| Some people simply love the great outdoors so much | | | | However, totally white walls can be harsh and blinding, |
| that they cannot resist bringing the outside inside. The | | | | compared to the soft, relaxing mood that Garden |
| Cottage Garden style of interior decorating was made | | | | Cottage style should have. If using white on the walls, |
| for these outdoor folks. | | | | ask the paint store to mix in just a touch of a pastel |
| Like all Cottage decor, Garden style roots itself in a | | | | shade of one of the other colors, to take the edge off. |
| look that's well worn, a touch faded perhaps, and | | | | Or you could choose an ivory or cream white to |
| definitely well aged, or vintage. Antique, distressed or | | | | warm up the walls. |
| weathered are the finishes and surfaces to use for | | | | If the room's color isn't on the walls, then make sure it's |
| this style. If forced to purchase something new to | | | | in the fabrics and accessories. The goal is the kind of |
| decorate in this style, do your best to give it a used | | | | bright, cheery atmosphere found in a summer garden |
| look. For example, washing them in a solution of weak | | | | at its height. Hang lots of botanical prints on the walls - |
| tea can age new linens. Other methods to distress | | | | flowers, trees, birds, butterflies, etc. Or frame some |
| furnishings can easily be found through a few quick | | | | photos from your own garden. |
| online searches. | | | | As with other Cottage styles, hardwood or tile floors |
| A large window or a set of sliding doors will help | | | | are preferred, accented with floral area rugs or |
| greatly in establishing Garden decor for a room. It | | | | natural-fiber coverings such as bamboo rugs edged in |
| would be important not to impede either of these | | | | brightly color cotton. |
| architectural features with excessive window | | | | Natural materials also are the best choices for furniture |
| treatments. Use simple, plain curtains or roller shades if | | | | in Cottage Garden decor. Choose wicker, rattan or |
| needed for privacy, but keep the treatments to sheer | | | | bamboo for best effect. There's no need to match the |
| or translucent drapes. You not only want to let in as | | | | furniture, but if you prefer you can paint it all white and |
| much light as possible, you want to take advantage of | | | | recover it with matching fabrics. |
| the outdoor scenes as a kind of living artwork for a | | | | With the basics cared for, try adding personal touches |
| Garden style room. | | | | in the accessories. Top a large terracotta planter with |
| The color palette for Garden Cottage decor naturally | | | | a thick piece of tempered glass to make a coffee |
| bases itself on outdoor colors, but these aren't the | | | | table, or use a painted outdoor bench from a picnic |
| deep greens and browns of the forest, as with Rustic | | | | table. Place lots of green plants and flowers all around |
| Cottage style. Garden style colors are lighter, more | | | | the room, and use baskets and buckets to catch |
| representative of what would be seen in a domestic | | | | clutter and keep the room simple. |
| garden: sage green, terra cotta, muted gold, tan earth. | | | | Follow these Cottage Garden decorating tips, and |
| White is the accent for all of these, or it could be used | | | | soon you might not be able to tell where the inside |
| on the walls as a neutral background. | | | | stops and the outside begins! |