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. 

It's a jungle out there!

The month of March has been an absolute whirlwind and now it's almost over! In like a lion and out like a lamb...they say! Speaking of animals, I have been fortunate enough to travel to both Montreal and Toronto this past week and have been checking out some design trends in these cities as well as my own, Ottawa, and I have seen so many 'animal inspired' elements in home decor. Lots and lots of animal prints in upholstery - pillows, area rugs and throw blankets. Leopard, snake skin, tiger and giraffe, oh my! What is great about animal print is that although bold it is classic and seems to never go out of style. It is a great colour palette to work off of and offers a great splash of visual interest. Don't think you can go that bold? Start small with a faux fur pillow in a bedroom or on an occasional chair. Integrate a few animal prints that are in a tone on tone colour wave to your living room space. Don't like earth tones? We are seeing animal prints is many different colour waves including turquoise and magenta!The boldness of the animal print pattern is so engaging and interesting. Other great ways to integrate nature into your home

- check out driftwood, it is organic and naturally sculptural

- add some bamboo to a bathroom, greenery makes any and every space feel alive

- check out bits and bobbles with natural inspiration on a coffee table or any showcase area, a small display of little birds, shells or starfish add serenity and simplicity to any space

- framed artwork with animals, birds and flowers can look very traditional but many stores have a more modern take on nature inspired art pieces.

- animal prints are not the only way to integrate animals and textiles into a space, many stores offer options with a softer approach with colours from nature like green, blue and yellow or look for floral and fauna prints.

Take a close look at the image above, they have embraced the elements of nature biut still have a contemporary style. The wallpaper has a leaf motif, the zebra print area rug is bold, the framed artwork is various shapes and sizes of leaves, a few collectibles of coral and shells are on display and of course, some greenery.

Bringing the outdoors inside can make every space feel relaxed and comfortable yet still stylish. Nature never goes out of style!