Hire a local for a flat fee to receive items you order and hold them in storage until you arrive or better yet, hire a local decorator, give them a budget and a specific list and let them furnish the house. Another approach would be to furnish the house from local sources. Each time you visit, you can add pieces.

Craigslist, Craigslist, Craigslist. Load up, then ship it to your family members and ask them to take a batch of stuff to the cottage as they go.

Only new stuff, IMO, should be mattresses and the sofa(s), i.e.: anything people sleep/lie down on.

Well, there must be stores nearby, so I'd explore that and then go on a shopping trip to the nearest Target, IKEA, Home Goods, or whatever stores there are. Maybe near the airport.

What town,city? Maybe someone here knows the local area and can suggest stores. You can't go wrong for a 2nd home/cottage with HomeGoods

DH moved out of state temporarily once on a job assignment. We had to furnish the one bedroom apartment. Though we did have some housewares, dishes, etc. that we took from our normal supply at home we bought everything else. I made a list in advance and bought everything in a long weekend. In your case I'd do that with the necessities you must have and then get the other stuff over time when you're there.

That's what we have done with our second home - got the necessities right away and furnished the rest over time. This was easier though because it was 3 hours away and we went there every weekend in the summer.

For the initial move-in, buy stuff locally, pack it in a U-Haul and drive it there.

Amazon has a locker service in some locations. Instead of having packages delivered to your home, they go to the locker and you pick it up there. Maybe that would work for you? Amazon Lockers

Our vacation home is only 3 hours away but we couldn't drop everything and run up to accept a delivery. We ordered all the basics from 2 furniture stores and made arrangements for delivery when we could be there. Then we took our time and shopped locally for the rest.

One of the contractors who worked on the house lived nearby and offered to accept deliveries at his home or to have his wife go over to our house and wait for the delivery. We only used him twice and both times we insisted on paying her.

1800 miles would be a long drive with hauling big items. I'd find a time to shop locally or online and arrange for delivery for the next time you're in town.

When I was renovating, I had to order some furniture in advance. When it was available for delivery and my reno wasn't finished, I was able to have items held for no extra charge for up to three months. Then, they called two weeks, then one week, then two days, then that day--to deliver.

Now...I don't know where you're moving to, but here where I live, with multiple big universities in the area, there's a lot of turnover in housing. The consignment shops here have great items for great prices. If you have the time to look in your vacation location, perhaps you'll find things you'll like that are gently used.

My parents hired an interior decorator for their vacation condo., who not only completely furnished the place, but had all the silverware and dishes selected. They did a gut remodel, which she also managed. They flew down to their Palm Springs condo, freshly remodeled, with new furniture, stocked and ready to go. It's been years and we still marvel at what a perfect job she did.

It also might be kind of fun to furnish the place on your own. Spend a few hours on weekends selecting what would work. Congrats on your new place!

We built a 4BR/4BA second home in CO. and ordered all the furniture from a local (AL) furniture store. They used to have an annual half price sell, even on special order. Once everything came in, they sent a truck to CO for delivery. Everything else was bought locally (there), adding art and special pieces the first few years.

DD1 moved to San Francisco for college, taking only two suitcases of clothing. We shopped at Shabby Chic (her favorite store), meet a very helpful sales associate there that gave us a few leads on local antique stores. Target was also her friend. Also Macy's. It was hard not having a car, but doable. He delivered a table and the rest we got home in taxis. Purchased mattress via phone from Macy's before moving and had it delivered the second day we were there. Took blow up mattress with us. I spent a week helping her get settled.

When DS moved to Chicago for college his apartment was furnished at IKEA, Wal-Mart and Target. DH and I drove him there and took bedding, a desk (flat box), his personal items and dishes in the SUV. There was not an inch to spare. His building had a unit you could rent, so we did that for two nights. We made two trips to IKEA and spent almost two days putting together furniture. The leather sofa was delivered the day DH and I headed back home, after helping him for five days.

I'm glad DD2 staying closer to home. The older two stayed in their cities for 10 years, but are back in AL now.

With the internet, it is easy to find out what's close to your new town. Ask associates when you shop for ideas. Part of the fun will be exploring and finding interesting accent pieces. I would try to find a local store that sells off the floor, or a consignment shop, rather than ordering major pieces once you're there. If you're going out to stay a month or more, you can order ahead so that things are delivered when you're there.

Good luck with your adventure!

You can rent the decorators services in providing the receiving warehouse and delivering everything to the house. Then he or she can help you place it all and shop for accessories, lighting, etc,