cottage

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Château de Vaux le Vicomte

Did you know that the Château de Vaux le Vicomte, to the east of Paris, was one of the main sources of inspiration for the Château de Versailles? It is surrounded by the most elegant and geometrically harmonious of all high Baroque gardens. Have you been? via

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Mini Ice Storm at My Cottage

Everything is covered with a thin glaze of ice and it's a very gray day. Nothing has melted even though it doesn't seem that cold when I'm out in it with Webster. I took these photos mid morning and now it's mid afternoon. The salt trucks were out this morning so the roads are black. I took the first two photos with my iPhone while I was outside and the second two with my Nikon from inside the house.

Great Outdoor Shower Head

I have to restore my outdoor shower this year....for sure. I have a big shower head but not this big. Love the vine too. via

Black and White Kitchen

Here is a delightful kitchen and butler's pantry all decked out in black and white. I love the collection of Staffordshire dogs on the windowsill over the sink and the fabulous basket on wheels next to island. Actually, I can't find one single thing I don't like. It's absolutely perfect. I woke up to a surprise dusting of snow this morning with small icicles hanging everywhere. The animals weren't wild about putting their warm, toasty paws on the front walk and they didn't stay out very long either. via

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

How Not To Write A Novel

This is hilarious!

SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A NOVEL - Click here if you can't view this video. Originally discovered here. So funny! I love the computer generated voices.

Red and White Checks

I am partial to blue and white but decided to give some equal time to red and white checks on a kitchen floor and on cabin beds.

I prefer black and white or gray and white on floors, but this looks nice for a change.

I usually prefer blue and white checks in a bedroom but I have to admit these bunk beds look wonderful in red and white. Sorry I don't have source links. I'll try to add them later.

Wonderful Cottage with House Plans

House plans available from Southern Living. This sweet cottage is called Deer Run. The size is 973 square feet of heated space. Looks perfect, doesn't it? The stone foundation is a nice touch.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Amazing Colonial with Snow

This antique colonial is amazing in its simplicity isn't it? The grounds look wonderful too. Wish I could see more. I had a very busy day today after a pretty lazy weekend. Click on the photo to see it full size for the greatest wow factor. via

Goodnight from the Qoukka

This animal is called a Quokka and it is the happiest thing on the planet. It smiles 24/7. Such a sweet looking animal. Two more photos here. It's from Australia and is about the size of a domestic cat.

The Eyes Have It.

Whooooo is looking at you?

Have you ever seen such an amazing grouping of owl eyes? I haven't. What a nice family portrait! The parents have very long moustaches and beards that completely hide their beaks. Wonder why? via

Small Cooking Space

This is a very well thought out small kitchen. I love the charcoal wall and the stainless steel island. Very nice indeed! via

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Foggy Morning Walk @ My Cottage

The pea soup fog is getting worse as the day progresses because the air temperature is so much warmer than the ground. There are still some patches of snow here and there where people had it plowed but none here. It was fun going out with Webster the wonder dog. Are you having a nice weekend? I'm looking forward to the Golden Globes tonight before switching to Downton Abbey.

Waving to all of you before going inside.

Forget Someday

by Gemma Goode

Can A Basement Laundry Room Be Beautiful?

This transformed laundry room is in Norway and the website is in Norwegian. Thank goodness for Google Translate!

The original basement laundry was dark and dreary. It had the only the washer and dryer but no storage or work space. The room did not have a sink with running running water for hand washing sweaters and such. It does look pretty dismal doesn't it? The couple kept the original cement floor and painted it with a checker board design.

Don't you love the hand-made linen closet? Instead of spending a lot of money on new furniture, the owners chose to invest in recycling. Two old doors they found in a thrift store for building materials were the starting point for the custom linen cupboard. The hull was made of particle board and moldings were used for trim. The large cabinet holds a lot and is one of the things the owners are most satisfied with in their laundry room. More photos and text here. It's amazing, isn't it?

Saturday, January 12, 2013

A Perfect View of A Perfect House

A photo from "The Great American House, Tradition for How We Live Now" by the architect Gil Schafer. The link will take you to many other wonderful photos from this must-have book.

Shell Cottage

It is located on the outskirts of Tinworth, Cornwall, near the coast, and is described as a lonely and beautiful place. via

Royal Play Time at Balmoral Castle 1952

Queen Elizabeth II shown playing with her two children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Balmoral Castle the Royal Residence on the River Dee, May 1, 1952, West Aberdeenshire, Scotland. (AP Photo). I love that she let them do dangerous things. via

Friday, January 11, 2013

15th Century German Dog House

The ultimate medieval doghouse, complete with side chapel. Four Dogs before a Doghouse in a book of fables, German, late 1400s.

The J. Paul Getty Museum

English Country Kitchen with Aga + Dog

I love the dog on his ratty pillow, the old AGA cooker, the overhead laundry drying rack, and the pullout hand towel that's big enough to dry off the dog. This is real life personified, isn't it. Brent Darby Interior Photography via

An Elegant White Kitchen

Don't you love the built-in plate racks for the everyday dishes? It's very elegant in its simplicity, isn't it? via

Thursday, January 10, 2013

A Decorative Alphabet Based on Birds

Anna Söderberg is a graphic designer educated at prestigous Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm, Sweden. This alphabet poster called “Ornis” was part of Anna’s graduation project. Inspired by Middle Ages typography with its decorative initials that often filled up an entire page, she developed Ornis – a decorative alphabet based on birds and feathers.

The Queen Enjoys a Good Laugh

The Queen laughing as she passes her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, in uniform. He's smiling too.

So cute. I love them both! via

No More Clothes Line :(

We have been having some amazingly mild days recently that would have been perfect for hanging out laundry. That is, if I still had a clothesline. The three trees on the right were taken down after Hurricane Sandy because they were diseased and dangerous. The one one the left is still there. I can't wait to have a post put in so I can hang my clothes outside again. I really miss doing this. The dryer just doesn't leave that air and sunshine smell I know and love. This is an older photo. I think I will like not having those trees. They were not attractive at all and they blocked my view to the way back. I love my new 'big sky' view. I can see more stars at night too. Webster says hello.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Lady Mary's Wedding on Downton Abbey

Sunday night was wonderful, wasn't it? The two-hour premier of Downton Abbey, Season 3 did not disappoint. Did you watch? If you missed it you can watch online here. I loved all of the white buntings decorating the route to the wedding of Lady Mary Crawley to Matthew Crawley.

google images

Crescent Moon at Sunrise this Morning

I got up a little before 7:00 this morning and was greeted by both the sun and the moon. I quickly grabbed my camera and took this photo so you could see the beautiful sky too.