Text by Bethany Adams
The Daniels’ move to a historic neighborhood in Alabama presented them with a rare opportunity for the area: an empty lot. The previous home having been torn down, Haley and Johnathan were able to build one that would meet their family’s needs while honoring the authentic cottage-style personality of the surrounding homes. “Looking at houses, we knew that’s the type of area this was,” Haley says. “And so, when we decided to do a new build, we wanted it to fit in with the existing neighborhood charm.”
They partnered with Willow Homes to create their dream cottage, making selections that would reflect the classic style featured in the exterior—from tile and flooring to the kitchen cabinetry—while showing off the thoughtfully chosen décor. “We have spent a lot of time trying to make this new house old,” Haley says. “I wanted to bring that character in.”
Drawing from her lifelong affinity for decorating, Haley started with vintage rugs sourced from a local shop, almost all of which feature some shade of red. She then built atop the color-rich foundation with a mix of new and old furniture to create a collected spirit. “I really don’t like for things to match,” she says. “I just want it to coordinate and go together and feel like the pieces can live together.”
Travel souvenirs and timeworn treasures woven throughout the home contribute a storied spirit that makes every room worth lingering in. “I slowly figured out that bringing vintage items into my home and having things that were more timeless felt cozier to me,” Haley says. From vintage watercolor studies in the living room and local art in the kitchen to antique intaglios and pressed botanicals framing the bed, there’s scarcely a wall in the cottage that doesn’t have something to say.
But the space that seems to speak most to the Daniels exists at the rear of the home, halfway between the interior and the backyard. Framed by a brick fireplace and two walls of screens that let in autumn breezes and morning birdsong, the back porch is the perfect spot for Haley, Johnathan, and their son, Elijah, to enjoy the season. “It’s just such a nice place to hang out as a family,” Haley says.
Throughout both the build and the decorating process, Haley and Johnathan took care to create a home that would not only honor the neighborhood but also bring them joy and comfort for decades to come. So far, Haley notes, the things they’ve filled their cottage with have lasted them for years. “And I love them still,” she says. “That tells me I’m on the right track.”
