Decorating & Design
16 Breezy White Cottage Decorating Ideas For A Restful Retreat
Author: Amanda Tucci
Published on May 10, 2017
Time spent at the cottage is all about a simpler life, away from the city. Create a space to ease you into relaxation mode the moment you step through the door with breezy, white decor that lets nature take center stage. Click through for ideas to inspire your own tranquil getaway.
In this modern cottage, floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning panoramic views of the rocky shoreline. A modern-yet-minimalist design ensures that the view is always the main attraction.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home July 2011
Designer: Larry Williams and Sharie Kennedy Williams
Tucked neatly under a ceiling peak, this simple work station looks toward the stunning natural landscape of B.C.’s Pender Island.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July 2014
Designer: Carrie McCarthy
Black-framed windows lend visual weight to this guest bedroom’s relaxed light blue-and-white palette.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home July 2013
Designer: Cory DeFrancisco, Muskoka Living Interiors
Natural textiles are a warm addition in this modern living space. A fireplace ensures that trips to the cottage are kept cozy well into cooler months.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July 2014
Designer: Carrie McCarthy
A white envelope keeps this bedroom feeling breezy, despite the high-contrast palette. Abstract artwork brings a contemporary look to the rustic clapboard wall.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home July 2010
Designer: William Shubat
Designer Carrie McCarthy took her cottage’s beautiful sight lines into consideration when designing the great room’s large French doors, which lead outward to the patio.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July 2014
Designer: Carrie McCarthy
A low-profile bed ensures that this room’s gorgeous waterfront views remain unobstructed. Soft linens and a Bertoia chair keep the space comfortable and inviting.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home July 2011
Designer: Larry Williams and Sharie Kennedy Williams
Designer Marko Simcic draped a sheepskin over this wicker rocking chair for added comfort. Textured elements, like a woven storage basket and a barely-there macramé wall hanging, add natural warmth.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Marko Simcic, Simcic + Uhrich Architects
Orange leather pulls on the kitchen cabinets (background) are a juicy pop of color in this all-white, open-concept space. Contrast piping on the living room sofa accentuates its shape.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Marko Simcic, Simcic + Uhrich Architects
Pops of purple read as youthful in this spare, whitewashed bedroom. A wardrobe rack is a simple substitute for a closet.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July 2014
Designer: Carrie McCarthy
Black metal accents stand out against this guest bedroom’s white walls, while pillows and a framed textile add interest with pattern. A high-placed window keeps the room bright throughout the day.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Marko Simcic, Simcic + Uhrich Architects
In the same cottage, a row of horizontally-displayed butterfly artwork adds a small splash of color. Rustic wood side tables bring an element of the outdoors in.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Marko Simcic, Simcic + Uhrich Architects
To make this cottage “lighter, brighter and more comfortable,” designer Margot Austin gave it a fresh lick of white paint. Earthy green and blue accents nod to the home’s location in the Kawarthas, while old boat propellers mounted on the wall make for a quirky feat.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Margot Austin
Dark hardwood floors and an unfinished pine table give this bathroom a raw appeal. Brass hardware complements the warm, parchment-toned map.
Photographer: Eric Striffler
Source: House & Home July 2013
Designer: Colleen DeCourcy
A pair of campaign chests that sit just under the windows ensure the verdant forest view isn’t compromised. Striped blue-and-white bedsheets and a display of old paddles play up the cottage’s lakeside location.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Margot Austin
A soaring vaulted ceiling gives this modestly-decorated bedroom wow factor. Mounted antlers introduce a sculptural element.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home July 2010
Designer: William Shubat