Hallway with a Nautical Feel

The bannister newel post makes this entrance hall really special.

The newel post was fitted with a light that turns it into an indoor lighthouse. See many more photos of this lovely family home here.

Table Talk

Who knew?

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Rose Trellis with Benches

You don't see this old-fashioned trellis these days, do you? The built-in benches are so charming and such a good idea. The aroma must be fabulous too when sitting there in the shade chatting with a friend. via

Great Cat Photo

WOW

The power of the camera and the person behind it.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day.

xo

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Wonderful Paris Greenhouse

I especially like the greenhouse floor. via

China Closet or Pantry?

I would need another like this with solid doors for food storage and kitchen items. I would like deeper shelves, please. via

Larder Lust: Best Butler's Pantry

This photo stopped me in my tracks. It is the best larder I have ever seen. Call it a pantry if you must but larder sounds better for such a magnificent room. via

There are no ordinary cats

I like this quote and artwork. via

My Recent Instagram Posts

I have been tagging all of my Instagram posts with the hashtag #contentinacottageblog. Above is a snapshot of my most popular posts. See all of them here. Click here to see my regular Instagram and follow me if you like😊  That would be lovely. Thanks in advance💭 xo

Small Sophistication Churchill Cottage, Birmingham MI

This small home is absolutely gorgeous.

Agreed? I love it too!

I have not been able to find interior pics but found more of the outside here.

A Sun Porch and A House Tour

This is my favorite room.

Forget Club Chairs and Ottomans.

Give me these chaise lounges.

Tour the rest of a lovely home HERE

Enjoy the weekend. xo

The Perfect Pink Camellia

Camellia japonica 'Ave Maria' photo source

I honestly don't think I have ever seen a more perfect flower. Can a perfect pink camellia be a little too perfect, asks Susie Steiner? Read more here: Camellia japonica 'Ave Maria': The perils of pink perfection

Beautiful Home

This is the ultimate in curb appeal.

I love the black door and the Versailles planters.

The bay window is perfection.

Love it all.

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Antique Stone Potting Sink

This is so perfect.

I always end up using my kitchen sink.

I really do have to set up something outside as there is a lot of repotting to do here at the cottage.

Happy gardening.

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White Patio Furniture

So gorgeous. White furniture on a gray flagstone patio surrounded by green. My favorite combination. via

Lovely Roofline

There is so much to love here, actually everything. The gable-end chimney, the dormer, the roofline with decorations, the small size and the sophistication of it all. It's a winner, for sure. via

Garden Cottage

I adore this little garden cottage with benches, firepit, arbor and the most wonderful raised bed full of flowers and vegetables. It looks almost too small to be a real dwelling but maybe it is. Maybe it's a guest cottage. Anyway, it's adorable and I love it. via

Wonderful View

I wouldn't get any work done at this desk with that wonderful view. I have fierce clouds overhead right now and they are very dark, but moving fast. My phone says there is a 50% chance of rain and it will be over by morning. We'll see. Have a nice evening. It's TV time for me. Have to go watch Antiques Roadshow. xo

photo source

Hammock Love on May Day

Imagine having this yard, so beautifully landscaped, with two perfectly spaced trees just begging for a hammock. This must be paradise. Happy May Day.

The image above is from this book.

Charlotte Moss: Garden Inspirations Hardcover – April 14, 2015 by Charlotte Moss (Author), Barry Friedberg (Foreword), Barbara L. Dixon (Contributor)

Zen Things & My First Gif

Really good advice. I need to work on my indoor cleaning skills. via

I made my first GIF that I really like. It was easy to put it on Instagram but I can't figure out how to put it on my blog. See it HERE. I cannot believe today is the last day of April. It went too fast.

Porches and Pergolas

I found a wonderful article with many different cottage home styles featuring porches and pergolas. I liked each and every one too. Floor plans pictured in quite a few. Click here to read more. Have a great weekend.

This cottage has gardens.

Dark Green Shutters and Door

I have always liked this dark green that looks almost black but have never used it because it is so very popular in my area and I always wanted to be a little different. I like the high gloss paint because it sheds the water so nicely. via

Have a great weekend.

Foggy Morning with Rosemary

I woke up to a really foggy Friday morning. The rosemary plants didn't seem to mind. They are very happy to be outdoors again after a long winter inside. 

Really Great Kitchen

I cannot find anything I don't like here. That sink looks huge and I like that. via

Best Screened Porch w/ Fireplace

Who cares what the house is like? Gimme that porch! via

Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod

Good night, my friends. Have a great evening. via

Adorable Two Family Cottage

This is small, but mighty! I love the shuttered exterior and want to know more about the interior but cannot find more information. via

UPDATE: Click here for interior photos and story. Thanks, ANNE.

Really Nice Entrance and More

I like what I see here. It looks like a happy house. via

Charming Service Door

The simple geometry of this charming service door at the David Peden house by Harrie T. Lindeberg is just one example of the work of this great architect of the 20th century. I love it. That's creeping fig climbing the walls, not recommended for a wooden structure but fine for brick. Found on Instagram

Wonderful Pantry with Ladder

How wonderful is this pantry? via

Unusual House Pet in Diapers

This photo caught me by surprise and I suppose you weren't expecting a lamb either, were you? via

Have a great weekend!

Nantucket Painting by Ana Cogden 1920

Nantucket. painting by Anna Congden circa 1920s
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New House, Looks Old

Very nice, indeed. An architectural firm in Birmingham, Alabama built this charming English stucco home. See more exterior photos here.

English Cottage and Gardens

Everyone has gardening on the brain this time of year and these are very inspiring. via

Delightful Shingled Beach Cottage with Porches

I love this small cottage. It's just the right size.

Found on Instagram @betterhomesandgardens

A Plant Table + A Great Bathroom Sink

This would be a great place to work on your plants and photograph them for the Internet. via

Just look at that sink! It's like a small bathtub and would be so handy in so many ways. It looks vintage and I'll bet it is. So Nice! via

Floral Alphabet

Say it with flowers.

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Ferne Park House

Ferne House is a country house in the parish of Donhead St Andrew in Wiltshire, England. There has been a settlement on the site since 1225 AD. The current house, known as Ferne Park and the third to occupy the site, was designed by architect Quinlan Terry in 2001. The estate grounds straddle both Donhead St Andrew and Berwick St John parishes.
text from Wikipedia I had no idea this was a new house!!! Image source

Wisdom of the Rolling Stones

So very true.

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Bunny Sipping Tea

So cute. Powering up for Easter. via