Decor & Renovation

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

How to transform a carriage house into a comfy cottage

Photography by Angus Fergusson Author: Sarah Guun Source: Canadian Living Magazine: August 2016

Decor & Renovation

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

In 2012, food-truck owner Rebecca Hunt and artist Stewart Jones bought a beautiful 1860s home in Wellington, Ont. If that wasn't exciting enough, the property also boasted a charming carriage house. Despite its dated exterior and dark, neglected interior, they saw great potential for the space as a rental cottage. So they stripped it back to the exterior brick walls and installed reclaimed-wood floors throughout. Then, Income Property came calling, and designer Melissa Davis took on the project. 

The exposed post-and-beam construction inspired Davis's overall design: She wanted to highlight the history of the space, while giving it a contemporary feel. "I used a mix of clean lines and a neutral palette to allow the character of the home to shine through," says Davis. She didn't forgo colour entirely, though; a touch of red appears in every room—cushions, accessories, artwork—which ties everything together and injects a vibrant energy. Despite its diminutive dimensions, the cottage now feels airy, bright and light.

Davis knew that practicality and functionality would be important elements, especially considering how the space would be used (hello, revolving door of vacationers!). "Everything in this carriage house was designed with a purpose," she says. "From the vintage ice bucket to the borrow-a-book shelf at the entry, nothing is too precious." Now on the other side of the reno, Rebecca and Stewart have named the space StudiohousePEC, and not surprisingly, it's become one of the most sought-after cottage rentals in Prince Edward County.

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Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

Styled shelves

Floating wooden shelves were fashioned from an Ikea oak butcher-block countertop that had been cut to size. From a collection of vintage tins to pretty rocks picked up at the nearby beach, every knickknack has its place.

Read more: Hammarp countertop, $220, ikea.ca.
Image by: Angus Fergusson By: Sarah Gunn Source: Canadian Living Magazine: August 2016

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

Practical perch

The row of hooks is perfect for drying towels and hanging beach bags.

Image by: Angus Fergusson By: Sarah Gunn Source: Canadian Living Magazine: August 2016

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

Book nook

Narrow wooden shelves stacked with books and a basket of cozy blankets are welcoming elements in the entry.

Image by: Angus Fergusson By: Sarah Gunn Source: Canadian Living Magazine: August 2016

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

Cozy kitchen

Exposed brick and open shelving give the kitchen a casual vibe. Budget-friendly white Ikea cabinets are contemporary and ultra-functional. Running the length of the counter, a narrow wooden ledge offers additional storage for small appliances and other frequently used items. Perfect for big dinners or for playing board games, the ingenious dining table is an Ikea butcher-block top attached to a metal base from Lee Valley.

Read more: Cast-iron legs, $269 per pair, leevalley.com.
Image by: Angus Fergusson By: Sarah Gunn Source: Canadian Living Magazine: August 2016

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

Sweet spot

Nestled in a corner by the kitchen, the dark-grey sofa, topped with patterned cushions, doubles as a pullout bed. For the living area, a compact bench serves as a coffee table; it not only fits the narrow space but also functions as extra seating for the dining table.

Read more: Plaid and striped cushions, $61 each, tonicliving.com.
By: Sarah Gunn

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

Blissful bunk

Suspended over the living room, a stylish twin loft bed boosts sleeping space. Clad in tongue-and-groove pine and painted white, the bed frame is a fresh counterpoint to the darker exposed-brick wall. You can't beat the futon below as an inviting place to snuggle up with a great book.

Read more: Soapy Water P5223-14D paint, $55, para.com.
Image by: Angus Fergusson By: Sarah Gunn Source: Canadian Living Magazine: August 2016

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

Bathing beauty

A deep soaker tub awaits guests after a day of exploring the lakeshore

Image by: Angus Fergusson By: Sarah Gunn Source: Canadian Living Magazine: August 2016

Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

Causal comfort

The iconic stripes of the Hudson's Bay Company point blanket serve as the jumping-off point for the loft bedroom design.

Read more: HBC Collection multistripe point blanket in queen, $475, thebay.com.
Image by: Angus Fergusson By: Sarah Gunn Source: Canadian Living Magazine: August 2016

 

Read more: 
6 ways to decorate your cottage on a budget
How to give your living room a cottage-style makeover

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Cottage cool: A carriage house transforms into a comfy, rustic escape from city living

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