Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Darrielle from DD's Cottage and Design

 Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger is a feature done each Saturday that introduces you to a blogger you may already know or a new blogger for you to get to know. This feature gives you a peak into the personal life of the blogger.  Getting to know the special person behind the beautiful blog.


There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland so enjoy getting to know these talented bloggers each Saturday.

Wooo Hooo Happy Saturday.  This week I have a wonderful blogger to have you meet and get to know here in Spotlight.  I love Darrielle's blog DD's Cottage and Design and adore all her re loves when she paints beautiful pieces.  Please enjoy getting to know Darrielle and then hop over and check out her blog.




I was honored when Kris from Junk Chic Cottage asked me to be part of her Blogger spotlight series.  I love reading her blog and her Saturday series on getting to know other bloggers.  



I grew up on a 600 acre horse ranch in Northern California and I have 3 brothers.  The beautiful ranch I grew up on was very remote and we did not have any electricity, my first time living in a house with electricity was in collage!  It was a fun and interesting way to grow up.  


After playing lots of sports in high school, I moved away to Santa Cruz, CA and went to UCSC where I got my multiple subject and Special Education credentials.  I had wanted to be a teacher since 3rd grade and my youngest brother has Down's Syndrome so becoming a Special Education Teacher seemed natural for me.  I met my husband, Shawn, when we were both working with kids with Autism at a local elementary school and we got married in 1996. 

We were both high school Special Education Teacher and coaches ( me-girls and boys volleyball--- Shawn-football) and we bought our first home on our one year wedding anniversary and home decorating started for me.  
20 Years Later Going Strong!

The next 5 years challenged our marriage as we tried to get pregnant and had major infertility problems.  Finally we had our exquisite daughter, Brayden. 





After the struggles of getting pregnant, I became a stay at home mom for about 8 months and then found a new job as a Special Education Teacher for a virtual school and I am still teaching there today.  Being at home enabled me to be with my daughter and take care of our home.  



I have always been a home-body and a do-it-yourself kind of person and being home all day helped me become more creative and inspired by decorating and making our home cozy and happy.  

Brayden and Dakota-they were always together!

Kindergarten


I have always painted our furniture and tried to decorate our home on a budget and one day my friend encouraged me to start painting furniture and selling it and the junkin'-painting crazed me found a new very fulfilling hobby.  


My family and friends have been very supportive of the paint-covered Darrielle! 
Grandma and Papa 
Favorite Uncle Joey

Grandpa Joe
GG (Great Grandmother)

My wonderful 96 year old grandmother and Great Aunt Annabel
(junkin' is in our blood-ha ha)



I still work full time, but try to squeeze in painting when I need a creative break.  







I started my blog:  D.D.'s Cottage and Design about 2 years ago to share my painting hobby and connect with others who like to paint, junk, decorate, cook and be creative.  








I am very lucky to have my very supportive husband and inspiring daughter to help me be creative and happy. 
Brayden and Hudson







Thank you Kris for letting me share a bit about myself and be part of your behind the blogger series. 


Thanks Darrielle for being in the Spotlight this week.  It was so much fun to feature you and your sweet family and get to know more about you.  Happy Saturday Everyone.
Kris
:)
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52 comments

  1. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryOctober 17, 2015 at 4:10 AM


    Wow, great post. I will be going to meet and follow Darrielle.
    Mary

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  2. TamaraOctober 17, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    Love her blog and her creative ideas.. It was very nice to see the entire family! I always enjoy your features.

    Tamara<3

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:07 PM

      Thank you Tamara-I should show my family more since they are pretty great!

      Delete
  3. Betty October 17, 2015 at 6:22 AM

    What a wonderful story will have to go over and visit her blog. Thanks again for this feature.

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    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:08 PM

      Thank you Betty-I hope you enjoyed my blog!
      Darrielle

      Delete
  4. Castles Crowns and CottagesOctober 17, 2015 at 6:48 AM

    SUPER STUNNING! A cowgirl from the get go...now that is my kind of life. I must go and visit this exquisite family! HI KRIS!

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    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:08 PM

      Thank you -difinatley a cowgirl- I rode horses and ponies growing up instead of a bike! We had 50 horses!

      Delete
  5. Rita C at PanoplyOctober 17, 2015 at 7:06 AM

    Love Darrielle's blog and her story of family!
    Rita

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:09 PM

      Thank you Rita-Thanks for always being supportive!

      Delete
  6. JoAnneOctober 17, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    Darrielle is so talented and I loved getting to know more about her. So interesting that she grew up without electricity - wonder what my kids would think about that! : )

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:09 PM

      Thank you JoAnne-growing up without electricity seems difficult to me now, but was so normal as a kid!

      Delete
  7. SusieOctober 17, 2015 at 8:06 AM

    Thank you Kris, for featuring Darrielle. She seems so interesting. Wow, no electricity growing up... Amazing. I like to read more about that. LOL. Blessings to you and Terry today, xoxo,Susie

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:10 PM

      Thank you Susie-No electricity, a woodturning stove and 50 horses!

      Delete
  8. UnknownOctober 17, 2015 at 8:50 AM

    Hi Kris - I always love seeing Darrielle's work and am always impressed at the beautiful painted pieces she pulls out. It was nice reading her background and getting to know her better.

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    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:11 PM

      Thank you Mary-I am impressed with your beautiful painted pieces too!

      Delete
  9. sweetbriardreamsOctober 17, 2015 at 8:51 AM

    Thanks Kris for introducing Darrielle. I am popping over to her now to look at her work. Have a wonderful weekend xx

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    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:11 PM

      Thank you Chel-I hope you liked what you saw when you popped over!

      Delete
  10. SImple and Serene LivingOctober 17, 2015 at 9:18 AM

    What an adorable family and I love her painted furniture. xo Laura

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    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 8:12 PM

      Thank you Laura-My family is pretty adorable I agree!

      Delete
  11. StaceyOctober 17, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    I do follow Darrielle but I'm so pleased to learn this little bit of life. What a beautiful daughter! I can't believe she's working full time and doing all that furniture work. Love it all!

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:44 AM

      Thank you Stacey-I do have a beautiful daughter and it is hard sometimes to work full time and get painting done!

      Delete
  12. JoanneOctober 17, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    I have been following DD's Cottage for a while now -- everything she does is STUNNING!! So nice to get to know more about the person behind the blog.

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  13. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresOctober 17, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    What a great feature and beautiful family photos. I've had the pleasure to meet and see Darrielle's gorgeous furniture in person at several of the vintage shows we've participated in. It's always a treat!!

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:45 AM

      Thank you Betsy-it has been great getting to meet you in person and I love the things I have bought from you!

      Delete
  14. Row homes and CobblestonesOctober 17, 2015 at 12:14 PM

    Oh Kris what a sweet spotlight today. I feel I know Darrielle through her time capsule of family photos. Love how much her daughter resembles Darrielle. I'll head over and check out her interesting blog.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:46 AM

      Thank you Vera-I was a new experience for me to share about my family, but glad I did!

      Delete
  15. Burlap LuxeOctober 17, 2015 at 1:30 PM

    HI Kris, know her well from her dd's Cottage and what a life Darrielle had growing up in a Nothern Ca ranch with no electricity. You can see the character it built in her, and the direction her heart went into with teaching, yes I know oh so well Down syndrome with having a cousin with it, so I relate to having a heart in any direction of care and nurturing.
    As for fertility problems yes Imrelate to that as well, taking 10 years of treatment to have my daughter Hannah.

    I adore her style and am in Awww with all she creates with such a busy life.
    This was a special post, and so inspiring. I would love to try to live without electric, I wonder how long I would last?

    Joy is so apparent in Darrielle heart you see it in all her postings.

    See you soon beautiful,
    Hope your home is getting great offers, and that you are seeing the light before you.

    See you soon

    Xx
    Dore

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:50 AM

      Thank you Dore-growing up the way I did with 50 horses, on a remote ranch definitely built lots of character and I think it is part of were I get my "just try it and work hard " attitude. Struggling with infertility is really rough , but it did make my husband and I stronger as a couple and for that I am thankful. I am so glad you have your circle Hannah. Living without electricity seems hard now to me and I wouldn't want to do it again, but at the time it just seemed normal. Thanks for always saying such sweet things Dore-they do mean a lot!

      Delete
  16. Brenda PruittOctober 17, 2015 at 3:53 PM

    I am lucky to call Darrielle friend. She got me through the "beast" coffee table painting project without pulling all my hair out! She's truly an artist when it comes to furniture. Such a sweet and happy family!
    Brenda

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:52 AM

      Thank you Brenda-I consider you a friend too and I so appreciate your wit and kindness in reaching our and helping me when I was just starting out blogging. You really made blogging seem so friendly and made me want to continue.

      Delete
  17. Cassie BustamanteOctober 17, 2015 at 5:18 PM

    so much fun to read! i love darielle and her blog- she has insane skills and an eye for beauty!

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    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:52 AM

      Thank you Cassie-I like your description-insane skills-no one has ever described me that way and I Love it!

      Delete
  18. Kim October 17, 2015 at 5:34 PM

    I follow Darrielle, Kris, but I did not know her story. I just know that she is an incredible artist and posts the prettiest pictures on Instagram. So glad you featured her today!

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    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:54 AM

      Thank you Kim-it is so nice to be called an artist-it is a new thing for me and I really like it!

      Delete
  19. A Joyful CottageOctober 17, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    A beautiful family and obviously very happy. Nice feature, Kris.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:54 AM

      Thank you -we are a very happy small cozy family and I am very lucky!

      Delete
  20. SandyOctober 17, 2015 at 7:31 PM

    I've been following Darielle's blog for a few month now. I never knew the struggles of infertility and finally being blessed with a lovely daughter. I also didn't know she grew up on a horse farm. I have mostly just paid attention to her beautiful creations. Thanks so much for featuring her. I love this series because we get to know the bloggers just a little bit better. This was a great feature Kris!

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:55 AM

      Thank you Sandy-the infertility struggles were not fun, but so lucky to have our gorgeous daughter. Growing up with 50 horses and 600 acres was an experience!

      Delete
  21. Blondie's JournalOctober 17, 2015 at 9:03 PM

    Great, great post, Kris...lovely family and the furniture is fantastic!!!

    Jane x

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:56 AM

      Thank you Jane-I am blessed with my family and I do love a good furniture makeover!

      Delete
  22. Art and SandOctober 18, 2015 at 1:56 AM

    Darielle and I are Instagram friends so it was really fun getting to know more about her here.

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    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 8:58 AM

      Thank you Carol-I love having you as an IG friend and it would be fun to meet you in person since we both live in CA. I am starting to coach VB again and getting ready for the Club season-4 hours of practice today!

      Delete
  23. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    Thank you Kris for making me jump out of my "furniture-mostly" blog sharing. Telling people about me has not been something I do on IG or a blog and I am glad I did it. My life doesn't seem that interesting to me since I live it, but people have beens so kind and sweet with all their comments. Thanks again Kris!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ricki TreleavenOctober 18, 2015 at 9:18 AM

    LOVELY spotlight.....I'm hopping over to DD's cottage!

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  25. Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow October 18, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    I love DD's cottage. xoxo Su

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  26. Anne's Attic - DesignOctober 19, 2015 at 1:46 AM

    Hi Kris, I'm so glad you spotlighted Darrell, I have followed her blog for a long time time but did not know much about her. Love these opportunities to get to know the blogger. Thanks dear friend. Hugs, Jo

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  27. Marie-Interior FrugalistaOctober 19, 2015 at 11:15 AM

    So nice to see Darrielle featured here this week, Kris! I have been following her blog since the beginning and she is one seriously talented furniture reimaginer.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Gypsy HeartOctober 23, 2015 at 8:35 PM

    I'm late but wanted to thank both of you for sharing! The photos are wonderful and reveal a very special, loving family. Will stop over and see DD's blog!

    xo
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  29. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsOctober 28, 2015 at 11:02 AM

    I love Darrielle and her blog and her magnificent furniture makeovers...so great to get to know her today on a more personal level and meet her beautiful family...Darrielle is one talented lady!!!...Thanks Kris for this wonderful feature!

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete

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