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Transform your outdoors
Whether you have a blacony, patio,
veranda or garden, turn your outdoor
space into a beautiful cottage garden.
Transform your outdoor living space
by adding comfy furniture. Avoid
anything contemporary. Instead look
for Adirondack, wicker, or painted metal
shellback chairs. The furniture doesn’t
have to match: Part of the charm is how
informal it is. An eclectic mix fits right in.
Cottage gardens don’t look designed.
In fact, they’re usually exuberant,
free-flowering, and sometimes even
unrestrained. To get the informal look,
avoid planting in straight lines or defined
patterns. Let plants cascade over paths
and weave through each other. It adds to
their charm. And grow self-seeding plants
that pop up in unexpected places.
Owl 2-tier cupcake stand, $12.95
Cupcake wrap & pix jungle pals 12pk, $12.95
Roma 2-Seater Sofa – White, $2302, available at Danish Design
2. Give Painted Furniture a Chance
Forget any pre-conceived notions that you may have about colourful furniture being tacky and too over the top. On the contrary, painted furniture
can introduce special charm and joy into a room, especially if it is an antique piece. Newer pieces with intricate designs and hand painted addons are also a wonderful way to bring some cottage style inspiration into
your home. If you have the choice, pick out pieces that have a distressed or
weathered look to them as pieces that look a little rough around the edges
are the epitome of cottage elegance. You can give recycled pieces made
out of driftwood and old furniture a new lease on life simply by adding a
coat of paint over them. Pieces such as these make for the perfect addition
to rooms seeking to achieve a cottage-inspired theme.
3. Add Cheerful Patterns & Colours
Pay a visit to the next flea market in town and you will be surprised at
the myriad of trinkets and vintage finds that you will be able to get your
hands on. Instead of opting for neutral coloured accessories, choose some
with a burst of colour and character. Most of the time, the little details can
make or break the feel of one’s space. If you are aiming for a cosy cottageinspired feel, then stick to the theme and bypass anything that screams
modern and opt for comfort and warmth instead. Get creative and play
around with patterns and colours. Do not be afraid to mix and match but
remember not to overdo it as you do not want your accessories and addons to clash with your furniture. Pick a general theme and play around
with it. For example if you are hoping to achieve a beach cottage-inspired
look, stick to ocean themed colours and decor. Beige, teal, grey, white, and
turquoise go wonderfully together so have some fun playing around with
your theme’s colour palette.
At the end of the day, keep things simple and you will find that achieving
a rustic cottage-inspired flair and feel in your home is not as difficult as you
envisioned. Remember to retain your own personal style and you will be
all set to have guests over in no time. Good luck!
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