Starfish Cottage

Why I love starfish...

Why do I love starfish?  Let me count the reasons...

1. Starfish just LOOK happy.

2. They are WHITE and you know how much I love WHITE!

3. They are totally coastal.

4. They make fabulous christmas ornaments...

5. And napkin rings...

6. And drapery tie backs...

7. And vase fillers...and lots of other decorative uses.

8.  They are inexpensive.

9. Starfish are organic and natural.

10. There are many different kinds of starfish.

11. Each starfish is uniquely and wonderfully made.

12. Starfish regenerate when broken- they self-heal.

 

Do you love starfish too?

Do you have any fun or beautiful uses for starfish? Or starfish stories? If so, please share!

...make every day special- kristy

Saint Petersburg Farmers Market by Boat

 
It was one of those BEAUTIFUL mornings a few weeks ago when the gang and I set sail for downtown St Pete by boat.  Mom was excited to go to the Farmers Market, Dad was happy to be on the water, and the Girls were on "dolphin and manatee" watch!

 

We had not gotten far, when sure enough we saw a few dolphins, and after that 2 manatee.  That made girls the girls very happy.

Daddy got to show Hayley how to drive a boat...that made Daddy very happy.

Mommy got to shop at one of Florida's largest Farmer's Markets- and that made Mommy very happy!

We all enjoyed a dinner of fresh fish and vegetables that night...which made EVERYONE happy- what an absolutely PERFECT day!

...make very day special... Kristy

Happy Easter!

Hoping you all have a very Happy Easter Weekend!

From Starfish Cottage

Forts in my Dining Room...

Not long ago on a rainy day, I found THIS in my dining room...

 

Which normally looks like THIS...

 

Do you remember building forts when you were a child? 

I think we ALL have a need to create our own special place in this world...

 

Do you live in your special place?  What does your "fort" look like?

 

make everyday special... kristy

Dining Room Chairs Makeover

Ok, so recently I decided to "treat" my 10-year old French Provencal-style ladderback dining chairs to a little makeover- they were looking a little more "shabby" than "chic" if you know what I mean!

 

The rush seats were broken, dirty and falling apart- the cost to replace hand-woven rush seating is crazy-expensive, so I decided to simply slipcover them (you know how I have a THING for slipcovers!)

 

Anywhoo, I used some of my leftover organic white canvas duck fabric and had my workroom give them nice long ruffled skirts- they needed to look a little dressy for the dining room, you know.  They are also more comfortable since we added a cushion and super durable (believe it or not!) since they can be easily removed and washed.

 

Here they are from the back...aren't they cute?

Make every day special... Kristy

An Artist's Table

 

My five year old is a budding artist...this is her table in our kitchen/family room area.  I keep it supplied with crayons, markers, paints, brushes, paper, scissors, tape, glue, etc... and she keeps me supplied with a steady stream of artwork and crafts!  She is so amazing.  Right outside the door (which you cannot see) is her little potted garden which she (read: "mom") keeps watered, and just beyond she has the most wonderful view of the water...what an inspiring place to work!

 

Where do you work on YOUR projects? 

What did you want to be when you were five years old?

 

...make every day special...kristy 

Front Door Basket- Spring 2011- Centsational Home "Home May'd" Link Party

 

OK, so call me cheesy- but I love updating my home seasonally and this door basket is a SUPER-DUPER easy way to do just that!  I simply fill it with whatever strikes my fancy.  This spring, it is filled with gorgeous blue hydrangea branches and greenery.  I simple note with ribbon "welcomes" guests and don't you LOVE the little birds nest and tiny spotted eggs!

Look for me to update my door basket throughout the year...isn't it the little things that make life so great?

Make everyday special- Kristy

Springtime Table Setting

 

DISCLAIMER: We do NOT eat dinner at a table set like this every night (I have little ones, you know!) but everyone once in a while, it's fun to play "dress-up" at dinner time- you know we Interior Designers love to drive our families BONKERS and drag out all the "props" every once in a while!

 

With that said, this Spring I continued my "Robins Egg Blue" theme with a centerpiece of spotted eggs and sealife in a moss lined basket and a simple white pitcher filled with pale blue hydrangea branches.  Simple white plates on woven chargers keep it natural feeling. The linens are burlap with a white cotton topper and blue napkins topped with what else? STARFISH (of course).

Well, I had fun and "The Fam" was pleasantly suprised that evening for dinner- (even if it was only delivery pizza!)

Make everyday special... Kristy