Starfish Cottage

Five for Friday: A Touch of Grey

Coastal Greys for Starfish Cottage

With the recent addition of the color grey to our little cottage (which I am loving since it is so simple and sophisticated and peaceful) I thought I might share with you all a few more items I like in my favorite new hue...

1.

Ikea Grey Throw Blanket

As I mentioned not long ago, the easiest way I know to update the look of a room is with throw pillows and throw blankets- this one from Ikea is gorgeous AND affordable!

2.

Walmart Galvanized Metal Tray

I love simple accent pieces like this tray- it would look great as a centerpiece on a dining table, or coffee table, or used as a serving tray at a party- the metal is both casual and a little coastal!

3.

I am His Art- House of Belonging

I have fallen in love with this Etsy shop...their artwork is simply beautiful and the verses and quotes they feature are so uplifting, you have to check them out...

4.

Crate and Barrel Mushroom Pillow

These large mushroom grey pillows are a fabulous way to add a touch of grey to any space!

 

5.

Ikea Byholma Basket Chest

What a gorgeous way to add a touch of grey AND texture to any room, not to mention ATTRACTIVE STORAGE...which is always a bonus!  This generous sized basket chest is a must-see!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend! 

(Don't forget to enter to win my Coastal Scented Candle Giveaway this month, click HERE for more details!!

Your Inspired Design Link Party...Week 3!!

Hello Everyone! It's Kristy from Starfish Cottage...I am so pleased to be the host for this week's "Your Inspired Design" Link Party.  Well, it's still quite warm here in Florida, but I hope the rest of you all are starting to feel some cooler, fall weather (I'm totally jealous right now!!) 

For those of you new to the whole "link party thing", it's basically just a post where we (bloggers) share some of our recent ideas and designs, and you (readers) get to visit lots of other blogs and check out a TON of creative ideas. I am always amazed and inspired by the ideas shared- so thanks to everyone who participated last week!!

There were so many wonderful and inspiring designs shared last week, but I wanted to feature 3 of my favorites...

First up is this Easy DIY Football Tray from the beautiful blog, Storypiece. Anyone who knows me well, knows that this southern girl LOVES her some college football...and this tray is "tres chic" if you ask me! (I might just have to make one of these for Starfish Cottage, since it is officially football season!!)

Another favorite link was this gorgeous New/Old Farmhouse Table from Repurposed for Life. I have always loved big, rustic farmhouse tables and I especially enjoyed that Lyn and her father made it together! Talk about a precious family heirloom. Great job!!

And finally, since it is my week to host, and I absolutely LOVE anything coastal...I just have to share with you all this fabulous Coastal Fall Decor from Seaglass Cottage. I think even if you don't like coastal decor you will love this post because she shares with us how to build a beautiful layered centerpiece. Check it out!

Well, that's it for me...be sure to link up to today's party...I can't wait to see what everyone shares this week!!

......................................................................................................................

Here are your hosts of the party! Get to know them, they are great!

Christine @ Let's Get Crafty

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Diane @ Diane and Dean DIY

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Hometalk

Kristy @ Starfish Cottage

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Carol @ Bluesky Kitchen

Blog | Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook

Lisa & Gloria @ Potentially Chic

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Hometalk | Houzz

Holly @ McCall Manor

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Hometalk

 

Now that we have all been properly introduced, let's get to linking up!

 

Here are some Inspired Design guidelines:

1. You must have a host link or our party button in your post to be featured.

2. No advertising including shops and etsy shops.

3. Your submission should be something you created (furniture redo, recipe, room design etc).

4. By joining this party you give us permission to feature your work, with a link, on our social networks and these blogs.

5. Stay and check out what other people have created. Check out and comment on at least 2 other links.

6. Enjoy the creativity!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

 

You can grab a party button here and if you are featured next week, be sure to grab our featured button at that point! Thanks for partying with us!

 

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.mccallmanor.com" rel="nofollow" title="McCall Manor" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.mccallmanor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-27-at-6.30.57-AM.png" alt="McCall Manor" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.mccallmanor.com" rel="nofollow" title="McCall Manor" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.mccallmanor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-27-at-6.29.11-AM.png" alt="McCall Manor" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Starfish Cottage Scented Candle Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by the cottage today. I am happy to announce that I am hosting another fabulous Starfish Cottage giveaway!

This month, one lucky reader will win this beautiful and fragrant coastal style candle...in honor of fall, this gorgeous burlap and sand dollar candle has a "pumpkin spice" fragrance.

I absolutely love decorating with candles, and always have a pretty scented candle lit in our kitchen. I think candles bring so much ambiance to a room.

 

All you have to do to win is make sure you are a subscriber (if you aren't, simply enter your email address in the box at the top left of this page) then make a comment on any post this month followed by #coastalcandle. I will announce the winner on Wed Sept 30th. 

Good luck!!

DIY: Easy Seashell Shadowboxes

 You have probably seen my recently updated Living Room where I have a beautiful set of four seashell shadowboxes flanking a large mirror over the sofa...

Well, I made these shadowboxes myself (which means that it's probably a really easy project) and I'm going to show you how to do it too!!

 

All you need to get started is a shadowbox frame (I like the Ribba in White from Ikea, it also comes in black and wood tone!) a hot glue gun, and your seashells, I am using sand dollars here, but there are so many different things you could use...it doesn't even have to be seashells!!

I love these Ribba frames, and use them often when decorating...they have 2 sizes in the "shadowbox style", large and small...I have used both for this project- just placing a single shell inside the small one.

First, remove all the wrapping and take the frame apart.  I like to use the backing board that comes with the Ribba frames, since it is a pretty neutral "brown kraft"- but I have painted the backing to match a decor color, or even used 12" sq decorative scrapbooking papers as my background- be as creative as you like!

When laying out the shells, I always use the mat so I can see what it will look like, if you have more shells or larger shells, you could always forgo the mat, but I like it in this case.

After finalizing your layout- I chose a very simple, straightforward presentation of 3 sand dollars in 3 rows, you simply hot glue each sand dollar in it's place.

Unless you are a real pro with a glue gun, you will want to clean up and wipe away any stray glue strings, to keep it looking nice!

 

That is it, yall!  Super easy!  I made a series of four: sand dollars, starfish, channeled whelks and pearlized nautilus...hanging them in a grid gives them a somewhat "gallery look".

 

Hope you all give this project a try sometime!!

Scripture Sunday- John 14:27

John 14: 27
 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

On August 29, 2005, my comfortable world turned upside down.

On a sunny Friday afternoon, I left my classroom with my two children and bid the other teachers goodbye — “Have a great weekend!” I remember saying.

(Sometime during the week, we had heard a weather report about a tropical storm brewing in the gulf, but we thought it was most likely going to Florida so it posed no threat to us in New Orleans. We’ve been through the drill many times — and there was nothing to worry about.)

Fast forward twenty-four hours, and at midnight on Saturday, my husband and I were frantically throwing trash bags filled with our clothes into the car and strapping our children in to evacuate before we were trapped. The weather reports had changed drastically and began to get increasingly urgent on Saturday as the course of the storm changed— it was becoming a monster hurricane, and it was coming fast — directly to New Orleans. The plea on the news to the city was to evacuate now or you will be in a body bag within hours.

The only things we took with us were a few items of clothing, my wedding album, and a few family photo albums. There was no time for anything else. I locked the front door, and said a silent prayer to please let this all be just another drill.

Well, you know how this story ends because it was Hurricane Katrina.

I remember sitting in the backyard of the home where we were staying in another state weeks later and thinking, what now? We temporarily lost our jobs; houses are under ten feet of water, my children don’t have their school, and we don’t even have a CITY. I could have felt hopeless. But I had this strange, overwhelming feeling of peace. I truly felt God was telling me not to be afraid. My family, my true treasure, was safe.

It has been ten years. We got through it. After a few months, we were back in the city and beginning the clean up and rebuilding process. It was really hard work, it required sacrifices, but after feeling battered and broken and tumbled around, we survived. We are more than ok today — we are blessed and humbled that God is so good.

My story reminds me of sea glass — what may start out as a glass bottle or china plate gets broken or tossed in the sea. Over time, the shattered pieces get tumbled about in the waves, the rough edges smoothed over time. Eventually, the tiny glass pieces find their way again on the shore — changed into pretty pieces of sea glass.

We now have a beach house that I named Sea Glass Cottage — not only is sea glass a pretty name, it’s a meaningful name to me. We went through times that were hard — but we kept moving forward, not afraid because we had a peace that comes from faith. We were broken and tumbled around a bit, and felt tossed about in the waves, but we emerged again in a different form. Changed, strengthened by faith, and more grateful than ever for our blessings.

**Today's scripture and thoughts came from Joanne at Seaglass Cottage.  Joanne has a beautiful heart and home and I am so thrilled to share her contribution with you all today.  Please be sure to check out her lovely blog- Seaglass Cottage, click HERE  Thanks again, Joanne!!

Thanks for joining me today for Scripture Sunday on Starfish Cottage.

In addition to being a blog that inspires readers with home decor and recipes and diy's, it is my prayer that Starfish Cottage will also become a place of inspiration and encouragement for your spirit.  

Through the years, God's word has been a powerful source of strength and comfort...His promises have consistently provided me with hope when I felt hopeless, strength when I was weak, peace in the midst of chaos, and comfort in times of great sadness.  I believe that God's word is alive and able to inspire and encourage us on a daily basis.

If you would like to contribute your special verse and story/thoughts, please send it to me by email at [email protected]

Sept 11- Five for Friday: Industrial Style

Lately, I have found myself drawn to some of the cool industrial style home decor items I have been seeing online, in shops and catalogs.  I actually love to see coastal style homes incorporate some industrial elements, which have a very "simple, practical and durable" appearance that always looks great in a coastal home!

Here are a five of my favorites:

1.

Wayfair Metal Bistro Chairs

I would totally add these chairs to our kitchen dining area...I love the shape and style and DURABILITY, since the chairs at our kitchen table are used (and abused) so often! 

2.

Ballard Designs- Durham Tables

These metal+wood tables are so beautiful, yet simple and rustic- I just LOVE them!  I'm actually considering DIY-ing our Family Room black metal and glass coffee table to look like these!!

3.

Pottery Barn Metal Pendant

I absolutely love these, and actually have them on order right now for over our kitchen island...I am doing the ones in the center- black metal with the rope (I thought the "rope" accent would add an interesting nautical/coastal touch!)

4.

Target Industrial Metal Baskets

I would "coastalize" these and fill them with large conch shells and driftwood under a table or on a shelf- these are so cool, and not to mention a very INEXPENSIVE way to add a little "industrial style to a room!

5.

Wayfair Industrial Floor Lamp

I have a total crush on this floorlamp and think it would be so lovely to read a book cozied up on a sofa or chair under this lamp!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my "Industrial Style" selections this week...

Don't be surprised if you see a few "industrial style" accents popping up around the cottage this fall!

Have a great weekend!!

 

 

Inspired Design Link Party- Week 2

Hey Y'all!

Well let me just start by saying a big ol "Thank You Very Much!".

Last week was a huge success for our very first Inspired Design party. You all just made our day.

Let's get down to business now. I can't wait to showcase some of the fabulous bloggers that have linked up with us.

I am your host this week and I had a lot of fun going to each of these links. I wish I could feature you all, but I have to narrow it down to 4. These 4 posts will be pinned to our board on Pinterest.

First up is Jennifer Dawn with her Apple Pie Popsicles. I mean seriously, this needs to be in the freezer section at our grocery store.

Just look at this Ikea Hack by Leslie at Paper Daisy Design. She took the plain Tarva chest and made it into this lovely piece.

I'll take two of these...

This post made me realize that I should be dragging out my fall decor. Barbara at 21 Rosemary Lane has put together a perfect fall vignette.

Thanks for the inspiration!

And finally, this post had me at hello.

Y'all, I mean really. $20 for this cabinet? Come on!

Here are your Inspired Design party hosts again, go show them some love. The all enjoyed visiting your sites last week.

Christine @ Let's Get Crafty

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Diane @ Diane and Dean DIY

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Hometalk

Kristy @ Starfish Cottage

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Carol @ Bluesky Kitchen

Blog | Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook

Lisa & Gloria @ Potentially Chic

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Hometalk | Houzz

Holly @ McCall Manor

Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Hometalk

 

Now that we have all been properly introduced, let's get to linking up!

 

Here are some Inspired Design guidelines:

1. You must have a host link or our party button in your post to be featured.

2. No advertising including shops and etsy shops.

3. Your submission should be something you created (furniture redo, recipe, room design etc).

4. By joining this party you give us permission to feature your work, with a link, on our social networks and these blogs.

5. Stay and check out what other people have created. Check out and comment on at least 2 other links.

6. Enjoy the creativity!

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

You can grab a party button here and if you are featured next week, be sure to grab our featured button at that point! Thanks for partying with us!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.mccallmanor.com" rel="nofollow" title="McCall Manor" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.mccallmanor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-27-at-6.30.57-AM.png" alt="McCall Manor" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.mccallmanor.com" rel="nofollow" title="McCall Manor" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.mccallmanor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-27-at-6.29.11-AM.png" alt="McCall Manor" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Coastal Greys for Starfish Cottage

As promised, I have been a busy bee updating the cottage with a few accents of my new favorite "color"-grey!

Throw pillows and blankets are my "go-to" choice when updating my rooms, and this "Life is Good at the Beach" pillow from Homegoods served as my inspiration for my new coastal grey accents.

I knew I wanted to mix the grey with khaki, since I have so much of it already in my room- and it looks great!  I also wanted it to have a warmer, more "fall/autumn" look- so the plush velveteen grey pillows from Ikea were the perfect (and most cost-effective) way to go!

Here are a few more photos:

 

 

 

 

DIY Alert: I made this wooden painted State of Florida art, (it was really EASY) and I will feature it soon on the blog.

For more Coastal Fall Decor ideas, visit my "Autumn at Starfish Cottage Page"

 

 

 Favorite Fall Photos

 

I feel so "hip" with my touches of coastal grey to our sweet cottage...thanks for stopping by today- be sure to stay tuned for a fabulous Starfish Cottage Giveaway this month!!

Coastal Greys

 

Pinterest

You have probably noticed by now the "color" grey is everywhere! I keep seeing it on blogs, in catalogs, magazines- I would say "grey" is having a little bit of a moment right now!

What I like about grey is that it's neutral, easy on the eye and can look very sophisticated when layered with other shades or colors. Another thing I like about grey is it that it looks really great in a coastal style home!

Here are some fabulous photos and inspiration from my Pinterest board, "Coastal Greys"...

(BTW-if you aren't following me on Pinterest- you SHOULD!  I literally have thousands of fabulous pins in lots of categories, many of which are coastal style...and I'm trying to reach 5,000 followers by the end of the year, so check it out!!  Click HERE to view all my Pin boards).

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Be sure to stay tuned for some grey accents for Fall to the cottage in the coming this week!

Scripture Sunday- Hebrews 6:19

Today's Scripture:

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.  A hope both sure and steadfast."

Hebrews 6:19

We were enjoying a beautiful day out on our boat recently with family and friends.  The sun was shining, the waves were lapping peacefully up against the side of our small but sturdy vessel, the kids were laughing and jumping into the sparkling clear blue water.  Everything was perfect...it was the perfect day...

until an obnoxious speed boat came screaming out of nowhere- blaring its loud music- and heading straight for us, it appeared!  

What was this guy doing???  No seafaring captain in their right mind would have come as close to our boat as he did!

Needless to say, our little slice of heaven on earth was majorly disrupted. 

The ensuing wake that trailed behind the large speedboat slammed into our boat like a tidal wave!  And the waves kept coming.  We bounced up and down and held on for dear life...but guess what?

We survived!  We were fine!  

My husband (the experienced seaman that he is) had dug our anchor in tight and we were tied securely to it with one of his expert knots.  Our boat may have been majorly disrupted, but we were not capsized.

Isn't life like that sometimes?  I thank God that HE is my anchor and my hope in the turbulent storms of this life.

Thanks for joining me today for Scripture Sunday!  

In addition to being a blog that inspires readers with home decor and recipes and diy's, it is my prayer that Starfish Cottage will also become a place of inspiration and encouragement for your spirit.  

Through the years, God's word has been a powerful source of strength and comfort...His promises have consistently provided me with hope when I felt hopeless, strength when I was weak, peace in the midst of chaos, and comfort in times of great sadness.  I believe that God's word is alive and able to inspire and encourage us on a daily basis.

If you would like to contribute your special verse and story/thoughts, please send it to me by email at [email protected]