Two of the best European cottage designs are the English and the French cottage styles.
English Cottage Design
The basic idea of an English cottage reminisces a rustic dwelling inhabited by local villagers a hundred years ago. Do not try to give it the ambiance of a manor- that is another thing altogether. Instead, think simple and inviting.
-Color Scheme- Since we are playing with an antique look, choose autumn shades. Brown, green, rust and orange work well. You can opt for splashes of washed-out pink or English rose as well. Use these colors for the upholstery, the walls, and the floors.
-Windows and Floors- Think of a quaint roadside café. Use curtains that mimic that style- sheer and lacey. Do not choose curtains that drop below the windowsill. Wooden floors are apt. If you can afford rustic ceiling beams, go for it.
-Furniture- A rustic fireplace is a beautiful piece that defines 'English cottage' perfectly. Get your hands on one if you can. Fill the house with antiques or antique-looking tables and chairs. Don't use highly polished or sleek pieces of furniture. Worn or overstuffed couches or chairs, barrels used as end tables, old tubs, trunks, and cabinets are all good ideas.
-Decor- Look for old lamps, mirrors with intricate frames, ceramic figurines, secondhand books, old musical instruments, hand-crafted rugs and quilts, and anything that inspires a tea party. Old china is an essential. Fill the place with plants and flowers if possible. Carefully chosen little details like these are what give the basic cottage look an English flavor.
French Cottage Design
If the English style proclaims "tea party", the French style screams "Provencal farm". It has a warm country feel, brimming with color and culture.
-Color Palette- Think bold, primary colors like red, green, blue and yellow. Accent these with black to create a perfect balance.
-Walls and Floors- Walls should be stucco or brick. You can improvise in many ways- by using plaster on the walls or applying faux treatment. Supplies can be found in your local hardware store. You can also opt for wallpaper. For the kitchen, find a border with roosters on it. Flooring can be of stone, tile, or wood or a mimicry of these with stencils. Throw in a charming rug.
-Fabrics- Toile, chintz and calico are distinctly French cottage style. Design ideas for toile are to combine white and cream with another bold, primary color of your choice. Calico is a good choice for table linens and draperies. Mix and match patterns.
-Furniture and decor- Faux finishes can be used, as well as natural or light shades. Roosters, flowers, and vines are ideal accents. You can even incorporate your own cottage design ideas by stenciling your own images. Use a lot of farm scenes and animals. Copper and French pottery can be used in the kitchen, even just for display.
If you are on a tight budget, don't fret. Redecorating in either of these styles need not be expensive. As long as you have a stash of cottage design ideas handy, the rest will follow. You can hit a nearby antique store, flea market or garage sale for the pieces, or recycle those old things you've kept away but are no longer using.
