The Cottage Journal Summer 2022

SUNNY LIVING In our visits to cottages across the country, sunlight has always added that stroke of charm to a home. Not only is dappled light throughout a sunny retreat beautiful to observe as the day progresses, it also adds warmth to every space. From soft palettes that exude serenity to vivid colors that energize the ordinary, this issue takes you inside cottages that say, “Welcome home!” Six fantastic homes and many ideas, tips, and charming spaces are sure to inspire you. For some homeowners, a cottage that evokes a happy feeling is one full of color in everything from fabrics and furniture to artwork. Such is the case in “Bold, Bright, and Built for Family” on page 63, beginning with an updated formal living room. Vibrant velvet swivel chairs gathered around…

DESIGNER SARAH HAYES Interior designer Sarah Hayes is a mother of four and understands the many needs a home must meet. “It’s my goal and purpose to help families create homes that enhance their daily lives without sacrificing quality or style,” she says. “My designs are a tribute to the unique lives lived within them.” For more, visit sarahhayesdesign.com.…

On her popular interior design blog, Miss Mustard Seed, Marian Parsons shares her passion for DIY, painting, and design, putting her knowledge to the test to help others create a home that feels unique to them. Now, she’s released a book, Feels Like Home: Transforming Your Space from Uninspiring to Uniquely Yours, to teach readers how to make an ordinary house feel like the home of their dreams. Throughout the book’s 304 pages, Marian dives into each room in the home and shares beautiful design tips and simple style ideas that could fit your personal taste. She takes readers behind the scenes and shares her thought processes when selecting pieces for her own home. Feels Like Home also includes assignments in each chapter, challenging readers to examine what about a particular…

What began as a bedroom renovation for designer Lisa Kahn quickly developed into a large-scale project including a brand-new guest quarters built on the client’s Naples, Florida, property. When it came to the design, the homeowner trusted Lisa and her team to do what they do best—create a place of sanctuary. “What sanctuary is to us is the creation of peace around us that inspires peace inside us,” says Lisa, who is the lead designer and CEO of Lisa Kahn Designs. “Knowing that the natural world is the very best healer, we always look for ways to incorporate natural colors, elements, textures, and organic forms.” Lisa didn’t have to look far when it came to inspiration as the dwelling boasts breathtaking views of the surrounding property. While the gardens and lake offer…

Stumble across this quaint Tennessee cottage on an afternoon stroll, and you’ll likely expect the inside to reflect time-tested style and a classic spirit designed to last—and you’ll be right. But the classic appeal Nashville designer Julie Couch introduced to this Southern charmer comes with a side of contemporary elegance and plenty of light. Spilling into the living room, the sunlight sets the bright and airy palette aglow with a welcoming ambience that paves the way for an abundance of sweet pastels. Subtle shades like the pink velvet armchairs to one side of the fireplace imbue the design with a feminine elegance, and expertly layered finishes fill every inch of space with interest. From the Greek-key rug to the warm wooden beams, floor-to-ceiling textures and patterns are thoughtful details that help the…