
3 minute read
Lake House Furniture Styles
Form meets function
by Lauren Caggiano
A lake house is synonymous with comfort and charm, but every person has a different approach to outfitting their cottage. Furniture styles can run the gamut from vintage to more playful. In need of some inspiration in this department? Look no further than the expertise of Michelle Ball of Columbia House Interiors in Pierceton.

Vintage
If you’re an old soul, you might aspire to a vintage theme.
“This is a decorating style perfect for classic cottages,” she said. “(This) style is one that uses retro items and decor, antiques, flea market finds, as well as great purchases from garage sales. A great part of the charm with vintage cottage style is allowing a homeowner to use their imagination and personality.” Ball suggests mixing old furnishings with new, as well as fabrics from various periods to keep things interesting. In her words, “this is a great place to include shiplap or beadboard and mixing patterns like stripes, florals, plaids, and prints, as well as pieces of painted furniture and decoupage pieces. True vintage fabrics, like barkcloth, and vintage tablecloths add cheerfulness and fun to this decorating style.”

Coastal
Speaking of care-free, the relaxed beach-coastal cottage look is marked by simple lines and neutral colors. According to Ball, this color palette pairs well with whitewashed furniture and accessories that are reminiscent of being at the beach such as pictures or paintings of beaches/oceans and collections of shell, driftwood, coral, and sea glass.
Tommy Bahama
On the note of light and not as refined, the Tommy Bahama cottage style might resonate with you. Per Ball, the Island Life vibe embraces casual elegant furniture and British Colonial decor which uses traditional that also melds into modern decor. Think: a four-poster bed, soft chalky whites from plastered walls, dark timber paneling, and billowing white drapes.


Rustic
If you’re looking for another way to bring Mother Nature into the home, the rustic cottage effect delivers the goods, so to speak. “Organic elements and colors of the earth are great to incorporate in this home décor,” she said. “Kilim or dhurrie rugs, faux fur throws, leather furniture, mission-style furniture, and the use of wood and beams add a lot to this interior. Striving for a sophisticated ski lodge look is great with rustic style.” As far as adding furniture to the mix, Ball reminds readers to use natural wood furniture to connect the space to its surroundings. Older pieces can blend well with newly purchased furniture. In her words, “the homeowner shouldn’t worry about having all the wood match in this environment, but making sure the pieces feel coherent is important.”
Shabby-chic
However, at the same time, Ball said the shabby-chic motif welcomes some element of variety. For instance, you might consider pulling in multiple colors of white or using white along with off-white, parchment colors, and/or antique beiges. “Using minimal accessories, textural fabrics, and designs such as shaker style kitchens are great in a shabby-chic setting,” she said. Whatever your preferences, Ball sums up her design philosophy this way: “Cottage style is all about showcasing and preserving prized original features of a home as well as creating cozy, comfortable spaces that reflect the homeowner,” she said. “Especially if you don’t know where to begin, it’s great to start by focusing on the true architecture of the home when thinking about decorating a cottage.”




WILDFLOWERS
Another beautiful spring ephemeral are Virginia bluebells. With attractive smooth green leaves and drooping clusters of pinkish blue flowers, these lovely wildflowers are popular with pollinators such as bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths. See wildflowers at an Indiana DNR property near you at dnr.IN.gov/ places-to-go/indiana-dnr-locations.
– Department of
Natural Resources, via Facebook
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