The Bella Cottage

Summer Savings Sale!

2010-07-02T15:55:00.001-07:00

Find fantastic deals at our website right now! We've discounted many of our pieces including stunning, European imports! Can you imagine how stunning your home can be for the summer? Don't let this chance slip away!

We have a great selection of dressers, dining tables, mirrors and more. Take advantage of this great opportunity!

Testimonials: Brand New Credenza and a Pink Backyard!

2010-07-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

Our lovely customer & friend, Mrs. Atkinson, shared with us these photographs of her gorgeous, pink home! We absolutely love the accessories and personality in all of her items. It's so cheerful!

She recently purchased from us a custom-made credenza which you can see in the image below. I absolutely love the pom poms on the doors. It adds a cute splash of color!

Mrs. Atkinson also told us about her pink backyard and we excitedly asked for a photo. Check it out in the photo below! Don't you love the pink iron table in the center? She painted her walls pink and covered them with white, wooden trellis panels. The result is so dreamy! (Her cat, Carson, has such a lovely place to roam!)

And as a bonus to you readers, what blog entry is complete without a picture of a cat? Mrs. Atkinson sent us a special photo of her Carson as a kitten. Oh, we're in love! This cute Tonkinese plays fetch! I wish my cat did that. He's a CUTIE!

Your home is fantastic, Mrs. Atkinson! Thank you SO much for sharing your dreamy space with us and our readers. We're thrilled!

A Dining Room To Make Your Heart Melt!

2010-06-05T13:25:00.001-07:00

We want to extend huge thanks to our friend Jen for these gorgeous photos! She recently purchased from us our popular Bella French Farmhouse Dining Table and a set of these gorgeous Bella Chateau Isabelle French Carved Dining Chairs. When we received these images in our inbox this week, we were absolutely stunned! Coming from the ladies of The Bella Cottage, we'd like to tell Jen how FABULOUS her dining room looks and that we LOVE it!

Testimonials: Stunning Mirrored French Armoire

2010-05-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

"I absolutely love the armoire! It is fabulous, and it is my favorite piece of furniture in the room... The armoire is really bringing everything together. Thanks so much!." K. Duvall

I love seeing gorgeous photographs of our furniture from our happy customers! In these photos, Ms. Duvall has setup one of our One of a Kind armoires in this amazing space. The result is breathtaking and wow -- what an atmosphere! I feel like I could sit in this space and rest all day! We love it!

Bloomsbury: A Chic Clothing Store’s New Look

2010-05-16T00:47:00.000-07:00

Located in Century City, Bloomsbury offers elegant and chic clothing for women. Their selection of flowing and feminine designs recalls a vintage silhouette while maintaining an air of elegance. Besides gorgeous clothes, they also offer jewelry and skin care products. What more could a girl want?

The owners of Bloomsbury recently came to us to help them furnish their store as our vintage white furniture was just the complimentary look they needed to go with their wares. We're happy to share with you these pictures below --we're so impressed by the outcome!

The interior of their store is so gorgeous. And look at that chandelier! In this photo, the desk in the center was one of our refinished vintage pieces.

This stunning armoire was such a rare find for us. It features glass not only on the door, but also on both sides! And the mirrored backing creates a fantastic illusion of depth. This armoire is perfect for a store display!

I fell in love with their wallpaper choice! It compliments the mirror and bench so well. Never could we have imagined a better setting! (Both pieces come from The Bella Cottage.) Look how perfectly the chandelier is reflected! This is so scrumptious.

In one corner, Bloomsbury has displayed these two popular Bella Chateau Isabelle French Chairs. Ah, I remember the magazine stand! It's so cute in that spot. You never know what you will find under our Bella Finds!

Bloomsbury also has this charming display near the front. Gorgeous gift items, jewelry and more! I adore the Victorian feel. And I need to purchase one of those parasols! This image features one of our teacarts and dining tables.

Here is an up-close look at the teacart display. How charming is all that vintage china? I love their selection.

Fantastic job, you guys! Everything looks perfect!

Bloomsbury
Westfield Century City Mall
10250 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 1010,
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Tel: 310-553-2001

To find out more about Bloomsbury, visit their facebook page! Tons of gorgeous photos of their clothing can be seen there.

The Huntington Library & Gardens: A Victorian Fantasy

2010-05-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

The Huntington Library & Gardens is such a magical place for those of us at The Bella Cottage. Around this time of year, when we start to see our own roses come into full bloom, we know that the Huntington Gardens are a wondrous sight to see.

For those of you who are native to Southern California or are fortunate to visit soon, I highly suggest making this place one of your stops. Not only does it feature 120 acres of landscaped gardens for you to visit, it also houses a lovely permanent collection of art and even has a Tea Room! It really does not get more elegant than that!

It comes to no surprise that our favorite themed garden is the Rose Garden. The Huntington Library has this of its variety:

The entrance pathway leads to an 18th-century French stone tempietto and statue, “Love, the Captive of Youth,” encircled by “French Lace” roses. The beds north of the arbor next to the Shakespeare Garden have a paved walk, and feature Tea and China roses and their descendants, first introduced into Europe from China around 1900.

On the south side of the rose arbor are nineteenth-century shrub roses, descended from old European varieties. Climbing and rambling roses—from all periods and groups—grow on the arbors, arches, and pergolas.

The central part of the garden contains Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, Polyanthas, and miniatures, with separate beds for classic pre-1920 hybrid teas and for roses from the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s. Other beds feature roses introduced since the 1950s and introductions from abroad, including recent plantings of roses from India.

David Austin’s roses (in beds near the tempietto) combine “Old Garden Rose” attributes with the repeat-blooming characteristics of modern hybrids. ‘Huntington’s Hero’ was propagated from a sport discovered on one of sixty bushes of ‘Hero’ among the David Austin plantings. It was named in honor of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the institution’s founding in 1919.

The Huntington Library has an impressive collection of rose varieties and the other themed gardens are also highly worth visiting.

If you've had enough sunshine during your visit, I suggest heading indoors to see the beautiful art collection. The Huntington Art Gallery has a distinguished collection of 18th- and 19th-century British paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts outside London, including Thomas Gainsborough’s painting, "Blue Boy" and Thomas Lawrence’s “Pinkie." (These paintings are quite popular as they often appears side by side as prints in Victorian style wall plaques and frames.)

Finally, if you're feeling a bit hungry, we do highly suggest the charming Tea Room. Reservations are required beforehand, but the grounds provide a vast and elegant, Victorian feel that is truly unique to this location. In celebration of Mother's Day this year, they are having a brunch the day of with a special menu and a harpist. So sweet! Do note that reservations are required for the Tea Room, but are not needed for the Café.

I'm glad to have shared this special get-away idea for our local and not-so-local fans. :) And if you do happen to have a chance to visit the grounds, please share with us your photos!

Friend The Bella Cottage on Facebook!
_{Image Credits to: The Huntington Library Official Website}

Appliques: Give a Vintage Bed New Life!

2010-04-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

We received a fantastic email from our customer, Ms. Veiga, showing us her incredible transformation of a gorgeous Vintage Bed. She did all the hardwork in refinishing and decorating it with Bella Cottage Appliques and the end result is flawless! We were all in awe of her bed!

The bed itself took ages for her to find and she finally found it on Criagslist! She saw great potential in this bed-frame and the curves in the foot board are simply too beautiful. :) She had repair work done to make the frame stable for her mattress and now it's like new!

She writes to us: "Your products make everything so easy to do and the results are just fabulous. I plan on doing over my 4 poster this summer with the large rose swags and my dressers too."

Ms. Veiga, you have an incredible eye and such a talent! We're so happy you shared these beautiful pictures with us and let us share it with our fans! No doubt this amazing piece will be an inspiration to us all.

Queen For A Day: Fun Gift Ideas for Mom on Mother's Day!

2010-04-13T22:28:00.001-07:00

We love our Mom's here at The Bella Cottage! Being mother's ourselves, we understand the hard work and love involved! It's always fun, each year, to pull together our ideas for top gifts for Mom. This year, our theme is "Queen for a Day" and we've gathered together elegant items with crowns or other grand details that will tell Mom how amazing she is.

Click on the photo to go to our Mother's Day section on our site!

Items featured: Pink Decorative Cake, Pink Diamond Paper Weight, Queen for a Day Candle, Amour/Bonhuer Pom Pom Candles, Pink French Style Photo Frame, Pink Crown Basket, Fancy Light Pink Feather Pen, Cinderella's Carriage Ornament & Hot Pink Feather Duster!

Sweet Vintage Blues: A Lovely Quartet of Blue Vintage Furniture

2010-03-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

We love this new set of furniture that has just come into the store! One of our amazing artisans designed the reupholstering & color of these pieces and we think they look divine!

Each piece, except for the console table of course, features a lovely soft-blue linen fabric. The tufting is just perfect and pretty and it works well with the cream color of the frames.

Can you imagine this in someone's home? It's soft and feminine but the blue just balances it out. We have these for sale at thebellacottage.com right now! See our One of a Kinds section for more items like this.

VJ23 - Sweet French Style Blue Demi Console Table - We have 2 tables available!
VJ22 - Sweet Vintage French Style Blue Linen Armchair

VJ21 - Sweet Vintage French Style Cream Bench with Blue Linen Tufted Cushion
VJ20 - Sweet Vintage French Large Sofa in Blue Linen

Gorgeous Italian Florentine Bathroom

2010-03-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

Elegance and style isn't far when you decorate with gorgeous Italian Florentine items. These lovely trinkets and accessories liven up any space and add glitter to your decor. Looking through what we offer under our Bella Finds section, I saw that one could really make a gorgeous bathroom with the right items!

Looking at the above collage, I paired gorgeous reproduction wall sconces with a one of a kind antique commode from Europe. (The commode could be altered to hold a sink.) The right sink vanity can really transform a bathroom especially when you're going for a certain look. The golds and greys in its design pulled together the European elegance in the accessories.

We also carry this gorgeous vintage mirror with a gorgeous sculpted top. The frame is wood and chippy in parts which really adds to the vintage quality. Complete the look with a few Italian Florentine accessories (such as a gold hand-mirror and tissue box) and voila! You're there!

The gold hand-towel stand isn't Italian, but it was a charming Bella Find item that went well with the decor.

Item List:

6990 - Vintage Oval Mirror with Rose Swag Details in Gold
Antique Commode from Europe in Gustavian Grey
BF1395 - Vintage Florentine Italian Tole Gold and Blue Hand Mirror
Italian Florentine 2-Arm Wall Sconce in Gold
BF1472 - Shabby French Iron Gold Towel Holder with Handtowels
BF1508 - Vintage Florentine Italian Sqaure Tissue Box in Gold

Before and After: Roses Galore on this Vintage Highboy Dresser!

2010-03-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

This lovely vintage highboy dresser was an exciting find. We knew with all its curves that it'd be a stunning piece once it was finished and boy were we right! The roses really gave this piece sweetness and charm and we're happy to have it as a part of our One of a Kind, furniture collection. This piece is still available at our website!

Each week, we welcome generations of vintage furniture into our workshop and at the hands of our skillful craftsmen they are transformed and are taken to our showroom ready to take on the next hundred years! Our vintage One of a Kinds are carefully sanded, repainted with several coats of our signature white, and decorated with our delicate and charming rose appliques. The result is a stunning and beautiful piece! All the hinges, drawers, legs and surfaces are looked over and fixed or adjusted for stability so our customers have peace of mind that their purchase is like a brand-new item!

It takes a fierce passion and love to do what we do at The Bella Cottage. And we'll continue to bring you the best we can! From our home to yours!

Click here to visit our One of a Kinds Section at our online store!

A Trio of Lovely Testimonials!

2010-02-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

Janice purchased this gorgeous settee from us and did her very own, amazing transformation! Now, the settee has been reupholstered in a gorgeous, lavender satin. It's so classy and beautiful!

Dear Bella Cottage,
I am simply ecstatic with my settee!!!
Over the years I have learned to buy the things you love because one day the right piece will come along to bring it all together. I had been searching for an antique settee for quite some time until I stumbled upon your website and fortune had it that Mindi helped me through my struggle of finding the exact piece I had to have. Picture after picture, settee after settee, day after day….you get the idea. She worked very hard to find exactly what I was aspiring to and went above, beyond & over the river & through the woods to please me as a client. It’s very difficult & scary to purchase an antique online, sight unseen, let alone a settee but Mindi supplied me with all info & pics to make a safe & sound judgment on my purchase. I can never thank her enough for cheering me on with her joyful assurance. I was very fortunate to have her working with me. Indirectly my husband is lucky too because he prides himself on making me happy and although he keeps scratching his head at my passion for working on this settee it keeps me out of his hair -haha. Men take note-give your exclusive other a piece of furniture to play with & they will be happy for months on end!
I would also like to let you know the shipper did a fabulous job!!! They are packing extraordinaire. It took at least 2 hrs. to carefully remove heavy bubble wrap & cardboard backing which prevented and chance of chips, cracks, etc. They were also very polite & pleasurable to deal with.
My thanks to Bella Cottage for helping me finally make my living room a room I love to be in!
Special thanks to Mindi….The Best!
Cheers!
Janice B.

Kathleen S. purchased this lovely vase from our Bella Finds collection and what a lucky find it was for her! In her home, she's paired it with a stunning bouquet of hydrangeas and it looks perfect in her home!
She writes, "This vase is so beautiful! I can't wait for my roses to bloom!"

Cindy from Canada sent us a photo of this pretty glass cabinet that she purchased from us in 2009! Now it sits in her home and keeps her lovely china and collectibles safe! We're so happy to see that she's happy!
See more customer images here!

Pom Pom at Home: New Addition! Ruffles Galore!

2010-02-21T22:47:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to introduce to you, dear Bella Living readers, the newest products to our webpage, Pom Pom at Home's Audrey Collection! The first time we saw this, we were so charmed that it took our breath away. Pom Pom has done it again!

Above is a photograph taken from the Country Living magazine in March 2010. It features the Audrey tablecloth and ALL of its stunning ruffles! It is a sqaure table cloth, but it looks simply charming on round tables, as you can see below. Purchase the Audrey ruffle tablecloth here.

The table cloth, when displayed in this manner, just feels so frilly and feminine! The set-up with the pink roses and the ruffles just takes me back to the Victorian era.

Besides the stunning tablecloth, Pom Pom also offers matching accessories for you and your home. Below is a lovely tote-bag with the ruffles on the bottom half. Purchase the Audrey Ruffle Tote Bag here.

This style is also available as a Laundry Bag!

And last but not least, you can add charm to the bedroom with this ruffled boudoir pillow. All of the Audrey items come in white (despite the differences in the photographs) and they are all made of 100% cotton. Comfortable and charming for any shabby chic style home!

Bella Maison: Reader's Home - Cindy's Beautiful Home!

2010-02-16T22:00:00.000-08:00

We received a pleasant email from one of our sweetest customers, Cindy from Canada! And boy, were we pleasantly surprised to see such gorgeous photographs of her home! Cindy has a gorgeous collection of beautiful antique china, dolls and furniture and she arranges it all in a way that is very inviting and charming!

The picture above is a cabinet we once sold to Cindy a year ago. It was a One of a Kind piece and features double glass doors and glass shelves inside. It's so exciting to see our furniture in a happy home! Now, it holds pretty vintage china & treasures.

Great job, Cindy! Your presentation is beautiful and we thank you for allowing us to share these gorgeous photos with our readers!

To view more fantastic pictures of Cindy's home, see below. She has lovely and inspirational arrangements.

This pretty cabinet is so stunning! We love the French style detailing on the frame and we LOVE the dripping pearls that Cindy draped over the edge! It's so dreamy!

In the "Princess Bedroom", Cindy has decorated this bed with lovely sage pillows and an adorable ruffled, pink pillow in the center. I am absolutely in love with the plaque on the wall! It reads: "I wish
The sky would rain down roses, Then all the valley would be pink and white." This is from a lovely George Eliot poem.

Roses
~George Eliot

You love the roses - so do I. I wish
The sky would rain down roses, as they rain
From off the shaken bush. Why will it not?
Then all the valley would be pink and white
And soft to tread on. They would fall as light
As feathers, smelling sweet: and it would be
Like sleeping and yet waking, all at once.

I absolutely adore this set-up. It's so light and lovely! I particularly find the bust of the woman gorgeous with her upswept hair and pink Victorian style necklace! And how amazing is her teapot lamp? I have never seen anything quite like it!

Cindy has a stunning collection of pretty dress-forms. Each one is decorated in such a lovely fashion. This one bears an incredible tulle skirt and bounty of pink roses on her chest. It is quite elegant!

Cindy shared with us this pretty side table with lovely collectibles on top. Her vintage, three arm table lamp with the amazing pink shades really caught our attention.

Here is another one of Cindy's Victorian style dress forms. The sheer, pink dress that she wears is so very alluring!

And last but not least is this charming, mirrored, wall-cabinet. Inside, Cindy displays her pretty china collection.

Thank you Cindy, for your lovely photos! We can't wait to see more in the future!

Dash and Albert Rugs: Affordable, High-Quality & Stylish Rugs. (Puppies not included!)

2010-02-11T17:15:00.000-08:00

We've updated our selection of Dash & Albert rugs on the site! Now you can see all of the rugs in this fabulous collection under one convenient page! It's perfection under your feet!

Adding a gorgeous rug to a room is sometimes all it takes to create a perfect and comfortable atmosphere. With Dash & Albert rugs, you can add that special something without spending an arm and a leg! The designs of the gorgeous Dash and Albert rugs are reminiscent to antique patterns, charming cottage stripes to soft, shabby chic style palettes.

I'm really excited about the "Plain Tin" rugs that they are offering now. It comes in Ivory, Charcoal and Slate. And of course, our customer favorite has always been the Siena style rugs, available in Brown, Rose, Misty Blue and Sage.

These high-quality, durable rugs are made from cotton, wool, or polypropylene in hooked, hand loomed or braided styles. The broad variety and style will offer you a wide selection for you home. At The Bella Cottage, we are proud to carry popular Dash & Albert rugs to bring elegance and beauty right into your home. (Sorry, puppies not included!)

Inspired Travels: Visiting Artist Christie Repasy’s Boutique!

2010-01-31T17:35:00.000-08:00

We met the amazing Christie Repasy and visited her at her gorgeous boutique! I cannot rave enough over how beautiful her artwork and vision is in person. At The Bella Cottage, we are proud to carry her beautiful and gentle rose paintings and still-life work. Her sweet palette and detailed imagery makes her work perfect for the shabby chic style home. We thank Christie for allowing us to share her gorgeous space with the world. Couldn't you just stay here forever?

Above, we compiled a few of our favorites and you can find them on our website at the following links:

1. Christie Repasy "Pink Rose" Original Shabby Canvas Print

2. Christie Repasy "Valentine's Day" Original Canvas Print

3. Christie Repasy "Songbird" Original Shabby Canvas Print

4. Christie Repasy "Glorias Garland" Original Shabby Canvas Print

5. Christie Repasy "Double Pink Rose" Original Shabby Canvas Print

Here is Michelle with Christie inside the boutique. Click here to see a video of Michelle's trip to Christie Repasy's Boutique.

Bella Finds: Shabby cottage chic treasures from our home to yours!

2010-01-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

For those that have yet to know, I would like to share with you The Bella Cottage's Bella Finds line. On our site we describe it as: "Bella Finds are beautiful One-of-a-Kind treasures we find at flea markets and auctions! Once they are gone, they are gone for good!"

We enjoy browsing through local swap meets and meeting with talented artists to find the most incredible, one-of-a-kind items that we then offer to you, our customers!

All of the items we select are carefully inspected for quality and we KNOW what you shabby chic fans like! Browse through out vast collection of Vintage China which includes but is not limited to: gorgeous tea sets, china with roses, hand-painted plates and crystal!

This section compliments our furniture well and helps you to bring a cozy, lived-in elegance to your home. And who knows? You might find that one teacup you've been searching for, for years! Keep an eye open on this section because it changes daily!

Items featured:

- Cream Rose French Style Pitcher with Gold Details - Would make a GORGEOUS vase!
- Cream Rose Floral Print in Scallop Blue Frame
- Sage Birdcage - Makes a cute centerpiece item and we only have ONE left!
- Eiffel Tower Drawstring Bag
- Pink Rose Vintage China Plate

Tweets and Sweets: Fun shabby chic style birdcages!

2010-01-12T19:20:00.000-08:00

Scrumptious florals and sweet, vintage birdcages can bring springtime beauty into your home or garden! I saw this AMAZING image on Country Living of a lovely centerpiece idea and it just made me swoon! The image features a lovely iron birdcage with little pink glasses and roses inside! It's a stunning idea for a tea-party or wedding! Spring-time is just around the corner!

We're happy to announce a new line of birdcages that we'll be carrying at The Bella Cottage. These stunning birdcages are beautifully built in iron or wood and features an antique-like finish. The sage one that we carry can be wall-mounted. Can you imagine the possibilities? The larger ones would definitely be pretty for a small garden or interior space.

Antique Style Large Dome Black Iron Birdcage - $258

Antique Style Large Black Iron Birdcage - $320

Antique Style Sage Finish Wall Mounted Bird Cage - $196

_{Centerpiece Image Source: Country Living}

They're here! Pretty White Linen Chair Covers!

2010-01-10T18:52:00.001-08:00

How yummy are these? This pretty white linen chair seat covers are made by the amazing Pom Pom Collection. We love Pom Pom's products because they always use high-quality fabrics that are PERFECT for the shabby chic style home. These chair covers are perfect for your dining chairs and have a lovely 5 inch ruffle all the way around. Two generous ties are on the back to keep it secure and in place.

Pom Pom also makes excellent linen bedding in the prettiest styles and colors!

About the chair: These chairs come from our "Bella Chateau" line at The Bella Cottage. This gorgeous, solid wood, mahogany chair features a beautiful white wash finish. Each chair has been upholstered in burlap and is a vintage reproduction. Would be perfect as dining chairs!

10% Off Gorgeous Imported Louis XV/XVI French Furniture at The Bella Cottage

2010-01-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

We're having a fabulous sale on newly imported furniture from Europe! Incredible armoires, dressers, chairs and more! These stunning pieces feature lovely Louis XV & XVI detailing. Many of them have pretty gold gilt highlights and come in French Greys, Oyster and cream -- very elegant! Take a look at the One of a Kinds section on our website for more fabulous vintage furniture!

DIY Project: Pink Rose Shabby Holiday Pot

2010-01-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

Written by Judith Norman

This project was inspired by a Christmas gift from a friend named Leslie. She gave each member of our volunteer group an Amaryllis bulb. It takes approximately eight weeks for the plant to bloom.

But when when it matures, it will look like this:

I wanted the pot to be as beautiful as the plant. So, with the support of the wonderful The Bella Cottage, I used appliques and paint to create a shabby chic-inspired pot. Here's how I did it.

Before

Supplies: clay pot; unfinished appliques (www.thebellacottage.com); paint - 1 white and 1 chocolate (we used acryllic); paint brushes; wood glue; medium grade sand paper; gloves; painter's tape; ruler; pencil; old newspaper; varnish (glossy); old rag

The Bella Cottage Appliques

Supplies

Start by covering your work area with old newspaper. Then sand the pot and the back of the appliques. Wipe off any dust with an old rag. I used 2 unfinished small roses appliques for this project but, you may use as many as you wish. Also, appliques come in a variety of designs and sizes.

Use a ruler to locate the pot's center. Mark it with a pencil.

Glue the appliques to the center of the pot. Cover them with painter's tape and let dry for several hours (overnight if possible).

Paint the inside of the pot

Paint the pot. Give it at least three coats. Allow the paint 2-3 hours drying time between coats.

After the pot has dried, sand paper lightly around the edges of the pot and applique to give it a distressed look. Then mix an accent paint (I used a chocolate color) with a few drops of water. Take a dry paper towel or old rag and gently go around the distressed areas and parts of the applique you would like to have more definition. Apply 3 coats of glossy varnish (allow 2-3 hours to pass between each application).

Finished!

P.S. My Amaryllis is still in the growing stage. So, I substituted with a Poinsettia plant.

Source

Pizazz and Style: Sassy Pink and Green Decor Ideas!

2010-01-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

This combination of hot pink and pale green decor becomes an eye catching combination for a fun loving and feminine girl! Featured here is canvas art by Paula Prass and Shelly Kennedy in lovely vibrant colors. Each one comes printed on canvas and stretched on stretcher bars, ready to hang.

From top to bottom, L to R:
Piece by Shelly Kennedy: Merry and Bright - Happy Holiday Banner in Pink! This fun banner is customizable with any name!
Pieces by Paula Prass: Audrey's Lovebird in Pink and Green, Bird on a Branch Canvas, and Bird with a Nest Canvas.

With fun art on the walls, it would look fantastic with matching decor items like this fabulous sage crystal lamp and floral lamp shade from Maura Daniel. Their high quality lighting is also very elegant and sweet to look at! We also have a set of matching baby burpcloths with fun paisley style florals and soft pinks. A perfect addition to a baby room! This burpcloth set is called Lola.

All in the Details

2010-01-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

Our showroom is such a happy place to come to everyday. Besides being surrounded by the beautiful vintage furniture, it makes me happy to see all the little details! At The Bella Cottage, we have a great team of artists who make the most wonderful gifts and our ventures to swap meets and vintage markets turn up the most beautiful and hard-to-find china. See a couple images below.

These splendid handmade cakes look good enough to eat! While beautiful with amazing colors they are sadly decorational only! Our talented artist makes these for us and decorates the top with glitter and little flowers!

If you didn't know, we also have a lovely collection of china tableware available in our Bella Finds section. Lots of neat sets, loose plates and teacups and some very unique items! In the middle of this photo are pink rose cigarette ashtrays. I've never seen one look so lovely! And how cute is the dainty teacup right behind it? I love seeing little treasures like this decorate our showroom.

Come visit us!
16700 Schoenborn St.
North Hills, CA 91343

Monday-Friday - 10-5 p.m.
Closed weekends.

GET EXCITED AND MAKE THINGS!

2010-01-10T18:27:00.000-08:00

We are SO about crowns at The Bella Cottage! I saw this and just swooned. Now I can't decide which color would go best in my office. Hmmm...

How perfect is this sentiment? Designed by the impossibly creative gentleman with the 'handle' Moleitau on Flickr. He has made this print as a free download. I made them in different hues for you because I love you and I love this print. I made the size 8.5" x 11" so you can print on your printer at your office, at home. If you download please be sure to stop over Mr. Moletiau's and thank him kindly for his creative Jedi genius....

{download dijon here}

{download clementine here}

{download chartreuse here}

{download marine here}.

{download blush here}

Source: leblagh.com

Best Offer Semi-Annual Event!

2010-01-10T18:25:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year! We're throwing our Best-Offer Semi Annual Event! All of our One of a Kind, shabby chic style vintage furniture is for sale and it's up to YOU to determine what YOU want to pay!

Just select from ANY piece of furniture listed in our One of a Kinds Furniture section, give us a call or email and we'll let you know if it's yours! It's as easy as that!

Shipping charges will apply in addition to your offer. We have TONS of other home decor and gift ideas at our site!

A Shabby Chic Style Hotel Bed & Bath Getaway in Dorset!

2009-12-09T00:03:00.001-08:00

Looking for a home away from home? Take a peek at this gorgeous Bed & Bath in Dorset in South West England. Luiminiere Sandbanks offers stunning rooms for their visitors and even has one done-up in a very shabby chic like fashion! So cute!

This room is decorated with pinks and chocolates! I love the striped walls and the light gold filigree painted onto the white stripes. A charming idea!

I absolutely love this room that they describe as the "Crazy Gold" room! Deep pinks and a bright gold make this room an opulent choice!

Their website states:

"Luminiere, A Luxurious AA five star rated Boutique B&B in an excellent location just 5 minutes away from Poole Harbour and the beautiful blue flag beaches of Sandbanks.

The accommodation is chic, sympathetically restored interiors compliment this traditional Edwardian House. All bedrooms being individually styled with luxuriously comfortable beds, luxury towels, bath robes and slippers.

Each room provides a flat screen TV with DVD , complimentary tea and coffee, and a free wireless internet connection. Bathrooms are modern and luxury with power showers and Gilchrist Soames products.

There is a stunning Art Deco Suite, with fabulous bath and wet room area for the ultimate in luxury.

Luminiere is privately owned by Tracey Green and has opened to offer sheer indulgence in B&B accommodation. We aim to offer the highest standards in both comfort and service throughout your stay."

Visit them online at boutiquebandbsandbanks.co.uk

Fit for a Princess! A Shabby Chic Style Home in California

2009-12-08T23:17:00.000-08:00

I love it when we're surprised with emails filled with gorgeous photos from our loyal customers!

This gorgeous collection of images comes from Denise in CA.

We were so blown away with her talent for decorating her home that we just had to share it with our readers! It's so exciting to see a few One of a Kind Bella Cottage pieces in her decor, too. We're so happy these stunning items have found a beautiful home with her!

Denise's kitchen is to die for! Her beautiful blend of the white cabinets and furniture against the dark wood floors and black stone counter-tops is so beautiful. A great contrast! I especially love the lights inside her kitchen cabinets to help really open up the space.

I can't stop staring at the wallpaper! It's so soft and beautifully patterned!

I squealed with delight when I saw this image! See that darling recessed shelf in the middle of the image? That brooke bench just below it is from our shop! Denise did an amazing job to display this piece. And I mean WOW.

It was a stunning, one of a kind item and Denise was lucky to find it first! We have another stunning style at our online store.

This room made my jaw drop. How scrumptious is that pink for the walls?

A gorgeous tree in a gorgeous room. I recognize the chair in the right corner! I absolutely love how well the Pink Barkcloth Fabric goes with her decor!

I could stare all day at this bathroom vanity. It's so gorgeous and grand at the same time!

And a matching vanity! And isn't that tuffet chair & slipper chair just perfect?

What a cute bedroom! The soft green walls make the pink bedding just pop! And how charming is the wall plaque above her bed?

Thank you for sharing these amazing pictures with us, Denise! You've given inspiration to us and to our readers as well!

New European Imported Furniture!

2009-11-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

I love it when we get new furniture in from Europe. There's always so much style and uniqueness to these old pieces. Often they need a little love, some new paint and fabric and suddenly it's given a brand new life!

\We just got in a ton of new chairs and settees into the shop. These are a few of my favorites. Granted, the settee featured here is a reproduction, but I'm so in love with the pink toile fabric that was used on its cushion. Charming, isn't it? The white, cane chairs has a cute detail on the top giving it a great silhouette. And finally, I love the cream chair because of its simplicity. And with it displayed on the dark hardwood floors with the chandelier and statues -- it's almost like a beautiful painting. :)

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas!

2009-11-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

It's a Pink Christmas! I'm looking forward to after Thanksgiving when we'll be decorating The Bella Cottage for the upcoming Christmas season. Pink garlands, pastel lights, pink trees, pink ornaments! You name it! It'll be such a joy to come to work everyday and you should stop by too!

In the meantime, we'll be posting fabulous items to help bring the holidays to your home, too. Keep an eye out for gorgeous vintage, handmade "snow ladies" this week. Curious? Get online to our store and find out! I'll also make an announcement here.

Right now, we have amazing Pink Light-up Christmas trees and pink ornaments for sale. Get them while they last!

Pink Friday Sale!

2009-11-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

What incredible prices! We're celebrating our Pink Friday Sale in celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday! From now through the holidays, we will be promoting 20% off all items on our website! The discount will be taken off the entire purchase during checkout for orders of a minimum of $100. What a great deal!

This is perfect if you're looking for home decor items or even a gorgeous piece of furniture! Don't hesitate to call or email if you have questions. We'll be happy to help you!

Our Popular 4" Bella Pet Feeders are back in stock!

2009-11-22T13:57:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce the return of our 4" pet feeders! We've received so many questions about when we'll have them again, so wait NO LONGER!

We do have a very limited supply, so order quickly. They come in white and included are two 16 oz stainless steel bowls.

These shabby chic style Pet Feeders are perfect for cats or small dogs and the elevated size will help them digest easier... and eat in style! :) They come decorated with beautiful swags and bows.

Click here to order your 4" Pet Feeder today!

Before and After: Beautiful Vintage Mesh Nightstands

2009-11-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

These unique mesh nightstands were beautiful pieces to come through our store. I especially loved how the mesh was backed so that it was not see through and that an applique was applied directly on top! In the end, we used our own rose appliques instead of the originals which helped to maintain its feminine look.

Before and After: Large French Style Mirrored Armoire!

2009-11-16T20:28:00.000-08:00

No job is too big for us! This armoire was over 100 inches tall and we turned it into a gorgeous shabby chic style piece! It was refinished from head to toe and painted white. This piece is sure to take your breath away every time you step into the room.

15% Off Sale the ENTIRE WEBSITE!

2009-10-30T22:17:00.001-07:00

Looking for a special item to help spice up your home? Choose from our vast selection of furniture, home decor items and lighting! Until November 3rd, you can receive 15% off your order of $100 or more! The discount is taken off automatically at check-out! What can be easier than that?

Inspired Designs: The Apartment of the Dauphin and Dauphine!

2009-10-30T22:03:00.000-07:00

One day, I'll visit the Palace of Versailles. And I'm sure once I get there, I will not be able to leave. But for now, we can make our own homes into miniature palaces of decadence and glamour with a few incredible pieces of furniture.

Featured below is the GORGEOUS Apartment of the Dauphin and Dauphine. This photo is courtesy via The Château de Versailles website. Concerning the space, the website states:

The dauphine’s private study

For a long time this small room and the following one formed a single space, which was first the antechamber of Monsieur, then of Monseigneur, before becoming the latter’s bedchamber in 1693. It also served as the bedchamber of the regent, then of the dauphin when he was a child, but was divided in 1747 to form private studies for the dauphine and dauphin. The young couple’s apartments communicated with each other by their furthest rooms, protecting their privacy to a certain extent.
Some of the natural panelling’s charming décor in “vernis Martin” remains; it has been completed and the scene above the door depicting the Four Seasons, which Jean-Baptiste Oudry painted for this room in 1749, has been put back into its original position.
Antoine Gaudreaux made the chest of drawers and Bernard Van Rysenburgh the sloping desk in 1745 for the first dauphine; both admirable pieces were used by the second.
A glazed door to the right of the niche, where a sofa once stood, provides access to the rear rooms.

I just LOVE the ornate designs on the molding and the bold and dark chandelier makes a statement against all the details! But how in the world is anyone to replicate a look like THIS?

Give your home a makeover by The Bella Cottage! We feature daily imported furniture from Europe! Beautiful and stunning items that will transform your home into something fantastic and beautiful! See below for our design ideas...

1. Large Gold Mirror with Floral Decor - Amazing large mirror adorned with cornucopias, flowers, and fruit. While the ornate frame will add elegance and style to your room, its sheer size will also help give your room the illusion of an expansive space!

2. Pair of Lovely Louis XV Gold Side Chairs - Pair of lovely brassy gold side chairs. Louis XV leg and floral carvings adorn frames. Upholstered in 100% natural linen. Flank a table with these two gorgeous chairs to add a stunning yet comfortable place to sit!

3. Italian Florentine 2-Arm Wall Sconce in Gold - These lights have a traditional flair and will look lovely on either side of a painting or mirror. Especially lovely above the mantle!

4. Vintage Double Sided Mirrored Folding Screen in Cream and Gold - Need a way to divide the space in a room or to add a little design element? This unique screen has and elegant shape, gold detailing and full caning on both sides! This piece would even be AMAZING in a bedroom as it has mirrors on either side. Perfect with the vanity or dressing area!

Click here to visit our One of a Kinds Section at our online store!

Before and After: Vintage Cane Swivel Office Chair!

2009-10-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE this vintage swivel chair! In all honesty, we're considering just keeping it for ourselves because it came out so cute! But first of all, what a RARE find! This chair is simply too cool. Not ONLY does it feature lovely and intact cane on the back, but it also swivels 360 degrees! Imagine, this piece adds a lovely traditional style to your office while still matching the shabby chic style! We reupholstered it in a cream linen and the overall look is so much more softer than it used to be. This one will be hard to let go of.

Introducing New Lighting at The Bella Cottage

2009-10-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

Class, style and beauty! These two new chandeliers at our shop just shine and glitter! They are made of quality materials featuring intricate detailing for the perfect, French elegant and shabby chic style home. Having the right chandelier can really enhance a room! Be it the dining room, living room or even the entrance way.

This first chandelier is the Ocean Beach Maison Chandelier. It reads, "The stunning blue, green and crystal beads draping the Ocean Beach Maison Chandelier add sparkle to any scene. This chandelier has 6 lights. Draped on a pale green frame and punctuated with clear, crystal prisms, this fixture is as winsome as a bowl of beach glass. Measures 24.5" wide and 33.5" high." This chandelier would create the perfect, shabby beach feel, wouldn't it?

And if an elegant, casual style isn't for you, then this chandelier will bring a more traditional and classical feel to your home. It has clean lines and a lovely gold tone. It reads, "Tasteful entertaining at the beach is enhanced by our Pearl Beach Maison Chandelier. Completely covered in clear glass beads and pearls, the 6-light chandelier also has an additional light in center. Antiqued gold frame."

We're proud to carry quality and stunning items! Beauty and charm, from our home to yours. :)

Making Shabby Chic, Again

2009-10-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Art Streiber/Shabby Chic
A COUCH FOR THE SEASON Twenty years ago, when Rachel Ashwell started Shabby Chic, her enormous, squashy sofas catered to customers’ recession-induced desire to hunker down.

IT was a look — and a phrase — that defined a generation of living rooms, and spawned an industry of knock-offs. And it enjoyed a long and fruitful run. So when Shabby Chic filed for bankruptcy last January after nearly 20 years in business, its creator, Rachel Ashwell, felt both anguish and humiliation, not to mention flat-out exhaustion.

Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic's creator.

Ms. Ashwell, who had just turned 50 and had already been blown sideways by the recent death of her mother, was soon presiding over the liquidation of 15 stores and the dismissal of her hand-picked teams of upholsterers and sewers, designers and salespeople. Afterward, she imagined she would be taking a well-deserved, if not exactly planned-for, rest. But it was not to be.

The woman who had made unlikely stars out of a giant squashy sofa and a baggy white slipcover — the decorating equivalent of a peasant blouse and worn jeans, a sartorial style that the very English Ms. Ashwell almost exclusively favors — was courted by a new partnership. And so it was that last month she found herself hurtling between New York, her home in Santa Monica and London, stocking three new stores with the chipped white furniture and blowsy upholstered pieces that had long been her trademark. So little time had elapsed between the liquidation and this ramping up that Ms. Ashwell’s Santa Monica storefront was still available, so technically only two of the three “new” stores would be housed in new real estate.

All of which prompts the question: what are the chances that a new business whose product and gestalt are based on a rather old — that is to say, two decades old — idea might find success in a still-punishing retail environment? To put it another way, does the big white couch still have legs?

In fact, late 2009 may be the prime moment for products that derive their energy from comfort, sensuality and the idea of hunkering down. For in many ways, 2009 is shaping up to look a lot like 1989.

Back then, when Ms. Ashwell, a newly divorced film stylist with two young children, opened her first store in Santa Monica, she filled it with flea-market furniture and reacquainted Americans with a particularly English idea, the slipcover. She certainly didn’t invent the look, but by exaggerating it — making the sofas bigger and the covers baggier — and branding it with the phrase “Shabby Chic,” Ms. Ashwell intuitively positioned herself in opposition to the buttoned-up decorating styles associated with the financial excesses of the 1980s and the subsequent recession, which was soon to be in full bloom.

With a style she likes to describe as “my mush” or “the beauty of imperfection,” she was marketing the sort of at-home comfort that would form the backdrop to what the futurist Faith Popcorn had called “cocooning” years earlier, the widespread response to those excesses.

Not that a Shabby Chic sofa came cheap, by any means, but it was an anti-decorating statement; it showed that you were culturally in touch enough to assume a laid-back style.

“She taught people that it was O.K. to be slightly messy,” said Marian McEvoy, a former editor in chief of Elle Décor and House Beautiful. “That you can have wrinkles and puckers and your cabbage roses can be tea-stained, and it’s O.K. because it’s your house, your family, your kids.”

In Ms. Ashwell’s own child-centric home, where she road-tested her products, sofas were used mostly as forts, while sheets were tents, she said, adding: “It was all about, ‘Is it washable?’ ”

From that laboratory came Shabby Chic’s best-selling sofa, covered in highly washable white denim.

Scale was also key. Shabby Chic sold enormous couches — at least 6 to 8 inches deeper, Ms. Ashwell said, than the norm back in those days — sensual, enveloping maws in which you could do just about anything. And for lanky celebrity clients like Jeff Goldblum and Warren Beatty, she said, she made them even bigger and longer.

Judith Regan, the publisher-turned-radio host who published five books of Ms. Ashwell’s after seeing her Santa Monica store, still has three Shabby Chic chairs and three sofas, one of which she uses as an office. “I just crawl into it with my laptop and papers,” she said recently.

By PENELOPE GREEN

Published: October 14, 2009
via New York Times

Etsy Finds: Shabby Chic Style Blue Treasures

2009-10-19T11:44:00.001-07:00

Today, it's all about blue. I went on Etsy and found beautiful blue treasures that are truly inspiring me!

I particularly love the blue damask ironing board cover. It's such a charming accessory for the home! And with all the ironing we have to do sometimes, it's nice to have a cover that isn't an eye sore! I am really loving the gold cuff bracelet. The chunky roses and beads are so cute! I could definitely wear it every day! And last but not least, that pin-cushion is so cute! (I grew up seeing my mother's little red tomato pin cushion.) This is definitely an elegant alternative!

Blue Teacup Pincushion
Large Provence Style Bag in Light Blue Toile
All the Pretty Flowers Cuff Bracelet
COTTAGE BY THE SEA Shabby Beach Sign
Set of 6 Chandelier Blue Bird Notecards
Picnic Damask Ironing Board Cover in blue

Let's Talk Burlap!

2009-10-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

Burlap is a treasure when it comes to rustic-style decorations. It can be used in the home or outdoors, and is especially helpful for special events and holidays to help keep the rustic feel for any occasion. Though burlap is commonly used as a strong sack to harbor objects and protect them from wet environments, there is more than meets the eye to this material. When paired with the elegant frames of vintage French furniture, the end result is a happy marriage of textures that is both comfortable and luxurious! Who'd have thought?

Recently, we received an AMAZING shipment of French, Louis XV style furniture from Europe! The frames were kept in its original finish, but the pieces were reupholstered in beautiful, burlap fabric. We just loved how it came out! Rustic and cozy, yet elegant! The two textures of the burlap and the distressed furniture work very well together. We also have a gorgeous line of burlap pillows that we call Garden Adornments. Each pillow is printed with a cute, French style image. Can you imagine a bunch of these on a burlap settee? To die for!

We're excited with this new style and we're happy to help you get that look you want!

List of Items Featured:
Vintage Framed Mirror in Gold
Louis XV Vintage Occasional Table
French shutters in Olive Green
Pair of Louis XV Style Petite Rose Armchairs
Louis XVI Style Gold Gilt Burlap Settee
Garden Adornments Collection

Style Ideas: French Elegance

2009-10-12T18:12:00.001-07:00

The right furniture and accessories can turn your home into an elegant space. Featuring One-of-a-Kind Vintage items from our store, I've put together a small collage of a few items that I thought would make for an amazing and stylish room.

The gorgeous Louis XV Vintage Daybed that we recently accquired really caught my eye and I wanted to work off this piece. It's elegant shapes and nice, clean colors would be beautifully complimented with vintage, gold lighting. The perfect item I had in mind was a unique, florentine table & lamp. This gorgeous lamp features the main light on top and the lovely hydrangea buds at the bottom light as well! I also thought a beautiful idea would be to use two small vintage table lamps on a pair of end tables. Can't say no to a bit of sparkle! Even a white chandelier with an ornate, floral design can add personality to a room as well!

I enjoy spaces with alot of light as I spend alot of time curled up on the couch and reading. :) This would be a dreamy set-up for me!

Pink Recipes: Lychee Rose Parfait and Orange Blossom Macarons

2009-10-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

I found these charming recipes over at My Tartette and I just had to pass it along! I love charming little recipes for cakes & cookies suitable for tea-time. And when it's pink? It's even better!

I have an affinity for exotic fruits as well as citrus treats, so this combination really sparked my interest! I grew up enjoying Lychees and they are amazingly versatile in recipes. (I'll have to share another lovely sauce recipe I acquired in another post!) Anyway, I hope these photos will inspire you in the kitchen like it has for me! :D

Lychee Rose Parfait with Strawberry Sorbet:

Makes 8

Cookie Base:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Divide the dough in half and refrigerate. Roll out one half to 1/2 inch thick and put the sheet of dough on a parchment lined abking sheet. Bake8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 2 minutes. While still warm cut out 8 rounds with a 3 inch cookie cutter. Set aside. Use the remaining half for regular cut out cookies if desired.

Strawberry Sorbet, adapted from Richard Leach:

3 cups fresh diced strawberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup wildflower honey
1 cup water
3 Tb lemon juice

Combine the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Pass through a fine sieve then freeze in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer's directions. Keep frozen until ready to use.

Lychee Rose Parfaits, adapted from Richard Leach:

1 14oz. can lychees
2 tsp. rose water extract (or to taste)
2 eggs, separated
6 Tb sugar
3/4 cup creme fraiche (can substitute sour cream)
1/4 heavy cream

Drain the lychees and keep or discard the juice. Puree in a food processor with the rose extract. Set aside.
In a bowl, combine the egg yolks and 2 Tb. of the sugar and whisk until pale and thick. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until firm peaks are formed. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and whip for one more minte, until glossy. Whip the creme fraiche and heavy cream together until firm peaks are formed.
Fold the whites into the egg mixture. Add to the lychees. Lastly, fold in the cream mixture. Place the parfait in a piping bag.

Using 8 3 inch metal rings, place a sugar cookie at the bottom of each ring. Pipe the parfait mixture evenly between the 8 rings, leaving some space for the strawberry sorbet. Set in the freezer for 30 minutes or until firm. Fill the remainder of the tubes with the sorbet. Smooth the tops and keep in the freezer until ready to use.

Orange Blossom Macarons with Blood Orange Curd:

For the shells:

120 gr. egg whites, divided
35 gr. sugar
150 gr. finely ground almonds
150 gr. powdered sugar
1 Tb blood orange zest
For the boiling syrup:
150 gr. sugar and 50 gr. water

Sift the ground almonds and powdered sugar. Add the blood orange zest. In a stand mixer, whip 60 gr. egg whites to soft peaks, add 35 gr. sugar.
In the meantime, in a saucepan on high heat bring the water and sugar for the syrup to 230 F. on a candy thermometer.Slowly add the boiling syrup to the egg whites and continue to whip on medium - high speed until they are completely cooled and you have a shiny meringue (10-15 minutes).
Mix the remaining 60 gr. of egg whites and the sifted almond/sugar and carefully fold into the meringue.
Fill a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip with the mixture and pipe macarons about 3 inches in diameter on parchment paper lined baking sheet. You can let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes if desired. This is often done to assure those little feet at the bottom but I found that I can skip this step with this recipe and still end up with the same result.
Bake at 320 for 15 minutes. Let cool.

Blood Orange Curd, adapted from Alice Medrich:

grated zest of 1 blood orange
2/3 cup strained blood orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs

Combine the zest, sugar, juice in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer.
In a small bowl, beat the eggs until light.
Beat some of the orange mixture into the eggs to temper. Scrape the mixture back into the saucepan and cook stirring constantly until it thickens up, about 5 minutes.
Strain and refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap until ready to use.

Fill the macarons with about 1 Tb of the curd and refrigerate.

Etsy Finds: Cottage Rose Decor's Store

2009-10-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

While going on my daily rounds on Etsy, I came upon Cottage Rose Decor's store and was impressed by her variety of fabulous, shabby chic style accessories! I especially loved her darling candlesticks but her store also offers amazing wall-decor, lamps, stools and more. Looking for that little something extra for your home? Take a look!

Pink Hot Chocolate!

2009-10-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

It's finally starting to feel chilly in Los Angeles and that means its time for sweet, hot chocolate! I stumbled upon this sweet treat while shopping one day and I just had to share it with you all. <3

Stonewall Kitchen has a mix for pink hot chocolate in their online store for sale. It's such a cute idea to give as a gift on Valentine's Day or as a treat for yourself! It even comes with pink marshmallows! I could imagine surprising your little girl with a cup of this and seeing her face light up!

_{Photo Credit: Little Girl Hands. and Stonewall Kitchen.}

HEIRLOOM MAGIC: A Mosaic Creation by J. Rockwood

2009-10-04T02:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what you to do with fine china, antique heirloom treasures handed down to you from generations, and you want to keep within the family?

When I saw pictures of this table from one of our customers, I thought to myself, what a fantastic and creative way to keep the family treasures close and dear to your heart! Inspired by a Mosaic gallery in TriBeca, NY. J. Rockwood's used her grandmother and Mother's vanity tray, antique plates, and mirrored stained glasses, to create a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind dining table. One of her very talented friends designed the wooden surface and pedestal on which the mosaic is laid. The detailed work and delicate design blew me away in the final photo to the right. Isn't it gorgeous?

Ms. Rockwood also added iridized stained glass with the heirloom mosaics to add a stunning shimmery reflection to the table. Thank you for sharing this wonderful personal family heirloom treasure with us!

Do YOU have a Bella Creation you'd like to share? Email Us!

Can You Imagine It? The Perfect, Pink Baby Nursery!

2009-10-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

As mothers, we at the Bella Cottage believe that in order to create the perfect place of rest for your little one, the nursery room has to be a peaceful haven for Mommy, too! With all the hours you're going to spend with your new baby in this space, we believe that the room should be beautiful, soothing as well as functionable. Our children have grown up and our of their nurseries, but that doesn't stop us from dreaming! Here are our ideas:

We're huge fans of PINK and we would love to have a space just filled with it! Imagine a gorgeous, crystal pink chandelier -with pink shades-- hanging in the center of the room. The right lighting will add a peaceful ambiance as you gently rock your child to sleep.

The right wall decor will also add a charming statement to the room's decor. Alot of mothers will add wooden plaques spelling out their child's name on the walls. A nice alternative is a hand-painted, personalized banner with your baby's name. Personal and so unique! And with the right touch of soft pinks and roses, you can't go wrong.

Of course, the right area rug and furniture will add the finishing touches. Our favorite rug is the Sienna Rose Wool Rug. Looking at it, it's like constantly walking in a rose garden. And it's high quality materials will withstand any stain! (Trust me, we've had coffee incidents on ours!) And finally, little touches besides the usual furniture will add even more comfort and personal style. A handmade tuffet, for instance, will give you an extra sitting spot and it's just too cute! It'll add the perfect amount of softness to your room.

Do you have photos of your baby's room that you'd like to share? We'd love to feature a stunning baby room in an upcoming installment of The Bella Living! Email Us!

Before and After: A Beautiful Dresser!

2009-10-04T00:44:00.000-07:00

This lovely vintage dresser turned out so nicely!! We were so happy to see this transformation. The original dresser had lovely vintage designs on the top drawer which our craftsmen removed to make room for lovely rose appliques. This dresser has the cutest legs with a bulb shape on top! Much more feminine and sweet!

Customer Photos: Gorgeous Cream European Sideboard

2009-09-28T19:28:00.001-07:00

We're so excited to share this photo with you all from one of our customers, Ms. Rockwood. Earlier this year, she purchased from us a beautiful, imported, European sideboard. It was cream in color with gorgeous gold detailing and amazing carved details. It was truly unique! Nothing makes us more happier or excited to see the furniture in a warm and happy environment! Thank you!

Stay tuned! Ms. Rockwood is also a very talented artisan! She has sent us gorgeous photos of a custom designed, mosaic dining table that we'll be sharing with you very soon!

Introducing! The NEW Bella Cottage Daybed!

2009-09-28T18:35:00.001-07:00

We're happy to announce the new Bella Cottage: Garland & Wreath Fancy Daybed! This wonderful piece has been added to our Furniture collection and is also available with or without a trundle. It features decorative posts on all four corners and a lovely curved back with beautiful, large rose appliques.

We are also able to include a trundle which rolls out smoothly from underneath -- perfect for storage! On our bed, we've used the BEAUTIFUL Pom Pom Linen bedding which is available in various styles at our website. The particular linen duvet that we show is called Charlie in White. Are you ready to dive right in?

Before and After: From Old to Elegance

2009-09-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

This desk was NOT hard to fall in love with when it came through our workshop. It had a gorgeous trim and beautiful details along the corners and legs. We knew in an instant that this would be a beautiful transformation! The top badly needed a new refinishing, but the piece itself was structurally sound. Once it was sanded down, the true beauty of this piece would shine through. We noticed that the center drawer had a single pull in the middle so we installed new knobs at the sides to accommodate for a beautiful rose applique where the original pull used to be. End result? Absolute beauty!

Recipes: Charming Pink Cupcakes

2009-09-28T18:03:00.001-07:00

I'm getting the strongest urge to bake cupcakes after seeing this recipe. If time allows, you know what I'll be doing this evening! I've been missing the smell of baked goods wafting through the house. It's always such a lovely way to relax at the end of the day. :)

Conceição’s Cake – 24 cupcakes

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tbsp baking powder

4 egg whites

200g (2 sticks) butter, room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 egg yolks

100g desiccated grated coconut

1 cup milk

50g chocolate jimmies (I used pink sprinkles)

For the cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two 12 cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour and baking powder.

In the electric mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Set aside.

In another bowl in the electric mixer, beat the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the coconut.

Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk. End with flour. Mix in the chocolate jimmies.

With a large spoon or spatula, fold the beaten egg whites in the batter.

Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcakes come out clean. Take the cupcakes from the tin and let cool over a wire rack before frosting.

Pink Frosting

1 cup water

2 cups sugar

3 tbsp red flavored Jell-o/ gelatin (I used strawberry)

2 egg whites, beaten to soft peaks

1 tsp vanilla extract (didn’t use)

In a saucepan, mix sugar, gelatin and water. Cook over medium heat until it boils and the sugar and gelatin are fully dissolved. In a steady stream, add the gelatin mixture to the beaten egg whites, with the electric mixer on high speed. Beat until it looks like a meringue and it’s cold, about 10 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix well. Use immediately. Decorate as desired.

This amazing recipe was found at The Cookie Shop. Photos are courtesy of The Cookie Shop, as well!

Etsy Finds: Baubles and Trinkets! Fun Shabby Chic Finds on Etsy

2009-09-28T17:52:00.001-07:00

How many of you can spend hours upon hours digging through Etsy listings? My goodness, I know I can loose an entire evening! It's always so much FUN to find amazing creations by so many talented artisans. Here are a few items I fell in love with while I was looking around.

The Parisian Dream: Shabby Chic Roses Note Cards by mulberrymuse
Bloom Necklace by trystbykerry
Romantic Shabby Cottage Chic Lamp by sewbeautiful2
Custom Letter in 3D Decorative Initials by NeedleinaScrapStack
10inch LuxeLettersTM - Customized by SheaChicDesigns

Chic by Sha: Dress Up Time!

2009-09-21T10:30:00.001-07:00

Chic By Sha is a lovely e-boutique based out of Australia which specializes in darling, handmade petticoats. With Halloween just around the corner, these fun skirts and accessories would be the perfect addition to your little one's look. Your little girl will feel like a princess when underneath layer after layer of fluffy ruffles. However, the best part is, her sizes go up to ladies! (One-size-fits-all!) So, then again, don't be surprised if you see ME swishing about in one of these lovely skirts!

I also love that Chic by Sha offers darling masks to match with the skirts they create. Reminiscent of Venetian masks, it reminds you of the fun and whimsy associated to Carnival!

Before and After: Shabby Chic "Kidney" Desk

2009-09-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

I love featuring the more unique pieces of furniture on our blog. This darling desk came through not too long ago and we were all charmed by its unique shape. It was rounded like that of a kidney bean and had columns of drawers with cute, rounded fronts. Functional, yet so stylish!

When I saw it for the first time, I felt that this piece had such a feminine feel, but the dark color and broad shaped knobs just brought out too much masculinity. Finally, when the piece was brought into our showroom, we were amazed at the transformation. :) It's amazing what appliques and a fresh coat of paint will do! This desk came and went very quickly. We hope the new owner much happiness with their new treasure!

Vintage Syroco Midcentury Decoration

2009-09-19T03:21:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, we come across beautiful vintage finds under the Syroco label. As I was setting up this display, I suddenly wanted to know all about this company. At The Bella Cottage, we've had various kinds of Syroco frames and shelves come through our store and each item has always been so beautiful.

While searching the internet for a bit of Syroco history, I found a corkscrew collector's website that had this nice little description:

"The SYRACUSE ORNAMENTAL COMPANY, also known as SYROCO, was founded in the late 1890's by an Austrian woodcarver named Adolph Holstein. Initially the company produced ornamental carvings for furniture as well as the interiors of fashionable homes. As demand increased, a molding technique was developed where Syroco could create perfect replicas of their original carvings. These molds also featured a wood grain within the mold, allowing for a more detailed aesthetic. The recipe of wood flour, waxes, and resins combined with compression molding created an inexpensive, but high quality product. As the 40's approached, demand for Syroco was waning with the new popularity of Danish Modern with its clean simple lines and less ornamentation on furniture. Novelty items became a new venture for the company; focusing on housewares, barware, and items for the smoker, as well as other offerings.

During the 1950's, Syroco started to change directions again. And, while novelty items still appear in their catalogs of the time. Highly stylized wall mirrors, sconces, and decorations became the company's focus.

In 1953, Syroco introduced a process for obtaining the finish on these seemingly gilted home accesories, called "metalgold"; a process, as the catalog states, "...wherein real metal is deposited on the object and toned and shaded by skilled hand operations."

How interesting! It's always a delight to find those tell-tale stickers on the back of highly ornamented, vintage items. :) And best of all, Syroco items bring so much life and beauty into the home.

_{The plate shelves featured on this page are available on our website!}

Before and After: Darling Shabby Pink Settee!

2009-09-14T22:56:00.001-07:00

Ah! This settee came through our shop a while back and BOY did it go through an amazing transformation! We worked with a wonderful customer of ours to choose the perfect fabric and we were thrilled when she decided on this beautiful, soft pink linen. This settee featured beautiful caning on the sides, a cream body with gold edging. We ended up not touching the original finish and the end result was absolutely stunning. A beautiful, beautiful, shabby pink settee for a beautiful home!

Exquisite Rose Collection: Chandeliers with Twinkle, Charm and Roses!

2009-09-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

Vintage roses, crystals and beads -- OH MY! Every time we see the photos from this fabulous line, we can't help but gasp and stare. Our incredible artisan weaves together beautiful crystals and handmade roses onto the chandelier frame to create gorgeous works of art.

We know that when decorating a room, it's the details that really make the space incredible. Can you imagine one of these beauties hanging in your shabby chic style home? Just imagine the sunlight dancing through the beads and shining softly through the shades. It's a perfect piece for the ultimate relaxing experience!

Most of the chandeliers in this line are ONE-OF-A-KINDS, but there are a few that are available as reproductions. And while they are made from vintage parts, she does a great job at keeping the consistency in style. It's always exciting to see what new and gorgeous pieces she'll have for us next. I get very excited about this line!

At the Bella Cottage, we offer different styles of chandeliers, matching table lamps and shades from this line. We offer a variety of colors -- even a style in blue for the Beach Shabby Chic lovers out there!

Until September 8th: Receive 15% off your online order! View the Exquisite Rose Collection.

1. Exquisite Rose Darling Pink Chandelier Shade, 2. Exquisite Rose - Pink Crystal Drippy Chandelier, 3. Exquisite Rose - Beach Blue Shabby Chic Chandelier, 4. Exquisite Rose - Beach Shabby Chic Chandelier Details

View the Exquisite Rose Collection.

Recipes: Mint & Chocolate Filled Rose Thumbprint Cookies

2009-09-05T03:07:00.001-07:00

The amazing Jacqueline Pham of PhamFatale posted this GORGEOUS recipe for amazing pink cookies! Maybe it's not so good to blog about cookies when you're hungry, but I'll be sure to remedy that as soon as I'm done here!

I grew up loving thumbprint cookies that family friends would drop off for my mother during the holidays. They would be filled with a fruity jam or chocolate -- and I'd always go for the chocolate filled ones!

This twist on a traditional recipe is truly darling. Jacqueline created a rose flavored dough and filled the cookies with PINK mint chocolates by Guittard. I love baking with Guittard chocolates, myself! I didn't know they had chocolates in pink! Amazingly enough, these incredible pink chocolates are available through ebay at this link. I'm going to enjoy making a batch for myself. :)

Ingredients
Servings: 20 cookies

1 egg yolk
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
7 tablespoons powdered sugar
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon rose paste, as needed (depending on how pink you want the cookies)
2 ounces pink-colored mint chocolate chips
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate chips
1 ounce vanilla chips, (or white chocolate chips)
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
2 tablespoons heavy cream

Preparation

-Preheat the oven to 375°F.

-Using a handheld mixer, whisk the egg yolk with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar until you get a pale, yellow foam. Add the vanilla extract.

-In a bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Sift all the dry ingredients.

-Cream 8 tablespoons of butter with the remaining powdered sugar (whisk using the handheld mixer to get as much air as possible into the butter). Add the egg mixture and the dry ingredients. Mix with your fingers until the cookie dough is formed. Add the rose paste. Do NOT overmix. Transfer the dough into a bowl. Plastic wrap it and place it in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.

-For the pink mint, bittersweet chocolate and vanilla ganache, use or make a double boiler. Place a pot filled with hot water, topped with a piece of cloth so the bowl does not move and place a stainless-steel bowl filled with the pink mint chocolate chips on top. Melt the chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons of butter, a tablespoon of heavy cream and a teaspoon of corn syrup. Repeat the same procedure with the bittersweet chocolate and the vanilla chips with only 1 tablespoon of butter, 1/2 tablespoon of heavy cream and 1/2 teaspoon of corn syrup for each remaining filling. Set aside. (See tips if the filling hardens)

-Shape the cookie dough into 20 1-inch diameter balls. Place them on a baking tray lined with a silicone mat or a sheet of parchment paper.

-Bake the cookies for 10 minutes at 350°F. Open the oven. Press the center of the cookie using a melon baller or any small spoon. Bake for another 8 minutes.
-Remove from the oven and let them cool down completely to room temperature before taking them off the cookie sheets. They will harden and get firm as they cool down. Spoon about 1/4 teaspoon of pink mint chocolate filling in each thumbprint. Using a chopstick, drop a little bittersweet chocolate filling and a drop of vanilla filling using another chopstick and immediately swirl the filling using a toothpick. Let the filling set until firm.

Bon appétit!

Before and After: Creating a Gorgeous Highboy

2009-09-05T02:50:00.000-07:00

I love it when really unique pieces come through our workshop. When this highboy came in a few weeks ago, I just fell in love! The unique shape, the gorgeous detailing -- I just knew this one would be stunning once it was all finished, white and like-new!

I could imagine using this one in my home! What charmed me was all the different sized drawers on this piece. The deep drawers are perfect for storage of clothes or linens and the small drawers and the small surface on the very top is perfect for little trinkets like jewelry. It's just so unique! It's so funny when I catch myself thinking, "Well, maybe I can bring this one home!"

This highboy has long since found a new home but I can't wait for something just as beautiful to come around again!

Get That Look! 100% Linen Bedding with The Pom Pom Collection

2009-08-31T13:32:00.000-07:00

At The Bella Cottage, we are proud to announce the addition of the Pom Pom Collection. This scrumptious line offers 100% Linen products for your bedroom to create the perfect shabby chic style bedroom! And the best thing about it? This entire line is machine washable! Whew! What a relief to all you busy ladies out there!

We received a few questions concerning, "How do I get this look?" They're referring to the photo below. Well, let me help you out!

First of all, I don't think you can go wrong mixing and matching the items from this line. Truly, they match so well that you can just get all the items that tickle your fancy to create your look! However, if you're not as daring, I suggest matching up the style names to create a lovely look as well. Click here to see the entire Pom Pom Bedding line at our store.

For the photograph above, these are the following products used:

For fans of the ruffled, shabby chic, soft look, I definitely suggest the Charlie line. The colors come in a flat white, pink or blue and when mixed together, the look is very scrumptious and soft. The Charlie line features a large ruffle adding to the sweet look to this bedding style. Look here for the Charlie Duvet, Pillow Shams in Blue, White or Pink & Sheets.

So, I hope that helps! I'm starting to feel like I need to change the look of my bed!

_{Image Source:
1. Charlie Linen Flat White Sheet, 2. Fitted White Linen Sheet, 3. Belle White Bed Skirt, 4. Belle Pillow Sham in Pink/Cream, 5. Mathilde Pillow Sham in White, 6. Sofia 2.5" Frayed Edge Pillow Sham - Pink, 7. Charlie Linen Ruffle Duvet in White, 8. Charlie Soft Ruffle Pillow Sham in Pink}

Darling Pink Rose Water Madelines: A Perfect French Tea Party

2009-08-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

Whenever I think of finding recipes on the web, I instantly think of Martha Stewart. I remember her website having this wonderful madeline recipe not too long ago, but I was devastated to find that it was gone! However, the lovely Ivonne over at "Cream Puffs in Venice" posted her own photos of these gorgeous treats! Aren't they beautiful? Perfect for a party or a family get-together.

Madeleine's, miniature French sponge cakes, are made in special scallop-shell-shaped pans. This recipe calls for the madelines to be enhanced with rose water and sprinkled with pale-pink sugar. So charming!

Once the weather is a little less than scorching hot (I'm in Los Angeles and chances are, this weather will keep up till November) , I'd love to sit outside and enjoy this recipe with my favorite tea. Until then, I'll post it here to share with you all.

INGREDIENTS:
Cooking Time: 2-3 mins
Servings: 10

1. 13 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2. 1 teaspoon baking powder

3. 1/8 teaspoon salt

4. 3 large eggs

5. 1 cup granulated sugar

6. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

7. 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and room temperature

8. 1 tablespoon rose water

9. 3 tablespoons sanding sugar

10. Pink powdered food color, any shade

11. Butter-flavored cooking spray

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. In electric mixer, beat eggs and 1/2 cup granulated sugar on medium until light, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Fold in flour mixture. Fold in butter. Cover with plastic; chill for 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat oven to 425 degrees F; place rack in center. Spray two scallop-shell pans with cooking spray. Use spoon to fill molds three-quarters full. Bake 5 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 degrees F. Bake 5 to 8 minutes more, until lightly golden. Immediately tap out Madeleine onto a cooling rack. (Let madeleines cool scallop side up to avoid any creases or lines from rack.) Repeat with remaining batter. Let cool.

4. Make rose-water syrup by combining remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar; reduce to a simmer, and cook over low heat 2 to 3 minutes to combine. Set aside to cool. When cool, stir in rose water. Set aside.

5. Place sanding sugar in a small bowl. Use a toothpick to add small amounts of powdered food color to sanding sugar, stirring until you get desired shade of pink.

6. Use a small paint brush to sugar edges of Madeleine one at a time; dip brush into rose-water syrup, and paint rim of each madeleines. Sprinkle sanding sugar over damp edges. Repeat on remaining Madeleine's. Madeleine's are best served within 1 to 2 days of baking. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

_{- Images courtesy of Cream Puffs in Venice.
- Martha Stewart Recipe Provided By: Martha Stewart. See more from Martha Stewart on Yahoo! Food}

Before and After: Turning a boring Vanity into a Princess' Paradise!

2009-08-30T23:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it takes a little imagination to undergo a dramatic color change. In the piece featured below, we took this vanity which was painted a dark brown and turned it into a lovely feminine piece that feels much lighter and soft! I think the dark color of the wood made it so heavy and masculine but that's not the feeling we need in our Shabby Chic style world!

As you can see below, our craftsmen had already begun the starting stages of the transformation when I took this Before photo. A good advice when painting a mirrored piece --always tape off your mirrors! This can be done with a bit of newspaper or brown paper and blue painter's tape! We suggest using the blue tape as it will not damage the surfaces of your furniture.

When we work on lovely vintage pieces that have amazing vintage detailing, we never remove it so that we can preserve the vintage/antique feel. In this case, note the castors on the legs! We always leave these intact. We replace the old knobs for our clear glass ones and lovely rose appliques supply the final touch. The final piece just makes me feel so light-hearted and happy!

Before and After: It's a Shabby Chic Tea Party!

2009-08-30T23:45:00.001-07:00

At The Bella Cottage, it's our tea-carts that attract alot of attention! So, by popular demand, here's a Before and After feature on one of our great One of a Kind tea carts!

As you can see below, many teacarts come to us in their original finish. This one below looks like the finish was in okay condition, but normally, it's not uncommon to see scratches or balding on the surface. Our team of experts will sand the entire piece from top to bottom before re-painting and re-finishing it to our signature white. It's pieces like these that are tricky to do because of all the small crevasses in the wheels -- it calls for great attention to detail!

The end result is a stunning, very soft and feminine piece of furniture! The finish we use is a beautiful semi-gloss giving it a lovely soft finish while still being wipe-able! So don't worry about the tea, crumbs and jam! Just sit back and relax at your next tea party.

Before and After: Gorgeous French Style Single Nightstand

2009-08-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

At The Bella Cottage, we just love the process of making our Vintage One of a Kind pieces come to life. We come across stunning, vintage furniture that has seen better days and with a love and care, we imagine giving it new life! It's amazing what a bit of imagination can do!

I've been wanting to do a Before and After feature of select items that come through our showroom. So, I've been taking photos of the "before" stage for all you readers! And oh my-- to see the result is pretty amazing! I'll be doing a Before and After feature once a week, so come back to see new updates!

Once, I was asked if painting the entire piece white would be a bit boring (gasp!!!) but I beg to differ! Looking at the nightstand below, the French scroll detailing on the front corners is so HARD to see due to the dark wood stain on the original finish. Once we made it white, just LOOK at how much more it stands out! The white reflects the light allowing to push these details into bigger contrast to our eyes and certainly, the end result is breathtaking.

Each week, we welcome generations of vintage furniture into our workshop and at the hands of our skillful craftsmen, the furniture then comes to our showroom ready to take on the next hundred years! Our vintage One of a Kinds are carefully sanded, repainted with several coats of our signature white, and decorated with our delicate and charming rose appliques. The result is a stunning and beautiful piece! All the hinges, drawers, legs and surfaces are looked over and fixed or adjusted for stability so our customers have peace of mind that their purchase is like a brand-new item!

It takes a fierce passion and love to do what we do at The Bella Cottage. And we'll continue to bring you the best we can! From our home to yours!

Click here to visit our One of a Kinds Section at our online store!

Sex and the City Movie – Lily’s Bedroom is fit for a pink princess!

2009-08-22T04:31:00.001-07:00

What better way to wind down the end of the week than with a fun girly movie? That's what I thought I was going to do when I popped in Sex and the City: The Movie today. But it's SO HARD to take the work out of the girl sometimes!

There's this darling scene where Carrie sits in Lily's room and they're on her bed reading a fairy tale book. (Lily, if you didn't know, is Charlotte's lovely adopted daughter.) So, while the characters are discussing Prince Charming, my eyes are wandering over the interior decor. And suddenly I think, "OOH! I KNOW THAT FABRIC!" I hit pause and I stare at Lily's bed.

There! In the lower left corner! (I have a sharp eye for these things.) What do I see but none other that that charming Pink & Brown Toile Fabric with darling little angels & cherubs! This fabric is EVERYWHERE! I was so excited, because we actually carry a line of handmade items made of this exact fabric!

You can view the entire Pink and Brown Angel Toile Collection here on our website. Everything ranging from custom made furniture upholstered in this gorgeous fabric to a variety of fabulous ruffle pillows. A few of the pillow designs we carry even have pink satin accents and backing -- it looks so sweet and charming!

-Leen Isabel

1. Pink and Brown Angel Toile Loveseat in a Vintage frame!, 2. Pink and Brown Ruffle Boudoir Pillow!, 3. Cute Round Ruffle Pillow with Pink and Brown Fabric, 4. Little Girl's Slipper Chair in Pink & Brown Toile Fabric!, 5. Charming Shabby Bench in Pink and Brown Fabric, 6. Pink Angel Table Runner - Soft, Sweet and Shabby!, 7. Shabby Cottage Chic Table Cloth - Pink & Brown Toile Angel Fabric, 8. Pink and Brown Angel Laundry Basket

_{Sex and the City is a trademark of HBO Inc. Image source: my blue ray disc of the film. :D}

The “Louis” Furniture Style: Louis XIV

2009-08-18T21:38:00.001-07:00

I'll admit it. I've mixed up the numbers when talking about the French Louis style. Sometimes, I can't even recall which one has the straight legs and which style doesn't! Ah, it's embarrassing!

In my defense, I'm recently new to this gorgeous antique style and now that I know more about it --I'm addicted! And for our readers, I'm going to put the mystery to rest!

So today, I'm going to talk about "LOUIS XIV" and the details of this particular look. Let's cover what to look for and a little history, shall we?

What to look for! The Louis XIV style...
...has a very stable & erect sense of support. The furniture feature various types of cross bars joining the legs together.
...has legs that end in an outward flex. If you look at the feet of each piece, they curve out and away from the center.

All of the Louis style features the acanthus leaf, but during the reign of Louis XIV, it has a "strung-out" appearance, as if blown by a strong wind, and the lobes are deeply cut.

A beautiful example can be seen at Metropolitan Museum of Art. See the following image.

I'm sure we'd all wish to decorate our homes with such priceless treasures, but that would become far too expensive! Ouch!

At the Bella Cottage, we offer affordable but beautifully restored antique pieces as well as lovely reproduction furniture from this period. In our One of a Kinds section, we update weekly with beautiful French Louis furniture! We love helping our customers recreate a timeless and elegant look for their home. Can you imagine it?

-Leen Isabel

Image Source: Furniture Designing And Draughting", by Alvan Crocker Nye.

Teahouse Reviews: The Gilded Rose Tea House

2009-08-18T01:11:00.000-07:00

In Northridge, CA, as you drive by on Devonshire you might notice a charming, lavender, Victorian house. This lovely unique spot is none other than the Gilded Rose Tea House! Lucky for us at The Bella Cottage -- this charming spot is just a few minutes away from our store. (So, if you're in town, come see us after a spot of tea!)

The Gilded Rose Tea House is everything you could wish for in a tea house. Charming cottage decor covered from floor to ceiling in lace and roses. It smells like baking cookies and the charming space just instantly separates you from the entire world. It's like the time when you could just pass the day sitting in Grandma's house doing nothing more than relax in comfort!

Oh, but the food. That is pure bliss and of the tea houses I've visited in my life -- this one sure hits the spot! The scones are perfectly baked and served with a cream that's not to sweet nor bland. The lunch menu includes small fares and more elaborate ones that include tea (of course), their sconces, darling tea sandwiches, creams & jellies and a bit of hot food. I absolutely love the variety in their menu that no other tea house has offered before. They even have a menu for little ones 10 and under so that they can join in on the experience but not feel overwhelmed by the quantity in food.

But what truly impresses me is the VAST selection of teas! Oh my-- I could sit there for HOURS just concentrating on a choice. I'm a tea fanatic and the combination of sweet herbs and flowers just tickles my fancy. I'm particular to fruity/flowery sweet teas like this one:

Evening in Missoula - A delightful blend of chamomile, rosehips, raspberry, papaya, peppermint, spearmint, strawberry leaf, vanilla, passionflower, red clover, star anise, and wild cherry bark which provides a light, flavorful herbal brew.

Just reading that makes me melt!

The Gilded Rose Tea House will do group parties but it's also perfect for a quiet afternoon lunch! They also have a gift shop adjacent to the restaurant --so clear a day off your schedule! You'll be there for QUITE a while!

Image Source: http://www.gildedrosemanor.com/
The Gilded Rose Manor
17114 Devonshire Street
Northridge, California 91325

Bella Cottage Testimonials: A Young Girl’s Treasure!

2009-08-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

K. Gomes sent in this gorgeous photo of her daughter proudly standing next to her new Vintage Bella Cottage Secretary! This gorgeous piece is used to display her personal treasures. (Why, is that a little wicker basket next to a pair of familiar Ruby-Red shoes? Darling!)

A piece like this is perfect for a young lady's room. Not only can you display and store beloved items at the top, the flip-down writing surface beneath is perfect for studying on a school night! Functional and stylish! What we particularly loved about this vintage secretary was the curved crown at the top and the little vintage key that came with it! It's always exciting to see such unique personality in vintage furniture. And by completing the look with our line of rose appliques, it gives the overall look a very soft and feminine touch!

Thanks SO much K. Gomes for sending in this lovely photo! We hope this treasure brings you bright smiles and cheer always!

Love-Kun & Heart-Kun: The Chihuahua's with Hearts on their sleeves!

2009-08-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard about these pups, you're definitely living under a rock! Now normally, I'm a cat person, but I just could not resist the cute factor of these Chihuahuas who sport Heart shaped markings on their backs! They were born in Northern Japan to one lucky woman. Heart-kun, the larger one, was born in 2007. And just recently, Love-kun, the newborn was born this month! These two brothers are true canine celebrities!

Will you LOOK at the newborn, Love-kun? Melts your HEART! (Pun intended!)

According to Yahoo-News, they're described as:

A long-coated male chihuahua named "Love-kun" (bottom) with a heart-shaped pattern on his coat sleeps beside its old brother "Heart-kun" which also has same marks at Pucchin Dog's shop in Odate, northern Japan August 6, 2009. The three-day-old chihuahua was born on August 3, 2009 as a young brother of "Heart-kun" which also has same marks. Source

Nature does wonderful things.

In celebration of little dogs (and cats, too) we're happy to announce the return of our 4" Tall Shabby Feeders over at our store!

4" Pet Feeders are Back in Stock!

2009-08-11T16:57:00.002-07:00

Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet - August 2009

2009-08-11T16:57:00.001-07:00

What an amazing Sunday! Can you believe that this month, my husband actually suggested coming out to the Rose Bowl Swap meet before I could even mention it? Boy, was I happy to hear that!

Of course, once we got there, it was me dragging him around from booth to booth snapping away at all the darling treasures that I came across. Below, I'm sharing some of the shabby-chic style booths that I found. All the creative vendors out there just left me in awe!

One vendor that caught my eye this time was a beautiful booth featuring Beach Chic items. Gorgeous gifts and home decor itsms were decorated with lovely sea-shells and featuring hues in tan, white and blue! The seashell fireplace just made my mouth drop. Beautiful craftsmanship and creativity. Isn't it inspiring?

My husband and I spent a good 4 hours just browsing the vast Antiques section of the swap meet. We were always pausing to look at old oil figure paintings and etchings from the 1800's, though we didn't pick up any new art for our home this time. Maybe next month!

However, my husband cheerfully walked away with a 1920's French Chess Game table! He's been looking for one for several months and he's glad the hunt is over! Me? I just got an unhappy sunburn. Cest la vie!

- Leen Isabel

1. Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet - August 2009, 2. Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet - August 2009, 3. Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet - August 2009, 4. Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet - August 2009, 5. Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet - August 2009, 6. Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet - August 2009

Inside a Fairy Tale!

2009-08-06T17:11:00.001-07:00

The lovely Joelle over at Joelle Dolce Bebe Style has the most beautiful, handmade treasures featured on her blog and in her online stores. They're so dreamy! Her work includes keepsake boxes, plaques and other darling home decor accessories.

Joelle designs with pearls, vintage rhinestones, gems, vintage jewelry, and crystals to make the most exquisite accessories. We love the French flair and soft pastel colors that she uses in her work. So, charming!

When I saw the Marie Antoinette plaque (see below), I think I nearly fainted. The crown, illustration and pink lace on this piece just stunned me. I would love to have one of these in my home!

Thanks Joelle!

Source: Joelle Dolce Bebe Blog

Whistle while you work!

2009-07-30T14:38:00.001-07:00

Ah! Sometimes it's just so nice to change things up a bit! After a few hours of hard work, we turned the showroom here at The Bella Cottage into a cozy little haven! We rearranged furniture, decorated all the dining tables, gathered all the pillows and arranged them on the French settees and gave the beds a whole new look! Whew!

Below is a collage of some of my favorite arrangements. I think the bed is THE BEST! Isn't it beautiful? We just received a set of Pom Pom bedding and it's made of the most comfortable linen!

After seeing it all come together, it was a breath of fresh air! A little change is good! :)

1. Lovely Rose Painting and Shabby Cottage Plaques, 2. Pink Pillows on Wooden White Bench, 3. Cream Tea Set with Pink Crystals, 4. Darling Peach White Bed!, 5. Handmade Pillows on a Vintage Cream Settee, 6. A candleabra centerpiece!

Decisions, Decisions! How to get that right color scheme?

2009-07-28T17:24:00.001-07:00

We get calls from customers all the time about picking out the right color scheme. We know it can be tough! When you're overwhelmed and sitting in a sea of fabric and paint swatches, what's a woman to do?!

We tend to suggest that in order to achieve the soft, "Shabby Chic," look, we use the following four colors:

Soft Pink
Sage Green
Cream
and White

When creating your color scheme, use one color as your main attraction. Then all other shades will be the accents! This keeps the room from looking busy or confusing!

If, let's say, you have sage walls, then it might be best not to accent the room with too much green! Vary it up! Paint your walls sage, but have white furniture with White & Pink Bedding. Add a bit of unity with a sage rug!

We love that last image! The pink sheets with the sage blanket draped over the frame just softens the look up so much! We're sighing! The right balance of colors will help bring everything together. And when you use the four colors we mentioned above --you'll be living in a Shabby Chic style heaven in no time!

Adding charming, vintage furniture or trinkets helps give the room a lived in look. Our Bella Finds section is a great place to look for Vintage Market finds! Perfume bottles, teacups, vintage wooden boxes and so much more!

We hope we've inspired you a bit help make the Bella Cottage of your dreams! We hope to write more about decorating tips in the future, so please keep coming back!

- Leen

Interior images from Shabby Chic.
Fancy Rose Curved Bed and Sienna Sage Wool Rug images from The Bella Cottage. So beautiful!

Another stunning weekend at the Vintage Market!

2009-07-27T15:33:00.001-07:00

Ah! I'm having so much fun catching up with all the photos I've taken! I'm always looking around thinking, "Oo! I can put that on the blog!"

Last weekend, I went to another lovely craft & vintage market in the area. Amazing vendors came out and showcased amazing creations! I took photos of my favorite items.

Take a look at the vintage iron crib! It's absolutely darling and would be so charming as a store display, don't you think? Imagining it filled with lacy, pink pillows. So cute.

I love the idea of distressed, wooden cabinets painted a soft color and filling them with jars, lace doilies and other cute trinkets! I could put all my vintage, china teacups in there! I love the photo that has the pearls just hanging from the rack. Pretty, pretty, pretty!

I even bought the silver urn that you see in the photo. It was once a Sales Achievement award for one lucky man. Now, it houses my pens on my desk! Ah, I have such a sense of accomplishment when I look at it at the office!

Well, I'll stop blabbing for now! Check out the photos!

-Michelle

1. Iron crib with Shaby CHic style pillows, 2. Stunning Pink Glass Window, 3. Lovely Shabby style display, 4. Lovely Shabby style display, 5. Lovely Shabby style display, 6. Silver Urn Award, 7. Gorgeous Fuschia and Yellow Oil Painting!, 8. Distressed Blue Shabby Box w/ Iron Rose, 9. Lovely Shabby Style vintage door w/ Iron Racks, 10. Vintage Mannequin Form in Cream

Strolling through the Vintage Market!

2009-07-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

There's nothing better than spending a Saturday morning walking through a Vintage Market! It's so much fun! In my neighborhood, there is a lovely get-together of some fabulous local crafts-women who produce amazing Shabby Chic style home decor items! I just faint at the sight of what they come up with! Beautiful distressed cabinets, amazing iron tables, stunning delicate china --and everything is decorated with lace and roses!

Take a look at some of the photos I've posted and you'll see what I mean!

1. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 2. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 3. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 4. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 5. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 6. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 7. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 8. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 9. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!, 10. Bella Cottage French Flea Market Finds!

2009-07-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

It was a wonderful weekend for outdoor activities. I decided to cruise down PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to enjoy the coastal weather, rather than staying inland where the weather reached triple digits in most places (blazing HOT!). My weekend road trip ended in Long Beach at a local antique flea market.

There were so many neat and unique treasures at the flea market. But my absolute favorite piece is the vanity (shown below) with the cute floral designs and matching chair! The vintage sofa and bench were just as cute! Too many things to look at, and so little time. I'll have to make another trip back there soon! Check back with us for another flea market outing real soon!

Here's some pics from this weekend! :)

"My favorite" One of a Kind: Shabby Fancy Rose Secretary Desk with 3 Drawers

2009-07-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with this piece when I first set eyes on it! This gorgeous ShabbyFancy Rose "Secretary" Desk with 3 drawers (Item#6659) has multi-uses for it. Aside from it being a desk, you can use this as a display unit for your fine china and silverware! The Glass panel to the display unit is decorated with beautifulShabby Rose Drop Appliques (Item#A1002) on the door panels, and behind the glass panels are 2 shelves for you to store your books, or treasured heirlooms.

The front is curved with a drop down writing surface that extends out to 11.5". The legs are curved and adds a very elegant feel for this stunning piece. It also features 3 lower curved drawers with beautiful clear knobs and shabby rose applique accents on the center of the drawers.

Shabby Fancy Rose Secretary Desk with 3 Drawers - $995

Additional Items that will go well with this desk:

1920's Gorgeous Shabby Cane Single Chair - $285

Shabby Darling Ornate Cream Iron Switch Cover - $8.75

Shabby Darling Ornate Cream Iron Outlet Cover - $12.25

Ornate Shabby Wood Oval Mirror - $175

2009-07-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

The Bella Cottage D.I.Y. Tip

When gluing appliques to a piece that is already painted.
Sand the spot down a little before gluing.
Then use blue painters tape to keep them in place for 24 hours to dry!

6540 - Shabby Rose Nightstand with Marble Top - $325

Who's The Boss?

2009-07-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

The Bella Cottage Pet Furniture and Accessories

One of our Bella Cottage Customers purchased this donut pet bed for her furry friend. It was originally meant for the family DOG, but apparently, it's been taken over by the household feline, instead!

I love how territorial cats can be! One of our girls, Leen, has a tuxedo cat of her own and she just loved this photo.

Available at the The Bella Cottage. This item has minky fabric on one side and satin on the other! The cover is removable and washable, as well!

Thanks W. Hernandez for sharing this with us!

2009-07-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

Let's Face It ~ 436 First St. Solvang, CA. 93463

My family and I spent our weekend in Solvang, CA. One morning while at breakfast, we were thumbing through the local ads in a magazine, and I noticed an ad for a shop "Let's Face It". I then realized this was the store of one of my customers, Kimberly Storey.

Kimberly called The Bella Cottage looking for a couple display pieces to furnish her fabulous shop, and what a beauty it all turned out! I've been meaning to share these gorgeous pictures of her shop with you!

[Shown below: The Bella Cottage Display Bookcases in Kimberly's shop]

2009-07-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

Painted Lady ~ SF, CA.

The San Francisco Bay Area is always a gorgeous place to visit. For our annual summer trips to visit our Aunt Daisy. We take the scenic route through Golden Gate Park and Dolores Heights Area where we drive past this gorgeous Historic Charming 1800's Victorian home (named "Painted Lady"). If you're ever in the SF Bay Area, this is a home you cannot miss seeing. Located on a Crest of a Hill in Dolores Heights neighborhood.

Painted Lady ~ Dolores Heights Neighborhood, San Francisco, CA.

[Source: SF Gate: CLICK HERE for full article]

2009-07-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

Celebrity Couple J-Lo and Marc Anthony's home decor is "Shabby Chic" and elegant. As featured in People Magazine, this celebrity couple decorated their gorgeous home with Pom Pom At Home Collection. Available at The Bella Cottage!

Bella Cottage DIY Tip: Distressing Appliques

2009-07-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

DIY TIP:

When distressing furniture appliques, use high grit sandpaper to get that slightly distressed, worn look. High grit refers to the number…Please refer to sandpaper packaging.

: Shabby Cottage Chic 6ft Four Door Armoire - Item# BC-AR-1004.00

Hello Kitty Castle in Taiwan

2009-07-03T17:16:00.001-07:00

I guess when you do have too much free time...
I personally love Hello Kitty, but when I saw this online, nonetheless, the title of the article quickly caught my attention"Hello Kitty Castle" I immediately clicked onto the link.

Do you know singer/songwriter/actress Mariah Carey is also a huge fan of "HK"? She is the only person I remember reading in a magazine, have furnished a bathroom completely with ALL "HK" accessories! Ms. Diva has competition now... ;)

Here's the link to the article: http://toomuchfreetime.eu/?p=409

Hello Kitty Castle in Taiwan

2009-07-03T17:01:00.001-07:00

Giethoorn is called the Venice of the Netherlands for about 7.5 km of canals run through the little village. Some 50 little wooden bridges span the canals. It was founded around 1230 when fugitives coming from the Mediterranian regions settled there. They found a lot of horns of wild goats there that had probably died in the big flood of St Elisabeth in 1170, and therefore they called the settlement Geytenhorn (horn of goats), later it became Geythorn and now it’s called Giethoorn. All traffic has to go over the water, and it is done in so-called “punters”, they are ‘whisper-boats’ for they are driven by an electric motor, so they practically do not disturb the peace and quiet in this scenic little village. The canal is only about 1 meter deep and were digged out to transport the peat, the digging of this peat resulted in many ponts and undeep lakes, called ‘Wieden’. Many houses have been built on islands and are only reachable over wooden bridges. Most houses have thatched roofs, the marshy areas provide a lot of reed. In former days only rich people had tiled roofs, for tiles were much more expensive than reed, now it’s the other way round: having a thatched roof costs a lot more money than have it covered with tiles. This is a very picturesque place to visit.

[SOURCE]: thechive.com

http://thechive.com/2009/03/giethoorn-holland-village-canals-river/

The Truth Behind Scented Soy Candles

2009-07-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

The formula is a proprietary blend of very expensive, fully refined quality waxes and scientifically developed additives. The formula was developed to enable the wax to "layer" the fragrance oil in a new way. This candle does not use soy wax because of the odor that is difficult to mask and because soy does not have the ability to "throw" (meaning flood) the fragrance in a room. Soy does burn somewhat cleaner, but will not hold more than 8% fragrance oil.

This (image below) is the luscious "Queen for A Day" 20 oz square candle. This darling candle comes in a lovely glass jar and is embellished with a stunning ornate embellishment. It features the scent: "Queen For a Day" which is a lovely floral mix. Very romantic and fulfilling to the senses! Comes packaged in a box and satin bow. Also featured in the same line is the "Faith" and Luscious Currant Thyme Scented candle in various sizes!

Our candles feature only high quality tempered glass intended for candle use. This is to insure that our consumers are safe and receive only the finest product. Made in USA! Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery if not in stock.

Luscious Creme Brulee 20 oz Square Candle - Item# HD-CN-LF-1000.06

To view related products : http://tinyurl.com/mnvaeq

2009-07-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

The Bella Cottage is offering "One of a Kind" Beach Shabby Chic furniture pieces including Vintage dressers, Nightstands, Settees and more! Perfect for any French Shabby Cottage home.

All of our One of a Kinds are thoroughly inspected to ensure quality. Painted 3 times with a soft white and elegantly distressed on the edges. Each antique item is carefully inspected by our experts at The Bella Cottage before being restored.

Shabby Elegant Dramatic Vintage Villa Doors - Item# AEV1252

Testimonial!

2008-09-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

"Well I finally got my table and thank you so much for being so patient with me. ... Boy, oh boy, does a new table make me happy! Just thought you might want to see it in my house. I LOVE IT!"

- J. Rodgers, Big Bear Lake Ca

See more customer images: [1] [2] [3]

Mrs. Rodgers bought one of our fabulous Vintage Dining Tables! It looks spectacular in her home! This table had incredible designs along the bottom edge, but when we added rose appliques, it completed the shabby look! It looks incredible with her cane chairs, don't you think? We absolutely love those sunflowers. What a great touch!

Customer Testimonial : Appliques

2008-08-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

"The beautiful glass knobs and floral appliques came from The Bella Cottage [...]. She was very helpful in getting them shipped out to me before we moved - Thanks a bunch, Michelle!." - R.

This customer did an amazing transformation of a hutch she owned! To see the before image, click here! To see her after images, click below!

See more customer images: [1] [2] [3]

Customer Testimonial : Amazing Shabby Vintage Furniture!

2008-08-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

"Hi, I just wanted to Thank you for my beautiful new table. It is gorgeous and my husband loves it too. Thanks again." - K. Wilson
See more customer images: [1] [2] [3]

This customer bought a gorgeous console table, an upholstered chair and an amazing settee from our store! What an amazing result!

The Bella Cottage on TELEVISION!?!

2008-06-25T15:32:00.001-07:00

Beautiful vintage nightstands stand next to The Cohen's bed.

We were SO THRILLED when we were recently featured on CLEAN HOUSE on the Style Network!

On episode 612, our armoires and nightstands were used in the redecoration of the Cohen's bedroom! A dresser and mirror were also featured which are one of a kind Vintage items. The end result was relaxing and gorgeous!

The armorie was a special order item made for the show. We are always more than happy to work with our customers to create a one-of-a-kind item to fit perfectly with your home decor.

Here are more photos from the show. Can you believe it's the same room??

This is an armoire that was built by us and customized to perfection! The double doors open wide for ample storage. Isn't it beautiful?

This gorgeous dresser with mirror completes the look in The Cohen's home. The roses are a perfect touch!

We're thrilled to have had this opportunity to see our items on television! It was truly exciting! Thank you Style Network for this opportunity!

Redo your next room with our fabulous pieces! The possibilities are endless!

Testimonials!

2008-06-25T15:23:00.001-07:00

Testimonials are SO exciting! We recently received the following:

[The Bella Cottage],

Thank you for the wonderful email, you truly have a heart of gold and a very special gift that many people don't [possess], so you should be very proud of yourself. The customer service I have received has been above and beyond my expectations, you have no idea how wonderful it is working with someone that makes you feel appreciated. Due to this, you completely sold me on every level of service and kindness possible. I just wanted to drop you a line and once again say Thank You and I look forward and am honored to be on your side as a buyer.

Blessings to you and yours,
B. J. W.

We are filled with joy to make our customers happy! We strive for perfection on every detail and will go above and beyond to make your Home Decor dreams come true! Stay tuned to see fabulous photos and comments from customers on our website in the weeks to come! The Bella Cottage.co will have some fabulous changes!

Upholstered Treats!

2008-06-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

We love gorgeous upholstered furniture at The Bella Cottage! Choosing from popular and beautiful fabrics, we ask our fabulous designers to make the most stunning and incredible pieces! Honestly, when these items are delivered to our showroom, they look like works of art!

Our customers find that they work well for their children's rooms or become a gorgeous piece for their living rooms. We tend to use fabrics that feature lovely pinks, sages and creams to really bring out the cottage spirit. The softness of the end result really helps to create a relaxing atmosphere!

Here are some of our favorite pieces. Don't have have alot of personality???

This chair features lovely chenille backing and sweet sage and pink rose fabric. Can't you imagine your little angel sitting in this chair? The most stunning part of all, the roses on the back of the chair were hand sewn! Alot of talent went into this chair. :)

This is chair #5135. Here, we took a vintage chaise lounge frame and had it reupholstered in this sweet pink fabric. This fabric is one of our most popular fabrics that we use for a variety of pillows. We've had this bench sitting in front of one of our Bella French Wreath Rose Beds and the image is STUNNING! It's easily one of our most favorite items. We're very proud of it and we'll be sad to see it go one day!

And this is chair #5964. Again, by taking a vintage frame, we had this chair reupholstered in linen fabric with a rose pattern. The end result? This gorgeous chair! We placed it next to a stunning and ornate nightstand and the image is priceless. It's so exciting to create a mood and to design these amazing items. We can imagine this look sitting in your bedroom or as part of your entrance way. It's a stunning and incredibly delightful look.

And our final example are the dw07 armchairs! These chairs were designed with several different fabrics. There are creams, sages and pinks throughout this design and when we paired this with our lovely Sienna Rose Wool Rug, the end result is incredible! Above the mantle is a vintage gold mirror and frame and behind the chairs is our 4520 - White Rose Ornate Fireplace.
The complete look results in a cozy cottage look.

Stylish fabrics add so much personality and pizazz to a home! We're proud to provide you with these fun home decor options. To find these pieces, please visit our website and search by Item name or by Item number!

Take a look next week for our next fabulous post!

Gorgeous Vintage Lighting!

2008-06-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing we love at The Bella Cottage, it's Vintage Lighting! Every now and then, we manage to find the most fabulous fixtures and we just can't help picking them up for our One of a Kinds section!

The most fascinating detail to me is the amazing European style detailing along the stem and arms. The above lamp, for example, has a very Romanesque feel and you just can't help but stare at it all day!

Another incredible Romanesque example is the following floor lamp:

Isn't she beautiful? It's like having your own Greek statue and lamp all in one! This lamp absolutely stunned me. It shows a gorgeously carved Greek nude posing with two small children. It feels like it came right from a Roman villa. :)

This detail image shoes the crystals and the ionic column that she sits in front of. It feels like alot of love went into this piece.

So, what do we look for when we find them?

1. Most importantly, working wiring and sockets! Sometimes, the wiring will be changed to more modern technology.
2. Are there any crystals missing?
3. What is the condition of the body? Any dings or scuffs??
4. Style! If it fits elegantly into a French style home -- we want it!

We love to look for fabulous details for the home and these lamps always seem to hit the spot just perfectly!

The New Bella Cottage Blog

2008-04-10T13:26:00.001-07:00

We're excited to share the launch of our new Bella Cottage blog! Here, we're going to share with you new products and amazing craft ideas! Stay tuned for fabulous articles, product reviews and amazing photographs!

In the meantime, visit our webpage: The Bella Cottage for amazing new products! We've got new vintage items to share with you!

For new readers and new faces to the Bella Cottage site, here is a description of what we offer:

Bella Finds - Find knick knacks, vintage accessories, lighting, pillow and ANYTHING you can use with your Cottage Style decor! These items are cottage themed and are one of a kind pieces. What's in this area will never show up again! So, grab an item before someone else does! Our most popular items are fabulous pillows and vintage dinnerware!
Click here to go to our Bella Find's section.

One of a Kinds - Our signature section provides our customers with restored vintage items! We repaint our furniture a beautiful soft white and decorate it with fabulous appliqués! Get that shabby look with amazing vintage pieces all in one place! We carry unique items like vintage nightstands, teacarts and fabulous dressers!
Click here to go to our One of a Kinds section.

Home Decor & Baby Items - We also carry incredible home decor items and baby items, too! We particularly love the Sienna rug that we carry.

Isn't it adorable? We even keep one in our offices just because! :) I managed to spill coffee all over mine and it wiped right off! We love to offer our customers quality products.

And last but not least...

Bella Pets!
Our furry friends have a special section all for themselves at our webpage! We offer gorgeous pet feeders, beds and wooden furniture for our little ones! Matching furniture is just too fun!

Blogging is so much fun! We hope to see more readers here as the days go by! :) :) :)

The Bella Cottage

Summer Savings Sale!

Testimonials: Brand New Credenza and a Pink Backyard!

A Dining Room To Make Your Heart Melt!

Testimonials: Stunning Mirrored French Armoire

Bloomsbury: A Chic Clothing Store’s New Look

The Huntington Library & Gardens: A Victorian Fantasy

Appliques: Give a Vintage Bed New Life!

Queen For A Day: Fun Gift Ideas for Mom on Mother's Day!

Sweet Vintage Blues: A Lovely Quartet of Blue Vintage Furniture

Gorgeous Italian Florentine Bathroom

Before and After: Roses Galore on this Vintage Highboy Dresser!

A Trio of Lovely Testimonials!

Pom Pom at Home: New Addition! Ruffles Galore!

Bella Maison: Reader's Home - Cindy's Beautiful Home!

Dash and Albert Rugs: Affordable, High-Quality & Stylish Rugs. (Puppies not included!)

Inspired Travels: Visiting Artist Christie Repasy’s Boutique!

Bella Finds: Shabby cottage chic treasures from our home to yours!

Tweets and Sweets: Fun shabby chic style birdcages!

They're here! Pretty White Linen Chair Covers!

10% Off Gorgeous Imported Louis XV/XVI French Furniture at The Bella Cottage

DIY Project: Pink Rose Shabby Holiday Pot

Pizazz and Style: Sassy Pink and Green Decor Ideas!

All in the Details

GET EXCITED AND MAKE THINGS!

Best Offer Semi-Annual Event!

A Shabby Chic Style Hotel Bed & Bath Getaway in Dorset!

Fit for a Princess! A Shabby Chic Style Home in California

New European Imported Furniture!

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas!

Pink Friday Sale!

Our Popular 4" Bella Pet Feeders are back in stock!

Before and After: Beautiful Vintage Mesh Nightstands

Before and After: Large French Style Mirrored Armoire!

15% Off Sale the ENTIRE WEBSITE!

Inspired Designs: The Apartment of the Dauphin and Dauphine!

The dauphine’s private study

Before and After: Vintage Cane Swivel Office Chair!

Introducing New Lighting at The Bella Cottage

Making Shabby Chic, Again

Art Streiber/Shabby ChicA COUCH FOR THE SEASON Twenty years ago, when Rachel Ashwell started Shabby Chic, her enormous, squashy sofas catered to customers’ recession-induced desire to hunker down.

Etsy Finds: Shabby Chic Style Blue Treasures

Let's Talk Burlap!

Style Ideas: French Elegance

Pink Recipes: Lychee Rose Parfait and Orange Blossom Macarons

Etsy Finds: Cottage Rose Decor's Store

Pink Hot Chocolate!

HEIRLOOM MAGIC: A Mosaic Creation by J. Rockwood

Can You Imagine It? The Perfect, Pink Baby Nursery!

Before and After: A Beautiful Dresser!

Customer Photos: Gorgeous Cream European Sideboard

Introducing! The NEW Bella Cottage Daybed!

Before and After: From Old to Elegance

Recipes: Charming Pink Cupcakes

Etsy Finds: Baubles and Trinkets! Fun Shabby Chic Finds on Etsy

Chic by Sha: Dress Up Time!

Before and After: Shabby Chic "Kidney" Desk

Vintage Syroco Midcentury Decoration

Before and After: Darling Shabby Pink Settee!

Exquisite Rose Collection: Chandeliers with Twinkle, Charm and Roses!

Recipes: Mint & Chocolate Filled Rose Thumbprint Cookies

Before and After: Creating a Gorgeous Highboy

Get That Look! 100% Linen Bedding with The Pom Pom Collection

Darling Pink Rose Water Madelines: A Perfect French Tea Party

Before and After: Turning a boring Vanity into a Princess' Paradise!

Before and After: It's a Shabby Chic Tea Party!

Before and After: Gorgeous French Style Single Nightstand

Sex and the City Movie – Lily’s Bedroom is fit for a pink princess!

The “Louis” Furniture Style: Louis XIV

Teahouse Reviews: The Gilded Rose Tea House

Bella Cottage Testimonials: A Young Girl’s Treasure!

Love-Kun & Heart-Kun: The Chihuahua's with Hearts on their sleeves!

4" Pet Feeders are Back in Stock!

Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet - August 2009

Inside a Fairy Tale!

Whistle while you work!

Decisions, Decisions! How to get that right color scheme?

Another stunning weekend at the Vintage Market!

Strolling through the Vintage Market!

"My favorite" One of a Kind: Shabby Fancy Rose Secretary Desk with 3 Drawers

Art Streiber/Shabby Chic
A COUCH FOR THE SEASON Twenty years ago, when Rachel Ashwell started Shabby Chic, her enormous, squashy sofas catered to customers’ recession-induced desire to hunker down.