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Country Cottage Design

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Country Cottage Design Style

Although this particular design style originated in English countryside households, you don’t have to be living in England on a rolling hillside to pull off the country cottage design look in your home!

It’s a look that’s popularly used when people are decorating their cabins by the lake to give an old-fashioned, cozy appearance to their vacation space.

However, people are also incorporating the grandmother-approved style into their own homes, wanting the same comforting appeal they get when they visit the old cabin or Granny herself!

Country Cottage Design

North America was introduced to the country cottage design by the arrival of British aristocrats from across the Atlantic. When these aristocrats began to construct their very own country cottages from simple materials like brick, mud, or stone, North Americans took notice of the charming, quaint interiors the British put together inside their homes. To them, the country cottage style was all about simplicity, yet class at the same time.

Country Cottage Designs

Get the country cottage style into your home by starting with the wall colour. What colours represent country cottage? Consider anything pale and fresh, like cream, soft blue or neutral green. The following paint samples are from Benjamin Moore:

Interior Paint Colors

Furnishings made from lighter shades of wood are ideal for a country cottage home. Unfinished pine, maple, or oak is a perfect selection, or any piece that’s been painted a fresh bright white.

White BedLifestyle Solutions Country Cottage White Bed 3 Piece Bedroom Set

Floral patterns are seen a lot in the country cottage style. There are many ways you can incorporate a floral pattern into your home – through drapes, rugs, sofa slips, cushions, tapestries – the list goes on!

Cedar ChestPowell Nostalgic Oak Cedar Chest with Floral Tapestry Top

What are some more popular features concerning country cottage?

Bay window seating

A large wall featuring plenty of shelving to display books, knickknacks, and fresh flowers

Lace – whether it’s hanging from the beds or the windows

Beaded board on the walls

Wall art featuring wildlife, maps, or antique family photos

So if you’ve been wanting a delightful, pleasing atmosphere in your living space that simply says “home”, why not try out the country cottage design style?

Nicolette Interior Design Diva

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Posted in Interior Design Styles | 1 Comment »

Shabby Chic Furniture

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Shabby Chic Home Design Style

Inspired by British homes decorated from the early 1900’s to the 1950’s, the shabby chic home look is charmingly vintage – on a budget. The biggest feature with shabby chic design is old-world pieces that have been whitewashed. The main colours in shabby chic décor are pure white, cream, and soft pastels (think yellows, pinks, and greens). Shimmery chandeliers and floral prints top off this quaint, cottage-esque look.

It’s incredibly simple to put this look together, so why not look through the following different room types and get the shabby chic home style going in your household?

Shabby Chic Home Design: Living Room

There are so many décor options that give off a shabby chic vibe. Look for comfy, neutral-hued couches, floral slipcovers, distresses tables, and a vintage-looking armoire.

Ivory End TableStanley Furniture Portofino Ivory End Table

Ivory Coffee TableStanley Furniture Portofino Ivory Coffee Table

White Glass Coffee TableWynwood Hampton Cove Rectangular White Cocktail Table with Glass Inserts

White TV StandKlaussner Furniture Treasures White TV Armoire

Chair SlipcoverSure Fit Chloe Box Seat Wing Slipcover

Loveseat SlipcoverSure Fit Lexington Box Seat Loveseat Slipcover

Ashley Leather SofaDistinction Leather Ashley Sofa (multiple finishes)

Modern Contemporary SofaVan Gogh Designs Kate Modern Contempary Sofa

 

Shabby Chic Home Design: Dining Room

Dine in style by infusing the shabby chic look into your dining room. All you’ll need to get the look is a whitewashed dining table, a floral print rug, a bejewelled chandelier, and a place to display your china or collectibles.

Klaussner Dining Room SetKlaussner Furniture Treasures 7 Piece Dining Set

Area RugCouristan Covington Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Collection – Floral Paisley/Neutrals-Blue

Patterned RugCouristan Covington Indoor/Outdoor Area Patterned Rug Collection – Florencia/Beige

Four Light ChandelierAF Lighting Belinda Four Light Chandelier

Silver ChandelierELK Lighting Princess Silver Chandelier

American Drew China CabinetAmerican Drew Camden China Cabinet

White Curio CabinetHoward Miller Preston Vanilla White Display Curio Cabinet

White Pedestal Dining Table SetHome Styles Furniture Antique White Pedestal Dining Table Set

 

Shabby Chic Home Design: Bedroom

If you like the idea of shabby chic, but you’re not into your entire home being decorated in its style, then save it for your bedroom! It’s a comfy, cozy look that gives your bedroom a feminine, romantic feel. 

Antique White DresserHillsdale House Wilshire Antique White Single Bedside Dresser

Antique White Metal BedHillsdale Wilshire Antique White Metal Bed

White BookcaseLexington Long Cove 5 Shelf Bayville Barrister Bookcase with 6 Sliding Glass Doors in Shell White Finish

White Four Poster BedLexington Long Cove Newport Carved Poster Bed in Shell White

Floral ComforterCharister Home Fashion Mirabella Comforter

Pillow ShamMystic Valley Traders Arboretum Sprout European Pillow Sham

Chair And a HalfVan Gogh Designs Terry Chair and a Half

 

Shabby Chic Home Design: Girl’s Room

There isn’t a better place to showcase the shabby chic style than a little girl’s room! The bright white furniture will make her feel like a princess, and decorating with pastels comes naturally in a girl’s bedroom.

White Girls BedLea Emma’s Treasures White Girls Bed

Childrens Bedroom VanityLea Emma’s Treasures Childrens Bedroom Vanity Table with Mirror

White Bunk BedYoung America by Stanley Isabella White Bunk Bed

Girls White NightstandYoung America Isabella Half Round Pure White Girls Nightstand

 

Some final décor tips that follow the shabby chic home design look:

Since the look is all about antiques, scour your local flea market, garage sales, or your grandparent’s attic for vintage pieces and accessories.

Be creative and use everyday objects to decorate. Old mirrors can become coffee tabletops or serving trays, and old postcards or advertisements can be framed and hung on the wall as art. Shabby chic is all about home décor on a budget, so look for unique ways to be stylish and save money at the same time.

Since most of your furniture will be white, don’t worry about clashing colours when it comes to accessorizing. All of your focal point pieces, like bookshelves and coffee tables, will be whitewashed, so they can easily go with any objects you decorate with. Shabby chic isn’t necessarily about matching – collect all the knick-knacks you want to display and don’t worry about any colour coordination. It’s difficult to go over-the-top with this design style.

Shabby chic furniture is a fun, charismatic, and timeless way to decorate, so don’t be afraid to give it a shot!

Nicolette Interior Design Diva

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