English Cottage Style

Hi Everyone,

I found some more pictures of The Holiday cottage (one of my favorite movies) and a perfect example of English country cottage.  If you haven't seen this movie yet, it's a must to check out.

The original post was published last July, so I am re-publishing it today.

Enjoy!

Cottage style is all about comfort, so that's a priority when planning your decor.  Comfortable sofas and chairs, lots of pillows, lots of color, floral fabrics mixed with ginghams and stripes, books, soft lighting, art, tables by each chair and sofa, ottomans, area rugs and anything else you love.  You are there to relax in your cozy environment.

Carefree is another word to remember when thinking cottage style.....often the furniture is slipcovered for easy care, antiques mixed with new, and sometimes, painted furniture is common and offers a low maintenance lifestyle.

If using floral chintz on your draperies, then ensure your large upholstered pieces are a solid color or a co-ordinating small print.

Wall colors are usually soft and in natural shades such a whites, creams, greens, yellows and pinks in the traditional English cottages, but deeper colors are seen more often in the contemporary English home. 

And the finishing touch is fresh plants and flowers.

Cottage foyer - love the old wooden door!

Wood floor, antique bamboo coatstand, 

stuccoed walls and timbered ceiling

Low, timbered ceilings and stone wall in the living room

Paned windows, chintz curtains, soft lighting, flowers, books

Comfortable mix and match furniture

Tables by each chair and sofa

Open shelving, fireplace, eat in kitchen table

Blue and white transferware and gingham plates

Small, warm and cosy

Same elements as above photos

Charming cottage bedroom!

Timbered ceiling, fireplace

Big comfy bed and lots of lamp light!

And lastly, the tiny bathroom with 

a painted floor, antique dresser and 

zinc tub!

Above images from the movie, The Holiday and 

Hooked on Houses

What is a Cottage?

Often, when the term 'cottage' is mentioned, a beach is the first thing that comes to mind.....at least in our part of the country.  Cottage living does not necessarily refer to summer, or weekend, living.  Far from it.

So today, I searched for the definition of 'cottage' and found the term was developed in the Middle Ages to describe what was then the home of a 'cotter' - a working peasant.  Also, 'cottage' was derived from a combination of the English word 'cote' which means 'hut', and the French word 'cot' which means 'hut' - in other words, a peasant's hut.  And the peasant's huts were understood to be 'cozy' because they were small.  Hence, cottage style living is always cozy.

'Cozy' has come a long way since the Middle Ages!  Cozy is no longer determined by size, and cottage is no longer determined by size, or location, for that matter.  The large summer cottages that were built for the very rich in Bar Harbor in the 19th century changed all that.

Over the years, cottages have developed certain characteristics that are common among them, such as shingled, stucco, timbered or stone siding, deeply slanted rooves, paned windows, gabled windows, chimneys and they are sometimes enclosed by picket fences with gates.

Some cottage elements are specific to the country they are in such as England, France, Sweden, etc., so we have English cottages, French cottages, Australian cottages and then we have the same for interior decorating...i.e., English country, French country, American country, refined, rustic, Victorian, shabby chic, traditional.....what does it all mean and how does one country's decor differ from another?

And are cottages always by a body of water?  Definitely not.....they can be found in the woods, mountains, rural and urban areas.

To try and sort it all out, let's look at some international cottage styles.  And tomorrow we will look at some interior design styles.

Tiny cottage in upstate New York

Hand built by a woman as her own retreat

Recycled materials

St. James Park, London, England

Stucco, gabled roof, (no thatches), bird house on roof

Fence

Traditional Irish cottage, Donegal

Steep roof, paned windows, colorful

Stone walls, gate

St. Bart's, Caribbean

Coastal cottage

Michigan full-time residential cottage

Decorative window panes, steep roof

Swedish cottage

Shingled, gables, veranda

Infamous Grey Gardens

Hamptons shingled cottage 1897

Contemporary Hamptons cottage

10,000 sq. ft.?

Shingles, gables, paned windows, chimneys

Australian cottage

Rustic

Image 1 NY Times, Images 2 & 3 Wikipedia

Image 4 Coastal Living, Image 5 Cottages of Harbor Springs,

Image 6 Unknown, Image 7 East Hampton Historical Society

Image 8 Unknown, Image 9 Unknown

Serene Green

Just returned from a fun week with our high energy, 8 year old grandson Camilo, who needed a little company while his big sister, Olivia, was out of town with her mother at a highland dance competition.  Having raised one daughter, and not having daily contact with little boys, being around Cami for a week was an eye opening experience.  What energy!!  Up at 6 a.m. like clockwork, computer time, breakfast, in the pool for a couple of hours, out of the pool and cycle down the street to play and have lunch, cycle home, in the pool again, dinner, basketball at the top of the street or baseball down at the field, or maybe an hour or two of artwork, a little tv, bath and bed and out like a light!  And on top of all that, he's quite a little photographer as well, as evidenced by my profile photo......that's right, taken by no other than our very talented Camilo!  (And sister Olivia is equally as talented and energetic!)  They sure make it easy to be proud grandparents!

Thank heavens he has a lot of friends to share his energy burning days with and a father who is more than happy to play soccer, basketball or whatever with him when he gets home from his 12 hour workday.  I'm not sure I would have made it through the week without all their help since it was way beyond my normal pace.

I wonder if that's why I awoke this morning with serenity on my mind.  It must be time to chill out with some beautiful green scenes.

Enjoy!

Images 1, 2 & 3 Diamond Baratta, Image 4 House & Home

Image 5 Mary MacDonald, Image 6 Southern Accents

Image 7 Unknown, Image 8 Monet's House, Giverny

Cottage Garden Benches

I am off for a week with  my family, so am leaving you with a few more wonderful garden scenes.

Have a great week everyone........I'll be back soon!

Diamond Baratta Design

Diamond Baratta Design is one of a kind!  Two friends, William Diamond and Anthony Baratta, head this design firm in New York City.

Their rooms stand alone in the world of design, as they are able to envision and incorporate ideas that would stop most people in their tracks.  No detail is too small, and if they are unable to find what they need for an interior, they have it custom made.

After many years in the business, they now have a field of experts at their behest - quilters, rugmakers, artists, cabinetmakers, embroiderers and large manufacturers of textiles, such as Lee Jofa, and carpet maker, Stark Carpets, to produce their personal designs. 

And therein lies their not so secret 'secret'!  What they produce is one-of-a-kind!

Today, I am posting one of their nautically designed interiors.......and you will see what I mean.

Enjoy!

Cape Cod Summer Home

Tugboat S.S. Lollipop

Entry with built in benches

Hand hewn lighthouse newel post

Hand painted floors

Rug by Diamond

Ticking fabric on walls

Custom made gingham carpet

Tole vases converted to lamps

DB designed fabric on sofa

Antique quilted cushions and ottoman

Homeowner's collection sailor's valentines in LR

Custom designed quilt pattern on walls, chairs

DR Wedgewood shell plates

Family room has custom designed Lee Jofa fabric on furniture

with antique quilted and hooked pillows

Vintage windmill refurbished

DB coffee tables and Orkney chairs

DB rag rug

Sun porch

DB latticework and porthole table

Master bedroom

DB bed and nightstand

Antique quilted pillows and linen on walls

DB rug

Boy's room

DB bed and pier tables

Hand painted floors

Beach house family room in red to match tugboat

DB fabric and antique quilt ottoman

Hand painted ceiling border and floor

Antique portholes and sconces

All photos via Veranda

Wouldn't you say they have a penchant for detail?  What do you think?

Comments welcome!!

Oprah's Hawaiian House

As promised last week, here is the followup on Oprah's homes - her Hawaiian retreat.

What began as an old gray farmhouse Oprah purchased to tear down, ended up being restored and perfected to Oprah's requirements.  The property was purchased for it's location and magnificent ocean views.  With the help of an architect and designer Ellie Cullman and her team,  the house was brought back to life. 

After the floorplan was completely redone and the house taken back to its basic structure, the master bedroom ceiling was raised to give the room an airier feel, french doors were installed throughout the house and a wrap around verandah was added.

Since this property is meant for a very relaxed lifestyle, the interiors were designed with comfort in mind.  The folk art weathervane in the shape of a galloping horse became the focal point in the living room as a reflection of the horses in the field.  The rooms are painted in beautiful summery colors of yellows, greens and soft whites.  Oprah's master bedroom is done in her favorite shade, green, which is also very serene.  Along with her colorful bouquets of fresh flowers and her beloved African American art, it has become her home away from home.

All in all, an absolutely wonderful getaway.

Enjoy!

Oprah's Hawaiian Home

Veranda ocean view

Living Room

Dining Room

Dining Room

Master Bedroom

Bedroom Balcony

Kitchen

All photos via Oprah.com