THE LOST LAGOON

Astute readers of The Book Blog may recall when I discovered that I’d finished a chapter but had forgotten to post a sneak preview.

Well, it’s happened again! In my headlong race to meet my deadline, I lost track of the cottage on Sunset Lagoon. Here it is.

Located less than an hour’s drive from San Francisco, Michelle and Scott’s California cottage started out as an undistinguished 80s starter home.

With lots of sweat equity and a clear vision of what they wanted, together they created a picture-perfect haven-- giving new meaning to the phrase “hands-on homeowners.”

When Michelle can’t find exactly what she has in mind for a room, she and Scott make it themselves—often using antique items originally designed for other uses.
Scott used old beadboard, for example, to make a desk for Michelle when she couldn’t buy one the right size to fit into a corner of the den.

In the living room, he fabricated a coffee table from a gate, salvaged porch woodwork and some old moldings.

In their daughter’s room, he turned fence pickets into a headboard and doors from an old hotel into side rails for a one-of-a-kind bed. Scott’s mother painted a bouquet of old-fashioned roses on an antique cabinet door that hangs above the bed. Michelle added flea market letters to create the “fun” signboard.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

Today, instead of sharing a blog that relates to the Michelle and Scott’s cottage, my Blog Du Jour is sort of a “coming attraction.” In the near future, I’ll be introducing you to a few of my favorite mosaic artists, as well as posting some romantic homes decorated with mosaics, large and small.

Meanwhile, visit Penny Carlson of Lavender Hill Studio for a great introduction to the world of romantic Pique Assiette. (Doesn’t that sound more romantic than broken china?)

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Need something sweet to snack on while learning about mosaics? Stop by Cherry Hill Cottage. Try Tina’s Peanut Blondies or Death By Chocolate recipes or just drool over her luscious photographs.