The
Backstory
Brand Messaging, Site Edit, Studio Writing Sessions
This Austin-based brand creates exceptionally-crafted living spaces around the country. Led by two entrepreneurial-minded siblings, Melissa and Brent, Cottage & Key got its start transforming old houses into family homes. Over time, it has expanded into a diverse suite of enterprises: a design studio, online shoppe, general contracting company, and real estate firm.
Melissa recognized the need for professional copywriting to articulate their journey and expertise clearly while emphasizing their superior commitment to providing quality services. What began as a standalone brand messaging collaboration evolved into a full website overhaul via The Site Edit service, ensuring that Cottage & Key’s digital presence effortlessly and eloquently mirrors the purposeful and personal messaging we crafted.
/ CONSISTENT
KNOWING /
Tone-of-voice descriptors
Cozy
Admirable /
standout pieces ↓
Home Page
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Copy Catalog Preview
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THE HOUSE THAT BUILT US — Our Story
Led by a sister and brother duo, Cottage & Key is a true family affair. From humble beginnings, Melissa (with her savvy creative vision & strong sense of style) and Brent (with his expansive residential construction know-how) have come a long way since their days of learning from the best of them: their father, a skilled painter & contractor.
Restoring Living Spaces Into Places You Want To Spend More Of Your Days
By placing your needs and daily rhythms at the forefront, we ensure interior looks that feel perfectly complete, yet far from overdone.
Open the door to the destination you desire to be more and experience more with the ones in your corner.
About Page
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VALUES (PREVIEW)
Place family at the center – Our commitment to family values goes beyond aesthetics. It's woven into the very essence of our family-led business.
Craft quality experiences – Every step of the way, we treat you like one of us — with the same thoughtful consideration, transparent communication, and warm interactions we value.
Make the most of what you have – Especially as it relates to your home, your time, your life.
PURPOSEFUL BIO (PREVIEW)
Home is where it happens — next to the people you call (and treat like) “family.”
Having lively conversations and heart-to-hearts. Choosing back-to-back Netflix episodes over chores; let the infinite to-dos wait their turn. Slowing down, knowing time is your most precious asset. Inviting friends in to strengthen relationships. Settling into quiet corners where bedtime tales unfold & build creativity.
Sensing a theme? Home & family go hand in hand at Cottage & Key.
Services Page Copy
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REFINEMENT OF BRAND EXPERIENCE
DESIGN METHOD
Melissa had originally enlisted the help of ChatGPT in writing out the brand’s design experience. So it was time to communicate it in a way that felt more personal and narrative-driven, rather than adhering to traditional, formulaic approaches that are typical in the interior design industry.
Gathering for pre-project conversations
Building your desires into designs
Hands-on (pre)viewing & refining
Putting it all together
REFINEMENT & NAMING SUPPORT OF BRAND OFFERS
Cottage & Key’s original suite of services lacked clarity and cohesion. Now, it's tailored to articulate the comprehensive design support available at every stage and level sought by the studio's ideal clientele.
Whole Home Design – For going all in
Living Space(s) Refresh – For a modest interior facelift
Kitchen, Bath, or Laundry Restoration – For lightening up hard-worked spaces
Interior Styling – For the finer details
Design Sessions – For solutions to design dilemmas
Copy Catalog
Preview
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COPY CATALOG PREVIEW
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cont.
Humble (humble home)
More than enough
Out with the old
Let us in, invite us in
Living large (the feeling of living large in a cozy space)
A home / space that doesn’t try too hard
Far from overdone
on-brand odds & ends
Open the door to ... leave the door open for (creativity, comfort, family time)
Character (keep with the character, your family’s / home’s individual character
Little moment for (this corner, this fabric, this decor)
Staying in (staying in line with ... staying-in experience ... staying in can be fulfilling)
Expand, expanded (visually expand the home)
The Standout Pieces
THE HOUSE THAT BUILT US — Our Story
Led by a sister and brother duo, Cottage & Key is a true family affair. From humble beginnings, Melissa (with her savvy creative vision & strong sense of style) and Brent (with his expansive residential construction know-how) have come a long way since their days of learning from the best of them: their father, a skilled painter & contractor.
Restoring Living Spaces Into Places You Want To Spend More Of Your Days
By placing your needs and daily rhythms at the forefront, we ensure interior looks that feel perfectly complete, yet far from overdone.
Open the door to the destination you desire to be more and experience more with the ones in your corner.
VALUES (PREVIEW)
Place family at the center – Our commitment to family values goes beyond aesthetics. It's woven into the very essence of our family-led business.
Craft quality experiences – Every step of the way, we treat you like one of us — with the same thoughtful consideration, transparent communication, and warm interactions we value.
Make the most of what you have – Especially as it relates to your home, your time, your life.
PURPOSEFUL BIO (PREVIEW)
Home is where it happens — next to the people you call (and treat like) “family.”
Having lively conversations and heart-to-hearts. Choosing back-to-back Netflix episodes over chores; let the infinite to-dos wait their turn. Slowing down, knowing time is your most precious asset. Inviting friends in to strengthen relationships. Settling into quiet corners where bedtime tales unfold & build creativity.
Sensing a theme? Home & family go hand in hand at Cottage & Key.
REFINEMENT OF BRAND EXPERIENCE DESIGN METHOD
Melissa had originally enlisted the help of ChatGPT in writing out the brand’s design experience. So it was time to communicate it in a way that felt more personal and narrative-driven, rather than adhering to traditional, formulaic approaches that are typical in the interior design industry.
Gathering for pre-project conversations
Building your desires into designs
Hands-on (pre)viewing & refining
Putting it all together
REFINEMENT & NAMING SUPPORT OF BRAND OFFERS
By placing your needs and daily rhythms at the forefront, we ensure interior looks that feel perfectly complete, yet far from overdone.
Open the door to the destination you desire to be more and experience more with the ones in your corner.
on-brand odds & ends
Open the door to ... leave the door open for (creativity, comfort, family time)
Character (keep with the character, your family’s / home’s individual character
Little moment for (this corner, this fabric, this decor)
Staying in (staying in line with ... staying-in experience ... staying in can be fulfilling)
Expand, expanded (visually expand the home)
Humble (humble home)
More than enough
Out with the old
Let us in, invite us in
Living large (the feeling of living large in a cozy space)
A home / space that doesn’t try too hard
Far from overdone
The Debut
cottageandkey.com
It was so rewarding to see the evolution of Cottage & Key's digital home alongside Tia from Duelle Made. Her expert touch in custom brand design and Showit website template styling brought everything together beautifully.
Following the initial project, we continued our partnership with Melissa through several Studio Writing Sessions. These involved weaving together words for a longform blog post that highlighted the studio’s differentiator in designing for small spaces, a new digital product sales page, the Cottage & Key Homes landing page, and informative project summaries to feature in the growing portfolio.
[...] knowing that it's all been written so delicately to convey exactly who we are and what we do. Carrie will transform your brand and create cohesive messaging that will transpire into more leads. Best investment ever!
"I'm not embarrassed to give out our website anymore [...]"
— Melissa
co-founder of cottage & key
This is copywriting that carries your story forward.
