Cottage Style 101

Cottage style has a colorful, comfortable look characterized by painted or decorated furniture with graceful lines, weathered finishes, textural elements such as baskets, beadboard walls and natural-fiber rugs, and colors taken straight from a lush flower garden. Here's how the style breaks down:

Color: The palette is purely botanical. Light apricot, dusty pink and shades of green are set off with brighter spots of color such as fuchsia and sunflower yellow.

Furnishings: Iron and wicker furnishings are made comfortable and stylish with cushions covered in floral fabrics. Secondhand wood furniture gets a fresh look with white paint and new knobs.

Fabrics: Floral fabrics are paired with stripes and solids and trim and fringe for layer upon layer of visual interest.

Finishes: Surfaces show the wear and tear of age without looking overly rustic. A combination of surfaces and sheens coexist casually, such as a piece of glazed pottery paired with a weathered tin planter.