The Blog Formerly Known As Treetop Cottage

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So, now that our big move is coming up, it has made me question the name of the blog…I feel like maybe it should be changed to something more generic to span the multitudes of cottages I will inhabit. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love the name Treetop Cottage. Its really whimsical and dreamy, but it feels a little too shabby chic. And at some point, we won’t live in a high-rise. I’m so torn…I’m thinking something like this:

  • My Beautiful Life
  • Our Beautiful Life
  • The Beautiful Home
  • No Place Like Home
  • Saffodil
  • The Huntress

What do you think? I need advice!! Comments, suggestions, votes are welcomed!

Mini Getaway

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So, in keeping with my promise, here is a “little” peek at me and HJ’s weekend!

He was really not prepared to see what he was about to see…We went to Roadside America in Shartlesville, PA. Its an amazing 6,000 sqft. display of tiny models depicting America throughout the 1600s to 1960s. Every building was made by hand! (Insert bad Advil commercial parody-“And if you’ve ever built a wood model”, *pause* “You know how hard that is…”)-I hope everyone has seen that awful commercial, and the extreme closeup view of that girl’s unfortunate mug…Anyway…

I didn’t get any pictures during the Night Scene, but its cool-All of the main overhead lights are slowly turned off, and the model lights slowly turn on, and suddenly, you really feel like you are flying over a small town at night. It is amazing that all of the homemade magnet motors and wiring have lasted all this time! 

And last but not least,

Some good, old-fashioned Pennsylvania Anthracite! I pretty much love that its from Reading and the same place Pops gets his coal for his house!

Overall, it was a really good time and brought me back to my childhood. It only took about an hour to get there, and was a really fun day trip to share with someone you love!

2012 News

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Hello! After a brief haitus, I have returned with some bittersweet news….

Treetop Cottage and its inhabitants are moving.

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We have been experiencing some issues with the apartment which require repairs, that as renters, we are just not able to make. As much as we have loved this little cottage, we were not able to take care of it the way it needs to be cared for-like some major bathroom renovation work to remove the extensive water damage and mold growth, in addition to replacing windows so they actually close. The layout of this little haven has been wonderful and the coziness of the fireplace and built-in bookcases will definitely not be captured in our new home, however, I am so grateful that we were able to document our time here on this blog.

This was a decision that we spent a lot of time trying to fix, but recently, we have decided it would be best for our health if we find a better place. We have found another home that definitely comes with its own good qualities!

  • Brand new kitchen
  • 2 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • More room for all of our my stuff
  • Hardwood floors
  • New windows
  • It will actually look clean when its clean!

Of course, I have been going crazy planning out where we are going to put all of my furniture, picking out paint colors, figuring out what we will use as a new dresser, since mine was ruined with all of the water damage we have been experiencing over here 😦 But its all very exciting and we are really looking forward to sharing our new home with you! I would love to share some pictures, but it is actually under construction right now, so the “befores” are really, really befores. Once there are some more things done, I will post some pics, and then you will be able to see the progress. Even better, I was able to choose most of the finishes myself-perks of being a designer! Oh! I’m so excited! Here are some quick images to hold you over…

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Altogether, they may throw you off, but wait until you see the final product! We move in May 1st, so be prepared to see lots of posts about what is going on 🙂 OK, tomorrow I have a post about our “miniature” weekend!

Out with the Old, In with the New

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Hmmm, so with 2012 here in full swing, I m really really craving something new around here. Like not a complete overhaul, but I would really like to have a more updated look in here. When I look at the posts here, I just feel like the cottage looks so tired! (Maybe its because of the PINK paint that we inherited…) Since painting is sort of out of the question, because of the serious time commitment, I am just spending hours on Pinterest, reading design blogs and design books  that I got for Christmas, just trying to come up with some new ideas. It also doesn’t help that work has been indundating me with Kelly Wearstler styling…Ooh, while we are on the subject, I should DEFINITELY recommend this book:

If this book doesn’t make you crave something fresh and lively, I don’t know what will! I don’t know how I went so long without it 🙂

Now, I am going to share some of my inspiration pictures with you so you can get an idea I’m what I’m thinking for the future of TTC.

Jealous of John and Sherry’s old rancher…

Lauren’s cute apartment in NYC…

The rest are from Pinterest…*dream*

So I think I have a good amount to work with. Just a little more depth and more personal pictures. I got a bunch for Christmas, and I have some plans for them in the future! SO what do you think? Its a lot more colorful than usual, but I think just one striking wall, and the rest neutral is my new style. A little cottage, a little modern, whimsical, cozy, sophisticated, tailored, and clean. Is that too much?

Greenery

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Two posts in one day! Woah! I know! I wanted to follow up on the green flea market lamps I talked about here. Well, here they are:

Hello, Lovelies! They were $50.00 for both, which isn’t too bad, but the wires were circa 1960, so I was unsure of their fire safety. Oh yeah, and I have no spot for them in the Cottage, but when has that stopped me before… 🙂 You want to know where they came from?

I was imagining them in a space like this:

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PS-I tried searching Pinterest for some images, but it won’t let me search! Has anyone had the same trouble as me? I type in what I am looking for, but no pins load. I can look at other pics from other people, but I cant search! This has been happening for a while now on different computers, and I don’t know who to go to to get help!

Christmas Treets

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Hi!

So the dinner party went off without a hitch! We had a wonderful time, dinner was great, and the house looked spectacular! Things were such a whirlwind that I didn’t have a chance to take photos, but, I do have some pics to share to hold you over until later. In this post, I talked about sprucing up the small hallway leading to our bedroom and bathroom. Well, here is the mangy before:

The during layout:

And after:

See! The little deer debacle turned out OK! And see that picture in the frame? Here is a close up:

This is my grandmother and my grandfather when they lived abroad while my grandfather was in the service. I am so lucky to have such a beautiful reminder of the love that they shared. My grandfather’s life was cut short when my mom was a little girl, but my grandmother was so strong and raised her 6 children with the help of my great-grandmother. This picture captures all of the romance and playfulness that I imagine they would still have if he were still here ❤

And for the second little treat, our Christmas tree excursion on Friday! (We are decorating the tree tonight, so more pictures to follow!)

My Christmas Angels:

And trying to figure out the Christmas tree bag…

Junk in my Trunk

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Hey! Here is the post I promised about this treasure:

Not only is she a beauty, but she stores like a beast! I have my magazines and old design textbooks stowed inside.

I bought her when I was in design school, and she held my supplies in the studio. When I was looking back then, I noticed a lot of trendy-colored ones, like teal and pink, but I wanted something a little more timeless. And what is more classic than chocolate brown croc? I love, love, love this piece, and honestly, if I didn’t already own it, I would vow to get my mitts on it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have its own place to shine. But, she really is a showstopper, as you can tell. And I’m hoping she can make more of an appearance one day!

I know you are wondering how much I dished out for this stunner. Well, she was a bit of a splurge at $130.00. Yikes. All worth it 🙂

I was hoping that there was a tag inside with the manufacturer name, but I couldn’t find one. Its probably buried underneath all of the stuff! If I do come across it, I will do an update to this post.

Get ready for a post about some amazing lamps that I came across while treasure hunting with HJ on our anniversary weekend…

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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Happy Thanksgiving! There are so many wonderful things that I am thankful for. Mostly, my wonderful families who missed me while I was feasting away up north with HJ. But also for my health, my perfect job, and my great friends 🙂

While in Connecticut, I found some great things for the cottage!

This sweet, flirty, little bowl from a pottery show

This serene boat photograph for the summer (don’t you think it would look great in a little white IKEA frame?)

And some sweet winter birds that will definitely be joining the dinner party we are hosting this weekend!

I just have to get some taper candles to perch on their backs. How cute! They are actually very sparkly in real-life, and the perfect addition to a holiday party!

I wish I was able to add this ladder to my list of purchases this weekend

It was really perfect, and they actually were willing to sell it to me, but for $80.00? I think I can get a better deal. So for now, it’s this empty spot under the shelves. I’ll do a post on that sweet trunk later!

Lots will be going on this week in preparation for the said dinner party. This place has to get dressed for Christmas! Although I think we may wait until the next weekend for the tree…I will keep you posted on the goings-on, including some much needed love given to a poor, neglected hallway…

 

Since 2006

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This weekend, I would like to do a post about the greatest love of my life, Hunky J. We celebrated 5 years together on the 11th, and so, in honor of 11-11-11, I would like to list 11 reasons why I could not do it without him 🙂

John,

1. You are silly. You always know how to make me laugh, so many times a day. Your “otter-like joy” is contagious and I look forward to what you have to say everyday. “Is it all rubbed in?”

2. You are ambitious. You dream big. No challenge is too great for you to tackle.

3. You are loving and kind. You know how to balance being strong and masculine with being gentle and considerate.

4. You have a wonderful family. You have wonderful role models for how to sustain a long-lasting relationship. The values they instilled in you are evident in how you live your life.

5. No matter how far away we are, you always make me feel like I am home. You make me feel safe and secure wherever we are.

6. You are observant. You see nature with wide eyes and never miss an opportunity to show me things that I would never have seen without you there.

7. You are helpful. You always give into me and agree to make my dreams come true.

8. You are supportive. You understand my visions and passions and encourage me to make them happen.

9. You are persistent. You don’t let others discourage you and you never stop going after what you want…including me!

10. Your deep voice is captivating. You emanate strength and reliability, even if you’re just a “kid in his underwear”.

11. You are cute tome. Yes, tome. Your sweet, soft eyes and chipped tooth get me every time 🙂