A Cute 622-Square-Foot Cape Cod Cottage Will Make You Want to Live by the Sea

Name: Jennifer Shaw, my partner Matt, and our Airbnb guests
Location: Cape Cod
Type of home: Cottage
Size: 622 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I grew up on the Cape and owning our own home there is a dream come true. Matt’s a plumber and I love to decorate so we make a pretty good team. Especially rewarding has been sharing our little slice of heaven with our Airbnb guests.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: New England nautical vintage cottage.

What is your favorite room and why? I really love how our back bedroom came together. The vintage pieces, art work, and giant nautical map makes it a special place to drift off to sleep to.

The map was so big we couldnt find a frame that fit it, so Matt custom made a poster hanger for it.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? Beautiful nautical striped handmade pillowcases from a Maine seamstress.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Take time curating a space you will love for a long time. It’s tempting to run out and buy everything from a big box store but be patient and wait if you can.

When you slowly pull together special pieces you really love, whether it’s something new you saved up for, or a thrift store find, or a beloved hand me down, it will make your space that much more personal and special.

This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.