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Has anyone gone from traditional living room to a cottage living room without having to purchase all new furniture? I am looking for a change but can not go out and refurnish the house, so trying to decide how to do it without spending a bundle. My furniture now is dark wood and traditional. Would love to hear from you and see pictures.

Thanks

Blogland is full of furniture redos that create a cottage look.

Here is one with many cottage looks:

http://theoldpaintedcottage.co...ttagemonth_enter.htm

Here is another that is a fun mix of cottage
and traditional:

http://theoldpaintedcottage.co...es/cotm-march-11.htm

Here is her blog:

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/

Hope something catches your eye!

Thanks Annie...headed there now.

IMO it depends on your vision of cottage style. The original English country cottages had dark wood traditional furniture. You might paint one piece of furniture (or find one to paint if yours is too good to paint), use cottage style fabrics, art, and accessories to create this style. Cottage style has many variations which I'm sure you'll see at the links Annie posted.

One thing to think about is what differentiates cottage and traditional styles.

Cottage style incorporates many of the traditional style furniture forms, so that could be the same, but one difference is that traditional looks use fabrics and finishes that are more formal and polished and shiny. Cottage uses fabrics and finishes that are not shiny, they are low sheen, rustic, natural, worn, and textural.

Could you bring in a sea grass rug or carpet? Maybe you could redu some upholstered pieces in more casual fabrics. Is it possible to paint some of the case goods?

Another thing to think about is doing the change over in stages. A little this year, and a little more the next. That helps with the budget.

One way I have seen is to apply slip covers for a more relaxed look and feel to the place. Also displaying collections.

Those are just a couple of ideas to make the space less formal.

http://pinterest.com/search/?q=cottage+decorating

just a few ideas on Pinterest
If you view some inspirational photos you might see something that makes that light bulb light up in your mind.

Good luck with your project! I hope you can post some inspirational photos for us to see the direction you are thinking of going!

It depends on what style of "cottage" you want. The traditional English cottage (such as the cottage we lived in last Spring in England) is all about traditional wood furniture and even traditional upholstered pieces. It's the accessories and walls and floors that make that cottage!

There is the beachy cottage where so much is painted -- regular furniture taken to the beach house and to make everything "match" it's all painted!

Then there is the "shabby chic" cottage where everything is a second hand "find" and different styles live together.

My idea of cottage is furniture you love which includes LOTS of art on the walls (which you love) lots of books and bookcases and clocks to tic tock. Fluffy pillows and cozy throws and puffy duvets on the beds. And things on mantles and tabletops that you've accumulated over time.

So yes, traditional furniture would work IMO!

Martha

JNikki, it would be good if you could post pics of what your space looks like now. Then members could advise specifically on how to approach your design switch!

Here are some pictures. Some are older and not very clear, but hopefully you can make sense of it all. This first one is a little dated but basically the way the room normally looked. We had the two brown recliners, which were comfortable but too dark. I'm getting rid of those because they are falling apart. I'm trying to decide if there is something I can do with them, removed the backs and cover the bottoms or something. I'll post several pictures.

Here is another angle

I have more pics, but need to make them smaller...back in a few.

I removed the chairs this weekend and brought in a sofa from the back room. I like that it is lighter but am not crazy about the 2 sofas. The rug is too dark. We have had it for about 6 years, but it had water damage and is literally falling apart, so once I replace that it will help.

Here is a clearer pic of what it looked like with the chairs.

Hi, the pictures certainly show where you are starting from. Only thing is they don't show windows which can also be treated in a cottage way.

If this were a room I was changing to cottage, I would get two white slipcovers for the sofas. Change out the Mediterranean looking coffee table for something like a trunk or an old round table cut down. Get rid of the Torchere lamp as that does not look country. The mirror and the rug, can fit into your scheme and the art looks like it is o.k. too. That little green stand between the chairs could be used in place of the floor lamp and you also need another lamp and table on the other side of that sofa.

The t.v. is not particularly country but is reality and you can have "country" accents on the mantelpiece. Maybe a basket or two on the floor with magazines or books etc. and some more hangings on the wall. I am a huge fan of plates hung on the wall. They can look country and are also inexpensive!

good luck!

Thanks Lady! The slipcovers are a great idea WHy didn't I think of that? Do you have any recommedations for types of covers? I always hear a lot about surefit.
Unfortuatley you don't see the windows because there are no windows in that room...which drives me crazy.

Joyluck, I took your advice and tried to define my version of "cottage". I do not think it is country cottage, but not sure what the right term is. Here is a link and a couple of pictures on the look I have in mind. I like the clean, light and airy feel of it. What is is called...I haven't a clue.



http://www.houzz.com/photos/38...ng-room-philadelphia

One more pic of the look I have in mind.

Here are some ideas I will throw out there to get you started.
*Your sofas are not too dark/bulky to start in the cottagy direction so you can make them work with light pillows.
*You say the chairs are worn and need some work. If budget allows, replace them with a light linen look or light soft pattern.
*THis is a no-no for most, but would you consider painting your brick fireplace. I have seen some awesome makeovers with paint, but truly understand not wanting to do that.
*Paint the spindles on your stairs white.
*A lighter rug will make a world of difference. Many will suggest jute or sissal, but I think soft light orientals can give you the look you are after - something like this http://www.potterybarn.com/pro...ey=crugs-by-material - This is just one example - take a look at rugs on Overstock. Look for light neutral with SOFT shades of blues, greens, taupes.
* You have a nice coffee table, and it will look different on a lighter rug, but would look nice perhaps with the base white, leaving the top stained.
*I like the end table you have with the painted base - Is that a gray paint - hard to tell on my monitor. I like that look, but perhaps lighter (white maybe).

THese are just suggestions and I understand not all doable. Look forward to see what direction you go in.

Try this link for the rug I suggested. DOn't think the other one works. http://www.potterybarn.com/pro...ey=crugs-by-material

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tuesday,

Here is another example of a lighter rug just to give you an idea.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-...5395945/product.html

JNikki, the pics you have shown as inspiration all include WHITE.

IN the first one the lanterns, white china, bare windows all do bespeak country.

In the second picture the white paneling and the plates above it, do the same thing.

Surefit is the go to place for slipcovers, otherwise you are looking at custom made which could be very pricey.

For lack of a better description, the term "contemporary cottage" seems to fit your design aesthetic, at least as far as your inspiration photos show. IMO, this style is friendly, refined, casually elegant, comfortable and clean-lined. It's a nice blend of the old and the new, as well as the masculine and the feminine. There's nothing fussy about this style at all; nothing Kitschy Kountry. It needn't be all white; color can be an important feature.

You've already gotten some good advice. In case you haven't seen this, here's some more info on your style: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks...-Modern-Cottage-Look

Country Living magazine (or website)is a good source for contemporary country and cottage decor.

Thanks Aychihuahua. I like all the pics in the link. Especially the last one....feet up overlooking the water...wish that was me! I like your description--"friendly, refined, casually elegant, comfortable and clean-lined".

Lady--your right...I like the white Don't know how practical it would be in real life but will look to add white where I can.


Tuesday---Thank you for the links and ideas. I will keep my eyes open for the right rug.

I do have one question on slipcovers. Most of the ones I have seen do not have individual seat covers. Is it better to look for one with individual seat covers for the three cushions? Seems hard to find.

Here is another link to a cottage of the month.

She's using her couches as is. I think you could use your couches as is and still do a cottage look without having to slip cover them.

http://theoldpaintedcottage.co...s/cotm-july-2012.htm

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Always1StepBehind,

quote:

Originally posted by JNikki:
Unfortunately you don't see the windows because there are no windows in that room...which drives me crazy.

You might look for an old window frame to hang on the wall which is something often seen in casual cottage style. This need not look country but can add architectural interest. I've purchased window frames for as little as $2 each at yard sales. Some have lovely 'patina'. If you don't like rustic patina you could paint it a fresh white.

If you go to google images and search for "modern cottage decor" you will find lots of pics for inspiration in the cottage style you prefer. You might also search "window frame decor" for ideas. I recommend saving pics you like and studying them to see what is do-able for you in your home.

With a mostly neutral color palette such as the DR you posted it's important to use texture for interest. In that room the stone floor, rough textured bench fabric, and the rustic table provide that.

quote:

Originally posted by JNikki:

I do have one question on slipcovers. Most of the ones I have seen do not have individual seat covers. Is it better to look for one with individual seat covers for the three cushions? Seems hard to find.

Since I just bought a sofa slipcover, I can advise...one piece are a PITA! You'd better love it, cuz it requires constant adjusting. Most of the two or three piece are stretch fabric and usually cover more than one cushion.

The blog that Always linked you to (theoldpaintedcottage) is awesome. You should be able to get some great ideas there. Remember, one thing at a time! Good luck in your new decorating endeavors.