The right furniture will transform your home into an English cottage.
Cottage furniture styles can transform a home of any size into a comfortable and cozy retreat. Cottage furniture projects a simplicity and lived-in feel that suits many lifestyles. The variety of cottage furniture available today makes it easy for a homeowner to find the perfect look that complements a range of design preferences. Cottage furniture appeals not only to the romantic, but to the outdoor enthusiast and the beachcomber as well. Does this Spark an idea?
Shabby Cottage
Almost any piece of wooden furniture will fit into a shabby cottage room as long as it has been painted white, off-white or a soft pastel. New shabby cottage furniture can be purchased from a number of manufacturers. However, if the decorating budget is tight, search for shabby pieces from garage sales and flea markets. Paint and rough up the edges with sandpaper. Finish with a light wash of antiquing glaze. Upholstered pieces typically feature faded florals and stripes as well as solid neutrals and pastels.
Rustic Cottage
The broader category of rustic cottage furniture encompasses other cottage styles like cabin, camp and lodge. Rustic cottage style favors chunky, dark wood furniture. Primitive pieces made from logs and branches work well in a rustic cottage home. Consider Mission style and Arts and Crafts pieces for a contemporary twist. Upholstery includes leather, cotton twill, flannel and wool. Rustic cottage also incorporates Native American textiles, kilims and camp blankets into furniture pieces.
Beach Cottage
Beach cottage style furniture reminds one of a seaside getaway using a combination of wicker, rattan and painted wood furniture. The overall look is inviting and casual. Whitewashed furniture with beadboard and shutters grace coastal cottages almost everywhere. Reproduction antique pieces in various paint and wood finishes have begun to permeate this design style. Awning stripe fabrics adorn traditional beach cottage furniture as well as nautical and shell motifs.
English Cottage
English cottage style embodies an eclectic collection of antique furniture pieces in a variety of dark-toned woods and metals. Imagine a mismatched curio cabinet, china hutch and writing desk inhabiting a cottage in the Cotswolds. Don't forget an overstuffed chair with a foot stool in the corner. Aficionados of English cottage style furniture gravitate toward traditional chintzes, cabbage roses, crewels and needlepoint fabrics as coverings or accents.
Country Cottage
Furniture pieces in country cottage rooms exude simplicity and comfort. Wood remains the material of choice for country cottage furniture. Painted and natural pine furniture dominates this decorating style. Diminutive furniture need not apply here---the scale should be impressive but at the same time project a down-home feel. A large, rough-hewn farm table with bench seating exemplifies the country cottage experience. Gone are the days of blue-and-white gingham and kitschy upholstery fabrics. Current trends in country cottage lean toward a mix of solids, stripes and florals in a sophisticated color palette.
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