Aug
06

Top 5 Friday: Cottage Envy


By: Michelle Carangi of Montreal-based design office and blog, Holley&Gill

August is here and we thankfully still have a few weeks left to unwind. Most of us, it not all of us, have or will find some way to get away from it all. Either spending the day at the local beach or a long weekend at a far-away cottage, abandoning the dust and smog of urban living has never been easier. In order to be able to face the months ahead with a stronger and more renewed you, a retreat is a must.

When I think of a retreat, I can’t help but dream of a reflective lake as a permanent backdrop to quiet evenings, listening to a gentle wind rustling the trees and enjoying family meals outdoors. Although not entirely consumed by the idea of “roughing it”, I certainly am all for spending as much time as possible enjoying the tranquility of the open air (with running water being a must), in places like these:

A Summer House
 
Poppytalk

This deck would be the most idyllic perch for the last few weeks of summer. The serenity of nothing but a lake view could possibly keep me there for slightly longer...


The Perfect Cottage
 
My Scandinavian Retreat blog

I would love nothing more than to unwind by exploring rocky beaches like this one, followed by lots of long afternoon naps with unread magazines and books by my side.


Modern Cabin on the Water

 
Dwell

With more of a modern feel, this cabin which sits in between two banks allows for swimming, boating and fishing, on tap, right at the doorstep. In my eyes, this is a perfect family getaway for those looking to enjoy the simple life in a stylish and contemporary way.


A Vintage Airstream Rental

 
Vintage Vacations

The allure of a holiday in a vintage Airstream must stem from seeing them styled so beautifully in magazines. I am not sure real life vacationing in them would compare, but I am definitely willing to try it out.


A Backyard Retreat
 
Toast

And if you are not able to get away, for now I would suggest still taking the time to enjoy the warmth outside. Finding a secluded spot in a backyard, balcony or deck for a quiet moment is a retreat in itself.

Have you got a retreat to get to?  Go ahead, make us jealous! 

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Comments:

Ooh I just got back from a camping trip and I'm so craving the outdoor retreat again. I'll take all 5 please. In any order.

Great post Michelle. You just made me crave a little more of summer when I was starting to wish Fall upon us.

August 6, 2010 4:03 PM

 

My idea of a great retreat would be reliving the vacations of my youth in the rockie mountains.  I can remember (mostly from pictures) a place we rented in Banff - and waking up to "Bambi" standing right in front of the living room window! Today I would relish in the mountain air and have a spa day at the Hot Springs. One day! A girl can dream! Thanks Michelle for bringing those memories alive! Great post!

August 6, 2010 4:08 PM

 

Ooo I am with Adele, you've totally made me crave a little more of summer! I want to jump into my screen and hang out in that dreamy and divine space by Toast. You've got one heck of a good design eye, my friend. Will

August 6, 2010 4:15 PM

 

Michelle, thanks for giving me great ideas for my next vacation. The floating summer house looks a-w-e-s-o-m-e.

August 6, 2010 4:16 PM

 

Reading this on a Friday afternoon at 4:00 just makes me want to rush home and pack my stuff and go find one of those incredible spot you've been describing so well... Thanks for the inspirational post Michelle...

August 6, 2010 4:21 PM

 

Thanks for the article. Well done. I will now inquire as to what is involved in renting an Airstream trailer for our trip out west. Many thanks for the innovative suggestion as one of your 'retreats'

August 6, 2010 5:25 PM

 

Well this is exciting to see you here M! lovely & romantic....I would take #1 hands down ... it looks so peaceful! Great post Michelle...

August 6, 2010 6:04 PM

 

Thank you so much Michelle for this post and thank you for NOT showing a single image of anything done by Sarah. These pictures and your thoughts were refreshing. We need more voices and more design talents featured on this site and network. Great work!!!

August 6, 2010 6:44 PM

 

Michelle, I'd love to get away! There is something amazing about the simplicity of camping or living in a cabin that makes me wonder why we bother with all the other stuff the rest of the year! Lovely pictures as usual!

August 6, 2010 7:00 PM

 

I'm all over the backyard retreat. I love a great vacation but there's something to be said about a hideaway in your home where you can escape the day to day, if just for 10 minutes. The outdoor bed looks SO dreamy! We are however just about to head out on our holiday to a lake community where a peaceful private beach is waiting for me.

Such a great post Michelle and wonderful to see you here at HGTV!

August 6, 2010 8:07 PM

 

This post reminds me of my childhood when I'd spend summers up North at the cottage with my family. I need to continue the tradition with my own kids one day. Wishing I was by a lake rather than in the city right now.

August 7, 2010 10:08 AM

 

Beautifully written with stunning photography, the cottage appeals to me for sure!

August 7, 2010 11:32 AM

 

Inspired I live in a forest by the sea in my beautiful new house. I am going to go swimming every day until they close the beach down.  I love my home.

August 8, 2010 6:58 PM

 

Great job Michelle... just reading your blog and getting lost in the pictures is enough to revitalize my mind while being stuck indoors for work... I agree that any little bit of time spent outdoors, soaking in the sun, listening to the sounds of nature (birds, wind, squirrels fighting over a nut!), even if done in an urban park or backyard, is still a "retreat in itself".  Ok, I'm going outside now!!

August 10, 2010 12:24 PM

 

Love this post! Lots of inspiration and ideas for a cottage person like me! Thanks, Michelle!

September 3, 2010 9:42 AM

 

These are so beautiful and make me wish summer would never end. I LOVE #1.

September 3, 2010 12:04 PM

 
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