DECORATING COTTAGE IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND VERSATILE OF ALL DECORATING STYLES AND EASILY ADAPTED TO FIT YOUR PERSONALITY. THERE ARE MANY GENRES OF THIS:
* ENGLISH COTTAGE WITH FADED SOFT FLORALS OF PINKS, MINT AND LAVENDER, OVERSTUFFED CHAIRS AND LACE MIXED WITH FINE CHINA AND FAMILY HEIRLOOMS.
* SEASIDE COTTAGE HAS A TIMELESS, CLEAN SIMPLE LOOK WITH SUN-WORN PAINT, BRIGHT WHITE, BLUE COTTON AND AWNING STRIPES, AND A SPLASH OF SEA GLASS ACCENTS AND SHELLS. THINK SAILBOATS AND WAVES OF BLUE AND WHITE! * CAMP COTTAGE WITH POSTERS, TWIG FURNITURE, BARK COVERED FRAMES AND CAMP BLANKETS. ALSO, HANG CAMPING GEAR ON THE WALL .THINK WILDERNESS WONDER.
* GARDEN COTTAGE WITH BOUQUETS OF FRESH FLOWERS, GARDEN FURNITURE BROUGHT INDOORS WITH BIRDHOUSES AND VINTAGE GARDEN TOOLS. THINK NATURE INSPIRED.
* FARMHOUSE COTTAGE IS CHECKERED TABLECLOTHS ,AND JADEITE POTTERY.
VINTAGE ADVERTISING SIGNS AND FOLK ART. THINK HISTORICAL HUES AND WEATHERED FURNITURE.
FOR ANYONE PUTTING TOGETHER THE BASIC "MAKE UP" OF A ROOM ( WALLS, COUCH, LAMPS), START WITH NEUTRALS, THEY'RE THE IDEAL BACKGROUND FOR DECORATING. THEN ENHANCE THE LOOK WITH COLORFUL ACCESSORIES YOU CAN CHANGE AS YOUR TASTES EVOLVE. IT'S EASIER AND CHEAPER TO CHANGE PILLOWS/CANDLES/CURTAINS THAN TO PURCHASE A NEW COUCH.
Furnish your home on a shoestring budget:
* BUY FROM RENTAL STORES. THEY SELL THEIR USED GOODS AT GARAGE SALE PRICES. * SAVE WITH REMNANTS. CARPET STORES SELL THESE AT A FRACTION OF THE OFF THE ROLL PRICE.
* SCOUR ANTIQUE STORES. THEY HAVE NICE BUT NON COLLECTIBLE FURNITURE PIECES AT A DEAL.
* LAST SEASONS WALLPAPER. MOST STORES WILL SELL THESE AT A DISCOUNT. * SHOP THE CLASSIFIEDS.
QUICK TRICKS FOR A SMALL SPACE:
* KEEP COLORS LIGHT AND BRIGHT
* NEW FURNITURE OR OLDER PIECES PICKED UP CHEAP, WILL LOOK MORE PUT TOGETHER IF PAINTED
* PICK A THEME SUCH AS FLOWER PRINTS AND REPEAT IT IN MANY HARMONIZING PATTERNS AND COLORS ON WINDOWS WALLS, AND FURNITURE
* AVOID FUSSY WINDOW TREATMENTS, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, COVER ONLY THE TOP OF THE WINDOW WITH A VALANCE OR THE BOTTOM WITH A SHEER
* CUSTOMIZE CUPBOARDS WITH PULLS, ACCENTS AND PAINTED DOORS.

* DISPLAY A HAND TOWEL ON A DRAPERY TIEBACK BY SCREWING IN THE TIEBACK IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION DIRECTLY INTO THE WALL.
WAYS TO ADD INSTANT IMPACT: **BUY FLOWERS
* PRETTY DRAPERIES *LIGHTING
* PRINTS OR PAINTINGS *PILLOWS
* RUGS
* BOTTLES AND POTTERY

STORE MORE IN THE KITCHEN:
* FLIP UP COUNTER SPACE BY ADDING A DROP LEAF TO THE END OF A COUNTER. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DROP LEAF, USE AN OLD LARGE CUTTING BOARD AS I DID.

* HANG IT ALL FROM THE CEILING, WITH A LADDER OR POT RACK.
* USE HIGH SPACES OVER CABINETS TO STORE SELDOM USED ITEMS
* EVEN IN THE SMALLEST KITCHEN YOU MAY FIND ROOM FOR A FREE STANDING ISLAND.

* FREE UP COUNTER SPACE AND HOUSE APPLIANCES IN GARAGES,(NOT WHERE YOU PARK THE CAR!) IF YOU HAVE A TELEVISION IN THE KITCHEN, THINK ABOUT HANGING IT ON THE WALL.
* FRUIT AND VEGGIE CANS MAKE NICE STORE ALLS FOR WHISKS, SPOONS AND MORE.

 * USE VARIOUS SIZES OF BASKETS TO ORGANIZE CLUTTER.
* A PLATE RACK KEEPS PLATES AT HAND.
* MIRRORED BACKSPLASHES OPEN UP A KITCHEN AND GIVES IT A LOOK OF SPACIOUSNESS

* CONVERT AN OLD COLANDER INTO HANGING LIGHT FIXTURE.

CREATING CUSTOM LOOKS:
* REVAMP A LAMP WITH SCRAPS OF FABRIC AND RIBBONS CREATING A BORDER AROUND IT
* PERSONALIZE A WELCOME MAT BY STENCILING IT

* GATHER PICTURES AND FRAMES AND HANG AND DISPLAY ON THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF ONE WALL

* STAMP A BORDER AROUND THE PERIMETER OF A ROOM