Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The "Shabby Chicks' Cottage" Mini Makeover

{Hope you don't mind my play on words in the title, Gina.}

Several years ago, my good friend L gifted us with a small plastic playhouse for our backyard. Her three girls were spilling out of it, and at the time I only had one girl.

The little cottage was a huge hit with Natalie, but over the years it lost its luster as we got busy with activities, a new baby, and my desire to stay in the air conditioning.

After a terrifying wasp-in-the-cottage incident last week, I took on a mini cottage makeover while the girls played at their Mimi's house. As with many things at the T house, the cottage is still a work in progress....

I used slate stolen migrated from the trashy former neighbors' yard to make a rustic floor and front stoop.

Added some marigolds to a pot I had sitting in the shed.

I won a chalkboard sign ages ago on a blog Giveaway and I used twine to wrap it through the cottage's front door, which desperately needs to be repainted. When I figure out how to get it off the hinges, I'll do that!

Cleaned up their picnic table for outdoor dining.

Used stolen transplanted white garden edging (also from the trashy ex neighbors) to make a little faux picket fence.

Grass doesn't grow in this little spot of the yard, despite our best efforts, so I'd like to mulch that in and add some stepping stones.

So...not horrible for spending $0. That's right. Nada. Zilch. I really shopped the house with this one!

We got busy with swim lessons last night, so they haven't seen their new-old Shabby cottage yet. We'd invite you all over for some acorn tea (a Natalie and Michaela Byrd specialty), but I don't think we'd all fit inside. And also I don't know if that wasp is gone yet. I may have angered him when I sprayed the hose in his direction yesterday.....Maybe some acorn tea would calm him down.

Linking to Sarah's Before and After Party and The CSI Project's Outdoor Decorations Party.
Visit thecsiproject.com
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35 comments:

Paula said...

So cute! I always wanted a playhouse when I was a kid. Your girls are going to be so excited when they see this!

Laura @ Just For Love said...

Get outta here!! That is so stinkin' cute, Amanda! Your little girl has got to be loving her new, revamped house. So shabby, chic, and cute!

P.S. You won the Starbucks gift card : ) Woo Hoo! If you could email me your address when you have time, I'd love to send it out to you.

Have a blessed Tuesday, friend.
Love, Laura

staci @ lizard n ladybug said...

So dang cute! I bet your little ones will love it (once the wasp is gone -lol)
And I love how you use 'migrated' items :)

Dawn said...

Looks great!!! So cute!! We put patio pavers under our playhouse this spring to try to cut down on the bugs in the house-my girls won't use it if there are any bugs. I like all your added touches-I'll have to re-decorate ours too! I also have to try to boy it up a bit seeing as ours is the one with the pink roof.

Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage said...

Cute mini makeover!! :) Love that the girls got a makeover too! :)

slommler said...

What a great makeover on the little house!! Adorable!!
love the slate floor!
Hugs
SueAnn

Richella said...

I love this! I especially like the shot of the whole place--complete with picket fence, front porch, outdoor dining table, and car!

Makes me wipe away a tear, though. I miss the Cozy Coupe days.

Nadir @ Hodgepodge said...

Oh my gosh, how cute! The little fence is to die for :-) I'd come visit. :-D

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

LOVE it....especially how you parked the cozy coupe behind the picket fence!!! And using the ex trashy neighbors slate as a floor was pure genius, my friend. my girls would go gaga over this adorable little play space! Great job.

~Amanda

Carmen said...

How cute! Your girls will love playing here. I love the cozy coupe parked on the side too. hehe

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Lily used to love little play houses like that! This brings back memories. Love how you spruced it up. :-)

1 Funky Woman said...

Oh so cute, I bet they love it! I love the door!

Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek said...

So cute! Definitely mulch the area...but I"m guessing if grass won't grow, plants won't either? Maybe some hostas or coral bells?

FrouFrouBritches said...

How cute is that? Love the little stone patio! Sooo cute!!!

Lisa said...

Cute project, at the right price. Love the fence.

The Constant Complainer said...

Very cool. I was always in tree-houses. LOL. But having a daughter now, we'll be looking for one of these soon enough.

- Brittany said...

Cute, cute, cute. I actually like that red shabby chic door ;-)

Kelli @ RTSM said...

What a fun makeover! I love the addition of the fence and the chalkboard sign! Too cute!

Kenzie said...

I love the makeover! The pot on the table made me smile! I bet they are going to love it!

Jennifer Juniper said...

I like the door just the way it is! People pay good money for that natural "patina". :)

Xazmin said...

SO cute! I can't wait to hear about their reactions!

I soooooo wish a had a playhouse for my girls.

And one for me too. Maybe I could keep one that small cleaned up!

Susan said...

Beautiful! Very cute indeed - and its always satisfying when the kids spend more time with the things you've just done for them. I actually just travelled back to read the 'filthy neighbours house' post and had to pick my jaw up off the floor lol. I have a workmate with a very similar story. He had to compete with tradesmen though who kept coming back to the abandoned house to rip out airconditioners, fans and lighting that they hadn't been paid for!!!!!

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} said...

This is too cute! A little girl's dream. I kind of like the door the way it is... adds charm to your little cottage!! Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment on my yarn wreath! :)

Bette said...

Wow. Thank goodness for trashy neighbors. What a great transformation with just a few things.

Melissa Miller said...

Amanda oh my goodness gracious how cute is this! You did great! The red door is truly adorable.

Blessings to yousweet friend. ~Melissa :)

Wendy said...

So cute!! I keep trying to convince my DH that he needs to build a little cottage for the kids, especially now that we have two girls, but he hasnt done it yet!

Lori said...

What a cute idea! I would love to do something similar for my daughter. I'm tucking this idea away for future reference.

Tiff said...

I love the little picket fence. So cute!!

Erin @ Frundy said...

How cute! We have one of these play houses. I've never thought to make it feel more homey. But, then again, I have 2 boys. They don't really care about that kind of stuff. Bummer! :)
P.S. I just wanted to make sure you got my e-mail about the Bible study.

Nikki@ Cheap Like a Birdie said...

How lucky are they to have a playhouse, thanks for sharing.

RJ @ A Life Designed said...

So cute! I totally want an adult sized mini-cottage in my backyard! :)

Joanna @ The Casa said...

Super cute! And the budget was great!

Cassie @ Primitive & Proper said...

turned out so cute! the flooring is my fave part! and for no money- wow!

Steph said...

So sweet. The little car cracks me up parked beside the house. Adorable. And how good it must feel to spend zero dollars!

shamika said...

Oh my, I just love the rustic charm it has. Too cute and I'm always in love with something FREE:)