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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.

Rightsizing in Real Time - An Ongoing Event for January 2024

Rightsizing in Real Time - An Ongoing Event for January 2024

I am stepping into 2024 with no illusions that a turn of the calendar will magically ease stressors, or reveal an untapped source of much-needed energy. Yet who doesn’t relish optimism, coupled with a fresh beginning of any sort? 

A new year. 
A rising sun. 
An unexplored perspective. 

It’s my job (and my joy) to help people discover comfort and contentment within their homes— particularly spaces that are compact and/or in need of heightened versatility. In order to tenderly weave that work into the intentions imagined by many at the top of the new year, I’ll be publishing regular posts throughout January as part of a month-long series entitled Rightsizing in Real Time. This series will offer simple, flexible prompts and examples aimed at helping folks with their own rightsizing, downsizing, repurposing, and/or organizational endeavors. 

I hope you’ll mull over the concepts that apply to you at your own pleasant pace. 
Good things take time and consideration. 

Rather than jumping frantically from room to room (which is a common and often overwhelming approach that I find laughable when applied to small spaces), we’ll explore solutions to typical small space hurdles through a more versatile lens. 

How can we thin the crowding of belongings wherever that occurs? 

How can we better define and adapt zones? 

What areas are under-utilized and need reimagining?

Where do we start when operating on a tight budget and with sustainability in mind? 

Repurposing Project: Boot Rack Turned Stemware Storage

Repurposing Project: Boot Rack Turned Stemware Storage

Staying Rightsized (Part 6)

Staying Rightsized (Part 6)