Redoing a semi formal living room into a cottage/costal design.
by
JayEl
+11
We live on a river in cottage country. We demolished our cottage to build a permanent home. Now we want to return the living room to a more cottage-like design. We have have cream colored slip covers for the sofa, loveseat and flowered chair. We would like to remove the artwork. The teak coffee table will go, too. So my questions are: 1. What type of window coverings should we put on the windows? Right now, there are valances & mini blinds.
2. Should I keep the area rug? 3. I’d like to chalk paint the oak side table..or should I do it a color other than white? The walls are a very pale celery color.
Thank for any and all help from the wonderful Hometalk community!
Hmmm, cottage design- I think you can keep the blinds but I would swap the fabric valances for wooden boxes that you can stain or whitewash; the rug I like but its not cottage so that's your call. Different artwork with chunky frames will help, and maybe swap the lamps out for a different set? Have fun!
Your question appeals to me because just yesterday I visited a cottage that was very well done. However this is Maine and on the coast so there would be a difference. Unfortunately your picture is too dark to really see clearly what you have now. Some things I noticed in particular in the home I visited were: lots of sea items, lobster designed rug, sea shells, pictures to do with ocean, a small Victorian stand, an iron day bed to serve as extra sleeping as well as seating. Some people who designed in the style you like very successfully were: Sister Parish, For your windows I would remove valances (I am not a fan of them, as I think most rooms need to look higher not wider) It seems that the windows are inset which is very nice. I would recommend simple curtains of cotton, plain or with a design; on wooden rings so you can open and close them and hung inside the window framing. For a rug, a larger and maybe a "rag" looking rug or one that looks hooked. Definitely put the lighter colored slip covers on the furniture. Have some wicker furniture, hang wooden elements on the wall (Joanne Gaines of Fixer Upper does a great job with this) Look for antique picture frames, baskets, things like magazine racks etc. You have a fun project ahead!
Hi JayEl!
i have some ideas, but ultimately, your own taste and budget will dictate if you can make the changes and at what time you do them. I agree, the photo is on the dark side, so I hope I saw things clearly.
The slip covers will go a long way to brighten the room and help achieve your desired look. The rug you have is nice, but maybe can be used in a spare room or sold and put the money towards a new one. I like Emily’s idea of a rag rug, but I would avoid the oval braided style. One that is done in a true rag style in a horizontal shape is better. Or even a large horizontal rug that is a woven but done in a muted stripe pattern with soft shades of blues, pale greens and cream would help tie your colors together and anchor your room.
You dont have to get rid of your teal table as long as you paint it perhaps with chalk paint in a cream or pale blue. I love the corner round table you have flowers on if it could be used in a place where it could be seen better.
Your lamps are fine or you could maybe freshen them up with pale blue or green shades.
I would definitely remove the valance and it’s rod. I personally don’t care for mini blinds. If it was my home, I would probably opt for some roll up rattan shades that could be let down for privacy when you need it and put some cream wispy sheers on both ends just to frame the entire look. Otherwise, your window would be open to let in a lot of natural light.
i would remove any dark, heavy frames or paint them cream. You can always opt for plainer frames. And I would definitely remove the heavy tapestry from the wall. A nice mirror would help reflect light in the room.
I know I didn’t address everything, but I hope these suggestions help!
Good luck with your project!
Jeanne
Teal table should be teak table! My typist is terrible!🙄
Like the idea of a cottage look. We have a small place in Florida for the Winter and when we redid the dinning/kitchen/living room and hallway we wanted to keep things light so for window treatments we opted for sheer curtain with the rod pocket turned under about 6” and hung on Clip Rings and rods. They are also long enough that they puddle a little on the floor. We did white to keep it light, also, we used Levelor shades on the windows for more privacy.
Your windows are similar to ours. we have gotten a lot of compliments on this look and thought it might work for you. Plus the cost is reasonable as we got all the sheers from Big Lots. Also, don’t skimp on the number of sheers. you want a full look if you close them. Slip covering the furniture is a great idea. chalk paint would work great on your tables in a color that compliments your wall color, a deeper green could work. Better lighting would help the look also. Would love to see the finished results. Hope this helps a little.
Bring in color! Pictures, wall hanging..etc White wash the tables.
give the lamps color, glue rope on the bottom of the lamp. Work with the colors in the rug! Yard sales are loaded with items you could use!
I would use rattan blinds for the windows. Hang them higher than where the window really is to elongate the look of the window length and it lets more light in.
I keep my rolled up higher but here’s an example (not my room). Good luck and have fun. Add soft blues and whites but don’t over do with nautical Knick-knacks.
I would use matchstick blinds for your windows. I would paint the walls white or an extremely light blue. I would switch out the rug for a natural fiber like sisal or something more traditional and lighter colored.