The Cottage Journal Summer 2013

Ah, sweet summer—the ever-adored season where soft shades of sand and sea harmonize to create an easy-breezy landscape beckoning us outdoors. Such is the palette of this issue, full of brilliantly designed and beautifully built homes. Some are right on the beach, where collections of shells, artwork, and ropeembellished accessories, not to mention the seafood, add nautical flare by the water. Others discover home sweet home on the lake. I’ve found there’s perhaps nothing more peaceful than lying back in our boat, watching the clouds drift in the sky while I hear the gentle splish-splash against the sides of the vessel. Here thoughts drift to childhood romps at summer camp and running down the pier to leap off into the cool green water. Outdoors it seems I can breathe deeper,…

Style Idea Keep your porch clutterfree with just a few chairs for relaxing. The flowers and greenery of your front yard are the only colorful accessories you need. White picket fences call to mind lazy summer days, a yard full of pets and children, and the ideals of family and home. Before it was associated with the American Dream, the picket fence simply served a purpose—to mark property lines while still allowing for a beautiful view. Popular since colonial days, white picket fences now offer so much more than security to our yards, both in the front and back. No matter the size of your lawn, garden, or home, white picket fences exude charm and cottage class. The simple whitewash of the fence provides a wonderful backdrop for flowers and…

Intricate patterns created by tiny shells have been popular decorations on boxes and frames since the early 1800s and are highly sought after today. Johnny Eldridge has been collecting them over the last 10 years. In describing the antique pieces, Johnny explains, “The frames often have old prints or cards under a bubble of glass, and the backs are cardboard covered with old wallpaper.” Johnny has even tried his hand in making his own shell art. He remembers collecting shells on Sanibel Island, Florida, known for its shelling beaches, and making frames. His wife enjoys showing off all his creations and displays them along with their collection in an old step-back cupboard and along the mantel. When asked why he collects, Johnny says, “I love nature and the outdoors, and…

Style Idea Let fun fabric set the tone for your room. Linda fell in love with a particularly unique print. Deciding it was too busy for window treatments, her designer suggested a headboard instead. Voila! Style Idea A brief departure from the interior blues and greens, warm reds and creams create a cozy setting for morning coffee and evening conversation. Raised by their respective parents who were dear friends, Gaines and Linda Thomas have known each other all their lives. Their happiest childhood memories were filled with bayside vacations, and when the couple was older, they began to dream of having a home here. Their wish became reality when the Thomases purchased their vacation bungalow, only to be dashed in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan’s path. Holding fast to their memories…

Style Idea When is artwork more than just something pleasing to gaze upon? When it also conceals a flat-screen TV, as does this swag and seashell mural above the living room fireplace. Style Idea As with many beach houses, there are often more guests than beds, and space is at a premium. To remedy this, a sleeping nook was built into the room much like a window seat found in older homes. Also, a handy trundle bed that’s cleverly concealed by the paneled base can be pulled out as needed. Coastal Details Style Idea A swinging daybed provides another place for guests to sleep. Designing a beach house that combines the quaintness of a coastal retreat with the sophistication of a New York townhome is no easy feat, but when…

When nestled in such a picturesque community as Seaside, Florida, a home should capitalize on its gorgeous surroundings as much as possible. That’s exactly what this enchanting beach house does! Appropriately named Ventanas, the Spanish word for windows, it lives up to the title by containing a bevy of fixed and operable casements, as well as rows of French doors with large transoms above. Because architect Scott Merrill located the main living spaces on the upper floor (a historic-inspired design feature known as piano nobile, “noble floor” or “noble level” in Italian), these rooms command finer views of the community and nearby gulf. A spacious, inviting porch provides even more reason for the homeowners to spend most of their time here. They’re able to keep windows and doors open, too,…