Cottage Dining Room and Catch Up
This coastal cottage dining room is decorated in neutrals, punctuated with black & white buffalo check curtains. With a relaxed causal vibe and a timeworn farm table, it warmly welcomes family & friends.
Happy August from the cottage! Anyone else want another July? I know I do. It’s been sublime here. Sublime I tell you! Sunny, soft breezes, wonderfully mild warm temps. I love it! This weather is everything that keeps me loving the Oregon Coast. Even in the rainy season. I am not even close to ready to let it go.
This is a post I’ve really needed to write, just to bring you into what’s going on in my world. So I thought we’d sit around my farm table to do it! I’ve been terrible about sharing this part of my life, instead posting sporadically on Facebook and Instagram without a full story to explain. Well today, I’m going to try to catch you up on the last 6 months of happenings here. Please forgive me if I repeat something.
I’m going to just do bullet points. Hopfully that keeps it shorter.
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Some of you may recall my knee has given me trouble on and off for a few years now. I recently found out I actually need a knee replacement, due to bone loss from arthritis (right knee). But my doctor and I agree that we want to try to put that off as long as possible.
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Before we took our trip to Savannah, I had my first cortisone injection in my knee. That helped, and with no aggressive walking, we had a wonderful time! I’m sorry I never did a proper blog post to share our trip with you. Because…
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I returned home from Savannah, and in early June, right before I flew to to California to visit my family, I came down with a cold. I proceeded to get just terribly sick while I was there, I had to hit urgent care (not like me at all) and I had a horrible chest cold for weeks. It really knocked me for a loop.
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Now, because of the trouble with my right knee, I’m not walking correctly, and my gate is off. I know… I’m just a mess. Sadly, I’ve developed a horrible case of planter fasciitis in my left foot. I’m doing everything I can to get it under control. Ice, ibuprofen, supportive footwear, night splint, stretches, stretching tools, etc…
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Because of this, my mobility has been really compromised so I haven’t been able to do all the fun decorating I love so much. Sometimes my heel is so bad I can’t step down on it at all. Between that and my knee. It’s almost comical.
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I just had my second cortisone shot last Thursday, and my knee hurt so badly, that I spent Friday with my leg up and ice on my knee, all day. So far, it’s not as successful as the first one. That has me a bit worried.
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All of the above is why I have not been as active doing projects and seasonal decorating like I normally do. I would go crazy if I let my house fall apart, so after my work obligations, cleaning and keeping things up is coming first right now, as well as all the things we do to keep our homes running smoothly; like doing the marketing, banking, laundry, watering my Summer flowers, etc…
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Right now, my hope is to put off a knee replacement as long as possible! If that means even making it through the holidays and then re-assessing, I’m okay with that.
Whew! I tried to keep that as short as possible. Now, all of that knee & heel business aside, it doesn’t stop my from planning for future projects!! Because the wheels in my head never stop spinning.
I’m so glad I never told you guys I was considering a kitchen renovation (at least I don’t think I did?)… because I decided that our budget would be better spent doing a few smaller-scale things in the kitchen, and saving the larger budget to finally renovate our upstairs bathroom. Keeping in mind, I could change my mind. Like that time we decided to build a shop and put all our other large renovation plans on hold. I’ll try really hard to share my mini kitchen plans & ideas with you when I share the new brick wall!
As far as the dining room goes… if you don’t turn the other way, you’d never know we had the far wall of the kitchen cabinets torn out to install the new brick accent wall. So, we will pretend that’s all just not there right now. Sound good? Good!
With the kitchen (plan reveal soon) underway, that means the farm table, and our “dining room” is staying as-is! I’ve been searching for 4 matching dining room chairs. The set I have now is lovely, but I only bought 2, and was using them as the captains chairs, or at the head of the table.
I got them at HomeGoods, and I finding another set of 2 that match (buying online isn’t an option, not being able to side by side compare the color and finish) is a long shot. I found a chair I fell head-over-heels for, but they are $400 a piece! And that is not going to happen.
Right now, I’m making due with a DIY bench, and the two rattan chairs I already own. I don’t want to settle, so instead I’m going to hope something finds me somehow, or I fall for something at a lesser price-point. It could happen.
The really great news about this space is, that we are going to have an electrical box installed over the dining table!! I can finally hang a light fixture. The ceiling has no outlets or boxes now, and after 12 years… I’d say it’s time.
The little brass plug in sconces have been a true blessing, and I plan to keep them. I love that they dim, and they are a wonderful source of ambient light.
I also plan to repaint the door a more subtle color so it’s not so prominent in the room. The current shades been very fun, and I love the color, but it’s time for a change!
I’m thinking of adding something different in place of the bar cart as well. I’ve had this for years and I think I’m ready to look at something new, even if it’s just switching it out for something I’ve got down at The Little Cottage.
I think I touched on the biggest things going on here at the cottage, between my knee (I know, so exciting) and the changes coming up for the kitchen and the dining room. I get to shop for a new light fixture for over the farm table, and to hang over the future new kitchen island too! I want them to coordinate, but not necessarily match.
I think the farm table will look so much better with a chandelier hanging over it, and it’ll give the room a more properly dressed, finished “dining room” feel. I’ve still got it on my list to raise those drapery rods too!
It’s always been an odd space to decorate in our home, and it’s truly most useful with a dining table in it. I think it’s so important to use our homes how they best serve us. We have a small home, and it has it’s challenges for sure. But it has blessed us! We have sheltered, lived, loved and grown in this home. And we have learned how to do a whole lot of DIY projects in it too! xoxo Shannon
PROJECT LINKS:
ROOM SOURCES:
Some courtesy links may be affiliate
- Plantation Shutters, blinds.com [click here]
- Sisal Rug [click here]
- Brass Wall Light Sconces [click here]
- Farm Table [local, Tru Furniture]
- Bench [DIY]
- Buffalo Check Curtain [click here]
- Curtain Rods [click here]
- Curtain Rings [click here]
- Bicycle Door Hanging [JoAnns]
If you missed my latest projects, I’d love to share them with you!
Our Powder Bath/Laundry Room [click here]
The Guest House Great Room Refresh
UPDATE:
Life always has other ideas when we are making plans right? Well, we had a nasty surprise when we removed a few old siding sections while when we were painting our home exterior, and ended up having to replace a large section of the back side of our home, and 9 floor-to-ceiling windows. For now, any larger renovation plans are on the back burner. We are thankful we found the problems before they could become more severe, but it wasn’t a cheap fix! We were able to install the new chandelier I talked about, and the brick wall was completed (all before we had that surprise) so I’ll add those links in case you’d like to see!
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Before & After New Exterior Paint Reveal [click here]
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Little Cottage Paint & Dutch Door Reveal [click here]
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Adding Electrical & New Chandelier [click here]
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Brick Wall & Farmhouse Kitchen Island Reveal (Kitchen Makeover Part 1)[click here]
Marie Batson says
Dear Shannon, So sorry about your recent physical ills but can truly relate at this age of almost 78 yrs. young. My brain still thinks I’m thirty but the old body tries to slow me down! I too try to postpone as much surgery and going under anesthesia as possible after 3 shoulder surgeries and multiple hand surgeries and removal of one adrenal gland. These two supplements have helped my knee and lower back problems due to arthritis so might consider them for yourself if you haven’t yet: Hyaluronic Acid 150mg ( I get mine at Rite Aid) and full spectrum Boswellia & Curcumin (I order from Swanson ) Be sure to pace yourself physically and relax to enjoy the beauty around you. My son came and built me a sturdy potting bench this weekend out of scrap lumber I had and I can’t wait to shabby chic it up today while trying to beat the heat here in S.E. Washington as well. Have a good week!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Marie you are an inspiration! 78 and thriving 🙂 How wonderful to have a new potting bench, and what a sweet and handy son you have. Be safe in the heat now! And thank you for the suggestions so much. Blessings, Shannon
Helene Lewis says
You know for a change of color on your door, you could do a light burnt orange color. Or maybe even a caramel coffee color. Paint is easily changable, explore!! Enjoy!!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Oh isn’t paint the best? It’s been many colors, I love changing my doors for a fresh fun look that’s easy 🙂
Jan Nesbitt says
Shannon, I’m sorry you haven’t felt up to par. Just take time for yourself to heal and feel better. I developed Plantar Fascitis almost four years ago and unfortunately let it go way to long. After I exhausted every remedy known I went to a Podiatrist and eventually had cortisone shots in my heel. After two, I was back to normal. If my heel starts feeling ackey, I start the exercise again and take Advil. I’m sorry you’ve had a double whammy with both knee and foot. We are heading from Western North Carolina toward Oregon next week. I can’t remember what part you reside in but any suggestions to see and do would be appreciated. Take care and rest up!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Hi Jan! I’ve got an appointment at the end of the month. For now, I’m doing everything I can. Oregon is very diverse with many different areas. I’m on the coast will you be heading that far? There is so much to see up and down HWY 101. Lots of natural lookout points and small towns along the way. Are you camping our staying in hotels? Either way, the weather has been wonderful! Wishing you a wonderful trip!