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Houzz Tour: Beach Cottage Chic in Rhode Island
A traditional coastal cottage gets a makeover with bold color punches and splashy surprise additions
When Kate Jackson's clients phoned her, they were desperately seeking a facelift for their guest cottage in the coastal village of Watch Hill, Rhode Island. The space is adjacent to the main house and used by their kids and grandkids on the weekends and during summer vacations. Although Jackson kept mostly to the overall beach cottage aesthetic, she wanted to avoid the nautical interiors typical around Watch Hill.
"I knew that I had to push the envelope a bit with this cottage, because the space would be occupied by my clients' kids and grandkids, who are young and hip and want a space that reflects their youthful spirit," says Jackson.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Size: 900 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Design challenge: Adding elements of surprise within the context of a traditional beach cottage feel
"I knew that I had to push the envelope a bit with this cottage, because the space would be occupied by my clients' kids and grandkids, who are young and hip and want a space that reflects their youthful spirit," says Jackson.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Size: 900 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Design challenge: Adding elements of surprise within the context of a traditional beach cottage feel
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| When it came to dressing the oak floors, Jackson opted for faux fur over sisal or jute in this corner bedroom sitting area. "Everyone expects natural fiber rugs in a beach cottage, so it's refreshing to see different textures mixed in with pieces that feel comfortable and familiar," says Jackson. Light blue lamp: Paris Lamp, Safavieh Lighting |
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| Vintage saris made into shams and bolster covers dictated Jackson's design path in the bedroom. "I found the saris online and thought that they would make an eclectic addition to the space. Throughout the process, I just went with what I felt like I would want to see and feel in a beach cottage," she says. Wall paint: Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore; swan art: Bird Print Art; Roman shade fabric: Quadrille Textiles |
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| The rope-covered loft-bed pillar is a nod to the cottage's nautical roots in White Hill; the cottage is just a few minutes from the beach. |
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A breakfast nook marries a traditional cottage feel (beadboard panel and ceiling) with colorful accents (punchy throw pillow pattern and teal tableware).
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| Due to the living room's unique floor plan, Jackson persuaded her clients to embrace a cream-colored hide area rug versus an expected rectangular sisal rug. |
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Jackson replaced the original brass and crystal light fixture in the dining room with a fun turquoise fixture custom made to fit the room's small scale. The Pottery Barn dining set was painted a matte black and white to better show off the chandelier's punchy color.
Wall paint: Decorators White, Benjamin Moore; chair paint: Regal Black, Benjamin Moore; light fixture, custom by Sara Milk
Wall paint: Decorators White, Benjamin Moore; chair paint: Regal Black, Benjamin Moore; light fixture, custom by Sara Milk
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The designer found vintage postcards of Watch Hill on eBay and framed them in the dining area. The rolling hills and surrounding gardens are brought indoors with greenery and flowers in vases.
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| The living room speaks the easy language of summer: A plump sofa and a casually placed throw share the space with the clients' weathered trunk. Jackson is a big fan of the fig-leaf throw pillow print. "I'm really pleased to see Peter Dunham create such a gorgeous fabric with fig leaves; they're a great way to go botanical without going overboard with florals," she says. |
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| "I found these midcentury wicker chairs online and rooted them to the present with textiles," says Jackson. The designer also framed sea sponges and coral pieces in driftwood frames. Chairs: One Kings Lane |
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The china cabinet in the background of this image used to be filled with mismatched dishes and porcelain pieces. Jackson gave the cabinet a second life by removing the untouched pieces and filling the corner display with miniature oil canvases, vintage leather books and family keepsakes.
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A striped lumbar pillow and a framed piece of coral steer the dining area in the direction of charming coastal cottage style.
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Jackson says she was lucky to have carte blanche with each room in the guest cottage. The most memorable moment during the design process happened on the final day of installation; her clients had arrived at the cottage and left her a voicemail, telling her how much they loved the cottage's new look.
"Hearing someone else's joy over your work is really special. I stil have not deleted the voicemail," says Jackson.
"Hearing someone else's joy over your work is really special. I stil have not deleted the voicemail," says Jackson.
Ideabook published on July 21, 2012.
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I absolutely LOVE the photo of the breakfast nook. It is the only one that appears to not have been staged. It looks as though the family who lives in this space thoroughly enjoys it and it gives a homey aspect to this space. I wish more photos showed more lived-in spaces rather than all the staging that is so common...
I agree that this is a very beautiful home..