Storybook Homes

We have received numerous questions regarding interior design tips and guidelines, so we have decided to address some of these questions and post them on this blog over the next few months. There is A LOT to say regarding this so it will take some time.

We will be referring from our own design experience along with advice from some other professionals and some book references. We found a splendid little book entitled “House & Cottage Interiors, Do’s & Don’ts” by Hugh Lander (Acanthus Books, 1982). This book is really quite a treat for those of you looking to either preserve an old cottage or create and maintain real authenticity of your new “old” cottage. We have chosen to follow Mr. Lander’s outline and suggestions as we think he does a superb job of explaining to us what we should do to keep within the style. No need to purchase this out-of-print book, unless you are like me and absolutely need it! (I tell my wife I need lots of old books, she usually just laughs and asks me if I don’t already have enough books??? Now what kind of question is that, right? Could I ever have enough? Absolutely not!)

Let’s start with a few things we have to consider first, questions that should be asked if we are going for a real and authentic look to the cottage . Keeping in mind of course, that these tips are for authentic English cottages, we will address the real whimsical and fun details of the Storybook cottage in another post at some later date.

First, are we keeping with the period and style? Do your research. Read books from the bookstore and the largest library near you. Also, ask questions to people who might know. I have a personal motto that I always stay true to and it is this, “Ask a few key questions to a few key people” and you can learn or find out just about anything.

Second, what materials should we be using? Remembering of course, that “earthy” (like woods, stones, clays, and basic metals, etc.) and “chunky & bulky” materials are always good. These are the predominant materials that were available in the previous architectural eras, so try to stay in keeping with this. Sure, there are important sharp and intricate details also, and lots of less expensive substitutes that look nearly as good, but we will leave these until the “finer” points of the discussion.

Third, is there any definite character to what we are adding or creating? ALWAYS look for the quaint and charming. Look for the unusual and the unique.

Fourth, is the feature (or features) too simple or too square and boxy, or just too modern and contemporary for the look we are after? Are the roofs just too shallow or flat? Pay close attention that we don’t “cut too many corners” so as to create something that just doesn’t look right after completion. All too often we have seen a beautiful design “cut up” and “cut back” so much that it no longer looks as it was designed.

Fifth, are we keeping everything in scale and proportion? This is probably one of the areas that we see builders and designers struggle with the most. In our opinion, this should be at the forefront of the design process. Study and look and stare, and then study and look and stare again. There is no way around learning to “have an eye” for proportion. Most of us can see it, but to describe it or design it on our own may take some practice. We love asymmetry, and to us this is where we stay most of the time in the design process. But asymmetry (in proportion and scale) is slightly more difficult to get to look right than something that is very symmetrical. We spend sometimes literally hours and hours working on proportions and scale so that everything looks and feels right, and you may too. There is a lot to be said about how beautiful the patterns and designs of nature are that are so pleasing to the eye, and yet many of these are not really symmetrical at all, although most are. Many designs that look so fabulous in nature are actually asymmetrical. In our opinion, this is true in cottage design also. So look at nature, then look at your favorite cottage designs and features that really appeal to you and then really ponder at what makes that particular cottage so pleasing to the eye and so interesting. In other words, learn from others and the already existing, whether it’s a good design or one not so good, you can learn from both. Then, don’t be afraid to try something new and interesting, and let your heart and your eye guide you in finding something pleasing and exhilarating.

Sixth, and final, is, “what finishes, such as varnish, polish, paint, gilding or glaze may we have to employ?” Once again, this takes some thinking and research so that we stay within the look we are after. We don’t want to create a new “old” cottage with beautiful exposed timbers that look the part and then paint them with an oil-based paint the color yellow (or any other color for that matter). Exposed timbers, for example, should stay as natural looking as possible, and if you must, use a good stain to give it some color. There are few things more beautiful than natural grain patterns in woods, so show them off.

In the end, we want to create something that truly warms our heart, and not something we have to settle for. Our cottage, both inside and out, should beckon us on to say to ourselves, “this is really where I want to live“.

So, this is just the start of our article. One in which we will hopefully answer some of the questions that have been asked to us and that you may find interesting and to be of worth. We will continue on into the next segment in the next week or so.Please join in the discussion if you wish and contribute your insights and pointers.