Fox Hollow Cottage

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The Little Cottage Living Room Reveal

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The Little Cottage Living Room Reveal

It’s finally the BIG day for the little cottage! She’s all grown up now, dressed in classic cottage style, with timeless appeal. My favorite! I’m sharing all my thoughts on my sofa selection, and the new neutral look throughout that will endure for many years to come.  

Hello my Foxy friends! I know so many of you remember my indecision on selecting a new sofa for the little cottage! We looked at all the options together (you can see my living room design boards & choices here) and I had planned a Fall 2020 sponsored collaboration with Grandin Road, but as many of you know, 2020 had plans all it’s own.

Now, without further delay… welcome to the new living room at the little cottage! 

I sometimes think I want something luxurious or bold, and in my head I do. I can appreciate dark and dramatic and smokey and moody… but it turns out, I’m just simple to my core. And so is our home, and the little cottage.

So after much hand-wringing, I went with my gut and decided to order the Clara Slipcovered Sofa — a classic, rolled arm, white slipcovered sofa. It’s the little sister to the Ava we’ve got at the main house, and I just felt like I couldn’t go wrong with this choice.

I didn’t even have this sofa on the list I shared with you as a consideration, because I tried to convince myself I needed to do something more dramatic or daring. I’m so glad I came to my senses. I was almost pulled away from what my tastes lean towards, by feeling like I needed to be more… and I know better than that. 

Last Christmas, you all got a peek at the beautiful Atticus deconstructed accent chairs I selected.

[You can see the pair and our white Christmas tree here]. I’ve since stolen one for our bedroom and put it in front of our electric fireplace. It’s so pretty, it’s lovely getting to enjoy it daily at the main house. 

While out junking one day, we happened upon an electric fireplace and couldn’t pass it up for the living room down here at the little cottage. I knew it would be perfect tucked in under the vintage mantel!

QUESTION—what do you think about painting the mantels firebox opening on the wall a soft black to help the electric fireplace blend in?

I’m really happy with the layout, and the Clara is the perfect size for this room. It can sometimes seem larger than it is because of the two story ceiling height, but the footprint is pretty tight.

It’s why I love the clear glass coffee table down here. It’s there… without adding too much visual weight to the center of the room, and the black frame ties in nicely with the other touches of black sprinkled throughout the space. 

The blooms from our butterfly bush are such a blessing! It is what we call a “volunteer”— in that we didn’t plant it, it just blew in on the wind, in the most perfect spot too. We’ve spent a few years pruning and shaping it, and it’s about ten feet tall now! It is such a treasure.

The boys flipped the apothecary cabinet and the fireplace mantel to their current locations last Winter. The mantel works best with the new electric fireplace on the main wall under the Antiques & Collectibles sign, so it was a fortuitous flip! 

Thankfully the apothecary cabinet tucks in really well between the two big windows.

For as big as it is, it is not deep at all, making it surprisingly versatile! 

It’s been so much fun decorating it over the years! You can see the apothecary cabinet decorated in many every day and seasonal looks [click here].

A permanent every-day pillow situation has not been settled on… though I can guess it’ll be something fairly neutral and definitely casual. 

This HELLO pillow is a favorite, and it I liked it on the sofa and in the chair. 

When I simplified the living room at the main house, and deleted the weathered wood & metal book case and console shelves, the little cottage benefited.

The wood tone of the shelves and the chair are so perfect together. What a lucky accident! 

The last thing to change out in the main living area, will be the addition of a NEW door right here.

We’ve got a gorgeous wood & glass door from the Simpson Door Company to install. Can’t wait to get that in and share it with you!! We tentatively plan to finish it the same way as the Dutch door at the main entry. 

Thanks so much for following along on our slow & steady little cottage journey. After several years of making due and temporary fixes, it’s finally got substantial furniture and a full sized grown-up sofa. I’m super thrilled with the final look, and what I feel is a pretty classic, timeless room.

Love & Light, Shan

I’ve included convenient clickable shopping links below for you. Some may be affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

SOURCES & DETAILS:

Questions about anything else? Just comment or email me at foxhollowcottage@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to help!

Comments

  1. Su says

    HI!
    You have two homes on your property?
    Are they close to each other?
    Do you rent one out?
    Very interesting. Like having 2 doll houses to play with.
    ENJOY!!

    • Shannon Fox says

      We do.
      The Little Cottage is on our second lot and sits back, so we are kind of caddy-corner.
      It was my MIL’s home for many years 🙂
      Our son came home to attend college, got a job before graduation, and is now living there.
      It’s been nice having him close. This mom loves it!

  2. Pamela says

    Lovely room, so well put together and appointed. Your butterfly bush blooms are extraordinary. I do think the fireplace insert behind the stove would be better a soft black, like a treatment to mimic the black insert in the mantel. Is that soapstone or chalkboard or flint? I’m a Florida gal so I’m unfamiliar with that. I think the vintage wood expandable gate fights for attention with the stove but I really like it so I’d try it beneath the window nearest the door. I love all your textual woven pieces that continue the story throughout the room. This is a welcoming room I’d spend a lot of time in, refreshing and cozy at the same time.

    • Shannon Fox says

      Thank you so much Pamela 🙂
      Oh they are such a treat, and happily the Deer can’t reach most of them. lol
      I’m thinking a soft black as well, and hope to get that done this Fall. It’s the perfect little project I can manage.
      Wishing you a lovely late Summertime.
      Best, Shannon

  3. Liz says

    Beautiful room! Only thing I found visually distracting is the wooden gate behind the fireplace. Otherwise, it all looks perfect.

  4. Karen says

    Beautiful job,, Shan! But since you asked… what do you think about painting the wall behind the fireplace a navy blue similar to your pillow and the book in your apothecary shelf? I think it would let the fireplace stay the focal point, while blending it into the wall. And if it doesn’t work, it’s only paint. I’d give it a try. Good luck on whatever you decide.

    • Shannon Fox says

      Hi Karen!
      That could be fun, but since my pillows and décor are apt to change, I’m thinking the neutrality of black might be best?
      Otherwise that’s a great suggestion!!
      🙂 Shannon

      • Karen says

        Of course! I should have thought of that.????‍♀️ That’s why you’re the “pro” . Can’t wait to see what you do.

  5. Regina says

    Hello! This is so lovely! I would say yes to painting the firebox opening black. It’s just paint, right? Beautiful!

  6. Josephine Riddle says

    I think the living room turned out just right. I also think it would be “just righter” if the space behind the heater, under the mantel, was painted black. Good job Shan. Always stay true to your particular taste and you can’t go wrong.

  7. Betsy says

    I’m in agreement with the soft black behind your little fireplace stove. It feels like it’s floating right now.
    I love the relaxed feel of the room.

  8. lynda says

    I did go to grandin furniture…and they did not show the Atticus deconstructed chairs??? I thought you bought them last year…just wanted to ask if that is correct and if u know where I could get them now?? thank you so much…really have enjoyed your blog for a long time and love how u redid ur home…thx

    • Shannon Fox says

      Hi Lynda, I did get them from Grandin Road, but sadly they are no longer available! I know 🙁
      I was surprised, as I know they were wildly popular. I think it may be due to everything with the supply chain being disrupted.
      I’m hoping they bring them back, they are SO pretty.

      Thanks for the love on the new look ~ Be well, Shannon 🙂

  9. Carol Heartfelt Whimsies says

    Shannon——
    This is one of the best reveals I’ve seen! Truly so homey and inviting! I could move right in. I love the unexpected wooden gate behind the fireplace! Adds so much character!

    • Shannon Fox says

      Oh my gosh, THANK YOU!! That is so kind.
      It’s really came together, and I’m so glad we moved the apothecary cabinet to the little cottage.
      It’s a substantial piece and I feel like it fits so well with the soaring ceilings where it is.
      With the forever furniture, now I need to concentrate on doing something special with the walls.
      They need some… something. I’ve been pondering it a long time.
      Have to be smart since they are so tall, it’s not easy to do, or redo. LOL
      Take care, Shannon

  11. susan says

    Love, love, love it! I’m thinking yes on the soft black paint in the mantle’s firebox opening ????‍♀️ Can always paint it back if you don’t like it! Can’t wait to see the new door!

    • Shannon Fox says

      I really think it needs that to look “finished” – Thanks for your vote!
      Me too. It’s been a comedy of errors getting that door in…. one day. haha

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The Little Cottage Living Room Reveal

The Little Cottage Living Room Reveal - timeless classic style, white slipcover sofa, anchored with a jute rug, peppered with neutrals + vintage finds!
 
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