With our short
Canadian summer, more and more people are buying all-season cottages or
winterizing their existing cottages to make a year-round retreat. People want
to enjoy a get away not only in the summer but also in the cooler Canadian
months too. I recently took the design challenge of styling my client’s
all-season cottage.
Decorating an
all-season cottage is different than styling your summer cottage. You have to
balance those colder months by the fire with those summer months when you want
it light and bright. You don’t have to give up style when looking for
durability and functionality however.
Consider
seating. The cottage has to be welcoming, whether you are entertaining friends
or just cuddling up with the family on the sofa. I turned to Mirens (www.mirens.com), an
online furniture store, to find just the right pieces. I selected two, three-seater
sofas because you can seat more people and they are the perfect length for an
afternoon nap. For the cottage you want durable, easy-to-clean fabrics. I decided on a weaved fabric in an oatmeal
colour. The fabric adds texture, hides the sand and is warm in colder months.
The light colour keeps the cottage looking light and breezy. I chose a stylish
and comfy reading chair for added seating. Patterned blue pillows tie it all
together for a perfect all-season cottage look.
To create a
modern and bright cottage, we kept the wall colour light and painted out the
brick fireplace with Para’s JoJo whitewash. This look is perfect for any
season.
I added a shelf
unit behind the sofa from Mirens as well.
It offers easy-access storage, perfect for cottage living, and can
double as extra counter space when entertaining.
I got creative
with cottage accessories. White stick floor lamps from Mirens are a great
example of how you can incorporate modern, nature-like pieces in your
space. Just because you are in a cottage
doesn’t mean it has to be rustic.
Bringing the
outdoors in is not a new concept, but adding tree branches from the property is
a budget-friendly way to add a whimsical spin on accent decor. In the fall
months, coloured leaf branches will transform and add warmth to your space
without having to change anything else in the room.
To make the
cottage easy to clean, in the summer months remove the rug and in the colder
months, add in a rug, to keep the cottage cozy and warm. Don’t be afraid to use
an outdoor rug in the cottage, you can find some really fun ones and when it
gets dirty, simply take it outside to shake it off or hose it down! All of the pillows have removable covers,
making them easy to remove and throw in the washer at home. The lacquer finish
on the coffee table and shelving unit and the glass top on the side tables keep
messes manageable with a quick wipe-down. The reading chair is a vinyl fabric,
making it family (and pet) friendly.
The point of an
all-season cottage is to escape and enjoy peaceful surrounding year-round. Make sure you love your space and feel good
in it. A stylish design can also be functional!
AS SEEN IN:
Until next time,
w&c designer girl~
