At the first hint of warm weather, many Canadians retreat to their cottages for a much needed escape after a long, cold winter. Although a fun place to enjoy summer weekends, the decor in most cottages tends to be neglected and often ends up a mix of mismatched furniture and accessories.
Stylish, sophisticated and functional cottage design is a growing trend. To help you update your second home in a simple and affordable way, Sharon Grech, colour & design expert at Benjamin Moore, and I share some of our tips on how to transform your space from shabby to chic.
Make it modern rustic
Making the cottage more modern doesn’t have to involve a major renovation. Mixing the clean lines of modern design with the texture of rustic pieces, such as barn doors, weathered wood flooring and harvest tables, will breathe new life into the space, while maintaining the relaxed style we crave at the cottage.
Predominantly white walls combined with wood panelling, beams or exposed brick will create the perfect harmony between rustic and modern. Try Benjamin Moore’s Simply White OC- 117, as the warm undertones won’t be too striking against natural materials.
The successful mix of white walls and wooden elements is evident in our feature photograph. The wooden fireplace feature and floors keep the rustic, earthy feel of a cottage while the white walls and modern marble table add a sophisticated, mid-century-modern touch. The collection of earthy pottery on the slick coffee table is a nice juxtaposition. The bamboo furniture, while eclectic, adds texture and a secondary wooden element to the space. With the right wall colour, a mismatched furniture and accessory grouping becomes a stylish, sophisticated, cottage-chic display.
For the finishing touches, adorn walls with your cabin collectibles like canoe paddles, antlers and driftwood. Decorate side tables with functional decorative trays hosting a mix of rustic pottery, glass, and a few sleek, silver accessories. A fireplace mantle is a great place to add a colourful painting, photograph or an architectural salvage find.
Enhance the look of your old wooden furniture pieces with a paint DIY project using vibrant shades. Vintage pine beds, antique coffee tables, and hand-me-down dressers, once updated, will add dimension and colour to the cottage. Upcycling old pieces will keep the makeover affordable.
Don’t forget about the kitchen cabinetry. A fresh, new colour can breathe new life into a dated or dark cottage kitchen. Infuse the kitchen with collections of vintage kitchen gadgets and dishes for a retro flavour or go modern rustic with stainless steel finishes mixed with wooden or brick elements.
Wooden floors can be transformed with painted faux rugs or other desired designs. My husband and I painted a black and white tile design on our cottage kitchen floor last year. It makes quite a statement and suits our retro kitchen theme. It was an affordable and easy project to complete.
Think multi-functionality
After you update the cottage, it will become an even more attractive destination for family and friends, so keep multi-functional furniture in mind when selecting new pieces to accommodate your guests.
Multi-functional, space-saving furniture is a huge design trend this year. Think storage ottoman coffee tables, sofa beds and outdoor patio sets that easily switch from dining to conversation sets to ensure you are the host with the most.
The exterior of the cottage is just as important as the interior, so breathe new life back into the outside surface of your cottage by using a premium stain. Darker-coloured stain is a popular trend currently and this trend isn’t going away anytime soon. Maintaining the exterior on a regular basis will help protect the cottage from the wear and tear of the elements.
All decked out
Decks take a beating and also need regular maintenance and protection from the elements. Keeping the deck in good shape will ensure years of great gatherings and outdoor family meals. Adorn the deck with pots of colourful flowers, benches and patio lights for nighttime entertaining and safety. Our deck is strung with lighted fishing bobbers and fish-shaped lights. The lights are cute during the day and do the job of lighting the way in the evening.
The cottage is the great Canadian escape. If you’re lucky enough to have one, I wish you and your family a wonderful cottage season.
Connieoliver2016@gmail.com
