November 1, 2023

Greetings!

So with Halloween over, I mean finally, thank god. Exactly how carving a pumpkin or two and throwing a dime store costume on the kid turned into a multi-media extravaganza I will never know but what I do know is the countdown to Thanksgiving has begun. Unless you are a big box store and you've been selling Christmas since August but that is neither here nor there. We know where we are in the calendar and what we have to do.

It is time to think about polishing the silver, I mean that's why you have it right? Enlist the kids, it's a real family bonding experience--same goes for those brass candlesticks and if you have British Cottage pine furniture now is the perfect time to give it a waxed polish which will feed and restore your wood before you crank up the heat and things start to dry out. If you don't have wax, we do. Come in and get some.

And if you're feeling bummed that winter is undeniably on its way? Just up your amps. Lighting is key as the days grow shorter and the night closes in. Overhead lights don't count. They glare at you. Invest in some table lamps for a few key areas and bask in the glow.

Basically taking a trip to British Cottage is always a great way to chase the blues away. Besides lots of lighting options, we have a curated selection of toss pillows for a quick (and affordable) refresh. Or go all out and get a new sofa so you can truly relax this winter. We definitely have the best selection of custom, higher-end American made upholstery in Monmouth County--at the moment. See for yourself what the interior design wizards from North Carolina have wrought, along with yours truly's unique mix of antique and rustic chic.

Questions? Design dilemmas? That's what we are here for. Let's face it, you can only get so much design inspiration from a web site or Pinterest--and it's always better to see (and sit on) furniture in person. Not sure where to park? There are no restrictions on the street but if you'd rather not deal with the traffic we have a few parking spaces behind the store and not to worry. If you can get in we can get you out!

For even more design inspiration take a peek at our British Cottage Blog. Whether exploring the ins and outs of sofa buying or peeking into possibly your neighbor's home we offer design tips and glimpses into the real houses of New Jersey--something you won't want to miss.

At British Cottage we have always embraced furniture that is as functional as it is decorative and we've basically completed our transformation from antique importers to an all-around home furnishings retail store. While we will always have a few key antique pieces on hand, we think it just makes sense to add more lighting, artwork, upholstery and accessories to the mix. A mix, mind you, that changes all the time so make sure to keep checking in to see what's new.

Unlike most furniture stores today, most of the items you see in the store are available for purchase. Although our upholstery items are custom, which means you pick out your own fabric and style and place an order, generally if you see something in the store that works, that you can have that right away. (This is where Keith wants me to add a little note about being careful when you come into the store: no food or drink, no slamming pocketbooks or baby carriers on the tables, no putting your feet on the upholstery but I think that should be understood. Right Nettie Spaghetti?)

Home decor today is all about blending; blending colors, styles, and genres. Nothing looks more boring than matchy/matchy. If you love contemporary upholstery go out of your comfort zone and add something antique or vintage to the pot. Conversely, if you skew traditional, modern lighting or artwork can bring you up to speed in no time. The good news is at British Cottage you can easily find an item to tweak a single room, or multitudes of things if you are furnishing an entire house.

Once you are here we will be happy to take the time to help you figure out exactly what your home requires and do our best to make it happen. The more information you come in with--the easier it will be. Measure, measure, and then measure your space again. We're happy to see photos but make sure you know where they are on your mobile device before you come in. Or shoot us an email

(bcapine@gmail.com); it is easier for us to see your images on the desktop anyway.

While our background is not in interior design we have been in this business long enough to know what should go where. We also know many of the local design professionals and are more than happy to recommend someone if you wish to go that route. And take a look at our British Cottage Blog for helpful hints, recipes and stories about some of the fabulous homes we've helped furnish.

Call, 732 530 0685, if you have any questions, or, even better, are looking to purchase something. We can provide local delivery of any item, whether it be a lamp or a sofa. If you live out of the area we will ship via whatever method it takes.

Cheers,

Tricia and Keith

Here's what people are saying about British Cottage:

LOVE the bed! It’s perfect!

I wanted to drop you a note to say thank you: the couches look beautiful and are very comfortable! Thanks a lot for all the help!

It was a joy to work with you!

"Wow! I love it even more than I remember. "

"It’s perfect! And passes the toddler test!" "Thank you! Can’t wait to see what other goodies I can find from you."

"Sofa looks great. Thanks for your help."

"British Cottage makes decorating easy."

"I love everything in your store, in fact, I could live there!"

"Received them today. Absolutely love them. Thanks so much."