English Cottage Decor

[catherine]

A few of us here still have homes that are works-in-progress and some of us love the English cottage look (I'll speak for myself--I love the English cottage look).

I found this article to have some good thoughts on the elements of English cottage that can be applied anywhere.

(Frankly, one of my favorite ideas listed is also the least accessible--I would love to have a thatched roof--I wonder if there are any roofers that do thatched roofs in VT?)

https://homeaddict.io/30-ways-to-achieve-the-english-cottage-look/

[Tybee]

Re thatched roofs, check this one out:

https://www.hendricksarchitect.com/architecture/thatch-roofing-today

I did not realize that any of the mushroom cottages of Charlevoix had thatched roofs, that is very near where I used to live.

Apparently Rob Roy of cordwood building fame also incorporates them:

https://www.pressrepublican.com/news/local_news/building-school-couples-ancient-with-new/article_cfcd654c-7bf9-58ee-ad22-bba15908400d.html

[JaneV2.0]

I've grown fond of cottages in my dotage, and this article is full of reasons why. I especially love the walled gardens, with a voluptuous abundance of plants (no anal-retentive gardens there!), the all-important view, patterned furniture, well-designed wallpaper, and, of course, An electric kettle. The Smeg one is pretty sweet.

[rosarugosa]

I love cottages, although I probably would not want to live with a real thatched roof. Have you ever seen Santarella in the Berkshires? It is such a cool property. I stood outside of it to take a picture just last year. It isn't a real thatched roof, but has oodles of charm:
https://housatonicheritage.org/places/santarella-museum-gardens-tyringham-mass/

[iris lilies]

A few of us here still have homes that are works-in-progress and some of us love the English cottage look (I'll speak for myself--I love the English cottage look).

I found this article to have some good thoughts on the elements of English cottage that can be applied anywhere.

(Frankly, one of my favorite ideas listed is also the least accessible--I would love to have a thatched roof--I wonder if there are any roofers that do thatched roofs in VT?)

https://homeaddict.io/30-ways-to-achieve-the-english-cottage-look/

good Article although the author was reaching in some cases I think. “Cottage core “is a current hot trend and “iFarmhouse” is out. Another hot trend is “ Grandmillinial” which seems to be a mix of traditional and contemporary in other words it is a typical “transitional “style. I have yet to see a grand millennial room I do not like

My cottage has some features of a classic English house but of course the walls are straight and it has 8 foot ceilings, not 6 foot ceilings with beams and plaster and etc. Also our windows here are SHIT. Someone here 10-15 years ago went through this house and and pulled out all the windows and put in new shitty vinyl windows with that fake muntin grid stuff. They were probably nice double hung windows. But I try to ignore that because no house is perfect.

I do mourn my dark oak floor that we stripped and now it’s light along with all the other oak floor in here. I love the wide pine planking I see in East Coast houses. At least, I think it is pine, those floors are gorgeous.

Cottage core should be supposed to be as authentic but appropriate as you can make it. We have to avoid being overly twee or kitschy. I think Catherine and Rosa have cute little houses and Rosa has mentioned her low ceilings, and I think Catherine may have that too. That’s classic cottage stuff. Low ceilings are the definition of COZY.

There is one interior design forum I frequent that banned the word COZY because it’s way overused and it’s just kind of stupid most of the time, but COZY is absolutely appropriate when talking about cottage decor in English cottages.

[iris lilies]

We watched the thatchers at work when we were in Romania. The big city has a wonderful architectural park containing cottages representing all the major cottage styles of the region. Many of the roofs are thatched. That was just about my favorite place to visit in Romania.

[catherine]

good Article although the author was reaching in some cases I think. “Cottage core “is a current hot trend and “iFarmhouse” is out. Another hot trend is “ Grandmillinial” which seems to be a mix of traditional and contemporary in other words it is a typical “transitional “style. I have yet to see a grand millennial room I do not like

My cottage has some features of a classic English house but of course the walls are straight and it has 8 foot ceilings, not 6 foot ceilings with beams and plaster and etc. Also our windows here are SHIT. Someone here 10-15 years ago went through this house and and pulled out all the windows and put in new shitty vinyl windows with that fake muntin grid stuff. They were probably nice double hung windows. But I try to ignore that because no house is perfect.

I do mourn my dark oak floor that we stripped and now it’s light along with all the other oak floor in here. I love the wide pine planking I see in East Coast houses. At least, I think it is pine, those floors are gorgeous.

Cottage core should be supposed to be as authentic but appropriate as you can make it. We have to avoid being overly twee or kitschy. I think Catherine and Rosa have cute little houses and Rosa has mentioned her low ceilings, and I think Catherine may have that too. That’s classic cottage stuff. Low ceilings are the definition of COZY.

There is one interior design forum I frequent that banned the word COZY because it’s way overused and it’s just kind of stupid most of the time, but COZY is absolutely appropriate when talking about cottage decor in English cottages.

Yes, we have low ceilings, and ceiling fans, which are a really safety hazard when we have almost any of our friends come over in the summer when the fans are apt to be on--I feel like we should provide construction helmets at our doorstep. We joke about our Scottish/Irish heritage, where so many people are "wee." My 2nd son is the giant in the family at 5'8". So the low ceilings don't bother us.

Regarding the floors, we are refinishing them and staining them. the same honey pine they are now, but I am intrigued by the idea of painting the floors. I probably would never do it, but I've seen painted floors and they do make the place look so clean.

And regarding the windows, I feel your pain. The previous owners of our house did the same thing, but I don't know what kind of windows they replaced--maybe they weren't anything special either. But I would really love lattice grillwork, if it weren't for the fact that it would probably hinder the view of the lake. My great-aunt's cottage had Craftsman touches and her windows were rather tall, and the diamond panes were only at the top, so you could still get a good view out the window. I can't have tall windows here.

rosa, I love the Santarella houses! But I have to admit, I like the exteriors more than the interiors. Especially the main floor--I feel they tried too hard to incorporate modern touches that would appeal to their clientele, but a barn door in that enchanting cottage--I don't get it. If I'm ever in Western MA, I might check it out--that is a beautiful part of the state. I spent a couple of summer vacations in Great Barrington with my family when I was young.

[jp1]

The word cozy reminds me of nyc real estate ads where it’s a euphemism for ‘really small’.

I like the idea of thatched roofs but I imagine that would be a tremendous fire hazard where we are so probably a really bad idea.

Personally I wouldn’t want small rooms/low ceilings for everyday but don’t mind it if it’s a vacation experience. One of my favorite things about our townhouse is that the bedrooms upstairs all have vaulted ceilings. Even my 9x11 office feels really roomy with that ceiling since the only furniture is a modest sized desk and my mom’s gorgeous cedar chest. It has 4 foot tall wainscoting that gives it plenty of cozy charm and makes the ceiling not feel absurdly tall.

[iris lilies]

Speaking here of low ceilings, I am adjusting to my Hermann house and its 8 foot high ceilings. It’s remarkable how these low ceilings change the scale of furniture and I’m not even talking about furniture in height.

I have two contemporary chairs that looked fine in our city house. They are stupidly wide, so wide my brother called them “bariatric chairs. “Ha. Anyway, they sunk into our city house living room with it’s 11 foot ceilings and were fine. In our Hermann house they are just giant chairs, sized for Edith Ann. I’m going to give them away and that was my plan from the beginning, but I appreciate having them for a short time in Hermann because they illustrate the scale problem

I also have another piece of furniture that was small, a chest of drawers, in my city house. In my Hermann house it is significant in size.

These 8 foot high ceilings are a game changer.

My condo has 9 foot ceilings and to me that extra 12” makes all the difference, it is lovely and spacious. In my condo I can jam my giant Victorian secretary in and while it dominates the room and it comes within literally half an inch of the ceiling, it still is not too much because I make it the focal point.

[rosarugosa]

Speaking here of low ceilings, I am adjusting to my Hermann house and its 8 foot high ceilings. It’s remarkable how these low ceilings change the scale of furniture and I’m not even talking about furniture in height.

I have two contemporary chairs that looked fine in our city house. They are stupidly wide, so wide my brother called them “bariatric chairs. “Ha. Anyway, they sunk into our city house living room with it’s 11 foot ceilings and were fine. In our Hermann house they are just giant chairs, sized for Edith Ann. I’m going to give them away and that was my plan from the beginning, but I appreciate having them for a short time in Hermann because they illustrate the scale problem

I also have another piece of furniture that was small, a chest of drawers, in my city house. In my Hermann house it is significant in size.

These 8 foot high ceilings are a game changer.

My condo has 9 foot ceilings and to me that extra 12” makes all the difference, it is lovely and spacious. In my condo I can jam my giant Victorian secretary in and while it dominates the room and it comes within literally half an inch of the ceiling, it still is not too much because I make it the focal point.

They all sound like cathedral ceilings to me! We have 7' on the first floor, and second floor is 6' at the tallest, then sharply sloping downward. Luckily, I am short, so I bang my head less often than DH.

[iris lilies]

They all sound like cathedral ceilings to me! We have 7' on the first floor, and second floor is 6' at the tallest, then sharply sloping downward. Luckily, I am short, so I bang my head less often than DH.
Our Hermann house pre renovation had low sloped ceiling in the stairwell That is clearly built for children. When we reversed the staircase we were able to build out dormers and make it a normal ceiling. But the upstairs bedrooms have sloping ceilings on the sides which I really like because I think it’s very cozy.

[catherine]

They all sound like cathedral ceilings to me! We have 7' on the first floor, and second floor is 6' at the tallest, then sharply sloping downward. Luckily, I am short, so I bang my head less often than DH.

Haha! I'm with you, rosa! Our ceilings are the same, except we don't have a second story. I think you and I share a lot in common with our experiences living in wee houses. It helps a lot of only wee folk live in it.

[rosarugosa]

Haha! I'm with you, rosa! Our ceilings are the same, except we don't have a second story. I think you and I share a lot in common with our experiences living in wee houses. It helps a lot of only wee folk live in it.

Yes, living the small house dream!

[iris lilies]

Yes, living the small house dream!
I sometimes think about we houses such as yours and how Americans are only getting bigger and bigger, and what happens to the warehouses that can’t accommodate Americans in two generations?

[Teacher Terry]

Growing up the upstairs bedrooms had slanted ceilings. My condo is on the third floor and has vaulted ceiling in the living room which makes a huge difference in how it feels considering it’s only 855 sq ft. Everyone in my dining group is single yet when they hear the size of my condo they gasp and say I could never live in such a small space:)). I love it because I don’t waste a ton of time cleaning and even when my son stays with me it’s big enough.

[iris lilies]

Growing up the upstairs bedrooms had slanted ceilings. My condo is on the third floor and has vaulted ceiling in the living room which makes a huge difference in how it feels considering it’s only 855 sq ft. Everyone in my dining group is single yet when they hear the size of my condo they gasp and say I could never live in such a small space:)). I love it because I don’t waste a ton of time cleaning and even when my son stays with me it’s big enough.

855 sq feet… I could definitely do that as a single person. I would want some outdoor space On the ground, but that’s easy enough to find in public planting areas.

[littlebittybobby]

Okay--My Hillbilly shack has 7 1/2 foot up ceilings, and you know what? I like 'em. Sure--it took getting used to, but guess what? You have less wasted space to heat and cool, unlike those phony mcmansions with atriums, vaulted ceilings and other gimmicks. Yup. But yeah---you can reach up to paint them or change a light bulb or whatever. Hope thatt helps you kids some. Thankk Mee.

[rosarugosa]

Okay--My Hillbilly shack has 7 1/2 foot up ceilings, and you know what? I like 'em. Sure--it took getting used to, but guess what? You have less wasted space to heat and cool, unlike those phony mcmansions with atriums, vaulted ceilings and other gimmicks. Yup. But yeah---you can reach up to paint them or change a light bulb or whatever. Hope thatt helps you kids some. Thankk Mee.

Good point, LBB. I can change lightbulbs and reach anything on the second floor without any problem. The only stepstool up there is the one we made for our senior cat to get up onto the bed. On the first floor, I do need a stepstool occasionally, but not often.

[catherine]

Okay--My Hillbilly shack has 7 1/2 foot up ceilings, and you know what? I like 'em. Sure--it took getting used to, but guess what? You have less wasted space to heat and cool, unlike those phony mcmansions with atriums, vaulted ceilings and other gimmicks. Yup. But yeah---you can reach up to paint them or change a light bulb or whatever. Hope thatt helps you kids some. Thankk Mee.

Yeah, I agree with you and rosa! Having low ceilings makes some household chores so much easier!! I don't have to buy those huge wand dusters. My spring/fall cleaning routine includes washing the ceiling because we don't yet have a vent hood over the range, and I can do that easily with a stepstool. I can vacuum spider webs without reaching much. And, yes, I can change lightbulbs without a ladder. And I'm 5'2.

[iris lilies]

I do not need to change the lightbulbs since I have a giant DH with any ladder we need to do that.

LOL, He is 5’8” tall. We also are wee people.

[JaneV2.0]

855 sq feet… I could definitely do that as a single person. I would want some outdoor space On the ground, but that’s easy enough to find in public planting areas.

A friend lived in an 800 sq. foot home for awhile with their spouse and child. They had a huge lot and a fully finished office outside, though. I could live in 800 to 1200 sq.ft., using Iris Lily's criteria.

[Teacher Terry]

I have a balcony which was a must for me. 4 people can sit outside. I didn’t look at any condos without it. Also I have side and overhead protection. One condo didn’t and if windy you couldn’t sit outside so I passed on that building. I have plants outside in good weather and can sit outside in my pjs and drink coffee.

[catherine]

I have a balcony which was a must for me. 4 people can sit outside. I didn’t look at any condos without it. Also I have side and overhead protection. One condo didn’t and if windy you couldn’t sit outside so I passed on that building. I have plants outside in good weather and can sit outside in my pjs and drink coffee.

So, BIL has finally hit ground zero with his finances, and he landed in VT. A bit traumatic for all of us, but things are working out fine so far. With DH's "encouragement" BIL managed to get a job and an apartment in Burlington within 2 weeks.

Point being, his new apartment has a huge outdoor deck/balcony that's the full width of the house he's living in. He can people-watch from it, smoke, and just enjoy the outdoors from the second floor. The balcony was definitely a huge selling point.

[Tybee]

Wow that is fantastic news, Catherine! Good for him, and the apartment sounds really wonderful. Makes me think of the old days living in an apartment off campus in the Berkshires, how cozy and beautiful it all was.

[iris lilies]

So, BIL has finally hit ground zero with his finances, and he landed in VT. A bit traumatic for all of us, but things are working out fine so far. With DH's "encouragement" BIL managed to get a job and an apartment in Burlington within 2 weeks.

Point being, his new apartment has a huge outdoor deck/balcony that's the full width of the house he's living in. He can people-watch from it, smoke, and just enjoy the outdoors from the second floor. The balcony was definitely a huge selling point.
good news I guess. This job market is heavily in his favor. It is a good time to be broke,

[catherine]

good news I guess. This job market is heavily in his favor. It is a good time to be broke,

Good time to be broke and underskilled. Please pray for him to whoever your god may be! (And pray for us, too! We need this to go well!)

[iris lilies]

Good time to be broke and underskilled. Please pray for him to whoever your god may be! (And pray for us, too! We need this to go well!)
If you think you are going to be tangentially managing his life from where you are now, get him on the waitlist for senior housing in his Vermont area.


If those digs don’t meet his rarefied expectations, too FKng bad.

[catherine]

If you think you are going to be tangentially managing his life from where you are now, get him on the waitlist for senior housing in his Vermont area.


If those digs don’t meet his rarefied expectations, too FKng bad.

That's what we're thinking. There are a lot of affordable housing options in the area.

[Teacher Terry]

Catherine, good thing your home is too small to take in your bil. Definitely a good idea to get him on the waitlist for housing. Some people here that like to garden grow vegetables in pots on their balcony.

[catherine]

Catherine, good thing your home is too small to take in your bil. Definitely a good idea to get him on the waitlist for housing. Some people here that like to garden grow vegetables in pots on their balcony.

My DIL-to-be is a horticulturalist and she really did a beautiful job in the summer on her/DS's 2nd floor apartment balcony. People walking by would stop and comment on it. I can see BIL maybe growing cherry tomatoes in a container or something like that.