Fresh summer decorating ideas, cottage home tours, easy crafts and vegetarian recipes for cozy seasonal inspiration.
Hi Friends! How are you all doing? I hope none of you are close to any of the devastating wildfires. Here in New Jersey, the wildfire smoke has been so heavy that at 10 in the morning it looks more like 7 at night. Between the smoke and this truly awful heat, please take good care of yourselves. I am thinking about all of you!
I have an important question for you today. Would you enjoy seeing our Saturday post presented in a different format? I am trying very hard to make The Cottage Market a place you truly look forward to visiting, and I would love your help deciding what these Saturday visits should become.
Would you like to continue seeing the newest farmhouse, cottage and decorating articles each week? Would you enjoy a mixture of new articles and older favorites that are still helpful and inspiring? We could also explore one special topic more deeply and then finish with a cozy little newsletter section sharing what is happening around the farmhouse world that week. Maybe it could become our own little Saturday newspaper filled with decorating ideas, practical tips, crafts, recipes and a few personal updates. Please tell me what sounds best to you because your opinion truly matters!
I will also be sharing a little family and health update soon because so many of you have kindly asked. Since my fall, my life has changed in more ways than I ever could have imagined. I am beginning a completely new journey and learning how to adjust one day at a time. One thing I want to say to everyone I love is this…enjoy what you have and appreciate it deeply, no matter how small or large it may seem. Life can change in an instant, so treasure the people, pets, places and ordinary little moments that bring you joy.
Today we are following our familiar Saturday format, and I hope you enjoy every bit of it! We have beautiful cottage home tours where you can relax for a few minutes and simply enjoy the rooms. There are also practical decorating ideas, clever home tips, budget friendly crafts and six delicious vegetarian recipes filled with gorgeous summer vegetables.
Some of these ideas can be completed in only a few minutes, while others are wonderful projects or recipes to enjoy when you have a little more time. Whether you are looking for inspiration, a helpful tip or simply a peaceful escape from the heat, I hope you find something here that makes your day a little brighter.
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Summer Decorating Ideas, Cottage Home Tours and Helpful Home Tips
Creating a Cozy Entryway Mudroom
This welcoming mudroom proves that hardworking spaces can be every bit as cozy as the rest of the home. A warm dusty yellow paint with subtle green undertones beautifully complements the natural wood tones, collected accessories and seasonal decorations. Liz Marie remains the Queen of Farmhouse Decor! Source
Summer Living Room Tour With English Cottage Style
Come tour a charming English cottage inspired living room filled with soft summer color, natural wood and plenty of collected personality. The beautiful blue trim, deep brown sofa, fresh garden stems, breadboards and simple striped textiles create a room that feels comfortable, relaxed and wonderfully lived in. Source
A Little Swedish Summer Farmhouse Inspiration
This peaceful 1920s Swedish farmhouse may have you dreaming about disappearing to the countryside for the entire summer. Along with its welcoming main home, the property includes separate guest spaces where family and friends can gather together while still enjoying a little privacy. Source
A Small Coastal Cottage Filled With Budget Friendly Ideas
Rachel’s tiny 1940s beach cottage is filled with clever ways to make a small home feel comfortable, open and beautiful. Budget friendly coastal projects, thrifted furniture, open kitchen cabinets, rattan details and space saving storage give this little cottage plenty of personality without requiring a huge decorating budget. Source
Collected Dark Wood Interiors With Timeless Character
This Tennessee home is a beautiful lesson in decorating with dark wood furniture and pieces that feel as though they were gathered slowly over many years. Rich finishes, layered textiles, artwork and quietly dramatic rooms create a home that feels sophisticated without losing its warmth. We are going to explore the collected look that is so very in really soon! Source
A Bold and Beautiful Fifth Avenue Apartment
Step inside a glamorous Fifth Avenue apartment filled with fearless color, pattern and incredible decorative details. Emerald ceilings, embroidered murals, plum walls and striking marble come together in a home that feels elegant, joyful and deeply personal. Source
Gorgeous Wood Kitchen Inspiration
Wood kitchens are warm, timeless and filled with natural character, and this collection offers plenty of ideas to study. From richly stained cabinets to lighter wood paired with marble, tile and painted finishes, these kitchens show how beautifully wood can work in almost any decorating style. Source
How to Grow Beautiful Potted Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas can grow beautifully in containers when you choose a compact variety, provide good drainage and give the roots plenty of room. This helpful guide also explains watering, feeding and finding the right balance of sunlight and shade so your flowers stay healthy during the hottest part of summer. Source
A Charming Cottage Rooted in Garden Style
This light and playful 1940s cottage beautifully reflects its owner’s love of gardens and landscape design. Pinks, blues, natural textures and cheerful garden inspired details create rooms that feel fresh, airy and ready for a lovely summer gathering. Source
Easy Mid Summer Decorating Refresh Ideas
You do not have to redecorate the entire house to make it feel fresh for the rest of summer. Simple changes such as clearing tired decorations, adding flowers, changing a pillow cover, restyling the coffee table or bringing in a pretty plant can completely lift a room. Source
How to Make Eight Foot Ceilings Look Taller
Standard height ceilings can feel much taller when you use a few smart decorating tricks. Thoughtful curtain placement, lighting, paint, furniture scale and vertical details help draw the eye upward and make an entire room feel more spacious. Source
A Home Safety Checklist Before Leaving for Vacation
A little preparation before vacation can protect your home and give you much needed peace of mind while you are away. This practical checklist covers doors and windows, security cameras, light timers, appliances, alarms, water valves and several easy things that are often forgotten during the rush to leave. Source
Eclectic New York Charm Meets European Art
Keith McNally’s New York apartment feels wonderfully collected, creative and completely unlike a perfectly staged showroom. Walls filled with artwork, stacks of books, glowing lamps, rattan furniture, colorful rugs and a rooftop garden create a home that tells the story of a life well lived. SourceEasy and Budget Friendly Summer Crafts
Easy Embroidery Hoop Flower Pocket
This sweet flower pocket requires only an inexpensive embroidery hoop, burlap ribbon, string and flowers from the garden. There is no complicated technique or long drying process, making it a wonderful little summer craft when it is simply too hot to tackle anything difficult. Source
How to Make a Useful Plant Tray From an Old Window
Give an unwanted window frame a useful new life by turning it into a garden plant tray. Hardware cloth and sturdy handles transform the old frame into a convenient carrier for weeds, plants or gardening supplies, and it is especially helpful when you do not want to haul out the large wheelbarrow. Source
Whitewashed Terracotta Pots With Chalk Paint
A little watered down chalk paint can give ordinary terracotta pots a soft, aged appearance in very little time. Leave them beautifully simple or personalize them with a number, monogram, name or meaningful word for an inexpensive handmade gift. Source
Easy Floral Food Labels
These adorable floral food labels add such a pretty finishing touch to bridal showers, brunches, garden parties and summer gatherings. They are made with basic paper, toothpicks and tiny fresh flowers, so you can quickly create them even when your celebration is only a day away. SourceFresh and Delicious Vegetarian Summer Recipes
Fifteen Minute Tomato Burrata Salad
This gorgeous summer salad combines juicy heirloom and cherry tomatoes with creamy burrata, pesto, balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs. It takes only about fifteen minutes to assemble, yet it is pretty enough to serve at a special dinner or summer gathering. Source
Skillet Burst Cherry Tomato and Garlic Pasta
Sweet cherry tomatoes are cooked with garlic, herbs, butter and white wine before being tossed with pasta and creamy burrata. Lemon garlic breadcrumbs add a delicious little crunch, making this simple summer pasta feel extra special without requiring hours in the kitchen. I just made this one last niight and it was amazing! I highly recommend it! Even if you don’t have wine… use veggie broth I did! Source
Fresh Greek Wedge Salad
Crisp romaine wedges are topped with tomatoes, cucumber, celery, Kalamata olives, herbs and a creamy lemon tahini dressing. Serve it as a fresh summer side or add chickpeas and quinoa to turn it into a satisfying vegetarian meal. This is yummy and a great dish to serve when company is coming or a friend is coming over for lunch. Looks very impressive… budget friendly and delish! Source
Flavor Packed Tofu Bánh Mì
This plant based Vietnamese sandwich is filled with chili lemongrass tofu, sweet and tangy pickled vegetables, fresh herbs and savory mayo. It takes a little more time than the other recipes, but many of the components can be prepared ahead, and the incredible mixture of crunchy, creamy, spicy and fresh flavors makes it worth every minute. I recommend this if you just love a Bahn-Mi and veggies… the end result is amazing and gratifying. Serve with a Brown Sugar Green Tea Boba and that is what I call Self Care at its best for me… what’s yours? Source
Easy Sheet Pan Veggie Pizza
Homemade pizza becomes much easier when everything is baked in one simple sheet pan. Fresh tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, corn, red onion, mozzarella, arugula and basil make this a colorful and customizable dinner that is ready in about thirty minutes. Source
Black Bottom Strawberry Cream Pie
This dreamy summer dessert combines a chocolate fudge layer, sweet cream cheese filling, fresh strawberries and homemade strawberry glaze. You can use a store bought pie crust to make preparation easier, and because the pie needs time to chill, it is a wonderful dessert to prepare before your guests arrive. SourceI hope you found a beautiful room, useful idea, easy craft or delicious recipe to enjoy this week! More than anything, I hope you will take a moment to tell me what you would love to see in these Saturday posts going forward.
Would you prefer our familiar weekly collection, one main topic explored more deeply, a mixture of new and favorite older posts, or a cozy Saturday newspaper featuring a little bit of everything? I am listening, Friends, and I truly want to create something you will enjoy coming back to each week.
Thank you for visiting and spending part of your Saturday with me. Please stay safe, stay cool and take good care of yourselves. HUGS!
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Sending you lots of love and the biggest (((HUGS)))
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