Skip to navigation | Skip to content

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

Cool Country and Cottage Style

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 2 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #3005 in Shopping, #32882 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Defining the Look

 

According to the design experts at HGTV, "country style" is a "wide-ranging style depending on geographical location but in general exemplified by primitive furniture, muted colors, milk-paint finishes and vintage fabrics."

People across the US and abroad are seeking a look which helps them feel connected to the past, family heirlooms, and casual comfort. The photos here show off some examples of what they are doing in their homes to achieve this. This page will show some examples, offer suggestions, and provide links to publications which can guide you to get the look.

Examples of Country Style Rooms 

Here are some photos I discovered online of what people are doing to achieve the country look in their own homes. Use them for inspiration to start making changes in your living space today!

Dining Room Decor by A Storybook Life

A StorybookLife Blog:

Craft Room by Wren's Nest Cottage

Afternoon light. We were the featured creative space on

Decorating for Easter by spicyapplebum

Here we are decorated for Easter! Cakes, pastries and a lemon meringue pie! and ...

More About Country Style 

In general, classic country style is definaed as featuring a soft muted color palette, while contemporary country may use bolder accents, especially red or black.

Furniture is simple, with straight lines, and may be painted. Select fabrics which are floral, checked or striped, printed on calico fabric. The accessories in a country style home are generally handmade and include baskets, pottery, pewter and cast metal.

Primitive and log cabin are versions of casual country style while French country tends to be more refined.

Books Which Showcase Country Style: 

Products for the Country Home 

These are just a few examples of great country style decorating ideas for the rooms in your home. For other suggestions, check out my Coastal/Nautical Decor section!

Royal Albert Old Country Roses Tea Saucer

Amazon Price: $11.36 (as of 07/25/2008)

Usually ships in 24 hours

Country Style Oak Finish Porch Rocker

Amazon Price: $167.99 (as of 07/25/2008)

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Braided Trivets (Set of 3)

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/25/2008)

Usually ships in 2-3 business days

Cottage Style 

A Closely Related Look

Cottage style tends to use a more botanical color palette and floral or striped patterns on fabrics. Iron, wood, or wicker furniture help to achieve the look. Accessories should show their age without appearing rustic.

There are many versions of this look, ranging from dainty English cottage and casual seaside to shabby chic. Overall, it is a casual and comfortable look with a vintage or retro feel.

Examples of Cottage Style 

An eclectic look which means different things to different people. "Cottage" can lean towards elegant and refined or shabby chic. Use the pictures here to spark your own creativity.

Vintage Prom Dress by Sherry's Rose Cottage

Vintage Prom Dress

Vintage Prom Dress by Sherry's Rose Cottage

Vintage Prom Dress

Shabby chic dressing table by LindaH

Shabby chic dressing...

A Vignette In My Family Room by Sherry's Rose Cottage

A Vignette In My Fam...

A corner of my family room. by Sherry's Rose Cottage

A corner of my famil...

A corner of my family room. by Sherry's Rose Cottage

A corner of my famil...

Arbor in the Family Room by Sherry's Rose Cottage

Arbor in the Family...

A corner of my family room. by Sherry's Rose Cottage

A corner of my famil...

A corner of my family room. by Sherry's Rose Cottage

A corner of my famil...

A corner of my family room. by Sherry's Rose Cottage

A corner of my famil...

Books About Cottage Style 

These titles will help you get familiarized with the various varieties of "cottage" style decor.

Suggestions for Cottage Home Decor 

[Itm] Dining Chair, 30" x 29" x 34" [Acsry To]: Misty Meadow Wicker Furniture - D... see description

Amazon Price: $917.17 (as of 07/25/2008)

Usually ships in 6-10 business days

Liz Claiborne Natalie Sham

Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 07/25/2008)

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Whitney Design ML-6017 Woven-Seagrass Magazine Rack with Handle

Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 07/25/2008)

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Victorian style French set of 4 oval nesting hat boxes with romantic labels

Amazon Price: $52.99 (as of 07/25/2008)

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Suggestions for the Coastal Cottage Look 

Fish Net - Perfect Nautical Decor! (5x10)

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 07/25/2008)

Assorted Sea Shells Per Lb

Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)

12" Wooden Ship Wheel

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/25/2008)

LIGHTHOUSE Light House WASTEBASKET trash NAUTICAL

Amazon Price: $37.99 (as of 07/25/2008)

Wooden Ship Bookends

Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)

Magazines on Country and Cottage Style 

These are some of my favorite publications, always full of beautiful rooms and inspiring ideas. There are many others, and frequently new additions. Clicking on any of the links below will take you to amazon, where you can order!

International Magazines on Country Style 

The UK is a land filled with cottage style interiors AND exteriors. Some of my favorite country homes are in the UK and France, and these publications showcase the finest:

More French Selections 

Because France has such a wide range of style publications, I'd also like to recommend the following, which feature stunning photography of decor and travel.
French, as most European magazines, have large glossy photo spreads which really show off the featured items.

Viewer's Vote! 

Do you have a country style home or room? Vote for the answer which best describes your look.

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Other Decorating Lenses You Might Like 

Please Sign My Guestbook 

Like the look? Like the lens? Please leave a message here!

X
CrypticFragments

About CrypticFragments

I am an artist who gets around! The world, that is! My lenses strive to bring together those two passions. I love to create and promote regional art gift products, ethnic handicrafts, and to showcase design/decor styles which appeal to me, whether they are Native American, Asian or tropical.
I have a passion for blue glass, blue and white pottery, southwestern Native handicrafts, tribal jewelry, funky socks, and...pink flamingos!
I also happen to love cats.

CrypticFragments's Pages

See all of CrypticFragments's pages

X

Gold Star

This is a certified gold star lens, which means it's the best of its kind on Squidoo (or shows some serious potential for getting there!)

Read more about gold stars »

X

CrypticFragments is a Giant Squid!

Giants are distinguished by their exceptional skill for making top-notch lenses, and lots of them. Whenever you land on a Giant Squid's lens, you know the person behind it is passionate about the topic and is hard at work making the lens worthy of your time and attention.

Learn more about what it takes to be a Giant »