A cottage style room is an intimate and cozy atmosphere that embraces the warmth of generations of family and the many things that surround them. Old fashioned flower gardens, natural elements, vintage fabrics, family collections and hand-me-down furniture play a big role in cottage style. Your garage, attic, or even your back yard may have many of the elements you need to create a cottage style bedroom. In planning your cottage style bedroom design, decorate in memory layers of people who have been there before and spot light that history. Cottage style decorating is about making a house a home and making that connection with the outdoors. Make it, recycle it, reuse it, and display it. “Matching” is not cottage style.
The choices for your wall color are unlimited, but keep it in the natural garden palette. Imagine a country garden and use the color that frames your mind’s picture or pull a color from the various fabrics you will be using. This color will be the background that allows your furnishings to pop. Paint the walls your chosen color and add charm with a picket fence/chair rail around the room. Either make one yourself or recycle an old one.
Furnishings are comprised of the found objects in your house or garden or things you have amassed at garage sales, thrift stores or auctions. Nothing in a cottage style room need be expensive. Spruce up a plain bed with a garden trellis headboard and foot board. Frame the trellis panel, paint it white and attach it to the existing bed frame. Weave ivy garland and flowers around the trellis frame. Paint a hand-me-down dresser white and apply scrap wall paper in various florals or patterns to the drawer fronts to add a fun touch to your cottage style room. A screen door attached to an existing tall book case makes a great cupboard for displaying folded quilts and family collections. Line the cupboard with vintage or leftover wallpaper. Add a wreath to the door for whimsical flare. Attach three tall shutters using hinges for a dressing screen and make a small sitting area with a bird bath covered with a glass table round. Wrap a straight backed wooden chair to accompany the table, with a variety of fabrics used in the room. Sew a chair pad and a skirt to match. Dress up a plain view by attaching a fan shaped trellis into a window and wiring clay pots filled with ivy to it. As the ivy grows, run the tendrils around the trellis or let it drape down. Attach a piece or architectural trim molding to the wall above the bed to display framed family pictures, collectibles and flowers. With the addition of two mismatched side tables and a park bench at the foot of the bed, your furniture should be complete.
The use of fabrics and textiles are essential in a cottage style room. Quilts, pillows, bedding and window treatments, will all be enhanced with a good selection of floral fabrics, ribbons, lace and trim. Purchase an inexpensive sheet set for your bed and add layers and rows of ribbons and lace to add delicate warmth and romance to your room and they will look like they were designed by a professional. Don’t forget a bed skirt. Make it or buy it for a finished look. Two thrift store bedspreads in complimentary patterns can be sewn together for a reversible bedspread or duvet cover. Fold beautiful quilts along the foot of the bed. Lace or vintage floral table cloths are a romantic addition to the windows. Tie them back with small grapevine wreaths. Cottage style rooms have heaps and piles of pillows everywhere, so don’t skimp. Make them in a variety of shapes and sizes using trims, fringe, ribbon, ruffles and even buttons. Fill a basket with folded quilts and a ceramic bowl or basket with a variety of small sachet pillows.
Continue accessorizing with watering cans filled with fresh, dried or silk flowers, vintage framed floral prints and hankies, birdhouses and terra-cotta pots. Cottage style incorporates lots of candles, place tea lights in teacups and arrangements of various sized candles around the room. Stack old suitcases for storage and extra table space to display collectibles.
Throughout your cottage style bedroom bring color, romance, luxury and a touch of whimsy for a room that will welcome you warmly at the end of the day.
