Technically speaking, cottage-style isn’t really a style. After all, a cottage is meant to be lived in, to be enjoyed, and is usually the recipient of all the cast-offs from the real home. But cottage furnishings and accessories have grown in popularity in recent years. In cottage-style, anything (and everything) goes. Cottage-style has a colorful, comfortable look characterized by painted or decorated furniture with graceful lines, weathered finishes, textural elements such as baskets, bead board walls and natural-fiber rugs, and colors taken straight from a lush flower garden. More infused with a spirit than put together according to a set of rules, cottage-style interiors have a happy informality. Rooms are airy and intimate at the same time, with nooks and alcoves that offer both curl-up daydreaming spots and space-saving built-in storage. It’s not hard to see why this aesthetic has been around for ages. In our opinion, it’s not going anywhere fast, either. With a few tips even the busiest spaces can be transformed into a calming oasis.
Start With Light and Airy Colors
Pick a light color palette. Cottage design is all about creating light, bright, and airy spaces. When designing these rooms, this should be your primary consideration, starting with the color palette. A mix of oyster shell, taupe, and gray make for the perfect color palette for cottage-style living. When combined, these hues are fresh, natural, and beautifully vibrant. Consider using colors like raspberry, robin’s egg blue, or cornflower yellow to add some visual interest to your neutral foundation.
Use an Eclectic Mix of Furniture
Classic cottage furniture and decor emphasizes clean lines and classic shapes that stand the test of time. While a slightly more tailored approach is used in classic cottage decorating, there is still a welcoming, comfortable feeling to the furniture style, color, and fabric choices. The centerpiece to a classic cottage living room may be a rolled arm, upholstered sofa with exposed turned legs, while in the classic cottage bedroom, a painted four post bed might take center stage. It’s best to forgo purchasing unified sets in favor of hand-picking more eclectic pieces that catch your eye. Traditionally, cottage furniture has a vintage feel to it, too. Don’t be afraid to look at some outside-of-the-box sources to find the best buys. Keep an eye out at local antique stores, thrift shops, yard sales and flea markets. You never know what treasures you’ll stumble upon (provided they’re in sturdy, functional condition, of course!).
Use Unifying Patterns
Floral patterns have historically been very popular, but to make the look more modern, consider using a chevron or geometric pattern. Cottage looks are all about embracing comfort, so you have plenty of opportunities to work pattern into the room through textiles. As you bring the space together, focus on using a variety of throw rugs, seat cushions, blankets and pillows to make it feel as warm and inviting as possible. As much as any other element, fabrics define cottage style: delicate florals, ticking stripes, gingham, or eyelet. Natural, textured materials, such as cotton, linen, and burlap, fall right in step with the look. Vintage fabrics, from hankies and dishcloths to flour sacks and aprons, pop up on pillows, quilts, chair seats, and more. Curtains are usually simple, sheer and breezy. Cheerful, laid back, and welcoming, cottage style feels like a giant hug.
Use Plenty of Accessories
Cottage Style interiors are all about feeling cozy and lived-in. There’s no better way to drive that point home than by displaying your most prized possessions. One sure sign of a cottage room is a handful of fresh flowers arranged loosely in a white ceramic pitcher. Bring in white painted baskets that contribute texture to a cottage room. Plus, they make handy containers for everything from extra towels to DVDs. Floral trays look like vintage art pieces when propped up in a plate stand or hung on the wall. Here, what you choose to display is less important than how it’s done. Cottage interiors have been known to house anything from personal collections to reclaimed, rustic items and coastal décor.
Cottage interior design style makes a room feel charming, warm, naturally comfortable, casual, simple, and livable. The general feel of the cottage design is informal and imperfect. Cottage-style design has been around for ages — and for good reason. You will see the design described as Country Cottage, Beach Cottage, Frugal Cottage, and Classic Charm Cottage. All with the goal of creating an interior design of an inviting, carefree, and lived in look.
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- Initial Client consultation – The design process begins with a consultation at our showroom or in your home to obtain the necessary information needed to design your dream kitchen, bath, or space.
- Design – We carefully design the space, keeping your desires as the foundation of our creativity.
- Feedback / Design Approval – Working with you, using your feedback to get final design approval.
- Installation Meeting – We meet with the installers, prior to installation, to go over ALL the details.
- Post Installation Follow-up – We follow-up with you to make sure everything went well during installation.
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