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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.

"Small Wonder" Feature in "Wild Interiors"

"Small Wonder" Feature in "Wild Interiors"

Despite the fact that Adam and I have been together for more than a quarter of my life (WHAT IS TIME?!), we really have so few photos together. Our extraordinary friend Hilton Carter (@hiltoncarter) took this portrait here at the cottage while he was snapping imagery for his new book, Wild Interiors.

Above: Outtake photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter for his new book, Wild Interiors.

Above: Outtake photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter for his new book, Wild Interiors.

At one point during the photoshoot, Hilton paused to adjust the settings on his camera, and Adam and I kept standing there in the garden, arms locked around each other. Hilton eventually looked up at us and said: “you two know I’m not taking photos now, right?”

Above: Outtake photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter for his new book, Wild Interiors.

Above: Outtake photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter for his new book, Wild Interiors.

We knew. But even after being in such close proximity to one other for day and night, year after year, we still want to wrap ourselves together and hold one another up. I’m so thankful to Hilton for capturing that love, and for including us in his second book.

Above: Author, filmmaker, and plant + interior stylist Hilton Carter at the Cottage in 2019.

Above: Author, filmmaker, and plant + interior stylist Hilton Carter at the Cottage in 2019.

Hilton’s newest book, Wild Interiors, is as stunningly beautiful to look as it is informative (and often hilarious) to read.

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The pages are overflowing with his signature texture-rich photographs, layered with depths of lush greenery and brilliantly orchestrated interiors.

Above: The outdoor shower at the Cottage featured in Wild Interiors.

Above: The outdoor shower at the Cottage featured in Wild Interiors.

Wild Interiors opens with Hilton guiding readers through his own epic plant journey, and sharing his inspirations and favorite house plants. It then showcases the residences of 12 plant parents (Adam and myself gratefully included), that demonstrate the versatility of decorating with plants.

Above: Photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter as seen in his new book, Wild Interiors.

Above: Photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter as seen in his new book, Wild Interiors.

From there, Hilton ushers audiences through a room-by-room profile of the plants that are most suited to each type of space within a home.

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About the book:

Wild Interiors is my follow up to my first book, Wild at home. Instead of showcasing my home and studio, I traveled the world to show you the beautiful spaces of others. First I take you through my own plant journey, inspirations, and my top ten favorite house plants of the moment. I then grab your hand and take you along with me on a Journey in Greenery where I showcase the homes of 12 inspiring plant parents that demonstrate the versatility of decorating with plants. From a tiny house in Venice, California and a light-filled loft in New York City, to a Berlin apartment decorated with vintage finds, and the Barcelona home of a ceramic artist, there are ideas for all types of spaces and budgets. I then set you off on your very own plant journey, taking you room by room, profiling the plants that are most suited to each: those that thrive in the tropical humidity of bathrooms, the erratic heat changes of kitchens, and plants that can live happily in the indirect light of an entryway or bedroom. Packed full of interior design advice such as using “statement plants” like Fiddle-leaf figs to create a focal point, how to layer your greenery by using hanging baskets, and how to assemble the perfect plant shelf, I show you how bringing houseplants into your home creates instant impact. Be inspired to create your own Wild Interiors with my styling advice, plus my hints and tips on plant care that take the mystery out of looking after your green friends.

- Hilton Carter

Above: Author, filmmaker, and plant + interior stylist Hilton Carter at the Cottage in 2019.

Above: Author, filmmaker, and plant + interior stylist Hilton Carter at the Cottage in 2019.

I am in such awe of Hilton Carter and his myriad of talents, and I’m honored that the Cottage and my family are part of his gorgeous new book. We are lucky and endlessly grateful that Hilton and his wife, Fiona, are part of our lives.

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