My most favorite thrift store basket filed with pottery barn pears.
Hello, and thank you for stopping by.
Red Shutter Cottage is taking a little break. I am writing this in October 2020 and hope to be back in 2021 with new posts about cottage style, why I love thrift shopping, and my (very tiny) obsession with roosters!
This dining table vignette appeared in my Fall Home Tour for 2019.
Together, Sailor and I are facing some big changes and new challenges. I don’t mean to be secretive, but neither am I comfortable sharing them in such a public arena.
The combination of colors, finishes, textures and patterns combine to create this inviting 2018 winter dining room vignette.
Most of these challenges (but not all) are truly wonderful and exciting, and we are both so grateful to have these opportunities opening up in our lives.
I found this Christmas garland at Michael’s, convinced it had been designed for me specifically. I love this mixture of plaid, pine cones and trees.
I have been struggling with making the decision of whether or not to take a break from blogging for a few months now. Sailor and I discussed it, and without any prompting from me, he suggested I write this post. That made me realize that this message and post is the right thing to do.
This rooster and hen set traveled all the way from Sterns Wharf in Santa Barbara, CA. The colors just called out to me!
These ‘opportunities’ we are facing require immediate and full focus and attention, and will continue to do so until they are completed. But when the dust has finally settled, Red Shutter Cottage will be back with new posts, ideas, experiences and inspiration.
Shells, starfish, hydrangeas and a thrift shop basket come together in this 2018 Summer Coffee Table.
It hurts my heart to start this break at the beginning of my FAVORITE decorating seasons of the year, Fall Harvest and Christmas. But, it is what it is. In the meantime, I wanted to include in this post some links to older posts that you may find helpful or useful. I am putting them in a category listing, to help make the search easier.
Easter/Spring
A Simple and Easy Easter Coffee Table
A pair of estate sale bunnies keeping company with a thrift shop bird cage filled with Easter eggs. The Laura Ashley white pitcher was a birthday gift…several decades ago. Classic and timeless.
This Easter dining table really only has a few “Easter” elements. A collection of ceramic bunnies, miniature bunny figurines, Easter eggs, and bunnies on the vases. Everything else, runner, tablecloth, napkins, tray, plates, silverware, glasses, is an everyday item. This approach ensures you’re only needing to store a few highlight seasonal items.
Summer
Hydrangeas in the Summer Living Room
4th of July on the Front Porch
A Bright & Easy Summer Living Room
A 4th of July vignette made up of simple, classic elements. I did sew the banner using fabric scraps I found in my pile.
Fall Harvest
2019 Bright & Airy Fall Living Room
A Festive Fall on the Front Porch
This fall mantel is from the 2019 Fall Home Tour. I found the window frame on the side of the road; Sailor helped bring it back to life. The unusual structure of this wreath really drew me in.
Thanksgiving / Halloween
Bats, ghosts, and jack o’lanterns come together in this Halloween mantel.
All the family silver pulled out for Thanksgiving 2016. (Note the silver candlestick holders are the same as the ones used for the Halloween mantel above.)
Christmas
Tutorial-How To Decorate a Christmas Tote
How to Store Christmas Decorations
My mother brought out this wrought iron lamp post every year. It’s become part of my Christmas decorating, updated with some plaid ribbon, pine cones and greenery.
Winter Decorating
Early Winter decorating calls for texture, rich colors, and a simple aesthetic. A soothing antidote to help usher in the new year.
Thrift Shopping
7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping
The Joy of Treasure Finds by Thrift Shopping
The Loveseat I Almost Didn’t Buy
This beautiful wrought iron and wood baker’s rack is a lucky find from Craigs List.
Style & Design
How to Decorate Using 5 Classic Elements
How to Mix Up Your Decor Style
This room is an example of a Traditional style sitting room that includes topiaries, rosters, bowls of fruit, and mixed patterns. Source: Home-Furniture.net
Oh, and here are some of my favorite blogs that you might enjoy:
Here are my links to Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. My email address is: kristine@redshuttercottage.com
I prefer the phrase “See you around” as opposed to “good bye”.
And as always, my very best wishes to you and your family for health, peace and happiness.
From our home to yours
Kristine
Thanks for the great collection of posts to keep us going until you return! We’ll miss you, but wish you well in all the future brings your way. Here’s to strength in the challenges and joy in the changes! Say “hi” to Sailor and be safe!
Hugs!
You’ve got a lot going on so stepping back is the smart thing to do. You’ll be missed, but I’m confident that you’ll be back in no time with many more terrific ideas for making a beautiful home.
What a lovely blog Kristine! There’s so much goodness here – I can’t wait to dive in. Thanks so much for stopping by Mantel and Table and introducing me to you! 🙂
Barbara – thank YOU so much! I’m honestly so appreciative of your kind words! You’ve given me a real boost and a shot of enthusiasm to keep my blog moving forward. Again, my sincere gratitude.