Seasons Archives - French Country Cottage

French Country Fridays- Summer Bedroom Refresh

Courtney — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 14:49:38 +0000

French Country Fridays is all about posts from the past and giving them another spotlight. Today it is all about simple summer decorating in the guest bedroom today.

You can see more about this sweet bulldog and how I decorated this bedroom for summer in this post. Have a great weekend everyone.

French Country Cottage | Easy Summer Guest Bedroom Refresh

Maison de Cinq | How to Create a Diamond Pattern Espalier

Shabbyfufu | 5 Tips for Mixing Designer Furniture with Vintage Style

Cedar Hill Farmhouse | Tips for Creating a Vignette with Bottles

Designthusiasm | White Bedroom Ideas

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15 Simple winter decorating Ideas

Courtney — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Simple winter decorating

After Christmas and the busy in the house- so many of use feel like we just want simple.

Quiet. Less is more type feeling in our rooms.

So complicated redesigns and adding ‘more’ to a room isn’t usually what first comes to mind.

But at the same time- those winter rooms can feel absolutely stark and cold sometimes.

I am working on a post all about bringing nature in for winter- but today it is all about simple tips

using things you might already have on hand

that you can gather from around the house

and use to create a touch of winter warmth in your rooms.

15 Simple Winter Decorating Ideas

Fresh flowers

Always a go to favorite way to warm up any room- fresh flowers.

Big or small- simple or with greens – all work.

Candles

Load up on candles of all sizes for a whole lot of winter cozy.

Chunky knit throws

Chunky knits are not only favorites for adding that warm look- they are also favorites for adding texture.

Throw pillows

Any color or style you like is a perfect way to bring in a bit of a fresh and warm look.

Natural Woods

A favorite way to warm up any room is to add a touch of nature. Whether it is a wood stool, chunky slice of wood for holding candles on the table or even a stack of wood waiting for the fire- yes that is a perfect way to use that utilitarian stack as decor.

Peonies- fresh or faux

This is a Christmas mantel- but would just as easily transition to winter by removing the stockings.

Those fresh or faux peonies are a perfect touch for the fresh greens

Twinkle lights in the firebox

Even if your firebox is faux- you can add that warm glow to it with twinkle lights.

They come in battery operated or plug in -and are a perfect touch.

Pinecones- Fresh

That pinecone wreath I put up for Christmas- is actually perfect for winter.

I love the natural color and texture for adding warmth.

Refresh the mantel decor

A new bouquet, candlesticks or a wintery branch wreath are all perfect for warming up the mantel.

Lanterns

I love to use lanterns outside the house and inside the house.

They add a simple charm that helps blend the seasons and spaces.

Pinecones – frosty

Perfect for on the mantel- grab some of those Christmas pinecone picks and use them to create a simple monochromatic look.

Dried Greens Wreath

This is a simple eucalyptus wreath that was for Christmas but that was dried and saved to use through the winter.

Winter Greens Mantel

Leftover garland after Christmas easily becomes winter garland with a few additions.

Add warmth in unexpected places

Candles and fresh flowers in places like the bathrooms or small common areas

can help them to feel more put together and welcoming.

Stack your cutting boards

It is such a simple thing- but it absolutely warms up the kitchen instantly.

Stack up those bread boards. Simply layer large to small and all different shapes and sizes.

It is instant warmth and charm

Stay tuned for a round up on Natural winter decorating ideas coming soon.

Happy Monday all.

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Simple ideas for decorating for winter

Courtney — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 21:44:00 +0000

There is nothing like those twinkling trees and magical ambiance of Christmas that the holiday season brings to the house.

And after the holidays when the trees are put away and the extra bit of pretty is packed up until next year the house can feel bare and cold. So today it is all about ideas for taking some of those Christmas elements right into winter decor- in just a few minutes.

Winter decor is all about feeling warm and cozy- think chunky knits and candles glowing and lots of fireside ambiance.

I am not the biggest fan of winter- but I do like that warm feeling in the house and so, I make sure to layer those warm elements to cozy things up.

Starting the new year and a new decade off today- with a new mini series on the blog.

Throughout the month of January- I will be sharing a few different ideas

for warming up your house in winter- with using much of what you have on hand already.

And since I have holiday in the house yet…

I am starting with ideas for taking Christmas decor right into winter decor.

I love natural touches for winter decor- think raw wood finishes, woven baskets, stacks of firewood in a box- and one of my favorite natural elements to use are pinecones.

I am in love with this wreath that I used in the bedroom for Christmas this year.

And the best part is- I can leave it up through winter because it easily speaks winter decor just by taking away the Christmas baubles and velvet ribbon.

But what about where you have more definite ‘Christmas’ –

like your Christmas mantel.

This year our Christmas mantel had a flocked Christmas garland dotted with mercury glass ornaments,

a Merry Christmas sign and sprigs of eucalyptus & a few pinecones

along with a snowy twig wreath.

I gave it a quick makeover-as in about 5 minutes to take this mantel from Christmas to winter.

On the Balsam Hill blog today- I shared 2 different looks on the mantel

for winter decor- while using some of these same elements from Christmas.

Click on over to read more-

and stay tuned for 7 ideas for warming up your home for winter

coming your way next week.

Happy first day of 2020 all.

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Christmas Decorating Ideas- Simple Christmas tree decor

Courtney — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 16:45:00 +0000

Oh those twinkling Christmas trees… how I love them.

And sometimes- just the twinkle is all that a tree needs for the season.

Today, I am sharing a couple of tips for decorating with an

‘undecorated’ or lightly decorated Christmas tree.

I noticed something a few years back.

I would start putting up a tree

and each section would light up as it went together

and those twinkling lights were so beautiful…

that sometimes I would pause and leave the tree like that for a bit.

I loved it. Nothing but twinkle lights and a pretty tree.

But there was always that voice that said-

‘eh, but it isn’t really decorated yet’

(It might have been my husband’s voice. haha. )

So I would start to add a few baubles.

Then a few more.

And keep them somewhat monochromatic many times.

But… even so, I would stop short of completely covering the tree with decorations.

I love the look of the ribbons and picks –

but I also love the look of simple.

It has been a bit of an inner battle on occasion-

some of the trees over the years have gotten more added.

While some were just lightly decorated and were exactly

what I was looking for. I guess it kind of depends on the mood- but I do seem to often crave that simplicity along with the elegance and so to find that balance sometimes means monochromatic looks- shades of whites or golds for example

and sometimes it means less is more.

And this year- simple won in the office.

This holiday season has been full of flurry and busy with projects

and things behind the scenes that I have been working on-

and in that hustle and bustle,

I have noticed that I been craving simplicity more than ever.

And so, while decorating the bedroom tree- I stopped at just a few dozen white baubles

with a handful of vintage pink added for a touch of warmth.

And I love how it turned out.

Simple. Quiet. Elegant. And just enough Christmas to feel festive but not too busy in the room.

And while setting up a smaller cedar tree in the office

I started with the same favorite white ornaments

and blush & gold baubles

and then paused.

This cedar tree is probably one of my favorite trees this year.

Maybe it is because I am allergic to real cedar and could not have one in the house without paying for it sniffling & sneezing my way through the holiday season.

But maybe also because this tree is so realistic and so simple and elegant

just by itself.

I love the branches, the detail and the size.

And the fairy LED twinkle lights are perfect.

So a few tips for leaving your tree undecorated but keeping it feeling festive?

#1. Twinkle lights are your friend

The more the merrier when it comes to those twinkles.

And if you think about it- much of what we love about that tree in a room

is the twinkling away.

Warm and welcoming twinkles are perfect for making a simple tree feel extravagant.

For those asking- this is a similar French style chandelier

to this one in my office which so many of you have asked about.

#2. Add a pretty skirt

A pretty tree skirt or under covering can make all the difference in feeling like you just brought a tree inside and one that is finished simply. Try something different if you don’t want a traditional skirt.

This is a blue velvet throw used as a tree skirt – and the best thing about this is that you can use the throw all year long in other ways too. You can find a similar here

#3. Decorate the rest of the room

Just because your tree doesn’t have oodles of ornaments-

doesn’t mean that you can’t add more to rest of the room.

Here are some ideas:

Add a fresh or faux garland to the mantel

Add a few baubles in a bowl or a box of baubles by the tree base

Bring out the tinsel garland for a bit of glam on the mantel

Or baubles and garland on the mirror

Add a wreath- even an undecorated one is perfect.

This was one of my favorite looks on the patio from several years ago.

This chunky Balsam Fir tree with nothing but twinkles.

It feels festive and serene at the same time.

#4. Know that simple can be perfect

So yes, my office tree this year is simple.

Just a twinkling cedar that lights up the room as you walk by.

It doesn’t need any baubles or garlands or ribbons or anything else to be perfect for what I love this year.

And that is the key- find the balance and look that makes you smile- and it is perfect.

Happy Simple Christmas decorating everyone.

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French Country Fridays- Christmas Cottage Bedroom

Courtney — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 19:18:00 +0000

Welcome to French Country Fridays

today it is a look at Christmas in the little cottage bedroom

You can see more Here

Happy Friday all.

Edith and Evelyn Vintage | Christmas Kitchen

French Country Cottage | Little Cottage Christmas Bedroom

Maison de Cinq | Casual Chic Green & white Christmas Table Setting

Shabbyfufu | Christmas Décor In The Master Bedroom

Cedar Hill Farmhouse | Christmas Fabric Projects

Designthusiasm | 6 Ways to Create Elegant Christmas Table Settings in the Kitchen

The post French Country Fridays- Christmas Cottage Bedroom appeared first on French Country Cottage.

14 ideas for adding farmhouse Christmas charm

Courtney — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 04:08:00 +0000

Farmhouse Christmas style…

It is welcoming and warm- and a bit nostalgic- and yes, you can get the look even if you don’t live in a farmhouse. Today I am sharing some of my favorite elements this season for adding a touch of farmhouse charm to your home this Christmas.

I just got back from decorating the Hammersky Farmhouse for Christmas…

and that has got me thinking all things Farmhouse Christmas all the time over here.

From simple sparse garlands to tiny trees in buckets to the cutest little ornaments. And while our home is more ‘French Christmas’ than farmhouse- I do think there are some cute elements that work well either way.

Here are some of my favorite things to add a few touches of farmhouse Christmas charm

to your home this season.

#1. Farmhouse Candle houses

These are so cute on the mantel, on a shelf or displayed on a table. I like them with a candle inside- but you can also use battery operated twinkle lights.

#2. A pop of red

Farmhouse style is classic- which means whites and reds are a perfect combination. I love a snowy tree with red ornaments- simple and charming.

#3. A chunky basket for a tree skirt

Instead of a tree skirt- try a chunky basket for your tree for a simple farmhouse look.

#4. Simple Christmas branches

Farmhouse style doesn’t need a ton of embellishments like glitzy sprinkles and all things glam- it is simple, rustic, natural in style- so a simple branch or bundle of branches are a perfect touch.

#5. Farmhouse style ornaments

Because, they are just so darn cute. I love these ornaments and they are perfect on the tree at Hammersky.

#6. Ornaments in a bowl of greenery

So simple on a shelf or table- and you can use whatever your color ornaments are tucked inside.

#7. Plaid Anything

A bold red plaid throw, teal or black plaid accents or stacks of tartan pillows on the sofa. Or maybe a whole sofa covered in buffalo check- you might remember this look from about 10 years ago?

Plaid or check is a classic look that never goes out of style for Christmas.

#8. A stack of logs

Seriously simple- and charming. I am a big birch log kind of girl and these are great to use in a firebox when not in use or in a crate for an accent.

#9. Bowl of rosy toned fruit

A bowl of pomegranates, apples or the like are perfect simple classic touches- and that you can also enjoy nibbling on.

#10. Burlap & Ticking ribbon

I love this ribbon- for on the tree, wrapping packages or a bow on a wreath.

#11. Pinecones

A simple natural touch that is always in season and will take you right into winter. Tuck them into the tree, add a basket full or fill a wood crate with oversized ones for a simple touch.

#12. Wood crates

For holding a tree, holding ornaments or just looking cute.

Of course these are just a very small few ideas- and there are so.many.more.

I could keep going and going- but hopefully this helps give you some ideas for adding your own type of style with farmhouse- and know that is doesn’t all have to be exactly the same.

Shop some of the looks here:

Rustic Homestead decor (farmhouse, chapel)

Wooden Christmas Mantel Village

BH Essentials Red ornaments

BH Essentials (white, silver, gold)

Winter White ornaments

Farmhouse ribbon

Candy Cane Stripe ribbon

Outdoor Juniper foliage

Wispy Winter wreath

Color Changing LED tree candles

Sanibel Spruce Tree

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Inspired Christmas- Christmas Barn

Courtney — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 05:24:00 +0000

All things merry & bright… in the barn.

Have I shared how much I love this barn?

How much I love to play out there,

to move things around and to get some work done?

I so enjoyed a bit of autumn out here

and could hardly wait to decorate it for

Christmas with Balsam Hill.

I started out with a Sanibel Spruce in a wood crate on the front porch-

I hinted that I already had a tree set up inside.

And it is such a pretty one that kind of set the tone for the look this year.

Today I am SO EXCITED to be joining a couple of sweet friends –

Leslie- My 100 year old Home & Yvonne- StoneGable

who are also sharing a sprinkle of Christmas on a Saturday with Balsam Hill.

Whether that means ornaments in a basket,

wee trees on the mantel

a touch of glittery gold or snowy eucalyptus on the table

or even a using your favorite vintage ornaments with new.

It is about how you are decorating a that feels inspired to you.

I decided to go in a glam direction in the barn.

There is something about that juxtaposition of the rustic barn

with that over the top chandelier and I decided to continue that look for this styling.

Let’s take a peek around.

In the barn an antique drapers table is the perfect spot for setting a table.

I love to grab stools for around the sides- I have a collection of vintage and new and they are so perfect to gather them around for plopping on and easy to move out of the way when you don’t need them.

Marching down the center of the table for a creative centerpiece- these are snowy eucalyptus picks.

I simply clipped the end wires off and laid them one on top of the other leaved the ends a bit long and tying them to the others to keep together.

They are the softest sage green color dotted with faux snow.

I added simple jar candles and a few vintage brass candlesticks tucked in

for a bit of flicker on the table.

Tip: Shop local thrift stores and tag sales for old candlesticks

and dollar stores for glass ones that are inexpensive.

Gold coupes and flatware bring an extra bit of glam

and these blush plates are some of my favorites.

Across the way… a vintage marble mantel is decorated simply

with a gorgeous silver and gold wreath and wee glittery platinum trees.

I am in love with the elegant feeling this wreath has.

Though it is new- it has a very vintage glam vibe that is incredible in person.

And these wee trees in pots are so cute.

I also thought about using them on the centerpiece on the table.

In the corner- a peek at the gold Nicole Miller tree that I have in here-

You can see a little sneak peek of how what is on this tree in this video

but it wasn’t totally done yet when I filmed this- so stay tuned and

you will see more of the tree in another post.

And shop the look here:

Use

FCC10OFF

to save an extra 10% off any purchase at Balsam Hill

even sale prices

Snowy Eucalyptus Picks

Gilded Glamour Wreath

Champagne potted trees

Flickering candles on tree

Gold Essential Ornaments

White Essential Ornaments

Gold Beaded Garland

Large Pearl Garland

Nicole Miller Champagne Tree

Winter White Ornaments

Berry Frosted Fraser Fir Wreath

Don’t miss what my friends are sharing today too

Leslie- My 100 year old Home

Yvonne- StoneGable

*Barn is from Little Cottage Company

*Chandelier Schonbek from by Lamps Plus

Disclosure- I work with Balsam Hill but all opinions and love of Balsam Hill and Christmas are my own.

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French Country Fridays- Christmas Dollhouse Story

Courtney — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:00:00 +0000

Welcome to French Country Fridays- where we share a post from the past each week.

This week it is all about a wee dollhouse that my dad me when I was a little girl and a story.

Read the whole post about my dollhouse dressed for Christmas HERE

French Country Cottage | A Dollhouse Christmas

Maison de Cinq | Simple French Inspired Christmas Entry Way

Shabbyfufu | Simple Elegant Christmas Home Tour

Cedar Hill Farmhouse | Christmas Décor with Candles and Greenery

Designthusiasm | Complementing Your French Style With a White Christmas Tree

Edith and Evelyn Vintage | Family Room Christmas

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Christmas Decorating Tips & Ideas- how to decorate with more than one tree in a room

Courtney — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 20:52:00 +0000

Ahh those twinkling Christmas trees this time of year…

Christmas trees twinkling away in the house bring a sense of wonder and a whole lot of magic.
And I am one of those people who think more is most definitely merrier when it comes to Christmas trees.

I like to sprinkle Christmas all through the house and enjoy that magic from room to room.
And one of my favorite ways to decorate larger rooms is by using multiple trees in a room. If one twinkling tree adds oodles of magic- 2 or more will amplify it even more.

I am talking about ideas for creating groupings of those magical twinkling trees and my best tip for a pair of trees together- it is so simple.

You can read all 7 ideas Here- and if you decide to add a second (or 3rd or 4th or….) more trees – I have your back and support the more is merrier idea all around. so don’t forget to use FCC100ff to save an extra 10% on anything (even sale) at Balsam Hill.

Stay tuned for a closer look at our bedroom dressed for Christmas tomorrow. Hint: it doesn’t look the same as it does in that photo.

Happy Decorating all.

The post Christmas Decorating Tips & Ideas- how to decorate with more than one tree in a room appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies

Courtney — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 16:00:00 +0000

Chocolate. Peanut butter. And a peanut butter cookie.

ALL together in ONE DELICIOUS COOKIE.

It sounds a little crazy good if you are a chocolate, peanut butter loving kind… which I am.

The other day while getting ready to do some baking for this years ‘Christmas Cookie’ party with my friend Kristen at Ella Claire- I looked in the cupboard for what I had on hand.

I was hoping I had a stockpile of goodies to work with- it was pouring rain-
and I was not too excited about hopping in the car to run and grab something.

Okay… it is more like I was in my jammies and all cozy and was being lazy. I know. haha.

But there is something about staying in your pajamas by the fire
when it rains isn’t there?

Anyway, I remembered a recipe I had seen awhile back that was so simple.
Just a butter cookie topped with creamy peanut butter and dollop of melted chocolate.
I remembered there were few ingredients and yes- I was sold.

BUT… I realized, as I thought about the butter cookies and what I knew was needed to make those that I was missing a few things.
But I did have what I needed on hand to make peanut butter cookie base.

You see where I am going here?

SO GOOD folks.

I will absolutely be making these again- and it is SO EASY to do.
Even if you don’t want to get out of your pajamas.

Side note: I used a couple of regular old type chocolate bars because I had them on hand for s’mores (again- didn’t want to run to the store!) and they are not the best for melting for cookies-
So, I would plan on grabbing a bag of chocolate chips or melting chocolate
for the best (and prettiest) result.

Here is what I used:

Regular old Peanut Butter cookie recipe of your choosing

1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter

16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate melted and cooled

Course salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Bake your peanut butter cookies according to your recipe and then let them cool

Once cooled, spread a dollop of peanut butter on each cookie and place your cookie on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Chill in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
When they are nice and chilled-
melt the chocolate and let cool just a bit.

Then take a spoon and drop a dollop of chocolate on the top of your cookie topped with peanut butter

and then sprinkle with a tiny bit of coarse sea salt if you would like.
Side note- totally fine to omit-that coarse salt can be a bit too salty.

And Enjoy!

The original recipe I saw is likely based off a similar one from Half Baked Harvest but with some adaptations -and now I have adapted even more- so feel free to work with what you have on hand if you are like me- or follow the original recipe.

Don’t miss any of what my friends are sharing today as well.
Happy holiday baking all!!

Double Chocolate Junior Mint Cookies by Ella Claire & Co. | Snowball Cookies with Pecans by Live Laugh Rowe | Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies by Boxwood Avenue | Chocolate Covered Peppermint Cookies by Rooms for Rent.

Pie Cookies by Handmade Farmhouse | Linzer Cookies by Inspired by Charm | Pistachio Cardamom Butter Cookies by The Chronicles of Home | Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies by Anderson + Grant

Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies by Jenna Kate at Home | Iced Peanut Butter Cookies by Maison de Pax | Caramel Thumbprint Snickerdoodles by Summer Adams | Peanut Butter Cookie Cups by Town and Country Living

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies by French Country Cottage | Reindeer Cookies by Shabbyfufu | Chocolate Chip Cookies by Happy Happy Nester | Gluten/Dairy Free Spritz Christmas Cookies by Zevy Joy

Pecan Tassies by On Sutton Place | Snowball Cookies by Julie Blanner | Braided Sugar Cookie Stick by Tidbits | Sugar Cookie Trees by My 100 Year Old Home

Gooey Butter Christmas Cookies by Tidy Mom | Toasted Coconut Einkron Cookies by Farmhouse on Boone | Christmas Candy (M&M) Cookies by Nina Hendrick | White Chocolate Peppermint Oreos by My Sweet Savannah

Praline Snickerdoodles by So Much Better with Age

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