Sproost Blog

I don’t know about you but I sure could use a vacation. Since not all of us can jet-set whenever we’d like (sadly), the next best thing is making sure that your home provides a relaxing atmosphere. With the Cottage Chic style, it’s all about comfort, a clean look, and adding natural elements wherever possible. Remember to take the online quiz to see what style suits you best and if you want a recap of the ones we’ve already covered, click here.

This cool room is from Apartment Therapy. I like the use of the oars and the rustic tables. I bet you can think of a few items in your attic or basement that would easily hang on your wall. You don’t have to stick with framed pictures or predictable wall art.

What better way to show off these great architectural treasures than with a light background? This picture is from Blue Ant Studio.

You have a great sense of humor when it comes to design and even like to make fun of the style itself. Which means that you will throw in a toy or a vintage piece to keep the mood of the place just like the color: light! Here, the unique lamp base is fun and adds great texture to the space. Thanks to Cote de Texas for this one.

The fabrics are natural (cottons and linens) and are light in touch. You will often see animal skin rugs to add that soft element to the wooden floors like this room below from Decor Pad.

The furniture is comfortable and the layout is cozy. The more it encourages intimate gatherings the better! Just watch out for the red wine spills on the new white sofa. If you have indoor pets or indoor children, you can still have this look but you will need to make the extra investment to ensure that your fabrics are protected and washable. Or just buy a lot of throws that you can drape over the stains. Another from Decor Pad.

You love old and new alike, and love to highlight them all to expose the uniqueness of each. I like how the built-in storage is modern but uses and older wood look for the doors.

Your space should feel light and airy and give off the mood one has when at the beach: laid back!

Much of the furniture is wood or wood framed (the lighter the better, think driftwood!) and as long as it’s used sparingly or with modern lines, you even throw in a wicker piece here and there.

The key with Cottage Chic is balance; in one corner there could be a rustic wood table that looks like it could have been found rather than made, but it is offset with a modern vase while another corner is adorned with a modern Lucite piece.

Your true inspiration (whether you know it or not) is the sea…the colors found at your favorite beach: white and light beige of the sand, a variety of blues for the ocean and sky, and greens and pale grays of the sea glass…but the key is white!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with patterns and colors. With a smaller space, if you have a few great accessories, you can actually redecorate more often with fewer pieces as seen here from Decorology.

Who says that cottages can’t be modern and chic? Who says that they have to be floral and cheesy?  Not you! This room is certainly not cheesy.

You love the carefree spirit that the cottage interior inspires, but you are also serious about your appreciation for modern art and hip treasures. Here, the zebra rug and the cool lamps give the space some personality.

The use of the wooden pieces around the room keeps it from looking sterile.

The color throughout is light and airy, and though you love to accessorize with fun colors (the sky’s the limit with a white background), the main color seen and felt throughout the house is white or very light versions of colors so that they feel almost white.

Wouldn’t this be a great space to come home to? It’s fun and colorful and the windows let in plenty of sun.