Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / decorating / Around the House

Around the House

October 28, 2014 at 9:47 am by Claudia

hello bed

Hello bed! Though the mattress I slept on in Hartford was fine, this baby is heaven. I’ve been sleeping longer since I got home. Today I slept in until almost 8:00, and I’m usually awake by 6:30 or 7:00, at the latest. My back always has to adjust to a change in mattress and that will take a few days, but to say I love this mattress is an understatement. Not to mention this sunny bedroom – there was no real light in the bedroom in Hartford, just that cut-out in the wall.

I love you, big old California King bed.

Remember my plea for the Emmie blinds from IKEA? My order from the seller on eBay was waiting for me when I picked up my mail yesterday. My sister bought the other blind from IKEA in Tampa. She’s sending it to me this week. So two of the windows have the Emmie blinds and one doesn’t, which gives me the opportunity to show you the difference the new blinds make.

emmie-livingroom

On the left, the old tie-up blinds. On the right, Emmie.

emmie-no

I’ve come to hate these. The ties are always sloppy. Even after cutting them down in length, they’re still too long. When I tried to roll the blind up to approximate the idea of the Emmie it worked for about two minutes. Then the sheer weight of the fabric dragged the whole thing down.

I cannot wait to get rid of this one. Meredith, please pop that blind in the mail….please?

emmie-yes

So much cleaner looking! I’m going to tweak the rod holders so they hang perfectly. But, I have to say I love these. After hanging them yesterday, I decided I wanted to get one more for the bathroom, but unfortunately, this particular width is sold out. Darn it.

And continuing with my IKEA theme, when I ran into the IKEA in New Haven, I grabbed an Ektorp slipcover for my blogging chair. Imagine my surprise when I took it out of the box yesterday and it was not off-white but khaki. My power walk through the store had me grabbing one of the boxes that showed the $29 price, which is the price for the off-white covers. I didn’t know it was also the price for another color.

slipcover

There it is. You can see the off-white I thought I was getting on that pillow. But I sort of like it. It will definitely do for a while. The khaki color is picked up in that red pillow, so it seems to work. And it echoes one of the colors in the rug.

If you look closely in the lower left hand corner, you’ll see a bit of Scout lying in her tunnel.

There you go. That’s the house update for today. I did lots of raking yesterday – several tarps filled with leaves were toted up to the woods. More to do, but I had to make time to take Scoutie on a walk.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: decorating 31 Comments

Comments

  1. Debbie in Oregon says

    October 28, 2014 at 10:10 am

    I always enjoy your posts Claudia, but I really love it when you do a post and pictures of inside the cottage (and the dollhouse too!). It was a post/photos of your living room that I stumbled onto one day, that hooked me and reeled me in, as a daily reader. The sun shining through your bedroom window is absolutely perfect. Love the look of the new shades. Don’t work too hard on those leaves … that can be back aching work!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:02 pm

      I know! That’s why I’m doing it over the course of a few days.

      Reply
  2. Missy says

    October 28, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Love the new blinds..I can see why you went to so much trouble to find them..They look great..Cute cottage..Looks so cozy..Enjoy your day..

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:03 pm

      It is a cozy cottage. It’s been that way from the start. This house just suits us and our style, I think.

      Reply
  3. Vera says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Lovely sunny bedroom and the new blinds look perfect! I also really like the kakhi slipcover – it looks great.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:04 pm

      Thank you, Vera. Who knew? Sometimes a mistake can turn out to be a good thing.

      Reply
  4. Donnamae says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:19 am

    Your cottage looks so warm, sunny and very welcoming. What a difference those blinds make…much cleaner, and fresher. I’m always amazed at what small changes can really make in a home. And I also kinda like the khaki slipcover…happy mistake? ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      I’m thrilled with the blinds. Why the heck did IKEA stop stocking these? It makes no sense to me. I think the khaki slipcover is a nice change and one I wouldn’t have chosen otherwise.

      Reply
      • Donnamae says

        October 28, 2014 at 1:01 pm

        I have no earthly idea why IKEA would stop selling some thing that is obviously popular. But, they aren’t the only ones that do that. I’ve run into that problem before…and it’s usually a decision based on money…what else! ;)

        Reply
  5. Marsha Lash says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:37 am

    Everything looks great! Home sweet home, right?

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Yes, indeed.

      Reply
  6. Nancy Blue Moon says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:41 am

    The blinds look so much nice and neater..and I do like the khaki cover on your blogging chair..I had to stay at the hospital Sunday night for a sleep study and the mattress wasn’t too bad but all those wires I was hooked up to were just awful..Your mattress must be so comfy for you to sleep in until 8:00 am..lol..Have a bright sunny day ladies!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      So sorry you had to spend the night at the hospital, Nancy. I hope you’re back in your own bed now!

      Reply
  7. Chris k in Wisconsin says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:44 am

    I think you will come to love the khaki! I, too, love the pictures inside your house. I always see something new to me! Our carpet installers are here this morning, and when we move the furniture back in, I may agree to taking the mirror off of the buffet, which is a sister to yours,for a change. Looking at yours in the pictures today, and seeing again how it will look (with our matching clock in the same spot) :-) and I think I am willing to try this change!
    So glad you are enjoying your time at home. Back in your own bed is always a good thing that I look forward to when traveling.
    Sweet Scout back in her tunnel is a happy thing. Have a great day and “enjoy” those leaves!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      I’ll be interested in how you like the buffet without the mirror, Chris.

      Reply
  8. Betsy says

    October 28, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    Your home looks like it’s happy to welcome you back. Everything looks so clean and cozy. I adore cozy!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      I do, too, Betsy. Cozy and welcoming and friendly suits us just fine!

      Reply
  9. Janet in Rochester says

    October 28, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    The new blinds are really nice. I have wood shutters myself [no maintenance except dusting] but have always liked the look of tie-up blinds too. Although side-by-side with the new blinds I can see why you like the crispness of the Emmies a little better. Nice to have a change too. PS – really like the khaki slipcover. That color would have been my choice because it will look cleaner longer than off-white. Your busy dash through Ikea may end a bit of serendipity in the end!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 12:18 pm

      We have wood blinds in the den. They sure get dusty quickly, though, and that frustrates me!

      Reply
      • Janet in Rochester says

        October 28, 2014 at 12:25 pm

        That’s for sure! I got me a duster specially-designed for interior shutters [Container Store] that does a good job though. It would probably work well on wood blinds too.

        Reply
  10. LuvWheaties says

    October 28, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    I love how a few small changes to our environment can have such a big impact, both visually and psychologically. You will enjoy sitting in your cute “new” chair, looking out your pretty windows every day!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      I will, Sandra!

      Reply
  11. Susie says

    October 28, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Claudia, Your bedroom looks good and cozy with the sunshine coming in the window. I love your new blinds. The slip cover may turn out to be just right, since it is nice and pulls the same color from your pillow. Glad you got some needed rest. Hope Scout is doing well. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      Scout went with me for a walk yesterday and she was galloping around. Today, she’s tired, but it’s a good tired.

      Reply
  12. Diane says

    October 28, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    I love your Emmie blinds. They are the perfect touch for your cottage windows and they look so lovely with the sun streaming in!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      They do! I wish I could find one more!

      Reply
  13. Deb says

    October 28, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    So glad you’re home Claudia! I LOVE seeing photos of your cozy cottage! AND if you happen to watch some of the World Series tonight….can you PLEASE do a little cheer for a fellow American League team??? GO ROYALS! It is a must win for us. (PS….I cheered for the Red Sox last year!) ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 28, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      Oh, I’ve been cheering for the Royals the whole time – since the ACLS! Go Royals!!!

      Reply
      • Deb says

        October 28, 2014 at 6:29 pm

        Thanks for the Royals cheering! They are really a fun team to watch – although the Giants have been a formidable competitor. Now that they are home tonight, hopefully we can get the win! I am going to send you an email about my story of the Royals. I have ALWAYS been a fan of baseball and the Royals – but last year the most incredible thing happened! Go Royals!

        Reply
  14. Linda @ A La Carte says

    October 28, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    I love coming home to my bed after a trip for sure! Love the new blinds, they really look great. I hate that they are not selling in IKEA anymore, they are very cool. The khaki cover looks good to me! Don’t work too hard and make sure to take time to play with Scout!
    hugs,
    Linda

    Reply
  15. Jaclyn T says

    October 29, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    Oh your home is just lovely! I love the sunlight in the bedroom, and that bed does look mighty comfy! Have a great day.

    Reply
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I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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