The Lettered Cottage Traditional

Choose details that coincide with your decorating style. For example, weathered wood, bamboo shades, ceramics and natural fabrics are all details that say cottage.

Screens aren't just for exterior doors — use them inside to let air circulate through your home and infuse it with a dab of cottage charm.

Style Secret: Gentle PatinaNot so long ago, cottage was practically synonymous with shabby chic. Although that term feels stale now, the elements that made it so popular — light colors, floaty fabrics, mismatched furnishings — are still mainstays of cottage décor. Faded prints, rumpled fabrics and peeling paint contribute to the vintage charm that underlies this style.Hot tip: There's a fine line between pleasantly distressed and plain beat up. To avoid crossing it, balance aggressively weathered pieces with newer ones and keep color schemes soft and simple. The gracefully aged furniture in this space appears more striking against clean, updated walls, trim and window treatments.

To create a tablescape that feels fresh and interesting, try placing a pitcher of flowers alongside fruit and greenery. You can't go wrong with white flowers, green apples, white enamelware and galvanized metal.

Use a screen door for pantry door?

Hot tip: There's a fine line between pleasantly distressed and plain beat up. To avoid crossing it, balance aggressively weathered pieces with newer ones and keep color schemes soft and simple. The gracefully aged furniture in this space appears more striking against DISTRESSED FURNITURE

- painted furniture - aged look - shabby chic

Love the idea of swapping out door to an old screen door