The Distinctive Cottage

Category: Articles

Articles

Collaging Upholstery Pieces

The collage application for upholstery has been around for years, but has gained the reputation of being a predominately country look.  In this post, we

Articles

We Turned ONE!

We wanted to share with you, all of our faithful readers, that September marks our One Year Milestone! We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this momentous occasion. And what better way to celebrate than to look back on all of our favorite articles, projects, posts, and cumulative creativity that this blog has shared over the past twelve months. The Distinctive Cottage is proud to be able to continually expand on our original mission: to create, inspire, share, and highlight ideas & trends about living beautifully in today’s home. Here are a few of our favorites to recap a spectacular year in the world of home decorating!

Articles

Deck Design Dilemma

This month’s Design Dilemma comes from a young family near NYC who own a beautiful three-story brownstone. They have a lower patio area in the back with a built-in grill & bar, and would like to create a spot for play dates, lounging, and casual entertaining. They also have a second floor deck, right off the kitchen, that is smaller (17′ L x 7’W) that they want to use as a quieter seating area for morning coffee and quick bites.

Articles

Creating Your Own Gallery Collage

The most important rule of thumb when creating your own gallery collage is to have fun! This is a design project that allows you to dictate what you want to see featured on your walls. Choose items that share memories, inspire you, motivate you, and ultimately make you happy. It’s an opportunity to express the people, places, and things you love.

Articles

Adding Extra Storage

Most homes can benefit from have more places to store all of life’s little necessities. Here are five ways of adding storage to your home:

Articles

A Home Fit For Our Furry Friends

Pets are a huge part of our families; they bring joy and happiness to our lives and to our homes. With our pets in mind, we want to create a home that is suitable for their active lifestyles, yet doesn’t sacrifice comfort or style in the process. It is all about choosing materials, especially fabrics, that will accommodate the inevitable wear and tear from our furry friends. Here are a few tips to help you create pet-friendly environments for the two rooms most frequently visited by paws – the entryway and the family room.

Articles

Pros and Cons of Stylish Home Trends

Since spring is upon us, now is a great time to begin brainstorming ways to freshen up your home! These trends are all unique and easy ways to liven up and re-organize the most frequently used spaces in the home. Looking at all sides of the pretty and practical elements of these trends helps to identify if they are a good fit for you and your family.

Articles

Get Ready for Summer – A Guide to Outdoor Decorating

Here in Maine, the snow is starting to melt and patches of ground are peaking through. The days are longer – and the sun is warmer. After a long winter, we are all dreaming of those lazy days of summer when we can enjoy the great outdoors, so naturally we are thinking of outdoor decorating ideas.

Articles

The Benefits of Houseplants

Five benefits of houseplants for your home, whether they be decorative or useful or both! See more helpful home decorating tips at the Distinctive Cottage.

Buying A Sofa
Articles

Shopping for a Sofa? It’s More Than Just Good Looks!

Many people consider the sofa to be the crown jewel of the living room. It sets the style for the whole room and it’s usually the item that everything else revolves around. It’s an important purchase – and often an expensive one. Before you set out to shop, do a little homework first. It can save time and help you avoid some costly mistakes.