Cozy Cottage Decor: A Country Cottage Tour

There’s something undeniably enchanting about the charm of a cozy cottage. The
warmth of natural materials, the timeless appeal of vintage finds, and the
casual comforts that define cottage style decor make it a great idea for
transforming any space into a welcoming retreat. 

Doing any sort of DIY or decorating project at the cottage takes some effort.
We have limited time here so home improvement projects require better
planning, getting materials ahead of time, and being willing to give your time
at the beach to do the work. 

Many of our projects have sat for years as a result, but we managed to
complete the loft, guest bedroom, and redecorate the living room this summer so I’m
excited to show you those updates.

Screened In Porch

The best place to be in the summer is right here on this porch. At 200 sq
ft, this large screened in porch is where we gather for lunch time meals,
morning coffee, or late night conversations with friends. It has a small
table for dining, and a larger lounge area with ample seating.

I love how the scenery changes with the seasons. Crisp and cool in spring and
fall, and warm on summer nights.  And the best part is – no mosquito
bites!

GET THE LOOK:

Dining Area

Just inside the front door is our dining area. I had this
X-base rustic table and bench custom made by my friend Chris at Whitewood Studio. It’s hefty, substantial, and has held up to eight years of regular use. I
paired it with outdoor chairs and I have to say, those outdoor chairs are
just as comfy as indoor dining chairs!

Open Kitchen With Island

The cottage features an open floor plan with the dining area, kitchen, and
living room adjacent to one another.

The galley style kitchen features a wall of cabinetry and an island. The
white shaker door details and gunmetal hardware suit the country feel
of the cottage.

The swing-arm lamp above the window, the plaid roman blind, the black metal
faucet, and the moonstone backsplash were some of the custom and DIY touches
we added to this area. In such an airy, white space, little pops of colour
can make a big difference.

GET THE LOOK:

You’ll find our decor is a mix of nautical and country. Our cottage is in
the country, by a lake and a beach… I couldn’t decide between the two
decor styles so decided to incorporate both!

These bistro counter stools were the first thing I bought for the cottage
and I’m still in love with them. So many great meals and conversations were
enjoyed sitting at these stools.

Living Room With Faux Shiplap Accent Wall

The sofa has a pull-out trundle which we absolutely love (so perfect for movie
nights!) but it has dictated the placement of furniture in the area. Furniture needs to stay to the perimeter of the room so we can pull out the trundle.

GET THE LOOK:

Cozy Guest Bedroom

A desk (the same one as in the living room) provides a spot for WFH days.
Luckily, the cottage has great wifi so we’ve been able to work remotely from
here from time to time.

Opposite the bed, a collection of vintage boat photographs I found in a dusty
box in Kingston hangs on the wall. The room has a definite nautical vibe which
I love… when you’re a guest in someone’s home, don’t you want it to feel
like an escape?

I’m quite fond of this view. The dark green/almost black doors (Weathervane by PARA Paints) and the natural stain hand rail are very modern country in style.

Teenage Loft Bedroom

We’ve kept things clean and neat up in the loft. A platform bed with floral
bedding, a low profile dresser, and a standing mirror are tucked along one
side. Chloe has decorated the space with printed art and a vintage sign she
bought at the local antique show. It feels youthful and vibrant, like a
teenage room should be. 

And of course, teenagers need a place to hang out. This modern IKEA sectional
is the perfect spot to read or watch a movie on a laptop. The LED lights
behind the sofa make a feature out of the slanted ceiling.

Here’s the view down the loft stairs. It makes the cottage look like a
dollhouse, doesn’t it?

Modern Country Bathroom

This small bathroom has gone through a few changes over the years. At first, we
painted it a mid-tone grey
which was much too dark. Then we repainted the shiplap a minty green which look
just right with the dark doors. A new floral shower curtain adds charm.

Cottage Primary Bedroom

GET THE LOOK:

The primary bedroom is simple and sweet. We haven’t changed much since we
first decorated it years ago. I take that as a good sign – when things are
working perfectly, why change them?

My aim is to keep things soft and light in this room. The pale grey walls,
soft bedding (this cotton duvet cover
feels like your favourite worn-in t-shirt!), and wood accents create a
room that is cozy and inviting.

Light pinstriped curtains and wood blinds allow the light to stream into
this room. A dresser and small TV are all we need to keep this room
functional.

Behind that door on the left is the one remaining home improvement project
we have at the cottage: the ensuite bathroom. We plan to renovate it next
summer and then we can finally call this cottage complete! Then, there
will be nothing left to do except enjoy those warm summer nights.

I hope you enjoyed this tour of our summer home. I’m so grateful to have
this place to really enjoy the summer months.