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“Cozy cottage meets sexy city”

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Gingham Cottage is perched atop The Hollywood Hills creating a balance of cozy getaway and sexy city.

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    August 24, 2011
    Edison bulbs for an instant update

    How many _________ does it take to change a light bulb? Who cares, the only light bulbs I needed to change were the ones in this chandelier at the cottage! After a quick brows thru Amazon Windowshop (it is like a drug to me, don’t start or you will never stop!) I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of these new (old) bulbs. When they arrived it took me .2 seconds to grab the highest stool and change them all out. I am so happy with the way they turned out, do you have a light that needs changing?

    August 18, 2011
    The Cottage

    Kitchen

    Kitchen

    Living Room

    Living Room

    Door

    Door

    Deck

    Deck

    Working on the hallway

    Working on the hallway

    Kitchen 2

    Kitchen 2

    Cooking with Simi

    Cooking with Simi

    Baxter

    Baxter

    KitchenLiving RoomDoorDeckWorking on the hallway
    Kitchen 2Cooking with SimiBaxter

    Fill Your Empty Basket
    Some people look at the glass as half empty others half full, for me this basket was just empty and sad. I bought it for $20 at The PCC Flea market last year not really having a specific “need”, or even a place in mind. After a light bulb moment (most likely over a glass of wine) I decided that I just had to fill it with beautiful faux hydrangeas inspired by the huge vase of lily’s at The Four Seasons I couldn’t think of anything else until I did it (just ask Matt).

    Some people look at the glass as half empty others half full, for me this basket was just empty and sad. I bought it for $20 at The PCC Flea market last year not really having a specific “need”, or even a place in mind. After a light bulb moment (most likely over a glass of wine) I decided that I just had to fill it with beautiful faux hydrangeas inspired by the huge vase of lily’s at The Four Seasons I couldn’t think of anything else until I did it (just ask Matt).

    So another trip to the suburban paradise also known as The Burbank Empire Center, the parking lot alone is something to really be marveled at. Here in Los Angeles we are used to parking tickets, tokens, guards and crazy signs everywhere, but not here the front of Michaels Arts & Crafts nothing but wide open parking! Every trip I find something new and exciting, this one however was singularly focused on hydrangeas. I brought the basket with me so I could find just the right flower. After looking at everything they had I settled on these green stems, however I had a sneaking suspicion of a sale I wasn’t seeing. And of course that voice inside my head planed by my mother was right and I scored these beautiful bushes for 40% off. After digging around I bought everything they had in that color, grabbed the few other supplies I needed and headed back to the cottage to get to work.

    Every trip I find something new and exciting, this one however was singularly focused on hydrangeas. I brought the basket with me so I could find just the right flower. After looking at everything they had I settled on these green stems, however I had a sneaking suspicion of a sale I wasn’t seeing. And of course that voice inside my head planed by my mother was right and I scored these beautiful bushes for 40% off. After digging around I bought everything they had in that color, grabbed the few other supplies I needed and headed back to the cottage to get to work.

    Every trip I find something new and exciting, this one however was singularly focused on hydrangeas. I brought the basket with me so I could find just the right flower. After looking at everything they had I settled on these green stems, however I had a sneaking suspicion of a sale I wasn’t seeing. And of course that voice inside my head planed by my mother was right and I scored these beautiful bushes for 40% off. After digging around I bought everything they had in that color, grabbed the few other supplies I needed and headed back to the cottage to get to work.

    This fantastic ½ round floral foam was the base for my hydrangea bush I put it in the basket and just went to town placing the bunches.

    This fantastic ½ round floral foam was the base for my hydrangea bush I put it in the basket and just went to town placing the bunches.

    Trimming them wasn’t the easiest thing I think my wire cutters could use an upgrade. Once I got the big pieces I cut smaller ones from the bush to fill in holes.

    Trimming them wasn’t the easiest thing I think my wire cutters could use an upgrade. Once I got the big pieces I cut smaller ones from the bush to fill in holes.

    Coming along

    Coming along

    Some people look at the glass as half empty others half full, for me this basket was just empty and sad. I bought it for $20 at The PCC Flea market last year not really having a specific “need”, or even a place in mind. After a light bulb moment (most likely over a glass of wine) I decided that I just had to fill it with beautiful faux hydrangeas inspired by the huge vase of lily’s at The Four Seasons I couldn’t think of anything else until I did it (just ask Matt).Every trip I find something new and exciting, this one however was singularly focused on hydrangeas. I brought the basket with me so I could find just the right flower. After looking at everything they had I settled on these green stems, however I had a sneaking suspicion of a sale I wasn’t seeing. And of course that voice inside my head planed by my mother was right and I scored these beautiful bushes for 40% off. After digging around I bought everything they had in that color, grabbed the few other supplies I needed and headed back to the cottage to get to work.This fantastic ½ round floral foam was the base for my hydrangea bush I put it in the basket and just went to town placing the bunches.Trimming them wasn’t the easiest thing I think my wire cutters could use an upgrade. Once I got the big pieces I cut smaller ones from the bush to fill in holes.Coming along
    June 27, 2011
    Tour Gingham Cottage with Theodore & Vitamin Water

    May 26, 2011
    Multi functional entrance piece (for $100)
    Simple Styling

    Simple Styling

    After many different versions this is the set up I went with for the entrance. It is amazing what a stack of art books and some simple objects can do for a space. I found the mirror at a the Jewish Ladies thrift store for $70.00. And Matt wanted the horse head that was sitting on the cabinet when we bought it, so of course I got it for him. (good call babe)

    Quick pull change

    Quick pull change

    It is amazing what simply changing a pull or a handle can do for a flea market find.

    Finishing the handles

    Finishing the handles

    Here I am after a long morning of flea marketing at the Rose Bowl changing the handles of our new find. Of course I had already styled out the top.

    Power Strip (stroke of genius)

    Power Strip (stroke of genius)

    With a good drill and some patience Matt created the perfect home for our wayward Mac Book's. They previously resided under the sofa (much to my dismay) This solution is easy and totally functional, you walk in from work and dock your computer, phone, ipad, keys then you have a free hand for a cocktail!

    Enlarged "hat hooks"

    Enlarged "hat hooks"

    We found these "hat hooks" at the local hardware store. They are perfect for holding Baxter's leash and our "miners light" (people laugh but when you have no street lights it is essential)

    Top of the entrance cabinet

    Top of the entrance cabinet

    Here is a closer look at the top of the cabinet.

    Overhead View

    Overhead view

    Notice the I Phone docking station hidden behind the plate we out the keys on. I would love to say I never loose my phone anymore but that would be a lie.

    Simple StylingQuick pull changeFinishing the handlesPower Strip (stroke of genius)Enlarged "hat hooks"
    Top of the entrance cabinetOverhead View
    May 16, 2011
    Join me on Pinterest!

    Follow me on Pinterest, it is a fun site where we can all share pictures of the things we love! I am obsessed.

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    The boxes for the bathroom are arriving!

    This renovation project has been so major we have been living in dust for two weeks! Who knew that the bathroom could create so much dust in the whole house? As we near the end I realize how much time we spend here, and the idea of not having people over because the house is a mess drives me mad. We were so fed up we spent several hours cleaning on Saturday just so we could have a normal weekend. After a lovely dinner last night at 8 am sharp the boys came and the saws started again. Several items have shipped in: the sink, the Toto Washelette, and the medicine cabinet from Restoration Hardware. There is also a pic of the tile samples.

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    May 10, 2011
    Bathroom renovation!

    We are underway here at the cottage with our exciting overhaul of our bathroom. I have posted these before pics so you can see the transformation, it is currently a concrete box! Follow @gingham cottage on twitter for a play by play daily pic of the progress.

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    April 27, 2011
    Spring & Summer Wreath ( for under $20 bucks)

    Maybe its because I am from Ohio but I just like wreaths on doors, and non holiday times are difficult to figure out what to use. I was in luck at a recent trip to my favorite strip mall in Burbank where they have a huge Michaels store, it seems like every time I am there the whole place is on sale. Even better they had these very expensive looking silk hydrangeas  at 40% off so they were $5.00 for a bunch of 5, so I bought 3 bunches and a foam wreath base all for around 20 bucks.

    So this is all you need to create this fabulous wreath, the hydrangeas, foam base,and florist pins.

    I love the color of these faux hydrangeas because they look so chic and real! (I always run in the store and go for anything that doesn’t look like it belongs there) I just pop them off of there “bush” and go to town putting the wreath together.

    Working with these U shaped florist pins is literally the easiest thing since e-mail, I just put them through the hole in the middle of the flower bunch and attach.

    Once you start just keep filling in working around the base, you want it really full so the base is hidden.

    Besides my hair everything here is looking great I have my fresh Spring wreath, plenty of time for dinner and it cost’s less than a manicure.

    I Pad Blogging What!!

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    We are loving this swing arm sconce, what do you think??

    Gingham Cottage