My life is to make everything around me beautiful.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Everyone Dreams of Cottages - Pink Saturday 3/17/12

Welcome to Beverly's blog for another Pink Saturday, the absolute best blog linky/party on the blogs. To view other participants, visit her.

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What exactly is a home? A cottage? A castle? A home is a place where one lives permanently. A cottage is described as a small simple house, typically one near a lake or beach, but I think it can be anywhere. A castle is a large building of group of buildings fortified against an attack with thick walls, battlements, towers and in many cases a moat. It can also be a magnificent and imposing mansion, especially one that is the home or former home of a member of the nobility and, dare I say, Hollywood people and rich owners of corporations. I have no problem with people having large, expensive homes. None at all.

My definition of home is a safe haven from the stress of the world. A place I can relax, feel safe, and have it warm and inviting. I don't need a big house or even a glamorous house; I just need a place that I know is mine, no matter what the storms in my life are. A house where it protects me from people I don't want to see. Or I can share with friends I feel safe with. A house I can sit in and watch the snow fall quietly while huddled in a warm comforter with a cup of very rich dark cocoa. A place hubby comes home to after a day of teaching a class or taking care of business while I take care of his home and make a delicious dinner for him, for which he is always grateful.


No, no mansion or big house for me. It just wouldn't suit us. We're really simple people. We enjoy each others company before anyone elses. We spend a great deal of time alone, just the two of us.
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I love the small angled solarium on this house, plus a private patio for eating. Privacy is a huge issue for me.

A sweet array of crafts hanging on a line makes a comfy statement in most homes.

I find this very quaint—the stone houses sitting by a stream with small outdoor eating areas and across from a woods. Romantic would be another word for this setting.


How in the world could anyone resist this setting? Lovely.

Your rose- and vine-covered cottage.


I can't remember ever seeing a 2 story cottage so square and small.

Beautiful, but it's too large for me to keep clean and I'm not fond of 2 story homes at my age.


Another rose- and vine-covered cottage. Oooh, squeeeeeal. I'd love this as a studio in my back yard. Hubs says if we did that he'd have to change the sprinkler system, so we know that ain't happenin', right?

While there would be privacy with its seclusion, any boater with binoculars could get a very good look! I'd pass on this one.

Vintage books and cards kept by a lover perhaps.

Cute, but I'd have to give it a coat of white paint. I'm not really into the raw, weathered look of wood much.

We've seen these huge tents around hunting season up in the mountains when we go camping late in the season. Personally, I'd love to have one of these instead of our pop-up camper. More space and more romantic.

For you lovers of cottages by the lake, this is one for you.

I think this is a downtown cottage if you understand what I mean. Most city dwellers don't get out to cottages in the woods. But this owner made her own little space seem like a cottage. I applaud her for her creativity. I think it's adorable.

While lovely, it's a bit dark for my taste.

This one certainly has my name on it! I think it would be perfect for me and hubs.

Or even this one would be acceptable. The roof lines and the colors entice me more than anything else.

I hope you've enjoyed viewing these little cottages. I think they are all exceptional.

Any idiot can face a crisis; it's day to day living that wears you out.
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All images courtesy of Pinterest

20 comments:

  1. Hi Connie! Thanks so much for another fantastic article. I enjoyed reading it so much and feasting my eyes on your beautiful photos!

    My definition of home is the same as yours. You have it down to a tee. When I come home from shopping or whatever and I close my door, I feel safe. I feel that I'm where I should be and where I need to be. I don't want much in life. Just a safe little corner and that's what my home is to me.

    I don't have a problem either with people having a huge house if it makes them happy. If I had one, I would probably always be in the same rooms which is the kitchen and living room. Of course, I would have a craft room which would be an added bonus because I don't have one of those precious spaces so many women yearn for.

    I live alone and I'm 100% okay with that. Over the years, I have become a loner. I enjoy my own company and I'm not embarrassed to admit to this.I'm very satisfied with this state of being. It's peaceful!

    The solarium in your first photo is like a dream come true when I look at it. It must be so lovely inside. I also love that it has a patio that offers privacy.

    I also love the last photo you have of a private patio. Privacy is extremely important to me.

    I don't care for 2 story houses anymore either. If I could afford a house, I am of an age where I would like a small and cozy one like the last ones you showed.

    The one you would like for you and hub looks like a fairy tale house. I love that look. It brings out the little girl in me. I want to go inside and play!

    I'm really just a little girl at heart, anyways! A lot of us are!

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  2. What a wonderful pictures! Thanks for sharing.
    with love,
    Ineke

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  3. What a thoughtful and pretty post! I loved almost all of the cottages squeeal indeed! The first one is like a dream to me.I also loved the cutwork table topper in that photo too! Have a Pink day!

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  4. Beautiful pictures I assume that 2 story tiny square cottage has living and kitchen down and bed and bath up stairs. I could do with one of those in my back yard. One should always have a room of ones own
    Carolyn

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  5. Your photos are lovely. I would like to stay in each and every cottage you have highlighted! Happy Pink Saturday. ~Marti

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  6. What a stunning very little cottage!!! and the first photo, grandioso and soooo elegant !!
    Happy PS dear Connie.
    ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

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  7. What a fun post! I did enjoy looking at all those lovely homes...thanks for sharing Connie.
    HPS, enjoy your St.Pat's weekend.

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  8. What a delightful post, Connie. You certainly brightened my drearly day - thanks.

    Happy Pink Saturday to you!

    Marie

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  9. I love the homes you posted! My home is my castle, cottage, whatever you want to call it. I would love to live near the water like that one house, right on the watersedge. How beautiful!

    I hope this finds you doing super well and enjoying your weekend!

    heather

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  10. Beautiful post! I love cottages. Thank you for sharing.
    ~Clara

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  11. Home is where the heart is, really!

    But your cottage selections were all great to me! Dreamy!

    Bebe is doing well...she's my little shadow throughout the day, even helping me pack up orders now. :0)

    I know what you mean about kissing their faces off....she still has these sweet cheeks that you can't help but give big smoochies!

    Caroline is no exception....SO SWEET!

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  12. As always, I love your beautiful images.
    Thanks for sharing these...I pinned several. And,will probably be hauled off to jail...I've been seeing where some folks are getting in trouble pinning things they shouldn't. Oh, well...altho I've never been to jail...I HAVE been in trouble before and weathered the storm.:))

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  13. Oh what gorgeous photos! I love the cottages, any size is fine..but I prefer the smaller one covered with flowers! Such a pretty post! Thanks for sharing with us! Happy PS and St. Paddy's Day!
    Miss Bloomers

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  14. Such a wonderful post ~ all the homes are so quaint and gorgeous and the flowers beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Pink Saturday to you, Dru

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  15. Oh my goodness, I could stare at these all day. They are gorgeous. I like the cottage by the lake.
    HPS and St. Pat's too.

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  16. Beautiful pictures .
    Happy pink saturday!!!

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  17. Hi again Connie, don't know if my first attempt to comment worked. Dang blogger lol!

    Anyway, fabulous post! Love all the beautiful photos! I want a charming outdoor space beyond my tiny patio lol!

    Have a lovely weekend!
    Cheers!
    Tina

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  18. I agree the smaller houses are easier to look after, and it is not so expensive if you have to replace the floors or cabinets, or paint, or repair the roof!

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  19. These are all so beautiful and romantic! Funny how our taste changes as we age, I too see the problem with 2 stories and too much space to clean. Thanks for sharing. Happy Pink Saturday! ~Diane (I am #75)

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  20. Wow Connie,

    I love all of the beautiful spots you featured. I don't need huge, I just need warm and wonderful. In fact, I can't imagine living in a McMansion. A sweet old cottage by the sea, however...yeah, that works. :-)

    Hugs,
    Judy

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Comments are so nice and I thank all of you that leave one for me.