17 Ways to Add Character To Your Cottage

We’re working on the newly-installed hardwood floor in our hallway today….sanding, staining, sealing….story of our lives- ha!

I look forward to posting the before, during and after pics soon, but in the meantime, here are links to some of the other low-dough/high-smile projects we’ve enjoyed blogging about over the past few years:

Transom window project-

Fireplace makeover-

Wood walls-

Wonder wall-

Wood ceiling-

Taller windows-

MDF walls-

Taller kitchen cabinets-

Old door makeover-

Refinished hardwood floors-

Hardwood floor staining-

Empty room turned reading room-

Chalkboard wall-

Mirrored closet doors-

Tiled wall-

New front door-

Screen door-

We’re a cottage-y couple, so each of these projects helped to make our house feel a little more like home.

Ooh! Speaking of working on our home, it’s time for me to fire up the skateboard again!

I’ve got 93 square feet of floor stainin’ to do!

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43 Responses to 17 Ways to Add Character To Your Cottage

1. Deidra says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 9:48 am

   I have been following for almost a year now and have posts about many of these projects. I am so glad you “centralized” all these characteristics and projects into one post. L-O-V-E it. There were even a few I missed somewhere along the way (i.e. the tile around the mirror only…genius!)! So I bookmarked this page in my Favorites, to refer back to. Thanks for inspiring me!

   

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2. Shannon Fox says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 9:56 am

   Thanks so much for such a comprehensive post with so many projects in one place. I had not seen them all so I am happy to catch up on the few I missed!! Love your home and your style =) Always enjoy seeing what you two are up to.

   

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3. Kara says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 9:57 am

   So glad you posted all of these amazing projects together in one place so it’s easy to find them. So handy! Like Deidra, I somehow missed a few of them, so I’ll be checking them out. Thanks so much for all of your inspiration over the years. Love your site!!

   

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4. Tracey says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 10:15 am

   Not the skateboard again! Your poor back! ;-( When my husband did our floors he got a mop-type thing from Lowe’s and just mopped the stain on. Hardly took any time at all and saved his back! Just make sure to do smaller sections (or have Kev go along behind you) so it doesn’t end up darker in some areas. No matter how you do it, happy staining! ;-D

   

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5. Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 10:31 am

   Thanks for grouping all of these together. I had forgotten about the trick you used to add height to your windows. I want to try that on my bedroom windows.

   

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6. Mindi says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 10:52 am

   As usual, Layla and Kevin, just perfect ideas! I have a question I can’t find the answer to anywhere… I have a pantry door with frosted glass in the middle. I desperatly need a chalkboard area for ‘mom notes and reminders’ in the kitchen and have thought about painting over the frosted glass in chalkboard paint. Would this work and more importantly if I needed to change it back would I be able to get the paint off of the frosted glass? Thanks so much for your great blog and humor!

   

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7. Julia @ Chris Loves Julia says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 10:52 am

   Oh, I LOVE the window extender one!! Great round-up.

   

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8. Mrs.B says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 11:12 am

   Love seeing all this together. TLC is awesome!

   

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9. Debbie-refreshrestyle says:

   Feb 24, 2012 at 11:39 am

   Love this post! One stop for all these wonderful cottage ideas!

   

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10. Emily says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    What a great post:)

    

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11. lisa sraders says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Layla – I want to save this post forever! What a great and practical idea~~~thanks so much!

    blessings!

    

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12. Jen @ a place 2 call home says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    This is wonderful! You have done so much to your house! I especially love the price tags! Great job? Have a fabulous day!

    

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13. Louise says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    What a beautifully presented list! Why didn’t HGTV pick you up again? They are so missing out! This is absolutely awesome! Thanks so much, and have a fabulous weekend!

    

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14. Becky says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Thanks for the tips! I absolutely love cottage/aged decor… my husband tends to be a bit more traditional/modern so these tips are great for helping me integrate what I like while blending our preferences. Thanks and keep up the awesome work!

    

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15. Fairfield House says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    I’ve been reading you long enough to have read all of these posts on their first ‘release’! Looking back over them is like looking through a photo album because through your wonderful posts you have made your readers feel like we were a part of all of these renovations. I can’t even pick a favorite because they were all THAT good!
    I hope you have a chance to look at our bathroom renovation!

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

    

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16. Melinda says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    Wonderful review of your fantastic DIY ideas!

    

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17. Lou says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    Oh , How I love your style. I live a small cottage-y type house in Australia and I love following all your adventures! Lou x

    

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18. Laura says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    Love this -having them all in one post.
    And like the others, I missed one or two along the way, so I was glad to see them here. I especially like the price tag – so helpful when considering for myself. Thanks for one of the BEST DIY sites on the www!

    

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19. kelly@refresheddesigns. says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    This is such a great round-up of projects that are simple and inexpensive enough for most anyone to do. Such creative ways to spruce up a home and add character, without going out and buying a bunch of new “stuff”! Thanks for sharing.

    

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20. Steph. says:

    Feb 24, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    Oh please come do my fireplace exactly like yours! XXOO! I even blogged about it here: http://stephaniehallburns.blogspot.com/2012/02/working-up-ideas-for-fireplace-redesign.html Please Miss Layla?????

    You are both so inspiring. Keep up the good work!

    

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21. Amy G. says:

    Feb 25, 2012 at 9:31 am

    I am convinced that you and Kevin have the most adorable home in the world! I love it!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Feb 25, 2012 at 10:00 am

      Well, thank you for leaving us such a sweet comment, Amy! We’ve been working hard on ship-shapin’ this place up, and appreciate you taking the time to swing by today!

      

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22. {darlene} says:

    Feb 25, 2012 at 9:51 am

    yay to having these in all one place!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Feb 25, 2012 at 9:59 am

      Thanks, Darlene! (Still looking forward to reading YOUR post, too!)

      

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23. Allison A. says:

    Feb 25, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Is it sad or funny that I remember all these posts?
    And by the way, if you guys EVER decide to move and sell your home, CALL ME!!! I want to live there.

    

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24. Jen Gilday says:

    Feb 25, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    I came to your blog today in hopes of tracking down your fireplace re-do post – and ta-da! There it was!! Thank you for making it so easy to find it today!!!

    I’m helping a friend re-build her fireplace today….as always, you guys inspire m e!!!

    Thanks,
    Jen
    athomeinthenorthwestblog.com

    

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25. Katey says:

    Feb 25, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Hello! I love your house so much! Yours is the blog I turn to for inspiration. I have to know before I rip out drywall in my dining room, the wall I want to do it on is an exterior wall. Is that smart or should I leave it alone? Its the only wall I got I can do it on. The rest of walls have cathedral ceilings and are exterior walls also. Thank you!!!

    

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    • Katey says:

      Mar 9, 2012 at 11:28 pm

      Ok, the answer is no. I made a little hole in the wall with a hammer and felt the cold air blow in! So I am going to do a faux plank wall. Thank you for the post it has been very helpful!!

      

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26. Ter'e says:

    Feb 26, 2012 at 8:55 am

    Jeesh, I hope this is not a stupid question! With that being said……..here goes. When you strip the drywall off the walls and you are down to the bare wood……….what does that do for your energy factor? Is that room hotter/colder as the elements change??? I happen to know that ALA can be way cold and super humid…..and just plain ole HOT! The things I wonder about………..
    P.S. Now that I have my question out in space, are you just stripping walls that are interior walls????? DUH! That would give me my answer, wouldn’t it? Heeeeeey….if you don’t ask, you don’t know.

    

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27. Diane Tavolacci says:

    Feb 26, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    You guys are awesome. My husband is a flooring installer by trade. I can appreciate all of the work you do.

    

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28. jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof says:

    Feb 26, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Oh my goodness what a great post! I love how all of your projects are in one area. I really need to learn photoshop. You do such cool things with it Layla! Maybe you should do a photoshop learning series just like Kevin is doing a photography learning series ! I would be willing to pay!!!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Feb 26, 2012 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! I actually am helping them with a Photoshop training class! Check it out: http://shootflyshoot.com !

      

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      • Jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof says:

        Feb 26, 2012 at 2:34 pm

        That is great! I just tried to view link but I am on my iPhone and is says no access to Vimeo so I will try to checkout the site later. Thanks for letting me know. Please shoot me a message when the classes and fee become available. I get behind on my reader and don’t want to miss it

        

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29. Anna @ agoodhome says:

    Feb 26, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    Oh, Layla! Thanks so much for putting this all in one place!! I love cottage/farmhouse homes, and yours is one of my favorite in the whole wide world wide web

    

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30. Sarah says:

    Feb 26, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    Hi Layla! What a fun blog! Your house is gorgeous! Had a question about the ceiling. We have the dreaded popcorn ceiling too. Do you think we can add wood or bead board directly to the popcorn? Ripping or scraping will just be too much work and mess right now.

    

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31. The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says:

    Feb 27, 2012 at 7:57 am

    I’ve bookmarked this bad boy because I know when it comes time to buy our cottage, these will likely come in handy big time. I’m so jealous, doc said no sanding, fumes, etc for 30 days (25 more to go) so no DIY projects for me right now and I’m going through withdraw. Must live vicariously through you guys right now!

    

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32. Traci says:

    Feb 27, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    Wow! Most of my favorite projects all in one post! Thank you!
    We are planning on doing two “wonder walls” in Jonathan and Luke’s room. I’m thinking of putting each of their beds in front of their own “wonder wall”. It will be a great way to store books and trophies, and such!
    xoxo

    

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33. Jessica says:

    Feb 27, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    Such an awesome post! thanks

    

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34. Sherry Ann says:

    Feb 28, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    OOh, great ideas. I am going to use the chalkboard wall and try to talk Mr. C into the fireplace makeover. Wish me luck!
    Thanks for sharing!

    

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35. wendy says:

    Feb 29, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    Layla and Kev,
    Knowing you too just get down and dirty and try anything has inspired my husband and I on many projects. It’s funny now people say to us, “we wish we were that handy”. We always laugh and say, “we don’t have a clue we just try our best and you can too”. With out the two of you we would have never tried…thank you both:)

    

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37. Liz says:

    Feb 1, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Hi Layla,

    I am just compelled to write you once and for all. I see images of your creations all over the internet. I think I have a total design/life/cottage/cozy/cat/textiles crush on you.

    The things you DO are all the things I DREAM about doing…

    You are truly inspiring to me. You have amazing design sensibilities, and you have the knack to do things DIY style with cost in mind… It is so true money doesn’t buy you taste. You have it all going on for you.

    I am so excited to find the source of all of these projects I have seen pinned all over the internet all in one place. THE LETTERED COTTAGE.

    I think your husband intimidates my husband a little bit. Actually alotta-bit….
    Me: “OMG babe, look at what they can do”…
    He: “Uhh…. I could try???” ( he’s great about always trying

    You and your husband are an inspiration to us both. You guys rule!
    Just wanted to say Hi.
    LIZ

    

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38. Suzanne @ smallchangesbigimprovements.com says:

    Feb 3, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    Love all these ideas! I didnt even realize I could do anything with my popcorn ceiling and I love the frosted glass bathroom door!

    

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