Page 69 - Real Style Summer 2017

an organic sensibility, whilst gnarled wooden stools (topped with glass to extend their sur- face) and anglepoise lamps make it ergonomi- cally sound.
Upstairs, the galleried master, as we found it, had a boxy feel with pine cladding and peel- ing wallpaper. Removing the lowered ceiling (before recladding it with walnut-stained pine) revealed a monumental peaked space, the extra width and height delivering bags of character.
In keeping with the loft apartment vibe (hello– condo at the lake?), we added a statuesque brushed steel bed and timber-topped nightstands. The resultant look is modern but friendly, thanks to layers of faux fur, woolen throws and a scattering of plump, yielding cushions. Note how the pops of red add drama.
Further detail comes from the salvaged wood barn doors, behind which lies the ceramic tiled ensuite. We opted for a long steel-framed Unik Stone vanity which, topped with a custom black faucet, oozes modern cottage. If you follow our work, you’ll know we love trawling antique barns and thrift stores for items to upcycle. Ex- amples of this are the ten-buck shoe moulds that we sanded, sprayed black and arranged in a neat row as towel storage.
Next up was the kitchen rejig. First job? Remov- ing the walls and opening the space to the main, double-height living zone. A tall rear elevation of white Ikea cabinets conceals inbuilt refrig- eration and a sink, whilst a run of units topped with “concrete” Caesarstone form a breakfast bar that contains an inbuilt hob and oven.
Our nal destination was the living/dining room. Swapping out rickety windows and doors for larger, black-framed alternatives transformed our cottage externally and internally. Furni- ture is spaced into two areas—sitting and din- ing—with a relaxed sofa providing the familiar lived-in look you get with soft brown leather. The live edge dining table delivers wow factor and is clustered with Wegner style wishbone chairs. To warm the space, we added a compact wood stove, which, anked with vintage chairs, is a fabulous focal point and somewhere to nest when temperatures plunge.
We can honestly report that rebuilding our cab- in was a joy. Seriously, we loved every minute. But now that the transformation is complete (and our contractors have moved on), we can get on with the real business in hand: enjoying the cottage as summer rolls forward. Did some- body say beer on the dock?
lake house
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PhotoS, coLin & juStin