{ A b o u t * D e n i s e }

Denise Sabia, interior designer extraordinaire and author of “The Painted Home” blog, has an exceptional eye that takes everyday items found in flea markets, thrift shops or simply along the roadside and turns them into unique pieces that freshen and warm your home … without breaking your budget. Denise’s fun, engaging personality and savvy design style has been featured on HGTV’s Design Basics and FOX 29’s Good Day Philadelphia. Her blog has been highlighted in Flea Market Style magazine and is currently nominated for Country Living magazine’s 2011 “Blue Ribbon Blogger” award. Denise began dabbling in design over 20 years ago by decorating children’s rooms as a hobby. She transitioned to unique paint finishes and furniture, while studying design at Philadelphia University. Her client base continued to grow as did her portfolio of work, branching out to decorating entire homes. After taking a healthy break to raise her three children Camille, Lucy and Jonas, she is looking forward to getting back to full-time interior design. Denise currently lives in Ambler, PA with her family.

{ P A T I E N C E }

I don't have much patience, in fact, I'm pretty sure I have none.

Especially when I comes to decorating projects ~

but,

 I need you to have some while you're waiting for the Brown & White revel.

I know, I know, I wish it was  done already too.

But, I never said I was a carpenter, and this is a little harder than usual.

But, I won't keep you in total suspense.

Here's sneak peak part due.

if you're keeping score, 

this counts as two black doors.

{4 down ~ 24 to go }

okay, more after the weekend.

{ C R E D I T }

This little number 

was brought to you by...

This gorgie number by Sue Whitney, of Junk Market Style

~Thanks Sue~

{ D i d I M e n t i o n ? }

Did you know, 
my dining room was originally built to be a living room?
Crazy, right?
You've never heard of such a thing, I'm sure.
I know, I'm not the first, but I thought I'd share some real "BEFORE" pictures with you.
{I always love a good BEFORE in a blog}
so, here goes...


before

after

before

after

before

after

before

after

before

after

and, there ya' have it.

home depot lighting hack

this is the best “hack” i’ve seen in a while.  it involves a $9.99 light fixture and some bronze spray paint.

the before

the after

check out how sarah of flourish design + style whipped this little diy project together.  this is such a smart and inexpensive way to update your lighting.

LiveJournal Tags: home depot hack,flourish design style,lighting

{ S n e a k P e a k }

Remember a while back,

 I posted about brown & white?

Well, I took the plunge

{it wasn't very hard to convince myself}

here's a peak...

more tomorrow after the girls go to 

school & my mom takes my 2 year old for the day.

One Year Already and Fabric Giveaway

 image source

Time definitely flies when you're having fun!  It's hard to believe that today is my 1-year blog-a-versary (is that a word?.....probably not).  1-year ago today I started this blog with much encouragement from my friends and here I am a year later having met so many wonderful and talented people and feeling like I am truly part of a community.

It's amazing to me how this blog has evolved over the last year.  Click here to read my very first post EVER!

What have I learned from blogging over the last year?

• Blogging is truly a community

• There are so many wonderful and talented people in this world

• Blogging is a lot of work

• Blogging is totally rewarding

• Blogging is addictive

• It's so important to blog about something you are passionate about

• There are many different ways to create the same thing

• Blog when you have something to say, not just because you feel like you should be blogging

• Good pictures are key

• It is so important to stay true to yourself, your design style, your passions, your interests, ect.....if people like it, they will stick around.

• Never start a blog because you want to make money - blog because you love it.

I seriously cannot thank you all enough for joining me on this amazing journey.  I love reading your comments and I love getting to know all of you.  And because I love you guys..........I'm going to do another giveaway today from my personal fabric stash to one lucky "The Cottage Home" reader.

So here is what I am offering to you...........

8 Half Yards of Heather Bailey's "Nicey Jane"

image source

 

So I'm not necessarily going to tell you which prints I will be sending, but it will be a total of 4 yards (8 half yard cuts) of the prints shown above.  This is my very favorite fabric collection, so this means I really love you guys......like, really, really, really.........

There are three ways to enter (leave one comment for each entry).

1.  Leave me a comment and let me know what blog posts you enjoy the most here on "The Cottage Home".......sewing, crafting, recipes, tutorials, family.  Or simply let me know why you became a reader.

2.  Follow "The Cottage Home" and leave me a comment.  If you are already a follower, please leave me a comment and let me know (thanks, by the way!)

3.  Become a fan of "The Cottage Mama" on facebook (click here).  Leave me a comment and let me know that you "like" me.  We have a great time over on facebook.........come join our community!

This giveaway will be open until next Wednesday, October 13 (will close at midnight central standard time).  Winner will be chosen via random.org.

So again, thank you so much for making this last year of my life truly amazing.  I seriously value each and everyone of you and the sense of community that has developed here on my blog, The Cottage Home.  

Here's to another great year!!