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A Stylish Beach Cottage Tour

November 07, 2013

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I have stated before, many, many times, that I live in the sweetest little beach neighborhood.  It was originally settled as summer community almost 100 years ago and was peppered with the tiniest cottages, designed for a weekend at the shore.  

Over the last century however, as people found it harder and harder to leave the beach during the off season, the neighborhood has morphed into a fulltime residential area. 


Of course, most of the original structures were not built to withstand the winter elements or the daily requirements of a modern family. So people renovated. And renovated. And renovated some more to make them livable by today's standards. 

Now, most of the houses were built on 40x100 lots of land, so obviously much of the renovations had to be done either in the existing small footprints or by going up.  Consequently or perhaps fortuitously, today there are many, many gorgeous and creative cottages in my neighborhood and they are all truly unique! 

Now, I may be a just a wee bit prejudice here, but I think that my girlfriends happen to have the best homes in the hood.  Every one of them is a DIY masterpiece...and since they don't have blogs to show them off, I get to do it! 

Today, I am starting with a sneak peek into the home of my fabulous friend Liz.  She has an unbelievable eye for detail.  She renovated the entire space and her home is filled with those decorator touches that make it look magazine worthy!  Feel free to drool...it's that good!

We'll start in the kitchen....


Check out the backsplash. 


 The galley style kitchen has a great breakfast bar and a chef worthy stove.


Did you catch that giant chalkboard on the wall? 


Accessorizing with an ode to the beach....


and flowers from her garden.


 Mercury glass ornaments add a sparkle to the table, as we wrap up the tour.


Her powder room is equally as elegant.  She keeps the same window treatments and dĂ©cor theme throughout the first floor.  I am in love with her light fixture and the pattern it casts on the ceiling. 


I am also in love with the rocks in the sink.  The details make such a difference in a space.


As I said, space is always at a premium in this neck of the woods, so Liz turned a closet into a built-in desk area.   




Here's a quick shot of a vignette in her family room complete with simple open frames, more accessories from the beach and a piece of original artwork.




 The whole house is stunning. 

I hope you enjoyed your sneak peek my friend's home.  I have already begged asked several more friends if I could feature their homes and they have been gracious enough to say yes! So keep your eyes peeled for more in the series...I have a lot of talented friends!

Do you? 

Like Liz's cottage? Check out Kelly's

Shabby chic beach cottage
Kim Signature


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  1. What a great cottage/house/home. I LOVE it! She has a great eye for detail. xo Diana

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    1. She really does, Diana! It's such an elegant home, but completely comfy and cozy at the same time! My kind of place! :)

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  2. What a beautiful home! You are right..she definitely has the touch. I like the use of the same window treatments throughout the space. That's smart! Can't wait to see more. :)

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    1. Stacey, she totally has the touch! I know that I love my red, but every time I go over there I come home with the urge to paint everything white! :)

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  3. Love her beautiful home! Can't wait to see more of your friends' homes!

    Tania

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    1. Tania, isn't it pretty? She really has a gift! Thanks so much for popping by! :)

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  4. I couldn't agree with you more Kim!!!! Thanks for sharing this beautiful home to us!

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    1. Thanks Vel, it really is even better in person! Thanks for taking a peek!

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  5. Love that kitchen! Sweet cottage with great detail!

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    1. Thanks... I couldn't wait to photograph her home! It is super sweet!

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  6. Very nice, Kim. Liz has great style without a lot of clutter. I really like her cottage.

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    1. Thanks! I will pass it on to her! It is a really beautiful space, Nancy. She has a great eye for design!

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  7. Kim,
    what a darling space, and, being at the beach makes it even better! Can't wait to see more! Thanks for stopping by and your sweet comment! Just did another post on my 2 sons who are vets, you might want to come back by!
    Rebecca
    PS. I'm your newest follower and will be back~

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    1. Thanks Rebecca, it is a great little cottage in a great little town!

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  8. Beautiful house! It makes me want to clean mine. I absolutely love looking in people's homes. I can't wait to see some of the others you plan to post!

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    1. I agree, Candace, it I a very clean house...in more ways than one! I always want to de-clutter my home, when I return from hers! I totally love peeking inside homes, as well. For years, I was addicted to House Hunters, so I could get my fix! Now I am addicted to blogs instead! Glad you liked the tour! Thanks for popping by!

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  9. You have created such a beautiful space!! I love all the little touches in the kitchen and bathroom that just 'make' it that much more special. I would love it if you shared your beach cottage tour with us at the Link it or Lump It link party this week. http://www.twoityourself.blogspot.com/2013/11/LinkParty13.html
    -melissa

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  10. You friend has a lovely home. Thanks for the tour.
    Jeannie

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    1. Thanks Jeannie! I will pass on your sweet compliment! :)

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  11. Oh wow, such a beautiful home and I love, love, love that kitchen. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me and don't forget to link up to our Holiday Baking Party on the 20th. Hugs, Marty

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    1. Thank you Marty, her kitchen really is stunning. I'm so happy that she let me share it!

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  12. Your friend's "cottage" is definitely a decorator showcase. She has talent and a great eye! How fun that she allowed you to share it with us.
    Blessings!!
    p.s. How wonderful for you to live so near the beach, too!!

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    1. I will pass on your lovely compliments to her, Diane! She really does have a gift! :)

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  13. What a gorgeous home! I love beachy decorating and this is stunning! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays! x

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    1. Thanks Danielle, she really does have great taste!

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  14. Oh what I could do with a kitchen that size...or house that size! Beautiful just beautiful!! Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase!!

    Shelly
    minettesmaze

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    1. Thanks for such a nice comment, Shelly, I will be sure to pass it along to my friend...everyone loves a compliment! :)

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  15. Liz has a gorgeous house! I love it all, but that little desk nook is my favorite part!
    xxx
    Kim

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    1. Thanks, Kim! That desk nook is so creative and very functional! She really made such good use of her space!

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  16. Kim, her house is divine! Thank you for sharing. You will be one of the features tomorrow at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and grab a feature button for your blog. Hope to see your prettiness again tomorrow at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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    1. Kathryn, you have just made my night! How very exciting! I just adore her house, too ~ I love color and drama in my decorating (as evidenced by all the red in my rooms!), but every time I come home from her place I just want to paint everything white and cull my accessories! I can't wait to tell her tomorrow to go visit your blog!




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  17. Love this! I grew up in a coastal community and I think these charming cottages are so dreamy! What a fantastic job she did at making it homey but still not feel cluttered in a small space. Just love all the finishing touches! I chose it as one of my features this week!
    http://commona-myhouse.blogspot.com/2013/11/give-me-goods-sunday-features-34.html

    Hope to see more of your posts link up again this week!
    XO!

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    1. Amy thank you so much for the email and the feature! I am so excited and I will certainly tell my friend to check it out! These cottages are very sweet...and all very different, but hers is really very special!

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  18. Photos were beautiful and definitely did justice to Liz's incredible decorating taste.

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    1. Thanks Suzanne, the pictures just captured what was already there! :)

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  19. Loved your friends kitchen . . . from sink,, faucet, cupboards to the ceiling, chalk board, quartz ?, accessories and all . . .

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    1. She has created a beautiful space, Lynne. She has such an eye. I’ll pass on your comments! :)

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  20. Am loving these additions to your posts. Hope this becomes a regular category for ya. And, yes, like you, I've got many talented friends . . . and having gotten to know you via/net, I hope you're one too. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Absolutely, Cheryl…and proud to be counted among them! I do like these features, I have more lined up! :)

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  21. This is beautiful! I've been thinking lately about attempting to make roman shades. I don't know much about them, but I think this is the first time I've seen them hanging by clips from a rod, which seems an easy installation. I'm curious though: Are they purchased or did your friend make them?

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    1. I believe that she purchased them from Smith and Noble, Kathy. You should check out their website and see if you can find them, although I have seen some very easy "how-to's" on Pinterest. Good luck and keep me posted!

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  22. Hi,
    I love that light in the bathroom! She has many great decorating ideas.
    Thank you for sharing - re sharing for those of us who missed this post. :-)

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    1. Liz’s house is a true charmer. That light is fabulous! :)

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  23. Liz's home is great! I'm so happy these friends allowed you to share their homes. These tours are fun!

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    1. Thanks Sarah! I really enjoy them, too. I get a lot of ideas and always want to redecorate when I get home!

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    1. Thanks Martina ~ She has a great eye! :)

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