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