Questions? Call us at: (866) 223-2757

WP_Query Object
(
    [query] => Array
        (
            [paged] => 3
            [category_name] => cottage-style-decorating-articles
        )

    [query_vars] => Array
        (
            [paged] => 3
            [category_name] => cottage-style-decorating-articles
            [error] => 
            [m] => 
            [p] => 0
            [post_parent] => 
            [subpost] => 
            [subpost_id] => 
            [attachment] => 
            [attachment_id] => 0
            [name] => 
            [pagename] => 
            [page_id] => 0
            [second] => 
            [minute] => 
            [hour] => 
            [day] => 0
            [monthnum] => 0
            [year] => 0
            [w] => 0
            [tag] => 
            [cat] => 7281
            [tag_id] => 
            [author] => 
            [author_name] => 
            [feed] => 
            [tb] => 
            [meta_key] => 
            [meta_value] => 
            [preview] => 
            [s] => 
            [sentence] => 
            [title] => 
            [fields] => 
            [menu_order] => 
            [embed] => 
            [category__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_name__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [search_columns] => Array
                (
                )

            [ignore_sticky_posts] => 
            [suppress_filters] => 
            [cache_results] => 1
            [update_post_term_cache] => 1
            [update_menu_item_cache] => 
            [lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
            [update_post_meta_cache] => 1
            [post_type] => 
            [posts_per_page] => 13
            [nopaging] => 
            [comments_per_page] => 50
            [no_found_rows] => 
            [order] => DESC
        )

    [tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [taxonomy] => category
                            [terms] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => cottage-style-decorating-articles
                                )

                            [field] => slug
                            [operator] => IN
                            [include_children] => 1
                        )

                )

            [relation] => AND
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                    [0] => wp_term_relationships
                )

            [queried_terms] => Array
                (
                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [terms] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => cottage-style-decorating-articles
                                )

                            [field] => slug
                        )

                )

            [primary_table] => wp_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
        )

    [meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => 
            [meta_table] => 
            [meta_id_column] => 
            [primary_table] => 
            [primary_id_column] => 
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [clauses:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [has_or_relation:protected] => 
        )

    [date_query] => 
    [queried_object] => WP_Term Object
        (
            [term_id] => 7281
            [name] => Articles
            [slug] => cottage-style-decorating-articles
            [term_group] => 0
            [term_taxonomy_id] => 7438
            [taxonomy] => category
            [description] => 

Cottage Decorating Articles

This is a expanded post collection of cottage decorating articles to help stimulate your thoughts on improving your cottage style designs. Some examples of  post articles include how to Design a Sofa Collage, 5 Ways to Use a Barn Door in Your Designs, updates on design trends and many more. Every cottage decorating post includes sorting tags to focus on specific decorating by room or cottage decorating style. Please let our designers know which article you found the most helpful or what cottage decorating subjects you would appreciate us covering in the future. [parent] => 0 [count] => 30 [filter] => raw [term_order] => 0 [term_icon] => [cat_ID] => 7281 [category_count] => 30 [category_description] =>

Cottage Decorating Articles

This is a expanded post collection of cottage decorating articles to help stimulate your thoughts on improving your cottage style designs. Some examples of  post articles include how to Design a Sofa Collage, 5 Ways to Use a Barn Door in Your Designs, updates on design trends and many more. Every cottage decorating post includes sorting tags to focus on specific decorating by room or cottage decorating style. Please let our designers know which article you found the most helpful or what cottage decorating subjects you would appreciate us covering in the future. [cat_name] => Articles [category_nicename] => cottage-style-decorating-articles [category_parent] => 0 ) [queried_object_id] => 7281 [request] => SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS wp_posts.ID FROM wp_posts LEFT JOIN wp_term_relationships ON (wp_posts.ID = wp_term_relationships.object_id) WHERE 1=1 AND ( wp_term_relationships.term_taxonomy_id IN (7438) ) AND ((wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND (wp_posts.post_status = 'publish' OR wp_posts.post_status = 'acf-disabled'))) GROUP BY wp_posts.ID ORDER BY wp_posts.post_date DESC LIMIT 26, 13 [posts] => Array ( [0] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1316 [post_author] => 3304 [post_date] => 2012-11-19 16:06:05 [post_date_gmt] => 2012-11-19 21:06:05 [post_content] => Your dining room is probably the most popular room in the house during the holidays when families and friends gather around the table for festive feasts.  And, if you are planning on doing some dining room redecorating, now is the time to think out of the set.  The traditional dining room table and chairs ‘matched set’ is giving way to a more creative ‘mix-and-match’ approach. Maine Ladderback Arm Chair - Sunrise Double X-Back Chair - Pear Summer House Elizabeth Parson's Chair Peyton Dining Chair Twig Dining ChairNantucket Wicker Cafe Chair In everything from fashion to home decorating, the emphasis today is on reflecting your own personality and lifestyle.  Throw out the old rules!  Experiment!  Play around!  Find a style that is uniquely you. In July, we talked about farmhouse tables—the ‘must have’ for cottage-style country furnishings.  Now, it’s time to talk about chairs.  Of course, the first consideration is the size of your dining area and how many people you want to seat.  Do you choose a table with extensions to expand seating capacity for special occasions?  And what about extra chairs or seating for all those guests? The first thing to remember is that not all chairs need to look alike.  You can combine styles and colors in a harmonious blend.  Painted chairs can brighten a room with easy-to-care-for finishes. If you are using painted wood chairs as your primary seating or as an accent – don’t overdo.  Select one or two colors that blend and work well with your overall décor.

Barn Wood Table with Two Color Windsor ChairsYou can also mix and match seating styles.  How about upholstered chairs for the head and foot of the table, matched with wood chairs along the sides?  There are countless chair styles available that can harmonize to create a distinctive decor.  One of the most popular is the country-style Windsor chair, which originated in Britain and quickly became a staple of American dining room furnishings. Some with arms and some without—some simple and others more ornate—there are numerous variations on the Windsor theme with a Colonial motif.

Barn Wood Table with Ladderback and Parsons ChairsAnother popular choice is the ladderback chair, a simple and more compact style, often with rush or cane seating.  There are also fanbacks, ryebacks, wheatbacks and open backs.  For a more rustic décor, there are twig chairs or wicker chairs. The list goes on.  There are authentic antiques and affordable reproductions made to look like antiques.  When not in use around the dining room table, these chairs can also serve as accent pieces throughout the home.

If extra seating is your goal – consider the bench.  A bench can be used either on one side or on both sides of the table, and can tuck neatly under the table when not in use.   The bench dates back to medieval times when all the inhabitants of the castle crowded around the table on hard wooden benches.  Today, the bench has achieved new status as a flexible and decorative approach to cottage-style seating. 

Barn Wood Table with Bench

Mix-and-match also applies to today’s most creative table-top settings where not everything needs to look alike.  Use old family china, napkins, serving pieces and silverware to make each place setting a unique collage of family memories. 

Brought to you by Cottage Home - specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables

[post_title] => Dining Chairs: Think Outside The Set [post_excerpt] => Your dining room is probably the most popular room in the house during the holidays when families and friends gather around the table for festive feasts. And, if you are planning on doing some dining room redecorating, now is the time to think out of the set. The traditional dining room table and chairs ‘matched set’ is giving way to a more creative ‘mix-and-match’ approach. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => dining-chairs-think-outside-the-set [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2019-08-22 14:57:54 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-08-22 18:57:54 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://distinctblog.wpengine.com/?p=1316 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw [post_icon] => ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1217 [post_author] => 3304 [post_date] => 2012-10-16 15:49:02 [post_date_gmt] => 2012-10-16 19:49:02 [post_content] => For the writer, it’s the tyranny of the blank page.  For the artist, it’s the white canvas.  And for the home decorator … it’s the empty room.  Where do I start?  How do I make all those creative ideas a reality?  And, what if I make a mistake? Don’t worry, you are not alone.  Getting started is always the hardest part of any creative endeavor – whether it’s a poem, a painting, or an interior décor. While everyone has their own way of working, here are some suggestions that may well help you make your interior cottage style decorating projects easier – and more fun.  It’s based on our years of experience helping our customers design rooms that work. Interior Decorating Ideas | Vermont Lake House Living Room First and foremost – start by providing a structure.  Before you even think about colors and fabrics and all those nice touches, you need to lay the foundation.
  • Begin with careful room measurements.  It might sound obvious, but start with the overall dimensions of the room.  Be sure to include window and door locations, windowsill heights, stairs, fireplace, unusual wall locations or anything else that will affect furniture placement and flow.  Good measurements are the first and most important step to plan your room and avoid costly mistakes.
  • Take pictures.   Keep a record of every room for future reference.  Bring them along with you when you start to shop. Be sure to include any pieces of furniture you may want to keep.  Before and after photos can serve as a valuable reference for future decorating projects.
  • Design a rough layout.  You can do this on the computer, as we do.  There are many computer programs available that enable you to create a layout, ‘drag and drop’ actual photos of furniture and move things around with the click of a mouse.  You can access our software program here. Or, if you prefer, you can use graph paper to hand-draw your layout.  Use the grid lines to make a layout to scale.  The rule of thumb is one box on the grid equals one foot of space.  Sketch in where you want to place furniture for each room including the dimensions. Interior Decorating Ideas | Vermont Lake House Living Room Plan Interior Decorating Ideas | Vermont Lake House Living Room 2nd Angle  Interior Decorating Ideas | Vermont Lake House Living Room 3rd Angle
  • Take an inventory.  Not everyone starts with an empty room or house.  There may well be pieces of furniture you want to keep and some you wish to discard.  Take a good hard look and decide which ones are the ‘keepers’.  Can a sofa be reupholstered or recovered with slipcovers?  Can a table or chest be refinished or painted?  Is this really something that you want to keep?  Is it worth keeping?  Oftentimes, unless you plan on reworking a piece yourself, the cost of refurbishing an existing piece can be almost as much as purchasing a new item.  Once you have decided what to keep and what to replace, draw up a furniture inventory of items you will need for each room.  Include dimensions – even though these may be just ‘guess-timates’ in this phase.
  • Think about your personal style.  Are you the country cottage type, traditional or sleek modern?  Don’t forget you can mix and match styles in today’s eclectic design.  Look at the architecture of your home – and its surroundings to create a natural fit with your environment.  And don’t forget to consider your lifestyle.  Is it casual and easy-care or is it more formal?  Are there kids and pets to consider?  Start to envision your ‘dream house’ – a house that works for everyone involved.
  • Scheme about colorNow is the time to start thinking about your color scheme. Get creative. Scour websites and magazines for ideas.  What colors do you love – and which ones do you avoid?  Pick a color combination that works best for your environment – and fits with items you may already own.  Create harmony. Think about the flow of color from one room to the next.  Start with an important item that will be the focal point of your room – a sofa, a rug or a piece of art.
  • Consider your budget & timeline.  This is the hard part.  Take a good look at your finances and try to come up with a rough figure for what you plan to spend.  Look at prices – particularly for ‘big ticket’ items -- and decide where you may want to splurge and where you can economize.  In addition, not every piece has to be purchased at the same time. Once you have a plan, you can always “fill in” a room when your finances permit. Consider investing in, and waiting for, high quality furniture a decision that will serve you well into the future.
  • Browse online or in stores.  Okay, now you are ready to start looking around.  The possibilities are endless.  Look at catalogues, magazines and websites.  Browse through local stores.  Ask for opinions – get design assistance.  Bring along all the elements you have put together as part of your foundation – dimensions, photos, layouts, product inventory and color schemes.  If you have any fabric swatches, bring those along too.  
You are now ready to shop!  In the months ahead, we will take you on a room-by-room tour to help you design your own distinctive home. Brought to you by Cottage Home - specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables [post_title] => Interior Decorating Ideas: Starting A Project [post_excerpt] => While everyone has their own way of working, here are some suggestions that may well help you make your interior cottage style decorating projects easier – and more fun. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => interior-decorating-ideas-starting-a-project [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2019-08-22 14:58:39 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-08-22 18:58:39 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://distinctblog.wpengine.com/?p=1217 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw [post_icon] => ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1127 [post_author] => 3304 [post_date] => 2012-09-21 11:27:34 [post_date_gmt] => 2012-09-21 15:27:34 [post_content] => A staple of the country or cottage home, today’s braided rug is reminiscent of earlier days evoking memories of hearth and home.  With sophisticated colors and patterns, braided rugs are now ‘at home’ in any setting from county cabin to urban contemporary.  These are not your Grandma’s braided rugs! Cottage Braided Rugs: An American Tradition Old & NewThe braided rug carries memories of a simpler time when families gathered around the hearth at the end of a busy day.  This traditional American craft actually originated in England and traveled to North America with the Pilgrims.  Simple and sturdy, these rugs were used to warm the cold wooden floorboards in Colonial New England.  The braided rug soon made its way West with the pioneers, and quickly spread throughout the country. Women gathered in the evenings, braiding rugs from old scraps of fabric, worn coats, and discarded pieces of clothing – the ultimate in recycling.  They passed the skill along to their daughters, working together while the men repaired harnesses and tools.  In its earliest form, there was little attention paid to design or color.  Most braided rugs had a strand of black fabric running through the entire rug, since black was the most readily available fabric culled from old black coats, pants and jackets.  The black strand was braided with whatever other colors were on hand at the time.  This was commonly referred to as the ‘hit-or-miss’ pattern. A typical braided rug is made from three strands of fiber.  Just like braiding hair, the right strand is wrapped over the center strand and then the left strand is wrapped over the center strand, in a continuous cycle of repetition.  When it reaches the desired length, the braid is then sewn together into various shapes and sizes – round or oval being the simplest and originially most popular.  Eventually, square and rectangular rugs were made, some even reversible.  When New England emerged as a center for wool-making in the 1800’s, braided rugs became more sophisticated and complex.  Skeins of wool became available, replacing the old discarded fabrics and remnants.  As designs became more intricate, some women even developed their own recognizable style, much like a signature.  There were borders and variations of patterns using color and shading.  The humble braided rug came into its own as a treasure of American Folk Art. Wool Mill 1800'sLike its cousin – the antique hand-sewn quilt – heirloom braided rugs are difficult to find today and usually fetch high prices.  Their age and fragility often makes them better suited for wall art than for a floor covering.

Hand-braided rugs are still made today by crafters and artisans following the time-honored tradition of the early colonial settlers.  As cottage or country style furnishings have come into vogue, the braided rug is fast becoming a focal point of the new ‘old’ décor.  Few are still hand-crafted, while most are machine made, making them more affordable.  Today’s rugs come in a variety of materials, including wool, cotton, nylon, chenille cotton and even polypropylene for outdoor use.

Unlike their humble ancestors, contemporary braided rugs offer endless choices – round, square, oval, rectangular in standard or custom dimensions to fit any setting.  Patterns and colors range from bold stripes to subtle hues.  Some braided rugs replicate the traditional patterns that date back to the 1800’s when braiding was in its heyday.  Others set out in a striking, creative new direction to impart a contemporary interpretation to the traditional braided rug with vertical, concentric and cross-sewn braids.  Some rugs are even made using ‘micro-braids’ for enhanced color variation.  Reversible rugs enable the homeowner to change the décor with the changing seasons.  No wonder the simple braided rug is experiencing a renaissance – finding its place in homes from the seashore to the mountains, lakes, and prairies.  Quite simply – the braided rug is as American as apple pie!  Cross Sewn Braided Rug   Allegani Braided RugIridenscence Braided RugCabana Stripes Braided RugIndoor/Outdoor Braided RugRectangular Braided Rug Brought to you by Cottage Home - specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables [post_title] => The Braided Rug: A Tradition Old & New [post_excerpt] => A staple of the country or cottage home, today’s braided rug is reminiscent of earlier days evoking memories of hearth and home. With sophisticated colors and patterns, braided rugs are now ‘at home’ in any setting from county cabin to urban contemporary. These are not your Grandma’s braided rugs! [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => the-braided-rug-a-tradition-old-new [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2019-08-22 14:58:40 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-08-22 18:58:40 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://distinctblog.wpengine.com/?p=1127 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw [post_icon] => ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 794 [post_author] => 3304 [post_date] => 2012-07-29 15:09:57 [post_date_gmt] => 2012-07-29 19:09:57 [post_content] => About Farmhouse Tables - Family Memories Made to Order Reclaimed Barn Wood Farmhouse Table American Windsor Chairs

Early History

The Country Farm Table has come a long way from its humble origins.  Earliest mentions date back to the ancient Greeks.  They were used in medieval castles where meals were taken in the Great Hall.  All the inhabitants of the castle crowded around a long narrow table, seated on rough wooden benches.  Its close cousin, the refectory table, was used in monasteries and seminaries.  Designed to be portable, the table consisted of large planks of wood laid across a trestle so that it could be picked up and moved away when the meal was finished. The American Farmhouse table evolved to meet the basic needs of the early settlers.  They were usually made from slabs of Eastern White Pine, the most plentiful lumber available in Colonial times.  Structural timbers were converted to table legs or trestles.  Families and farm workers were usually seated around a basic bench or two.  The lumber they used was not cured or kiln dried, forming cracks and twists as it air dried.  The soft pine quickly showed the wear and tear of daily use.  The table served many purposes – a place to eat, a handy workbench, a baking board, a countertop for canning and preserves.  But most importantly, the rough-hewn table was a place to gather at the end of a hard day’s work on the farm.   These antique Colonial Farm tables are hard to find today, and can cost thousands of dollars. As towns and cities developed -- and the population became more affluent and sophisticated – the humble farmhouse table was soon replaced by the formal, polished dining room table that was often reserved for special occasions and company.  Nevertheless, many families continued to gather around the farmhouse table in the kitchen, where meals were a family affair.

A Nostalgic Return to a Simpler Time

Once again, the country farm table has come into its own.  Particularly suited to today’s informal lifestyle, the farmhouse table evokes memories of a simpler time – the comforts of home, the aroma of a meal cooking on the hearth, the family sharing stories at the end of a long day.  Valued for its clean, classic lines, these simple wooden tables fit almost any environment from urban sophisticated to country rustic. Catering to every taste and income level, farm tables can be divided into three tiers.  Tier One is the most basic – the mass market table that is generally manufactured off-shore.  Not always made from full planks or even from real wood, some Tier One tables have plastic finishes.  They are mass produced and are available in a limited number of sizes, styles, and finishes.  Considered a good ‘starter’ table, it is priced to be affordable. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Tier Three – the authentic antique farmhouse table.  They are difficult to find and often considered collector’s pieces or museum quality artifacts.  Though highly prized, they are often not available to fit today’s size requirements.  Built to fit old, small rooms, many antique tables are too narrow or too small for today’s larger-sized dining rooms. Sitting right in the middle is the growing Tier Twomade-to-order farmhouse tables - balancing all the best of old and new.  Hand-crafted and custom made, contemporary country farm tables offer options of complete customization not widely available in the past.  Bench-built by specialized furniture craftsmen and artisans, these tables can be produced to your specifications at an affordable price.

Select Your Size

The first – and some say the most important choice is size.  Tier Two made-to-order tables can be made in any size to fit your space and offer maximum seating flexibility.  Long…rectangular…square…round…oval…design a table that suits the dimensions of your room and fits your lifestyle.  Tables can be sized for a traditional dining room or for a kitchen nook with freestanding chairs or with benches.  It can even be made to fit built-in window seats or banquets.  Today’s farmhouse tables can be made with company board extensions to accommodate extra seating – a nod to the original extension tables of yore.

Choose Your Wood

Tables can be made from traditional pine or from premium woods such as rustic cherry, maple or oak.  A good farmhouse table is made with long planked construction used by early craftsmen. Still more options to choose from – new wood or old.  Custom tables can be made from reclaimed weathered boards, including old English pine or reclaimed American barn boards.  Though somewhat more expensive, reclaimed wood tables are the closest you can come to an authentic antique.  Nail holes, saw marks and other imperfections add to the charm of a reclaimed wood table.  In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the use of reclaimed wood eliminates the need to cut down a new tree – the ultimate in recycling!

Customize Your Options

Our ancestors had few options for the base of a farmhouse table – a trestle or a turned leg would suffice.  But today, choices abound.  In addition to the traditional trestle or turned leg, country tables can sit on a round pedestal, a stretcher base, tavern base or the upscale double-pedestal trestle table. Still more choices!  Select the thickness of the top and choose whether you want it planked or seamless construction.  Even table-top overhangs can be adjusted.

Add the Finishing Touches

Farmhouse tables made from new wood are generally hand-distressed to provide the character of a well-aged reclaimed wood table.  They can be heavily distressed for a rustic look or lightly distressed to impart a more refined aura.  Tables can be finished in any color or stain, or in a paint/stain combination.  Custom paint and stain options are normally available for an extra charge.  Rubs, glazes, peels, washes and even crackle options are some of the finishing touches that make your table unique.  Environmentally friendly finishes with clear top coats provide safe and durable finishes. The end result is a farmhouse table where memories will be made for generations to come. Brought to you by Cottage Home - specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables [post_title] => Farmhouse Tables: Family Memories Made-to-Order [post_excerpt] => The American Farmhouse table evolved to meet the basic needs of the early settlers. They were usually made from slabs of Eastern White Pine, the most plentiful lumber available in Colonial times. Structural timbers were converted to table legs or trestles. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => farmhouse-tables-family-memories-made-to-order2 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2019-08-22 14:58:40 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-08-22 18:58:40 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://distinctblog.wpengine.com/?p=794 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw [post_icon] => ) ) [post_count] => 4 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1316 [post_author] => 3304 [post_date] => 2012-11-19 16:06:05 [post_date_gmt] => 2012-11-19 21:06:05 [post_content] => Your dining room is probably the most popular room in the house during the holidays when families and friends gather around the table for festive feasts.  And, if you are planning on doing some dining room redecorating, now is the time to think out of the set.  The traditional dining room table and chairs ‘matched set’ is giving way to a more creative ‘mix-and-match’ approach. Maine Ladderback Arm Chair - Sunrise Double X-Back Chair - Pear Summer House Elizabeth Parson's Chair Peyton Dining Chair Twig Dining ChairNantucket Wicker Cafe Chair In everything from fashion to home decorating, the emphasis today is on reflecting your own personality and lifestyle.  Throw out the old rules!  Experiment!  Play around!  Find a style that is uniquely you. In July, we talked about farmhouse tables—the ‘must have’ for cottage-style country furnishings.  Now, it’s time to talk about chairs.  Of course, the first consideration is the size of your dining area and how many people you want to seat.  Do you choose a table with extensions to expand seating capacity for special occasions?  And what about extra chairs or seating for all those guests? The first thing to remember is that not all chairs need to look alike.  You can combine styles and colors in a harmonious blend.  Painted chairs can brighten a room with easy-to-care-for finishes. If you are using painted wood chairs as your primary seating or as an accent – don’t overdo.  Select one or two colors that blend and work well with your overall décor.

Barn Wood Table with Two Color Windsor ChairsYou can also mix and match seating styles.  How about upholstered chairs for the head and foot of the table, matched with wood chairs along the sides?  There are countless chair styles available that can harmonize to create a distinctive decor.  One of the most popular is the country-style Windsor chair, which originated in Britain and quickly became a staple of American dining room furnishings. Some with arms and some without—some simple and others more ornate—there are numerous variations on the Windsor theme with a Colonial motif.

Barn Wood Table with Ladderback and Parsons ChairsAnother popular choice is the ladderback chair, a simple and more compact style, often with rush or cane seating.  There are also fanbacks, ryebacks, wheatbacks and open backs.  For a more rustic décor, there are twig chairs or wicker chairs. The list goes on.  There are authentic antiques and affordable reproductions made to look like antiques.  When not in use around the dining room table, these chairs can also serve as accent pieces throughout the home.

If extra seating is your goal – consider the bench.  A bench can be used either on one side or on both sides of the table, and can tuck neatly under the table when not in use.   The bench dates back to medieval times when all the inhabitants of the castle crowded around the table on hard wooden benches.  Today, the bench has achieved new status as a flexible and decorative approach to cottage-style seating. 

Barn Wood Table with Bench

Mix-and-match also applies to today’s most creative table-top settings where not everything needs to look alike.  Use old family china, napkins, serving pieces and silverware to make each place setting a unique collage of family memories. 

Brought to you by Cottage Home - specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables

[post_title] => Dining Chairs: Think Outside The Set [post_excerpt] => Your dining room is probably the most popular room in the house during the holidays when families and friends gather around the table for festive feasts. And, if you are planning on doing some dining room redecorating, now is the time to think out of the set. The traditional dining room table and chairs ‘matched set’ is giving way to a more creative ‘mix-and-match’ approach. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => dining-chairs-think-outside-the-set [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2019-08-22 14:57:54 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-08-22 18:57:54 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://distinctblog.wpengine.com/?p=1316 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw [post_icon] => ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 30 [max_num_pages] => 3 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => 1 [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => 1 [is_tag] => [is_tax] => [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => 1 [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 975f4bc39d3a190cdfb4212e296cc14e [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) )

Cottage Decorating Articles

This is a expanded post collection of cottage decorating articles to help stimulate your thoughts on improving your cottage style designs. Some examples of  post articles include how to Design a Sofa Collage, 5 Ways to Use a Barn Door in Your Designs, updates on design trends and many more. Every cottage decorating post includes sorting tags to focus on specific decorating by room or cottage decorating style. Please let our designers know which article you found the most helpful or what cottage decorating subjects you would appreciate us covering in the future.

Dining Chairs: Think Outside The Box

Dining Chairs: Think Outside The Set

Articles, Coastal & Beach House, Cottage Style, Dining Rooms & Kitchens, Farmhouse & Country, Lodge & Lake House

Your dining room is probably the most popular room in the house during the holidays when families and friends gather around the table for festive feasts. And, if you are planning on doing some dining room redecorating, now is the time to think out of the set. The traditional dining room table and chairs ‘matched […]

Read more
The Braided Rug: An American Tradition Old & New

The Braided Rug: A Tradition Old & New

Articles, Bedrooms, Coastal & Beach House, Cottage Style, Dining Rooms & Kitchens, Entryways, Farmhouse & Country, Living Rooms, Lodge & Lake House, Offices & Studies, Porches

A staple of the country or cottage home, today’s braided rug is reminiscent of earlier days evoking memories of hearth and home. With sophisticated colors and patterns, braided rugs are now ‘at home’ in any setting from county cabin to urban contemporary. These are not your Grandma’s braided rugs!

Read more

The Cottage Home Guarantee

At Cottage Home, we know purchasing custom furniture and décor on the Internet can raise some concerns and questions. Our business is dedicated to pioneering a new process for providing high-quality made-to-order furniture on the Internet. We strive to make it as easy as possible for our customers to have access to custom bench-built products for their homes.

Our focus is on providing an unparalleled furniture buying experience through our careful selection of high-quality products, the in-depth product details provided on our website, our knowledgeable design & selection assistance, a full range of samples services, and a specialized delivery process.

We feel strongly enough about our processes & people to stand behind all of our products & services.
We will be here to help should anything happen to go wrong. Period.

Back to Top
NEED HELP? CONSULT WITH OUR FURNITURE DESIGNERS
CALL US AT (866) 223-2757
Follow us: