Here are a few ideas for using pallets in DIY projects around the cottage. Just one thing: Some pallets may not be suitable for use inside the cottage, either because they have been used to ship something that may be toxic, or because they’ve been treated with something toxic. Read more about that here.

I chose to make my own, a basic upholstered version with some really cool fabric that I found. Now, two years later, I still love it, although with all of the cool headboard ideas that I come across on Pinterest, it likely won’t be long until I take it down and create something new.

At the cottage, upholstery may not be as practical. I have no expertise at all in saying it, but I do worry about the mice getting into it somehow, finding that treasure trove of batting and nesting in my bed for the winter. (GROSS.) But that’s okay, because there are lots of other things you can use to make a headboard, many of them repurposed and ideal for a cottage aesthetic. Check out these ones:

Old oars and paddles are common refuse around a cottage and, when used together as a headboard, add amazing texture to any room. (via Bees Knees Bungalow)

Barnboard, or even old decking or dock boards, looks really elegant and sophisticated, especially when paired with crisp white linens. (Full full instructions on how to make this beauty, go over to design*sponge here.)

I saw this on a Swedish blog, Jennys hus. Don’t overlook salvaged materials for headboards. What a showstopper.

I’ve often seen one door, laid on its side, used as a headbord, but I’m partial to this idea of using two, hung the usual way. It’s something of a visual trick, isn’t it? (Also via design*sponge)

Do you have another idea for a cottage headboard? Tell me all about it!

Before the Bakers got a hold of it, the dining room was home to an old pool table and was lined with drywall.

The couple tore off some of the drywall to reveal the open-stud walls beneath.

They then applied some white paint to create an eye-popping display place for some of their favourite knick knacks and mementos.

Far more beautiful (and functional) than a rickety old pool table, don’t you think?

The original kitchen was something you might find in an ’80s-era ctiy apartment, and offered little counter space or style.

The renovated kitchen, with its under-counter fridge and plywood walls, maximizes the small space and is looks modern without being overly fancy for a cottage.

The couple liked the original stone fireplace, but it was crowded by overfilled shelves and curious light fixtures.

A more streamlined insert, a few simple but sophisticated sconces, and classic antlers allow the stones to really stand out.

The original bathroom was also outdated and mismatched.

The black-and-white palette with a pop of red helps to make the space far more calming. And cleaner, of course!

The old lattice that bordered the front deck was standard, diamond-style, and not at all in keeping with the couple’s style.

They replaced the slats with horizontal cedar slats. Far more modern and unique to their cottage.

I was delighted by the show—it really seemed that Samantha “got it.” She understood that while cottagers want a beautiful space where they can relax, they typically don’t want a lot of fuss or muss, or to spend a fortune decorating. I called her up to find out more about her experience shooting the show and to get a few tips to share with all of you.

MK: What’s your cottage background?

SP: I am a city girl through and through. I never really understood when people would say they would relax the moment they started driving up the 400. To me, that’s not relaxing! But within the first week of shooting [Summer Home] I really got it. I’m a city girl converted. Working on this show was the experience of a lifetime.

MK: What’s the difference between designing for a city home and designing for the cottage?

SP: Things are more relaxed in the country. You want it to look good, but it can’t be as precious or refined as in the city. You wouldn’t do a glass coffee table or marble bookends, for instance. Or you might have two similar chairs and you just paint them the same colour and it looks great. Things can also be a bit beaten up; you can use salvaged furniture more easily. I also like that you can leave quirky things out in a way that you wouldn’t at home.

MK: Ah, yes, knick knacks. Yay or Nay?

SP: Yes to knick knacks, but they still have to be well edited. I encourage people to clear the clutter a bit. All that stuff will get so dusty, do you really want to spend your weekends cleaning it? I know that people have lots of nostalgic pieces and memories attached to them so I don’t think that you should get rid of them completely, you just need to display them well.

MK: That’s great advice, because I know people tend to get really attached to the strangest things at the cottage and it can become too much. What’s another mistake that people make when decorating their cottage?

SP: I’d say that the biggest mistake that people make when decorating the cottage is that they use furniture that is too sleek. For example, they will bring their old, leather sofa up to the lake. You need to change it up—slipcover that sofa! You want it to look and feel relaxed, not like you’re sitting in a condo downtown. You have to ask yourself if it really works at the cottage. If it doesn’t, change it.

MK: Often people will bring their old basement furniture to the cottage because they’ve replaced it at home with what used to be in their living room after getting something new for that space. Then you end up with a third-hand couch at the cottage.

SP: That’s fine, but you have to make sure it’s still comfortable, at the very least. You go to the cottage for vacation, don’t you want to be comfortable? This is your place to relax and summers are short. It’s worth it to get that old couch reupholstered and refilled.

MK: What’s your best piece of advice for people who are looking to re-imagine their cottage space?

SP: Paint it. Paint the walls or the furniture…it will bring about the biggest change.

MK: People always say that, but I find picking paint colours to be the hardest decision if you don’t know what you’re doing!

SP: I always tell people to walk outside the cottage and you will find the colour palate. All the colours in the environment around the cottage are the perfect inspiration, just extend the outdoors in. I also advise people to pay attention to the tonality of colours more than the colours themselves. So, if you’re picking blue, maybe go for something closer to the colour of the lake than a bright turquoise. But also use the colours you love: If you really like orange, cover a few throw pillows with it. Do what makes you happy.

MK: Okay, so a city girl converted. Now that you “get” what cottaging is all about, what would you say is your ideal retreat?

SP: Small for sure, and cozy. Something with land, and space, definitely on a lake. And with a few apple trees. I also like the idea of it being a little bit off the beaten path. Some place where you just want to stay and not come back!

Summer Home premieres on HGTV on Monday, April 2 at 8 pm. To meet Samantha in person and to hear her tips on cottage decorating, come to next weekend’s Spring Cottage Life Show at the International Centre in Toronto. She’ll be on the main stage in Hall 4 on Sunday, April 1 at noon.

It’s the worst because by this point in the calendar we are itching to get back to the beloved cottages we’ve left so many months ago. We’ve had it with winter; bring on the sun, the dock, the trees, the beer. If you’re lucky enough to have an all-season retreat, you may also be feeling March’s sting because, with the melting snow and ice, your lake or cottage road may have become impassable.

Yet, it’s also the best time of year, because the new season is so close at hand. Around here, we are gearing up for The Spring Cottage Life Show on March 30, 31, and April 1, and that’s the official kick-off for cottage season (in our minds, anyway, and yours too, judging by how many of you come out to see us over the course of that weekend). In addition, this weekend we are springing forward, which means more daylight hours in which to enjoy the warming temperatures. Spring is happening…finally!

(Now, imagine for a moment what I’d be saying if we had actually had a winter! But I digress.)

I recently came across the coolest city space on design*sponge and I thought today would be the perfect day to share it with all of you. It’s the home of Sarah Foelske and James Milward, two creative professionals who took more than a few cues from the cottage aesthetic when decorating their downtown Toronto home. They decided to decorate their guest room like a cottage, using items that they had picked up at flea markets across the country. Apparently, they sleep in the room on weekends—just like we sleep at our cottages on weekends. I love their cheeky attitude and how they are clearly not taking their decor too seriously. What cottager can’t appreciate that?

Go here to check out the rest of their inspirational, cottage-like home.

Let’s start with one that is so clever, and so appropriate for the cottage. If you, like me, have lots of board games kicking around at the lake, some beloved—Scrabble, anyone?—and some never touched—Name That Tune? As a board game?—you probably have a few to spare for this easy project from now-defunct DIY magazine ReadyMade. Such a neat little box, and it’s a great place to keep your cards corralled, or perhaps all of your renegade board-game pieces. Now wouldn’t that be appropriate?

La Crueset heart-shaped casserole

Perhaps you’d like to encourage your beloved to make you some breakfast in bed? This cast-iron frying pan, by Lodge, may just do the trick. Great quality at a reasonable price too.

If dinner is more your specialty, how about a stew made with love in a classic La Creuset casserole, in the shape of a heart, no less?

Fairisle knit blanket

This year, instead of going for a card, why not go a little extra and order a cottage-themed print? You’re the only fish in the sea for me is ideal for a cottage angler and Keep calm and love moose makes up for its lack of originality by the fact that it includes any cottager’s most beloved four-legged friend.

No fire in your hearth? If you’re looking for extra warmth, try this beautiful FairIsle knit blanket, handmade from 100% supersoft Scottish lambswool. It ain’t cheap, but it sure is pretty.

Keep calm and love moose

If you’re looking for a more stylish way to keep your odds and ends organized (perhaps that old coffee can just isn’t cutting it anymore?), have a gander at this cool wooden box, handmade from driftwood, that I found on etsy.

Lastly, for a super-special splurge, consider this amazing chain-stitched bag by Toronto textile designer Virginia Johnson. A great choice for lugging all your gear to and from the lake.

Happy Valentines Day!

First it was a Hello Kitty septic tank, now it’s a propane tank logo head. What will they think of next?

Picture frame glass! How brilliant!

This project reminds me of those mini-chimneys that were all the rage about ten years ago, but is far more handsome, and far less intrusive space-wise, especially if you are using it on your deck. It’s exactly what you want at your cottage on these chilly September nights, no?

Visit The Art of Doing Stuff for full instructions on how to make your own. Thanks, Karen!

30 x 40 cm Red Deer print, $38

50 x 70 cm Boreal Forest poster, $60. Includes silhouettes of common cottage-country creatures and a listing of fun forest facts

50 x 70 cm Tall Ship poster, $60

(Okay, so the tall ship poster isn’t quite about the natural world, but a natural selection for the boathouse, right?)

All of Banquet’s products—including these prints as well as a selection of note cards, art kits, and wrapping paper—are available for purchase at their website.