Creating the Coastal Cottage Look

I recently had one of my favorite projects in June 2020 Southern Living: "This 100-Year-Old Pink Cottage is the Ultimate Beach Hideaway."

One of the reasons I loved it was because it was a real challenge.  The owners wanted to keep the original wood paneling because it was one of the charming characteristics that made them fall in love with the house.  I saw this as a chance to do something different.  Instead of painting the paneling white, we lightened up the furnishings.  We went with blues, corals and greens along with whites and beiges.  We brought in white furniture and we designed sheer curtains for the living room and Master bedroom.

Because the house is on the smaller side, we made the entry serve a dual purpose as the dining room:

I had my cabinet maker make a copy of an antique table and I found the antique chandelier in a store in Woodbury, CT, on a buying trip.  I selected the chairs from Sika Designs through Sotre - they are easily moved to the porch when more chairs are needed for dinner parties. Chairs $525 each.

Chairs and table from Sika Designs available @Sotre Table $ 1063, Chairs $788

We used a mix of antiques and modern furniture to give the place a classic, timeless style:

 Coffee Table $1500 in white wash available to order @Sotre

 

This chair ($2500 through Sotre) was made bolder by the patterned fabric we used on it:

 

But we kept the cozy tufted sofa simple by upholstering it in a matching blue linen.

We added some whimsy with this adorable hand-sculpted butterfly table by artist and sculptor Tommy Mitchell:

Available @Sotre starting at $1895

......and colorful blue lamps @ Sotre $525

I kept the same light colors in the Master Bedroom using a wonderful updated traditional style bed I ordered through Sotre $3366

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I used these oversize lamps from Ro Sham Beaux for the custom shagreen night tables.  We finished off the bed with linens from Julia B. and custom pillows from our partner, Walker Valentine.

Genevieve Table Lamp $670 @Sotre

In the back cottage I chose a nautical theme.  This super tiny sitting area was made to seem larger by the bold colors and print on the sofa.

....and in the upstairs guest bedroom, we took the ship theme to the limit with these adorable bunk beds.  All linens are available @Sotre

I created a the look with custom linens from our partners: Matouk, Home Treasures and Alicia Adams.

This cottage transports me back to a simpler time and age, communicating a timeless, casual elegance to all who enter its doors.

xoxo,

Grace