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PHOTOS COURTESY OF HGTV
R E A L E S TAT E W E E K LY
Create the Perfect Summer Vacation Cabin B
ritish Columbia is blessed with endless natural beauty but not nearly enough summer! What is more Canadiana than heading to the cabin, chalet or cottage – whatever you call your weekend getaway – for some R&R? REW reached out to Tommy Smythe, co-host on HGTV’s Sarah’s Rental Cottage series, for some inspiration on turning a rustic space into a fabulous one. The interior designer and frequent TV guest and host, along with Sarah Richardson, recently transformed an Ontario 1950s cabin into the gorgeous showstopper you see in these photos. Smythe says it’s possible to duplicate many of the furnishings and renovations affordably while still being stylish. One of his signature design tips is to look right outside the door of your mountain or waterfront cabin and take your colour palette cues from there.
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“Look out the window; perhaps it’s the smokey blue or lake green of the water, or the colours of the trees and flowers on your property,” he adds. “Mother Nature gives you all you need.”
Smythe’s Top Style Tips for Cottages and Cabins • Remember your retreat is about relaxed living. Washable slipcovers, painted finishes and simple shapes allow people to live with style and ease. • Add sweat equity to add personality to your cottage. “We took a tree stump to create a side table,” says Smythe. “We also made a lamp out of a birch log. You can buy a wiring kit from a hardware store and in minutes you have a unique lamp.” • If you have an older cabin with original elements, such as worn woodwork,
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wood floors, high ceilings and wraparound decks, these are what keep the character alive. Perhaps all they need is a little tender loving care or a fresh coat of paint. • Use lots of locally relevant elements. “If I’m at a seaside cottage, I want to see driftwood and shells. At the lake I want fishing rods, braided rugs and twig furniture. If I’m in the woods, I want to see antlers, headboards of indigenous wood and birch bark … I want visual cues to tell me exactly where I am.” • Salvage pieces add nostalgia to the bathroom. Head out for a day to explore salvage yards, antique stores or church flea markets and try to locate pedestal sinks, claw-foot tubs and vintage light fixtures. Combine vintage and new; this is all about pulling together what you love.
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• Decorate your walls with an antique map. That way your guests have an idea of the area if they want to go out to explore. A vintage rug and other local mementoes also give your walls individuality. • Use an old ladder for guest blankets or towels. Rethink how you use things you already have … Smythe can’t stress that enough. • The cabin is where you can be whimsical, so go for the crazy loud mugs or the outthere wild dishes. “It’s where you can indulge in a little eccentric fun.” • Baskets are a cabin staple, used to store dried goods, beach towels or anything else that is cluttering your haven. • Finally, don’t forget your outdoor space. This is where we often spends most of our time. Think about putting in a fire pit with lots of seating or a hot tub. “Every getaway should have a destination,” Smythe adds. “It could be the dock where you’ve placed a table, set with hand painted dishes you found at the local flea market, candles and comfy chairs for a special dinner … Imagine dining with the waves lapping at the shoreline – priceless memories are made.”
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