Oak Branch Cottage: Kitchen Updates

There’s something deeply satisfying about getting a space ready for a major transition. This past weekend, J and I spent some time doing a pre-cleaning prep before the cleaning crew arrived this morning to give Oak Branch Cottage a thorough deep clean. With the kitchen freshly scrubbed and spotless, we finally got to tackle one of the parts I’ve been looking forward to most: bringing in the new furniture and finishes.

Here is a peek at how the cottage kitchen is coming together—along with what’s next on the agenda for Fall Break!

The New Favorite Spot: Marble & Bistro Vibes

After the kitchen floors and counters were spotless, we set up the new marble-top bistro table we picked up last week at Renaissance Interiors. Finding the right scale for a cottage kitchen can be tricky, but this piece fits the room perfectly. To complete the look, we paired it with two French bistro-style stools at either end. It instantly creates a cozy, inviting nook for morning coffee or a quick bite.

Key Details & Finishing Touches

It’s amazing how a few targeted changes can completely transform the feel of a room:

• Lighting Upgrade: We replaced the old ceiling fan with a classic Ballard Designs carriage lantern. The swap makes the ceilings feel taller and gives the room an intentional, refined focal point.

• Custom Customization: We added molding to the shelving edges. It’s a subtle architectural detail, but it takes open shelving from "basic storage" to a tailored, finished feature. Painting the door glossy black and the addition of the custom hood also add details that are always welcoming in any room.

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What’s Next for the Cottage?

While the structural pieces and furniture are set, a room really comes alive in the soft details. Next up:

• Adding café-style curtains to soften the natural light

• Layering in warm decor accessories and cookware to give the kitchen that lived-in charm

Luckily, timing is on our side. I am officially off from school this week for Fall Break, which means my main mission over the next few days is making numerous delivery runs to transport our belongings over before the BIG move day.

Stay tuned for more updates as Oak Branch Cottage officially becomes home!

Kitchen Updates, y'all!

Acorn Cottage {J's Bath Redo}

 When J and I purchased the Acorn Cottage in 2018, the bathrooms received a full gut upgrade: classic subway tiles on the walls and timeless black-and-white penny tiles on the floors. Fast forward to 2025, and it was time again for some cosmetic refreshes. One change led to another—as it always seems to go—and soon we had a new vanity, sconces, mirror, cabinet, brass hardware, towels, and even custom art.

The most dramatic update came when we had a contractor remove the geometric wallpaper. It simply hadn’t held up to the daily use of the bath (especially by J). In its place, I chose Benjamin Moore's First Light, very faint pink in a glossy sheen—a subtle but elegant shift.

The new mirror, from Global Views, might just be my favorite addition. I’ve always loved the wispiness of bamboo leaves, and the gilded gold detailing feels like jewelry for the wall. Above the toilet, teh Apothecaire cabinet from Ballard Designs now holds extra towels and canisters filled with daily essentials. The finishing touch? Embroidered towels from Weezie, delicately trimmed in pale pink, which tie everything together with just the right amount of softness. The addition of labeled bottles for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash helps tie the bath essentials seamlessly into the overall décor. It’s a small touch, but one that makes the “new” bath feel more cohesive and thoughtfully finished.

The custom artwork has been commissioned, so I’ll revisit the space once it’s installed. There are also a couple of brass shower fixtures still to be replaced—another reminder that a bathroom redo is never truly finished, but always evolving.

This is how the bath looked when we purchased the home in 2018:

And here it is in 2020 after the bath was wallpapered in Cole & Sons:

J's "Primary" Bath, y'all!

It's Looking A Lot Like Christmas {Acorn Cottage: Oh Christmas Tree #2}

 I shared with you the live tree in the sunroom earlier this week. Today, I'd like to share the Balsam Hill frasier fir tree in the living room decorated in the traditional colors of red, green, gold, and silver. Placed in a Ballard Designs Toulon urn, the tree is lovely especially at night. Lots of glittered branches and pomegranates make for a special touch. Many of the ornaments are special as they were collected from our years of traveling.

2023 Christmas Posts

Santa Doorhanger | Acorn Cottage Facade | Acorn Cottage Facade @ Night | Chateau Lapeyre | Oh Christmas Tree #1 |

                     Oh Christmas Tree #2, y'all!

Christmas 2022 {Acorn Cottage: Sunroom Christmas Tree}

 It's no secret that I adore the traditional colors of the Christmas season - red, green, and gold. The Christmas tree in the sunroom is a live 9'  frasier fir tree purchased and delivered by The Plant Gallery in late November. J did an excellent job choosing the tree this year.

The tree is filled with some of our favorite ornaments from our favorite travels and from our favorite shops. I'll share more of our favorites in a later post. The plaid ribbon is by d.stevens through my Magazine Street fave, Hazelnut. The plaid tablecloth used as the tree skirt is from Ballard Designs by Suzanne Kasler. I have never been fond of tree skirts, so I like to use fabrics samples or in this case, a tablecloth. I also love a simple finial at the top - simple and elegant!

This year, we opted for the C7 white bulbs, and I LOVE it so much. I love sharing cocktails in this room and gazing at the tree.  

I hope you and yours are having a magical holiday season. Now, I only wish New Orleans would get some seasonal weather.

2022 Christmas posts:

Acorn Cottage @ Night | Acorn Cottage Facade - Day | Monogrammed Crest Doorhanger | Acorn Cottage: Sunroom Tree |

Oh, Christmas Tree, y'all!

Fun Finds: One Year Ago {Then and Now}

This was my post exactly one year ago when J and I were in the beginnings of a new home and months of renovations. Keep reading to see how these finds were used in the Acorn Cottage.

It's on, y'all! I am having the time of my life picking out fabrics, sofas, furnishings for the new home. Work on the Acorn Cottage begins on June 12, and I can hardly wait. Here's just a sneak peak of some of what's to come.

Antelope Rug for the Living room. Ballard Designs

Possible fabrics for drapes. Thanks Fairfax Fabrics.

Sugar Kettle for front garden.

Love seat fabric and pillows. Niche Modern Home

Chandeliers. Niche Modern Home

Master Bedroom

Guest room

Copper Awning idea. C. Bel Awning

Bistro chairs.

Ottomans.

Now for the moved in, 2019 edition of the above post.

The antelope rug was used in the living room under the two loveseats ordered from Niche Modern Home. Drapes in silk with navy ribbon were made by Fairfax Fabric Co. for the living room windows. The green fabrics above did not make the final cut.

Light fixtures from Niche and Greige were used in the dining and guest rooms.

The sugar kettle found its spot in the backyard.

The awnings by C. Bel Awnings are a perfect addition to the front and back of the house.

Bistro chairs were also a must-have and are perfect in the dining room and on the patio.

Fun Finds again, y'all!