Cory Cottage in St. Andrews

Cory Cottage

Imagine vacationing in a 1830’s home that was once owned and decorated by Kate Reed, Canada’s first interior decorator. Next imagine that same historic house, recently renovated and redesigned by international designer Lee Wells, with luxurious style & comfort. Now picture yourself staying in this beautiful 4 + 1 bedroom, 6 bathroom cottage set in the resort town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea on a garden property with an ocean view rooftop balcony. This is Cory Cottage.

Pansy Patch

To tell you about Cory Cottage, you first need to know a little bit about Pansy Patch, the 1912 Romantic Revival style home built in the French Normandy tradition next door. Pansy Patch is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with the original owners. St. Andrews Civic Trust documents in the Charlotte County Archives states that Charles Saxe was the designer for Pansy Patch. It was built for Hayter and Kate Reed and is said to be an exact copy of Jacques Cartier’s house that was built in the 16th Century. Reed was Manager-in-Chief of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) hotels, and his wife, Kate, was the first interior decorator in Canada. She was a widely known artist, and gave her personal attention to the erection, and decoration of Pansy Patch, and subsequently to their guest house Cory Cottage. Kate was also an advisor for many wealthy art collectors, including Sir William Van Horne. Through her association with Van Horne and other CPR directors, she was given the job of decorating all the CPR hotels, including the Algonquin.

Most Photographed House in Canada

In 1924, the Canadian Homes and Gardens magazine featured Pansy Patch. It was a huge tourist draw at that time, and quickly became the most photographed home in Canada. It was even included in a best house competition, and came second only to a mansion in the United States deep south.

Cory Cottage

According to A Woman’s Touch: Kate Reed and Canada’s Grand Hotels, the land Hayter and Kate Reed first purchased to build Pansy Patch was not empty. On the lower lot stood one of the earliest houses in St. Andrews. It was said to be at least a century old. Kate decided that this “old tumbled down, dirty little cottage,” rumoured to have been floated on a barge from Calais, Maine by United Empire Loyalists, should be moved alongside Pansy Patch on Carleton Street. So in the winter, once the ground was frozen, it was gradually pulled on rolling logs to where it now sits. It was placed facing the hotel (Algonquin) and named Cory Cottage, for Kate’s mother’s family name. Initially, Kate thought she would sell the cottage to defray the building costs of Pansy Patch, “but the boys put up such a howl, we backed down.” Instead, she renovated, then rented Cory Cottage to supplement their income after Hayter retired. In more recent years, Cory Cottage was used as a guest house, and then became a bed & breakfast. In 2019, Lee Wells & Andrew Faas, current owners of Pansy Patch, subdivided the property, and sold Cory Cottage to the current owners, Deirdre O’Leary & Tom White, who enjoy it as their own private cottage for several weeks each year, and rent it out the remainder of the time.

The Chef’s Kitchen at Cory Cottage

I dropped my husband off at the Algonquin Golf Course for a tournament on the morning we were to arrive at Cory Cottage for our 5-night stay. He would be tied up for several hours, so the plan was that I would check in early and capture some photographs, while the cottage was empty. I would later enjoy lunch, and some shopping in my favourite seaside resort town. Deirdre had sent me the code to access the side door, and I entered the cottage through the kitchen. Although alone, I believe I exclaimed “Oh my God!” out loud as I entered. You see, this is not just any kitchen, this is a stunning, chef’s kitchen boasting a commercial six-burner gas stove, a large refrigerator with glass front, an ice-maker, a washer/dryer, a gorgeous centre island, every small appliance you could possibly think of, and a well-stocked pantry. The kitchen at Cory Cottage is also styled to the nines in a black & white motif. What a first impression! There is also a separate butler’s pantry, which doubles nicely as a bar with its temperature-controlled wine fridge.

There is so Much to Love about Cory Cottage

There is so much to love about Cory Cottage, but I think one of the things I love the most is how unassuming it looks from the exterior. On first glance, it is a simple, small bungalow. But you soon discover, looks are deceiving, as it is so much more. Cory Cottage will have you at ‘Hello’, then once you pick up your jaw and manage a walk-through, you will be a smitten kitten. I called the owner Deirdre within the first 10 minutes. “How do you not live here ALL the time?,” I asked. Deirdre just laughed, “It’s pretty special isn’t it? We almost bought it sight - unseen,” she confessed, “but Tom insisted we go see it in person.” So reader, I hope my photographs begin to do it justice. An online property listing was all it took for Deirdre, and Tom was not far behind but he did see it in person. And the rest is history. Now, you can rent this beauty yourself, and enjoy a stay - just like I did. But wait, before you book your stay, there are a few things I want to show you.

Cory Cottage is Luxuriously Appointed

Cory Cottage is luxuriously appointed with every modern amenity you could possibly desire in a vacation property. This 2-storey, Greek Revival style home with - yes - a bold colour palette, partners very well with the comfortable furniture, and statement pieces throughout. “Is that orange?,” my father-in-law asked, when he and my mother-in-law joined my husband and I for a night’s stay. “Oh, David, it’s not orange… I think it’s… well… tangerine?” my M-I-L replied, looking to me for clarification. “Yes, it’s orange… or tangerine,“ I laughed, “I’m not sure exactly - but it is fabulous, isn’t it? Just look at the navy and white accents, the antique furnishings and vintage artwork, the rich fabrics and draperies, the quality linens in the bedrooms, and the impeccable style and design touches. It is like living in a magazine spread for Better Homes & Gardens isn’t it?!” Everyone nodded.

Cory Cottage is a Gathering Place

Just when you think you have seen it all, yet another surprise appears at Cory Cottage. It just keeps on - keeping on. There are three dining areas: an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room with a gas-burning fireplace, and a smaller, more intimate alcove off the spacious living room with views of the back garden. The living room also has a wood-burning fireplace. Yes, there are two fireplaces. Cory Cottage is a gathering place. It is the ideal property for a wedding or special celebration, a family reunion, a golf vacay, or a friends or couples getaway.

Picture a Retreat at Cory Cottage

Picture a retreat at Cory Cottage. Any like-minded souls looking for a space to connect would love it here. I first envisioned a group of writers, photographers, artists, or perhaps a wellness or yoga group, and it would also be perfect for a corporate team building opportunity. Then in 2024, I made it happen and returned to Cory Cottage with a group for a Creatives Retreat. We were freelance writers, photographers, bloggers, and influencers and it was an absolutely ideal venue. The large common areas in this house are made for conversations, for entertaining, for sitting around the fire, for breaking bread, for lingering over a glass of wine, for visiting and catching up, and for simply - being present in the moment, and enjoying each other’s company. And that we did. We got to know each other on another level and had quality time learning and growing together. But don’t worry, when you desire alone time - there is that, too. You have it all with four + one bedrooms and plenty of nooks & crannies for quiet escapes at Cory Cottage. Did I mention there is a sunroom on the main floor, and a sun deck off of that? Oh, I should mention there is a convenient powder room on the main floor, too. There is no lack of space at Cory Cottage and it can be used in so many different ways. Now, I am imagining my daughter and her husband, and his extended family gathering here with my husband and I, and perhaps a fun girls trip to take in one of the many events and festivals that happen in St. Andrews every year, or this Creatives Retreat just might become an annual thing, too. Who knows? But what I do know is that Cory Cottage is perfect for retreats and large gatherings.

Cory Cottage has Four Master Suites

Cory Cottage has four Master Suites, two of which are located on the main level, and have private access, and enchanting views, to the side garden. Each bedroom has an ensuite bath and custom shower. The other two Master Suites are located on the second floor – one with its own private, ocean-view balcony – and both have ensuite bathrooms with soaker tubs. You heard right - there is not one, but two soaker tubs upstairs. I thoroughly enjoyed a bubblebath every night! After all the walking and exploring we did, I was more than happy to disappear just before bedtime, to let Calgon take me away. There is also a third full bath on the second level with an over-sized shower - all custom built with beautiful design features. All bedrooms are furnished with superior queen-sized beds, quality linens, and flat screen TVs, cable and access to Wifi. Only thing missing is a butler. The maids come after you leave.

Location, Location, Location!

Location, location, location! Cory Cottage is a close neighbour to the iconic Algonquin Resort, which is extremely convenient if you want to enjoy a nice lunch or dinner out, or perhaps a spa visit. You can actually see a spa entrance from the front door at Cory Cottage, so book a treatment and just scoot across the street for a pedicure or manicure, or full-body massage. Kingsbrae Garden with its world-class gardens and café, is also just a short walk away, as are all the waterfront downtown shops, restaurants, and cafés.

Rooftop Balcony

Enjoy gadding about or staying close by. The cottage garden setting on the property couldn’t be prettier. The flowering crab was just beginning to bloom when we were there and the side garden was starting to show its potential. Eric and I stayed in what I called the Burberry Room upstairs with windows that opened to the large rooftop balcony. It was our private escape - a serene space to enjoy solitude surrounded by nature. We awoke each morning to birds singing and the sun gently peeking through the Californian shutters. I thoroughly enjoyed early mornings on the rooftop balcony, and evening sunsets as well. Just add coffee or wine! The view is quite something, and having the grand ladies of the Algonquin and Pansy Patch as neighbours felt quite majestic. Cory Cottage is located within the historic town plat of the resort town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea, so it sits amidst rolling lawns and gardens, which one can enjoy from its sunroom, private rear deck, or from the second-floor balcony. The rooftop balcony offers a view of the ocean, too, which has attracted visitors to this resort town for centuries.

Kate’s Garden

Why did Kate Reed name her home “Pansy Patch?” Well, Kate Reed’s favourite flower was the pansy, so she made sure they were there in abundance. Pansy Patch was Kate’s dream house and she spared no expense on it, nor on her garden - which Cory Cottage has inherited. Kate was known to say, “I’ve tried many things in this life, but I know gardening is the most interesting.” I tend to agree. Mary Newburn, a friend of Kate’s once wrote: “Kate’s Garden is a wondrous thing, to enter you must pull a string, And when dear friend, you lift the latch, You find yourself in Pansy Patch.” According to A Woman’s Touch: Kate Reed and Canada’s Grand Hotels, Kate had her artisan friend Paul Beau, from Château Frontenac days, make an intricate wrought-iron head for her garden well. He also devised a weather vane in the form of a galleon… and iron straps and front door hinges for Pansy Patch. Thanks to a generous invitation from owner Lee Wells, I enjoyed a private tour of Pansy Patch one afternoon, and had a personal peek at all the details I have heard and read about over the years.

Grand Formal Garden

Kate’s Garden is delightful. I wandered about this magical space imagining Kate gardening, and the special moments enjoyed here. The new owners, Deirdre and Tom, have a grand vision of a formal garden. Deirdre sent me the detailed landscape architect and planting maps. They are honouring the original design layout to bring Kate’s Garden back to life. Kate would definitely approve! And if Deirdre, is anything like Kate, Tom may be in trouble as Kate’s gardening journal was full of detailed gardening notes, and she spared no expense on her gardens. She threw herself into her garden with the same energy she had devoted to the hotels she decorated. So much so that the hotel’s summer crowd would often come calling with their cameras. While planting was going on in Kate’s gardens, a white picket fence was also erected to delineate the property. This is another feature that I adore here. Kate didn’t stop at just her garden though, she also beautified St. Andrews, designating herself as “the town improvement society.” Reed Avenue was named after Kate for the hundreds of trees she had planted there.

Cory Cottage Coach House

There is another delicious surprise on the property. It is a one-bedroom Coach House located in the back garden. It can be rented if guests staying at Cory Cottage need a little extra space. Sorry though, as this space cannot be rented separately as a stand-alone. The owners want to preserve the privacy of the main house guests. The Coach House has a small kitchenette with a bar fridge, hot plate, toaster oven, microwave, and Keurig coffee maker. The sitting room has a sweet single day bed, and the private bedroom has a double-sized bed, and opens to an ensuite bathroom with a custom shower. There is a dear balcony out back with a bistro set and lounge chairs with lovely views of the back garden.

Stay at Cory Cottage

Think about booking a stay at Cory Cottage. You will love the solitude of the cottage garden and the balcony sea views. Cory Cottage is ideally located to embrace all that this quaint seaside resort town offers. Cory Cottage is a great hub for exploring, whether you enjoy beach-combing or garden strolls, golfing or hiking, whale-watching or bird-watching, shopping or spa treatments, or wining and dining. There are a variety of day adventures available like hiking Chamcook Mountain to take in its spectacular panoramic views, or exploring Minister’s Island via the ocean floor drive at low tide to visit Van Horne’s Estate. There are immersive interactive activities like the Huntsman Marine Science Centre and of course plenty of reasons to get out on the water. Find the local Dragon Boat paddling club often training at Katy’s Cove Beach, which is also a delightful spot to swim and sunbath. Restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and antique shops are wonderful here, too. And if you are a history or architecture buff, St. Andrews by-the-Sea will woo you with its National Historic District. St. Andrews really is one of the prettiest towns you will ever visit. Realtors become fast friends when you can easily picture yourself retiring here. My husband & I discovered a million little reasons to. Discover more in my article St. Andrews By-the-Sea. This charming seaside resort town that won over Kate Reed also draws Eric and I here every chance it gets. Discover what we got up to when we ventured out. You are not going to believe all there is to see and do here, including what was hands-down the best meal of our lives. Now, go ahead - book your stay at Cory Cottage, just promise to leave a week, or two for us to return every year. And tell Tom & Deirdre, the Maritimes Maven sent you!

This post was sponsored by Cory Cottage; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!