Hello friends!
I am always on the lookout for affordable cottage style decor for my home. I want to share with you the things I have found lately from thrift and antique stores in my area.
While I rarely shop with a physical list I do keep a running mental list pulled from my inspiration pictures on Pinterest and Instagram. I had (as always) art pieces I was looking for, a blue and white platter, decorative throw pillows, old books, brass lamps, English ironstone pitchers, to name a few… My goal is to find pieces that will complement what we already have while adding more delicious English country house layers to our home ~ on a budget.
It truly is amazing how many lamps and throw pillows/blankets a house can consume! I’m sure you’ve heard me say it before (and I’m sure I’ll be saying it again). Lamps, throws, and pillows are essential in creating that warm and inviting feeling in your spaces. In these pictures here you see the two newest feather-filled throw pillows added to my office and the living room. I believe they were about $5 each. Every time I’m shopping second-hand I always look through the textile section. There are a lot of pillows out there, but I’m stuck on feather-filled! Feather, or down, cushions are high quality, will last longer, can easily be sterilized, and you can change the cover for a seasonal update.
Doesn’t this just make you want to curl up with a good book and hot cup of Earl Grey tea?!
In this corner of my office the layers are coming together… and it has taken some time! The floor lamp is from my college days, all the other pieces have (mostly) been thrifted, with a few from antique shops over the last three years. I would really love to paint this space a muted duck egg blue! And then there’s wallpaper…
Aways, always Matt & I are on the lookout for old books. Every year we look forward to the annual Friends of the Library book sale. There are thousands of books for sale! At the sale there are two rooms. In the main room the hardcover books are $1.00, and the paperback books are .50! I have come across stacks of lovely home decor books for so cheap! This is how I’ve built a good portion of my design book library. This year we chose these three old books to add to our collection.
Years ago I pinned a photo of an Airedale terrier on Pinterest. One day I spotted one in and antique shop. I was sold and with my Christmas money that biggest figurine you see came home with me! This past fall I found the collie dog in another antique mall and the little sitting terrier was a sweet gift from an antique booth owner on Instagram. She stocks Enlgish cottage style home decor with plenty of blue and white… you can find her on Insta @_thecornercottage_. I’m really not a knick-knack girl, but I enjoy these dogs!
Lamps… Ah, lamps! After studying many, many photos of the coziest, really homey English country home I noticed brass lamps were a common feature. Then I began refining what shape and size was appealing to me and would work best for our home.
I decided on a classic urn style brass lamp, and a stout shape with some presence. The urn shaped lamp was $819 online! I found the urn lamp base for $8, and the shade for $5. That’s quite a savings! The round brass lamp was found on Marketplace for $50, so that comes to about $32 per lamp. Now those are prices I’m comfortable with as functional (and pretty) staple home decor!
Friends, I hope you found some food for thought when shopping for and creating those cottage layers in your home.
I love your lamp corner with the ceramic puppies so beautiful. 😍
Love, love, love. You’re such an inspiration!
Glad you’re enjoying your visits. Thanks for stopping by, Miss Julie!
I literally squealed when I saw that cozy reading nook you made. (gosh, and me a grown-up and everything!) Love it!!
Thanks for sharing. Your color palette and layered textiles have given me more inspiration for my own home. You have such a keen eye.
It all looks beautiful!! 💐❤️Our styles are similar!! I am so happy to find you and I always enjoy your YouTube videos. Thank you so much for sharing!
Take care,
Shelly 💐
Thank you, Miss Shelly!
We’re glad to have you along!
Beautifully done! The television program, “Escape to the Country” would say this is ‘very homely’, whereas we’re apt to say ‘homey’. <3
Homely sounds great to me!
Thanks for sharing Miss Melissa!
I love the changes you’ve made , just so cozy !
Thank you, Miss Milli!
We appreciate you stopping by!
Thanks for sharing your ideas and great finds – you are such an inspiration!
You’re welcome, Miss Donna!
I’m so glad you have the ideas helpful. Have a lovely day!
Warmly,
Rachel