Refresh the cottage indoors and out

The big opening up weekend has come and gone. If the cottage was looking a bit tired then here are some design tips to breathe new life in a beloved building

It has been a long hard winter here in Muskoka. Snow banks at the front of my property topped seven feet and spring seemed a distant dream. Thanks to a warmer than usual April, I can now see my front lawn, and by the May long weekend I had cut my grass twice. Being able to venture out into the nice warming sun, peruse my gardens for new spring growth, and wash windows and sweep sidewalks has been a refreshing beginning to a season I feared would never come. As usual around this time of the year, we look for ways to revamp, refresh and rejuvenate not only ourselves, but also our spaces.

Inside our homes we hurry in the morning to open the blinds to let in the sun, and though this is an effective way to brighten a space, sometimes we come to realize it is not quite enough. If you find yourself in this predicament, here are a few ways you can begin the process of refreshing your interior spaces.

To revive a tired window, consider pulling down those old drapery panels and replacing them with something lighter. A contemporary interior can see a brilliant facelift by replacing drapery panels with equally unassuming roman shades. A heavy patterned fabric in dark colours can be replaced with light cotton in a single colour. Dressing your windows is like dressing yourself, as we turn to spring we strip some layers and lighten up on colour.

To brighten a dull room, refresh a tired one, or give the illusion of more space in a small one, paint it white. Paint can brighten and refresh any space. Consider checking out the newest colour trends to see if there is something you have been missing. Do you love a colour that you feel is too bold for your living room? Consider using it in a bathroom or powder room. These spaces are often neglected because of their size, but it is their size that makes them perfect ground for experimentation. If you hate it, in the end it is typically a small space to repaint.

In the living room, consider retiring your old toss cushions and bringing in new ones with new colours and patterns. Many stores have a wonderful selection of pre-made cushions. A new contemporary pattern can breathe new life into an old sofa, or the perfect little floral pattern can add needed character to a forgotten chair. If you cannot find what you like, head to the fabric store, find fabrics that you love and make your own. Simple cushions are not difficult to make. Asking for help at your fabric store will give you the direction you need. Once you get started, you will be surprised at where your creativity takes you.

In the bedroom change the linens. Look for colours and patterns that inspire a refreshing feeling and are light in weight and in colour. A well dressed bed looks great with a lightweight quilt and a duvet folded at the foot of the bed. Matching shams and coordinating toss pillows complete the look.

Once you have refreshed inside it is time to turn your attention outward. As summer approaches you want your outside spaces to be as inviting as your interior ones.

Consider how this space will be used. Do you enjoy outdoor entertaining? If so, is this formal dining or joining friends for a beverage after a long day? Do you want a place to comfortably read or nap, or is this a space that the kids will call home in the warmer weather?

Now the real fun begins as you plan to furnish and accessorize your outdoor space. Options for furnishing are much more diverse than they were years ago. Outdoor furniture is readily available and affordable, and with the growing diversity and availability of outdoor fabrics, one can create the ultimate in luxury in their own backyard.

Just as you would in interior spaces, it comes down to deciding on style. Is a beach aesthetic what you want to achieve? Consider choosing a palette of cool blues, warm sand tones and touches of white and coral. For furnishings, try natural woods such as teak, or painted wood pieces in whites and blues.

For that modern experience, keep your colour palette monochromatic in cool neutral tones of warm whites, creams and taupes. Consider a more modular type of furnishing that carries a squared simplified shape to it.

Whatever your space, indoors or out, let your imagination take you. Have fun, and when it is all done sit back, relax and enjoy your refreshing new view.

Jodi Chapman has been a designer for seven years, working in Toronto and Muskoka. She can be contacted at 645-6492.