Three things to love about a vintage lake cottage

There is just something about the draw of a quaint lakeside community that is hard to put your finger on. There is a feeling of nostalgia and summer memories that are promised in the cool beginnings of June that hang on in the hot July air and dog days of August. There is a sense of getaway. Of carefree days boating or sipping a drink out on the porch. Two summers ago I finally put my thoughts together for what I love about a great north woods cabin escape (and how to capture it for yourself). Now I find myself exploring the lake life of the more southern WI resort towns that boomed in the early 1900s. I have done my best to “put a finger on” a few things that draw me to this era of lakeside life.

Soft green colors

First of all- the look of a woodsy cabin that is log or cedar sided hits differently than the color trends I was noticing in these other communities. While classic white and forest green will always be a staple-these examples of charming lake cottages showcase one of my favorite shades of green.

The soft dreamy pallet works perfectly with the deeper foliage throughout the summer. It should also be noted the different styles of each. One house is classic and colonial in nature, while the other feels more romantic and European, yet both embrace a similar hue.

It reminds me of the cottages of Elkmont, Tennesse-

This is probably not a “new construction” color, which is why it remains perfect for this application. Without being trendy or dated it instead captures a vintage feeling.

A welcoming entrance

Let’s be honest- who doesn’t want to roll up to a vacation house late on a Friday night greeted by the soft glow of a light post? In the north woods you might imagine a gravel road over grown with brush, but this lakeside community has an entire stretch of properties with shaded driveways and welcoming posts at their entrances.

Besides the light fixture itself, the plantings sets the scene as well. The fluffy white hydrangeas and deep blue-green hostas thrive in the shade and feel timeless against weathered shake and old stone.

An outdoor room close to the action

A boathouse is a luxury. And these look old. And vintage. And cool.

And of course they do!

On an easement that grants rights to walk the perimeter of this lake though old historic properties you can view several of these authentic boathouses. There are a few reasons we know they are all that I have claimed them to be. First, they’re clearly old based on the fact that you probably couldn’t build anything this close to water nowadays. The classic color schemes used for the spindles and windows maintain it’s simple vintage past. And how cool is a spot to lounge that is surrounded by gnarly old trees and a 180 degree lake view? Bonus points for bridges and balconies.

Now, you might be wondering what is the relevance of pointing all this out if you don’t have access to a property like this. Probably the same reason I felt the need to write about creating your own nostalgic summer vibes two years ago- to get you to challenge your surroundings.

Sometimes I write to remind myself of the places I visit and the inspiration I absorb by being there. This is an example of such a post. Every time I walk the streets of classic WI resort towns like Green Lake and Elkhart Lake I want to share the feeling I get- the one I started this article with. I am always looking for a way to put these feelings into a guide to design, because I believe that what we are missing most in design is heart and inspiration. I don’t think good design should ever be just about buying stuff that looks good together. I will always advocate that it should be about surrounding yourself with “stuff” that makes you feel.

And if you have never felt the cool breeze on a summer day and imagined white sails and the distant sound of water lapping against a dock…it might just be that you are not a lake person-

Or it might be that you just need to spend a little more time in a quaint lakeside community.

Coming Soon!

A lakeside rental renovation full of sentimental touches!