Thursday, November 1, 2007

Winter... ~ Cottage Style ~



I love winter, not for the bitter cold days, or the endless "white out's" from snowstorms.. but for the sense of cozy I feel during these long months. It doesn't matter what the weather is outdoors if I feel warm, secure, and enveloped in "Winter Beauty" indoors.

If you feel that same urge for comfort, here are a few ideas to help you prepare for those long, cold months ahead. Prepare now, and you will find ~ Mama Bear's Den is " Cottage Cozy!"

There are so many ways to create the perfect "Den", by adding scented candles, warm "jammies & slippers, filling the cupboards with your favorite tea's, coffee's, hot chocolate mixes for you and your baby bears, your favorite biscotti's... mmm... already perfection!

Let's not forget colorful vases throughout the house look charming filled with twigs and branches, sprayed white, then covered with glitter. Even silk flowers such as hydrangeas, roses, and daisies, with a touch of mica has a magical icicle look.

Vintage fabrics might seem pricey, but consider design punch. Toss a Matelasse cover over your sofa, chairs, etc..

A curtain panel should yield enough fabric for three 20-inch-square pillows. Shop for damaged or stained pieces that can be cut to make a pillow top; add new coordinating fabric on the back , look for brocades, damask, heavier fabrics, using winter white, blue, pink, green in color. Add vintage buttons, bits and baubles to the pillows.

Winter, Cottage Style, wouldn't be complete without Creamy white, silver blue, or the palest sage green Velvet drapes. Keep your lovely sheer panels up from summer,add vintage door knobs, above the windows, sew ribbon strips on top of panels, and tie to door knobs~ Tie panels back with a bouquet of glittered roses, twigs and berries.

Please remember, feeding your soul is as important as feeding your body

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
Your winter cottage sounds delightful & bliss! I love stocking up on all of the comfort things too. Here's to winter & all of its beauty!!!!
Vicki

Anonymous said...

Hi sweet Michelle, Wonderful post and ideas. With us finally getting cooler temperatures last night I put on my warm cozy pj's and fuzzy soft socks. Felt so good. Come see me xoxo Lynn

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
Wow! Your new website is so very bliss & lovely! It will be a favorite site for me to visit often! Good luck with your new site!
Vicki

Alison Gibbs said...

What a lovely post.
Sounds like heaven.
Love your collage, so peaceful & serene.
Alison

Anonymous said...

Okay now....I have been glittering everything I can get my hands on lately but never thought of painting some branches white and glittering them too for the holidays. Thank you for the inspiration.

Roxie Morrow said...

This was such wonderful food for thought, thank you for all the great wintery ideas that I will be trying out this year. I'm feeling cozy already.

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Michelle ~ I love your new blog and new website !!! sooo pretty !

Unknown said...

Michelle, I love this post! Your suggestions are beautiful and I can picture every one!

Love ya,
Amy

Sweet Remembrance said...

Michelle...
Sounds splendid!
I love your new banner...
Priscilla

Cheryl Ensom said...

Thank you for the sweet piccys and a reminder to feed our souls! Hugs to you...cheryl :)

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
Thanks for stopping by & visiting me! I just love that it was snowing when you were reading my blog! That is why I leave my pink trees up past Christmas so I can enjoy them if we get snow later on! You can send me some snow showers for Christmas! Please stop by & check out my latest creation with a vintage lamp fixture!
Vicki

Michele said...

Michelle, your blog is beautiful. We all have missed you. Thanks for the cozy winter tips.
Hugs~ Michele

Whimsy Pink said...

Hi michelle~ I love the cozynesss of winter, just did a living room redo and it is the coziest now!Perfect for these upcoming winter months~

Whimsy Pink said...

Hi Michelle, Thanks for stoppin by my blog for a visit! I would love to exchange links with you,Your new website is awesome, I love it!!! I can't wait for you to get all your lovely things in the shop!

Lynn said...

I love reading your blog Michelle, and thank you for visiting me, I would love for you add me to your list of blogs to read.
This post is just what I needed, I can picture myself hibernating this winter as I usually do, in my cozy nest, only this year I have my own studio so it will be even better :)

Michele said...

Hello Michelle,
I just wanted to stop by and wish you and your family a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
Hugs~
Michele

Anonymous said...

Wow Michelle, Your new website is just gorgeous...the prettiest I think I have ever seen. It's so you.

Bebe said...

Hi Michelle,
Just found your blog and enjoyed reading it so much! We have such similar tastes! Have added you to my favorites and will stop by again soon!
Bebe :)

Cathy said...

Hi Michele, Love your blog. Just dropped by to say "hi" and see how things were going. When you have a chance, please add my blog to your blogroll sweetie pie. I am adding yours right now! xoxo

Tina Leavy said...

so very pretty. lovely ideas and images.

Amy @ The Cottage Gate said...

Michelle,

You inspire me!! I love all your thoughts and ideas - I can just envision myself wrapped up in your cozy winter cottage breathing in a quiet moment.

Amy

Bebe said...

Hi Michelle!
Thank you for such sweet comments about my blog! You are very kind!
I am sending good thoughts and prayers out your way for your grandson's recovery. I'm sure he will be okay! ((((HUGS)))) I know it must be hard trying to run a business and caring for him, too (plus it being the holidays-everything happening at once). Hopefully, you'll have lots of good things happening in the new year! Take care and stay warm!
Bebe :)

Cheryl said...

Some great ideas!! I subscribe to your newsletter through E-Bay and thought I would pop by. You have an awesome blog!!

Stay warm and cozy.

Cheryl ~ Cheryl's Place

Cheryl said...

Thank you for your comment on my blog. After I thought about it it may be that I learned about your E-Bay from your blog and then came back to your blog, confusing, huh? But I love to look at what you have on E-Bay. I will be thinking about your little grandson and will say a little prayer.

You are welcome to put me as a favorite, the vintage/antique things I have been sharing on my blog are things I won at an auction about a month ago and I am not sure if I will ever win something this amazing again.

Take care, Michelle.

Cheryl