A guest room with a view.

The creamy palette lends a calm and sophisticated vibe to this guest room. The traditional wooden double-hung windows are accented by rich grey sashes, all the better to highlight a fabulous, tree-lined view of the lake.

A traditional room with a fun edge.

Wrapping the space in the bold Chenonceau pattern by Schumacher meant that the homeowner didn’t need to invest in artwork and all the other furnishings had to be white or natural to keep the look low-key. A Georgian fanlight from an architectural salvage shop was fused to a beadboard base to craft a statement headboard. The drapes are trimmed in rope for a nautical note.

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Exotic finds make for an eclectic room.

A hand-carved Indonesian panel Karen Cole used as art for decades was converted to a headboard for the principal bedroom. Together with the potpourri of textiles — a quilt and sheets from Revelle, a bedcover from West Elm and a rug from The County Furniture Company — it helps establish the bohemian, slightly exotic look she was after.

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A linen slipcover on the Ikea bed offers multiple looks.

Suzanne Dimma and her husband Arriz Hassam can fully appreciate their cottage’s leafy environs from an 8′ window behind the bed.

Save space and add interest in a small space with bunk beds.

In a narrow kids’ room, an intentionally high upper bunk creates an airy atmosphere. Colourful fabrics, crisp metal details and traditional pine boards epitomize the modern cottage.

A peaceful principal bedroom.

An exotic-looking chaise and block print-style rug from Pottery Barn define a reading area, which is painted Hardwick White (5) by Farrow & Ball. A vintage Churchill poster from Bakers Dozen Antiques enlivens a corner wall.

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White walls, black doors and seagrass carpeting are timeless elements in this guest bedroom.

White walls, black doors and seagrass carpeting are timeless elements in this guest bedroom. The dramatic combo of light and dark distinguishes the coastal architecture. A popular choice in vacation homes, seagrass rugs hold down dust and are more comfortable underfoot than bare wood. Old-fashioned hospital lamps from Beall & Bell are the perfect height for reading.

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Dark wood and blues mix in this room.

The canopy bed fulfills one of the homeowner’s childhood fantasies in the principal bedroom. Striped bed curtains and a seagrass rug add beachy flair.

Light colours and pinstripes create a trad space.

In the main-floor guest bedroom, an old, monogrammed wicker trunk serves as a rustic bedside table, and adds a camp-style vibe. A whirring ceiling fan adds an authentic vintage touch and circulates the still summer air.

A serene Muskoka island retreat.

A raffia headboard from John & Chris Interiors adds warmth to the airy principal bedroom. The iconic ladderback chair and rush-seated bench came with the home and reference the more traditional cottage style. Mirrored pillows by John Robshaw from Lucca and a glamorous oil portrait of Elizabeth Taylor — a housewarming gift — shake things up.

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Get impact with white walls and dark woods.

In a spare bedroom, vintage wooden hat moulds dance above an old dresser and spool chair. A wash of white creates a graphic look paired with dark furniture and floors.

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Natural elements and a smart DIY create a personal look. 

Homeowner Karyn Gordon reused many pieces to craft a one-of-a-kind look. “We used logs from our property as bedside tables. I painted the old trunk, which came with the cottage, a soft white. It stores extra linens. We got the striped blanket in Mexico. It’s perfect for here: light but warm.”

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Gingham fabric creates a country feel.

White wainscotting, crisp bed linens, a cooling ceiling fan and windows opened wide to lake breezes are quintessential cottage details in a boathouse bedroom. The plaid check is homespun but graphic.

Paint auction and thrift-store finds with a fresh coat of white paint.

Dark wood twin headboards, bought at an auction, feel light and airy after the paint transformation. Keeping new and second-hand finds in the same white brings a cohesive look to a room. Here, everyday white linens are given a fresh look with pale blue and white quilts and accent pillows.

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A Muskoka cottage with extra sleep space.

A row of built-in bunk beds saves space and makes sleepovers fun. Cottage-country fleamarkets and thrift stores can be a well-priced resource for authentic finds: the apple-picking ladder was snagged for $15 at a local antiques store.

Vintage and antique items lend a lived-in feel.

The aesthetic of this bunkie guest room ties in with the main cottage so that visitors who stay here feel equally comfortable. Tongue-and-groove panelling, painted a soothing sage and a bright white, creates a cosy backdrop for an inviting mix of thrift store finds.

Get more decorating ideas in our Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms gallery. See more cottage photos in our Traditional Cottages gallery, Cottages & Country Houses, plus more cottage photos.