There are 2 things we can’t resist – DIY home decor projects and restoring old homes (they have the prettiest windows!). This project has them all in spades. We can’t think of a more lovely home for our Norman Woodlore Shutters than Jen Hadfield of Tatertots and Jello‘s 1905 Cottage.
Meet Jen
Jen Hadfield is the decor and crafting goddess behind Tatertots and Jello. If you don’t already follow her blog (which you totally should!) you’ve definitely seen her adorable projects in your Pinterest feed. Jen has grown her little site into a DIY empire and now has 9 active contributors and thousands of readers every month. You go girl!
About the 1905 Cottage
For the past few years Jen has used the 1905 cottage she’s restoring as her DIY decor playground, and we’ve loved following the process. The cottage is one of the oldest structures in Jen’s little community.
What started out as less that 1000 square feet and sorely in need of renovation, has now been expanded to a modern day living space. Jen has blended old and new construction to keep the character of the house intact while creating space for her family and Tatertots and Jello Projects.
A Unified Look for Old Meets New
That’s where Blinds.com comes in. Jen came to us looking for a window treatment that would give her new addition a finished look and offer some curb appeal to unify the old and new portions of the house.
Jen Says:
It has been a challenge to mix the new addition with the older, 1905 part of the house. (They’re 110 years apart!) Once I looked at the family room with its many windows, I knew I needed to choose just the right window treatments. I wanted something classic and timeless that goes with the cottage style.
Jen Says:
I’ve been working my way through room by room to choose the right window treatments. For some rooms, simple curtains have been fine, but for the front-facing windows, I wanted to find something more cottage-like. So I chose cottage-style plantation shutters, and I plan to put them in all my front-facing windows!
Charming Cottage Windows
Jen worked with Blinds.com Designer Josh to find the perfect match. In the end she decided on Norman WoodlorenShutters in Silk White with smaller 1 7/8″ louvers for a charming cottage look. Josh also suggested slim-line frames that would blend perfectly with her existing window molding.
Jen Says:
As a committed DIYer it’s so much better to feel like I’m getting some expert advice on my project. And on top of the Blinds.com designer help, I felt good about the SureFit guarantee and the satisfaction guarantee.
Plantation Shutters Easy Enough to Install On Your Own
Jen Says:
Installation was easy, even if you’re not super handy! Just to keep it real: yes, this is a new addition, and yes, installation went smoothly. But I had to adjust the fit in every window. Despite trying to measure accurately, every window is slightly different than the next — it’s just how construction works! But my Blinds.com installation kits included little hinge spacers to help me get the fit just right.
Special Details for Cottage Style
Jen also opted for a center divider rail which gives her windows a more traditional look and allows her to move the top and bottom louvers independently. We love this feature because you can let in light just where you need it.
Jen Says:
I couldn’t be happier with the way they turned out! I love how I can shut the top and bottom sections independently to provide light but still ensure privacy.
Want the Tatertots and Jello Look?
You can find Norman Woodlore Shutters in Silk White at Blinds.com.
Win a Blinds.com Gift Card!
Check our Jen’s post, 3 Reasons I Chose Shutters for the 1905 Cottage Family Room to see the rest of her living room reveal and enter to win one of 2 $200 Blinds.com Gift cards!
