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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Cottage Charm

| By Sherry Petersik | December 22, 2009 | 38 Comments

Reader Redesign: Cottage Charm

When Sarah sent over her dramatic sitting room makeover we couldn’t wait to share it. Here’s her letter:

I gotta tell you I was in a makeover blip with our old cottage here Down Under but you’ve given me back my zing! Here’s our transformation of the worst sitting room eva! We snapped the before photos of this delightful room at the open house when we bought our beach cottage a year ago, complete with wall art and two tv’s. Now it’s a lot more cozy and current. To see more you can check out my blog. Keep up the good work. Here’s to DIY!  -Sarah in Australia

Here’s the crazy and cluttered before:

RR Sitting Room Before

And the serene and soothing after:

RR Sitting Room After

Isn’t that a breath of fresh air? We love everything from the white on white palette with pops of tan and chocolate to the casual vibe that feels effortless and welcoming. Didn’t Sarah work miracles in a formerly chaotic and crazy space? Love it!

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Comments

  1. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Oh, I love it! I admit I’m normally a colors girl (I heart my pumpkin orange dining room chairs, for instance), but that white on white looks REALLY pretty here. Well done!! :)

    Reply
  2. Avatar for HollyHolly says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    I can’t believe this is the same room… I’m in awe. I love it!!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Jenny @ Words On WendhurstJenny @ Words On Wendhurst says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    Awesome makeover! Looks like it is straight out of a magazine. :)

    Reply
  4. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    This is amazing and gorgeous! Took my breath away! Congratulations on an amazing transformation!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    I’m in love, especially with that wall color!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for MeloMelo says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Is that really the same place?!?! If so – great job!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for RoseannaRoseanna says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Wow! This is gorgeous!

    Sarah, what’s the story on that paint color? Such a refreshing color scheme!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for SandraSandra says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    Wow, vast improvement! I can’t believe the previous owners held an open house with the room looking like that! They should have hired Sarah to help them make over the place first!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Sugar CookieSugar Cookie says

    December 22, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    This is beautiful! Congrats, Sarah!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    I would like to see a photo of the room that is in a similar angle of the original so I can get more of a feel of what they changed…

    Reply
  11. Avatar for micaela@hishouse;herhelp.[email protected];herhelp. says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    i like the wallcovering that was there in the before pic and think it would have even looked good with the colors/patterns/etc in the after pic!
    but still the after looks great! glad you got rid of those two ugly tvs and speakers on the wall!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Jessica @ How SweetJessica @ How Sweet says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    I love the after! Gorgeous!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for Jaimie ChapmanJaimie Chapman says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    I just LOVE that couch! : )

    Reply
  14. Avatar for KariKari says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    I hope Sarah has an Australian accent because when I was reading her blog, I imagined her having one. Beautiful transformation!!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    WOW! Awesome transformation!!!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    I LOVE all the white. I never thought I was such a white person (as in, decor) but it just works so well with the natural browns and tans.

    Reply
  17. Avatar for micahmicah says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    Beautiful! Can’t believe it’s the same room!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Erin @ Domestic AdventureErin @ Domestic Adventure says

    December 22, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    Amazing makeover! I would love to know where Sarah snagged that tulip artwork (I love tulips). I couldn’t find it on her blog…

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 22, 2009 at 2:45 pm

      Hey Erin,

      We believe that we’ve seen similar art work at Ikea so that’s a good place to look! Happy hunting…

      xo,
      s

  19. Avatar for Anna SeeAnna See says

    December 22, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Deeee-lightful Sarah! Great job.

    Reply
  20. Avatar for prettythingsprettythings says

    December 22, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    Sarah’s blog is one of my other mainstays that I read often … you should see her other pics – I’ve never seen anyone else pull off (successfully) so much white! And it’s a shame she didn’t share a pic of her awesome steamer trunk … normally it’s in the sitting room, but perhaps this pic was taken before she scored that find.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for ChristineChristine says

    December 22, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    I love the lamps especially! Great job, Sarah.

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Kevin MKevin M says

    December 22, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    Love the kid sneaking into the first pic. Nice job on the room, too.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 22, 2009 at 3:29 pm

      Haha the kid cracked us up too Kevin! So glad everyone’s enjoying Sarah’s amazing makeover and dropping in on her fantastic blog!

      xo,
      s

  23. Avatar for CaitlinCaitlin says

    December 22, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    @ Jenny is right – it does look like it popped out of a magazine!

    What a great transformation, Sarah!
    I can’t quite tell from the photo, but are those shelves in the “before” picture built in?

    Reply
  24. Avatar for CalliopeCalliope says

    December 22, 2009 at 3:55 pm

    Sarah’s blog deco (and adventures in the Down Under) is amazing. Her house styling is to die for and all based in some serious thrifting and secondhanding and garbage picking!!
    Go check her out and you will all love her. Search the blogland for “a beach cottage”

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 22, 2009 at 3:56 pm

      Hey Calliope,

      We actually included a direct link to Sarah’s blog in the post above (see her letter) so we hope it helps everyone find their way over there!

      xo,
      s

  25. Avatar for RoeshelRoeshel says

    December 22, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    I love Sarah’s beachy style and find so much inspiration at her blog. She’s lovely and her home is so pretty, cozy and comfortable.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Mrs. MoneyMrs. Money says

    December 22, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    Wow, that is amazing!! I LOVE the after!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for sarah { abeachcottage }sarah { abeachcottage } says

    December 22, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    Hi everyone

    Thanks for the room love haha! (I’v others to share, maybe I should send them to Sherry to feature)

    Yep the before pic was the open house when we viewed this old place and this was the good room! It was filthy, dark and gloomy but from months of house hunting, we knew it had the right bones – a cottage on a big plot, a huge old protected fig tree in the garden, some vintage sash windows and wood floors…

    the shelves: these were ‘built-in’ to an old doorway that was between the breakfast room and the front sitting room – we pulled it out to bring some light in and create a more open walk through feel

    All the furniture/lamps in the room are mainly junk finds that I’ve painted white – the sofa is very old and squashy and is easily stripped and shoved in the washing machine every now and then. The floor was sanded, sealed and varnished. Rug is from IKEA.

    the trunk: yep I sent these pics over before I found that! now there’s an old Hungarian vintage steamer trunk (that really is a bit big for the room but I love it!) found at a garage sale.

    the tulips: yep IKEA (where I spend most of my money on stuff I don’t thrift or junk)

    photo angle: it is from exactly the same spot, unfortunately the ‘before’ was from a phone so couldn’t take in the whole room

    wallcovering: this was actually ok in terms of style, apart from the sheen to it, however, this was a major overhaul to this cottage as one of the worst things about it was the ahem, cleanliness. There was no way anything like wallpaper was staying. And all else was scrubbed for days and zapped with paint.

    paint colour: Dulux Whisper White

    Hope that answers ok!

    Sarah

    Reply
  28. Avatar for sarah { abeachcottage }sarah { abeachcottage } says

    December 22, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    p.s thanks to Sherry and John for the feature

    I love coming over here for inspiration…keep it up!

    Merry Christmas

    Sarah

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 22, 2009 at 5:38 pm

      It was our pleasure Sarah! And thanks so much for stopping in with all those answers for everyone. We’re not at all surprised that your sitting room transformation is quite a hit, and you know we’d love to share other room makeovers of yours in the future!

      xo,
      s (& j)

  29. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    December 22, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    I love every piece of furniture in this room. Though I have to admit the non-centered coffee table is bugging me :P !

    Reply
  30. Avatar for jbhatjbhat says

    December 22, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    It really is a breath of fresh air…fresh and beachy air. I love a good before and after. This one is one of those where you aren’t super sure it’s the same space. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for VicVic says

    December 22, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    I’m a “beach girl” myself and oh my gosh I am LOVING this makeover! What an incredible redo… who wouldn’t want to come home to this at the end of the day!!!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for 2828 says

    December 22, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    The room itself almost looks like a sepia or black and white photo. I love it. What a great makeover!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for BethBeth says

    December 23, 2009 at 11:59 am

    I normally like color but the room looked fantastic with all the white on white and tan! Well done!

    on my way to her blog right now!
    ~Beth
    http://southernfriedliving.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  34. Avatar for AnneAnne says

    December 23, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    What a change Sarah, it looks fantastic, actually checking out your blog, the whole house looks great – Congrats! I think I’ve just found a new regular blog.

    Reply

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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