Advice

12 years ago

Need advice on how to improve lakeside view of cottage. Wall right of swing is too blank and metal hanging way too small. Needs something!

Featured Answer

wendorfc
Original Author

12 years ago

Thanks to all of you for the comments. We just had the walls and shutters repainted two years ago from grey/black so this is a marked improvement. Agree shutters are a bit narrow for windows but we used what was there. I have thought about window boxes but we aren't there often enough to water consistently.

I have thought about an evergreen in a pot but we need room at base of step for traffic flow.

Moving the bench over to the sandy area is a good thought. I had played around with a smaller bench but the wall was just too bare. Next time there I will move around and possibly consider adirondack chairs instead and something on wall above. The fire pit is moveable so I will play around with moving that as well.

Finally a horizontal piece of trim and/or a different color on the lower half are good suggestions.

Attached are two additional pics, including the backside which I am fine with.

Any other thoughts are sure appreciated

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

PRO
Liza Jane Interiors
12 years ago
Wendo, lucky you with the lake cottage! I would think about painting the shutters. Too much red with shutters and decking and bench. You are right about the size of the metal hanging. How about a large outdoor pot with evergreen? Not sure what else you have in the yard but it looks like the firepit sits all by itself?
decoenthusiaste
12 years ago
I'd exchange the swing and bench, moving the firepit over on to a sandy base in front of the swing. Center the metal piece under the upper window and 5' above the deck, but paint a big colorful circle to base it on. Try a pretty lake-ish blue for shutters, the circle and the bench, which might be centered under the window or set at the end of the deck, facing the stairs.
HGTV Smart Home 2013 · More Info
Related Professionals
Daytona Beach Interior Designers & Decorators · Baton Rouge Interior Designers & Decorators · Columbia Interior Designers & Decorators · Chattanooga Interior Designers & Decorators · Lufkin Interior Designers & Decorators · Coldwater Interior Designers & Decorators · Stockton Interior Designers & Decorators · Middletown Architects & Building Designers · Plainfield Architects & Building Designers · Barnstable Architects & Building Designers · Hempstead Architects & Building Designers · Bozeman Architects & Building Designers · Elkton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Wenatchee Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cody Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
leelee
12 years ago
The scrolly wrought iron thing is drawing attention to the large wall.

Maybe just a horizontal railing or board same color as the deck running from the deck across to the end of your cabin would be enough to break up that space???
PRO
PPF.
12 years ago
Consider painting lower half darker to visually ground the house. Remove shutters and paint trim. Add a band of trim between the upper and lower parts painted darker than the lower half.
makaloco
12 years ago
Very cute cottage. I love the colors, but your shutters seem too narrow for the windows. Also agree with you that the wall art is too small. Maybe you could put it under the upper stair landing, above the plants, and find a larger similar piece for the porch. Actually, leaving the porch wall blank at the top of the steps would be preferable to the too-small hanging. A shallow window box under the large window might be nice, too. I'd probably put the grille in the bare sandy area in front of the bench, or exchange the bench and the swing as decoenthusiaste suggested.