Carol Schaper Interiors
IT WAS A TRANSFORMATION OF THE VERY BEST KIND WHEN A CLIENT TURNED TO DESIGNER CAROL SCHAPER AFTER PURCHASING A CENTURY-OLD CARETAKER’S COTTAGE THAT ONCE WAS PART OF A LAKESIDE ESTATE.
They took this historic treasure from drab to fab with an artful mix of color and pattern and texture, all the while repurposing what they could to retain its original charm
Design Resources
They took this historic treasure from drab to fab with an artful mix of color and pattern and texture, all the while repurposing what they could to retain its original charm.
The end result is a cozy cottage that is mindful of the past but now offers an inviting approach to modern living.
The story behind this project is as unique as the work itself. The client had long ago noticed the two-story structure and frequently drove by it as part of her regular route. One day when she spotted a “For Sale” sign, she knew she had to have it.
Then came the hard part: developing a vision for this quaint residence that, while not quite in its original condition, needed major updates.
The project began with an acknowledgment of the lush natural surroundings.
“It’s a beautiful, wooded lot. There’s even a little waterfall,” Schaper said. “Our design goal was to give it that sense of being near the lake. We wanted to lighten everything up and bring the outside in with some color.”
Before-and-after photos tell the story of this project and the creative energy that went into it. Natural light streams into the once-cramped kitchen, which was opened up a bit and now features a granite-topped island, high-end appliances, and colored cabinetry. New wood flooring and the countertop-to-ceiling backsplash in an iridescent tile complete the new look.
“It’s a mother-of-pearl tile that really worked here. And it’s a special little surprise you wouldn’t expect to see in a cottage,” Schaper said