Decorating trends come and go, but the enduring appeal of cottages never goes out of style. Brimming with pretty rooms and gracious gardens, Country LivingCottageCharm will show you how to get this cheerful, laid-back look in your own home, from the front door to the backyard shed. This special guide offers expert decorating tips, space-saving solutions, gardening ideas, and DIY projects to help you make the most of cottage living. Whether you already live in a cottage or simply wish to infuse your home with cottage style, Country LivingCottageCharmhas everything you need to get started. Let’s get happy!
There’s just something about a cottage…
Set the Scene • The hues we choose for our homes provide a backdrop onto which everything else is layered. Create a cheerful color story that fits your unique vision, whether you prefer a dreamy neutral palette or rooms that burst with bright tones.
White on White • Far from predictable, the absence of other colors inspires ingenuity. No wonder these serene interiors never go out of style.
Pure Sunshine • You can’t help smiling when the spectrum’s happiest hue is used in a room. Here’s how to spread the joy.
The Sweet Life • Creamy whites and sherbet shades transform a former ice-cream hut into an inviting home. (Sprinkles optional.)
Make It Personal • Collectors know that there is power in numbers. Try these imaginative ideas to show off your own cherished objects. The key factor in every room is a sense of fun. After all, life is simply more enjoyable when surrounded by the things you love.
An Artful Eye • For collectors, an empty wall is just a big, blank canvas. Borrow these tricks to proudly display myriad precious possessions.
Refresh & Repurpose • Turn something old into something new to create extra storage space and fun conversation starters.
Happy Campers • Vintage collections turn an 800-square-foot lake cabin into a nostalgia-rich retreat.
Gather Inspiration • When we imagine the quintessential country cottage, it’s always surrounded by a verdant garden that overflows with color and buzzes with joy. Harvest a bountiful crop of home decor ideas to bring nature’s bounty indoors.
Botanical Beauties • Decorative wallpaper patterns can bring flowers, foliage, and even fine-feathered-friends indoors.
Flower Arranging 101 • Release your inner florist with these expert tips.
A VASE BY ANY OTHER NAME • Add a touch of whimsy to arrangements by redefining what an acceptable vessel for cut flowers can be.
Before & Happily Ever After • A bold botanical wallpaper and butter-yellow cabinetry give a humble Craftsman kitchen a mansion-worthy makeover.
Step Outsıde • Seasoned cottage dwellers know a simple trick to expand their living space without changing the footprint of their home—treat the garden as an extension of the house. Go ahead, open the doors and live it up!
Alfresco All Day • Outdoor dining is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Whether you set a formal table or picnic on the grass, here’s how to find the ideal spot to sup.
HANDMADE DETAILS • Guests will know you went all out for them when they spot DIY accessories on the table.
She Shed, He Shed • Everyone deserves a hideaway to follow creative pursuits—or just to take an afternoon nap.
PUT A RING ON IT • Unique wreath ideas for your outdoor haven
FIVE WAYS TO GUSSY UP A GARDEN SHED • Before you get your hands in the dirt, transform your work space into a lovely spot to linger. These simple spruce-ups are inspired by the cottage-style shed of Cape Cod gardener Dana Paradis.
HOW TO MAKE NEW TERRA-COTTA POTS LOOK OLD • Nothing rivals the pretty patina that comes with age, but these techniques come really close.
Laying the...
