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Stable to Workshop to Garage to Blue Transferware Dining Room & Almondina Cookie Giveaway!

Once upon a time there was a bungalow in the Berkeley flats that had behind it a stable which was constructed at the turn of the century.  From one owner to another and years upon years the stable was converted into a workshop and then to a car garage.  The structure  never dreamed it would one day be more than used for housing animals  then tools and then cars but it would be.  Someday, a dreamers dream would come to fruition and give the once stable a fairytale worthy existence. 

Step into this once neglected building given new life as a pink cottage dining room filled with blue transferware and chinoiserie and you will want to linger for as long as possible.



 This cottage style dining room was featured in House Beautiful  7 or 8 years ago.  The owner converted a stand alone garage in her back yard into a china lovers and interior design enthusiasts dining oasis!  

 Filled with blue transferware, flea market finds and heirloom furniture all painted white, it is the perfect spot to enjoy a cozy cup of tea and some Almondina cookies which is just what I'm doing as I write this post.  




 Original features of the structure included two sides of glass windows and a private courtyard garden to which it was connected.  The china cabinet belonged to the owners Mother and was handed down to her.  She painted it white along with most of the furniture with exception to the sideboard, leaving it as it was to add some weight to the room.   She had previously worked for Ralph Lauren and loved how he used an unexpected array of elements in his designs and did the very same thing by adding a sumptuous mix of china, crystal, silver, gold mirrors and gilt framed paintings.  It works beautifully!


Seeing this makes me want a blue and white room!  I'm in love, aren't you?  There is something about blue and white that is so compelling!





Now I have a sweet treat for one of my readers.  I was recently asked to review Almondina cookies and give a case of them away to one of you. I happily agreed.  Who doesn't love cookies?    Almondina is a perfect snack that is guilt free as there is no cholesterol, added fat, trans-fats, salt, or preservatives.  The crunchy, wafer like cookies have the texture of melba toast but these are slightly sweet.  Not too sweet at all but just enough to satisfy a sweet tooth, which I am guilty of having.  They come in a variety of flavors with a delicate hint of roasted almonds, chocolate, cherries, raisins and vanilla.  I am loving the Chocolate Cherry and snacking on them as I write.  mmmmmm.  I might need to open another package.





If you'd like a chance for a variety case of Almondina Cookies sent direct to your door, just leave a comment and you'll be entered.  Visit their website to see all of the flavors and options available.  I will use a random generator to select the winner next Saturday, September 13th and announce it here on my blog. 


P/S I almost forgot to announce the winner of the jewelry giveaway.  The winner is gadawn57  Please contact me asap with your choice!  I will contact you through your link as well.  Thank you to all who entered…and if still interested the costume jewelry is all 50% off on my site.  Just enter the code JEWELRY for the discount!


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Joining some of these parties:

Dedicated House  Wow Us Wednesday
Pink Saturday
Susan at Between Naps on The Porch
Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Cozy Little House
Cindy at My Romantic Home
French Inspiration Thursday 
Share the Love Wednesday
Farmhouse Friday
Funky Junk Interiors
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Share It Sunday

Strut Your Stuff Saturday at Six Sisters Stuff 
Homemaking Linkup at Hope In Every Season 
Anything Goes Party at Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo
Fridays Unfolded at Nancherrow

Comments

  1. What a lovely spot to relax with a cup of tea (and biscuits)! When my husband and I married, thirty years ago in December, we didn't have a china set. I found a Spode "hunter" set (12 game bird and flower-patterned dinner plates and the large turkey platter) in an antique shop. I couldn't resist and took them home, hoping he would love them as much as I did. He did, and all these years later, that beautiful blue and white pattern graces our table for group gatherings. I so enjoy coming to visit your blog. I get to see so many different colors and patterns that pique my interest, but my first love is our wedding set. Thanks for the chance to win your drawing! Regards, Donna

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  2. Nancy, this blue transferware dining room is a marvelous space. Not only is it a wonderfully inviting room, but the collection of blue and white is awesome. Thanks for sharing!
    Yum to the cookies. A case????? Now that's a sweet thought. '-)

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  3. Nancy, I've been following this little house on FB, and I'm so glad to see all of these pix together. I want to move it to my back yard. It is absolutely charming, and I've loved seeing it. laurie

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  4. Wouldn't it be nice to have a separate building to create and decorate in?! Yes, I'm loving this one (and the blue transferware, of course). I loved your red transferware tablescape you posted this week also, Nancy. It was beautiful in all its natural flair.
    Rita

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  5. I never win anything (I'm the one if there are a hundred entries and I have 99 of them and someone else has just one -- they'll win -- LOL) but I would comment anyway because I simply adore blue and white -- oh, if I could make my garage into that neat space -- what a pretty space with all of the white and the accents of blue and white transfer ware!

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  6. OOO, how we'd all love a place like this where we could do blue and white to our hearts content. She did such a beautiful job on decorating it....and she has tons of blue and white dishes. That makes a huge difference, I think.
    Please enter me for the cookie giveaway....they sound delicious.
    I am also having a giveaway so please stop by....

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  7. Blue and white is still my all-time favorite! I've never heard of the Almondina cookies, but they sure do look good and would be great for teatime.
    kellam.susan@yahoo.com

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  8. Someday I would like a house with more character so my transferware would be more homey.

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  9. I love all the blue and white. Love the little bungalow. Please enter me into your give away...those Almondina cookies look so good.

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  10. Thanks so much for coming by and leaving comments on the candle giveaway.
    Wishing you good good luck...it's just a fun thing to receive a package in the mail and find a great smelling candle...xo

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  11. The blue and white is pretty but my favorite is still the red. It makes every meal feel like Christmas!

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  12. I love everything you post and your blog is a true treasure--you should make it into a book...

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  13. Thanks for sharing this beautiful gem of a tea room, I remember it from long ago, but it was definitely a treat to see it again, just gorgeous! And I need some of those cookies to enjoy it properly! LOL
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  14. I love the story of the pink cottage and all its varied functions along the way! Recently I've been considering parting with my own mother's china cabinet and it was suggested to me to paint it, so it was inspiring to read about the one in the cottage. It looks great, so maybe I will give it a try! Just wish I had a little garage...cottage...tea room :) One day. I'll invite you to visit when I do and we'll have tea and Almondina cookies. Yum!

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  15. I am such a fan of blue and white transferware I would feel right at home here!

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  16. I love blue and white!!

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  17. The cookies sound wonderful. Love the blue and white room. It looks so inviting.

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  18. Your choice of rooms and all of the details are amazing...would love to win and try thr Almondina cookies. They sound like a nice light treat.

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  19. What a gorgeous cottage! I love blue and white. The Almondina cookies sound delicious. Just the thing with tea. Thank you for offering them.
    Take care.
    Emily

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  20. Love the blue and white transfer ware! And the cookies look yummy!

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  21. What an extraordinary space, I would have tea there every afternoon. Of course I would invite friends too. Those cookies sound perfect for tea.

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  22. We love blue and white, and cookies too!

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  23. What a beautiful place. I'd love to visit. Blue and white always looks so enchanting together. It seems to make me think of far away places long ago.

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  24. You are right, it is a gorgeous room and the blue and white decor is compelling!

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  25. Oh pick me! I would love cookies delivered to my door!
    I loved this post. So glad to find you. You were featured at The Charm of Home so I came by. I was so glad she featured you! I enjoy this post so much. Such history behind this charming little place!
    Thank you for sharing it.
    I haven't read any of your previous posts but I bet you have some great old Fall posts or maybe a new one. I'd love you to join my linky it's up all during September! Come and join!
    BTW I am following you!

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  26. Beautiful! And the white cat with ginger ears is the perfect accent to the blue and white!

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  27. What a beautiful room - blue and white is my go to combination. I could spend hours here. Thank you so much for sharing at Share It One MoreTime. Cathy

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  28. Thank you !!! I just read where I am the winner for the jewelry!!!

    Please email me at:
    dawn.pinnataro@aronov.com

    and I will give you the mailing address and all of that.

    GADawn57

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  29. Nancy,
    I just emailed you on your gmail email (the email you have listed in the blogsite) with my information.

    I am very excited!! My choice was the long Ivory pendant neckace.
    GaDawn57

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  30. Count me in the giveaway. I love the blue dinnerware. I have black and white but I love how the blue makes the room happy. Would love if you link on my party today on my blog.
    Xo
    Isabelle
    www.lechateaudesfleurs.com

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  31. Nancy, you have me drooling over those delicious treats. Thank you for the opportunity to win.♥

    Love this place. It would be heavenly to have one to decorate to your heart's content. And, this one is gorgeous.

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  32. The cookies look even better on the transferware. Blue and white is my favorite. I always drool on your site.

    Jane

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  33. My dream is to fix up my old garage like this one day. Paint it all white inside but....that is a long way off...I'd use it as a artist studio. Those cookies look great. I love almond cookies...sign me up... nitastacy@gmail.com

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  34. I love your blog and have it sent directly to my e-mail so I don't miss a thing! I then go to your blog and relish every bit of it. I also decorate and use transferware in my home. I am lucky enough to have an Audubon series of bird dishes and use it to decorate - it is too delicate to use on the table. My family would love to have some of the almond cookies and I can see my table set with the treat with my coffee! Pick me! I wojuld love to hear the knock at my door LOL!
    Blessings, Linda

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  35. How charming! I love blue and white!

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  36. Gosh, those almond cookies all look delicious! They would be the perfect compliment to my husband's afternoon espresso! The dining room is fabulous, too!

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  37. thank you for sharing with us this lovely little cottage.May I move in right now or least just wander thru?" this is so beautiful and full of life Wow what a place.Susie

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  38. Gorgeous dining area! Love it all in blue and white! Thanks for sharing it!
    Sherry

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  39. I love the transformation - especially the use of the blue transferware - awesome giveaway -I'd just love to win! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  40. I love all of the blue and white! So lovely! Thank you for sharing! You are one of the features today at the Anything Blue Friday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's party. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/09/anything-blue-friday-week-70.html Hope to see you again at the little blue soiree! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  41. Love the blue & white!
    All though I don't have transfer ware I do have a complete set of blue & white dishes with a mark on that back that says Churchill - English. It's not worth much but it holds my food and that's all I need.

    Would love to win the Chocolate & Cherry cookies.

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  42. Love blue & white...Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete

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