From Dated to Dreamy: Our Cottage Style Home Renovation

When we first married, my husband Mike and I bought the sweetest little home (900 square feet) perched above a modest neighborhood in Searcy, Arkansas. But lest you be misled, the little house was far from perfect.

After our honeymoon, it was a bit of a let down to move into a house where the floors sloped, the front windows were cracked, and fabric panels served as doors for the bedrooms.

A close-up photo of an old, weathered oak floor with peeling and worn finish, and visible signs of age. The wood is crooked, sloped, and faded, adding to the rustic charm of the image. — *The sloping, faded, worn floors were icky*

Oh, and the bathroom had an avocado green bathtub and a mustard yellow sink and toilet. I almost dreaded going into that bathroom at first. I sincerely wondered if we could ever transform this dated, 60’s styled shack into the comfortable, cozy, gorgeous home of my dreams.

Making the Old House Attractive, and Relaxed with a Casual French Country Style

That following year, we corrected the sloping floors, replaced the windows, built a huge family room on the back and a master bath with jacuzzi tub, AND added a lovely front and back porch to the tiny dwelling. I was so excited to begin the color scheming and decorating phase!

*My Vision: A comfortable, casual and relaxed Guest Kitchen in my mind: in a neutral pale blue color scheme*

Although it grew in size after the addition, and became “more refined,” that tiny rough 1960’s cottage with its barefoot attitude has always felt wonderfully suited to me.

Bonus: I could clean it top to bottom in one hour.

We sold it after 8 years of living there, but I still drive by the place on occasion to “say hello” to my first beloved home.

Elements of French Country Comfort

Fast forward a few decades, and that same relaxed, casual attitude is what makes me LOVE the Cottage Style in our current home.

I named our latest home the Blue Willow Cottage after some of my favorite dining transferware.

A warm and inviting photo of a cozy living room, featuring a beautifully made couch with a slip-cover, with plush pillows and a soft throw. In the background is a Bistro Area with a blue tablecloth, cottage styled Windsor chairs and a candle on the table. Two elegant lamps sit on either side of the couch, casting a soft glow over the room and creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. — *Scenes from our Cozy, Casual Living Room*

A Cottage Style in the Rooms of Our Relaxing Home

As I matured, I continued to want my next home (we’ve moved 7 times) to have a welcoming, comfortable, relaxing feel. You know, like a refuge from the stress of the world.

After all, it is after a frenzied, stressful day at work that we most need a safe spot to unwind, right?

Our Home Style: Casual French Country

Over time, my style has evolved into a casual French Country look. I am drawn to a softer palette, pretty light colored toile fabrics, and flea-market furnishings to come together in a perfect blend and the comfortable, lovely home of my dreams.

A close-up photo of an old, weathered window with peeling paint and visible signs of age. The glass is slightly foggy, adding to the rustic charm of the image — *A look at the rough, older windows that came with our first tiny home*

You will find elements of the cottage style sprinkled in the photos throughout this blog, along with our collection of amateur paintings, washable fabrics, sink-in seating, and less-than-perfectly painted chairs.

It is how Mike and I choose to live. And we love it.

A cute coffee station scene with tiny white shelves against a blue and white gingham wallpapered wall and inviting amateur artwork of a beach scene above. The photo is of a warm and inviting spot in the kitchen of a cozy cottage, featuring a beautifully made coffee bar, and a coffee maker, with a vintage coffee cup and saucer beside the percolator coffee machine. There is an adorable tiny white picket fence encircling a seagull figurine and a plate with a lighthouse in the center. A candle is casting a soft glow over the vignette, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Cottage style is featured. French Country home decor is the hope, relaxation is the activity. Comfortable living in a cozy home is the theme. — *The Coffee Station is adorable*
*and features*
*our collection of tea cups and various dishes.*
*We change the scenes here with the seasons…*
*This one is the Summer Scene*

A Welcoming, Relaxing Environment at Home

Our aim has always been to create a place that others can feel comfortable in, one where guests can throw off their shoes and cozy up with a soft pillow and cozy throw blanket on the couch, read a book, sip tea, or just kick back and dream.