There’s a certain allure in the thought of a cottage by the sea, a place where the rhythmic lull of waves and the salty breeze paint a picture of idyllic tranquility. And today, I’m overjoyed to unveil a passion project that has been brewing within me for the past year – my digital Dreambook, “If I Lived in a Cottage By the Sea”.
Years ago, the “If I Lived Here” series on The Inspired Room blog was like a gathering place for kindred souls. For those of us who are both dreamers and homebodies, it was a haven. We bonded over our shared infatuation with charming abodes, those snug little nooks, and the dreamy settings that made us lose ourselves in the fantasy of life in a coastal cottage or a quaint seaside retreat. But our dreaming wasn’t an escapist flight; it was a profound exploration of our true desires, a way to infuse our ordinary days with the magic of those idealized spaces. We took inspiration from these dreams and found ingenious ways to bring that essence into our own homes, wherever we were.
Surprisingly, even though my own dream of living in a cottage by the sea has come true, the allure of these seaside havens hasn’t faded. It’s like a golfer’s obsession – just because you’ve stepped onto the green once or even live beside a course doesn’t mean the thought of golf ever truly leaves your mind. My love for these coastal cottages remains as strong as ever, a constant source of inspiration.
The journey to creating the Dreambook began about a year ago. As part of a creative series for our HomeBody community, I started experimenting with an AI design program. The initial goal was simple – to help fellow HomeBodies visualize ideas for their homes. But as anyone who has dabbled with AI knows, it comes with its fair share of quirks. Yet, I persevered, learning with each click and stroke. Before I knew it, I found myself completely immersed in the world of dreaming up cottages by the sea. It became more than just a task; it was a delightful and surprisingly inspiring hobby, all from the comfort of my own couch.
I couldn’t keep this wonderful world I was creating to myself. I yearned to share my “cottage by the sea” dreams with others who, like me, have an unwavering love for quaint, cozy, and character – filled homes. And so, the Dreambook was born. Using the power of AI design tools, I crafted charming spaces and paired them with little stories under the “If I Lived Here” umbrella. Each story is a portal to a creative escape, filled with the minute details I envisioned in a perfect, cozy seaside home.
The beauty of the Dreambook lies in its imperfection. These cottages aren’t real, and they don’t have to be. They’re a product of my imagination, brought to life with the help of technology. Their quirks and idiosyncrasies are what make them truly special. Even if a dream home seems a bit over – the – top or far – fetched, it still has the power to inspire. That’s the essence of the Dreambook. We can all imagine ourselves in these spaces, kicking off our sandy shoes, letting the sea breeze ruffle our hair as it drifts through open windows.
As I’ve always emphasized in my books “Love the Home You Have” and “A Lovely Life”, creating a beautiful life and home isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about being intentional, finding contentment, and even relishing in the act of romanticizing the life and home we already have. In my HomeBody Gathering Place courses and on The Inspired Room blog, I’ve always encouraged people to pay attention to what stirs their souls and then find practical and creative ways to bring that feeling into their everyday living spaces.
That’s precisely what I hope the “If I Lived in a Cottage By the Sea” Dreambook will do for you. I want it to be a spark that ignites your creativity, a fuel that powers your imagination, and a gentle nudge that reminds you to find the beauty and loveliness in your own life, right where you are. Whether you’re already living in your own coastal cottage or just yearn to recreate that seaside feeling, if you’ve ever dreamed of a cottage by the sea, you’re part of this special community. Come, join me in this dreamy journey and let the magic of the coastal cottage world unfold before your eye
