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Design Focus: Cottage Style

Cottage​ ​style​ ​is​ ​growing​ ​in​ ​popularity​ ​and​ ​that​ ​could​ ​be​ ​attributed​ ​to​ ​people​ ​yearning​ ​for simpler​ ​living.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​also​ ​considered​ ​to​ ​be​ ​synonymous​ ​with​ ​coziness,​ ​connoting​ ​smallness,​ ​but​ ​not smallness​ ​in​ ​a​ ​cramped​ ​way​ ​–​ ​a​ ​comfortable​ ​and​ ​together​ ​way.​ ​Creating​ ​a​ ​cottage​ ​feel​ ​is​ ​creating​ ​a cozy​ ​space​ ​that​ ​rises​ ​up​ ​and​ ​welcomes​ ​you,​ ​invites​ ​you​ ​to​ ​stay​ ​awhile​ ​and​ ​makes​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​happy.

The​ ​word​ ​“cottage”​ ​comes​ ​from​ ​medieval​ ​England​ ​between​ ​the​ ​5th​ ​and​ ​6th​ ​centuries​ ​and​ ​was affiliated​ ​with​ ​proletariat​ ​living.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​reserved​ ​for​ ​peasants​ ​or​ ​‘cotters’.​ ​With​ ​no​ ​power​ ​over​ ​their dwellings,​ ​the​ ​cottages​ ​were​ ​usually​ ​extremely​ ​modest​ ​​with​ ​a​ ​small​ ​ground​ ​floor​ ​living​ ​space​ ​and lower​ ​story​ ​bedrooms​ ​which​ ​fit​ ​under​ ​a​ ​pitched​ ​roof.​ ​When​ ​the​ ​style​ ​emerged​ ​in​ ​North​ ​America,​ ​it​ ​was a​ ​housing​ ​solution​ ​for​ ​slaves.​ ​Not​ ​subscribing​ ​to​ ​any​ ​connotations,​ ​Canadian​ ​cottages​ ​are​ ​more​ ​free flow​ ​than​ ​in​ ​​ other​ ​territories.​

The​ ​style​ ​evolved​ ​significantly​ ​over​ ​the​ ​years.​ ​​The​ ​more​ ​familiar​ ​style​ ​of​ ​rustic​ ​cottage​ ​architecture, typically​ ​made​ ​with​ ​heavy​ ​stones​ ​or​ ​wood,​ ​emerged​ ​in​ ​the​ ​18th​ ​century.​ ​Instead​ ​of​ ​being​ ​occupied​ ​by cotters​ ​or​ ​serfs,​ ​modern​ ​cottages​ ​are​ ​now​ ​owned​ ​by​ ​wealthier​ ​families​ ​as​ ​vacation​ ​properties,​ ​often located​ ​near​ ​a​ ​lake​ ​or​ ​in​ ​the​ ​mountains​.

COTTAGE​ ​STYLE:​ ​CHARACTERISTICS

Cottage​ ​homes​ ​can​ ​be​ ​identified​ ​by​ ​their​ ​smaller​ ​square​ ​footage​ ​and​ ​unique​ ​design.​ ​The​ ​design​ ​may include​ ​small​ ​balconies,​ ​bay​ ​windows​ ​or​ ​gable​ ​roofs.​ ​Wood​ ​is​ ​often​ ​used​ ​as​ ​an​ ​exterior​ ​covering, giving​ ​the​ ​home​ ​a​ ​more​ ​natural​ ​appearance.​ ​Cottage​ ​style​ ​homes​ ​encompass​ ​a​ ​broad​ ​range​ ​of designs​ ​and​ ​feature​ ​unique​ ​architectural​ ​choices​ ​reminiscent​ ​of​ ​cabin​ ​or​ ​lakefront​ ​properties.

This​ ​design​ ​favours​ ​an​ ​eclectic​ ​taste.​ ​Unlike​ ​more​ ​edited​ ​decorating​ ​styles,​ ​cottage​ ​style​ ​is​ ​more pliable.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​mix​ ​old​ ​and​ ​new;​ ​rare​ ​and​ ​inexpensive;​ ​and​ ​simple​ ​and​ ​ornate​ ​pieces.​ ​Stone​ ​is another​ ​important​ ​element​ ​in​ ​the​ ​cottage​ ​style.​ ​These​ ​homes​ ​feature​ ​natural​ ​cladding ​materials​ ​such​ ​as stone​ ​or​ ​brick​ ​for​ ​texture.​ ​A​ ​prominent​ ​roofline​ ​and​ ​picturesque​ ​dormers​ ​give​ ​the​ ​homes​ ​height​ ​and visual​ ​presence.​ ​Decorative​ ​touches​ ​such​ ​as​ ​vertical​ ​exterior​ ​paneling,​ ​a​ ​stone​ ​facade​ ​or​ ​strong geometric​ ​shapes​ ​set​ ​them​ ​apart​ ​from​ ​more​ ​contemporary​ ​styles.​ ​Popular​ ​in​ ​rural​ ​areas,​ ​the​ ​cottage style​ ​has​ ​now​ ​made​ ​its​ ​way​ ​to​ ​urban​ ​residential​ ​and​ ​semi-residential​ ​areas.

Cottage​ ​style​ ​house​ ​plans​ ​are​ ​characterized​ ​by​ ​their​ ​individuality.​ ​Modern​ ​cottage​ ​floor​ ​plans​ ​are adapted​ ​for​ ​today’s​ ​lifestyles,​ ​with​ ​cozy​ ​family​ ​gathering​ ​spaces​ ​and​ ​an​ ​unpretentious​ ​beauty.​ T​​his design​ ​was​ ​practically​ ​synonymous​ ​with​ ​shabby​ ​chic.​ ​A​ ​vintage​ ​charm​ ​underlines​ ​this​ ​style.​ ​Faded prints,​ ​light​ ​colours​ ​and​ ​gently​ ​distressed​ ​pieces​ ​is​ ​a​ ​mainstay​ ​cottage​ ​decor.  To​ ​acquire​ ​the​ ​quaint​ ​look,​ ​more​ ​rustic​ ​furnishings​ ​that​ ​can​ ​take​ ​a​ ​few​ ​hard​ ​knocks​ ​is​ ​recommended. Traditional​ ​cottage​ ​homes​ ​stay​ ​true​ ​to​ ​the​ ​abundance​ ​of​ ​wood​ ​from​ ​the​ ​floors​ ​to​ ​ceilings.​ W​​ood (stained,​ ​painted,​ ​pickled,​ ​stencilled​ ​or​ ​simply​ ​left​ ​natural)​ ​is​ ​queen,​ ​often accented with​ ​brick​ ​or​ ​stone.​ ​Cottage​ ​kitchens​ ​generally​ ​utilize​ ​shelves​ ​to​ ​stacks​ ​plates​ ​and​ ​bowls,​ ​canisters​ ​of​ ​dry​ ​goods and​ ​baskets​ ​of​ ​edibles.​ ​Modern​ ​type​ ​kitchens​ ​still​ ​use​ ​shelves​ ​but​ ​they​ ​look​ ​as​ ​much​ ​decorative​ ​as they​ ​are​ ​utilitarian.

Although​ ​a​ ​general​ ​quaint​ ​look​ ​is​ ​signature​ ​of​ ​the​ ​style,​ ​the​ ​right​ ​accessories​ ​will​ ​help​ ​create​ ​looks​ ​to cater​ ​to​ ​particular​ ​personalities.​ ​​Classic​ ​cottage​ ​furniture​ ​and​ ​decor​ ​emphasizes​ ​clean​ ​lines​ ​and classic​ ​shapes​ ​that​ ​stand​ ​the​ ​test​ ​of​ ​time.​​ ​​But​ ​even​ ​with​ ​a​ ​more​ ​tailored​ ​approach,​​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​a welcoming,​ ​comfortable​ ​feeling​ ​to​ ​the​ ​furniture​ ​style,​ ​colour,​ ​and​ ​fabric​ ​choices.​ ​Mix​ ​and​ ​match​ ​old​ ​and new,​ ​found​ ​and​ ​bought​ ​for​ ​a​ ​eclectic,​ ​casual​ ​style.​ ​Cultivate​ ​a​ ​lived-in​ ​relaxing​ ​vibe​ ​with​ ​weathered finishes​ ​and​ ​rustic​ ​touches​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hint​ ​of​ ​colour.​ ​Soften​ ​the​ ​feel​ ​for​ ​a​ ​romantic​ ​feel​ ​with​ ​soft​ ​pastels and​ ​neutral​ ​palettes.​ ​Experimenting​ ​with​ ​the​ ​style​ ​brings​ ​the​ ​dreamy​ ​design​ ​to​ ​life.​

CANADIAN​ ​COTTAGES

Canada​ ​is​ ​home​ ​to​ ​an​ ​impressive​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​architectural​ ​styles,​ ​representing​ ​the​ ​diverse​ ​and​ ​unique areas​ ​of​ ​the​ ​country.​ ​Its​ ​breathtaking​ ​wintry​ ​areas​ ​in​ ​the​ ​north​ ​can​ ​welcome​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​array​ ​of​ ​cabins and​ ​cottages,​ ​perfect​ ​for​ ​use​ ​as​ ​a​ ​vacation​ ​getaway​ ​or​ ​a​ ​year-round​ ​home​ ​in​ ​the​ ​right​ ​location.​ ​​Warm and​ ​inviting,​ ​the​ ​cottages​ ​are​ ​havens​ ​for​ ​families.

These​ ​types​ ​of​ ​Canadian​ ​houses​ ​include​ ​more​ ​rustic​ ​exteriors​ ​that​ ​resemble​ ​iconic​ ​log​ ​cabins​ ​by utilizing​ ​natural​ ​wood​ ​materials,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​more​ ​current​ ​stylings​ ​that​ ​take​ ​the​ ​concept​ ​of​ ​a​ ​cozy cottage​ ​and​ ​incorporate​ ​more​ ​clean​ ​lines​ ​and​ ​modern​ ​aesthetics.

YOUR​ ​COTTAGE​ ​HOME

Depending​ ​on​ ​the​ ​age​ ​of​ ​your​ ​cottage​ ​or​ ​how​ ​long​ ​you’ve​ ​owned​ ​it,​ ​you​ ​might​ ​feel​ ​it’s​ ​time​ ​to​ ​give​ ​it​ ​a facelift.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​adding​ ​a​ ​few​ ​elements​ ​to​ ​your​ ​existing​ ​home​ ​or​ ​on​ ​the​ ​market​ ​for​ ​a​ ​cottage​ ​style home,​ ​a​ ​great​ ​place​ ​to​ ​start​ ​is​ ​by​ ​recreating​ ​the​ ​cottage​ ​style.​ Remember,​ ​the​ ​look​ ​is​ ​more​ ​important than​ ​particular​ ​shapes​ ​or​ ​lines.​ ​Get​ ​creative​ ​with​ ​colours​ ​and​ ​finishes​ ​with​ ​compliments​ ​of manufactured​ ​stones​ ​for​ ​a​ ​warm,​ ​nature​ ​inspired​ ​effect.

Stacked stone, like Cultured Stone® Country Ledgestone, or ThinCut™ Machine Cut, Weathered Fieldstone, ​offers​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​way​ ​to​ ​upgrade​ ​the​ ​look​ ​of​ ​your​ ​property​ ​without​ ​it​ ​looking​ ​out​ ​of place​ ​in​ ​more contemporary ​environs.​ ​The​ ​classic​ ​look​ ​achieved​ ​by​ ​installing​ ​tight-fit stone​ ​means​ ​your​ ​cottage will​ ​stand​ ​out,​ ​but​ ​as​ ​a​ ​modern​ ​throwback​ ​to​ ​a​ ​simpler​ ​time,​ ​and​ ​without​ ​degrading​ ​the​ ​surrounding area.

Manufactured​ ​stone​ ​enhances​ ​any​ ​architectural​ ​design.​ ​The​ ​stones​ ​are​ ​lightweight​ ​and​ ​easy​ ​to install​ ​which​ ​cuts​ ​costs​ ​significantly.​ It​ ​will​ ​make​ ​any​ ​cottage space​ ​cozy.