about

Hello and welcome to Canterbury Cottage Designs! I’m Gay Van Beek, design lover, DIYer, antique hunter, mom to two, living in my Colonial-turned-Cottage in Northern Virginia.

My love for design started at a very young age back in our small home in Maryland. I grew up with two sisters and the best parents in the world. We bought our furniture second hand by necessity and my dad allowed me to paint the various pieces we had acquired. With a can of white paint I began my love of transforming the ordinary.

When I got married and had a place of my own I found decorating with white and vintage treasures was my passion. In 2001 Canterbury Cottage Designs was born and I sold on eBay for 10 years, earning a 100% positive feedback rating with over 900 reviews. I had the most incredible customers, met wonderful people in the business and made friendships that will last a lifetime. I took a hiatus from selling while my son and daughter were in school but never stopped decorating, painting and searching for great vintage decor.

{Proud to say these are my peeps!}

Cooking is also a passion of mine and am always developing new recipes in my little “test kitchen” here in Virginia. I follow a plant-based diet when possible but the men in my family love meat so you will find a great variety of wonderful recipes to chose from.

Thanks for joining me on this journey.