I Need Cottage Decorating Ideas by Nancy, Your Frugal Decorating Diva

Recently, the following question was ask about cottage decorating:

I have recently repainted my livingroom. I have a piano and fireplace (with a mirror above it) in that room. I have live plants and one artificial tree. I need to store books in the room, especially music ones. I really want to use cottage style in this room - any ideas?

**

Cottage is so my fave! Here are some ideas to use with the "bones" you have to work with:

* Candles are a cottage staple. I think a collection of either silver or clear glass candle holders would look good on one of your piano. You could cover some of your music books in white butcher paper and stack them to use as lifts for that candlescape.

* With all your plants, mini lights would add that cottage cozy light look. If you can put some of those in front of your mirror, or any mirror, you'd increase their impact. Maybe stand a mirror inside your fireplace when not in use - against the back wall of it, and have plants with minilights fill in the opening. Cover all your pots so they match - maybe in the same fabric you could make pillows out of.

* Matching lace tableclothes draped over your current drapes - not completely covering them - just so they have that layered look would add a cottage fabric touch.

* If you cover more of your music books in the same paper, you could stack them on the side of your sofa as an impromptu table. I would use a tray - either silver or clear glass (depending on which you pick for candlesticks) on top of the last book.

* You can make tables - accent, end and coffee tables - out of so many things - try a sled as a coffee table - or a partially closed old wooden ironing board. Stand crates on their sides. Store some of your books inside. I took pieces of 12x12 ceramic floor tile and glued one to each of several small plant stands to make tables.

I love even THINKING about cottage style!

About The Author

Nancy, the Frugal Decorating Diva, substitutes creativity for money - and comes up with a better result. Read more about how to do that at http://www.FrugalByDesign.com or email Nancy at nancy@frugalbydesign.com