Just came in from 6 hours of raking pine needles, pine cones & leaves! What a nice treat after all that back-breaking work to see pics of Rosemary Cottage! Your whole house is a feast for the eyes Teacats. Love your personal spin on traditional style. Thanks for the post.

Thanks, I love it.

Teacats, just saw your pic on the photo thread! What a cutie you are! Wow!

Teacats, I am so glad I got to see your photos!! You are always so helpful & inspirational to me, in fact, everyone on this board.

Your home is truly a home - it represents the members that live there - not a PB catalog pic. I feel I could come over with a couple bottles of wine & kick my feet up with ya & gab a bit or alot!!

There are so many things I love about your house, the window cornices, your shelves for display, your use of baskets to coral useful things, your people portraits, your oijia board collection & the glimpse of your four legged friend!!

Ps. the landscapes in your den - who is the artist? I think I have 2 that look very similar. Mine are copies but I really like them.

Smiles:)

Pauline! Thanks for the lovely thought! We found our old portraits on EBay over many years! We always bought the ones that really seemed to "talk" to us -- and now they are part of the family! The handsome guy in the living room (just looks like a rakish rogue LOL!) is my personal favorite! LOL!

SG: Good gravy -- thats a LOT of gardeining work!!! Hope your back recovers! I just know that my back aches at the mere thought of turning the gardens -- weeding and planting! Hoping to put more tomatoes in pots at the front door this year -- had some nice tiny sweet ones last year! Thanks for the wonderful comment!

Brutuses: No problem! :) DH made the shelf in the dining room first -- and then tried the one in the kitchen. Very very handy for display!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Beautiful home! Love your entry, especially the plantings, Rosemary Cottage sign and black door. Alexander is very cool but he might make me a little nervous by staring at me, lol! However, I could sit down in room #3 and you might have trouble getting rid of me. I love that you have adopted portraits. They look right at home!

What an inviting and intriguing home!

Each room has its own personality but it's not choppy, in the least. The china cabinet is exquisite and I'm another who loves the ouiji boards.

On another note...just want to give you a big thanks. You are so generous with your time on this board, help so many people, and never seem to get 'caught up in the drama'. You must be as nice IRL as you are here. :)

Teacats, love what you have done! When I see your screen name, I always associate with it those wicked-awesome portraits and your warm bookcase piled with books that you have shown before. I really like your bedroom too!

Teacats, your home is absolutely charming. It oozes warmth and personality.

Your living room made my jaw drop open!

Are you quite sure you live in a rancher?? It seems more like a cottage than most cottages! Love it. What variety of rosemary is that! I had an ARP in a southern exposure that lived for 6 years and got that large. The 7th year the January thaw got it! Haven't had one get that large since! That welsh cabinet is gorgeous!

Fussy: Thanks for the great thoughts -- and yes -- we have ADOPTED the portraits (LOL!) -- and believe me -- alexander can be very spooky at night!

Parma! Such very very kind words -- honestly -- such thoughts can be so very welcome! ((and I'm NOT that nice in real life! former redhead with a temper to match! LOL!))

TH: And I just ENVY that gorgeous black dining room of YOURS! Told the DH that I wanted a black dining room -- and he was sooooo impressed with yours! BUT in the end he chickened out -- and wanted the new deep greeny olive ..... LOL! NEXT TIME -- I'm painting the room black! :)

Jan at Rosemary Cottage --- and my DH too -- who just got home -- and is truly touched by all of your kind thoughts! :)

It is all just lovely! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics.

tina

TFS Jan, you've achieved a timeless look and have many lovely, unique, well-chosen things. It's been a real pleasure and inspiration to view.

Beautiful, I love all of it. Just my style.

Joann

Teacats, your home is fabulous! Everything is so interesting, the kind of home that I would be spinning around trying to take it all in.

I think each of us has just been delighted with the sights of your wonderfully decorated home that just calls for us to come and set a spell. I am sure it was so much work to take all of the right pictures and then put them up for our enjoyment and for this I thank you. They were a joy! Susan

teacats, I'm adding my voice to the chorus of praise of your unique and wonderful home. It's interesting how everyone responded so sincerely to the character and individuality of your surroundings, and I truly believe it's because everything reflects you, which is what a home should do. Yours is not in any sense a "decorated" home; it's more a place that seems to have evolved organically over a period of time in the way it was meant to do. Others have expressed their feelings more eloquently than I'm able to, but thank you for sharing your very special personal space with us. My favorite object in the house, by the way, is the lovely lady over the fireplace. Your kitty, of course, is even more special.

Ingrid

Mitch; reno, cooper; Tina; Lucky; c&j; michelle; susan; ingrid ---

Honestly -- each one of you gets a big hug from me! What a GREAT way to wake up on a cold Sunday morning here in Dallas. Stumbled into the home office with hot tea and raisin toast -- and all of these wonderful, kind thoughts were waiting .... Thank you ...... !!

BTW -- ingrid -- the pretty gal over the fireplace usually lives in the master bedroom for the hot summer months -- along with the Heriz rug in the living room too. A tall mirror usually goes over the mantel ...... but I'm thinking of switching to one of the other bedroom Ladies for this summer! LOL! DH said our current Fireplace Gal looked much happier when she moved out of the bedroom and joined the Holiday celebrations! :)

Jan (grinning from ear to ear)

Wonderful home you've made there, teacats. So full of color and personality.

Scooby: Sorry about not getting back to you about my prints in the living room -- is this one (from the set of four) you meant? It is a print of 18th-century drawings (hope that makes sense! LOL!) from a collection of the Duke of Devonshire .... I loved this set from the moment I saw them years ago -- and still like them EVERY day ..... a pretty good return on any kind of investment! LOL!

awm03 -- Thanks!! I just love the way that color (of any sort and kind) can really change a room -- and the way it makes you feel about the whole space! Jan

P.S. to all: Sorry about double-posting my bedroom! Honestly I just realized I did that -- my face is literally scarlet -- that will teach me not to check my work again (and again!) Sheesh! ((can I blame it on the wine??? LOL!))

Wow! That looks so similar to the ones that I have (2) hanging over my MB tub.
Here is a pic of one.....says , I think Claude Delin.

{{!gwi}}
Yeah, I am such a great photographer!! excuse the reflection - dripping with sarcasm:)

Smiles:)

Scooby -- Hey! -- that is a LOVELY artwork too! Fantastic! :)

(and those two would very nice by MY master bath too LOL!!)

Jan

Everything is beautiful, but my favorite is the Ouija room, especially Alexander.

You have a beautiful cottage! I enjoyed the tour through you home very much, but am especially interested in the shelf over the kitchen doors. I am planning to do something similar in my kitchen and was wondering what kind of shelving you used. If you already provided this information, forgive me for asking again. I haven't read every post. Thanks!

oldhouseluvr: Thanks for the nice comments!! Just so kind of you to ask about the kitchen shelf ....!! :)

My DH built that shelf -- out of a 10 ft. long; 6 inch wide; 2 1/4 inch thick pine board with basic parts that folks would use for crown mouldings around the top of a room! The hanging pieces at each end (that make the shelf appear to be slightly gothic) are bits of crown moulding usually used in corners ......

He hung it with three L-brackets that he screwed into the wall studs OR do use those plastic anchors that go into the wall to hold the screws tight.

He is standing by my computer -- and is so pleased that his work was noticed!! And he sends along his thanks too!

Jan (with a pleased red-faced DH)

Thank you so much for posting these pictures! I just LOVE your home. As the owner of a characterless suburban tract home from 1979 your pics give me great hope and some amazing ideas.

I've shown Hubby the shelf and will share the details as I'm going to be wanting one or two (or three) around our house.

How did you do the details/trim/paneling in pic #3 (the wall behind the couch)? How tall are your ceilings?

So many great ideas...

Jan, your home is lovely. I can't believe you have not posted pictures before this!

The new floors are perfect for your rooms. I envy the easy clean-up with cats. Were the other 3 camera shy? ;)

LOVE the Heriz rug in the LR. I've been compiling pix of them and how much warmth they add to a room. Any chance you & the DH would allow me to use it in an upcoming article?

Thanks for inviting all of us into your home. It's just as charming as you are.

Jane

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful home. I love your style. The living room is such fabulous mix of interesting pieces. It looks so warm and comfortable. And of course, the Ouija board collection is so much fun!
Thanks for taking the time to post your photos!

pbrisjar -- OH! What a Lovely comment! Thanks!

This house was built in 1985 -- so it was lacking was some details too!

We did not build the panelled wall with the picture frame moulding (in the one-and-only living room! LOL!) -- but we did have it re-painted in high-gloss white. This kind of wall style really dominates our whole basic neighbourhood -- but visitors have always been surprised at the difference a coat of paint can make! There are brillant folks here at GW who have done their own -- and managed to figure out the calculations needed to create ones that would work with their wall height. In our living room -- the ceiling is about ten feet high ....

trying 2 grow -- Of course you can use that photo! What a nice compliment! :) Ah! The laminate floors have turned out to be both a bargain -- AND so VERY easy to keep clean.

The cats: The Youngest Toby (alias "Toad" - nicknamed after Mr. Toad in Wind in the Willows)

Here's Rosie -- a gorgeous tortoiseshell who adopted us! Loving but very very stubborn when she wants something!

Ivy and Pepper -- Ivy is very shy and is shaped like a bowling ball with legs, has a deep purr and "grunts" when she's happy; Pepper is 17 years old and a Maine Coon

Teeda: Thanks!! The Ouija boards are indeed fun -- and have some wonderful character!

Jan

Jan, I always love seeing pics of your beautiful home! I especially love your gorgeous living room, but that lovely black hutch has also caught my eye. Did you paint it yourselves or did it come that way? It's perfect! Your Brit background shows wonderfully throughout your home.
Lynn

Lynn: Thanks for very very nice thoughts! The black hutch in the kitchen actually came in that color -- which was an odd color back in 1995! LOL! Then I painted my kitchen barstools and island to match .... and added other items to work with the color. Still considering whether to paint the back of the hutch in olive green ..... (always think of colors in terms of food ....LOL!)

Jan

Jan, SUCH a delight to find these pix this afternoon. Your home and quiet, good taste is so refreshing and enviable! I love how you willingly share your talents with so many others, including me! thanks! Lori

What a beautiful home! Thanks for sharing your photos. I wonder if you could tell me about your kitchen island. I'm looking for something similar to complete my kitchen. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing the photos of your wonderful home and your lovely kitties!

I'm lost though - is there somewhere else that people are posting photos?

Goodness Jan, those are some mighty big cats!

I don't see an email on your page, so when you have time, just shoot me an E at: tulanian(at)atticmag(dot)com so I have your addy if you would like me to contact you when I post the article. Jane

Lori; Chloe -- Thanks for visiting and for the very kind comments! Chloe -- not sure how to answer your question -- in order to post photos here -- you have to create a free album in a site like Photobucket ..... then you can move your cursor over the photo there -- then click on the HTML code (automatically copy) and then paste it into your message here at GW. Some folks do have decor blogs too -- and post photos of their homes there. And do check out the "Gallery" section here at GWHD -- just click on Gallery at the top of the list of postings. Hope this helps! :)

tlc: Thanks!!! Found my tiny (a mere 24 inches square!) kitchen island at a local outlet store .... brought it home and painted it black to work with the black kitchen hutch. Try sites like Target.com -- might be a smaller one there. Believe me -- I measured so very carefully (with the oven, fridge and dishwasher open LOL!) so it would actually fit! LOL!

Jan

Teacats, I am loving this forum--I have never taken a class in decorating BUT this is great. YOUR home is lovely. I love the raised panel wall in LR-it is rich & elegant looking (to me), the entry is appealing & I love the shelves--oh heck --the entire home--can I come over & house sit the kitties..really very nice. Inspiring to someone like me who is really trying to learn & make an attractive home. You guys are so talented --thanks for sharing with some of us less talented!

Jane: I'll send along an email later this evening to your address. Yep ((LOL!!)) we do have a couple of BIG cats -- the Toad is 18 pounds; Ivy is probably close 10 or 12 pounds in circumference; Rosie is probably a lean eight pounds -- and poor old Pepper is simply two-to-three pounds at her advanced age. Pepper's visible size comes from all of that fur! :)

Debbi -- Believe me -- you can visit anytime! There is always a spare cat for any available lap! LOL! I'll put the kettle on (Or - open the wine LOL!) Thanks so much for such nice thoughts!!! :)

Jan

Just love your house, everything about it is just so warm and filled with personality. That's so rare in a typical ranch style home, and yours is a gem. Kitties are, too! As owner of two Maine Coons, I have to say that Pepper's my favorite. Thanks so much for the tour! Now I want to try growing some rosemary for our garden, yours is to die for.

Nanny: Thanks for the lovely lovely thought!!! And yes indeed, Pepper has been a joy in our lives for many years! Now -- she is just skin-and-bones under all of the fur .... but still just adores a cuddle ..... and a warm spot to sleep. We keep a heating pad on to warm that old satin comforter -- her favorite spot!

Maine Coons are just wonderful souls! :)

Jan

Ahhhhhhhhh Jan...your home is just as lovely as I expected it to be! Just for MY good luck, I have a gravy boat like your red and white one on the kitchen table (for sweet + lo). Maybe someday my house will look a tiny bit as pretty as yours! Thank you so much for posting your beautiful pictures.

Jay! Thanks for the sweet thought! LOL! Yes -- that old gravy boat came home from Goodwill with my DH -- it usually holds Valentines candy or tiny tomatoes in the winter months! My Splenda packs reside in a very old brown bean pot on the kitchen counter .... handy and incognito LOL! :)

Jan (sweet tooth and salt addicted .... sad but true! :))

Oh Teacats now I remember your beautiful oil paintings, of course.

Jan ~

Wanted to open this thread earlier but my work computer is veeeeerrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy slow w/ pics! Add 60+ responses and my day would be done waiting for it!

I think that my favorite room is the LR. I love your art and how it's hung. I just can't seem to hang art so I have tons of it framed leaning against walls. Can you come hang my art please?

And your walk way is simply to die for!!!!!

NewDawn: Thanks -- the oil paintings are my favorites here too (apart from the DH and the cats .....well ..... maybe the cats ..... Just teasing! LOL!)

ttodd -- Just can't tell you how thrilled I am with all of the very, very kind responses to the photos of my home .... honestly .... I am overwelmed! :)

Artworks???? -- This is my secret --- my DH carries them around until my "TRY IT OVER THERE" attitude wears him out -- and we finally just hang the darn things up! And adjust them as needs come up .....THEN I change my mind .... and end up switching them around in the house. ((add glass of wine ....)) I keep my own hammer and supplies in a handy drawer in the kitchen .....

I'd LOVE to help you out!

Jan

Love your home!

Jan your cottage is scrumptious! Not only is your home beautiful, it exudes warmth and happiness. It looks like a truly wonderful place to live.

Thanks for your gracious "tour" of your home. I enjoyed seeing it as so many others have said. You (and your DH!) have done a great job making it both beautiful and liveable. Congratulations!

Teacats - I love your Ouija collection. Are you still visiting the boards?