The great thing about my shop is that I get to meet some of the most interesting people.
All sorts of folks walk through my doors....wealthy folks, poor folks, students, kids, oddballs, and the regular old average joe.
I've never been impressed by status, or money, in fact I feel more comfortable with the regular average joes. So when I meet people that are pretty well off but are so down to earth and humble about it that you wouldn't know it, I am always impressed by that.
So when my Friend saw that I was headed up North to pick up my son from Camp, she invited me to come and stay for a few relaxing days at her "cottage" before I went to get him.
Since I was driving up north for 4 hours BY MYSELF, it seemed like a really liberating thing to do, so I accepted her gracious invitation........
needless to say I was blown away by her place.
this wasn't your average "cottage"
this was a LAKE house, and needs to be in a magazine!
so grab a cup of coffee, or an ice cold drink, because I couldn't help but take a billion photographs........:)
come on in won't you? just follow this path to paradise....
walk up the charming stairs to the cute little entry way...
then go down this hall to......
oh my WORD!
walls of windows overlooking the bay.....
everywhere I turn I am met with Art......
art I love!
vintage treasures.....
cool collections....
inspiration starts to flow! I am SO happy to be here in this amazing place......
Lucky really ;)
every where I turned......I was just so darn excited!
(even her fly swatter looks cute so artfully displayed) :)
her cool table with her found vintage Jury chairs....Love them!
even washing the dishes in her kitchen sink is amazing because of the view from the window....
and the sunsets equally impressive....
I would retire for the night in my cute little room....
where I'd curl up and read a book! I actually READ an entire book this summer! something I hate to admit that I haven't done in YEARS, but was so thankful that I did.
I would wake up in the morning, and sneak out here to watch the sunrise and enjoy the solitude, just me and my book....
spectacular views all around.....
sometimes I'd even have company........:)
best dog E.V.E.R.
Marley!!!
Portugese water dog, amazing, loyal, mellow, and had the most expressive eyes ever. so cute. :)
(he liked me) see? he's smiling
such a happy place!
we'd spend time walking down to her beach....
for more lounging...... (it was so nice not to have the words
"mom!" yelled at me a million times a day, where I could actually read, and gaze out into space in peace.) :)
looking at rocks and driftwood.....
in fact her fireplace is made with a bunch of them.....along with other treasures
even her mantle piece is made from a piece of driftwood that she and her husband dragged in from the water...it weighed a TON...but look how cool!
All in all it was an amazing time, every nook and cranny made me feel like I was on an Artistic retreat.....
it was so relaxing, rejuvenating, and inspiring.....
So thankful that I have met such amazing people that are so generous and kind to me from all walks of life.
it makes me happy to do what I do.
:)
XOXOXO
p.s.
click on the photos to seem them in their full sized glory!
OMG!!!!!! I bet you were in heaven. I loved looking at these pics!!!!!
Posted by: Stephanie Coop | August 02, 2010 at 01:32 PM
Wow!! That is amazing! What a wonderful home and on the water too...how lucky you were able to spend a few days! Thank you for sharing all those fabulous pics! :)
Posted by: Laura | August 02, 2010 at 01:33 PM
Lucky duck! What an amazing cabin and setting. Great spot to spend a little "me" time. Thanks for the tour...I want one JUST LIKE IT!
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | August 02, 2010 at 02:19 PM
Catherine, thank you for taking the time to share all these photos! What a lovely lake cottage! :) I bet it was gratifying for your friend to have you visit, too, because you would get excited about stuff and appreciate it. So fun! I love all the color and of course the lake view. I love how the walkway down to the water curves.
Posted by: suzanne b. | August 02, 2010 at 02:22 PM
I opened each and every photo.... twice... Amazing... always saw something different each time i looked.
Posted by: Sassy | August 02, 2010 at 03:48 PM
WOW! What a beautiful place. I love her art, and the colors.
Posted by: Janet Caldwell | August 02, 2010 at 05:20 PM
These photos made my day! Thank you for taking the time to post and write about your stay. :) I love this eclectic style and enjoy your blog/shop soooo much! Thanks for sharing!
And you have a great name, BTW - I share it with the exact spelling ;)
Posted by: catherine s. | August 03, 2010 at 02:39 AM
Ohhhh, thanks for sharing another wonderful inspiring space :)
Posted by: JunkerJane | August 03, 2010 at 01:19 PM
Good gracious! What a fabulous place! Thanks so much for sharing it all.
Maybe you could get yourself invited back around Christmas decorating season! ;) Would love to see what she does with the place, then!
Posted by: Julie | August 03, 2010 at 03:16 PM
She can be in my magazine!
Cate Prato
Studios Editor
Posted by: Vintage Cate | August 03, 2010 at 04:55 PM
OMG. dyin' ova' here! That place is awesome and I know you were in heaven. I'm so glad you were able to have a nice relaxing retreat for yourself.
Angie
Posted by: junkgarden | August 03, 2010 at 08:12 PM
You made a wise decision to eccept the invitation,I also have a shop gallery/frame ,and I have many invitations to summer homes and I never go ,not wanting to close my strore ,but now I am having second thoughts ,glad you had such a wonderfull time.
Posted by: theodora | August 04, 2010 at 06:16 AM
What a creative and soulful retreat! I loved the color and whimsy!
Posted by: Tanya | August 04, 2010 at 11:36 AM
This *does* look like a magazine shoot! What a gorgeously artistic, personal, perfectly idiosyncratic collection of items and memories (plus you have a great eye for photographing them).
Posted by: Gail | August 07, 2010 at 05:36 AM
Lucky you! Look at all of those windows and the view! Plus all the fun art in the house. So glad you had your camera to share with us.
xo, Candylei
Posted by: Candylei | August 07, 2010 at 01:40 PM
I LOVE this "cottage". It totally reminds me of my favorite home ever in the March 2003 Home Companion (Jan Dutcher). They are both FABULOUS!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lori Houk | August 07, 2010 at 11:20 PM
oh my.
i want to move in and stay forever.
it is beautiful in every nook and cranny.
i love this house.
it makes me want to have so much more art in my house.
your house makes me feel that too. :)
Posted by: MEG DUERKSEN | August 10, 2010 at 03:34 PM
Oh my....what an absolutely fabulous space!!
Lucky you:) :)
Posted by: simpledaisy | August 11, 2010 at 08:28 PM
What an amazing home! You're absolutely right, it should be in a magazine! So glad you enjoyed your visit there
Posted by: Jen B | August 17, 2010 at 08:59 PM
wowza!!! what a fabulous place...i know you were in absolute heaven with all that eye candy!!! xoxox
Posted by: noodle and lou | August 23, 2010 at 02:52 PM
Oh, it's so amazing!!!!! I just want to live there!!!
My mouth just dropped open at every picture!!!
Posted by: Crystelle | August 27, 2010 at 04:54 PM
looks like your kind of place for sure! what a nice friend ... absolutely perfect! love that fireplace pebble/junk collage ;]
Posted by: charlotte lyons | September 05, 2010 at 09:46 AM
that fireplace is completely fabulous! that whole house is truly amazing! thanks for sharing! :)
Posted by: laura | September 15, 2010 at 01:00 AM
Hello. You have no idea who I am but my name is Jane and I live in Fargo, ND. I came across your blog when I Googled "how to decorate a small entry way." You have an amazing place! Just looking at the pictures of your home made me feel like I got away for a bit. Thank you! It's gorgeous!
Posted by: Jane Gundersen | October 07, 2010 at 04:46 PM