Cozy Cottage Lake House: My Sweet Savannah

Let’s tour the home of a longtime blogger buddy today! A Cozy Cottage Lake House with lots of black and white has been lovingly made over through the years by a well-known and much admired blogger at My Sweet Savannah. Cozy Cottage Lake House: My Sweet Savannah awaits!

Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
A Dutch door opens directly into the kitchen, and is technically the home’s front door. Design/Photo: My Sweet Savannah.

My Sweet Savannah’s author, Melaine, has created the most charming cottage for her family, and I’m so thrilled to take you on a tour of it today! I have been following this popular blog for years and never go away uninspired. In fact, I’m often inspired to run to the craft store since her DIYs are consistently THAT good.

Melaine says she prefers a mainly neutral palette and likes to add color in small doses, and her interiors remind me how effective black, white, and rustic work as sort of a holy trinity of modern farmhouse style.

Let’s tour pretty rooms and score cozy cottage decor ideas from My Sweet Savannah!

 Cozy Cottage Lake House: My Sweet Savannah

Exterior: Before & After

Before
Charming cottage exterior with deck. My Sweet Savannah.
AFTER! Design/Photo: My Sweet Savannah.

Cozy Cottage Porch

I love how Melaine decorates her covered entry as thoughtfully as her interior spaces.

Lovely Lake House porch with cedar shake, black door, and charming boxwood in pots. Design by My Sweet Savannah. #cottagestyle #porch #cedarshake #boxwood
Cedar shake siding on a lovely lake house – Design/Photo: My Sweet Savannah.

Melaine has inspired so many of us over the years with her fabulous makeovers – this bar cart she painted white did not start out so cute.

Cottage style on a charming porch with white bar cart and Hello Beautiful sign. My Sweet Savannah.
A bar cart transformation by My Sweet Savannah.

And this dress form makeover is from a few years back, but it still blows me away!

Charming dress form with a French country look - covered in sheet music. Design by My Sweet Savannah. #dressform #diy #sheetmusic #diycraft
Sheet music dress form by My Sweet Savannah.

Cozy Cottage Kitchen

What a light and bright white kitchen with classic cottage and modern farmhouse style! There are multiple bright ideas in here the designer came up with, including barn doors to a pantry, coffee bar, and something you rarely see in a cottage kitchen…a sexy black sink!

Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #kitchendesign #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
I love these x-back wood counter stools. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Kitchen. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Barn style lighting in a white cottage style kitchen by My Sweet Savannah.

Aren’t the beveled backsplash tiles beautiful? I had my eye on these when we were selecting tile for our fixer upper’s kitchen. If you like the look, you can find a beveled subway tile in a 3″ x 6″ size RIGHT HERE.

Black barn doors in a kitchen. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
The pantry is behind the barn doors. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Kitchen. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Rustic wood stools warm up a white kitchen with modern farmhouse and cottage style details. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
White kitchen. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Melaine says, “Most of my white dishes in the cupboards are either from the dollar store or the thrift store and I don’t think any of them were over $3.00.” Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Melaine says, “This divided wooden tote holds extra silverware and all my napkin rings.” Find a rustic wood option which only looks old RIGHT HERE. Photo: My Sweet Savannah.

Cozy Cottage Coffee Station

Coffee station. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Melaine says, “This coffee station is heaven for me and my coffee addiction!” If you have dreamed of creating your own station for caffeinating, find a similar Breville espresso machine HERE. Photo: My Sweet Savannah.

Cozy Cottage Living Room

Living room. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
I love how Melaine has a kitchen item (the farmhouse-y wood bread board) in the living room. Designer Brooke Giannetti did the same thing in her Patina Farm living room, and I wonder if it is there to facilitate serving snacks or an occasional meal in here? Smart cookies!Melaine added texture with a creamy crochet pillow she picked up at Home Goods. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.

Don’t the framed black and white photos above the sofa make a beautifully graphic and personal statement?

Detail of sofa. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Black, white, and neutrals in the living room. Melaine added texture with a creamy crochet pillow she picked up at Home Goods. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.

I’m just crazy about the tone on tone with light touches of contrast. I recently spied this lovely linen sofa you might like.

Living room. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Melaine added lots of galvanized decor to the living room because she loves how it reads “summer”and keeps things from feeling too fussy. Additionally, they make excellent serving pieces–A FEW OPTIONS ARE HERE. A classic double gourd lamp plays well with more rustic pieces in the space…FIND GOURD LAMPS HERE. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Living room. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Melaine says, “I styled our bookshelves very simply with neutral books and pops of wood and orange.” Melaine added lots of galvanized decor to the living room because she loves how it reads “summer”and keeps things from feeling too fussy. Additionally, they make excellent serving pieces–A FEW OPTIONS ARE HERE. A classic double gourd lamp plays well with more rustic pieces in the space…FIND GOURD LAMPS HERE. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Living room. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
See that grouping of white pottery on the shelf? Not pottery at all!!! I love how Melaine saw some pricey examples at West Elm and thought ‘I can totally get that look for a lot less.’ She spray painted thrift store glass vases with matte white! Voila! See what I mean about how I always go away inspired!?! Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.

It can be tricky to find a “just right” leather club chair! I love the proportions (not too chubby!) on Melaine’s.

Cozy Cottage Dining Room

Dining room. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
The large photo print was the family’s Christmas card a couple years ago – Melaine had it enlarged at mpix. The sign is from THIS SHOP. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah. Bench: custom by Uber Chic Home.
Bench. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Melaine’s bench under the credenza is custom and calls it “A life saver for storage….Believe it or not it holds all of our board and card games. It doubles as extra seating when we need it.” Bench: custom by Uber Chic Home. Photo: My Sweet Savannah.
Dining room. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
The large photo print was the family’s Christmas card a couple years ago – Melaine had it enlarged at mpix. The sign is from THIS SHOP. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Dining room. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
The dining room overlooks the lake and woods, so Melaine says she kept the decor subtle and understated so as not to compete with the beautiful scenery outdoors. The sign is from her favorite sign artist here, and she says, “the credenza almost blends into the wall which was my intent.” I have never met a tulip style dining table I didn’t love – see THIS ONE for a similar look to this. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.

Cottage Chic Black and White Bedroom

Bedroom with dark gray walls. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
The JuJu hat over the bed has been with the designer for a while now, and she says of it: “I love the contrast with the dark walls (BENJAMIN MOORE Graphite) and the texture it brings in.” Her brass chandelier can be found RIGHT HERE. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.

For your own Juju hat, SEE THESE.

Bedroom with juju hat. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Bedroom with dark graphite walls. Design/Photo: My Sweet Savannah.

Wondering about the paint color? It’s BENJAMIN MOORE Graphite.

#BenjaminMoore Graphite 1603. #benjaminmoore #graphite #benjaminmooregraphite #darkgreypaint
BENJAMIN MOORE Graphite.
Bedroom. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Aren’t the grain sack pillows the designer had embroidered with a mongram lovely!?! Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Bedroom. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Like Melaine, I love the complex scent of Diptyque’s Baies (roses with black currant but not overly flowery), and it’s gorgeous in this large size with a black container you can re-use in endless ways. FIND IT HERE. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Bedroom. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Like Melaine, I love the complex scent of Diptyque’s Baies (roses with black currant but not overly flowery), and it’s gorgeous in this large size with a black container you can re-use in endless ways. FIND IT HERE. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.

Master Bathroom

Black bathroom by My Sweet Savannah.
My Sweet Savannah.
Bathroom. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Design/photo: My Sweet Savannah.
The art work is from MINTED. Photo: My Sweet Savannah.
Bathroom. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Tall cabinets provide closet-type storage in the bath. Photo: My Sweet Savannah.

Teen Bedroom

Benjamin Moore Graphite on walls of a teen bedroom with American flag. #benjaminmooregraphite #graphite #paintcolor
Bedroom with BENJAMIN MOORE Graphite walls and American flag. My Sweet Savannah.

Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Find white French industrial metal chairs RIGHT HERE. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.

Here’s another example of Melaine’s innovative ideas for repurposing what someone else might just toss. This black frame was part of packaging that came with furniture shipped to her. She made this rustic wall decor with leftover pieces of wood she painted in various shades of beachy blue-grey.

Rustic farmhouse outdoor dining. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
Love this! Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.
Firepit. Cozy cottage style with black and white in a lake house byy Sweet Savannah. Modern farmhouse meets coastal cottage style! #cottagestyle #modernfarmhouse #interiordesign #rusticdecor #coastalcottage
I learned about these Peyton Barrels from World Market on My Sweet Savannah. Here, Melaine uses one as a table. FIND HERE. Photo/Design: My Sweet Savannah.

Be sure to visit MY SWEET SAVANNAH and this talented blogger!

(Thank you so much, Melaine, for the opportunity to tour your beautiful lake house and be inspired by your lovely style.)

For more decorating inspiration with cottage style goodness, see these stories:

Coastal Cottage

Gustavian Cottage

and if you loved the rustic modern dining room in this home, you will love the style you’ll find RIGHT HERE!

Hope you decorate the new week with random acts of kindness, friends.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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9 Comments

    • michele
      Author
      August 19, 2018 / 9:20 am

      Me too! Neeeeed it! 🙂

  1. Carmella
    August 19, 2018 / 2:08 pm

    Hi Michele!
    I wake up each morning and look for your post.
    Thank you for always getting my day off to a “lovely” positive start!!
    The bench shown in the kitchen is actually made by Uber Chic Home. They use vintage California grape harvesting boxes for drawers and tons of amazing textiles for upholstery.
    I was so happy so see it in this beautiful home.
    Thanks again for being here!!
    Carmella

    • michele
      Author
      August 19, 2018 / 2:42 pm

      How exciting to learn the source! I will dig deeper so I can link to this source of lovely! Thanks so much! 🙂

    • Kristin
      September 17, 2018 / 6:29 am

      I’m with you Carmella, I can’t start my day without checking in with Michelle!

  2. Connie
    August 21, 2018 / 1:35 pm

    Love the crocheted lumbar pillow she has. I have made similar pillows from sweaters. An easy DIY project…just keep your eye out for sweaters at thrift stores for the color you’d like and voila! You have something ‘hand done’. 🙂

    What a lovely home showing how classic black and white can be beautiful!

    Always a pleasure to read your posts.

    • michele
      Author
      August 21, 2018 / 4:47 pm

      What a great idea! I am good at collecting the “ideas” but not as good at executing the projects. I find old cashmere sweaters at the thrift store all the time and think there must be some great craft ideas with them. You’re right – there is nothing quite like handmade! Thanks for reading and adding beauty here. 🙂

  3. Chuey
    January 13, 2019 / 5:05 am

    LOL, I gave just a cursory glance at the bedside table, quickly read the candle… thought it said “Babies”—! First I thought, “Aww…” then, “EWW!!!”. Depending on the time of day, I suppose😄. Anyway, loving going through all the nice views and vignettes, will be coming back to see more.

    By the way, what *is* the candle’s scent?

    • michele
      Author
      January 13, 2019 / 11:03 pm

      hahahaha – i can totally understand why your brain read it as ‘babies!’ that is hilarious! I have this candle as well – here’s the official description: “it expresses the irresistible freshness of a bouquet of roses, sweetened with blackcurrant leaves.” Thanks for being fun!

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing