Our 6th annual Brand Ambassador search drew talent from across the country, and from an amazing group of finalists, Wendy Conklin was chosen as our winner by a community vote.
Hello, Cottages & Bungalows family!
I’m Wendy Conklin, your 2026 Brand Ambassador, and I couldn’t be more honored to join you for a year of cozy inspiration and colorful creativity.
I live in sunny Texas with my husband and our energetic Boston Terrier, Maui-my faithful sidekick who’s never far from a project in progress. Our home is a joyful mix of vintage charm and vibrant color, where each room tells a story through fabric, paint, and a touch of whimsy.
For me, home is where creativity and comfort meet. Over the coming year, I’ll share approachable DIYs, fabric-mixing ideas, and design projects that invite warmth, personality, and playfulness into every corner of your cottage.
My hope is that you’ll be inspired to embrace your own creativity, add color with confidence, and create a home that truly feels like you.
With love and whimsy,
Wendy
A Few of Wendy’s Favorite Things
Our new brand ambassador shares a joyful peek inside her color-filled cottage and creative life.
- My four-year-old Boston Terrier, Maui, is my constant companion—always curious and always underfoot unless he’s chasing squirrels in the backyard.
- Our wallpapered entryway, anchored by a pink-checked chair, sets the tone for the whole house—playful, colorful, and a little unexpected. I’m always on the hunt for a new nook to redecorate.
- I have a weakness for beautiful dishes—so much so that my family refuses to buy them for me anymore, even though they know it’s exactly what I want.
- What started as a simple shoe cabinet turned into one of my favorite DIY statement pieces—proof that even the most practical furniture can have personality.
- I built my greenhouse during the pandemic, and it quickly became my happy place—a little haven for dreaming, planting, and unwinding. Most weekends, that’s where you’ll find me.
Every room in our home tells a story, but the guest room and my bathroom might be the happiest-layered in color, pattern, and plenty of whimsy.
Most weekends, my husband Blane and I can be found mixing mocktails and cocktails together-t’s our favorite way to end the week with a little creativity and laughter.
As the 2026 Cottages & Bungalows Brand Ambassador, I hope to inspire you to embrace color, celebrate imperfection, and fill your home with joyful touches that tell your story, too.
To see more of Wendy’s home, visit her on Instagram @chairwhimsy or at chairwhimsy.com. For a preview of what Wendy will share each week in her column, beginning in January 2026, follow @cottagesandbungalows.
