| There are three keys to successfully furnishing a | | | | your furniture layout. Consider using items for |
| Cottage-style room: white paint, slipcovers and | | | | something other than their obvious function. Turn |
| creativity. White paint breathes new life into | | | | a favorite chair into a console table that holds a |
| mismatched, old and discolored furniture and | | | | favorite hatbox or a collection of teddy bears. Old |
| creates a unifying theme that lets all sorts of | | | | cupboards can be used as shelving to hold your |
| style blend well into a room. Some furniture on | | | | collection of teacups and saucers. With |
| the market today, especially children's furniture, | | | | Cottage-style rooms, you're truly limited only by |
| already comes with white paint, distressed edges | | | | your imagination. |
| and a Cottage-inspired design, conveying the | | | | One of the few styles in which stains are a good |
| popularity of this relatively new style. The result | | | | thing, tea stained textiles in Cottage designed |
| of a few coats of paint is an airy, bright and | | | | rooms fit the antique and charming image built by |
| cheerful mood within the home. | | | | eclectic furniture and distressed wood. |
| Slip covers perform the same function for | | | | Tea-staining makes new fabric look well-loved and |
| upholstered furniture as paint does for wooden | | | | dulls the sharpness a fresh, white textile can have. |
| furniture. Worn out flea market finds and | | | | Additionally, keep window treatments relatively |
| hand-me-downs will perk up under a pale (think | | | | uncomplicated and airy to let natural sunshine and |
| white or cream) slip cover that may or may not | | | | warmth filter into your room. Complement this |
| have prints that match your braided rugs and | | | | natural lighting with bunches of flowers in vases. |
| accents. Don't worry if the slipcovers show a | | | | For extra detail and interest, use trunks, |
| wrinkle or two-you want to look as though a | | | | particularly beautiful or quaint plates, mirrors, |
| guest can have a seat without disrupting the | | | | frames, and lace linens. Don't be limited by this list; |
| room. You want the room to look lived in, but | | | | you can find other items to populate your room |
| avoid crossing the line to unkempt. | | | | when browsing attics, vintage stores, flea |
| Lastly, tap into your creative side as you plan | | | | markets and more. |