COTTAGE

  The furniture in a Cottage Style home is often recycled, purchased from a flea market, or collected from family rejects. Nothing really needs to match -- and it shouldn’t -- yet the overall effect is charming and comfortable. Anything found can be painted or recovered to help it fit into your scheme.

  In Cottage decor, pieces are often adapted from one use to another, as in Eclectic decor. For example, an old kitchen cupboard can hide towels in a bathroom, or a kitchen table might become a desk.

  Floors in Cottage Style homes are often informal and even imperfect. Bare wood floors are a good option. Covering any type of flooring with vintage area rugs is another way to get the cottage look.

  Since Cottage Style homes are informal, windows should look light and airy. Consider lace instead of heavy drapes or sheers instead of opaque panels.

  Cottage decor usually calls for a mix of fabrics used for slipcovers, upholstery, curtains, draperies, table skirts, pillows and more. Coordinate a variety of prints like florals, stripes, checks, and plaids for a collected look.

  Any odd thing can serve as an accessory in a Cottage Style home. Charming plates, old hats, musical instruments, interesting frames and heirloom samplers become the center of attention in a comfortable cottage room. Architectural details, vintage mirrors, tole trays, floral china, and pretty pillows are all candidates for charm in a cottage style space.

  Pastels are the order of the day for cottage style rooms. For the walls, pale pink, lavender, blue, green, or yellow in a flat or eggshell finish creates a perfect background. And white - from crisp bright white to creamy ivory -- you'll want to use it for trim, furniture, and accessories.