Open House Sunday

Whimsical Cottage in Atlanta

built 1920

This house has so many charming details that even though it is not staged and barely furnished, 

I just had to show it.

It had me at the front porch.

So many things about this home that are so pretty and quirky!

First the mixture of shingles and stone.

The deep overhang on the porch and unusual porch posts. 

It's painted a lovely gray color that looks so nice with the white trim and the stone.

And the gardens are straight out of a fairytale.

Look at the sweet flower box under the diamond pane window on the second story.

I love it that there are french doors leading out on to the front porch.

Love that big blue pot too. Copper gutters add to the charm.

Someone with artistic flair  lived here.

I love the way the stone walkway is edged in smaller white stones.

Through the stone archway and through an unusual front door.

Notice the fireplace to the left is covered in either rocks or shells.

I think it's shells.

I wish there was a better photo of it.

Nice built ins. I'd paint those white super fast.

charming little fireplace in this room

dining room is pretty straight forward

This kitchen is not so great but it wouldn't take much to make it gorgeous.

Tone down the color of the walls first of all.

New appliances would make a world of difference.

I do love the copper stove hood.

That is very strange tile. It has hot air balloons on it!

Slap some subway tile up there and paint the cabinets and it would be so much better.

Very vintage bathroom.

Another very vintage bathroom. 

Not sure what this room is.

This I am guessing is a large room size closet.

It's very over the top.

I don't care for the way the cabinetry is painted but imagine it all painted white.

It would be pretty!

Love that armoire!

I imagine this room as a craft room...potting shed room.

Can't you just see that built in with sink on the left filled with pots and flowers?

Those curtains would have to go immediately and I'd change the color on the  walls.

Upper deck..I'm guessing is on the back of the home.

Guest cottage out back and a glimpse at the wonderful garden.

Inside the cottage.....looks all set to be an artist's studio to me. Or at least that is how I imagine it.

Wonderful old gate on the side. Notice the large potted boxwoods.

Amazing angel statues accent the stone walls of the garden.

Here is a view of the garden.

Isn't it lovely?

I can just imagine giving this place some love..can't you?

See full listing here.

I'm giving away two copies of this book....go to my post about it here to enter.


Today - 
Mom and I are going tree shopping.
It's our tradition to shop for trees on Mother's Day.
We started this tradition because my Mom says my Dad always chose Mother's Day
to trim all the trees and bushes at their house. This always upset her to see him hacking away at them
or rather chainsawing them.
One year he ripped up her favorite tree without asking because he was sick of the acorns
that got in the way when he mowed.

She was traumatized by this. My Dad always took care of the yard.
Mom never did. It never occurred to him to tell her he was planning on ripping out that tree.
He just thought the yard was his deal and he was going to do whatever he thought best.

That tree that he ripped out? It was a Bur Oak.
She planted one back in her yard in the spot where he chopped down the first one
the second year after he died.

There is also one in my front yard...planted by Mom in honor of the one she lost.
My Dad killed her tree over 30 years ago and she is still mad about it.

Did she ever tell him she was mad about it?
No.
But now even ten years after he is gone...she still is taking her revenge.

Her revenge was making sure she had another and I had one too.

And you know what?
That crazy tree drops huge acorns everywhere that have to be picked up when mowing.

Dad knew what he was doing.
We should have chosen another type of tree.

I never tell Mom that, though.

Today we'll shop for a tree to replace my maple that bit the dust last year.
Our Mother and Daughter tradition.

Happy Mother's Day!