In the wooded heart of Door County, Wisconsin, Milwaukee couple Kevin Brost and Ian Hampton from Walker’s Point Italianate, have turned a snug 1940s cottage into the ultimate cottagecore house—a place where color, creativity, and comfort coexist beautifully. Every space tells a story through vintage treasures, bold paint choices, and a perfectly imperfect approach to design. The result? A home that feels both deeply personal and effortlessly curated.
Image: Photography by Margaret Rajic
The Potting Shed: Where Ideas (and Hydrangeas) Bloom
Image: MidwestLiving / Photography: Austin Day
Just beyond the main house, Kevin’s Potting Shed proves that even the smallest spaces can bloom with personality. The walls combine Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace and Oxford White stretched with Behr Pure White, an easygoing mix that glows in the light. “We didn’t caulk the interior,” Kevin laughs. “It’s a little lazy, but it gives great shadow lines.”
Image: MidwestLiving / Photography: Austin Day
The floor, painted in Benjamin Moore Dunmore Green—an archival color from the 1770s—adds grounding history. Above the door, a cascading hydrangea waterfall wall steals the show. The flowers came from the property’s 40+ Little Lime hydrangeas, woven into mesh pest wire and left to dry naturally.
And presiding over the room? Miss Willmott, a portrait from the Antiques Center at Wales. She’s named for the Victorian-era botanist known for her rebellious spirit. “She’s our cottagecore queen,” says Kevin.
Kitchen Magic: Cozy, Clever, and Collected
Image: Photography by Margaret Rajic
When the couple enlisted Milwaukee architect Joy Peot-Shields, they didn’t just want more space—they wanted soul. The challenge: seat six in an 11×13 kitchen without sacrificing style. The solution involved moving the refrigerator to the mudroom, adding full-sized appliances, and designing a custom Ash slab dining table from a tree grown on Joy’s family property.
Image: Photography by Margaret Rajic
Its live edge, marked by the tunnels of Ash borers, tells a story of beauty through imperfection—a hallmark of any true cottagecore house. Around it, barn-color Shaker cabinets (Benjamin Moore’s Cottage Red) and a built-in banquette create a layout that’s both intimate and functional.
Living Room Layers: Where Color Meets Comfort
Image: Photography by Margaret Rajic
In the living room, Farrow & Ball De Nimes wraps the walls in a moody blue that feels cozy but sophisticated. Scrubbed pine tables, chippy-painted chairs, and flea-market finds from small Wisconsin towns fill the space with charm. “Every piece has a backstory,” Ian says. “That’s what makes a cottagecore house so special—it’s not decorated, it’s evolved.”
Bathroom Simplicity: Classic, Calm, and Cottage-Ready
“Sometimes we keep it simple,” Kevin says. The bathroom is proof that restraint can still feel rich. Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter coats the shiplap walls, while a white pedestal sink from Wayfair pairs with a black-framed mirror and black towel ring. Built-in shelves hold woven baskets, creating a space that’s both functional and timeless.
For more paint ideas, check out:
Bedrooms: Water, Air, and Land
Each bedroom pays homage to Door County’s natural elements:
Image: Photography by Margaret Rajic
- Water Room: Lewis & Wood’s European Fish wallpaper bordered by Cottage Red trim—a nod to the nearby Great Lakes.
Image: Photography by Margaret Rajic
- Air Room: Lake August Flock in Flight wallpaper, with crisp navy and white layers for an airy, nautical feel.
Image: Photography by Margaret Rajic
- Land Room: Chasing Paper’s Pacific Northwest pattern meets Benjamin Moore’s Forest Floor trim, grounding the space in rich greens and cozy textures.
Together, they reflect the landscape’s soul—a story told through pattern and pigment.
For more cottage decorating ideas, check out:
- This Seaside Cottage Is A Rustic Haven
- Charming English Cottage Home Interior
- This Oceanfront Cottage Looks Like It’s Been There Forever — But It’s Brand New
The Takeaway: Don’t Overthink It
Image: Photography by Margaret Rajic
Two companies, three whites, two sheens, and one simple truth: great design doesn’t have to be complicated. Kevin and Ian’s cottagecore house proves that when you mix passion, play, and a touch of laziness (the useful kind), beauty always finds its way in. Follow Kevin and Ian’s journey and see more of their projects on Instagram at @walkerspointitalianate.
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