A guide to buying country cottage furniture

Defining "country cottage" can be tricky. According to Your Decorating Hotline, the two words mean comfortable, cosy, unpretentious, turned legs on furniture, and earth tones such as rust, gold, red, and yellow. Other words associated with country cottage are Shaker, shabby chic, garden and home. With these words in mind, you will be able to buy furniture fit for a country cottage when reading this article.

Consider the building

If the cottage or house is an older building, then you can shop for furniture that is actually old or vintage, or at the very least, looks old. Replicas will work just as well. This means that you will be able to shop at antique stores, lawn sales, charity shops, and any strikes that you fancy. Since one of the main themes is cozy, which can rely on comfort, buy something in which you would like to spend some time. The only restriction is that it should fit in with the building. Buying modern furniture for 1700s vintage homes or building will not necessarily work, whereas vintage style furniture will. The reverse is true as well.

Consider the colour and textures

The colours do not need to be brassy. Earth tones mean more subtle than primary, pastel, or fluorescent colours. Florals, stripes, plaids, calicoes, gingham are all patterns and colours that are associated with country cottage. Textures can be considered as well, such as walls finished with white-washed stucco, or walls painted using sponge, ragging or crackle finishes techniques. These faux finishes can add age or enhance the age of the building.

Fabrics and furnishings

The fabrics for country cottage can be soft like the colours. Natural fabrics such as wools, cottons, linen, florals and perhaps even corduroy. Vintage fabrics such as vintage French textiles, quilts - even ones made with squares made from cast-off clothing can add to the décor. Vintage items such as vases, lighting fixtures, occasional furniture, fireplace tools, even the dishes and glassware can be vintage or even old-looking. The bottom line is that country cottage means comfort, shabby chic or even vintage chic. It does not mean pretension. With cottage style, you will have a place that will have a welcoming, comfortable air which therefore, will be a place where you and your guests will wish to stay.