A summer getaway by the lake is a dream for many but this client made it happen last year and now gets to spend two months here during the "work from home" summer of 2020.
This two bedroom plus loft is not huge, but the open concept and vaulted ceiling makes it feel very roomy. It backs on to a beautiful lake and is surrounded by mature trees and forested lands, in a gated resort community. There's a large screened in porch and another outdoor deck facing the water with a large grassy area for playing games or lounging. It the perfect mix of fun and functional - lots of room to entertain or just chill out.
At the time of purchase, the client was planning to rent out the cottage for part of the summer, so that was a big consideration when selecting the furnishing and finishes. It can sleep up to 11 people comfortably when all the mattresses are revealed.
Durability of fabrics and materials in a cottage is crucial when dealing with wet towels, dirty shoes from hiking and an overall casual summer vibe. The laminate plank floors have a weathered finish in a neutral tone that "hides dirt". The blue walls provide a warm contrast to all the green outside and pulls in the colour of the lake.
A large dining table overlooking the lake has a wooden bench on one side and "X-back" cane chairs that are comfortable and easy to keep clean. With the 3 stools at the kitchen island, there's room for 11 to eat inside on a rainy day - with additional dining on the porch.
For the kitchen, all we had to do was bring in some chairs for the island. I love these classic black & white, wicker counter stools. Really brings in the elegance with some edge!
The living area has a sofa bed with a couple of swivel chairs that can be turned to the window. The wooden coffee table and the media cabinet store games and books. The sisal weave end tables also provide extra storage for throw blankets on cool summer evenings.
The bunk room can sleep 5 kids with a twin bed over a double bed and a lower trundle pullout with a second double-size mattress. It had to be suitable for all the cousins, boys and girls, to be able to sleep over. A preppy navy blue & red quilt inspired the colour scheme. I then found a sweet red mirror with little bird on top and a weathered red ceiling fixture to pull the look together. There's also a rustic red trunk in one corner that stores books and games (and maybe some snacks!).
The loft showcases a black wrought iron twin bed with a trundle pull out below. Again, the black & white scheme makes it neutral for boys and girls to hang out. Pops of light blue in the pillows and a lacquered blue cabinet that stores clothes and games. Black wall sconces and battery operated lanterns for night time ghost stories add to the fun. A couple of floor pillows are perfect for lounging with a book, a game, or a tablet.
The screened in porch with rotating ceiling fan keeps things cool during the day, while string lights hung around the perimeter keep things going into the evening. It feels like summer lives here.
Just a side note, this project was done completely remotely through floor plans and client's photographs. We then created furniture plans, and assembled design boards and samples to present our vision to the client. We sourced everything from our preferred suppliers and kept it at a storage unit until ready to ship. When the clients gave us their move in date, the moving trucks were organized and the team hauled it out to the site for a long installation day, where the clients met up with us.
It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time, but a highly organized process that was very successful in the end . Overall, the clients were very happy they were able to enjoy their first summer as cottage owners right away. Sunset drinks on the back deck, anyone?
Thanks for stopping by,
Ana