When artist and interior designer Angela Blehm decided to transform her in-laws’ detached garage attic space into a guest cottage, she knew the stakes were high. Not only did the space need to fit with her in-laws traditional aesthetic—a far cry from Angela’s self-professed “obsession with offbeat beauty”—but she was starting with a plywood shell. Luckily, Angela had spent the past ten years running her family’s VRBO, and knows a thing or two about pleasing discerning clients. To make her in-laws’ style jive with her own, Angela adopted a chic cottage look (deemed “Modern Mountain Granny”) that harmonized with the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. “There is a part of me that absolutely loves cottage style,” Angela admits. “I find it really homey and comfortable and, of course, mixing in vintage pieces with cottage style is so fun.”
Because the cottage was basically bare studs, envisioning how the space would be used was priority number one. Since her family of five often visits her in-laws, she imagined the guest cottage being somewhere private for her brood to retreat to: “I guess my husband and I had somewhat selfish motives!” Ultimately, envisioning the space as her own allowed Angela to create a perfectly charming home away from home.
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Let There Be Light
Angela started by partitioning the space’s long, narrow footprint into a series of rooms. “I felt like we could have pretty large bedroom that had a seating area,” she says, “as well a good size closet and bathroom. I also wanted to have some kind of beverage bar for a quick breakfast and coffee.” In the early stages of the project, Angela was also mindful of the light the cottage would receive. Since it’s essentially an attic space located over the garage, Angela installed skylights, as well as French double doors that lead out to the balcony—her husband’s idea. “We only had one window on the opposite side in the bathroom, so it was really smart to bring in the two doors. Now that it’s so bright in there, I’m a little bit worried about people who come over and want to sleep in—I don’t think it’s possible!”
The Perfect Color Palette
When it came to selecting colors for the space, Angela polled family and friends to see what combos they found most compelling. It was her husband who suggested yellow and blue, a palette she wasn’t entirely sold on until she located a pair of tole floral sconces on Chairish in a purple-blue, yellow, and green colorway. “After immediately ‘hearting’ them, I thought, okay, this is going to be my color direction: yellow, green, purple, and a little bit of blue.” The cheery palette set a lighthearted tone for the space. It also made it easier for Angela to mix and match vintage furniture from a variety of eras. So long as she selected furniture in a hue pulled from her color palette, the pieces assumed an instant sense of belonging.
Double-Duty Dining
Given that the bedroom is the cottage’s largest space, Angela knew it needed to serve multiple purposes. To up its versatility, she positioned a much-loved walnut drop-leaf table on the half wall under the skylights. With its leaves dropped, the table serves as an entry console. It’s also the perfect place to display a vintage painting and a mod mushroom lamp from Chairish. It’s not all just for looks, though. When meal time rolls around, the table’s leaves can be popped up to accommodate diners. “I love the idea of being able to have a meal in there,” says Angela. “Whether it’s take-out or a quick breakfast.”
Coffee Break Time
In the kitchenette, Angela hung a soft blue patterned wallpaper by Farrow & Ball. “It fell into the color palette, and I loved how organic it was,” she says. “It was also a nice scale for the space—not too tiny.” To break up the pattern even more, shiplap was installed on the vertical. While Angela’s still contemplating whether or not she can finagle a microwave under the sink, she’s made sure all the other basics are there, including a sink, mini fridge, and coffee pot. For an extra bit of cottage whimsy, Angela selected a locally-made live edge countertop, along with matching shelving.
A Personalized Stamp
The cottage’s slanted walls make it tricky for much art to be displayed, but Angela managed to work a few pieces into the cottage’s bath. “I love Kate Roebuck’s print,” she says, indicating the artist’s yellow “Sunshine Pool” print, available on Chairish. “The print is a little maze-like and the wallpaper is a little maze-like. I like how repetitive it is.” The other paintings include one of her originals, “Easter Frock Knot” (print version available on Chairish here!) and a Mid-Century French figural painting culled from Chairish dealer Gillian Bryce.
A Place In The Sun
The cottage’s outdoor space is postage stamp size, measuring just 12’ x 12,’ but you wouldn’t know it from all of the style and function Angela managed to jam-pack into it. A blue sofa from Stori Modern is what Angela deems the “Belle of the Ball,” and works to bring the cottage’s interior color story outdoors. An Acapulco chair and narrow coffee table, both sourced from Homegoods, help to round out the space without making it feel visually crowded. Since the deck looks out to the east, it’s become a prime spot to watch sunrises, both among Angela’s immediate family and her in-laws. “I think my father-in-law just goes up there now and has his morning coffee,” she reveals. Inadvertently, she’s also illustrated what every successful guest house is all about: creating a space that no one—owners included—ever wants to leave.
5 Tips For a Homey Rental
1. LAYER YOUR BEDDING
If her years as a host have taught Angela one thing, it’s that “People like a top sheet!” Hence, she recommends investing in a top sheet even if you personally don’t use one. In addition, she likes layering beds with two sets of pillows—one firm one soft—a fluffy duvet, and a woven blanket. Pack a quilt into the closet, too, as options are the name of the game, here!
2. DESIGNATE A SITTING CORNER
“Every space needs a spot to sit and read, or, you know, just scroll Instagram,” says Angela, “Somewhere you can just chill out for a bit and take in the view.” Indulge your guests and select a particularly comfortable chair, if you can. Angela’s cottage features a vintage chair which she likens to a “marshmallow.”
3. PUNCH UP THE KITCHEN
If your guest space has a kitchenette, Angela recommends investing in it so that it feels like a place people can linger and fuel up without disturbing folks in the main house. Up your game with a series of mugs, cups, plates, flatware, and even a covered cloche for keeping coffee shop pastries fresh.
4. STRETCH YOUR COUNTERS
One thing Angela has taken away from her own travels is the importance of counter space. Specifically, “I want a place to put my travel bag,” she says. In her guest cottage this translated to installing a luxuriously big bathroom vanity. “It’s about four feet,” she notes.
5. PRIORITIZE DURABILITY
A guest suite, especially a rental, is prime for dings, scrapes, and stains, so it’s worth considering materials that can take a beating. For Angela, this meant opting for hardwoods and metals. And when it comes to headboards? Her mantra is anything but upholstery.
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All photos courtesy of Angela Blehm
