| The whole point of cottage style living is | | | | if you only have one or two items in a |
| unpretentious enjoyment of home, friends and | | | | category that gives you pleasure, such as |
| life. Unlike the big manor houses for which | | | | antique wicker baskets or wide-brimmed summer |
| cottages originally housed servants, cottages | | | | hats, put them out to enjoy. What you collect |
| not only are absent of dining rooms where 24 | | | | matters less than how you display it: Even |
| people can enjoy a regal 12-course meal, they | | | | three small antique bottles will appear |
| rarely have dining rooms at all! In short, | | | | charming on your kitchen windowsill when each |
| cottage style is about the way most of us | | | | bottle holds a single flower; a hat |
| live today, not about wanting to live the way | | | | collection displayed on a wrought iron wall |
| the very rich lived yesterday! Since cottage | | | | rack near the door lets you enjoy viewing |
| style derives from servants' cottages, which | | | | your chapeaux even when you're not wearing |
| were usually furnished with pieces cast off | | | | them. Removing doors from upper kitchen |
| from the manor house, cottage chic | | | | cabinets allows you to easily showcase |
| unabashedly turns discards into desirable | | | | pottery and china in a very charming manner. |
| objects by reclaiming and re-presenting them | | | | - Focus on comfort: When buying upholstered |
| in a new context. This is good news for those | | | | furniture, look for pieces that appear |
| of us on a budget, and who among us isn't? | | | | "overstuffed" and inviting. Ignore |
| Flea markets, garage sales and thrift stores | | | | inappropriate upholstery and finishes. A |
| are Mecca for cottage style decorators, who | | | | little white paint and a slipcover will |
| train themselves to view the merchandise they | | | | change them instantly! - Use accessories: |
| find there in light of what it can be, not | | | | Pillows covered in floral prints, vintage |
| what it was. An old painted bench can become | | | | tablecloths and pillowcases, brightly colored |
| a stylish cottage coffee table, an old | | | | Fiesta ware dishes and old china pitchers |
| mahogany corner cabinet can keep soap, towels | | | | used as vases are just a few of the things |
| and other bath necessities at hand, a piano | | | | that make a cottage feel homey. Again, don't |
| stool with a wrought iron base can serve as a | | | | worry about using things that match; a floral |
| small end table, a largish piece of wrought | | | | throw pillow can coexist happily with a |
| iron can be affixed to the wall behind the | | | | checked or striped one, and mismatched dining |
| bed to serve as a headboard. Turning pieces | | | | chairs look fine together when painted the |
| from different eras and styles into a | | | | same color. Remember... in cottage style, |
| harmonious decorating whole by simply | | | | anything goes! If you are lucky enough to |
| appreciating them is the heart of cottage | | | | have a weekend retreat or summer getaway |
| style. Here are a few ways you can achieve a | | | | cottage, keep the interior décor light, |
| chic cottage look using decorating rather | | | | comfortable and whimsical. After all, the |
| than renovating: - Think white: White paint | | | | reason you purchased a cottage in the first |
| can cover a multitude of architectural sins. | | | | place was to retreat from the stresses of |
| A too-small kitchen with dark, dated wood | | | | everyday city life. Your cottage should never |
| cabinets feels more spacious the moment the | | | | be a mirror of your home in the city. The |
| walls and cupboards are painted white. | | | | country is a place to let your personality |
| Inexpensive white slipcovers on furniture | | | | shine through in your decorating. |
| with stained or damaged upholstery unify | | | | |
| different styles and brighten the living | | | | Jessica Ackerman writes articles for Wall |
| room. Even white sheets can be artfully | | | | Décor and Home Accents-visit it to check |
| draped over sofas and chairs to achieve the | | | | out their unique selection of classic large |
| cottage slip covered effect. - Showcase | | | | iron wall décor and explore decorative |
| collections: Go through your belongings and | | | | candle sconces. |
| select the ones you most love and enjoy. Even | | | | |