Escape to a Quaint Playful Colorful Summer Cottage

Welcome to my favorite Blogger Tour of the year! I’ve joined up with some incredible blogging friends to give all our readers a peek inside our favorite Summer spaces. If you’re coming over from Styled With Lace “Welcome!”  I’m glad you’re here! Come and take a tour of our weekend Summer cottage.  It’s the perfect little retreat when we want escape from the hectic weekday schedule and relax by the shores of Honeoye Lake in NY’s Finger Lakes region.

The Lake Is My Happy Place

It’s always been a dream of mine to own a lake house. In 2014, my dream came true when we stumbled across this tiny little waterfront fixer upper. Each year we tackle projects- some big and some small.  Let’s head inside and see this year’s changes to our Summer cottage. 

I affectionately call our 745 square-foot Summer cottage Itsy-Bitsy because it is just that! Tiny, but filled with love, charm and all the quirky characters any fishing cottage would have. We spend a majority of our time in the screened in porch eating, playing games, watching sunsets and generally unwinding on a lazy day.

Live Love Lake

As you can see I’m not shy of color, and pattern play is one of my favorites. Father’s Day and The Forth of July is just around the corner and I set the table with a patriotic red, white and blue plaid tablecloth. This is the place where I add all sorts of coastal touches.

For keeping away the pesty mosquitoes I stock up on citronella candles and decorative  candle votives with costal vibes.

Things take a beating down at the Lake so fine china and glassware isn’t the smartest choice for our rough and tumble crew. I purchased some colorful indigo ink drawing melamine plates from Rae Dunn. Each setting has a different design and word.  I love to mix-and-match and layer the patterns. 

Daybed Dreamin’

A once king-size bed frame turned daybed is the coveted spot on the porch. Everyone fights over sitting there. Whether  you’re laying down, sleeping overnight or listening to the waves hit the shore this is one of our favorite Summer cottage spots to chill. 

You know me I’m always saying you can never have too many pillows! This space gets hit by direct sun so refreshing the pillows was way overdue. I headed over to Raymour &Flanigan‘s website and scored some amazing down filled and non-fading indoor/outdoor accent pillows. I chose a pair of Greek Key inspired accent pillows, the Ahoy indoor/outdoor pillows with a needle point anchor and to top it off a pair of gorgeous embroidered Spice Fan Coral Throw Pillows.

Everyone’s going to be fighting over this daybed spot! I call first dibs on the updated cozy daybed for the next sunset out on the porch!

To see more on how this King bed became a daybed read my post on Patterns, Pouf and Porches. 

Paddles and Perch

We keep the interior light and bright and accented with bold fabrics, art, and anchor pieces. I swapped out our previous sideboard and replaced it with the hand-painted, glazed and distressed Aquitaine Accent Cabinet from Raymour & Flanigan. I cannot believe how much stuff this cabinet holds! It can be used as a tv console but I filled it with decorative baskets beach towels, games, extra candle and my weekend painting supplies and there’s STILL extra room. I absolutely love it’s weathered beachy look of this colorful statement piece.

This past January at the America’s Mart my sister and I stumbled across these paintings! She said to me “Amie, these paintings are a no-brainer.  You need these for the cottage! “ Well, of course I agreed. 

Go-To Color

Above the paintings I hung a vintage wooden canoe paddle that I purchased at the local church sale for a whopping $2.00.  Rounding out the vignette and tying in the green I added the kelly green Benson Table Lamp. I am so in love with the color green. Even though majority of the cottage is decorated in blues, navy, and turquoise I always find space to add pretty green accents. What’s your go to color?

It’s peony season and a fresh bouquet of yellow and pink peonies brighten up the coffee table tray. I simplified the fireplace mantle and added a trio of glass and white frosted votives and a sweet little lake house sign.

A turquoise leather journal is our Summer cottage guest register. Everyone who visits signs in. It’s so much fun looking back and remembering all the entertaining moments and fun weekend sleepovers.

Read my blog post on how Ross and I made this DIY fireplace surround and mantel.

If it’s blue and white I’ll take it!

Now let’s head back to the screened porch before we head outside for our patio renovation. 

A Room With A View

As I mentioned before the screened in porch is our favorite spot. My husband Ross loves to play guitar, I love to read and my daughter Chloe loves to listen to music so extra seating as always welcomed. While on the Raymour & Flanigan website searching accent chairs I came across this mod macramé rope Leia Dining Chair. The whole vintage vibe matched perfectly with my macramé chandelier in our bedroom and the twine woven side table that I placed it next to. The low sloping arms and open airy feel doesn’t overpower the lake view outside.  I might need to order a couple more of this beauty for home. 

Project Fire Pit Patio

Ross hated moving the fire pit and Adirondack chairs every time the lawn needed mowing. We needed some sort of permanent hard surface to make lawn maintenance more carefree.

Last Summer, our neighbor and good friend Gwyn replaced her patio and offered up her old blue stone slate slabs. They were a bear to move but free is one of my favorite words. Ross and I completed the fire pit patio in just two days and actually had fun. No need to go to the gym this week…  Placing all the pieces together was just like a puzzle and you guys know I love puzzles.

Storing Adirondack chairs during the Winter poses difficulty with our small space. So I purchased these lightweight stacking Adirondack chairs. They are low maintenance and easy to clean.

Taking center stage is the Jamaica Fire Pit with copper bowl and iron accessories.  It’s dark black latticework base anchors the whole fire pit patio. Copper gives just enough of a shimmery touch to make it extra special. If you head on over to my Instagram feed I’ll be partnering up with Raymour & Flanigan for a Father’s Day giveaway. One lucky follower will win the Jamaica Fire pit delivered right to their door! 

The fire pit came assembled and was ready for s’more making in no time at all.

Finishing Touches

I added cozy blankets for the chilly nights and indoor/outdoor Ahoy accent pillows  and the Sally navy and white signature nautical accent pillows for cozying up. It’s hard to believe these pillows can be left out in the rain! The rusty lobster was a shower gift years ago. 

Now we’re ready for our annual Father’s Day lake picnic and Ross no longer needs to move furniture to mow the lawn!  With a little sweat equity and and perseverance we did it! 

Thanks so much for spending time with me down at the lake. I’d love for you to head on over to Hallstrom Home‘s Summer post where you’re sure to find loads of beautiful inspiration. I hope your Summer is filled with sunshine, relaxation, making memories with family and friends!  Now we are ready to sail into our next Summer cottage project. It’s a good one! Stay tuned… xo Amie

Having coffee on the dock is my morning ritual. Here’s a mug from Sweet Mint Handmade that says it all….. TO SEE THE BEFORE PICTURES OF OUR COTTAGE CLICK HERE.



 

Summer Home Tour

Wednesday’s Blogs

Yuni | Love Your Abode

Leslie | My 100 Year Old Home

Ashley | Modern Glam

Judy | Life Is Better At Home

Thursday’s Blogs

Bethany | The Posh Home

Laila | Designs By Laila

Kim & Lacey | Styled With Lace

Amie | Meme Hill Studio

Rhonda | Hallstrom Home

Jackie | Finding Lovely

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*I have received products from Raymour & Flanigan in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% mine.