The Old Painted Cottage-About

Welcome to Junitta's beautifully decorated home...

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Welcome to Junitta's lovely home, nestled in the rustic countryside of Washburn, Missouri. Residing in their home for a year and a half, Junitta and her husband, along with their daughter Chelsea, have been very busy remodeling their country home that rests on twenty acres of land. Junitta refers to her decorating style as part Shabby Cottage and part French Chic, mixed together with lots of roses to make a romantic, inviting atmosphere. She says "If it's shabby, cottage and romantic, then I will love it. I enjoy the convenience of slipcovers. They are easy to launder when Jake, her dog, forgets that he has dirty feet. His favorite chair is the ottoman".

"About 10 years ago, I discovered "Shabby Chic" by Rachel Ashwell, and back then my style was really cutesy and pink" says Junitta, "But now it has evolved into a more classic, shabby approach. More neutral tones than before, but still with pinks and greens, only less. I was getting tired of the dark colors associated with the victorian era (we lived in a early 1900's home) and it was mostly dark colors. I absolutely fell in love with shabby cottage painted chippy furniture and slipcovers! And from my Mom I learned to sew when I was 13, and she also taught me to play the piano. I learned to recycle things to new uses from her. Mom was shabby chic before it was popular. She is very talented and crafty. She can make or repair anything. I attribute my decorating skills to her. My Dad taught me to wire electrical things when I was a teen, so I can wire all my own lamps and chandeliers. I also installed 3 of the chandeliers in our house, with the help of Chelsea, she held while I wired. Thanks Mom and Dad."

Junitta's favorite place in her home is the living area, which includes the dining room and kitchen. She says "I really like the open floorplan, with the fireplace and big picture window. I can look out in the mornings and see the horses grazing in the field". Junitta has three horses, as well as a dog and a cat. She also loves the view of the walkway up to the door, when it's dark and all the chandeliers are glowing. "A very beautiful sight to see in the big window, with a real inviting look", says Junitta.

"I love to take something old and unattractive and make it beautiful and useful again" says Junitta. "Also, I love old handmade lace, which you can find yards of on ebay". She also looks for old lace tablecloths, chandeliers and prisms, anything with lots of sparkle. Junitta enjoys bringing the garden indoors, especially concrete garden statues. She loves the rustic elegance it brings into her bathroom. For great treasures, Junitta shops at Two Sisters and Antiques and More, both in Cassville, MO. She also frequents Yesteryears and The Old Sale Barn, both in Eureka Springs, AR. The Rose is another favorite, in Rogers, AR. Garage sales are also a great venue for old things. She looks for anything with roses - paintings and vintage rose prints, fabric, English rose posies and Capodimonte Roses.

Get the look. Here are some resources for some of the items found in Junitta's home: "Charleston" sofa and chair/ottoman from Pottery Barn. 1940's English china found on ebay. Junitta purchased the double ruffle pillows on the sofa from my website. The hall coat rack was made by Junitta's husband from an antique ceiling tin, and she added the hooks. The picket fence in front of the fireplace was made by Junitta, from part of the picket fence from their previous home. And pretty much everything else was purchased at various auctions she's attended.

You can find some of Junitta's great shabby, antique finds on eBay, under the user id cottageofpinkroses. -JG