Two designers work around the clock to fill a coastal-inspired cottage with the spirit of Christmas for a very special family.
It sounds like nothing short of a Christmas miracle: arriving home during the busy holiday season to find that everything – from the tree to the table – has been decked out for Santa. And, no, not merely put together by elves but beautifully finished by real-life designers. That’s what happened to the owners of this bright and modern cottage located on British Columbia’s majestic Sunshine Coast.
But in this case, the homeowners, Canadian expats who live in Bermuda, admittedly knew what was coming. They enlisted Nicole Mah and Kelly Deck of Vancouver’s Kelly Deck Design to decorate the 4,500-square-foot house for the holidays, but gave the designers carte blanche so the decor would be a complete surprise when they arrived after a long flight.
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House tour: Whimsical white cottage
Grand entryway
In the grand entryway, the banisters are decorated with faux evergreen garland embellished with pretty bows and delicate acorn and snowflake ornaments. Whether store-bought or DIY, the cottage's holiday adornments offer a handmade feel that’s both whimsical and cozy.
House tour: Whimsical white cottage
Grand entryway
In the grand entryway, the banisters are decorated with faux evergreen garland embellished with pretty bows and delicate acorn and snowflake ornaments. Whether store-bought or DIY, the cottage's holiday adornments offer a handmade feel that’s both whimsical and cozy.
House tour: Whimsical white cottage
Modern living room
The cottage’s clean, comfortable aesthetic and fresh, bright palette served as the jumping-off point for its laid-back natural holiday theme. Strings of felt acorns hung on reindeer stocking holders in the living room act as playful accents in lieu of stockings.
House tour: Whimsical white cottage
Treasured tree
tThe faux Christmas tree is adorned with a simple felt ball garland and a collection of ornaments in a predominantly neutral colour scheme. “The tree trimmings range from traditional to modern,” says Nicole. “We wanted the tree to look collected with a lot of different decorations. But keeping the colours consistent makes them all work together.”
House tour: Whimsical white cottage
White and bright kitchen
The kitchen’s large eat-in area boasts comfortable slipcovered chairs, a generous banquette and breathtaking views. A palette of white, pale aqua and earthy beige tones gives the holiday table setting a modern look and ties in with the rest of the home.
House tour: Whimsical white cottage
Earthy place settings
Each holiday place setting boasts an earthy quality, thanks to a sprig of eucalyptus, but the designers edged the leaves in gold glitter to give the arrangement a touch of festive sparkle.
House tour: Whimsical white cottage
Chic centrepiece
A mint green vase holding white-painted branches decorated with glass balls and wooden snowflakes serves as a festive centrepiece in the craft room. The handmade paper star garland is destined for the living room.
House tour: Whimsical white cottage
Crafty calendar
The Advent calendar in the craft room was made by stamping kraft paper envelopes with the day of the month and pinning them in the shape of a Christmas tree onto a linen-upholstered cork board.
House tour: Whimsical white cottage
Subtle accessories
“We didn’t want anything to take away from the beautiful turquoise door,” says Nicole. So the designers strung a simple wood-disc garland that says “Merry Christmas” along the transom window.
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