The Cottage Journal Summer 2014

A gentle breeze blows through the open doorway—a sign that sunny summer has finally arrived. In this issue we explore several inspiring cottages from Whidbey Island, Washington, to the Gulf Coast. Along the way, we have met some of the folks that own these lovely homes. One of the homeowners, with the help of her contractor and interior designer, has the smallest most efficient footprint we have encountered. We hope you enjoy the charming Katrina cottage makeover, beginning on page 29, as much as we do! Discover great ideas to entertain family with comfort in “Lakeside Getaway,” starting on page 57. Collections of straw hats, family photos, and cool rock walls on the porch provide a treasured family gathering place. See “A Bed of Roses” on page 101 for a…

Painted furniture is winning over design enthusiasts—and for good reason. This lighthearted treatment brings life to any space and instantly infuses a room with cottage style. While painted furniture has largely gained popularity as a project for do-it-yourselfers, many manufacturers also offer beautiful options for the refinishing-shy. Maine Cottage and Ethan Allen, for example, offer painted finishes in a variety of colors that combine the simple style of painted furniture with the flawless finish of manufacturing. Because Ethan Allen emphasizes color, incorporating bright finishes was a natural progression for the company, Marta Eriquez, senior director of style and interior design for Ethan Allen, explains. “Color adds another layer,” Marta says. “It can give that ‘wow factor’ to a ho-hum piece and make it fun and relevant.” Bringing color into a…

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Summer comes softly to Lynne Taylor’s lovely home in the hills of Southern California. Breezes gently stir the leaves of the trees that frame the view into the valley below, bringing with them an easy, peaceful aura that swirls right in the door and spreads throughout the house. As owner and president of the illustrious Taylor Linens company, Lynne has created a home that perfectly portrays the beauty and character of her designs. Trips to England some years ago sparked a love of all things British, particularly the sweet simplicity of Cornish pottery and the muted florals of linens sun-drying on clotheslines in the Cotswolds. She turned that inspiration into a thriving business that offers beautiful bedding, curtains, aprons, and sleepwear that have earned her a loyal following, and nowhere…

KATRINA COTTAGES Made popular by the need for emergency housing after Hurricane Katrina, the quaint, prefabricated Katrina cottages are typically small, single story cottages constructed from factory-made panels. Because they a re prefabricated, these extremely durable cottages can be built quickly and economically, often within a few days. Style Idea When working with a small space, decorator Tonya G. Kilpatrick suggests finding furniture pieces that can be utilized in more than one way, like the side tables pictured here that can also be used as stools for extra seating in the kitchen or living area. When people visit Brenda Speller’s tiny Katrina cottage, their lasting impression tends to be a sentiment of “this is all you really need in life.” Though her one-bedroom cottage provides less than 600 square feet…

When planning their vacation home, Joanne and Bruce Montgomery knew exactly where to look for inspiration. Their property on Whidbey Island in Washington state was once home to a summer inn used by fishermen from 1905 to 1947 when Holmes Harbor was a famous fishing spot. “We wanted the interior to have the look and feel of a classic fishing lodge with a great room like a lobby and the fit and finish to be evocative of the original structure,” Bruce says. The Montgomerys presented architect Ross Chapin with old photos of the inn and shared its history (the original structure was torn down after a fire). “The historic inn was a classic white clapboard building with a hipped roof and wraparound porch,” Ross says. “Those were our design cues.…