Sometimes Winter Blues Are a Good Thing

Cleaning out and putting away Christmas decor, 3 Squares Cottage needed a clean + fresh new start. Even though it is January, the start of a new year, it just felt right - to redecorate and change over the old. Through it all, I found the color blue to be the happiest solution.

DESIGN AND DECORATING ELEMENTS

Inspired by recent high fashion magazines and HGTV, royal blue and deep turquoise kept reappearing in every theme whether it be accent colors or paint. To incorporate these popular and beautiful colors into the cottage I began seeking simple, statement pieces from TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, and Stein Mart to draw color and emphasis throughout the various rooms. My favorite statement piece is the canvas painted giraffe; which centralizes all of the blues, oranges, and greens and makes them come together.

I usually shy away from the color blue when decorating, in general, but love how it conveys new beginnings, new possibilities, and a fresh start. Like I said before, sometimes winter blues are a good thing!

Living Room

The living room emphasizes the blues and greens and locates the inspiration for the change. I tried to recycle as much furniture as possible, which I already had. The flower chairs were once located in the craft cottage and I re-arranged furniture, relocating them them into the living room to provide additional seating for our guests. Pottery, featured on the silver cabinet was created and designed by my friend, Ben Behunin.

Shop: Pillows, TJ Maxx; Pottery Bowl, Ben Behunin; Green Wreaths (fireplace), Modern Display

Dining Room + Kitchen

Continuing the colors blue and green from the living room, the dining room displays peacock themed martini glasses and pops of royal blue through the framing of the picture. Pictured in the kitchen, A student of Mayfield Parrish, Atkinson Fox, painted cottages, which depict various versions of cottage themed settings. The collage of images, full of color, extend history of guests becoming friends and old becoming new again.

Shop: Vintage Paintings + Antiques, Garner Antiques; Tablecloth, TJ Maxx; Pottery (pictured on kitchen wall); Ben Behunin

Bedrooms

Keeping the theme simple + fresh, the master bedroom exemplifies black and cream colors and textured linens. Minimal furniture provides open spaces and the new desk addition provides a private work space. The antique desk, at the foot of the bed, is available to be purchased ($395), as well as other antiques throughout the cottage, including various kitchen accessories, which we sourced at Garner Antiques in Bountiful, Utah. The smaller bedroom, focuses on brighter colors in preparation for springtime. Recently, I have added a journal in the bedroom for guests to share their experience at the cottage and in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am excited to see the memories created here at 3 Squares Cottage.

Shop: Second Bedroom bed linens and Faux Fur Throw, Stein Mart

Bathroom

Small, simple additions of blue-colored bottles of bathroom necessities brightened the bathroom + added a fresh change.

I hope you've been inspired to turn those winter blues into fresh new beginnings, repurpose or relocate furniture, experiment + try new ideas. I would love to have you stay here, at 3 Squares Cottage and I can't wait to see what good things come to pass in this new year.  Wishing you a happy heart and all the best in 2018!  --Kari