Cottage inspiration.

Chippy paint, soft blues, warm yellows and romantic pinks...

Rich patina, rusty metals, old furniture that proudly shows its age...

and fresh cut flowers... All the necessary ingredients for a welcoming cottage room....



You might be surprised to know that the style that we love so much has been dated back to the 18th century. Back then, the less privileged used paint to add cheer to their dark and dull cottages.

They painted their furniture to disguise inexpensive woods and give their old, tired pieces a new life...sounds familiar?...some things never change!
Accomplished Europeans gardeners used their cottage gardens as color inspiration, and just like we do today, they brought the outdoors, in!

As you can see, during hard times, creativity kicks in. Family treasures become even more important and handmade gifts that we make or receive, priceless. So, my Dear, no excuses allowed!. This week end visit your garage, your barn or your studio and create something pretty. Re-use, recycle or re-paint something that you already have, something that will bring a smile to your face or someone else's... if you dare to give it away, that is!

This post was inspired on Suzanne MacCrone's beautiful photographs. You might know her as Suzanne, Italian girl in Georgia. She is a member of our group, a talented artist that can also be visited at her inspiring blog or at her Etsy shop: http://italianGirlinGeorgia.etsy.com.

Stop by and say Hello, Suzanne's work will fill you up!...I promise.

All photographs belong to Suzanne Crone and they have been used with Suzanne's permission.