Welcome to My Creative Corner at Fresh Readers!

I’m absolutely delighted to be a guest here today with Debbie and all of you, the wonderful Fresh Readers! It feels like just yesterday I embarked on my blogging adventure, and Debbie was one of the first amazing people I connected with. Her support and friendship have been invaluable, and I truly cherish our connection. I always look forward to catching up on the delightful escapades of her and Mr. Fresh, and of course, the charming Murphy too! It’s a joy to share a glimpse into my world of creativity and home transformation with such a warm and inviting community.

Allow me to introduce myself…

Meet Shannon: Your Guide to Charming DIY & Thrifty Finds

My name is Shannon, and you can usually find me sharing all sorts of inspiration over at

Fox Hollow Cottage

At Fox Hollow Cottage, I embrace being a “little-bit-of-everything” blogger. My passion lies in transforming spaces and objects, and I love sharing the journey with my readers. From ambitious DIY home improvement projects that breathe new life into our older home to simple, charming crafts and the thrill of discovering unique thrifty finds, my blog is a reflection of my creative spirit. It’s all about inspiring others to create a beautiful, personalized home without breaking the bank.

Our Home Renovation Journey: Bringing a 1920s Cottage to Life

Our beloved home, a charming relic from the 1920s, possessed undeniable character but also a significant history of neglect. When we first discovered it, its potential was clear, yet it presented a formidable challenge. Every corner whispered tales of bygone eras, but also revealed years of wear and tear that called for a loving touch and extensive renovation. It needed a considerable amount of work by the time we came along, and we’ve been dedicated to restoring its charm and functionality ever since.

The Heart of the Home: Our Kitchen Transformation

One of the most extensive and rewarding projects we’ve tackled in our cottage has undoubtedly been the kitchen. It was truly a monumental undertaking, transforming what was once a chaotic and outdated space into the bright, functional, and inviting heart of our home.

Here’s a glimpse of its humble beginnings – our “before” picture:

As you can see, it was a truly jumbled mess – a collection of mismatched, scabbed-together cabinets and a whole lot of outdated “ugly!” We were incredibly fortunate to be able to work on this massive renovation before we officially moved into the home, allowing us to fully embrace the “gut job” it desperately needed. We stripped everything down to the studs, reimagining the layout and functionality from the ground up. This was a true, real-deal DIY endeavor, a labor of love accomplished by my wonderful hubby, my dad, and myself. It was challenging, certainly, but also incredibly rewarding to see our vision come to life.

And here is our “after” transformation:

The transformation was immense, far beyond just new cabinets and fresh paint. We poured our hearts into every detail, overcoming challenges and celebrating every milestone. You can delve into all the specifics of our Cottage Style DIY Budget Kitchen Makeover for an in-depth look at this incredible project.

One of my favorite finds for the kitchen was this beautiful chandelier. I had been coveting a similar “chandy” online for ages and was fortunate enough to stumble upon it at a fraction of the price during a lighting sale at a small boutique. It was a true “blink and you’ll miss it” moment; it was sold as fast as my eyes focused on it! This gorgeous piece has found a home in two of our houses now, proving its timeless appeal.

After several years of wrestling with cabinet doors, I recently made the liberating decision to ditch them! I absolutely adore the open style now, allowing me to fully enjoy and display my cherished kitchen items. It creates a more inviting and spacious feel, perfectly suiting our cottage aesthetic. You can read more about my decision and the transformation in my post on Open Style Cabinets in a Cottage Kitchen.

Tackling the “Ugly” Bathrooms

Unfortunately, our poor little 1920s house also came with its share of challenges in the form of some truly ugly bathrooms. They were dated, uninspired, and desperately needed a complete overhaul to match the charm we were meticulously bringing to the rest of the home.

Like, really, really, REALLY ugly! Imagine dingy tiles, questionable color schemes, and fixtures that had seen better decades. They were far from the serene, inviting spaces we envisioned.

I’m happy to report that both of these challenging spaces have since been completely renovated, transforming them into much more beautiful and functional areas! It’s amazing how much one can accomplish in a year when you’re dedicated to improving your home. I don’t think I realized how many projects I’ve documented until I had to try and pick just a few for you today! You can find all of our home transformations, crafts, and detailed guides on my blog under the Projects & Tutorials section. It’s bursting with ideas and inspiration for every skill level.

A Glimpse into Our Creative DIY Projects

Beyond major renovations, Fox Hollow Cottage is a hub for a variety of creative endeavors. We love to infuse charm and personality into every season and every corner of our home through fun and accessible DIY projects. Here are just a few examples of the types of projects you’ll discover:

Introducing La Craie: The Revolutionary Furniture Paint

Last August marked an exciting new chapter for me and Fox Hollow Cottage. I had the incredible opportunity to become a retailer for a gorgeous new line of furniture paint, meticulously imported from Europe by The Maison Blanche Paint Company. This partnership has been a dream come true, allowing me to share a truly exceptional product with fellow DIY enthusiasts.

The paint is called La Craie.

“La Craie,” which elegantly means “the chalk” in French, is now readily available in the US, and I can confidently say it is the most wonderful paint I have ever used. It’s a game-changer for anyone interested in furniture makeovers, from seasoned DIYers to absolute beginners.

• No prep.
• No priming.
• Just the good part… the PAINTING!

Imagine transforming a piece of furniture without the tedious sanding or priming steps. La Craie eliminates these time-consuming tasks, making furniture painting enjoyable and accessible. It applies like a dream with a wonderful flow and is incredibly workable, allowing for smooth, even coats and beautiful finishes. I’m completely spoiled now and wouldn’t want to use anything else!

La Craie is available in an exquisite palette of 28 luxe shades, each carefully curated to inspire and enhance your home decor. Among these beautiful colors is Debutante, showcased below, which offers a soft, elegant touch to any piece.

See how I used this beautiful shade in my Shabby Vintage Nesting Table Makeover.

To complement La Craie paint, we also offer a truly exceptional wax product, La Cire. This buttery, smooth wax is available in four exquisite shades and is crafted using the same Danish recipe that has been perfected over 100 years! One of my favorites is “Amber,” which imparts a warm, subtle, almost “candle lite glow” to your finished pieces, adding depth and character.

You can read all about the wonders of La Craie furniture paint and La Cire wax here, where you’ll also find comprehensive color charts and pricing information. If you’re ready to start your own furniture transformation journey, you can shop directly with me by clicking on the button below!

Connect with Fox Hollow Cottage!

I have so much more to share – countless DIYs, thrifty finds, and painting projects – but I don’t want to impose on my lovely hostess, Debbie, any longer! Thank you so much for having me today; it’s been a true pleasure sharing my world with the Fresh Readers community.

If you’d like to continue the creative journey and discover even more inspiration, I’d be absolutely thrilled to have you stop by and visit me at the Fox Hollow Cottage blog. You’ll find a welcoming space filled with home makeovers, craft tutorials, decor ideas, and all the tips you need to create a home you love.

I also spend a lot of time hanging out on Facebook, where I share daily inspiration, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and engage with our wonderful community. Sometimes, I even host impromptu freebie giveaways, so be sure to follow along for a chance to win some creative goodies! I hope you can pop in and introduce yourself – I truly love connecting with my readers.

Actually, you can find me pretty much all over the internet. Take your pick – I love to connect wherever you are!

Happy Fall!