Summer Style: Get the Cottage Look at Home

Everyone loves summertime, and here in Canada our summers tend to be on the shorter side, so embrace the cottage look at home to make the summer last!

1 - accessories are the easiest way to transform a space.  Look for pillows with stags, art with twigs and branches anything that brings the outdoors in

2 - colour planning.  look for colours right from nature and think about your setting.  Greens are great but so are blues.  Layer different shades and textures using colour

3 - wood elements.  You can us wood in so many different ways so get creative!  How about a timber wood feature wall in a bedroom?  Or keep it simple with wood tables.



4 - art work.  look for at least one piece that really speaks to the area - try looking in local shops or research local artists, that way every time you see it you will be brought back to that relaxing space

5 - cottage quirks.  Add some 'finds' that reflect cottage life like an old bench, this will give your home that true cottage taste

 

6 - lighting.  light at the cottage or lake house is often bright so think about that when making lighting choices.  Remember to always layer your lighting, so tables lamps, candles (battery operated ones are perfect), light fixtures etc....opt for rustic looking lanterns

7- seasonal changes.  light colour slipcovers and bright cushions are an easy and amazing way to make a big transformation to the space as the seasons change. 

 

8- DIY.  the cottage lifestyle is relaxed and easy, so don't get fussy.  Look for great deals online, yard sales etc....you can always make minor modifications to give the piece a more personalized look. 

Vacation Home Decor

You might be one of the lucky ones that has a vacation home like a summer cottage on a lake or perhaps a mountain chalet...

If you are one of the lucky ones you may be thinking about making a more permanent move to the vacation residence or maybe you want to start using it as another revenue stream.

If you are in that position, think about making your vacation home look a little more 'home-like'



I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to many different places with my husband and my children - Greece, Jamaica, Mont Tremblant QC, Seattle WA, St Simons Island GA and many more.  From my experiences staying in condos, villas and homes in these amazing vacation spots I can say that the overall look played a big role in why we chose the vacation rental that we chose.

Cleanliness and budget were obvious factors but did the home have a comfortable feeling and look? Did it fit the surroundings and reflect the lifestyle?  If you are looking at renting out a vacation home remember you are fulfilling a travel fantasy so play into it.

But how your vacation rentals looks in photos is important.  If someone is spending their hard earned money on a holiday they want it to be the best one and they want a place that will be just that.

A beach house should look like one.  This about the interior paint colours - personally soft tones, like sand, various whites and beach glass are great options.  Natural materials like stone and wood feel organic and calm.  Plush towels in white give a spa like feel.  Other details like local artists' work on the walls, bowls of shells and sand, candles and sea glass accents.  Play with the local flavour - a porch swing and rocking chairs at the home we stayed at in St Simons Island, GA were just perfect for watching the rainstorms and hanging out with family on hot summer evenings.

 

A mountain home always looks great with warmer and a bit darker tones like Cognac leather club chairs, a fireplace, natural elements like stone, wood beams and slate.  Add lots of touchable textures (leather, wool, fur) and blankets for cozy winter nights.  Some great art ideas would be photography or framed maps of the area. Area rugs make a hardwood floor look and feel warmer.  In the winter months, it gets dark early so think about having lots of light (recessed or floor and table lamps)

 

If this is a great spot for families - try having board games, movies and books already there for guests to enjoy.  Kitchen items that they may need - pots, pans, cookie sheets and more...Extra linens for bed and bath.  Take-out menus and recommendations for sightseeing and restaurants.  Make your guests feel and home and they will want to come back again and again.

No matter what type of vacation rental you have, make it a true getaway for guests and yourself.