Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason
Meet Amy Whyte
Helen Norman Homeowner Amy Whyte with Charlie, one of the family’s three four-legged members
A Cozy Nook
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason The custom-built cove beneath the cottage’s original pine stairs was built by Sean, whose builder eyes see every inch as an opportunity. The “Cabins for Rent” sign and chunky hickory stool both came from Berryville, Virginia’s Hip and Humble Interiors, a favorite spot of Amy’s. “Downtown Berryville is the cutest,” Amy says. “It’s essentially a one-street town with a barber shop pole and railroad tracks.”
Get the Look:
White Paint Color: Shiplap by Magnolia Home
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Enchanting Creatures
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason In the living room, the thick pine-paneled walls, even thicker ceiling beams, and petite four-pane windows all struck Amy’s fancy, but her favorite element is the fireplace, with its unique cast-iron grate. “Its backplate has a fox on it,” she says. “It was like a little surprise tucked beyond the hearth.” That little fox inspired woodland motifs throughout the house, including the oil canvas above the mantel by local artist Lauren Rose Jackson.
What is it? What is it Worth? Chesterfield Sofa
Named after the English lord who first commissioned its design in the mid-1700s, Chesterfield sofas are marked by their tufted leather upholstery and wide rolled arms that measure equal height to the sofa’s back. Vintage Chesterfields can be found online starting at around $1,500.
“Just-Right” Furniture
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Forested Walls
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason Let the Sunshine In
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
A Cozy Landing Spot
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason It may be small, but Amy turned the petite space inside the back door into a fully functioning mudroom with an upholstered bench, twig coat rack, and wicker stand for canes and umbrellas. A mix of textiles invite you to sit and stay awahile. “I am a textile junkie,” says Amy. “I love the pattern and texture they bring.”
Sleeping Beauties
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason Playing off the warm wood beams and brick wall, Amy painted the attic bedroom a rich cocoa, then layered pairings of more browns and deep blues, such as the striped duvet she was drawn to for its masculine vibe. “It balances the femininity of the floral curtains and ties the whole room together,” she says. The primitive farm bench with traces of old blue paint came from Hip and Humble, and Amy purchased the early-1900s armoire with its original blue paint from another local shop, Red Schoolhouse Antiques. She so believed the curvy Scottish treasure belonged in the room, she was willing to remove the house’s stair railing in order for it to fit up the stairs. Also pictured is Sheepadoodle Stewie with his “professional-strength puppy dog eyes” that get him whatever he wants.
Get the Look:
Duvet: from Libeco
Wall Paint Color: Pine Cone Brown by Benjamin Moore
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Thrifted Finds
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason A Woodland Soak
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason The master bath is home to a whole host of treasures culled from Amy’s dealer friends including the early-1900s copper-lined claw-foot tub. The woodland print wallpaper is the one new feature in the room. “It feels like you’re bathing in the forest,” says Amy.
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: Forêt Noire by Nathalie Lété
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Curated & Collected
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason Other treasures in the bath: a late-1800s brass mirror with shelf and cup holders, 1930s pedestal sink, and hand-carved Indonesian wood chair
Pattern on Pattern
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason The guest bedroom, located in the cottage’s 1980s new addition, showcases Amy’s mastery of pattern mixing. The designer likes to start with wallpaper then layer additional pattern and color via bedding and window treatments. “When you put the pattern on the wall, it establishes a sort of hierarchy and lets you bring in other patterns and prints on the bed and the furniture,” she says. “The other patterns are all players in the game, but the wallpaper’s the star.”
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: Wychwood Melon by Andrew Martin
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Looking Glass
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason The long skinny back room provided the perfect spot for Amy to tuck in a metal chaise topped with comfy pillows and a cushion, including some she sewed from vintage fabrics. “I love layering and playing with pattern and texture,” says Amy. Situated in front of the large picture window, the seat is a favorite afternoon reading and nature watching spot. She completed the inviting setup with a metal sconce grouped with an antique carved Black Forest shelf from a friend and a framed print that brings the home another fox reference.
Get the Look:
Sconce: from Lamps Plus
Black Forest shelf: from Trove Magpie on Etsy
Perfect Ending
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason Come dusk, dinner is served at the deck’s circa-1950s handmade wood-plank table and bench, where Amy and Sean eat as many meals as weather permits. A retro red metal cart makes the perfect tableside bar caddy.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Autumn Escape
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason On the deck’s opposite side, the setting of antique willow furniture and a hickory rocker is one of the couple’s favorite spots to hang during fall weekends. “There’s a little creek at the bottom of the hill,” Sean says. “You can’t see it, but you can hear it.” The old wood Jøtul stove gets plenty of use on lazy autumn days.
What is it? What is it Worth? Jotul Wood Stove
Norwegian company Jotul has been handcrafting cast iron wood stoves and fireplace inserts since 1853. New versions can be purchased today for $500 to $5,000. Sean found this red Jotul on Facebook Marketplace for $200 “It’s probably only about 30 years old, but it’s a classic design,” Amy says. “We were originally going to put it in the fireplace but it was too small, so it went out on the deck.”
Tour More Cozy Cabins!
Helen Norman, styling by Matthew Gleason Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below