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.

What’s old is new again! The beauty of Classic Style is how well it takes all of the beautiful forms, colors and textures of the past and reinvents them in a way that feels both fresh and inspired. The style itself is a mix of European influences and French, English and Italian antiques and replicas are often used together. Here, in this Cote de Texas room, the oil paintings with gold frames add a regal touch.

Oil paintings will often depict still life or nature scenes and emphasizing the symmetry of pairs helps maintain the Classic nature of the room. Another Cote de Texas room below uses the paintings and matching side tables to accomplish that.

Furniture is well proportioned and comfortable and the rooms give off an air of sophistication and grace. While this Cote de Texas room is large, the furniture doesn’t overwhelm the space at all and nothing looks forced or out of place.

Windows are often covered with opulent fabric shades and/or drapery as in this Elle Decor room. Wallpaper or murals are also a very popular way to bring additional color and texture to the room, and the patterns are usually reminiscent of traditional European styling.

Classic rooms give off an air of history that seems to say: “I was here long before you, and will remain long after you’ve gone.” And yet, even with this level of sophistication, the rooms are soft and inviting. You will also often see the use of topiaries and plants in a classic room. This Elle Decor room uses flowers in several different areas.

Additionally, gold, bronze and silvers have a natural-looking patina to them that softens their shine.
Maps and animal prints are common, and fringe and tassels are often used to trim pillows, drapery and cushions. In this House Beautiful room, the shine of the antique mirror and the old chandelier add a nice touch.

Dark stained wood is very common and is often distressed. In this House Beautiful room, the use of darker wood antiques compliments the light color of the walls.

Classic rooms are filled with texture and deep color. Walls are often saturated in color and many times have an old-world faux finish to hint of days gone by. In this House Beautiful room, the use of red and coral add European flare.

Golds and yellows are also popular as many Classic rooms have a very warm tone to them. That being said, greens and blues can also be tailored to take on the Classic feel. This room is featured on Shoebox Decor and the yellow and gold tones make this room very inviting and calming.

Genuine antiques are mixed with replicas and found objects become sculptural elements in the room. The Designer Insider mixes a Baby Grand piano with simple furniture and drapery.

Common colors are creams, and rich versions of traditional colors such as burgundy, dark green and navy blue. The color, whatever it may be, almost always has a regal air to it and many times you will see faux finishing to highlight the aged feel of the color. In this Designer Insider room, you have the mix of the creams, and also the architectural elements like the great crown molding and the sculpture on the mantlepiece.