•Cottage Style Decorating•
•Learn How To Decorate With Cottage Style•
Tips For Shabby Cottage Decorating
The shabby cottage look is a favorite in many decorating shows and decorating magazines today and it's no wonder as this light and appealing style is easy to live with. If you've always wanted that cottage look in your home or were not sure how to achieve it, here are five tips that might help you get there
1. Go Vintage. Vintage fabrics, accessories, and even furniture might have been truly shabby at one time, but today shabby is chic and quite in style in cottage decor. When looking at vintage furniture, remember to choose pieces that are light in both weight and look. Steer clear of Victorian and Edwardian styles unless you are going for a painted cottage pine which can be very appealing. Choose vintage fabrics that are in good condition with no stains or holes. Vintage bedsheets with lace trim go great with this style as do old bark cloth drapes and chenille bedspreads. Don't forget to put some vintage tablecloths and kitchen towels in the cottage kitchen.
2. Rough it up. For that perfect shabby look, you want your things to look ... well ... shabby! Gently rough up new items in order to achieve that time worn appeal. Of course, today you can buy brand-new items that have that scuffed antique look - but this can actually be an expensive proposition. If there are some pieces hanging around the house to make it look a little older, try sanding down the paint in the corners and around the knobs. Shopping at yard sales and flea markets can yield great finds. There are many pieces that are already shabby and quite unique conversation pieces.
3. Crackle is a great way to get the paint to look cracked and old. This is a product that is sold in hobby stores and in major hardware stores. It is laid on between layers of paint. Care is needed in application, especially if considering a second coat. To create the appearance of chipped paint, an interesting idea is to rub wax onto a spot where you want a later coat of paint to flake off. After the paint is applied, scrape it with a putty knife.
4. Light and Bright. The shabby cottage look should be light and bright, so be sure to use light colors in your wall paint, fabrics, and floor coverings. A lot of people go with stark white on everything but, for many families this may not be practical. Stick to pale yellows, pale blues, pale greens ago with a neutral palette of tans.
5. Make it softer. While the shabby decorating look employs the use of shabby painted items and older furniture, give your decor a soft appeal by using a lot of fabrics in the room as well as houseplants. If you don't have a green thumb, you can use silk plants but be sure to buy good quality realistic arrangements. Another way to make a room feel softer is to use a lot of pillows but make sure to match them to the other colors in the decor.
6. Bring some nature in. To complete the shabby cottage look, accessorized a home with items from nature. Seashells are a popular choice and can be laid in bowls or glass containers around the room as well as used in picture frames and mirror frames. Having beautiful vases full of flowers will help bring the outside in as well as soften up the room and add some color. Try using natural materials such as sisal rugs, or accent chairs made out of real twigs and branches. How about adding a real birds nest on the side table with some fake eggs?
1. Go Vintage. Vintage fabrics, accessories, and even furniture might have been truly shabby at one time, but today shabby is chic and quite in style in cottage decor. When looking at vintage furniture, remember to choose pieces that are light in both weight and look. Steer clear of Victorian and Edwardian styles unless you are going for a painted cottage pine which can be very appealing. Choose vintage fabrics that are in good condition with no stains or holes. Vintage bedsheets with lace trim go great with this style as do old bark cloth drapes and chenille bedspreads. Don't forget to put some vintage tablecloths and kitchen towels in the cottage kitchen.
2. Rough it up. For that perfect shabby look, you want your things to look ... well ... shabby! Gently rough up new items in order to achieve that time worn appeal. Of course, today you can buy brand-new items that have that scuffed antique look - but this can actually be an expensive proposition. If there are some pieces hanging around the house to make it look a little older, try sanding down the paint in the corners and around the knobs. Shopping at yard sales and flea markets can yield great finds. There are many pieces that are already shabby and quite unique conversation pieces.
4. Light and Bright. The shabby cottage look should be light and bright, so be sure to use light colors in your wall paint, fabrics, and floor coverings. A lot of people go with stark white on everything but, for many families this may not be practical. Stick to pale yellows, pale blues, pale greens ago with a neutral palette of tans.
5. Make it softer. While the shabby decorating look employs the use of shabby painted items and older furniture, give your decor a soft appeal by using a lot of fabrics in the room as well as houseplants. If you don't have a green thumb, you can use silk plants but be sure to buy good quality realistic arrangements. Another way to make a room feel softer is to use a lot of pillows but make sure to match them to the other colors in the decor.
6. Bring some nature in. To complete the shabby cottage look, accessorized a home with items from nature. Seashells are a popular choice and can be laid in bowls or glass containers around the room as well as used in picture frames and mirror frames. Having beautiful vases full of flowers will help bring the outside in as well as soften up the room and add some color. Try using natural materials such as sisal rugs, or accent chairs made out of real twigs and branches. How about adding a real birds nest on the side table with some fake eggs?