Bring It On!

5 Rules For 21st Century Cottage Living

By Lisa J. Gotto

Whether you’re using it as a getaway retreat or have creatively downsized into something smaller and cozier, modern-era cottage living is all about beautifully personalizing a smaller space. Our Chesapeake region is home to tons of these tiny gems that prove you don’t have to live big to live well.

If one of those gems is yours, or you’re just considering living a simple and stylish life, here are five rules to inspire and define.

 Bring on the wood

Many of these original-type structures have aspects such as ceiling beams already baked into their traditional design. If you don’t have them and don’t wish to add them, you can introduce wood in other ways such as kitchen butcher block countertops, which really set the tone for a room. Or, you can add base trim work around windows and doors, or add a simple style crown molding where your walls meet the ceiling. You can also add an accent wall of wood to really kick up the character of either a farmhouse or more modern vibe.

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READ: ESCAPE INTO COTTAGE CORE

Yearnings for simpler days and times continue to pepper our social channels with nostalgia. But do we even know how to just “be” simple anymore? Ramona Jones addresses this concept in her book, Escape into Cottage Core. Using experiential practices in areas such as mindfulness, journaling, and even herbology, Jones relays how to bring a bit of the simple life into your life—even if you don’t have a cottage.

 Bring on the charm

This is where the fun really starts! Having a cottage means having the ability to get a little quirky and think outside of the box. Keep in mind that charm can come in many forms such as vintage finds, décor themes based on collections, such as books or artworks, or even inspired by one specific item, like a prized piece of stained glass. It can also mean the unexpected use of an ordinary furnishing in a less-than-ordinary place. This practice is especially helpful if you are downsizing and have a furnishing you would still like to use but that you don’t have the traditional space for. While we might never think that putting a sofa in a kitchen is a good idea, in this cottage scenario, it’s charming and works exceptionally well.

 Bring on the light

This is a must since we are looking at small rooms and spaces. Find ways to maximize natural light by adding a skylight, turning a window into a larger glass door, or enlarging smaller windows, if possible. Also keep paint color options white or light, or bright. Resist the urge to go with dense or moody colors on large walls, or you will run the risk of turning your cottage into a cave. If you’re a lover of rich, thick

 Bring on the utility

Now remember—we said charm, not clutter. As smaller dwellings, every inch of space is at a premium, so it shouldn’t be jammed with furnishings that are too large of scale, or appointed with every piece of sentimental bric-a-brac that you have not been able part with yet. When furnishing, consult an expert who can steer you to furnishings and online purveyors of this particular aesthetic that can make the most of space, and have it look its best. For example, a scaled down classic sofa by-day, provides added utility when it becomes an extra bed in the evening.

The Cottage Defined

The lineage of the “cottage” dates to the Middle Ages in England, when these structures were the traditionally humble, if not scant, countryside abodes or farmers. Back then, dirt floors and thatched roofs were the materials of the day, furnishings were minimal, and space along the interior roof line was utilized as sleeping quarters. Today, these small dwellings comprise the more historically popular and highly desirable of tiny living scenarios.

 Bring on the detail

This is where texture and pattern can play a large role in your interior scheme. And this does not mean that everything must be puffy and upholstered. Some of today’s coolest cottages are contemporary dwellings with more than just a splash of modern panache brought out through the feel and visual impact of fabric and other materials. From the texture in the beadboard and beamed ceiling to the pattern of the chair backs and pillow coverings, this cottage is chock full of custom details.