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Come On In,Where Life Gathers

ROOTED IN HOME

Where the Story Begins

The Bungalow Cottage was born from a love of home, beauty, family, and the quiet way a room can change how you feel the moment you walk into it.

Life can sometimes feel like a circus. Between work, family, responsibilities, and everything else that demands our attention, it can feel as though we're constantly giving something of ourselves. But I believe home should be the place where we can finally exhale.

Home is a place where we should feel safe and comfortable. Where we can put the demands of the day aside, rest after long days, recover from difficult ones, and enjoy the people we love. Where we can celebrate small wins, laugh around the table, make memories, and find the energy to begin again tomorrow.

That desire for a peaceful home is part of what drew me to interior design. I wanted to create that feeling in my own surroundings, and over time, I began thinking about how I could help others experience it too.

I love beautiful interiors, but beauty alone has never been the ultimate goal. I want to understand the people who live in a space, what their days look like, what brings them joy, and what they need their home to give back to them.

Because when life gets busy, demanding, or simply overwhelming, having somewhere that supports you can make a meaningful difference.

That is the heart behind The Bungalow Cottage.

Open kitchen corner with light green cabinets, white marble countertop, and white shiplap walls. Wooden shelves hold dishes, glasses, and decorative items. A bowl of green vegetables and potted plants are on the counter near a window.
A smiling woman with curly black hair, wearing a beige sleeveless top and gold jewelry, sitting at a kitchen counter with magazines.

FROM MY HOME TO YOURS

Meet Michelle

I’m Michelle Samuels, the founder and creative designer behind The Bungalow Cottage.

I was born and raised in Bermuda, with roots in Antigua and Barbuda, and I am very much an island girl at heart. The warmth, color, culture, and rhythm of island life shape how I see home: a place of welcome, connection, beauty, and belonging.

I live in Bermuda with my two daughters, Amara and Elan, whom I lovingly call my wildflowers. They are a big part of why home matters so deeply to me.

My background in education, business, and project organization shapes the way I approach design. I listen closely, notice the details, and bring structure to the process so your room feels less overwhelming and more like home.

I care about how a room looks, but I care just as much about how it feels, how it works, and how it supports the people living in it.

Work With Me
Work With Me

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The Bungalow Way

Every home already has a story. The Bungalow Way is about honouring that story and gently bringing it into focus. A Bungalow Cottage room feels peaceful, but not plain. Beautiful, but not untouchable. Practical, but never without soul. That is the balance I always look for: calm as the foundation, joy as the spark. Light. Layered. Liveable. Loved.

  • Open white-framed window with sheer white curtains, overlooking a coastal landscape with trees, water, and a cloudy sky.

    Light

    SPACE TO BREATHE

    A light room does not feel empty. It feels open, fresh, and easy to move through. The layout makes sense, the colours feel gentle, and each piece has room to belong.

    The result is a home that feels calmer the moment you walk in. Less heavy, less cluttered, and easier to settle into.

  • A woven basket holding a potted plant, framed artwork, pillows with blue and cream patterns, and a stack of books.

    Layered

    GATHERED AND COLLECTED

    A layered room carries warmth, texture, memory, and meaning. It may include woven details, soft fabrics, natural materials, books, artwork, greenery, pattern, or pieces that feel collected over time.

    The result is a home that feels personal and full of story. Beautiful, but never flat or lifeless.

  • Cozy entryway with wooden storage bench, two woven baskets, green and striped pillows, potted plant, white sneakers, and a small side table with books, mug, and plant. Decor includes a beige rug and a white throw blanket.

    Liveable

    HOW LIFE ACTUALLY HAPPENS

    A liveable room welcomes real routines, family life, quiet evenings, busy mornings, guests, rest, laughter, and the beautiful mess of everyday living. It is comfortable, useful, and made to be enjoyed.

    The result is a home that works hard without feeling hard. Practical, comfortable, and easy to live in.

  • Decorative wooden console table with framed artwork, family photos, potted plants, candles, and decorative books, set against a blurry yellow background.

    Loved

    DETAILS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE

    A loved room feels personal. It carries the colour you keep coming back to, the chair you love sitting in, the family piece you could never part with, the artwork that speaks to you, or the small joyful detail that makes the room feel like yours.

    The result is a home that feels warm, meaningful, and deeply connected to the people who live there.

Let’s make room for something better!

If your home feels unfinished, overwhelming, or ready for a new chapter, I would love to help you find a thoughtful way forward. Together, we can create a room that feels warmer, lighter, and more like you.

Get Started