How To Create The Cottage Feel At Your Home

This past Canada Day long weekend, I was lucky enough to be invited to my friend, Meghan's bachelorette! It was at a fabulous cottage on Lake Muskoka...thirteen girls and stunning surroundings makes it hard to not want to still be there (Oh! and Happy 4th of July to my American readers!). You see...I find being by the lake with the smells and sounds to be my happy place. If I had to run away and just "be", you can expect to find me there. As I get ready for work this morning, I can't help but wish myself back there...no surprise, right?

This sure beats the office! 

The beautiful bride-to-be!

It got me to thinking...how can I make my home feel the similar to that happy place of mine? I could try to make a man made lake in my backyard, but that seems...drastic...so some other ideas came to mind...

1. Get some Muskoka chairs. Adding these to your outdoor setting will instantly "cottage" up your surroundings.

Setting up towels for a day in the sun!

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2. Use a picnic table versus a standard patio set. You can fit lots of people and it feels less formal. 


Setting up breakfast for thirteen gals.

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3. This is only for the die hards...build a screened in porch to offer an outdoor living space, minus the bugs.  Imagine a morning coffee every morning here...

Screened in porch was perfect for mornings and evening time
games.

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4. AND of course, have a group of family and friends around you at all times...(I think this is the true ticket!)


After days of sunning, we all still love each other!

Thank you to everyone who made this weekend so fabulous! And...congrats to Megs for giving us an excuse to have this cottage weekend! 

xo