photography: Robbie Caponetto
The Stricklands often gather on their porch, where shutters and draperies with a Bahamian influence provide shelter from sun, wind, and rain. |
Three hundred sixty-five days a year, visitors marvel at the sparkling white sands of WaterColor, Florida. And 362 steps from the beach (we counted), Jim Strickland built a cottage that makes his friends marvel, too.
"It's a cozy getaway," Jim says with a humble smile. "It isn't highly designed or decorated—it's just comfortable." For Jim and his wife, Linda, their Florida retreat is a cherished place to spend time with friends and family, including their two children, four grandkids, and Linda's sister, Karen Vance, and her family, who co-own the home. "This is really a place for all generations, for the children and grandchildren," Jim says. Unbelievably, the 2,000-square-foot cottage can sleep 18—in a pinch. The house was inspired by a friend's family cottage on Tybee Island, Georgia,
where Jim visited every summer when he was growing up. "That house didn't have air-conditioning and it wasn't slick or fabulous, but it was wonderful," he remembers. 
photography: Dana Gallagher
Plate racks in the kitchen windows come in handy and admit lots of light. The café curtains over the lower panes offer privacy. |
So is this cottage. Everything about it says zero attitude, from the wide, welcoming porch to the unfussy old furniture. "I wanted a place where the grandchildren could jump up and down, scream, and spill ice cream; where the dogs could bark and chew; and where you could bring in sand and not have to worry about it," Jim says. His laid-back style makes even first-time visitors feel right at home: "This is a place where people aren't worried about someone saying 'Oh my.'"The front room, which combines the kitchen and living area, provides an ideal spot for family gatherings. Linda says everyone likes to huddle together here in the afternoons doing different activities—playing board games, watching football, or just hanging out. The high ceilings and huge windows make the space feel large, even when it's crammed with kids and dogs. | 
We wanted a place where children could jump up and down 
