The Cottage Out Back

01/23/2026

he was 5

8128 likes, 705 comments. “Liam Conejo Ramos. ”

08/11/2025

Added some fun new details to my girly hideaway: new wood valance over the window (curtains to come later); new k***s for the cabinet and hook for my favorite totes; and my original birth announcement my mom made in toile painting days. Thanks to Michael the great, the room gets better and better!

04/09/2025

One of the things that makes me happiest is to dive into a project decorating a kid’s room over the course of a weekend. If I can plan a week or more ahead of time, I have been known to pull off rooms that delight, even in 24 hours the room might get destroyed by a kid (as is their prerogative). My friend Sandi and her hubby babysat her great granddaughter all the time when she as a baby and toddler. Well after Sandi died two + years ago, the family became estranged with the little girl for various reasons. And then, one day Sandi’s great granddaughter came back home to live with her Grandpa. To welcome her home her Grandpa and I decorated her room!

I pulled things together from Walmart, Target and my own personal collection of girly things to make it special. I had given my BFF’s son a small desk many years ago but got severely damaged. My BBF offered it up to include in the room. So we removed the damaged veneer and painted it in a deep pink peony color. I painted the room a gorgeous sage/olive green but the star of the show was peony pink accessories and decor. The stunning decor was Sandi’s original art that she had created before she got sick. It was as if Sandi was welcoming your great granddaughter home! Here are a few pics of the room.

All in all I was happy how the room turned out and Grandpa reports that his new roomie loves it. I am still search of a few things: a good pink and green rug, a throw, and good girl books like Nancy Drew or Beverly Cleary’s Ramona the pest.

01/28/2025

I have a craft room (shared with our laundry appliances), and a home office. But I don’t have what I call “a girly hideaway”. With baby Rosie coming into world the days of decorating for 9 grandsons is over! We decided to take this little attic space and convert it to Petree’s Hideaway. “GirlsOnly”!

08/28/2024

My kitchen/dining room is nearly complete. It’s sort of modern cottage. I love the mixture of modern neutral cabinets and all the antiques. Of course our best decision was buying a SMEG retro refrigerator. It freed up almost 30 inches for much needed counter space. It holds more than it looks like it would. Whenever I see these monster refrigerators in small kitchen I always think a SMEG would be so much better. And our selection of a glass top dining table because we didn’t want the space to feel any more cramp than it already does. It’s not cottage but I think it works. It also allows us to see my beautiful rug.

07/07/2022

Lake house dreams

05/18/2022

Kitchen remodel…the longest pain in the ass, disaster ridden, truly horrible remodel that ends Michael’s stellar career as my go-to construction dude. Installation the cabinet hardware and countertops will happen shortly and then we will done with this remodel.

05/18/2022

Our finished bathroom. We love it.

03/14/2022

Converting my office from decades old taupe and red to include a touch of Pink! Thanks to Jill for helping me find the perfect piece of art.

03/04/2022

A lesson in humanity

Amazing solidarity with Ukraine 💙💛🇺🇦

03/04/2022

Finally! A perfect description of my style!

Get the 101 on dark academia style and discover the elements designers are employing to give it an elevated editorial spin.

02/03/2022

Grouting begins! Next up floor tile!