Wooden Cottage in Poland You Dream Of

This neat and cozy cottage is located in Masuria – a historical region in the northeast of Poland. Once upon a time, here between the Vistula lowlands and the borders with the Kaliningrad region in Russia and Belarus, everyday rural life was thriving.

After the war, however, young people gradually moved to big cities, old houses were abandoned and deteriorated, many were demolished. Nevertheless, the region received a "second life" with the growth of ecological ("green") tourism. Why not: the region is known for its lakes and untouched nature corners.

The homeowners' parents bought this cottage in the mid-1980s and spent many happy warm days here. As they grew older, it became harder for them to escape to the countryside in summer – and they decided to sell the cottage. Their daughter Anna admits that when she saw the "For Sale" sign on the gate of her childhood cottage, her heart clenched – and she decided to take charge of everything.

Anna-Olga Khmelievskaya is not only the owner of this cozy cottage but also a designer-architect. Naturally, she took on the decoration of this small building herself. As a result, she created an interior infused with countryside romance and executed in a unified style from the porch to the bathroom. At first glance, it's clear: the setting here is governed by a slow pace of life and maximum proximity to nature for rest.

Windows, small windows, and doors with glass inserts fill the space with light and air. White-washed walls enhance this feeling – and additionally visually expand the boundaries of rooms. The color palette is kept from being boring by blue, gray, and sky-blue (chosen as celestial shades), as well as natural wood tones and light powder blue, beige, and milk-white textiles.

Respect for the building's past harmoniously blends with the modernity of the interior: antique furniture is next to modern appliances and IKEA accessories.

In short, the designer managed to reflect in the decoration of this cottage the simplicity and authenticity inherent to country life. And yet, created a functional space with everything necessary for a full vacation away from urban hustle and bustle.