Cottage of the Week: North Carolina Cottage
Have you ever dreamed on living in a small cottage by the water? This couple from North Carolina, Emily and Michael Knotts are living their dream. They’re one of those smart people that manage to have everything they need by using their creativity and a DIY attitude.
They renovated their North Carolina cottage using salvage materials, shopping only products on sale and building many things themselves.
This cottage proves that lack of money shouldn’t be an excuse to not have what you want. Be creative is essential to not break the bank, but also to achieve a beautiful home where we truly feel it belong to us.
This is the result of lots of hard work, savings and passion for where they live.
Kitchen
The homeowner enjoying her adorable and practical kitchen.
Eating Area
I adore the “home-sweet-home” feeling of this eating area and the planters are fantastic!
Dining Room
The homeowner used to dream with a farmhouse table, so her husband built this one for her. Yes, this is what I call “love”!
Living Room
I love the Coastal shabby-chic feeling of this room.
Letters
This Ikea chair and footstool are a favorite.
Design
A real home is just like a real woman. It can’t only be pretty, it has to offer more than that, and in this case, it also offers comfort.
Cushions from Restoration Hardware.
DIY
This lamp was a DIY project. Really cute and perfect for a cottage.
Easy as 1,2,3
Don’t you love this idea? Perfect to know how many steps you have! I’m kidding! This is truly adorable!
Creative
What do you do when you want something but can’t afford it? You build it! The homeowner wanted barn-styled doors for her office, but they do not come cheap. Here’s what she did to get the look for much less: she used salvage doors she bought on a yard sale for $10 and improvised with plumbing pipes and casters. Total: $78!
Home Office
Inspired by Restoration Hardware, the desk was built by using an old door and iron pipes. Total: $250.
Zzzzz
The master bedroom is tiny but very stylish. I love the mix of grey, white and turquoise.
Storage
You need to create as much storage space as possible when living in a cottage. They built this shelving unit using plywood and adding baskets from Target.
Fun
Emily and Michael having some well-deserved relaxing time.
Don’t you just love seeing people improvising and creating at home? This place is filled with items that the homeowners built themselves and made this little cottage into the perfect place to call “home”.
As you know, I’m also trying to do some work around my house and it’s never easy when you have three kids. I rarely have time to get things done, but I’m doing my best and I’m really doing my research because everything is very expensive these days and I think it’s important to not compromise on quality. This cottage really inspires me to keep doing my best on decorating within a budget. “Be creative” is the best lesson I take from this post today.
I hope you guys have a beautiful and sunny Tuesday! 
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
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Sources: Country Living, Photos: Lucas Allen, via
20 Comments to 'Cottage of the Week: North Carolina Cottage'
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Great ideas. Love when a house comes together on a dime, but looks like they spent a lot. They have a charming home.
This cottage is so cute and I love how they took an idea and made it less expensive. We’re doing the same thing from RH, taking their idea and making it for a lot less money.
XX
Debra~
*** Luciane, this is a FAB posting of a W*O*N*D*E*R*F*U*L “cottage”!!!
It makes me want, like so many others I’m SURE, to save alll those countless $$$ we’ve spent on decorating over the years (yeah… right now I’m feeling I was born the same year as the wheel was invented!), and START OVER… SIMPLIFY… make life EASIER & have it be MORE about RELAXING and truly ENJOYING LIFE, wihtout the true/”burden” of “so much ‘STUUUUUFF’” to “care for”!!!
I just A*D*O*R*E this home!!! MANY THANKS to these young homeowners for sharing their talents and expertise!!!
Warmest,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
It’s darling and more special because they put their heart and soul (and hard work) into it. LOVE.
This is a lovely do it yourself home. It looks like it was all done by professionals. You find us amazing inspirations.
I just want to say I love the design in these photos. My wife and me have renovated many homes and have tried many different designs. This style is very appealing to us.Thanks for the post.
What a wonderful cottage! So homey and comfortable! I am all over the “barn” doors – I must try this!! I will be on the look out for the perfect doors. Another great post Luciane!!!
i live in a cottage and absolutely adore them!! but this couple, wow, what a team!
wonderful story dear friend with much inspiration
big hugs
debra
ps; thank you for your lovely comment on tina’s blog, so touched
What a wonderful NC cottage. Love the ways they were able to save money, yet have it look so chic and stylish. The farmhouse table is amazing!! Hope you are doing well, Luciane!!
Okay, I think this is my favorite cottage so far! I could’ve pinned every photo. Seriously! I stopped at pinning 3, but I really love all of them. This cottage speaks to my soul…
xo Sheila
What a charmer!! Shows you that beautiful things do come in small packages..this is so tastefully done. Just beautiful. Have a great day Luciane!
It’s a beautiful cottage – but all that white! My kids and dog would make hay of a place like that in about two nano-seconds! But it’s nice to *dream*.
Those planters on the wall – TOO CUTE!!!
Love it, especially since it’s in North Carolina where I live. From all the money they saved on DIY decorating, it looks like they spent it on a boat! Good for them. Lots of good ideas here.
Luciane,
Wow, this is not only beautiful, it’s filled with really clever ideas. I love the “hanging barn door” substitute. This is so stylish and fun.
Karen
Hi Carolyn!
I thought the same thing!
What a boat!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
OH SOOO PRETTY!!! I love every single room… great light and colours!!!
hi!
love that vintage map of europe!!! anyone know where i can buy one similar? thanks!
p.s. beautiful cottage! =)
I am building a cottage in NC! In search to find where you got the light fixture over your farmhouse table. Would you be able to help?