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[vsm]

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@Oznell wrote:

And then there's French/Belgian/Nordic cottage style, different yet again, and so charming:

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This is much closer to MY idea of country cottage style, @Oznell .  Not a mid-century modern element anywhere to be found...

[Oznell]

Oh, I think I understand, @stevieb and @vsm ,  anyone preferring a more "defined" sort of version of this particular style. I don't know how to explain it, but in my case, as I've gotten older, I seem to want to pull away from anything that is too, for lack of a better word, "formal".  Even though I'm a traditonalist at heart.  For example, heavy, festooned or elaborate window treatments give me the heebie-jeebies, for some reason.

So I love cottage-y interiors but seem to have to throw in a few of those other, newer or "retro",  Thirties "moderne" elements a bit, to feel comfortable.

Although, @vsm ,  the French cottage style that you commented on pleases me just about as much, maybe because in some versions at least it is less "twee" or precious, and more austere and classical.  Preserve me from the cute!

[sceniccoast]

@Oznell 

The first 2 pics are my favorites, kitchen & screened porch.  I'm just not crazy about the distressed look of the island in the kitchen.  I may just be tired of seeing it but I'd rather it be a plain white.

Thanks for posting all your unique pics.

[beautybee]

I couldn't really see any of it because I got swept up with looking at that adorable dog in the bathroom. Oh my gosh she/he is so cute! 

[spiderw]

While my taste leans toward formal and elegant, these cottage pictures are lovely!  I especially admire the rooms with lots of color and love the artwork, sitting room and blue bedroom.

I have a cottage or small home in the mountains which I rent.   I spent many summers there growing up and as an adult, it was a family home which was passed down to me.  I furnished it with my formal taste and it just didn't look good at all, too dark and heavy.  I realize that cottages  are meant to be light and airy, colorful and cozy.   The pictures reinforce what I know and should have followed.

[ID2]

These photos look like my home! I live in a cottage on a lake in the upper part of Michigan. My decorating style is definitely cottage! Love, Love! 

[PamfromCT]

Thank you for these photos.  While not my style, I have incorporated a bit into our home, in our sunroom.  While we have a cathedral ceiling and huge windows, I wanted more of a vintage look.  We have old-fashioned white wicker furniture, and we found a lovely round glass dining table, white wrought iron base, and matching upholstered chairs.  In perfect condition.  It’s a change from our colonial home, and we really enjoy it.

I love to see all decorating styles,  i especially enjoy rooms that would be attainable for me.  I’ve spent a lifetime looking at magnificent spaces.  But I realize many love that.

[Oznell]

Oh, I so envy you having a sunroom, @PamfromCT -- how I would love that, and probably live in it most of the time!

[Somertime]

Oh, Oznell, what a fun post!  Love seeing all the differences in cottage style!  Some are a little to sharp in color for me but still fun to see.

You had a question regarding painted floors.  In my son's room, I removed the carpeting and underneath was a concrete floor.  I decided to paint the floor black as well as the baseboards and closet doors with the walls being a light cream with a grey tint.

Once painted and dried and set, I used polyurethane to seal the floors, Since there is not much heavy traffic in his room, I reseal it every three years.  It goes quickly when resealing about an hour to seal and overnight to dry & set.  If it is a heavily trafficked area, seal every other year.  Friends of mine have used gym seal which is used on the gym floors and it holds up longer but if you have a light floor or have done a patten it is not a "clear" coat and can alter the color.  The best part is it being fully washable!

The photos are, always, great looking but there is maintenance involved especially on a wood floor!

[Oznell]

Oh, that is great to know, @Somertime , thank you for your detailed response.  I toy with the idea for our upstairs, sometimes.  We have hardwood throughout the downstairs, but a mix of carpet and bare floors on the second floor.  The old wood floors up there are in varying degrees of shape, none of it that good!  Painted floors would suit this 1910 house up there, but have never been able to decide...