Residing nearby the sea, in beautiful Ventura CA, this month we step inside Tonia's charming cottage style home.

 

Tonia (Antonia, named after her Italian Grandmother) has resided with her family in their home for the past 5 years. Built in 1956, this house with its original and nearly pristine solid wood floors and architectural charm, was the perfect backdrop for Tonia to bring in her own creative style. With decorating influences coming from her Great Grandparents, Tonia shares her Great Grandfather's love for roses and old-fashioned garden flowers.

While decorating her home for each season, Tonia's signature style is Shabby Chic, Cottage & Primitives, as well as family heirlooms. She loves to group vintage shabby rose decor, groups of pink & white flower pots, vintage mirrors, and vintage linens & barkcloth. Tonia's current theme is "Beach Cottage", when all the summertime goodies come out! In her living room, she uses what she calls her "Seasonal Tree" - a small 3' tall tree decorated with vintage and newer decorations.

Tonia also takes great pride in her beautiful handmade quilts that she makes from her favorite fabrics, old and new. Pieced together with time and love, I was fortunate to get an upclose viewing of her quilts when I visited her home, and they are simply gorgeous indeed!

Loving to go antiquing at estate sales and flea markets, Tonia's favorite place to shop is in Downtown Ventura, on Main St. Until fairly recently, Tonia had a space at American Home on Oak St, and now she enjoys selling on eBay. You can view her auctions under the user name vintagecoastcottage. Tonia and her long-time dear friend Denise both sell under the same name, so it's a double treat everytime you look! Plus, you'll want to watch for Denise's beautiful cottage style home, soon to be featured in a upcoming issue of Cottage of the Month. - JG

(Photographs and article by Jennifer Grey, owner of The Old Painted Cottage)