Transforming a Cottage into a Beautiful Summer Haven

Designer Julie Levenstein and her husband Simon Shack put on work gloves when they took over a cramped, dark cottage that had been on the market for over 200 days. Take a look at how the couple transformed it into a beautiful summer haven.

When Julie and Simon started looking for a vacation home, they decided it had to be in Rørvig. They had both spent a lot of time here as children, and they not only had friends but also relatives here. It was especially important for the couple to give their children the same sense of belonging that they had. So the choice was obvious.

On a gray and gloomy February day, Julie Levenstein and Simon Shack set out to see the summer cottage in Rørvig. The house had been on the market for over 200 days, and with its numerous furnishings, pine walls, and ceilings, it seemed terribly cramped. It had previously deterred many people, but not Julie and Simon. In fact, the realtor said that the couple was the first not to comment on the interior during the showing.

“When we walked inside, we were literally overwhelmed by the amount of stuff and furniture, but since I work with interior design every day, I could overlook it. It quickly became clear to me that just a coat of white paint could do wonders in this house,” Julie says.

Her husband, Simon, is a carpenter and designer by trade, and the couple knew that together they could build their dream summer home. So when the house was purchased, they were ready to take action. Paint, a new kitchen, and a new bathroom were at the top of their list.

Simon started demolishing the kitchen and bathroom. The bathroom floor had to be lowered to be on the same level as the rest of the house.

The kitchen was worn out and separated from the living room by a half wall.

Julie and Simon knocked down the wall and installed a new Ikea kitchen in the cottage. They made the countertops deeper to create more distance to the ceiling, and they added new profiled boards to the walls. Initially, they planned to paint the doors in gray, but when the couple saw the black-painted wood, their doubts vanished. They decided to leave the wooden ceiling and new profiled boards unpainted as it gave the kitchen a cozier look. Julie borrowed the dining table from her parents, who bought it when they moved in together, and the chairs were found in secondhand shops and flea markets.

Due to the abundance of furniture and pine, the room appeared smaller.

The office is now used as a bedroom, with white-painted walls and ceilings that make the room seem larger.

The couple combined the bathroom with a small hallway to gain a few more square meters. They added a passage with space for a washing machine and a closet. The new terrazzo tiles, along with white ceilings and walls, make the room bright and cozy.

The living room felt cramped due to the multitude of furniture and the dark wood panels on the walls and ceiling.

By painting all the wooden details and keeping the decor simple, the living room became bright and cozier. Simon built a daybed for the living room, which also serves as an extra sleeping space when the family has guests. Several shades of blue complement each other in the living room, emphasizing the light and airy country atmosphere. Julie and Simon decorated the summer cottage with flea market finds and family heirlooms, creating a beautiful and unpretentious atmosphere.

Hubert and Wilhelm share the largest room in the summer cottage. Simon built a wardrobe on one wall in the boys’ room. The couple chose the design of the wardrobe based on the need for space, including room for an ironing board, a drying rack, and a vacuum cleaner, as well as clothing and small items. The wardrobe is hidden behind an airy curtain, creating a pleasant texture.

Initially, there was a stone terrace, but Simon built a new wooden terrace that is on the same level as the house. This made the terrace more convenient to use and effectively turned it into an extension of the living room.

And that concludes our fascinating room tour. What do you think of the transformation of the old cottage? Write in the comments and don’t forget to like.