The Ferguson Cottage

09/30/2026

Create the memories. Celebrate them. Document them. Hold onto them.

Every day in Northern Michigan feels a little special, but some occasions deserve to be celebrated above and beyond the everyday.

You can find the perfect setting, gather the most creative team, set beautiful tables and fill them with flowers—and all of those details matter. They help tell the story and make a moment feel worthy of remembering.

But in the end, the most important detail will always be the people gathered around the table.

Fifty years of marriage felt like a pretty wonderful reason to gather ours. 🤍

pics: Kayla | Dallas Family Photographer

09/17/2026

Same flower obsession. Slightly newer photo. Apparently 8 years was long enough

pic: Justine Sierra

09/11/2026

What makes a day worth celebrating?

Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, the first sunny day after a long Northern Michigan winter, getting an A on a test—I think they all count.

But every once in a while, we get to celebrate one of the really big ones.

Last summer, I had the privilege of helping celebrate a milestone not everyone gets to reach: 50 years of marriage. And because the couple happened to be my own parents, this one was especially close to my heart.

I’m sharing a peek inside their 50th anniversary party and a little of the story behind this very special celebration over on the blog.

https://thefergusoncottage.com/a-golden-anniversary-at-leland-country-club/

08/19/2026

I’ve been thinking a lot about what actually gives a home its soul.

I love fresh paint, beautiful furniture and a good renovation as much as anyone—but I don’t think our homes are meant to look brand new forever. The scratches, the hand-me-downs, the estate sale finds and the pieces we’ve collected along the way are part of the story.

The best homes aren’t created all at once. They evolve with us.

I wrote a little more about why I think layered, lived-in homes tell the best stories on the blog today.

Link in comments

03/27/2026

Recessed lighting - did you know there's no rule that says it has to be included in your home design!? There *might* be times where its appropriate in a room but there are other times that it's a completely missed opportunity.

I'm sharing all my thoughts on this controversial lighting decision in my journal (link in comments).

03/17/2026

You know how I’m always talking about layering a home—
mixing old with new, meaningful with functional, beauty with purpose?

Well… I realized my business was ready for that same kind of layering too.

The Ferguson Cottage design services aren’t going anywhere 🤍
This is just the next piece—something that brings those nostalgic, collected details into a way you can actually shop.

See the full story in the first comment

02/25/2026

What if the reason your room feels “off”…
isn’t the tile, the countertop, or the light fixture?

What if it’s the way you’re judging each piece on its own?

Before you call something “boring,” ask yourself:
How do I want this room to feel?

I wrote about one of the most common design mistakes I see — and why designing piece by piece might be the problem.

Find the post in comments below:

01/30/2026

There is a secret to making your home feel more cohesive and less trend driven - and it all starts at the very beginning.

The very first step you should take when thinking about a remodel is of upmost importance. Read all about it here:

We're breathing new life into old stories- one faded chair, one fresh bloom at a time. Celebrating life in our 1920s up north cottage. History matters. So does beauty.

01/18/2026

If you’re waiting for your home to feel “done” before you enjoy it… you might be waiting forever. I shared some thoughts on why homes are meant to evolve, age, and tell stories.

Read more here:

https://thefergusoncottage.com/your-home-is-never-finished-and-thats-actually-the-point/

01/08/2026

Why do so many Airbnbs look exactly the same?

Now that the holidays are over, I’ve started daydreaming about escaping winter, and naturally scrolling Airbnb listings… and I couldn’t stop noticing how many feel copy-and-paste. Black and white. Modern farmhouse. Zero sense of place.

When I travel, I don’t want the house to look like the one I just left. I want it to feel like where I am. The region, the landscape, the culture — all of it should be part of the experience.

I wrote a full blog post about why this matters, what’s missing in so many short-term rentals, and how thoughtful design can completely change the way a space is experienced (and remembered).

👉 Read the full post here:
https://thefergusoncottage.com/so-many-airbnbs-look-the-same-and-why-thats-a-missed-opportunity/

I’d love to know — do you prefer a neutral “safe” rental, or one with real personality?