Decorate Cottage Style

Decorate Cottage Style

Cottage Style makes for easy living.
Relaxed decor style suits a casual, comfortable lifestyle

I hosted a free decorating clinic and since you couldn't all be there I thought I'd share some of my tips from the show with you today.

I had decorated four rooms at the store in the Cottage Style. Since cottage season is now upon us I thought that presenting the facets of the Cottage Style was fitting for this time of year. Whether for home or cottage, this relaxed decor style suits a casual, comfortable lifestyle.

While some might immediately envision chunky log furniture and unfinished, rough surfaces, the Cottage Style can be so much more. Refined choices mixed with the charming touches of rustic accessories can come together in a space that is elegant yet comfortable.

This master bedroom is a good example of how furniture choice can make a difference in the outcome of your decor. Some might assume that only chunky log furniture suits the cottage decor but there are other great options. Instead of a log bed I chose this elegant, modern ebony bed frame for the cottage master bedroom display. The modern lines of the headboard have with a hint of the Craftsman Style speaks to both the urban and cottage experience. The openings in the headboard were a perfect place to add 'cottagey' touches like small duck decoys.

Placing the bed on an angle makes the space more interesting. I used a decorative tree behind the headboard and accented it with white mini-lights. Idea: Use outdoor grade white mini-lights at the cottage in the porch or on the deck to provide soft lighting during the evening.

I placed a lovely electric fireplace in one corner of the master bedroom. These days you can add a fireplace to any room in your home or cottage. Electric fireplaces are very realistic and provide an instant focal point. If you don't have hydro at the cottage there are decorative fireplaces that use a canned fuel to create the ambience of a fireplace. From rustic, black iron wood stoves to marble-accented, full-sized fireplaces there is a style to suit any decor.
The dining room is a great example of how simple touches make the space. The painted and distressed furniture speaks to the Cottage Style and is a great choice for the cottage. Painted furniture will age beautifully and because it is already distressed, will suit the casual cottage lifestyle. You won't have to worry about dings and dents on this furniture because they will only add to the charm. If you have pieces that could be reinvented with a bit of paint, consider giving it a try. Choose colours that speak to a simpler time. Warm butter yellows and faded Granny Smith greens are good options.

Instead of using all of the matching chairs at the table I opted to use a bench seat on one side. Mixing up the furniture like this is another way to make your space unique. You may not have a matching set at the cottage so don't be afraid to bring in an old garden bench or a similar item to create a unique table seating.

For the table setting I used inexpensive clay pots as place settings and to hold napkins and cutlery. You could even go so far as to paint your guests names on the pots and give them as party favours after dinner. They can use them at home and will remember their visit each time they water their plants.

The buttery wall colour is another facet that makes this display work. If you're painting a porch or kitchen at the cottage this year, choose sunny colours like this one to keep things light and breezy.

In the dining room I used an old wooden boat oar as a curtain rod. This simple idea made this room truly unique. Last year I used an old fishing rod as a curtain rod. Anything similar, like a vintage garden spade for example, can be used to hang simple curtains at the home or cottage.

Many of the Sears staff members spent countless hours preparing the store for the show. The displays for home and garden were beautiful. I especially loved the two colorful groupings that one of the sales people, Patti Pomanski, created for the show. Her use of vivid wall color, colorful furniture and accessories really speaks to how color can add drama. People like Patti are a wonderful resource when you are in the market for new furnishings.

Enjoy a relaxing decor by infusing some Cottage Style into your home.
struggling to decorate my living room and dining room in a way that will be peaceful but not boring. I started with off-white walls and have slip covered the sofa and dining chairs in white cotton canvas. The floors are honey-stained hardwood. A big window at the front brightens the living room but not so much in the dining room. What's next?

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