Cottage season is finally upon us. If you're lucky enough to have a cottage you know how long it's taken to get here.
Cottage living is relaxed and kick-back and a cottage décor, whether in an actual cottage or as a style in your urban home, is an affordable and fun décor style.
This cottage kitchen is no exception. Several elements come together here to an attractive and welcoming outcome. There are quite a few budget-friendly ideas at work here that can be utilized in your own décor as well as fun collections that are befitting this retro-cottage style décor.
The big change came when the dark brown 1970s cabinets were painted in a shade of green reminiscent of colours from past eras. The hardware was reused but updated by removing the faceplates (which were very 1970) and installing only the cabinet and drawer pulls. The cost for this project; $0.00. The couple that owns the cottage used leftover white interior latex paint that was tinted using green craft paint until the shade of green was just right. Painting the cabinets changed the entire look and feel of the kitchen. It was a bit of work but definitely worth it. If your kitchen needs an update you might just consider a little paint and elbow grease. I am currently working on painting the kitchen cabinets in my own home. You'll read more about it when the project is complete later this summer.
The countertop in this cottage kitchen was installed by the husband who decided to use stone flooring tiles and grout rather than buy a more traditional melamine or granite countertop. He laid the tiles on a plywood base and trimmed them out with decorative wood trim. The honey-coloured tiles blend beautifully with the pine walls and make for a durable countertop.
This couple likes to collect vintage items, particularly kitchen gadgets and utensils. They found a handful of old product pamphlets at a thrift store and have framed and displayed them on top of the kitchen cabinets. The pamphlets, which date from the 1930s to 1950s, only cost 10 cents each but when framed, make a great display along with some vintage decorative tins. Other old items like vintage spice tins, syrup server and watering can help support the retro theme. The melmac plates in retro colours of green and salmon remind the cottage owners of their younger days. The most expensive decorative item is the reproduction tin over the stove which was about $20. You can frame interesting items like calendar photographs, hand-written recipes (perhaps a family favourite handed down through the years), poems, sheet music or whatever suits you fancy. Unique items like these make for an interesting and personal space that speaks to who you are and what you love. Also, it's a cheap way to decorate!
Currently, the cottage owners are collecting old egg beaters. They have started to amass a small collection of hand-crank egg beaters which date from the 1920s through to the 1970s. They usually find them for a few dollars at thrift stores and flea markets which makes collecting them a fun and inexpensive hobby. The lesson here is that collections, whatever yours may be, are great décor boosters because they are a usually cherished items (or you wouldn't be collecting them), a conversation piece and decorative. Collectibles don't have to be expensive to be appealing and should be displayed appropriately for maximum impact in the home.
Personal touches like the revamped wall clock are what make this cottage charming. The wife took an old plastic clock base and workings and refaced it with blue painted paper and local pressed wild flowers to mark the hours. She then wrapped the circumference in jute twine using a hot glue gun to cover the plastic finish. The letters spelling out RELAX are displayed in such a way that you see them upon entering the cottage. This reminds the couple to take a step back and enjoy the peacefulness that is cottage living.
I love using words in my own décor because they inspire me. These days it's easy to use words in your décor. The days of tedious stenciling are over. You can purchase wooden letters and phrases or wall appliqués of letters, phrases and graphics which can be easily placed in any room in the home. Even once plain photo frames are now more decorative. They have words like 'family' or 'friends' and so on either on the glass of the frames or as cut outs in the actual frame where the photos peek out from. Words are a powerful and wonderful décor addition.
Having a space that you love is achievable. Collect and display what truly moves you, use what you have to keep the budget on track and break some rules along the way. Who says floor tiles can't make a great countertop or old pamphlets aren't art? Not me, that's for sure.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
