Say "Cottage Country" style and many people think automatically of overstuffed rooms full of too much furniture and too many designs. In reality, the best Cottage Country style is one that embraces a pleasing mixture of floral fabrics, rustic elements and vintage or distressed furniture, but combined in a simple manner.
One of the greatest benefits to this style is its versatility. It can encompass everything from English Cottage to French Country, from Beach Cottage to Rustic, Western or Lodge. The key is to choose a theme, and build on that basis. Whatever its culture, Cottage country style emphasizes natural elements of the surrounding environment, whether seashells from the shoreline, wicker from a garden or rough wood from the ranch.
Pine Accent Tables
Start the metamorphosis into Cottage Country by selecting a theme and a color palette. For example, a typical English Cottage or Cottage Garden style palette centers on lighter shades of blue, green, rose and yellow. Move toward Western, Rustic or Lodge Country styles and the palette deepens considerably with crimson, pine, brown and gold. Fortunately, any of these themes can work well when set against a neutral background such as cream, beige or tan.
Naturally the theme will determine what furnishings to choose for the room. Here again, there can be a pleasing mix of new, vintage or antique, reproduction or flea market finds. Aunt Martha's old hutch might work beautifully in a French Country theme if refinished to have a vintage wood appearance. In fact, one way to coordinate a mixed group of furniture for Cottage Country style is to paint all the wood pieces the same color. Wicker and wrought iron are perfect choices for a Garden Cottage theme, and they, too, can be painted. Secondhand and thrift stores are excellent places to find interesting furniture with simple lines suitable for adaptation. What's more, these stores also sometimes have excellent vintage floral rugs or braided area rugs that can serve to unify the look.
When decorating in Cottage Country style, choose fabrics such as cotton, chenille, chintz and other natural fibers. French Country style can be identified by its widespread use of toiles, or fabrics made up of repeated country scenes in blue, black, red or green on a cream-colored background. Fabrics patterned with stripes, checks, and florals all can be used in this style. It is important to remember, however, to mix these patterns in complementary ways. For example, if toiles are used for upholstery or drapes, it's best to have solid colored rugs so that the room won't look too "busy." Likewise, to mix patterns for visual interest, alternate large solids with medium- and small-sized stripes, checks or even plaids. The decorator's choices in fabrics and furnishings will determine how the Cottage Country theme moves through the home.
With a versatile decorating scheme such as Cottage country, it's important to be flexible and creative about the possibilities of any given piece, as long as it's something with simple construction. For example, vintage or reproduction trunks can serve as end tables or coffee tables, while an antique sewing machine cabinet would work as an accent piece. Part of the fun of this style is using imagination to create a Cottage Country look that is totally unique!