Northern Fisherman's Cottage
When you think of a coastal cottage, you may think of typical Fisherman's white washed stone fronted or grey or red clad cedar shake exterior, with low doorways and traditional windows. Inside you would find small rooms with views of windswept cliffs and charming villages. That's not far off! A traditional Fisherman's Cottage can be found anywhere on both sides of the North Atlantic, whether wood or stone clad. We will concentrate here on the kind you find in Nova Scotia with influences from Ireland, the British Isles, Scandinavia and the like.
Some key features are as follows:
- White washed or exposed stone exteriors or grey or red cedar shake shingles or horizontal clapboard
- Low doorways and windows in traditional style or more modern versions in frameless single pane
- The doorways typically face away from the sea so when you enter you see the views through the narrow house and out the back.
- A vaulted interior for the main living/dining/kitchen space with a stone mantle and fireplace.
- Loft bedrooms or small bedrooms that share a chimney with the main living space
- Tiny kitchens and bathrooms that typically have vertical v-groove painted panelling
- Outside you might find fishing nets and lobster pots stacked up and inside, model ships, vintage pictures, nautical brass elements, and old, chipped crockery.
- Outdoor showers, board games, oil lamps and fire pits are just some of the highlights whether old or new.
These unique, heritage style Fisherman cottages are all about living simply and getting away from the daily grind to live on the coast and get to know the locals. Even if you don't own one there are plenty of Fisherman cottages to rent for a holiday!