Pam Stewart Ross Design

DEBBIE AND BOB'S COTTAGE

Debbie and Bob own a cottage that has been in the family for years. It was built in 1966 and has never been updated! The two story cottage is approximately 1800 square feet; it has 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and the location is great and the view is spectacular!

The cottage has a ton of potential! The problem with a family cottage is it has a ton of childhood memories, memories that we want to hold on to. I think it might be difficult for Debbie to make the necessary changes to update the cottage as she talks fondly of how her father built the cottage. Childhood memories are special and we never want to forget, but hopefully Debbie can create new childhood memories for her grandchildren.

The owners want to update the cottage and the biggest complaint is how dark it is. There are three main design issues, that when corrected, will address this complaint. There are other unrelated issues as well (which I will address in another post), but correcting how dark the cottage feels is a good starting point and will make the cottage feel open, inviting and updated.

The first design issue with the cottage is the wood paneling, typical of the 60s, making the space feel dark. The cheapest and least intrusive way to fix this it to paint the paneling. This would visually open the space and make it feel bright and spacious. However, it might be better to remove the paneling and install drywall because the cottage is drafty and needs insulation. The best solution will be determined by the method used to install the insulation and the cost to replace the paneling.

There are two types of paneling in the cottage and I suggest testing an area first before deciding to paint the whole cottage. Painting the paneling, if it works, will add texture to the walls similar to installing vertical shiplap - for a lot less money!


Painting the ceiling and the beams will give the cottage a coastal feel and bring in even more light.

The second design issue is the flooring. I recommend replacing the carpet and vinyl sheet on the main floor with vinyl plank to give the space a consistent look. Vinyl plank can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms and is perfect for the beach and wet feet. Area rugs can be used to define zones and add warmth in the winter months. To reduce noise and add comfort underfoot, I would install carpet in the bedrooms on the second floor and a runner on the stairs.



The third design issue is the upper cabinets dividing the kitchen and dining room. By removing these cabinets it will open up the space and make the kitchen feel larger and provide a view of the lake! It will also keep the cook included in the conversation and part of the fun.

The dining room is my favourite room in the cottage. It has great views of the lake and the dining table can seat 10 people! The before picture is below on the left and an inspiration picture is on the right. I can see many family dinners spent around this table. A great room made even better with a fresh coat of paint making it bright and fresh and letting the furniture take center stage.

I have included a mood board at the end of this post for the direction I recommend Debbie and Bob take with the interior of their cottage to achieve their goal of brightening up the space.

In summary:

 1) Painting the walls, either the paneling or the drywall, Benjamin Moore "simply white" (CC-117) will reflect the light making the space lighter.

Adding more lighting, either hardwired or lamps, will also bring in more light, as well as considering a solar tube in the stairwell upstairs.

Here is a link to a video (2017) that will advise what to look for when purchasing a solar tube. "Are Solar Tubes Worth It?:More pragmatic than a skylight?"

2) Replacing the flooring to vinyl plank will not only wear well at a cottage, but will look good too.

3) Removing the upper cabinets will make the kitchen and dining room function as one space.

The exterior of the cottage and the renovation of the kitchen and new floor plan will follow in subsequent posts.