Hello 2020
I debated for a long time on the first post of the new year. There were so many ways to go...
I started this blog over five years ago to share the journey of just retiring and buying a new cottage. I promised to share it all...the good, the bad, and the ugly and I think I've fulfilled that promise with the porch repairs, the filthy fence, selling the old and buying a new cottage, and many diy and crafty projects - too many to list. In the midst of all of it, I shared my own personal style.
What is that style you ask? It's many things, but let's start with what it isn't. It is not trendy , I do not follow them. There has never been a single gnome, piece of shiplap, buffalo check, or Rae Dunn inspired decor in my home. It's not that I dislike these things, but I prefer my own style which is vintage and antique inspired. These pieces have stories to tell...and I'm all about the stories.
My love of antiques and their restoration began at the age of 14 when I pulled an oak icebox out of a barn in pieces (with the owners permission of course). With my Dad to guide me, I lovingly restored that piece and it still lives in my home today. I promise to share it in a post sometime soon.
My coffee table is a vintage card catalog from the school district I worked in for many years and it coexists with an octagon pedestal table with a Tiffany-style lamp.
But, I digress, so let's talk about who I am. First and foremost, I am a teacher, always was and always will be. I love showing people how to do things, and this blog is my venue to do just that. Someone suggested that I should have a YouTube channel. I'm not sure if I'm ready for that (or if you are! lol), but it's worth thinking about and investigating. Or maybe I should just start with stories on facebook and instagram?
In addition to being a teacher, I am a DIYer. It's not unusual to find me covered in sawdust, one of several power tools in my hands, with paint, glue, and stain under my fingernails. Ideas swirl around my brain and it takes some trial and error to bring them to fruition; but, I love every minute of it.
I also am a blogger, although, sometimes I don't think I'm very good at it. I get so busy 'doing the thing' that I forget to take pictures, or I take them and they're a bit blurry......and then I have to write about it. Writing has never been my greatest strength, but, I still do it because...I am a teacher and I want to show you how I do the things!
If you've made it this far in my rambling post, Congratulations! To summarize, I'm a real person who lives in a 'not so perfect' house. I'm no expert, but I love bringing vintage/antique pieces back to life. DIYing/crafting are a passion and I love sharing it with all of you. I guess you can refer back to my Keepin' It Real post from last January.
So here's to another year of adventures at The Apple Street Cottage. I appreciate each and every one of you more than you could possibly know. Every comment and every feature absolutely thrill me to the core. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by and especially leaving a comment. It means the world to me.
Happy New Year, Everyone!
Cheers!
Featured at:
Keep In Touch
- A look back at favorite posts from 2019? No, I firmly believe in looking forward.
- A New Year's Resolution? Certainly not my style and I never keep them anyway.
- A 'word' for 2020? That falls under the resolution category.
I started this blog over five years ago to share the journey of just retiring and buying a new cottage. I promised to share it all...the good, the bad, and the ugly and I think I've fulfilled that promise with the porch repairs, the filthy fence, selling the old and buying a new cottage, and many diy and crafty projects - too many to list. In the midst of all of it, I shared my own personal style.
What is that style you ask? It's many things, but let's start with what it isn't. It is not trendy , I do not follow them. There has never been a single gnome, piece of shiplap, buffalo check, or Rae Dunn inspired decor in my home. It's not that I dislike these things, but I prefer my own style which is vintage and antique inspired. These pieces have stories to tell...and I'm all about the stories.
My love of antiques and their restoration began at the age of 14 when I pulled an oak icebox out of a barn in pieces (with the owners permission of course). With my Dad to guide me, I lovingly restored that piece and it still lives in my home today. I promise to share it in a post sometime soon.
My coffee table is a vintage card catalog from the school district I worked in for many years and it coexists with an octagon pedestal table with a Tiffany-style lamp.
No 'matchy-matchy' in my world.
And who could forget the Water-Logged China Cabinet in my dining room along with the Free Table? 
Although I did love my dining room in the original cottage. The pieces were similar, but not an exact match.
This furniture was sold to the new owner, except for the chairs. I'll never sell them!
But, I digress, so let's talk about who I am. First and foremost, I am a teacher, always was and always will be. I love showing people how to do things, and this blog is my venue to do just that. Someone suggested that I should have a YouTube channel. I'm not sure if I'm ready for that (or if you are! lol), but it's worth thinking about and investigating. Or maybe I should just start with stories on facebook and instagram?
In addition to being a teacher, I am a DIYer. It's not unusual to find me covered in sawdust, one of several power tools in my hands, with paint, glue, and stain under my fingernails. Ideas swirl around my brain and it takes some trial and error to bring them to fruition; but, I love every minute of it.
I also am a blogger, although, sometimes I don't think I'm very good at it. I get so busy 'doing the thing' that I forget to take pictures, or I take them and they're a bit blurry......and then I have to write about it. Writing has never been my greatest strength, but, I still do it because...I am a teacher and I want to show you how I do the things!
If you've made it this far in my rambling post, Congratulations! To summarize, I'm a real person who lives in a 'not so perfect' house. I'm no expert, but I love bringing vintage/antique pieces back to life. DIYing/crafting are a passion and I love sharing it with all of you. I guess you can refer back to my Keepin' It Real post from last January.
So here's to another year of adventures at The Apple Street Cottage. I appreciate each and every one of you more than you could possibly know. Every comment and every feature absolutely thrill me to the core. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by and especially leaving a comment. It means the world to me.
Happy New Year, Everyone!
Cheers!
Featured at:
Keep In Touch
I'm looking forward to a new year of your posts, Ann. I love your style and your DIYs and I think you do this blogging thing perfectly! I too consider branching out to stories or videos every now and then and then I think, that above all else, I'm a writer, so why? But maybe...Wishing you a wonderful 2020, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim, that means a lot to me. When it comes to stories and videos, I've always hated listening to myself. It may be something I need to just 'get over'. We shall see......
DeleteHappy New Year!
I don't have any shiplap, Rae Dunn, buffalo check, or "trendy" décor either as I tend to just pick things that appeal to me. They may not go together in anyone else's mind but I don't care. My house is for me and my family and I think that's part of what makes everyone's home so special. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Everyone's home is special and it doesn't need the latest trend to be that way. I say if you like the trend, do it, but don't add it to your home just because it's trending right now.
DeleteThank you for stopping by - Happy New Year!
Ann, really enjoyed getting to know you! With the exception of buffalo check (because I have always loved all things black and white since the first pandas came to the DC zoo), I’m with you on my own style. All this washed out gray and white with no color, ugh! I too have always loved vintage and particularly stuff passed down the family. It started with a stagecoach trunk when I was in 6th grade — which I still have. At my age, just want to embrace and enjoy who I am while exploring, trying new things. Started a painting class on Monday. And, still raw and struggling after the recent death of my Scottie boy, this Sunday I begin volunteering at Animal Friends, a no kill shelter.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbee. I also like black and white - I actually wear a lot of it - but never added buffalo check to my home. Somehow, vintage is the thing that 'speaks to me' and I couldn't agree more with embracing/enjoying who I am. Enjoy your painting class, it sounds like fun!
DeleteI didn't know you recently lost Fibber. I am so sorry. I hope volunteering at the shelter will help and I know all the animals there will give you lots of love!
You make me laugh, blurry photos or none at all for a tutorials! I can relate to that!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining Handmade Monday with us all year, I'm looking forward to seeing what you have for us in 2020!
Happy to make you laugh, Julie. It's how I roll...I love your party and I'm looking forward to another year of fun!
DeleteAnn I have watched you over the years with your DIY projects and your blog bloom. I knew right from the start you had your own style and I admire you for that. I always see things in magazines advertisements and think, "how would that fit in my home"? well it never will, so I say do what feels comfortable.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work and thank you for sharing on #omhgww and I hope you will keep us updated on new messages and posts from your blog!
I hope you have a great week! Happy New Year!
Thank you so much, Karren, and I appreciate all the help you gave me in the beginning. Although my blog will never have thousands of followers or be a big money-maker, I'm happy with what I do and I hope others enjoy it.
DeleteI always try to stop by your blog to see what's new at least once a week.
Happy New Year, my friend. I think of you often!
I love this. I have to confess that I've fallen for Buffalo Check but to be fair, I had the gingham version of it in the 90s. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katie. I actually like the look of Buffalo Check, I just never have used it in my home. Gingham was very popular in the 90s, and I didn't use it then either! lol
DeleteAnn, I came over from Katie's blog because I liked the look of the kitchen photo and the name of your blog. I'm with you on "trends"--hate 'em. I always say, they're just big business steering us by the nose. The minute every last wall in the country has been shiplapped, "they" will declare it outdated, sad, and soooo OVER! As soon as every wall has been torn down to make "open concept," that will be declared outdated and we'll be hearing how much better it is to have separate cozy rooms.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did, Jean, because you made me laugh! Shiplap may go the same way as paneling - who could forget the paneling craze?? As far as smaller, cozy rooms are concerned, they are warmer and easier to heat than those wide-open spaces.
DeleteI hope you'll stop back again soon. There's always something going on around here.