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I’m Sara! And I am completely honored you are here! Simply Southern Cottage is the journey of my life paralleled alongside the restoration of my 1926 Louisiana cottage. If you haven’t read The Story, start there. You’ll definitely want to understand how Simply Southern Cottage came to fruition! It was no easy task and took a lot of prayer and commitment!

I fell in love with old houses in the 4th grade on a school field trip to Jefferson, Texas. My secret passion for the last 21 years has been home renovation. In 1998, I renovated my first house and I. WAS. HOOKED. I loved the process, the design and the reveal. A broken down, old home, made new and usable again, made my heart sing and here we are all these years later. 

You see, I’ve been devastated and broken down, much like my little Louisiana cottage. BUT the Lord has been faithful to redeem. I chose a bright yellow for my front door to outwardly display the joy in my heart and the song in my soul.  

Simply Southern Cottage documents the renovation process of my 1926 Louisiana cottage alongside the amazing work the Lord is doing in my heart. Some would have chosen to tear this little cottage down, seeing no hope or future for a home in such terrible condition. Not me! I saw the resilience and charm hidden beneath the rot, decay and neglect. This cottage personifies beauty from ashes…my ashes. My life has been restored and I have risen from the deepest pit of broken brokenness. 

I would be thrilled for you to join me here as I continue to discover who I am through simple living, affordable decor solutions, DIYs and just a plain old love for life.

Hey Y'all!

Hooked On houses Feature: BEFORE & AFTER: SIMPLY SOUTHERN COTTAGE MAKEOVER  LOUISIANA

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BETTER HOMES & GARDENS: 14 BEAUTIFUL FALL FRONT PORCH IDEAS BY BLOGGERS

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SB MAGAZINE: SIMPLY SOUTHERN COTTAGE: A LOVE STORY

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Minden Press-Herald: Minden’s Historic district attracts new homeowner

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The Minute Magazine: Nov-Dec 2017

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Minden Press-Herald: McDaniel’s story, home rehab bringing attention to Minden

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Southern Hospitality: Feature Friday: Simply Southern Cottage

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KASO/KBEF Radio: Interview with Sara McDaniel from Simply Southern Cottage

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HOME BUNCH: 2018 FALL DECORATING IDEAS

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I've been featured!

SHREVEPORT TIMES: RESTORATION OF ABANDONED COTTAGE HELPS WOMAN HEAL

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Beyond the Rut: A Simply Southern Cottage Update from Sara McDaniel

Home Bunch Feature: Beautiful homes of Instagram

Better Homes & Gardens: These Real-Life Gardens Wowed Us

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Rick Rowe's Stories from the heart: Simply Southern cottage

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Lola Magazine: September/ October 2019

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Homebunch: Farmhouse Christmas Decor

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Cottage Style Magazine feature

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The Cottage Journal: Our Most Inspiring Instagram Friends

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Minden Press Herald: Simply Southern Cottage donates to Teen Challenge

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Domino: 11 Design Lessons Learned From the Coziest Cottages on Instagram

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Schlage: Master fall décor, inside and out

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Orian Rugs: a conversation with Sara McDaniel

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Chair & Whimsy: behind the scenes at a photoshoot

18 Inspiring Instagram Accounts to Help You Through Quarantine

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