DIY Interior Shutters

Glad to see you here at Quince Cottage!

One of the things we liked least about our previous home was how dark it was inside. Frankly, cave-dwelling is depressing. This house is much lighter and brighter and we love that! When it comes to window treatments, sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to farmhouse style.
However, once we'd decided to leave the living room windows naked, a problem reared its head(lights). At night, when Mr. Quince Cottage relaxed in his leather chair (see below) to watch some TV, headlights coming down the street darn near blinded him.

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

What to do?
Shutters, that's what.
We're not talking about the super-expensive, custom-fitted plantation shutters that many people in this part of the world adore. Nope. We're talking old school circa 1960-70-something shutters. They come in white or wood-tone.
We ordered them online from Lowe's and they ended up costing about $80 a window. So, not exactly cheap, but remember, we didn't do drapery of any kind, so we spent no money on curtains or curtain hardware.
Installing the shutters wasn't too hard. You will need to have a drill and a screwdriver, along with a pencil, tape measure, and plenty of patience.
Since they aren't custom, you will need to order in the range that suits your window. Measure carefully! The shutters come with spacers which enable a snug fit. You can see them on the right side of the shutter, butting up against the window frame. The shutters can be opened, closed, or left midway.

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Here's an after photo. Now, this was in the "early days" of our family room so it's looking pretty bare and we hadn't yet hung the mirror over the fireplace OR done our planked wall treatment. Click here for that DIY. However, you can get an idea of the light, airy feel and the connection to outdoors that this kind of window treatment allows. Very fresh farmhouse/cottage, right?

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Another photo. With mirror, planked wall, and a Buster photo-bomb.

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

A close up of the corner, with shutters partially open.

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

And closed...

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Another of the whole room...

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

What? No doggy picture? Don't be silly, of course there's a doggy picture! Since Buster already managed to sneak into two of the photos, we'll leave you with one of Daisy. You can tell she's thinking. Watch out!

Daisy © Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Quince Cottage Style mixes old and new, rustic and opulent.

Our goal is to make our new subdivision house look inviting, beautiful, 

and as though it wasn't born yesterday!