13 Cantonment- Modern Cottage Home

A Modern Cottage Home Designed for Calm, Character, and Everyday Living

Set within the heritage-rich enclave of Cantonment Road, this home at 13 Cantonment is a thoughtful reinterpretation of the modern cottage aesthetic — where warmth, restraint, and lived-in comfort take precedence over excess. Designed as a calm urban retreat, the space balances clean architectural lines with tactile materials and personal details, creating a home that feels both intentional and deeply human.

A Soft, Inviting Living Space

The living room sets the tone with a palette of warm neutrals, pale timber flooring, and layered textures. Built-in shelving frames the television wall, offering both visual balance and functional storage, while curated décor pieces lend personality without clutter. A window bench tucked beneath the bay window doubles as a cosy reading nook — a subtle nod to cottage living — softened with cushions that invite you to slow down.

Natural light filters gently through fabric blinds, diffusing the city outside and allowing the interior to remain serene throughout the day. The result is a living space that feels airy, grounded, and quietly elegant.

Seamless Flow Between Living and Dining

The open-plan layout allows the living and dining areas to flow effortlessly into one another, encouraging connection and ease of movement. A solid wood dining table anchors the space, paired with classic spindle-back chairs that echo the cottage-inspired theme. Overhead, sculptural pendant lights introduce texture and a handcrafted feel, adding visual interest without overpowering the room.

A full-height dark-toned cabinetry wall provides contrast against the lighter surroundings, creating depth while cleverly concealing storage. This interplay between light and dark gives the home a refined, contemporary edge.

Thoughtful Details That Tell a Story

Throughout the home, thoughtful details elevate the design. Display shelves are styled with books, ceramics, and personal artefacts, transforming functional storage into moments of storytelling. A guitar resting casually by the shelves hints at the homeowner’s lifestyle, reinforcing the idea that this is not just a styled space, but a lived-in one.

The use of warm wood doors, classic wall mouldings, and soft accent colours further grounds the design, blending modern sensibilities with timeless charm.

A Calm Urban Retreat

Despite its central location, the home maintains a sense of retreat. The consistent material palette, warm lighting, and restrained use of colour create continuity across spaces, allowing the home to feel cohesive and calm. Every corner is designed with intention — not to impress, but to support everyday living with comfort and clarity.

Designed Around How You Live

At 13 Cantonment, modern cottage living is less about a fixed style and more about a feeling — one of ease, warmth, and quiet sophistication. This home reflects Third Paragraph’s belief that good design should adapt to the rhythms of daily life, celebrating both function and feeling in equal measure.

If you’re drawn to homes that balance modern structure with warmth and character, this project is a beautiful example of how thoughtful design can transform an apartment into a true sanctuary.