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Welcome to the Cottage.

The Tiny Canal Cottage is a resource for helping folks mindfully conceptualize, decorate and enjoy versatile + smaller home spaces. Founded by designer, consultant, stylist, creative director and author, Whitney Leigh Morris, this family-owned small business recently finished the construction of a new, compact cottage and greenhouse-office in the southeastern US, and are also restoring a little 1800s French farmhouse and its outbuildings with co-stewards. Morris’ focus is crafting flexible, sustainable, and more community-focused home spaces. Explore Whitney’s book, blog, and social channels for years of tips and tales from living and working in — and with — a smaller footprint.

Nurturing a Sense of Wonder in a Tiny Garden  (Part II)

Nurturing a Sense of Wonder in a Tiny Garden (Part II)

A month ago, I introduced a fairy door + window to the cottage garden. The full post is here, but here’s a brief excerpt for context:

In a small space, it’s arguably easier to pick up on the mood shifts of your family members due to proximity and the level of familiarity that comes with such closeness. And while I always want to be honest with my 3 year old and nurture his sense of empathy, I certainly don’t want him to be negatively impacted by the way I operate when I’m feeling off.  So, in order to redirect the focus away from my issues and towards something joyful, I decided to nurture West’s sense of wonder with a lil’ addition to our tiny garden.

Now the entire world is feeling off.

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Since we’ve been home 24/7 for weeks, West and I decided to add a ladder to the fairies’ tree.

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As I’ve mentioned several times before, I’m not great with DIY activities.

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Luckily, things that look ridiculously flawed to adults can still be just as magical for kids.

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I’m more of a DIY-lite kind of person, so this simple activity was perfect for both of us.

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All we needed were some acorns, scissors, and twigs.

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Our friends at Big Red Sun are making handmade fairy kits for families at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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If you’re interested in being added to the release list, just send Big Red Sun an email: info@bigredsun.com. The kits should be in a week or so!

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9 Years in the Cottage

9 Years in the Cottage

Growing Food in a Small Space

Growing Food in a Small Space