The Cottage Book: Living Simple and Easy

by Carol Bass

Simplicity, comfort, and intimacy define the cottage—and they are the hottest ideas in domestic design today, as seen in a host of new books and magazines celebrating the not-so-big house. The personal, easy-living style of the cottage has formed a compelling counter-trend to the overblown, oversize McMansions of the 1990s. Today, quality of place is more important than quantity of space, and no home style demonstrates that value more appealingly than the cottage.

Presenting charming retreats perched on rocky coasts, hidden in leafy woods, and nestled on rolling farmland, The Cottage Book explores the roots of this iconic and beloved style. Century-old examples of simple, beautiful getaways from Maine to California—along with delightful variations on the theme—are captured in richly detailed, atmospheric photographs.

In this gorgeous paean to the cottage tradition—now available in paperback—artist, designer, and cottage expert Carol Bass showcases a group of classic early cottages (all still in happy and active use), leads us through a collection of updated and new cottages, and delineates those stylistic elements that define cottage life. Primary residence or weekend haven, The Cottage Book inspires an irresistible fantasy of a home of our own.

Genres: Nonfiction, Interior Design

168 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[William Mego · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I was expecting a little more from this book, which is really just a few pages on several specific cottages, rather than a style book of many cottages. The cottages in question a largely dull, if extremely varied in composition. So strongly styled in fact, that you'll have a hard time finding specific ideas to carry into your own decor.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this mostly to look at the photos for ideas. It's a really pretty book, I have to say. Beautiful photographs, and useful text to go along with them. If you like to drool over other people's homes and you like cottages, you'd enjoy this one.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most varied, most of the cottages here seem to be 50-150 year old buildings in New England. Though the interiors are in very different styles, the book looks at common themes between them. Lovely to look through, but not especially practical.

[Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this in the library and was hoping to get some ideas for my house. Even though some of these were year-round homes, they all seemed very "vacation" and not daily life. I learned a lot of things I don't want, so I guess that's good.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

More about big vacation cottages handed down for generations than about little houses, but still, highly inspirational. Beautiful colors!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

COTTAGES ARE MY THING....

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was filled with gorgeous photos and commentary, but I found it frustrating that it would mention specific parts of a home without a picture that shows what is being discussed.