A Tea Room Update | Hill Top Cottage

It is spring and the tea room is looking more like a parlor every day. You can find my first post about the tea room here. This room is my new happy place. I promise to share all of the before and after photos when the final reveal happens by this summer. The room looked like this when we moved into Hill Top Cottage late last June:

The tea room took a lot of sanding and spackling. We (meaning mostly Matthew, as he was the one that decided to turn this room into a tea room for me and put in most of the work as a special gift) painted the ceiling blue and the walls and door “cotton sheets white.” We also painted the concrete floor with grey floor paint and trimmed the floor and windows. Still, some of the windows are broken and will not open. They are rotting from the outside and there are still dents in the walls and holes in the uneven floor. It is amazing what a little paint and trim can do to conceal it all.

If we owned the cottage we would have put in a. new floor and eventually new windows. We would have also spent more time and money making the walls and ceiling look better. People thought we were a little crazy making over a rental room, and I understand it was not in our best interest as it does add value to a home we do not own, but it adds so much value to our daily lives. Even Matthew loves hanging out in this tranquil space.

The two pink velvet chairs and the corner hutch were thrifted from Facebook Marketplace. Because this room was meant for my own personal use, I got to go as girly with the decor as I wanted. Hence the pink velvet chairs.

Less than a month ago we finally ordered a rug for the tea room. I had been eyeing this Rifle Paper Co Garden Cream rug and a few others from Ruggable, but they were all far out of my price range. Until this one went on sale at 66% off with free shipping. Sold! (P.S. It is still on sale.) It was originally $940 for the 8.6′ by 11.8.’

It arrived less than a week later and this is where I found it when I came home from work.

This is now my favorite room at the cottage!

So pretty! This rug looks like a spring meadow and it feels exceptionally soft. It brings so much comfort and truly finishes this space. The colors also match my theme, our chairs and the ceiling perfectly with the peach and blue accents. I particularly love that is also has green and yellow.

Next, I plan to order a large white curtain for this big window behind the chairs to brighten the space and add privacy from the downstairs of the cottage. I am also going to order some ruffled cottage curtains for the two windows, full length to the floor for a more formal look.

 

In the corner to the right I plan on placing a small three or four shelf book case. I will place a vase of flowers on top of it and a small lamp. The shelves will hold books, magazines, dishes for tea parties and craft supplies.

And instead of the little folding bistro table (currently borrowed from our front porch), I am looking to thrift a vintage tilt top tea table and four little wooden chairs. I might even paint the chairs a fun meadow green or tea room pink. Which color do you think would look best? This will be a space by the window to host small gatherings, tea parties. my book club and crafts with friends.

 

This room feels like a she-shed or a childrens’ playhouse (but for grownups). I always wanted a walk-in play house as a kid, and it was never in our budget. I used to love playing in my half-sister and step-sister’s play houses when I visited their homes. This room feels like a childhood dream come true. I remember playing in my cousin’s as a kid as well and imaging all the tea parties I would have. My step-sister Jennie and I had the best tea parties. I hope to invite her over soon for one in this room. This is a room designed for comfort and entertaining.

This will be a space for creativity, for reading, quiet, meditation, crafting and painting, gathering with friends, my book club, and hopefully many tea parties.

 

My thrifted tea cups are all on the shelves of the corner hutch. This strawberry tea cup is something I thrifted recently for only $1.99! And the cream tea set was an engagement gift form my sister Jennifer.

 

I have also purchased a few lovely spring and summer tea party supplies from thrift stores, Home Goods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Like this tea cup and a couple of cute tea pots and plates. I also bought a cozy throw blanket and some flowers.

 

I take Madeleine and Monet into the tea room every so often for some quiet time together.

 

Thank you for visiting the cottage. You can see the entire update video on my YouTube Channel @LiveLovely. I look forward to revealing the room when it is complete.