What To Search For When Designing a Cottage Home

It’s been a hot minute since I have shared my latest thrifted and/or vintage finds. While sharing my latest vintage, unique pieces, it’s the perfect time to help you know What To Search For When Designing a Cottage Home.

And you know me, if it’s a bargain, even better.

While I don’t live in an actual cottage. But an apartment in the hot Las Vegas valley. I LOVE cottage style, vintage collected pieces and accessories. Hence why I named my home “Cottage in the Desert”.

In your journey to creating a cottage style home, there are SO many places to search. IE; thrift stores, estate sales, restore shops, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, etc… No matter where you live, by using your creativity and imagination you can create your own cottage home. Even if it is an apartment in the middle of the desert.

The first tip: TAKE YOUR TIME. You don’t have to pick up everything you need in one trip or day.

You want your home to look collected over time. And cohesive. If your home is eclectic, traditional, farmhouse or Bohemian. All of these are in one way or another are considered cottage style.

One of my all-time favorite pieces is this thrifted 1970s stereo. It’s a great “base” for highlighting some of the curated items I have found over the years. The tutorial on how the stereo was transformed can be found here.

My collection of mirrors are ALL thrifted for $10 and under. By painting them all the same color, they become a set and create a stunning gallery wall.

Corbels add a whimsical touch to any cottage look. Whether you like traditional or Boho look, they add personality and can be a historical conversation piece.

FUN FACT: While visiting a daughter in Virginia, I was shopping in a local antique shop. I asked the shop owner if she had any corbels. She didn’t. BUT a lady standing in line said that she did! She was renovating an 1800s farmhouse (that is an official historical landmark) and had quite a few corbels from the porches. She would sell them to me if I was willing to drive there to pick them up. Ummm…yeah! My daughter was kind enough to drive me to Hamilton where the farmhouse was located. We were invited into the barn where corbels, pillars, windows and much more were stashed. You can see a picture of her barn here on Instagram. And a picture of both the corbels I bought here. The chippy goodness is EXACTLY what I wanted.

Hand wrought accessories are ideal for a cottage style. One of my most recent finds is this Rodney Kent aluminum bowl with a lid. I literally jumped for joy when I found it.

My mother-in-law had a tray by the same maker when my husband was growing up. A unique way to bring a vintage style and childhood memories with a cottage feel.

Each piece in the Rodney Kent collection is numbered. This way you know they are original and authentic.

Handmade drawers can be used as serving trays, pedestals, or as a garden box.

Given to me by a thoughtful daughter-in-law, this particular drawer was found in the California high desert. Once I cleaned it up with a vacuum and a soft cloth it has become a pedestal in a vignette. The vintage knob and chippy goodness are indeed vital for a cottage feel.

As a simple vignette use collected crystal dishes or trays (These each are from a life long friend). Each piece is separate that I stacked together. With the rustic pinecone, it creates a complete contrast of textures which is all about a cottage core look.

Cottage style comes together with a chandelier and a little greenery. A chandelier adds height and a touch of coziness.

Mine is not electrical, but used with candles. So I can easily move it from room to room when I want to make simple changes in each room of my apartment cottage.

For a collected look, purchase galvanized buckets and/or trays. Each has a personality and history of their own.

I happened to find my galvanized mop bucket at an estate sale. Another dear daughter-in-law snagged it up for me, when she saw my eyes light up. My imagination went all over the place of how I could use it. (You can tell by now that my family that knows my taste!)

Oh, the stories it could tell with the crustiness and layers of rust! Ideal for seasonal flowers, sticks and floral picks. Or outside filled with real flowers.

Once again, rustic and original buckets add a layer of dimension- along with a touch of hominess.

With layers of handmade doilies, a thrifted pillow and greenery filling it to the brim, an aged olive bucket has been used all over my apartment cottage home as a Christmas tree stand and in my Spring decor. It’s not just an olive bucket, it is an all around accessory.

When I come across something like a large vintage ceiling tile with layers of chippy goodness, how can I resist?

The ceiling tile was found at the same estate sale as the mop bucket. My creative juices were flowing. From actually hanging it from the ceiling above a window, to hanging crystals or flowers from it. Or what about in a tablescape as a tray. It is quite large measuring 3 ft by 1 1/2 ft, but makes a lovely statement piece in any space.

As I mentioned in the beginning of the post, the first thing to do is TAKE YOUR TIME. You don’t have to pick up everything you need in one trip or day. You don’t have to rush designing a cottage home or your curated collections. Take your time and enjoy the process.

By sharing my ideas, tips and tricks, I am hoping I have encouraged and inspired you on What To Search For When Designing a Cottage Home. There are so many more ideas right here on my blog for cottage style designs.

Make it a wonderful day.