Decorating A Small Cottage...real advice for small space living!

Yes we live in a cottage. 850 square feet of cozy. While it's not considered a "tiny home," it is small, we downsized, got rid of a lot of stuff, and started over. It was a dream to live on the lake and to live a simpler life.
To see some of our process and how we decided to live an uncomplicated life, watch our video:

JR and Lynne own a vintage decor, antiques and diy store in the small town of Medina, NY. JR and Lynne recently acquired the building that was in JR's family for 3 generations!

shop our store at
ellen j goods
435 Main Street
Medina, NY 14103
716-598-1464
or on our website:

You can follow Lynne on Facebook

and Instagram

for more cottage decor, workshops, and diy project tutorials.

[RenaRego]

Haha, the shot of the husband with the pillow…perfect sentiment about how men feel about more pillows. Very cute place!

[charlenelord]

Believe it or not, there used to be a time in the early 1980s when a 3 bedroom, 800 SF house was a normal sized house for families! I had one and liked it and it suited us fine. I think as our waistline grew, so did our collective demand for housing square footage.

[TimeHonoredTreasures]

Ellen, I came to realize in my early 60’s IT’S JUST STUFF! But I smile at my lovely treasures until I sell and replace them with another lovely treasure. Life is good💕

[shizzledesign]

I'd never want to leave the house if I lived there. I can totally imagine how wonderful it must be to sip your coffee in the morning out on the deck. I used to cherish those moments at mom and dad's cottage.

[cindym]

Your cottage is a dream. I love cottages. Their size forces us to consider what we bring into them thereby making them efficient, charming and personal.

[lorraineophoff]

I love that large open area when you walk into your cottage, PERFECT!

[donnaallgaier-lamberti]

I had a LIFETIME of collections too when we downsized to a 1, 258 sq. ft condo. I had a 2, 800 sq. ft home, a 750 sq. art studio with a porch and a huge pole barn, a pool house on 5-country acres - ALL decorated, all collected.... I let over 85-90% go and somedays I do miss them. But it was necessary as I did not want to die and leave all that for my two sons to go through and or toss. As you say everything functions well. I needed a LOT of money to pay the property taxes on our new to us condo so selling most everything made that possible. I needed to simplfy my life and downsizing made that possible. QUALITY of life not QUANITY is what counts in our senior years.

[nancychestnut]

Everyone deserves A cottage by the sea. Your home is charming, welcoming, not precious. It is lived in. Just lovely. Thank you!

[laurieberry]

Your home is stunning. This video hit me at the perfect time as I’m thinking about downsizing…. You’re right. It’s just stuff! But your location! Oh my! I am so envious that you are on the water!! That’s my dream! So gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your home with us. I’ve watched this video 3 Your puppy is sweet too.

[Wyldhare]

What really makes your cottage..besides your decorations..is the fact it has its own character..it’s very comfy n lovable...may you both enjoy it for many years..🌻

[donnaryan]

Really cute. Cottagy and so darn comfortable . Just seeing the water. Put my heart to a stop and just look.

[bonnietaylor]

Wow that view is all you need !!!! I love all the coastal touches throughout!

[cherylatkinson]

Lynn, you have most prettiest and cozy cottage by the water. I just love everything about it.

[lindaragsdale]

I love the saying, , he drew me from deep waters. It brought me to tears.. how sweet..

[sandyodle]

Hi Ellen! I love your little cottage on the water (My dream too, by the way)! But most of all, I love your philosophy! I, too, have been planning for a downsize. It is almost surprising to see how few possessions we need to make us happy and how freeing it feels to get rid of a lot of "stuff" we never use or even look at (all stored behind doors or drawers somewhere). The life we live, the people we love, and the memories we make together are what's been important as we get older and look back to take stock of our lives -- not how much stuff we have accumulated, or how we have kept up with the "Joneses" (sometimes living beyond one's means to do so and worrying about all that debt we are accumulating). At the end of life, no one wishes they had worked more hours at work, or accumulated more "things". The good deeds we have done for others, the memories we have made with loved ones, and the time we have spent making peace with our Maker are ALL that becomes important at the end. So the lesson we can learn is to let go of "stuff" and concentrate on what is really important with the time we have been given in this life. Thank you for being a living lesson in what's important in this beautiful life we have been given. Much love and peace to you and your family.

[kathyf]

Beautifully spoken! A cozy home where love abounds.

[ejlsorce]

Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us.

[janpritchard]

Your old Brownie Leader is soooo proud of you. You were always one of my favorites.

[tracymcreations]

What an adorable home you have. I love it

[monicagaitor]

Oh it's gorgeous alright, I could just move right in. Living on the water is an every day celebration... You are living a