Summer Wicker...

When I think of laid-back summer cottage style, I immediately think of wicker furniture. There's something about it's organic, breezy and simple nature that references the outdoors and evokes feelings of comfort and ease. For me, it is reminiscent of days at the cottage and being on summer vacation.  Wicker furniture or accents are a must if  you want your cottage to exude exotic, coastal or beach-house charm... Woven materials such as wicker, rattan and seagrass are ideal to have in your home because they are lightweight, easy to clean, do not attract mold, do not easily accumulate dust and can be used for indoor and outdoor applications.

Dedon - Nestrest Collection

Marcelo Brito

Michelle Lloyd Bermann design - Stacey Brandford photography

Ami Design

Jonathan Adler

Aqua Vitae Design via House & Home

Archipelago Hawaii

Su Casa Designs

House and Home

Mjolk's Summer Cottage + House and Home

My digital issue of June's House and Home arrived today and it has to be one of my favourites of the year so far. It's their Budget Issue featuring some cool and realistic spaces along with an H&H Budget Guide offering up thrifty ideas from their editors and design pro's well known here in Canada. I'm especially loving the summer cottage of Toronto couple Juli Daoust and John Baker of Mjolk. Inherited from Juli's father, the couple completely renovated it in 2009 taking it back to it's more original state revealing the original floorboards, ceiling beams and uncovering wall studs. I love the bedrooms especially with the plywood walls/ headboards and lighting ideas. As you can see it's a beautiful relaxed space filled with many pieces they sell in their Toronto shop. If you can I recommend picking up the June issue, it's filled with heaps of inspiration and more photo's of this cottage. (Photos by Stacey Brandford for House and Home).

Also, if you get a chance and haven't already, stop by Juli & John's blog kitka and read along as they travel to Scandinavia right now - their stopover in Reykjavik looks perfectly amazing. More from the issue of June's House and Home soon!