It’s almost August, and the dog days of summer are upon us.  

On the East Coast, the movers and shakers are heading “out east,” or “down the shore” for their annual migration to the fabled and familiar summer resorts … the Hamptons, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Newport, R.I., and Cape Cod. On the West Coast, the vast Pacific beckons from Vancouver, B.C., to Baja California.  

But if we can’t get away to that shingled saltbox cottage on the coast, why not bring it home sweet home? Thus, Luxury Defined proffers a collection of homes with “coastal cottage” inspired interiors—some close to the white sand and silvery sea; others a far cry from it. 

In these soothing, seashore-inspired spaces, occupants can reside beside the sea day-in, day-out, all year-long, in airy environs where rustic textures of weatherboard, driftwood, shiplap, and shingle meet crisp white and cream linens and color schemes of cool, coastal gray, navy blue, and beachy shades of golden brown—all within the creature comfort of home.  

So let’s away, and spend our summer's holiday beside the seaside, beside the sea. 

1. Goat Island Harbor House in Newport, Rhode Island 

This freestanding harbor house was built in 1974 and updated to luxury specifications in 2018 by architect Paul Weber. 

The elegant white clapboard exterior encloses 3,015 square feet of airy living space with uninterrupted vistas of Newport Harbor, Newport Yacht Club, Narragansett Bay, and Fort Adams State Park. 

The interior design pays homage to Newport’s nautical heritage, with ship-deck-inspired wood floors, white beamed ceilings, and a color scheme of crisp white, cream, aquamarine, and cobalt blue.  

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home is part of an upscale condominium complex with tennis courts, a swimming pool, gazebos, and security—and the only one with a private terrace facing Newport Harbor.  

A traditional widow’s watch cupola, a two-car garage, full-house generator, and harbor-front gardens with end of row privacy further enhance this tranquil Northeast hideaway. 

2. Contemporary Country Escape in Caledon, Ontario, Canada 

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This contemporary “cottage” would be at home on a windswept Cape Cod bluff, but its 16 private acres nestle in the wooded Caledon countryside, an hour from Toronto.  

The south-facing 5,800-square-foot residence features a cool white paint scheme, floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, and a double-height great room with a wood-burning fireplace.  

There are five bedrooms, six full and two half bathrooms. The gourmet kitchen has a breakfast space and serves the formal dining room, lounge-style living room, and custom-built glass-enclosed wine cellar and tasting room.

Outside, a resort-style cabana provides a full kitchen, stone fireplace, lounge and bar seating space shaded by remote control blinds. The swimming pool sits slope-side below the house, and the fenced, illuminated tennis court (with spectator-viewing pavilion) doubles as an ice rink in winter. 

Related: Discover Homes with Outdoor Kitchens for Summer Entertaining 

3. Tip Top End on Pawleys Island, South Carolina 

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The seaside cottage that is Tip Top End is ensconced among the trees on 250 feet of beachfront on Pawleys Island—a laid-back coastal community in South Carolina Low Country, some 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach and 70 miles north of Charleston.

The home’s thoughtful layout offers expansive rooms with vaulted ceilings and multiple windows with ample sunlight, gentle sea breezes, and ocean views.  

The integrated family room/dining space is ideal for year-round entertaining, accessing the 375-square-foot, screened oceanfront porch and log-burning fireplace for the cooler months. The contemporary island kitchen has Corian countertops, white cabinetry, appliances by Frigidaire and Bosch, a breakfast nook, and alfresco seating on the front porch. 

The ocean-facing owner’s suite has a deluxe en suite bath, walk-through closet, and slider doors out to the rear porch. The two guest bedrooms share a Jack and Jill full bath.   

The ground level has an expansive garage space, accessed via elevator, with room for small craft, kayaks, and Jet Skis. A wooden walkway over the dunes descends to a beautiful sandy beach. 

4. Luxury Lake House in Coloma, Michigan 

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Glass walls and big windows distinguish this casually comfy three-season turnkey cottage on Lake Michigan about 100 miles from Chicago.  

Endless sunset views unfold from its three tiered decks linked by a spiral stairway and steps down to the main terrace and to the private beach terrace below. 

There are six bedrooms, including a lavish primary suite and a four-bed bunkroom, with three-and-a-half baths. 

The three-season porch's glass-enclosed living and dining space extends these views into the chilly months for year-round serenity. There are two fireplaces among the four common living spaces in the home, including a billiards room, a media lounge, and lower-level game room. 

The laundry/utility room’s double washers and dryers can serve a houseful of family and guests, and there are no rental restrictions on the property. 

The quest for a coastal cottage starts here.