design editor Morgan Michener shares the cottage paint colors and projects inspiring her now.
Cottages let us escape the hustle and bustle of city life, reconnect with nature and delight in some really serene moments. So it ought to come as no surprise that quiet, neutral palettes abound in the cottages we feature in H&H. but when colors do appear, they really make an impact. typically they’re shades drawn from nature: a slate grey taken from a wall of granite, a dark green from shadowy woods. other times they’re classic primary hues: a not-a-cloud-in-the-sky blue or juicy red. If you’d like to inject some color into your cottage this year, here are some of my favorite paint projects, large and small — ideal for your next getaway.
I love how these boathouse and cottage exteriors blend perfectly into their surroundings. A deep grey gets tinted blue next to rippling water and forest green radiates against a wall of trees — it’s not a rule, but color coordination can work so well when it concerns exterior paint jobs. This summer, why not give your siding a fresh, nature-inspired coat?
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Left: Deep space (2125-20) by Benjamin Moore
Right: Hazel wood (460F-7) by Behr
Photographer: 1. Angus Fergusson 2. Donna Griffith
Source: 1. house and home July 2016 Bookazine 2. house and home may 2013
Designer: 1. Cameron Mcneil 2. Christine Ralphs and Michelle Lloyd
If you fancy a smaller project, try painting out part of a bedroom wall to create a synthetic headboard. Here, designer Jay Hodgins painted the back wall of a niche a deep slate, pairing it with linens in stony shades for a cohesive effect.
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Plummet (272) by Farrow & Ball
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: house and home Bookazine 2016
To add personality to an all-white cottage, paint a small section of wood flooring in fresh, watery blue. Front entries, mudrooms and bunkies are all terrific choices for this lively treatment.
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Rialto (10BG 22/275) by ICI Paints
Photographer: Jean Longpre
Source: house and home July 2013
Designer: Heidi Smith
Remember that little can go a long way when it concerns color. Spray-painting all-weather chairs in mismatched shades is a easy weekend project that will give your outdoor space a fun, laid-back look.
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Chair, left: Rhubarb (2007-30) by Benjamin Moore
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: house and home August 2004
Designer: Michele Michener
Make use of leftover cans of paint by having the kids paint stones to use as door stops or tablecloth weights. This makes an easy and economical rainy-day project.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: house and home August 2004
Designer: Michele Michener
To give vintage wooden beds bold new life, sand them down and repaint them in a saturated, high-gloss color. primary shades like sky blue and cherry red are classic accent colors in cottages, because they really pop in neutral spaces.
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Red Obsession (SW7590) by Sherwin-Williams
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: house and home July 2014
Designer: Kate Stuart and Natalie Hodgins
Finally, an “un-painting” project. If you’re staring at your wood panelling, having the “to paint or not to paint” argument in your mind, take inspiration from this beautiful porch. Leaving the ceiling unpainted draws the eye up and makes the room look very tall, while the dark walls create a comfortable feel.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: house and home may 2011
Designer: Don Tapscott
…or personalize paddles with a signature color from your cottage’s color palette. (They’ll look even better with age and use!)
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: house and home April 2013
Designer: Alison Wilson and Sarah Richardson