No, I don’t mean a Fun House of the carnival sort. I mean our house.
From my observation station in the den, I sometimes look at the cottage with the sun pouring in the windows and see the colors that are everywhere and the things we’ve collected and smile. The other day it hit me. We have a Fun House. It brings a smile to our faces and the faces of others who visit us. Remember the cable guy that walked in the door and immediately said, “This is a happy house. I can tell. This is a happy house.”?
No greater compliment.
Don and I are, in all modesty, very funny people. We have a strong sense of the absurd. We make people laugh. And we love offbeat, whimsical, silly and happy. We also like comfortable, well-worn, and vintage.
So with that in mind, I took some photos of the cottage for you.
First off, some views of the living room. Can you spot Scout? She is most definitely fun. (Still waiting for the other Emmie blind.)
Monty the Cow is watching over the living room.
An old film can that has been painted and decoupaged adds a touch of whimsy. As does the McCoy pottery that is everywhere in this house. That cream colored planting bowl holds bright yellow Mah Jongg tiles.
A closer look:
Don’s Jumping Jack collection, which hangs right under the chalkboard in the kitchen. We often give them a little pull when we’re heading out the door.
The canvas wrapped print I had made of the Lamb with the Party Hat. It hangs in the living room.
A dollhouse, definitely fun, sits in the living room. (There’s Dame Scout again.)
A sign and a photo of Abbey Road Don sit on the piano. Adding to the whimsy, McCoy birds are singing. What better place than on a piano?
In the kitchen, a bright yellow Vernors crate sits on the island. I smile every time I see it.
I smile when I see the vintage chain display rack we transformed into a paper towel holder. I can’t imagine our daily life without this wonderfully rusty rack that we found at an auction and bid for on a whim.
Our Bunny Rabbit Cookie Jar sits on the window ledge over the sink. We often spot the real thing right outside these windows.
A hanging lamp made from an old lamp shade frame and some vintage doilies hangs over the kitchen table.
One of my favorite things: the vintage Use Other Stair sign that hangs above the landing. (There is no ‘other stair’ in this cottage.) Add to that the alternating red and blue carpet treads, the Border Collie doorstop, the found-for-free desk Don brought home and that I transformed, and the aqua pottery lamp.
Then there are the whimsical figural egg cups that are everywhere. Here are some on an old mantel that I use as a shelf in my ‘studio.’
More in the bedroom.
Lamb Chop, who supervises all activities on the upper level of the cottage.
Big Boy, who sits on the desk in the guest room/office/studio. (And looks a little spooky here.)
And this souvenir from a Law & Order shoot. Don played a Judge who owned a car dealership. How could we resist?
There’s more, of course. The McCoy pottery with colors that cannot help but make us smile; the miniature pottery on a little shelf in the den; the dolls that live on top of the cabinet in the studio; Little Lamb, Wayfrum and Maggie Rabbit, who currently live on top of the bookshelf in our bedroom…all of these things have been welcomed into our home and add to the fun, whimsical ambience here.
It’s nothing we did on purpose. It’s just a reflection of our personalities and our sense of style.
Though I love looking at all kinds of homes, I tend to be drawn to those with PERSONALITY. In caps. Personality that is immediately evident when you walk in the door. Frankly, I cannot imagine having a home that looks ‘decorated.’ Of course, this house is decorated, but you know what I mean. A home might be beautiful and luxurious and sleek and lush (all of which are very nice, indeed) but if a sense of the owners’ personality is missing along with a little touch of fun, I don’t want to linger there.
Apparently, from looking around our home, we’re big on fun and laughter and whimsy.
Happy Monday.
So warm and inviting, something interesting everywhere you look! Makes you want to come in and sit a spell!
Good! That’s exactly what I’d hoped for, Kathy.
Your home is charming and inviting! Thank you for letting us in for a visit.
You are most welcome, Carolyn Marie.
I always enjoy pictures of your Cottage. The Cable Man was right!
I loved that guy. It was so great to hear that.
Wish we lived in the same state~we would be great friends! I ❤️ whimsy and our home is full of it~people are always wondering about what a chore dusting is….lol
Enjoy your day with smiles!
Well, dusting is a chore and one I usually put off as long as possible!
Claudia, You do have some wonderful collections. I don’t think I had ever seen the cookie jar. ;):) Scout in the pictures is so cute. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
Scoutie is everywhere (at least everywhere downstairs.)
Yep, have always loved photos of your house…I find it very warm, comfy, and inviting, and of course, full of personality.
I tend not to take photos of the house in the summer and then, when fall comes around, the nesting urge is back and out comes the camera!
Thanks for the tour..Definitely a home well loved..Cleaning it may be kind of a nightmare…Scout doesn’t know that she’s supposed to lie ON the blanket !!
Too funny..Have a good week..
Cleaning isn’t a problem at all, Missy. Just a flick of the duster and a vacuuming and all is well.
Yes, the cable man hit the nail on the head!!! PERSONALITY is the key to making a home charming, inviting and an over all fun place to visit ( or better yet, to live in :-) ) Dusting is rarely a chore if you keep things around you to keep constant reminders of the fun you have had. I have a theory that our possessions tell “our story” for us. Life is entirely too short to not grab the brass ring and have fun.
You are right, Jeannine. They do tell our story!
Of all your lovely decorative items, the loveliest is Scout. But you know that already. She really keeps tabs on you, doesn’t she? What a sweetie.
She is adorable, that’s for sure.
What an enjoyable post and yes, I want to visit – lol. So inviting and FUN. Dame Scout is lovely in her photos.
Thanks, Vera!
I love your little cottage, Claudia. It’s one of my favourties in blog land.
Thank you, Sue!
That first pic of your living room definitely says HAPPY! I think it’s those plaid chairs…love them! But my favorite part is the “use other stair” sign! You and Don have a great sense of humor…and your home reflects that! ;)
Thanks so much, Donnamae!
This is the best house tour EVER. I just love everything about your home, Claudia…so full of personality, whimsy, and humor. It made me smile, and even laugh (the “use other stair” sign). And you are right, it IS happy…and reading about it made me happy, too! Still smiling…
Thank you, Linda. That means a great deal to me!
This was fun!
I enjoy seeing your whimsical home and swing Scout in the photos!
I was going to say- last week I read a post and at the bottom if the post where there is a More From MHC there was a link and it was about a little dark framed mirror on your stair wall – well I clicked it and there was a picture of Riley photo bombing your picture of your mirror! It was sweet. I don’t think I’d started following you at that point. So it was sweet to encounter your boy Riley!
Today I noticed another link with him featured and think I’ll go and read it :)
Have fun today ! You and Scout!
I miss him every day. Sometimes I can let myself read about him, but others? Still too emotional!
Yours is the kind of home I like to come home to, Claudia. Lots of little clues about just who inhabits the space. I’m not a bit surprised that everyone who visits feels enveloped by love and happiness. Now on to the important things–Bob’s Big Boy! We still have a few left in California, although they are now owned by a conglomerate in the Midwest, I think. When my mother was a young woman, she moved to Glendale from Pittsburgh in the early 40s, and she used to eat at the original Bob’s. Bob’s cheeseburgers, onion rings and chocolate shakes were a staple in my diet for many years. I know you are a vegetarian, but oh lordie, Bob’s cheeseburgers!
When I was growing up in Michigan it was just Big Boy. But Don grew up in California, where it was most definitely Bob’s Big Boy!
All I can say is “I love your house”. So warm and inviting! Bet you are counting down the minutes until Friday! So glad your little family will be all back together! Have a safe trip!
Thank you, Marsha!
Your home is beautiful!! You can see the love and fun there. So many things that have meaning for you and Don. I love your style of decorating. I am not into the sterile look at all. To “clean” and it makes me nervous. Almost afraid to move in that kind of house. I do say house as it is not lived in like yours…a home.
Oh thank you very much, Teresa!
Just lovely!
Style and personality abound- thank you for the tour.
You are very welcome, Barbara!
I think I’ve said it before Claudia..anytime you share your home with us it is a pleasure to me..we have so similar taste..old comfy things..whimsical touches..pets to love and love us back..I think the whole secret (as I know you have said) is to surround yourself with things you love..I can’t imagine in my life ever having anyone “decorate” my home for me..it just sounds so funny but sad to me..
I can’t imagine it either – maybe for advice about storage and storage options, or how to reconfigure a room, but as to the actual decorating? No!
Love, love, love your home. So welcoming, warm, comfortable! Always enjoy visiting with you. You are always a gracious hostess.
It’s my pleasure, Dottie.
cozy and fun!
I seriously LOVE your cottage! It truly does reflect the personality of you and Don. So cozy and full of loved things and memories and, you said it, FUN! My favorite thing in the whole house has to be that furry, four-legged, beauty I see in some of the pictures. :)
She does manage to sneak into those shots!
Your home is very inviting. I love that you have a story for every piece you have collected. And remember the stories!
I do (for the most part!)
Your home is perfect. Cozy with collected memories. I never tire of seeing your home in pictures.
Thank you so much, Debby!
Claudia, as always I enjoyed the tour of the cottage. Saw some new things (the Law & Order poster) and others as well. At first being in ‘blogland’ I felt like my home was not ‘worthy’ but now I know it is, because it’s ME. My personality which is not minimal and the fact that I enjoy change and so visually mix it up all the time with my collections. My style is eclectic and I fill my home with things I love, things that have meaning and memories. I wouldn’t change a thing! Thank you for helping me see that my home is perfect…perfect for me!
hugs,
Linda
If your home is filled with things you love, you’ve got it made, Linda. It’s perfect indeed!
Hi Claudia, this post was a wonderful read, I felt like I had a private tour! xxoo Ann Marie
Fun, laughter and whimsy yes but you forgot the most important word that describes your home. I see LOVE in every square inch!
I love your little cottage and everything in it. Most people freak out when they come to my home because of all the stuff. Everyone says it is like a museum and that they can never see it all in just one visit. I definitely have lots of personality going on around here. Perhaps a little schizo to some. Ha! Eclectic for sure. Best wishes, Tammy