I am often asked how I find homes for this blog. The answer is hours and hours of scrolling instagram, Pinterest, and interior magazines. But sometimes, I home just lands in my lap - and I was very excited when this beautiful cottage appeared in my inbox this weekend!
The cottage is located in central Vacaville, California - a short drive to the Napa Valley and with the Sierra Mountains less than 2 hours away. It belongs to Colette Miller and her husband who have been busy renovating it to restore it to its former glory and add her own 'California Casual' vibe to the space.
If you love light and airy homes, white wood panelling and plenty of lovely vintage finds, today's tour is for you! Oh, and it also features a romantic rustic sunroom and even a shed! Read on to hear more about this dreamy property in Colette's own words - and a load of beautiful pictures captured by Lynda Kennedy.
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"We downsized to this little cottage on a tree lined street 10 years ago. It is 1200 sq. ft (111 sq.m) with a detached garage and shed."
"The kitchen is on the to-do list, but I'm OK waiting. I call it the 'unfitted look'- I think when I do remodel it there won't be any drastic changes... maybe a Smeg fridge though!"
"The previous owners had remodelled and took out the vintage wood paned windows and the wood floors were covered with wall-to-wall carpeting. All of the windows and had been replaced as well, so we found vintage windows and doors that we thought the home was probably outfitted with when it was built in the early 1940s."
"We raised the ceiling in the living room and added two skylights to really let all the light in and it immediately felt so much more spacious."
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"We replaced the pot belly stove for a 60's Malm stove for the vibe we were going for."
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"If someone were to ask my "vibe" I wouldn't really know how to answer. I don't really fit in one box, but if I had to put a name, I'd like to think it's 'California Casual".
The back porch was open when we moved in. I knew the moment I saw it that it needed to be a sunroom. I had 6 old windows that we used to partially enclose and its my favourite space just off our master bedroom for morning coffee!
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"I love our little shed in the backyard too. It's been a gardening shed, an art shed, a sit-in shed when rain is pitter-pattering on the tin roof. And now that I have grandkids, I have made it into a playhouse for them to play in."
What a dream!
It feels like this property has fallen into exactly the right hands! I love that old windows and doors have been refitted - and also that a sunroom has been made from vintage finds, I'd be so happy sitting there, sipping coffee while the rain patters on the windows, how about you?
You can see more pictures of Colette's pretty cottage and follow her latest home updates over at @colettemiller.
Is there anything that stood out to you about Colette's home? If so, please do share in the comments below, I love to hear your thoughts, observations and reflections!
The interior reminded me a little of Leanne Ford's woodsy cabin and also some of the properties by Australian Lynda Gardner (especially her Daylesford property) - two interior designers I admire. And I think the sun room holds similarities to romantic Camellas Lloret - somewhere I've always wanted to stay!
I am busy packing as I am heading off to Norway tomorrow for a week. I'll be heading to Bodø and then the Lofoten islands for a travel piece for Simply Scandi magazine, and I am SO excited! If you'd like a virtual trip, do follow along on my instagram!
Have a wonderful start to the week!
Niki
PS Don't forget to make the most of the 20% discount at Skandinavisk with code myscandinavianhome20 - I love their FJORD fragrance, they've managed to captured the scent of the Norwegian fjords beautifully!
Another beautiful Cali boho cabin - striving for a natural place, evolving with the decades, not afraid of the patina that comes with the practical use of tools, materials and fabrics. I love everything about this place.
ReplyDeleteI adore Leanne's aesthetics, also, yet I can't help but harken back to who I think of most regarding the "paint it white" movement but fellow Brit, Rachel Ashwell. She moved to California and, seemingly, with the stroke of a brush turned the design world in a totally different direction.
Colette's place is a happy blending of the 2 with Leanne's industrial bent (a wink to her with the mirrored disco ball) to Rachel's feminine lace.
DeleteLaura K.
I missed the disco ball and had to scroll back through to find it--thanks, Laura K! Niki, you timed this perfectly. I had a very busy (but nice) weekend--my daughter graduated from high school and we held her party Saturday. I'm enjoying a relaxing morning and wow, this cottage is a dream! I love how Colette doesn't wipe out the history with all-new whatever, but embraces the history and imperfections. So much more appealing to me (although I confess that I dislike tile countertops and would be tempted to replace them). The mirror above the sink appears to be original--I like how she added little touches to make it charming. The exterior is every bit as lovely as the interior. Now I want to visit! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter, I hope you had a wonderful party! I too love how Colette has worked with the history of the property, it really shines through :)
DeleteBoho-Scandi. Very homey.
ReplyDeleteYes, so true, it definitely has a hint of boho-scandi!
DeleteLove love love everything about this cottage...especially the sunroom!!!Morning coffee there would be a dream start to the day...
ReplyDeleteI agree, the sun room is beautiful! I could totally imagine enjoying a coffee there every morning - a perfect start to the day!
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