Fluff the cushions and pull out the cocktail shaker - '50s-inspired cottage style is made for entertaining. With a foot in the past and an eye to the future, vintage cottage style is all about nostalgia, colour and, most of all, fun.
10 steps to get vintage cottage style
Slideshow
10 steps to get vintage cottage style
Get crafty with lighting
Scour antique shops and garage sales for retro lampshades, which transform any base into a cool conversation piece.
Frame found art
Create a one-of-a-kind mosaic with pretty flowerseed packets in a simple white frame.
Get the DIY here.
Think beyond the obvious
Delight guests with a charming stool or small bench that stands in for a bedside table.
Make setting the table a breeze
Let guests (and kids) help by keeping utensils and napkins in a easy-to-access vintage tin container.
Find more table setting ideas here.
Look on the bright side
Choose saturated colours to achieve vintage cottage style - now's not the time for subtlety.
Find a fun focal point & add texture everywhere
Look for a bold piece to give the eye a place to rest. In this all-green kitchen, an orange pendant light commands instant attention, while a few accessories in a similar colour provide context.
Apply beadboard to the backsplash or the outer side of a kitchen island to create visual interest that suits the home's era.
Decorate in dynamic duos
Pick strong colour combos to make every vignette in the room pop. Here, yellow flowers warm up the cool tones of a blue dresser.
Find more DIY dresser makeover ideas here.
Be audacious with textiles
Play with prints by hanging two different patterned Roman shades on side-by-side windows. It keeps a glamorous grouping from becoming too frou-frou.
Repurpose old clothespins
Suspend recipes and vintage cards from a string using clothespins for a new twist on an art wall.
Read more in Decorating & Design and Styling Secrets
http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/styling-secrets/10-steps-to-get-vintage-cottage-style/a/60798