Cottage Style: Ideas & Projects for Your World

Written by Jerri Farris and Tim Himsel
Published by Creative Publishing International

The cottage style is one of the hottest trends in decorating today, especially when combined with other popular looks, such as country, Shabby Chic, or Swedish. The cottage look can be defined as romantic, English gardening style with a simplicity and calmness of palette that is often lacking in the more elaborate and fussy Victorian look. Relaxed and pretty, cottage homes can suit men and women alike with a few fresh ideas and a willingness to look. It’s not about covering every available surface with knick-knacks, doing twee painting techniques, or using only the most expensive fabric for your draperies; it’s about making your house into a home and a place filled with the people and things you love, where you and your loved ones can relax and be restored.

Even readers who do not think they currently like cottage style will probably find something they like in this book; the authors do a wonderful job of representing how flexible this style is and how it can suit a variety of different aesthetics, while remaining true to the comfort and welcoming atmosphere that is a hallmark of this style. Some details concentrate on elegance, others on nature-oriented design, but all of the images in this book display the signature comfort and welcoming atmosphere. If you like things that are pretty, cushy, and look well-loved, then you will like cottage style.

The main body of the book is divided by themed chapters. Chapters cover furnishings, pillows and linens, mirrors and frames, accents, and lighting. Two ending chapters present a host of techniques of use in creating the projects, as well as dressing up your home in other ways. Examples include how to create knife-edge pillows and good soldering practices.

But Cottage Style is more than a decorating book. There are projects to get readers involved and participating in the look of their home. The projects are dispersed throughout the book and represent a wide variety of arts and crafts. Examples of the over thirty projects include making a beadboard frame, creating a five-board bench, and stitching up some embellished linens. Each project has a large photo of the finished project, photos of steps, a materials list, and full instructions that are easy to follow and well-written. Even people who never engage in woodworking or other crafts projects should have little to no trouble creating these objects, and they are all a wonderful addition to anyone’s home. All necessary patterns can be found in the back of the book. Besides, any book that can make foam insulation look as lovely and downright elegant as it does in the mantel clock project has my vote.

All in all, this is a wonderful for resource for anyone planning on redecorating or renovation their home. The cottage style appeals to all the senses and takes into consideration the emotions of the people who have to live there, as well as such other issues as comfort and ease of care. A cottage home is a home that looks loved, and Cottage Style is a solid start on getting there.

Grade: A

Review submitted by Dindrane