Cottage Living: Creating Comfortable Country Retreats [Hardcover]

Ellen Plante (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

“From the captivating appeal of a seaside dwelling to the backwoods charm of a woodsy getaway, the volume showcases a spellbinding array of cozy cottages.”—Veranda.

 

“The casual nature of the cottage gives occupants a sense of relations, which is perfectly communicated through the pictures....there’s something for everyone.”—Better Homes & Gardens.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Friedman; First Edition edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567999794
• ISBN-13: 978-1567999792
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 10.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For those who like the expensive, yet rustic look., September 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Cottage Living: Creating Comfortable Country Retreats (Hardcover)

Because I so enjoyed the Better Homes & Gardens book "Cottage Style", this book by Ellen M. Plante sounded like an excellent addition to my personal library. However, her book was a disappointment to me. While I would be happy to stay at most of the featured vacation homes for a week or so if the owners invited me for a visit, very few of the pictures reflect the look of relaxed, romantic comfort that I associate with cottage style. She does feature a few interiors with the feel of Scandnavian country that I really liked, but none of the rest had much appeal for me. A fine book for people actually planning to build/remodel a vacation home, but not for those of us who buy decorating books just because we enjoy the pictures and like to dream.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for those who actually own and live in a cottage, January 7, 2003

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Cottage Living: Creating Comfortable Country Retreats (Hardcover)

This book far surpassed all expectations and is a book I am using a great deal. We live in a cottage in the Sierras that was built in the 1800's and what the book has helped me with, is better understanding how to make every room usable and how important wise and imaginative one has to be when designing storage in a small room, which is what older cottages are all about.

She clearly notes on the cover under the title "designing comfortable country retreats" thus it does have a serious country leaning. And I like the fact that she realizes that cottages in different regions of the United States be they Maine, the Rockies, desert or coastal or mountain areas, evoke different feels and needs.

While it is true she speaks of cottages as get away places, I also know that thousands of families here in the Sierras live year round in cottages, just as some do in the variety of coastal towns up and down California's coast. This is a book that can be used wisely by those who do not have a cottage as simply a vacation home but as their main dwelling.

I also liked the fact the author reminded the reader that a cottage is a great place to show off small collections be it shells, teapots, small paintings, quilts etc. That a cottage can become a small piece of art.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cottage Living:Creating Comfortable Country Retreats, July 6, 2009

By 

M. Harrington "tlc*stitches" (Foley, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Cottage Living: Creating Comfortable Country Retreats (Hardcover)

I have been looking for ways to change the overall appearance of my home and like the Cottage look. This book has been very helpful and informative for me to meet those goals. There are lots of color photos and suggestions to help anyone who would like to have the Cottage look in their home. I would highly recommend this book.