Hello All!

[tyxander]

Greetings from cold Wisconsin (-33 here today with windshield...brrr)! I am very excited to join the community!:eek:

Although right now I live in an apartment, my dream is to have a cottage style home.

I would like to start buying furniture and linens now to decorate my apartment; I'm just not sure which way to go! I've been reading and looking at lots of pictures here though! Beautiful homes!

I collect Henn Workshops pottery, Longaberger baskets and adore yankee candles and their candle holders!:)

I am the mother of two boys, ages 12 (almost 13...who thinks he's 32!LOL) and 7!

I also just took up knitting and LOVE IT! I've knitted 2 baby hats, 1 baby blanket and 1 scarf. Not much, but I'm trying!

I'm engaged to be remarried on July 7, 2007 to a wonderful man!:)

I hope to get to know each of you better! Thank you for having me here!

~Cheryl~

[RoseMary]

Hi Cheryl, it's nice to meet you and have you on the forum! I will be fun for you to start buying ahead--getting ready for your new home. There are so many different styles to choose from that give you a cottage-y look, that it is sometimes hard to choose! I think that you just have to go with what makes you feel the most comfortable--what feels like 'home' to you. And congrats on your engagement!:)

[tyxander]

Thank you Rosemary! I love all the shades of pinks and greens (for the bedroom)... I'm not sure soon-to-be hubby would like it...but he has said, decorate how you want! I'm wondering if that's a dare?!LOL

Does Rachel Ashwell (I hope that's right) still sell at Target? I went online to Target and didn't see anything...:rolleyes:

Unfortunately, the coffee table and end tables I just bought are too dark for the cottage "feel" that I look for:( I bought them for a great price though and could turn around and resell them, I guess and buy what I want. What do you think of white coffee tables and end tables? I see this quite a bit, most with the bun feet and some even with wicker baskets underneath...

I'm not sure how to go with my couch, or entertainment center either!! I've been buying little by little!

[RoseMary]

I think that white coffee tables and end tables look great. And if you have the pull out wicker baskets underneath, it will help add some storage and help avoid clutter that is hard to avoid with children in the house. Not that I should talk--my craft supplies certainly manage to clutter up the place:p ! One thing about cottage style--everything doesn't have to match (even your coffee table and end tables) and you are free to pick out exactly what you like.:)

[tyxander]

Oh great! Now, all I have to do is convince my fiance that this is really what I want! :p

I also like the fact that everything doesn't have to match...I love antique stores and thrift stores...that's one thing he doesn't like to do is go through the thrift stores; but I'm working on it!

I would like to get our furniture so when we start looking for our home (our lease isn't up until September) we won't have to worry about the expense of furnishing it...but all of that takes time anyway! No matter what I buy for the apartment, I'm sure I will want to buy other things for a new home!:D

Thanks so much for the advice! I will be back later today to check in, I have to get my laundry done!:(

[Memmey]

Hey Cheryl so nice to meet you:D I'm happy for you to join us. In gathering up a alot if mix matched furniture, you know different decades and styles I found paint to be the perfect unifier. Paint gives absolution to the sins of beat up furniture:D :D Welcome:)

[cheapdiva]

Tyxander-

From one Wisconsite to another . . . welcome! What area of the state are you in?

As far as your cottage look, like Memmey said, paint the furniture! Go back through the threads on this site and you will see pictures of what "cottage" looks like to many of us. Memmey has great photos somewhere here or go to www.owcl.blogspot.com (http://www.owcl.blogspot.com) for another member's blog and photos. Rosemary usually posts some great photos also.

The folks here are great for offering advice and giving great hints, ideas and solutions. ;)

[gigiG]

I am also a collector of Longaberger baskets, I have even been to OH to visit the Longaberger homestead. I also have some Henn baskets, and pottery. What fun! This really is such a fun place to visit, so keep coming back. There are so many people with wonderful stories and some great decorating ideas! It's really amazing the insight people share! Best of your wedding coming up- July will be here before you know it.

gigi
Our Branches are Growing Beautiful Gifts...
www.underthewillowgifts.com (http://www.underthewillowgifts.com)

[tyxander]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for welcoming me! I'm sorry I haven't been here to reply until now...my fiance is having some health concerns and it's been sort of a bad time. The next few days will be in and out of doctor's offices:(

Cheapdiva, I'm from the Manitowoc area! We may get snow tomorrow! (I'm orginially from VA, so when you see me post with a "y'all" don't laugh!LOL) What area are you from?!
I was looking at my brand new coffee and end tables today and thinking, why don't I just paint them?! But, I'm scared to! Any ideas? Do I have to sand then paint? I watch alot of HGTV and see them paint wood all the time...just curious as to how well it works!

gigiG, I would LOVE to visit the Longaberger homestead! My oldest basket is 1987 and it's one my mom bought, it's the mini cradle! I use my henn pottery everyday, it's wonderful! Before I left VA, a Henn Consultant had a huge sale b/c she decided not to do it anymore and I got so many nice things for such a good price!

Hi to Memmey and RoseMary!:D

I'm going to try and come back in a while, I have to fix dinner!

[gigiG]

That's what's nice about this forum, you can come & go as you want...sorry to hear about your fiance's health concern, hope things will get brighter in the future... Oh & about the Longaberger company...I wanted to visit the "homestead" after reading the book in a college course I took about women in business. The book The Longaberger Story has little to do about baskets, but about business in general, very inspiring & good reading for anyone who thinks about owning their own business... Anyway, visit when you can...

gigi
Our Branches are Growing Beautiful Gifts...
www.underthewillowgifts.com (http://www.underthewillowgifts.com)


Hi everyone! Thanks so much for welcoming me! I'm sorry I haven't been here to reply until now...my fiance is having some health concerns and it's been sort of a bad time. The next few days will be in and out of doctor's offices:(

Cheapdiva, I'm from the Manitowoc area! We may get snow tomorrow! (I'm orginially from VA, so when you see me post with a "y'all" don't laugh!LOL) What area are you from?!
I was looking at my brand new coffee and end tables today and thinking, why don't I just paint them?! But, I'm scared to! Any ideas? Do I have to sand then paint? I watch alot of HGTV and see them paint wood all the time...just curious as to how well it works!

gigiG, I would LOVE to visit the Longaberger homestead! My oldest basket is 1987 and it's one my mom bought, it's the mini cradle! I use my henn pottery everyday, it's wonderful! Before I left VA, a Henn Consultant had a huge sale b/c she decided not to do it anymore and I got so many nice things for such a good price!

Hi to Memmey and RoseMary!:D

I'm going to try and come back in a while, I have to fix dinner!