Cottages and Bungalows February - March 2017

OUR FIRST ISSUE OF THE YEAR IS ALWAYS ONE OF OUR MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED. And I’m not necessarily talking about by you, our dear readers. Our entire team looks forward to putting this one together. Our Dream Cottage issue is the culmination of months of research, trend analysis, discovery and good old-fashioned gut instinct rolled into one package. It’s where we share our most inspiring homes and our best decorating advice and compile information that helps you create that most aspirational of goals, your dream home. It’s particularly poignant for me as my husband and I have been hunting for our next dream home. So I’ve paid keen attention to what we’ve turned up here and applied stringent standards because I, like many of you, want to know not only how…

This little yellow house used to be one-dimensional, flat and generic. Anchor Builders and LNA Designs worked together to take this project from dreary to cheery by incorporating the charm of the European cottage into this Minnesota home. Barak Steenlage, co-owner and project director, discusses how to work the same techniques into your own home’s exterior. SPRUCE IT UP From the picket fence to the edges of the gables, the crisp white paint used on the trim makes this home look polished. Barak says, “Nothing beats white shapes for creating shadows.”These shadows further define the structure and highlight particular features. DEFINE AN ELEMENT In this case, Barak and his team used a bright pink color on the door. He says, “You want to emphasize the middle, not the edges.”You can also employ this technique…

Casual yet elegant, historic in feel yet fully updatable for today, the bergere chair has become a mainstay of romantic cottage style. Dating all the way back to the early 1700s, the design first appeared in Paris, France, during the Regency period—Marie Antoinette had some at her famed Petit Trianon. Characterized by an exposed wooden frame, a bergere chair always has an upholstered back and seat and always has a portion of the wooden arms exposed. Sometimes an arm pad sits atop the armrest. The seat can either be loose as a cushion or attached, but it is always generously stuffed. Looking to add a bergere chair to your room design? Consider these options that range from traditional to fun and modernized, and are suitable for a range of budgets.…

COME TOGETHER. Gray’s gorgeous beach prints and the wood table played a key role in the revamp. “I love a round table where everyone can see each other and feel together during a meal,” Gray says. Another star element was the light fixtures. “I love how the chandelier’s light mixes with the illumination from the table lamps,” Gray says. “Together they set a warm, welcoming ambience for our dinner parties.” BEFORE AND REDESIGN. Gray Malin’s kitchen and dining area before the redesign. His goal wasn’t to rescue a bad space, but to welcome the spirit of coastal life into his home. “We completely redid the kitchen in navy and white. We added a white subway-tile backsplash, white cabinets above the counter and contrasting navy cabinets below,” Gray says. “In my work,…

1. Add some whimsy to your walls with this delightful calendar. 2017 calendar, Enchanting Animals, $24. Visit etsy.com/shop/gingiber. 2. Use this calendar in your kitchen for a fresh dose of style. 2017 calendar, Herb Calendar, $30. Visit designsbytrishalynn.etsy.com. 3.Calling all bookworms! This calendar features classic titles from the Odyssey to Pride and Prejudice. Bookshelf Poster 2017 calendar, $16. (772) 538-7951 or idlewildco.com. 4. Perpetually perfect, this calendar has adjustable days, dates, and months to be used year after year. Letterpress USA perpetual calendar map, $24. (225) 324-1991 or blackbirdletterpress.com. 5. Pretty in pink! This petite calendar is the perfect addition to any desk or small space around your home. 2017 calendar with gold easel, $61. (901) 323-7470 or karenadamsdesigns.com. 6. This print is not your average floral. Vibrant greens, pinks and reds pop against the…

Materials & Moods What atmospheres do popular finishes create? •Polished: Luxurious, dramatic, and formal. Successfully used with marble, limestone, onyx and wood. •Unfinished: Natural and understated. Successfully used with slate, ceramic tile and cement. The bath is a room where you spend time every day. Whether preparing to face the day in the morning or unwinding at night, it is essential that your bath is a reflection of your own style and mood. In The Perfect Bath, Barbara Sallick identifies the crucial elements to creating a combination of functionality and luxury. DO YOUR HOMEWORK “The foundation of all successful baths is planning,” Sallick says. Identify the key pieces of the puzzle—double sinks, more storage, better lighting—before layering style on top. Even if you aren’t doing a full remodel, she suggests a vision board to strongly define…