Island house

This summer rec home on an island in the Netherlands is breathtaking isn't it? The saturated brown/black exterior with the crisp white and all that glass ... I find it mesmerizing. Such a dreamy setting, too.

It was constructed in 2011 and the shower, kitchen, etc. are built-in/concealed quite efficiently within the tall cabinetry. A whole section of the exterior opens up to enjoy the lake and views in summer.

Stunning.

(via 2by4 architects)

Holiday project #1: Fun with Paperwhites

So we're hoping to tackle a handful of decorating projects this Christmas. So far, so good with the first two (yes, we've tackled TWO so far!)  I've always loved paperwhites and with a little research discovered they're quite simple to "grow" indoors. We purchased a few bulbs from our local nursery and set them up in individual canning jars with some rocks we collected from the beach just down the hill from our house. Ideally you stick a bunch of bulbs together in the same container so they grow in a nice, full, bunch. However I had this notion of setting them up in the jars, and there isn't much room. We'll see how we do. It's an experiment. I just adore the jar trio though. We got them all assembled mid-month, so they should be blooming around the middle of December. Can you believe we were that organized? :)

Under the radar

We've been contemplating new end tables for our living room for a while now, but it's nothing urgent... the narrow white-painted wood ones we have now are mostly functional and fit the space well. They were just more of a quick solution since we already had them on hand -  they weren't purchased specifically for the space. So, we figured when we eventually encountered our new end tables, we'd know they were a match on the spot. More serendipity and less actively searching. (This has worked out well for us in the past).

Recently though this modern and unassuming little guy caught my eye as I paged through the latest CB2 catalog. I am especially intrigued by the clear acrylic casters. Brilliant touch. I also like that there's a lower shelf for magazines and such. It seems with our tables now, beverages and snacks are constantly fighting for real estate on top with the magazines . I also like how little visual space this piece takes up, yet the material and construction still add tons of interest and a generally very cool vibe.

Definitely one to consider....

Knob love

Is it ok to squeal with glee upon the discovery of a glass cabinet knob that is not globe-shaped or crystal-y, but simple and mushroom-shaped? Because I did.

Great finds - Loving these products

Recently came across these online while planning the interior re-design of a charming 1950s Cape Cod cottage. Won't be using them in this particular project, but can't wait for a project where we can... the vintage appeal of a bin pull in sophisticated (and unexpected) clear glass - perfect for a Modern Cottage. And the pendant light - I'm in love. We've used galvanized plumbing parts before in our design; such a great way to get a little modern-industrial appeal in a rustic, cottage-friendly metal.

Get an extra dose of joy with fresh photography

Art is a vital part of any Modern Cottage. Great photography, simply framed, can add a crispness and life to your space. Choose images that make you happy or affect you in a positive way, whether family photos or works by esteemed photographers. The important thing is the feeling and flavor they add to your cottage. I particularly enjoy these images by photographer Kristine Sitko. The subject matter and color are spot on -- and the interpretation quite modern.