A 1939 Cottage Combines History and Whimsy

A historic fishing cottage is updated into an Adirondack-meets-Hugh-Comstock cottage full of nostalgic beauty.

A 1939 fishing cottage located on Candlewood Lake in New Milford, Connecticut, is a charming time capsule that tugs on the heartstrings with its nostalgic beauty. With a robust following on Instagram, the home and its owner show that while trends come and go, some things are tried-and-true.

living room with traditional stone fireplace

living room with blue and cream ticking stripe sofa — Sofa Style. The sofas in the living room have deep seating and are very comfy. “Naps are big here at the lake and a great couch was a necessity,” Cindy says. “Rather than going with a solid, I went with a blue-and-cream ticking stripe.” It acts as a neutral—but with vavoom. It has the English cottage feeling that she was after and goes with just about any pillow or throw that she tosses onto it.

The 1939 cottage belongs to Cindy Magoon and her husband, Jack, and is inspired by traditional Adirondack homes along with a touch of whimsy from the beloved Carmel by the Sea Hugh Comstock cottages.

exterior of renovated 1939 cottage — Exterior Excellence. The siding, windows, a new roof, stonework and extended decking were all updated and changed during the renovation. It took about a year to complete the renovation and addition. The architectural details in the windows were inspired by the cottages of Carmel, California, as is the scalloped trim on the eaves of the home and shed. They add charm and whimsy.

living room with charming wood roof in renovated 1939 cottage — Light a Fire. Since the original fireplace was beginning to crumble from the inside out and no longer safe, it had to be replaced, which gave the couple the opportunity to start from scratch. “We opted to use granite stone in a traditional mortar setting,” Cindy says. “It looks as though it’s been here since 1930.” They asked the mason to make it two-sided and add large, raised hearths so they can enjoy the ambience from the kitchen as well. “Best decision we made!” Cindy says.

“Not an unexpected challenge—but a challenge, nonetheless—was turning this 800-square-foot fishing abode into a full-time retirement cottage without compromising our vision for keeping true to the original style of the home while adding an additional 1,800 square feet,” Cindy says. “But we were up to the task.”

A 1939 Cottage Fix-It List

When the couple purchased the home, their fix-it list was long. It required refurbishing everything from the foundation to the roof, adding insulation (many lake homes were just summer places in their formative years), repairing the disintegrating stone fireplace, updating electrical and plumbing, replacing rotting windows, attending the original masonry and remedying the infested pine siding. “Still, amidst those gigantic issues, we saw what it could be,” Cindy says. “The lines and basic layout were salvageable and could be improved and turned into the lake cottage of our dreams.”

wide angle view of kitchen in 1939 cottage — Quaint Kitchen. The kitchen table is in the center of the kitchen. “We always dreamed of having a fireplace in the kitchen that you could enjoy while eating meal or just puttering around,” Cindy says. The table itself is the star of the space. It’s more than 100 years old, made of tiger oak and belonged to Cindy’s great-grandma. The thousands of meals that have been enjoyed on it touch her heart and she is honored to continue the tradition. “I love the chunkiness of the legs and the hand-carving,” she says. “They just don’t make them like this anymore and there are six leaves that can extend the table to 12 feet!”

kitchen with red hood and white cabinetry — Ramble On. As the cottage itself isn’t particularly large, Cindy knew she wanted a rambling kitchen. The original footprint had this room as a bedroom, but during the planning stages of renovation, Cindy and Jack realized this space would make a generously sized kitchen, especially once they created a wall of windows to the lake, allowing for tons of natural light.

sage cabinetry in the kitchen — Soft Sage. The green cabinet paint color is called Tiffany Heirloom Sage and it’s a custom color that the couple selected when they chose their cabinets from Schuler Cabinetry (available through Lowe’s). The cabinets are distressed and glazed to give them a feeling of being here for many decades. “We chose mismatched cabinet colors in different areas of the kitchen to avoid a solid matchy-matchy look and to give the feeling of pieces being added at different times,” Cindy says. “We wanted it to feel like the kitchen was here for a long time, perhaps even from the 1930s.”

lake view from inside the 1939 cottage — Rest and Relaxation. Originally, this area was a tiny galley kitchen! Cindy and Jack added five new large windows to take advantage of the Southwestern exposure and the garden, patio and lake views. They created a wall of bookcases and, tucked in as unobtrusively as possible, a frame TV. Two reclaimed stuffed armchairs were rescued from the landfill and recovered in vintage-inspired fabrics, his and hers, each with matching footstools. It’s a quiet and bright little nook for reading, catching up on your favorite show or sneaking a nap.

To keep continuity, the couple completely re-sided the home in cedar rough-cut slab siding. The roughcut sawn siding stayed true to the old lake style of the 1930s and ’40s, and the cedar is insect- and rot-resistant. The addition of stone pillars and stone siding helped connect the old with the new and roof angles were pitched to match. All new Marvin windows and skylights were installed, which helped unite the home. Dormers were installed on both the original and new construction and married each section to the other. “Now it’s difficult to be certain where the original cottage ends and the addition begins—just as we’d hoped for!” Cindy says.

bedroom with scalloped shelf and shiplap wall — Sleeping on the Lake. This bedroom is part of the addition and sits on top of the garage. “Jack and I wanted a room where we could relax and find quiet space at the end of the day,” Cindy says. “You might not be ready to crawl into bed quite yet, but lounging in pajamas on the couch is so relaxing.” The shelf atop the bed is one Cindy has had for many years and it seems a natural fit to display all her junker finds and treasures. It changes seasonally.

Styled to Perfection

The interiors of the 1939 cottage are just as charming as the exterior. Cindy has always loved pattern and color and has a deep appreciation for antiques, which she inherited from her grandmother who spent a lifetime collecting beautiful old pieces. “It makes me happy, and I think those who visit feel the comfort and ease that colors, patterns and antiques create,” she says. “Since the original main-floor footprint is a completely open floor plan, I stuck with a creamy neutral on the walls and kept the pine shiplap ceilings natural (as can be found in many old lake homes), which will patina over time.”

Furnishings are plop-down comfortable and well-made. Cindy had antique wing chairs recovered in a ditsy-floral oatmeal fabric and a gloriously nap-worthy swivel rocker reupholstered in a vintage floral. Two Birch Lane sofas in a blue-and-cream ticking stripe pattern set the foundation. From there, patterned floral pillows in a variety of shapes and sizes (and always with a ruffle) are tossed on each piece of furniture.

“Family antiques, including a vitrine and breakfront that’s more than 100 years old add to the timeless feel of the space. I was delighted to repurpose a hand-painted kitchen table converted into a coffee table that belonged to my mother for the living room,” Cindy says. “It’s large enough to display many collected treasures that get swapped as my mood changes.” Thrifted pieces, such as a drop-leaf walnut table and chest of drawers, create an eclectic mix of time-worn comfort.

yellow couch and blue curtains in 1939 cottage — Seating Area. “I love having a separate seating area in our bedroom,” Cindy says. The extra sense of space is appreciated in a small cottage and she loves the Country French and English feeling that the bright-colored furniture provides. Pattern mixing makes it feel collected and the traditional colors of Provence exude a classic and timeless feel, definitely not too fussy. “I’ve had this set of furnishings for 20 years and it works as well now as it did in our former home,” Cindy says.

Cindy’s Instagram account, @windowboxcottage, is tremendously popular. “After being a lurker for quite a few months and admiring so many accounts that spoke to my heart, I thought I would dip my toe in the water and post a few pics, not necessarily thinking anyone would be all that interested,” Cindy says. “I thought of it as a daily diary of musings about lake life, cottage décor and gardening. Well, one and one equals two, and before I knew what happened I had 20,000 followers, and so on and so on.” She was surprised at the success and calls it serendipitous, though adding, “I would say to any interiors instagrammer wanting to achieve success, be true to yourself, treat people like the friends you want to have and practice taking fabulous pictures.

powder room added to 1939 cottage — Pretty Powder Room. “We created this bathroom out of thin air,” Cindy says. “It’s actually part of a small addition added to the rear of the cottage. I wanted it to feel like it could have been here in the 1930s or ’40s.” They chose elements like a pedestal sink from England, black-and-white hex tile for the flooring, subway tile for the bathtub enclosure and beadboard for the lower half of the walls. “I think it feels timeless,” Cindy says. “The mirror also belonged to my great-grandma and it used to go atop a bureau, which is now in one of the bedrooms.”

Oh, and a few light-filtering apps always help when the light isn’t as good as it should be!” Cindy was even a finalist in the Cottages & Bungalows Brand Ambassador Search, confirming that she’s absolutely one to follow.

floral decor on top of wooden cabinet in 1939 cottage — **Seating Area.** “I love having a separate seating area in our bedroom,” Cindy says. The extra sense of space is appreciated in a small cottage and she loves the Country French and English feeling that the bright-colored furniture provides. Pattern mixing makes it feel collected and the traditional colors of Provence exude a classic and timeless feel, definitely not too fussy. “I’ve had this set of furnishings for 20 years and it works as well now as it did in our former home,” Cindy says.

guest room with colorful bedding and red and white curtains — Be Our Guest. A handpainted armoire is an antique pine piece from England. It’s a cherished piece that Cindy has had for more than 25 years, and it’s a favorite. “Well-worn and efficient, it hides away everything from TVs to clothing,” Cindy says. It seems to fit perfectly in this space and is an eclectic complement to the odd angles of the ceiling.

Now, the 1939 cottage is perfectly homey and stylish, brimming with bright colors, patterns, different wood tones in furniture pieces, ruffles on salvaged and reupholstered armchairs and displays of bespoke collections scattered on coffee tables and vitrines. “Everything creates a warm and unpretentious place that invites you to sit and stay for more than just a while,” Cindy says.

outdoor dining table on deck with vintage style umbrella with scalloped fringes — Divine Deck. The deck is an extension of the living room, kitchen and bedroom as entertaining, eating and napping all take place out here as soon as the weather permits. “We extended the deck lengthwise by 14 feet to accommodate a large dining table and umbrella,” Cindy explains. “It’s also a great transition from the dining area to the stone patio, where we enjoy the gurgling of a stone fountain and warmth of an evening firepit. And don’t forget the s’mores!”

covered deck with outdoor wicker furniture and jute rug — On Deck. Originally, the porch was uncovered. “Jack always wanted a covered porch so he could sit outside and watch the rain and stay dry,” Cindy says. “It was a fabulous idea, and the porch is our second living room almost three seasons of the year.” They extended the length to accommodate a large dining table, which could also help the transition from deck to stone patio along the south end of the cottage. Additional outdoor living space was added to include decks, porches, and stone patios, all heavily used during the warmer months. Now, both Jack and Midge Pie, the couple’s Maltipoo, enjoy the space.

shed with scalloped details and old fashioned weathervane — Shed Life. A shed features scallop details inspired by the storybook Comstock cottages and Adirondack homes of the early 19th century. “Jack made them using a gallon paint can traced on the trim boards,” Cindy says.

exterior of 1939 cottage with cedar siding and red trim

Bloom Where You’re Planted

There are rhododendrons in front of the porch, which are popular in the Northeast and especially in lake communities. A cluster of hot-pink knockout roses adorn the patch beside the stone entry steps to the porch and the countless window boxes are filled with multicolored wave petunias, geraniums and cascading verbena and variegated and green English ivy for continuous color all summer long. The perennial garden around the front walkway and shed are planted with cone flowers, Black Eyed Susans, daisies, cosmos and clematis, to name a few. “I try to have something blooming all summer for continuous color and, in the gaps, impatiens and begonias for guaranteed bloom views,” Cindy says.

To see more of the home, hop over to The Windowbox Cottage. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration!