Once Upon a Storybook Cottage

This cottage is one of 16 custom builds that comprise a magical storybook community in downtown Harbor Springs, Michigan.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN. Because the stairs are visible from almost every room in some way, their style was particularly important. Kelly breaks down her decision, saying, “I didn’t want the wood tone to be too strong, so I had the risers painted white, but I liked the subtleness of seeing some of the natural wood on the steps from the floors below.”

Fairy tales do come true—thanks

to the wizardry of Cottage Company. This company built a storybook community comprising 16 cottages, making it the foremost place for clients seeking summer residences or overflow guest cottages.

The cottage seen here is a wonderful example of the design and architectural delights found in the community, called Bay Street Cottages, in the idyllic downtown of Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Kelly Konoske, head of interior design at Cottage Company Interiors, oversaw the interior design for this project, while Jill Nuding, Cottage Company of Harbor Springs’ head of construction, oversaw the building aspects.

“The home was designed and built as a spec home, with prospective seasonal homeowners in mind,” Kelly explains. “Therefore, the design goal was to allow for the efficient, yet creative, use of space to maximize functionality and aesthetic beauty.”

The private spaces are clearly defined, but the floor plan still remains open and spacious. The kitchen, dining room and family room serve as common areas for family members to spend quality time together, so they were designed to be larger, more open, integrated and filled with natural light. Continuity was achieved through the combination of natural colors, natural materials and textured fabrics, which contributed to a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere—and just the place to kick off a personal once-upon-a-time.

STATE OF MIND

Kelly says that “cottage style is more a state of mind rather than a specific design style. It evokes a feeling, whether that’s warm and welcoming or family oriented and friendly.”

She “bottles” that sentiment here, along with features that appeal to a modern family, such as forgiving finishes and fabrics, durable materials and timeless designs.

The cottage, itself, is a remarkable study in spatial illusion. Entering it, one is immediately swept away into a fantasy—one that belies the limitations of a snug, 1,700 square feet.

“I achieved this by maximizing the flex spaces so that the home would feel as if it lived larger than its actual footprint,” Kelly says. “In addition, I opened up the staircase, upstairs landing and upper-level reading nook and used barn doors on one of the upstairs bedrooms to allow for privacy when in use. However, these can remain open for more spaciousness and natural light when they’re not in use.”

White walls and wood paneling help refract the light that pours in through the windows and give an unobtrusive, yet striking, background. The cottage is full of magic that lends whimsy and imagination to beautiful summer days.

PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE. Each of the 16 cottages that comprise the Bay Street Cottages features lots of flower boxes, a Dutch door and double-hung windows. “On this cottage, I chose to do black exterior windows only on the first floor, exposed rafters, horizontal clapboard siding and dark-gray shingles to differentiate it,” Kelly says.

DUTCH DOOR. Rob Mossburg, the owner of Cottage Company of Harbor Springs (and also Kelly’s father), required all 16 cottages in this Bay Street Cottages community to have a Dutch door. Not only is this door style charming, it also acts as a window when the top half is open, allowing in light and air and the ability to talk to your neighbors through the front door. “That aspect gives an almost ‘Pleasantville’ feel,” Kelly says. And, with the option of keeping the bottom half closed, it allows one to keep a young child or family pet inside.

OPEN BOOK. Strikingly, the upper stories of the cottage are visible from the downstairs. “It makes all the spaces feel larger and more integrated with each other,” Kelly says. Another benefit of this layout is the ability to let loads of natural light into the space from carefully placed windows. Kelly adds, “Abundant windows allow you to take in the view, and the light helps blur the lines between indoors and out—which is key in any cottage.”

ROARING FIRE. A fireplace is an important feature for a cottage, creating a cozy spot at night. The fireplace surround is a Calcutta cardia tile and is both elegant and inviting. “I chose it for its traditional 3x6-inch size and because it had both beige and gray veins that allowed me to incorporate a combination of warm and cool tones throughout,” Kelly says.

KITCHEN QUARTERS. Due to the cottage’s smaller footprint, Kelly carried through the same wall treatment seen throughout the home. She explains that “not introducing another material onto the walls makes the transition from one area to the other seamless and cohesive.”