A Coastal Cottage on Cape Cod
I am super lucky. My parents bought a tiny (600 square feet) cottage on Cape Cod a few years back. I just spent a few days there and thought I'd share a few images with you.
When we decorated the house, we went along with the vibe the house originally gave us. This vibe came from the existing weathered shingles, beach roses and sweet peas, white walls, and coastal cottage details like beadboard. Some of the furniture came with the joint, some was repainted and brought up from the basement of my parent's full-time home, some was plucked from junk stores, and a large number of pieces were picked up at this wonderful store in Falmouth called Flowersticks. Unfortunately, it closed, but they still have a more clothing-centric store in Osterville that carries a few pieces of antique furnishings.
While Shabby Chic may no longer be the raging trend in most decorating circles, it's perfect for this place. It helps us let down and be comfy, and adds to the sense of peace the proximity to the ocean provides. Furniture was also chosen in order to add storage (there is one minuscule closet in the hallway and that's it). This includes a small antique armoire, side tables with drawers, beds with built in drawers underneath, and plenty of hooks on the walls for hanging up clothing.
As a little bonus, here are a few of my favorite coastal home / cottage inspirations. Just search these titles at your favorite online bookstore and they should come right up:
BOOKS:
Island Life
Coastal Style
Martha's Vineyard
How We Live By The Sea
Seaside Style
Finnish Summer Homes
Living In Greece
Country Living
Vineyard Days, Vineyard Nights
Vintage Cottages
Studios by the Sea
Shades of Country: Designing a Life of Comfort
MAGAZINES:
Past issues of Cottage Living (I'm am SO depressed that this magazine is no longer around)
Issues, especially current ones, of Coastal Living. A lot of the editors from Cottage Living landed over here, and the magazine has become tres chic lately!
Sunset
Maine Home and Design
Cape Cod Magazine
Hamptons Cottage and Gardens
PLEASE ADD TO THIS LIST IN THE COMMENTS WITH YOUR FAVORITES! I'm always looking for more books to add to my collection.
When we decorated the house, we went along with the vibe the house originally gave us. This vibe came from the existing weathered shingles, beach roses and sweet peas, white walls, and coastal cottage details like beadboard. Some of the furniture came with the joint, some was repainted and brought up from the basement of my parent's full-time home, some was plucked from junk stores, and a large number of pieces were picked up at this wonderful store in Falmouth called Flowersticks. Unfortunately, it closed, but they still have a more clothing-centric store in Osterville that carries a few pieces of antique furnishings.
While Shabby Chic may no longer be the raging trend in most decorating circles, it's perfect for this place. It helps us let down and be comfy, and adds to the sense of peace the proximity to the ocean provides. Furniture was also chosen in order to add storage (there is one minuscule closet in the hallway and that's it). This includes a small antique armoire, side tables with drawers, beds with built in drawers underneath, and plenty of hooks on the walls for hanging up clothing.
As a little bonus, here are a few of my favorite coastal home / cottage inspirations. Just search these titles at your favorite online bookstore and they should come right up:
BOOKS:
Island Life
Coastal Style
Martha's Vineyard
How We Live By The Sea
Seaside Style
Finnish Summer Homes
Living In Greece
Country Living
Vineyard Days, Vineyard Nights
Vintage Cottages
Studios by the Sea
Shades of Country: Designing a Life of Comfort
MAGAZINES:
Past issues of Cottage Living (I'm am SO depressed that this magazine is no longer around)
Issues, especially current ones, of Coastal Living. A lot of the editors from Cottage Living landed over here, and the magazine has become tres chic lately!
Sunset
Maine Home and Design
Cape Cod Magazine
Hamptons Cottage and Gardens
PLEASE ADD TO THIS LIST IN THE COMMENTS WITH YOUR FAVORITES! I'm always looking for more books to add to my collection.
The place is like a dollhouse. Beach roses, picket fence, white trim and weathered shingles all contributed to the decor on the interior.
Q