Cottage Style Decorating Ideas

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport

Are you looking for cottage style decorating ideas that are easy to do? Are you trying to figure out exactly what is the definition of Cottage Style and how do you obtain this style for your home?

To me, Cottage Style is more about the feeling you create for your home. Every home has an immediate “feeling” the minute you walk in. You know what I mean, right? Some homes just greet you with a welcoming and comforting feeling. Other homes scream “be careful where you sit, and be sure to wipe your feet”. Well, a home decorated in the Cottage Style has a way of giving every visitor a hug when they first enter.

How do you obtain this style? This style is made up of distressed painted furniture, light-weight fabrics, nostalgic accessories, and soft interior paint colors. It is decorating your home with things that have meaning and history, while still creating a very comfortable and relaxing environment.

One of my top places to look for Cottage Style ideas is at the flea market. At the flea market you can find baskets, old quilts, white ironstone pottery, old paintings, and distressed furniture.

I love to attend the flea market. You NEVER know what you will find. I arrive early and ready to hunt; it truly is a lot of fun! Make sure to take plenty of cash and wear comfortable shoes.

Below are some fabulous ideas and DIY projects! Enjoy!

Cottage Style Furniture

Nothing about cottage furniture is stuffy or pretentious. Cottage Style furniture has a look of comfort and ease. Many furniture pieces are upholstered with linen, chenille, floral, and plaid fabrics.

If you are wanting to purchase some upholstered furniture, I always recommend solid prints for your larger pieces. That way you can change out your decorative pillows any time, and have a totally different look.

Cottage Style Painted Furniture

Find an old wooden chair at the flea market or junk store, and paint it white. This is such a cheap decorating idea, but such a lovely look!

Cottage Style Decorating Ideas from Jennifer Decorates.com

Painted furniture is one of my favorite things about Cottage Style decorating ideas. One main reason is because you can make it a DIY project. You can have beautiful furniture for next to nothing.

I stayed in a little cottage in Tybee, Georgia. If there had been room, I would of put this dresser in my Jeep! Don’t you love the chipped paint?

The Perfect Blend – Wood and Linen

This beautiful bed design is by Julie McCoy Interiors. Her work is beautiful. The headboard is absolutely stunning!

Slipcovers are a fabulous way to have cottage style decorating! White canvas and duck are great fabrics to use for slipcovers. Just remember to wash the fabric in hot water and dry before beginning sewing your slipcovers. This way there will be no shrinkage when you wash your finished slipcovers.

Cottage Style Lighting

A wood and metal chandelier is a perfect choice for cottage lighting.

Give your cottage style a more updated look with this type of chandelier!

Look for antique lamps and chandeliers at the flea market. Lamps with painted glass shades are a perfect fit for this style.

Different Uses For Old Doors

Another favorite idea of mine, is this old screen door. I paid $20 for it at the flea market. I sanded off the rough paint, and put a fresh coat of white paint on the front and back of the door. (the mirror will reflect the back of the door, so remember to paint both sides) Then I took it to a glass company and had them cut a mirror the right size to be mounted on the back. Now I have a full length mirror in my guest bathroom, and tons of character to boot!

Unique headboard idea from Jenniferdecorates.com

My daughter-in-law and son took two old doors and turned them into a fabulous headboard. They hung an old painter ladder with soft sheers over the doors to soften the entire look.

Wash your doors gently with dish soap and water. Once your door is dry you want to brush on a coat of polyurethane. This will keep any paint from chipping off and make dusting easier.

This old door is my master bedroom headboard! My husband added wood molding to frame the door into a headboard. Then I painted it white, and gave it a distressed look using antiquing glaze. This beautiful headboard is in our master bedroom.

Be sure if you are wanting to purchase a door for your headboard, to choose a door with panels like the one above. You want it to look uniform when the door is turned sideways.

Can I throw you another cool idea?

So, really, how awesome is this idea? This idea is from Rebecca of YouAreTalkingTooMuch.com. She is one smart cookie!

Cottage Style Decorating Ideas for Window Treatments

Cottage Style window treatments are not fussy or formal. The fabrics consist of floral patterns, burlap, plaids, light linen, and sheers.

Pair your drapery panels with bamboo shades. They make a perfect match together. Remember, with Cottage Style decorating ideas there isn’t a set of exact rules. It is about the feeling you are creating along with the look.

Adding Character with Unique Accessories

This is a black iron piece of scroll-work that I paid next to nothing for. I purchased two and placed them in the doorway between my kitchen and dining room. It adds a lot of charm and character! You could also use old architectural corner pieces that were salvaged from old homes.

An old ladder with a soft blanket hanging over a rung can be an accessory in any room.

If you are wanting to accessorize your kitchen, white ironstone pottery, or plain white dishes look beautiful. You can find white ironstone at the flea market or antique shops. While shopping look for vintage items to accessorize your kitchen.

Find old jars to hold your sugar, flour, and coffee. Purchase an old-time scale to set in the corner of your counter top. I also love the look of small potted herbs set in clay pots.

Do you have a particular interest that you would like to incorporate into your Cottage Style decorating ideas?

I had a particular client whose husband loved vintage things. He especially loved vintage photography items. So, I shopped at the flea market and found an old fold-out camera, a dark room timer, and an very old video camera. I used these to accessorize their bookshelves, along with a lot of other items.

It was really unique, and that is what Cottage Style decorating ideas are all about! Thinking outside the box, and taking the time to come up with different ways to accessorize your home.

This was such a fun find! This clock is 3′ by 3′ and hanging in our bonus room! I reminds me of the lid from a metal trash can, only much larger!

Sometimes my ideas come from just roaming through the flea market. You find one thing, and then begin to build on that idea.

So, have fun! Really the flea market is a blast!

Take the cottage look outdoors

Don’t forget to extend your Cottage Style decorating ideas to the outside! If you have a screened-in porch, it is a perfect place to really embrace this particular style! Painted Adirondack chairs, rockers, and porch swings all embody the Cottage Style. Add pillows with fabrics that are light and airy. Don’t overdo your accessories. Decorate with white candles, a few potted plants, and a few garden accessories.

Add some window boxes to your home! Window boxes are one of the most eye catching exterior accessories any home can have!

Give your home some Cottage Style curb appeal! Consider painting your front door a different color from your siding and shutters. Make sure you add a front door wreath, nothing is more welcoming.

Well, those are some of my favorite Cottage Style decorating ideas. I hope you enjoyed them.

Beach House Decorating

July 2, 2014 Jennifer Davenport

Beach style decorating ideas to help you create a fabulous retreat!

Are you looking for some beach house decorating ideas? Do you love the idea of decorating your home in a clean, breezy, and easy-going coastal style? I think decorating in beach style is one of the easier and more affordable styles to emulate.

What is it about the beach that makes us so relaxed? Is it the warm sun, the cool breezes, or the sound of the ocean? You don’t have to own your own home by the beach to bring a touch of beach decorating to your home.

Beach house decorating is about imitating nature’s own color palette; keeping your house uncluttered and relaxed. It is a mindset of serenity and peacefulness.

Beach House Decorating from The DIY Playbook

Want to meet two cool gals who know how to decorate? Bridget and Casey write the blog The DIY Playbook. I love this bedroom! From the pale blue side table with wired baskets filled with fluffy white towels, to the simple idea of a seashell sitting on top of a book. Their design is uncluttered and serene.

I absolutely love this wooden box! You could easily add some teal paint to an old wooden tray, and create your own beach house style! Again, I love the simple but effortless idea of placing a seashell on top of a few books! Go visit these two ladies! They know what they are doing for sure!

Paint Colors

When choosing interior paint colors you want to imitate the color hues from the water, sky, and sand. Use colors such as soft blues, light greens, coral, sand tones, and sheer pinks. The right color choice can really bring out any tropical decor.

This room was painted with “Revere Pewter” by Benjamin Moore. We kept the paint light and added the color in the pillows, greenery, and coffee table.

Don’t be afraid of color. Here a fun fabric on an outdoor bench looks happy and fun. The colorful door and screen door just say “welcome!”.

Beach Decor

I saw this chandelier in a Parade of Homes I visited last summer! I absolutely adore it!

DIY Seashell Chandelier

If you wanted a fabulous DIY Seashell project, check out Amanda’s from Dixie Delights. What a beautiful chandelier!

The wonderful thing about finding beach theme decorations is that you can find many things that come from nature. Sand, sea shells, rocks, coral, driftwood, and rope are just a few natural beach decor accessories. Find some clear glass jars and fill them with seashell, sand or starfish.

Find a large basket and fill is with oyster shells, or sea shells. This a cheap decorating idea that looks wonderful placed on a porch or patio.

Another unique item is old wood shutters. I found these at the local flea market. They make a fabulous addition to the coastal style! A beautiful seashell wreath is another way to bring nature indoors.

Remember when accessorizing, to keep things simple and uncluttered. Don’t overdo it with too many accessories.

Beach Cottage Window Treatments

The wonderful thing about window treatment ideas for beach house style is you don’t have to spend a fortune! Just installing simple bamboo window coverings would look wonderful.

Sheers are the quintessential look and feel for a coastal look with the dreamy way they flow in the breeze. Ready-made sheers are inexpensive and easy to install.

For a unique and inexpensive curtain design, buy some super cheap white curtains from Wal-mart, and tie a large knot in them.

Beach House Style Furniture

Whenever I think of beach cottage furniture, I always think of couch slipcovers, Adirondack chairs, and rattan bar-stools. Furniture that is easy to clean, isn’t stuffy looking, and just says; “hey come over here and sit awhile” is just so appealing and relaxing.

Painted and distressed wood furniture is a perfect fit with this style!

Nautical Bedroom Theme

This is a bedroom I decorated for a little boy! He was so excited to have a nautical decorated room!

I found these fabulous pillows at HomeGoods! That store makes me drool.

Beach Cottage Style Flooring

Hard wood flooring with a light hue finish, wide plank boards, or even white washed wood floors really finish off your total look. The whole idea of beach house decorating is simplicity and a style that keeps you relaxed. Decorating with things that already have a worn look helps you not worry about an extra scratch or dent.

The same goes with flooring. Choose flooring that you don’t have to worry about!

Read this page that will show you how to turn your bedroom into a wonderful beach retreat!

This was an old mirror that I hot glued all sorts of shells, driftwood pieces, and starfish onto. It was a fun little project.

If I had my way, I would live in a small cottage by the sea. I would give away half of my belongings and live a much simpler existence. Maybe that is what appeals to me about this particular style of decorating; it constantly reminds you to slow down.

The nature that you bring in from outdoors, just somehow seems to make you feel connected — connected to the bigger picture of how small we really are.

I hope you enjoyed these beach house decorating ideas.

Beach Themed Bedroom – Easy and Cheap Decorating Ideas!

July 2, 2014 Jennifer Davenport

Do you drool over beach themed bedroom ideas on Pinterest? Would you like some easy and affordable beach house decorating tips? Well, you have stopped by the right place! Below are some great ideas to get you started on a fabulous bedroom makeover!

This is my master bedroom makeover. I was in desperate need of a bedroom makeover. Of all the rooms in your home, the master bedroom should be your oasis and retreat. You deserve to have a beautiful bedroom to escape from the world!

Paint Color

This first decorating decision that was made for this room, was choosing an interior paint color. I wanted to go with gray. The color gray is soothing and serene. Now, I am betting most of you have already had those frustrating decorating moments of trying to choose a paint color! Well, it doesn’t matter if I am an interior decorator, choosing paint color can cause me to hyperventilate!

Unfortunately, there are so many grays out there to choose from! I had five sample quarts of gray before I finally was able to make a choice. Grays can either lean towards a green hue, or a blue hue. I really wanted the gray I chose to lean towards blue. The color I finally decided on is called “Gray Shell” by Porter Paints. It turned out lovely.

Beach Bedding

Your next step is finding some beach bedding that will go well with your paint color. Bedding is always difficult for me to find on a “budget”. So, I look in several different stores and mix and match my bedding. You don’t have to have a “bed-in-a-bag” set. Don’t be afraid to pair different designs and colors. Just keep your colors all in the same hue.

To create a beach themed bedroom, you want to draw from the natural colors of the beach. Choose soft colors such as blue, green, tan, brown, white, cream, and gray.

I wanted to add another layer to the bedding for interest. So, I took a matelasse coverlet that I found at a discount store and cut it in half, and hemmed the unfinished edge. This lays at the end of my bed and really completed the look.

I talked about when you are creating a beach themed bedroom, that you want to stay with all of the natural colors. Also, think about the beach’s natural elements when choosing accessories. How do you do this? Well, the pillow in the photo above that I found at a discount store, imitates the look of sea coral. It was the perfect accent on the bed!

Beach Cottage Furniture

So, what defines beach cottage furniture? Beach cottage furniture is all about wicker, rattan, and painted wood. It is casual, inviting, and comfortable.

This headboard was made from an old door that I paid $20 for at an antique shop. My helpful husband framed around the door, and then painted it a cream color. Then I faux finished over the paint with antiquing gel.

I couldn’t afford brand new furniture. So, I painted my dresser a very light cream color. When you are decorating on a budget, you have to do some DIY projects. This furniture makeover only cost me the paint and knobs.

Shop garage sales, discount stores, and Goodwill stores to find a used piece of furniture for cheap! Don’t be afraid to paint!

This rattan bench was perfect for this beach themed bedroom. I found it at T.J. Maxx. It was discounted because of scratches. Well, the beauty of beach house decorating is that scratches and dents just give beach cottage furniture more character!

Accessorizing

Keep your accessories to a minimum. Choose your beach decor wisely. If you over-accessorize a room, it becomes cluttered, rather than serene and calm.

Every accessory you choose for your beach themed room should remind you of the beach. If you look at these lamps that I chose above, you see glass, linen, a look of broken glass, and the base of one of the lamps looks like sea shells.

I love floral arrangements in a bedroom. Look for arrangements with mostly white, cream, and green. You want to have an arrangement that is airy and elegant. Make sure that floral container fits within the beach style. Learn to make your own floral arrangement.

Add some silver frames into your decorating. Just remember not to go overboard.

Cheap and Easy Wall Decoration Idea!

Now, I know this is a unique frame, I found it at the flea market. It is an old tin roof, hammered around wood to make a frame. However, the idea I want to share with you can be used with any frame!Find some vinyl wall words at your local craft store that speak to you. Then purchase a frame, remove and clean the glass, and place your words right onto the glass.

The hard part is measuring and placing your words centered in your frame. Just don’t remove your words from the paper until you are sure where you want them to be placed. How fun, cheap, and easy is this idea?

Window Treatment Ideas

Sheer window treatments are the perfect match for beach decorating. Not only that, but they are very affordable, and fit anyone’s budget!

Pair your sheers with bamboo blinds. This marriage of sheers and bamboo blinds is just perfection. When the sun shines through the sheers, it illuminates the whole room in a soft glow.

I sure hope you found some helpful hints in creating a beautiful beach bedroom.

More Master bedroom decorating ideas.