If you’ve read my latest articles on the “Mon Coin de Vie” blog, you’ll have noticed that I’ve been talking a lot about the cottage I’ve been building. That’s the project which has kept us busy all year. Thankfully, we’re finally at the decorating part, which is my favourite since I work as a stylist. I’ve had a year to think about must-haves when it comes to decorating a cottage.
There’s Never Enough Wood!
Whether you’ve got pine paneling on the wall or ceiling, or are lucky enough to have log walls, nothing will be cozier than wood. However, that’s an expensive thing to add to a decor. Rather, make the smart choice and integrate it to the space with mock beams, wooden doors and furniture. Make sure the wood colours match. Some might prefer a white finish (the famous shiplap) for that farmhouse look. If that’s the option you want, you can save some money by buying painted MDF laths. If you want real wood, but don’t want to pay for the more expensive species (maple, oak), choose pine, a soft wood and the least expensive option, and stain it to hide its yellow tint. For our bedroom, I chose wide laths of Russian cherry plywood, a product distributed by Interbois, and which offers another alternative to solid wood at a more affordable price.
A Nature Theme Without Being Cliché
The cottage is where we go to take a break from urban life. A nature-themed decor therefore makes the most sense. What better to achieve that theme than by letting nature do the job. Don’t overload your rooms and use your windows as canvas. The colours of the surrounding natural spaces could serve as inspiration for the accent colours of your walls. For example, the blue wall in my entrance was inspired by the lake. I turned to the ferns in my yard when it came time to give my bathroom a makeover.
Laying Down Roots
The best way to spend your time at the cottage is with family and friends. You’ll want a decor that makes it easy to get a conversation started. A big table, a bench or a fireplace are examples of things which I find to be must-haves. Place your furniture to create a cozy environment.
At the same time, the cottage is also a place where you want time to yourself to recharge your batteries. Consider putting a bench under a window or a suspended chair somewhere with a view.
Comfortable, Low-Maintenance Furniture
Resting rhymes with comfortable furniture that’s easy to maintain. No need to stress just because someone got the couch dirty! I chose second-hand furniture in good condition, with an eye toward sturdiness. The couches are the basic KIVIK models from IKEA, known for their comfort and their removable covers. You can also look for machine-washable carpets. Finally, by building my own furniture, I’m sure to have practical pieces that fit my needs.
Those are my must-haves for cottage decorating. I’ll add that if you want to feel good in a secondary home, don’t use it as a place to put the furniture and the accessories you don’t want in your main home. Find furniture that you really love and that will really make the space your own.
