whitney-new-photos.png

Welcome to the Cottage.

The Tiny Canal Cottage is a resource that helps folks mindfully conceptualize, decorate and enjoy versatile, smaller home spaces. The Cottage was founded by consultant, stylist, creative director and author, Whitney Leigh Morris, whose focus is crafting flexible, sustainable, and more community-focused home spaces. Explore Whitney’s Substack, book, blog, and social channels for ideas that explore joyful, mindful ways to live in — and with — a smaller footprint.

Date Nights at Home

Date Nights at Home

Since West was born, Adam and I have orchestrated date nights at home more often. It eliminates the cost of hiring a babysitter, it allows us to eat a bit healthier (and have a drink without breaking the bank), and encuorages us to continue to connect as couple without being separated from our son and the pups.

Left: Movie night with Adam in the back garden. Right: A little family time in the yard (with flameless lanterns and a folding toddler-sized table and chairs) before West goes to bed.

Left: Movie night with Adam in the back garden. Right: A little family time in the yard (with flameless lanterns and a folding toddler-sized table and chairs) before West goes to bed.

While out little home inspires us to get out and involved in our community during the day, we never want it to feel limiting. For date nights, we take a few extra minutes to set up something out of the ordinary, such as a projector in the garden, or a pop-up dining table in the multi-purpose room (which functions as the living room / guest room / office / dining room).

date night trio.jpg

The winter here in LA has thus far been fairly mild, so we can leave the doors cracked open and enjoy a modified version of our usual indoor/outdoor set up. And since West was born into our tiny home (and is always surrounded by barking beagles), he is used to noise and doesn't wake up when we cook, laugh, or watch a movie.

datenight main.jpg

Spending more non work-related time together as a couple was a goal that Adam and I set forth for ourselves in 2018. In order to be the best parents, business partners, and friends possible, I think it's important for us to take some time and quietly catch up with each other-- even right here, in the same wonderful <400 sqft we share every day.

details.jpg
Reusable Bags

Reusable Bags

Roundup: My Top 12 Small Space Essentials