Cottages and Bungalows April/May 2018

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS IN THE DESIGN WORLD THAT ARE REFERRED TO AS THE “LITTLE BLACK DRESS” OF YOUR HOME OR A ROOM. You know, that thing that is chic and classic and will never go out of style. A great armoire can be the little black dress of your room. Well-chosen lighting or the perfect slipcovered sofa can too. But really when you think about it, your home’s exterior—the bones itself—should be the black dress. It’s the first thing people notice, and it’s the one thing that should be timeless and designed to last for years to come. So this issue is devoted to what I’m considering the LBD of the design world. Your home and its gardens. This is where your personal decorating style makes its…

When you’re expanding an older home, the challenge is to make the addition look natural, not just inside, but on the exterior as well. This historic home in Birmingham, Michigan, is almost a century old, and it was time to expand some of the smaller areas in the home, including the basement, kitchen, eating nook and garage. Architect and builder Christine Ramaekers of MainStreet Design Build made the extension seamless. ATTENTION TO DETAIL Christine worked with the current exterior elements to keep the cottage classic. “The brick and wood were existing elements,” she says. “In order to create a seamless addition, we did not want to have a large-box look without the detail of the previous elevations.”The structure has a multidimensional look, between the extended brick façade, bay windows, gables…

More Gardens Galore! We’ve polished off our best garden tours for the ultimate garden roundup. Plus this new gem: The perfect raised-bed layout complements this incredible cottage garden shed that’s got ideas so good you’ll want them for your house. Seed-Starting Tips and Tricks Get a head start on your spring and summer garden plans by seed starting indoors. We have tips for beginners and tricks from the pros. Melamine Dinnerware Get ready for outdoor entertaining season with this roundup of dishes that won’t break outside and won’t break the bank. Be a Wallflower Shop our roundup of the prettiest and freshest takes on floral wallpaper. Easy Upcycles Roll up your sleeves, and put your creative foot forward for a new styling look with these simple yet clever ways to…

SHARON BRANDT’S REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA, HOME HAS ALWAYS BEEN CRAFTED WITH FAMILY IN MIND. So even when it came to her vintage-inspired garden, Sharon devised a way to make it a family affair—with a playhouse for her grandchildren. Her husband built the structure using windows Sharon found at antiques stores; the door and door handle are from Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. The playhouse sports asphalt shingles, corbels, brown scrolls and window boxes filled with geraniums, lavender and ivy—the perfect garden cottage, just scaled down. REPURPOSING WITH A PURPOSE Ready to tackle this project yourself? Here are some tips from Sharon. • Think outside the box. Consider different ways to use an item besides for its original intended purpose—this is what adds that creative whimsy. • Look for thrift-store finds that can be repainted…

Gone are the days of the rattle-y, squeaky, wobbly ceiling fan: Today’s fans add comfort, style and a welcome finishing touch to your space. We’ve teamed up with the designers at Hunter to bring you three of our favorite looks. The verdict is in: Things are definitely looking up! 1. CLASSIC COLOR A farmhouse-style fixture like this one will make your fan a focal point, thanks to its bold, barn-red hue. This line also features vintage-style rivets (securing the fan blades) and a rustic-style open hood light compatible with Edison-style LED bulbs. Style Name: Mill Valley Try It: On the patio or in the kitchen. 2. SCANDINAVIAN STYLE A contemporary fan like this one works in traditional spaces, thanks to its soft edges and lighter wood color (two hallmarks of…

Go big or go home. That’s the motto of the moment when it comes to wall treatments that designers, bloggers and Instagrammers are fixing their gaze on. You can get in on the craze the DIY way: Digital projectors are affordable and allow you to display an image of your favorite floral pattern on a wall to trace and hand-paint. Stencils work too. Or you can leave it to the professionals. We love this classically romantic rose print by Pixers (pixers.uk) that has a very modern feel at this large size.…