Simply Southern Cottage

Simply Southern Cottage Reclaimed & restored my life & my 1926 Louisiana cottage. Now inspiring others to do the same. Now inspiring you to do the same.

🌸DIY + Design + Decor
🌸Short term rental host + real estate investor
🌸Seen on/in Magnolia Network, HGTV, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, Southern Living and more
🌸Reclaimed and restored my life and my home.

Here are some before and after pics of Cindy, and if you want to hold onto summer just a little bit longer… this villa m...
09/06/2026

Here are some before and after pics of Cindy, and if you want to hold onto summer just a little bit longer… this villa might be the perfect place to do it.😉🌊

Let me know in the comments what you think of this before and after!

Cindy is named after my amazing wallpaper lady who spent countless hours hanging every piece of wallpaper across all eight villas. Because of her hard work and dedication I felt like one of our villas needed to be named after her.❤️

In this particular villa, you can see that at some point in history, someone just walked away and left all their belongings. 😭 I never dreamed the after of this renovation would turn out this cute, and I love it so so much.

Book a stay in Cindy or any of our other villas on mindenstays.com. Use code COTTAGE10 for 10% off. We would love to host you in the friendliest city in the south. ❤️

📍Add this dreamy coffee shop to your must stop and visit list!Once an old hardware store and later antique shop, this st...
09/06/2026

📍Add this dreamy coffee shop to your must stop and visit list!

Once an old hardware store and later antique shop, this storefront has been totally revitalized into the most timeless coffee shop.

And the story gets even better!

The founders Debbie & Derek literally put their life savings on the line and moved from Washington State to little ole Minden, Louisiana to fulfill their dreams of owning and running a coffee shop.

It’s the kind of “go big or go home” aspiration that inspires us all to live the life of our dreams.

From fresh roasted coffee (roasted on site), to delicious delicacies, to simple southern hospitality, add to your list of places to see!

Stopover for the night and stay with us at The Villas at Spanish Court and enjoy the ambiance of this adorable shop while you are here. Book on MindenStays.com and use code COTTAGE10 for 10% off your stay.

Come see us and tell Debbie and Derek I sent you! ❤️❤️

Photo credits: Courtney Dexter Photography

In 2025, Southern Living Mag and Ivy Odom Aponte recently came out with a post about blue and greens being the new neut...
09/06/2026

In 2025, Southern Living Mag and Ivy Odom Aponte recently came out with a post about blue and greens being the new neutrals. And I still couldn’t agree more!

Two years ago I renovated this stunning, 1905 Queen Anne Victorian Home into a showstopper for an episode of In With The Old on Magnolia Network.

Look through these pictures to see the before and afters of the dining room. 😱 The color inspiration was started by that incredible green tile fireplace surround. I wanted this room to reflect the colors of the bayou. Let me know what you think of the afters. 💙💚

The real MVPs are Chair Whimsy (chairs) and Daisy Bennett Designs (wallpaper).

You can host your next small gathering in this space. Just head over to mindenstays.com for more info.

What is your favorite thing about this before and after? Drop a note below and let us know. ❤️

European farmhouse style is a beautiful way to create a home that feels warm, inviting, and elegant. Here are my best ti...
09/06/2026

European farmhouse style is a beautiful way to create a home that feels warm, inviting, and elegant. Here are my best tips on how to create this dreamy aesthetic in your home today! http://rviv.ly/Ern5A6

09/06/2026

Yesterday, on a blazing hot summer afternoon, this happened.

What do you call it in your neck of the woods when it’s sunshining and raining at the same time? And tell us your state.

I’ll drop my answer in the comments.

Minden, Louisiana should absolutely be in your fall travel plans/bucket list and here’s why: 💛Cute, historic downtown💛Hi...
09/06/2026

Minden, Louisiana should absolutely be in your fall travel plans/bucket list and here’s why:
💛Cute, historic downtown
💛Historic accommodations, parks, and churches
💛Legendary dives
💛Outdoor fun
💛Murals and antiquing
💛Kayaking on waterways
💛Cute, local coffee shops
💛Nostalgic stays

Dubbed the friendliest city in the south, Minden is full of opportunities to interact with history and the great outdoors while exploring, legendary dives and hunting for vintage treasures.

Located halfway between Dallas, TX and Jackson, MS along I20, Minden is the perfect destination for your fall getaway, whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or with your family.

Book your next stay on mindenstays.com and let us wrap you in our southern hospitality! Make sure to use code COTTAGE10 for 10% off your stay.

It would be an honor to host you in Minden, Louisiana!

Photo credits:
The Villas, Purvéy, and downtown: Hector M Sanchez
Fuller White House and Brick Street Coffee: Courtney Dexter Photography



Have you ever been to Minden, La?

Just a shop owner and her two crazy shopkeepers keeping things interesting at Purvéy Minden! 😂🤎What an AMAZING day! Th...
09/05/2026

Just a shop owner and her two crazy shopkeepers keeping things interesting at Purvéy Minden! 😂🤎

What an AMAZING day! Thank you to everyone who shopped with us today. We welcomed visitors from Houston, Ruston, West Monroe, Minden, Shreveport, Bossier City, Central Louisiana and beyond! Seeing so many people travel to shop small, explore Downtown Minden and support our little vintage and modern shop means more than you know.

Y’all could shop anywhere, and you chose to come to Minden, Louisiana and we are so grateful! 🥹

Come see us tomorrow afternoon from 1–5 PM and discover vintage clothing, fall fashion, unique home décor, one-of-a-kind treasures and so much more!

📍 Purvéy Minden
726 Broadway Street
Minden, Louisiana

⏰ Sunday: 1–5 PM
🇺🇸 Labor Day Monday: CLOSED so our amazing staff can enjoy a well-deserved day of rest
Regular hours:
Monday–Friday: 10 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
Sunday: 1–5 PM

Thank you for shopping small, supporting local and making Downtown Minden such a special destination! Who’s coming to see us tomorrow? 🙌

I still can’t believe I get to say this… you can officially PRE-ORDER the audiobook of The Bright Side of the Other Side...
09/05/2026

I still can’t believe I get to say this… you can officially PRE-ORDER the audiobook of The Bright Side of the Other Side! 🎧💛

And yes… it’s my voice you’ll be hearing.

Recording this audiobook was such a surreal experience. I got to sit behind the microphone and tell this story in my own words, in my own voice, and I cannot wait for you to hear it.

Whether you listen while you’re driving, walking, cleaning the house or curled up somewhere cozy, I hope it feels a little like we’re sitting together and I’m sharing this story with you. 💛

The audiobook will be available for purchase when the book releases, but you can PRE-ORDER your copy now on thebrightsidebook.com so it’ll be ready and waiting for you!

Did you know the Fuller House Upper Room is a loft in the trees? It’s so cozy with fall views you could literally touch....
09/05/2026

Did you know the Fuller House Upper Room is a loft in the trees? It’s so cozy with fall views you could literally touch.

If you need a getaway, staycation or retreat, now is the time to book this dreamy loft in Minden, Louisiana. The leaves will start to change in the coming months and you can have coffee on this porch wrapped in fall color.

Minden, Louisiana is aka the friendliest city in the south. Come stay with us, step a few blocks to our historic downtown where you can shop cozy storefronts like Purvéy Minden have coffee at a dreamy coffee shop like Brick Street Coffee or and eat at one of our amazing restaurants.

Head over to mindenstays.com and grab your preferred fall or Christmas dates while they are still available!

Here’s a little fall porch inspo for your Saturday!This is an old, old picture, but it still makes me smile! There’s jus...
09/05/2026

Here’s a little fall porch inspo for your Saturday!

This is an old, old picture, but it still makes me smile! There’s just something about pumpkins on the porch, a pretty fall wreath and those first little touches of autumn that make home feel extra cozy. 💛

Also, did you notice my porch ceilings are painted haint blue? There are actually a few reasons I love a blue porch ceiling:

💙 It’s said to keep spiders from building webs and birds from building nests.
💙 Blue is such a calming color, making it the perfect addition to one of my favorite places to sit, slow down and relax.
💙 It adds interest and curb appeal. There’s just something so charming about looking up and seeing that unexpected pop of blue!
💙 And, of course, there’s history behind the tradition. Haint blue porch ceilings are rooted in Gullah Geechee culture, where the color was traditionally used to ward off “haints,” or spirits.

Do you have a blue porch ceiling? And more importantly… have you started decorating for fall yet?! 🍂🎃 Let me know in the comments below!

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Minden, LA
71055

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