Change is not merely necessary to life—it is life.
—Alvin Toffler, Future Shock *
With the publication of both Camps and Cottages in 2000 and Vintage Cottages in 2007, I became increasingly aware that the concept of “cottage,” one of many types of structures Americans call home, was at the cusp of a back-to-the-future stage of its life as a distinct architectural style—a style born for the most part in the early twentieth century. Unlike the grand homes of that period, followed by the craftsman-inspired bungalows of the 1920s, the ranch homes of post-WW II suburbia, the glass and steel curations of the early 1960s, stuccos of the 1970s and 1980s and the ever-popular McMansions of the early 2000s (a style that has receded due partly to the Great Recession of 2007 and partly to a return to realistic scale), the cottage has maintained its form, fit and function with a focus on charm, beauty, uniqueness, human scale and relative affordability. In fact, community leaders in my hometown, a town known nationally for its environmental focus, historic preservation and respect for the arts, have chosen for many years to focus upon its cottages with two annual events—“The Charm Tour” and “The Garden Tour.”**
That having been said, as we approach the end of the second decade of the new century, cottage owners (and those who yearn to be) have begun to lend imaginative touches to the traditional image of an American cottage. Though, understandably for professional designers, there may be some very distinct differences between what is defined as “contemporary” and what is understood as “modern,” it’s apparent from the projects undertaken by the owners of the cottages featured on the following pages that one school of design is as equally attractive to them as the other, while others have worked to marry a contemporary and modern look with touches of traditional and vintage—a true juxtaposition of styles linking the past, present and future. The owners featured in Contemporary Cottages have burnished traditional features with fresh and modern appointments, responsible landscaping, magical entryways, updated and repurposed rooms, open ceilings, custom floor plans and unique lighting—all without disturbing the timeless charm and scale that defines a cottage.
Contemporary Cottages is more than just a tour of handsome cottages; it welcomes you, the reader, into each home as if you were on a walking tour with a personal guide, including insightful conversations with each owner as they share the dreams, thoughts and imagination that went into the design or redesign of their cottage. Note the personal description of each cottage and how it reflects the owners’ personalities and lifestyle, the inspiration for the cottage’s design, the unique characteristics or features, the owners’ experience with the builder, interior designer or architect—what they learned from their experience working with outside professionals— and what led to the owners’ choice of color schemes seen throughout each cottage. A particularly interesting feature within the cottages is the presence of art—whether in the form of paintings, artistic photos, object d’art or sculpture—inside and outside the property. Owners of cottages in cultures and countries much older than ours have for years traditionally and tastefully appointed their cottages in an artful way and it appears that this practice is growing in the U.S. with an increasing willingness by homeowners to pursue tasteful and original art in place of reproductions and manufactured appointments. It is a practice similar to the world of fine dining where it is not unusual for a respected chef to suggest the accompaniment of her award-winning 2019 cuisine with wine(s) that have been carefully maintained in temperature-controlled cellars for years or decades, waiting for the perfect pairing—the perfect moment.
A wise person once noted that the hallmark of a measured and balanced life is one’s ability to draw together the dreams of the past with the thoughts of the day and images of the future. It appears that each owner has achieved that balance and it is my pleasure to welcome you into their world—through the magic of Contemporary Cottages.
Molly English
2019
Laguna Beach, California
* Toffler, Alvin, Future Shock, New York: Random House., 1970
** Laguna Beach, CA. www.villagelaguna.org/charm-house-tour/ and www.lagunabeachgardenclub.org/gate-garden-tour/
