CHRISTMAS AT THE TREETOPS

The great, snowy outdoors inspires this breezy lakeside cottage’s holiday makeover.

The great snowy outdoors inspired the holiday makeover of this breezy lakeside cottage.

When the first snow of the year comes around,

there is no better place to retreat to than a cozy cottage with loved ones. And that’s exactly what Marta Malviya, of the design blog Mackinaw Road, along with her husband, Raj, and their two children do when the wind picks up in Michigan and they need to escape from the cold. But it’s not just the calming ambience that makes the house feel like home—it’s the childhood memorabilia and time-honored décor, combined with a sprinkling of festive accents, that really spark joy in this coastal cottage.

REVIVED COTTAGE

The home—dubbed the “Treetops”—was built in the early 1900s, and doubles as a winter getaway and a summer beach cottage. When the family purchased the property, they made a few key renovations, and these simple design choices set the tone for the rest of the house.

“We used a lot of white paint to brighten the home, and had the floors refinished and stained gray,” says Marta. “I also added peel-andstick tile flooring, which is both durable and fun.” In particular, Marta used peel-and-stick flooring in her bathrooms, rather than paying for expensive tile flooring.

Earthy tones abound and play well with coastal patterns such as stripes and gingham. Marta suggests using patterns and textures sparingly to make smaller pieces of décor stand out. This strategy pays off: Marta’s vintage winter sports accessories and faux evergreens wrapped in burlap certainly make a statement. “The old-fashioned skis and snowshoes reflect the area and the time of the year, and they’re pretty easy to find at local shops in Michigan,” Marta says.

MINIMALIST MAKEOVER

The kitchen also required an extensive refresh, which involved redoing the floors and much of the paneling. But it’s the most diverse room in the home, capturing a modern and functional feel, while boasting many vintage appliances.

It’s always a little tricky decorating the kitchen for the holidays— especially one that’s pressed for space—without cluttering your countertops. But with Marta’s minimalist approach to a classic Christmas look, a few faux plants and decorative signs get the job done. Functional red mugs and green glass jars amplify the setting. And she added a simple table runner, plaid napkins and evergreen branches to create a table setting for the family to enjoy meals together—with a view of the winter wonderland outside.

SET SAIL

Marta fell in love with the charming cottage feel of this split-level home. With cozy little corners and nooks and crannies at every turn, there is plenty of space for personal touches—like the study area

beneath the stairs and the custom-built sailboat tucked into the attic. “I can’t believe my kids still fall asleep in the little sailboat,” Martha laughs. “They’re getting bigger all the time, but they still love it.”

The sailboat was inspired by the white pole in the middle of the room, which now serves as part of the mast, and ties in with the home’s lakeside aesthetic on the top deck. Red, white and blue patterned quilts contribute to the theme and make decorating for Christmas a breeze. Marta simply adds a few complementary décor pillows and duvet covers for warmth, a few nutcrackers, vintage snowshoes and a dash of green to complete the old-timey look.

“What can I say, I like to keep things simple and classic, using touches of red and green,” Marta laughs. “I’m a bit of a minimalist in that way, but it all comes together so well.”

WINTER WONDERLAND. The family always expects a few days of fun in the snow. “Sometimes the snow comes early, and sometimes it comes late. The kids don’t always get 11 snow days, but they always get a couple,” Marta says.

|TOP RIGHT| WARM WELCOME. With a vintage movie theater bench and a customizable chalkboard from Raj’s childhood in the entryway, it’s easy for Marta and Raj to feel at home as soon as they set foot inside. When the family rents their cottage out, they put a list of local recommendations on the chalkboard, so visitors can explore the area from an insider’s perspective.

|LEFT| CURL UP. The plush blue sectional in the family room—which fits all of the family in one place—gets a few plaid pillows and throw blankets for the holiday season. Though Marta loves crisp, white walls in a cottage, she decided to keep the natural wood finish in the family room because it adds a coziness that’s hard to reproduce.

PAIRED PATTERNS. The patterned runner on the staircase mirrors the pattern Marta painted on the fireplace hearth.

|ABOVE LEFT| COASTAL KITCHEN. In the kitchen, Marta combined rustic flooring and shelves with vintage appliances for old-fashioned appeal. A modern tile backsplash adds texture and visual interest, while faux plants enhance the festive feeling. A vintage map of the surrounding area hangs above the counter.

|ABOVE| CHILDHOOD CHEER. Marta added a red duvet with a holly pattern to the bed in the guestroom, tucked just to the side of the family room. “The book by the bed is Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost,” Marta says. “It’s something that my parents used to read to me, and now I read it to my kids.” |RIGHT| SAIL AWAY. This custom-built sailboat fits right into the cottage, with its plank flooring and ceiling. The large glass window allows sunlight to pour in, even on the coldest days, bringing a bright and airy quality to the room. |OPPOSITE| LIVELY LIVING. Taking much of her inspiration from the outdoors, Marta loves to decorate with greenery during the holidays. This tablescape maintains a neutral color palette, enhanced by vibrant leaves. Sunlight adds to the ambience.

|BOTTOM LEFT| MAGIC MIX. Marta layers her quilts with duvets for added color and warmth during the holidays. The sailboat and striped patterns convey a nautical theme, while the floral patterns introduce a feminine touch. Old-fashioned snowshoes add wintry appeal. |BOTTOM RIGHT| CRU’S NEST. A pair of Christmas stockings hangs above this little alcove, where Cru Jones, the family dog, sleeps.

SITTING PRETTY. The sitting room, though small in size, offers a boatload of character. Baby blue-andwhite plaid pillows complement the black settee, while the old-fashioned white dresser blends with the crisp white walls. The oars in the corner were a gift from a friend, and Marta added the stripes and painted them to match the rest of the home.

|ABOVE| EVERY NOOK & CRANNY. The attic provides ample room for weekend guests. |BOTTOM| SHINE BRIGHT. This bedroom’s holiday makeover is a simple one, complete with a pretty garland along the headboard. The shining star of the room is the nearly floor-to-ceiling glass windows, which literally set the room aglow.

EVERGREEN EVERYWHERE. It doesn’t take much—just a few wreaths and linens—to convey a holiday spirit when your bathroom walls are a rich, jewel-green color like Marta’s. The flooring is a peeland-stick decal from Mirth Studio and is quite durable.