"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~ Henry Van Dyke

Monday, August 2, 2010

On the shelf.....

I had mentioned a while ago that Jos and I had put up some wallpaper on one wall in Cranberry Cottage. We used vlies wallpaper which really goes up easily since you spread the paste on the wall and not the paper. It is thick and covered a good deal of problems starting to show on the 35 year old dry walls. We thought this might be a good solution instead of having to go to the great expense of either replacing the walls or having them plastered. It worked so well that I want to now continue with a lighter color of this wallpaper on the other walls.

We picked a sea grey green wallpaper and it really makes the color of the brick in the fireplace come out much nicer now. The paper is so thick that it feels like fabric on the wall when you touch it and it is a perfect match to our couch.

I wanted to take time to decide what to do with the wall as I just did not like the look of the hooks and rail for a quilt which I had hanging there previously with the new look. I found some decorative shelf holders (sorry but I forgot to take a photo of them close up) for our new house. They seemed just right for here instead so we bought a beechwood shelf and stained it. I slipped a rod in the scrolling of the shelf holders for one of my small quilt to hang. I plan to take up my green and beige fabrics to see what ones I want to use and create a few more quilts in the right size to hang here. It will be nice to be able to change them also throughout the year.

Now I can continually change my decorations on this shelf throughout the changing seasons. It will be nice to have space to do that in the tiny cottage. I have been wanting to have a mantle made for the fireplace to do that but we still have not gotten around to finding a carpenter to make one for it. Now I have this shelf and the prospect of 'playing' with it. *grins*

For summer, I have three plants on the shelf with some glass tea light holders, a wool felt picture from a little shop in the village and some gifts I received from Ria - a snail - and Sonja - an iron pinecone tea light holder.

Having done this wall only seems to make me have itchy hands to get busy with the other walls. I am also searching for a lamp that is just right to sit on the shelf. Any excuse to shop is a good thing right? I have not found one so far but I am sure I will with time. In the meantime, let me leave you today with the saying on the wool felt picture.....

"Let me live in my house by the side of the road
and be a friend to man."

18 comments:

Elizabethd said...

Oh, it's so lovely Heidi. I think I want to come and live there!

Nancy said...

Now then, you already had a house and trees picture. You did not need another one. LOL. Okay, I know, this one is for the cottage.
That looks really good and you now better get the elf fingers busy making a fall then Christmas quilt to just fit the spot. Like you need any encouragement to make more quilts. Haha. Nope, not you.
The wallpaper looks really good.
Hopefully, I will see it in November.
Love you, Mom

hazel c UK said...

Your room looks lovely Heidi, the paper sounds great and I like the quilt.

Thanks for sharing and hope you had a nice weekend.

Hugs,
Hazel (UK)

Simple Home said...

It looks so nice Heidi, and I love that little quilt hanging there.
Blessings,
Marcia

Jenny said...

Heidi, your wall looks so nice. I just love shelves and all the things you can do with them. The quilt is lovely too and I have always loved the saying on your picture. It is one of my favorites. Your cottage sounds like a perfect place to get away to. Hope you are having a good week. Hugs.

onlymehere said...

I'm loving this idea! Now the fun really begins as you pull out those fabrics to make more quilts to switch out! Lucky you. It's truly a lovely wallpaper too.
Cindy

Roberta said...

The wall looks great Heidi and your little decorations look wonderful.

Have a good week.

Roberta

Dena said...

I love that color Heidi and what a wonderful solution! I love your quilt too!

Hugs,
Dena

Susan in SC said...

Love the wallpaper, love the shelf, love the quilt, love you!

Andylynne said...

Heidi,
I love you new corner and shelf. I can see why you anxious for the next phase. The candles are so soft and soothing. Color is a wondrful thing. I bet Cranberry cottage is sitting a little higher on it's foundation with the new look>

Brigitte said...

The wall looks really great. I love the little shelf and I'm already very curious to see how you decorate it according to the different seasons and holidays.

Barb said...

ohhhh nice Heidi, I can imagine a nice comfy chair to snuggle up in with a quilt to cover your knees when its chilly. What a wonderful cottage hideaway you have. Love the shelf and its bits and bobs, you have such an eye for display.
Hugs

angelasweby said...

Heidi,
I can't think of a nicer saying to end with, begin with and even maintain all through life. Wouldn't life run smoothly if we all followed this philosophy :>)
It's funny isn't it how, in any new post on a blog, there is always something that immediately draws the eye and, I have to say, your felt picture drew mine so I'm so pleased you showed a close up of it - and boy, did it live up to every expectation. It is gorgeous and talking of gorgeous, I love the shelf supports and the idea of having a changing display on your wall. The paper looks really pretty and your little quilt is beautiful.
Lovely post altogether :>)
Angela xx

Tracy said...

LOVELY wallpaper, Heidi... the color is so soft and comforting. You have a wonderful way with decorating and creating a cozy home. :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

Tammy said...

VERY pretty Heidi...you have such a talent with decorating.
Hugs2u!

Reginas Cottage said...

dear heidi,
the wall looks wonderful.and i like the decorationen on this little shelf
it looks very nice.i like the quilt.
have a nice weekend my friend,
bear hugs,regina

Marsha said...

Everything looks calm, peaceful and lovely in your cottage. Maybe for the lamp you can take your friend shopping with you again (is it Sonja?).

Nan said...

Beautiful! Your creativity is such a gift, Heidi. The wallpaper is a spectacular choice!