The Cottage Remodel – An Inviting Cottage Dining Room

The reveal of our cottage remodel is well underway! Earlier this week we shared the first look at our charming cottage kitchen and today, we are excited to reveal our inviting cottage dining room.

While the kitchen underwent a significant renovation, the dining room’s transformation was somewhat less demanding. If you’ve been following along since the beginning of the remodel, you’ll remember the dining room used to look like this. Today, it has undergone an incredible transformation to create an inviting and cozy space where we gather for our favourite summer meals.

The vision we had for this space was clear from the start, we wanted to embrace the warmth and inviting essence of a classic cottage dining room. With inspiration drawn from English countryside cottages, we incorporated warm wood tones, antique furniture and coastal art.

Like the kitchen, Nick took on the daunting project of removing the ceiling tiles in the dining room too. It was a huge project, but well worth the time and energy. It has helped our tiny cottage feel so much larger and brighter.

While the ceiling was a completely new look, the flooring remained the same in the dining room. Nick laid this laminate hardwood about 15 years ago and after realizing we couldn’t refinish the original cottage floors, we opted to keep the existing floors as a cost-effective alternative.

Here’s a closer look at the thoughtful details and creative ideas that contributed to the creation of our inviting cottage dining room…

The Window Treatments

Window treatments are a big investment but an important one as they have the ability to completely elevate any space.

The cottage dining room and living room both have large patio doors overlooking the picturesque shore of Georgian Bay and we wanted to find window treatments that were just as beautiful as the view. We started looking for options that would not only afford us privacy during our nights at the cottage but also help to block out the intense mid-day sun on sweltering summer days.

We found the perfect solution, custom drapery from Blindsgalore. Blindsgalore is one of our favourite companies and we’ve been using their products in our own home for the past seven years. With a wide range of window treatments available, they are a company that epitomizes excellence in both product quality and customer service.

Over the years, we’ve found their attention to detail so reassuring, and we know their products are durable and long-lasting. I really believe though, what sets them apart is the exceptional level of personalized assistance provided by their knowledgeable team. While we have ordered both woven wood shades and Roman shades in the past, this was my first time ordering custom drapery and I had a lot of questions. The customer service team member I spoke with happily answered them all and helped to ensure I was choosing the best options to fit our space and needs.

We chose a timeless pinch pleat drapery style in a creamy linen material. They add a touch of softness and warmth which really helps the space feel cozy and inviting.

The Furniture

While the removal of the ceiling and the addition of custom drapery elevated the aesthetic of the cottage dining room, we also enhanced its functionality and character through carefully chosen furniture pieces.

The Cabinets

Luck was on our side when we stumbled upon two matching cabinets on Facebook Marketplace. Though not antiques, they reminded me of pieces from a bygone era. Their warm wood finish and simple design give them so much character and charm, making them perfect for our cottage dining room. Lower-closed storage gives us extra space for dishes, while the glass doors allow us to showcase collectibles, artwork, and serveware, adding a personalized touch to the room.

The Dining Table

The dining table is original to the cottage, so it was a special piece to incorporate. Originally Nick was going to build a new table for this space but we eventually decided the original table was actually the perfect piece.

The Chairs

A few weeks after finding the matching cabinets, we stumbled upon another incredible find on Facebook Marketplace. I came across a set of six ladderback chairs with rush seats that I knew would be perfect for infusing more character into the space. Unfortunately, they required a bit of repair, and Nick ended up weaving six new seats from fibre rush. It was a time-consuming project but like everything Nick does he faced it with determination and quickly learned a new skill. Truthfully, I’m not sure he’ll ever forgive me for convincing him to take this project on, but I think it was worth it.

The Lighting

It’s amazing how something as simple as a new lighting fixture can make such a big difference in a space. I’ve loved this brass lantern chandelier for a long time now and was amazed when we came across it at a local second-hand store. We knew it would be perfect for the dining room as its clean lines and minimal design beautifully complement the dining area without obstructing the breathtaking view through the patio doors.

We had so much designing and sourcing the pieces for the dining room and I love that almost everything we incorporated was second-hand. It goes to show that you can create a beautiful and inviting space with a little bit of creativity and resourcefulness. Each element, from the exposed ceiling to the vintage coastal art prints contributes to the room’s overall charm.