Well -- it would be helpful if you could post some pictures ..... but ..... some changes can really help.

Change the fabric on chairs to a simple white linen or white cotton duck slipcovers. Switch to simpler floor coverings -- or to braided rugs. IF at all possible -- consider painting some of the less-than-costly furniture items .... maybe white? Look for simpler lamps to add around spaces. On windows -- try simple white sheers with velvet panels or soft roman blinds. Gold or silver items can look wonderful in cottage decor.

Be sure to check out magazines like Country Living, Country Home or even Traditional Home.

Anele - I think this is do-able with what you have started, even tho I haven't seen what you've got. My 1st suggestion is to go to your biggest bookstore and in the home decor/home improvement book section look for "Cottage Style" by Better Homes and Gardens,,In the book (my is older version, they've updated it) it will show you that there are many, many different cottage styles such as beach/coastal cottage, adirondack cottage, english/garden cottage etc. If you see something you like,,go in that direction. Not knowing you or what you have or like, I'll take a stab and say that any of those will work or more. When I was first married I didn't KNOW my style either for a bit and then when I could name it, "Cottage Style" things started to happen. This is a really good book and it will help you. At least rule in or out. Anyway,,this look can be achieved with either light or dark colored furniture.

To answer your question, I'd suggest faking the style or (decorating around the furniture you have for now) using paints on the wall, fabrics and accessories to give you that look, and then when dollars permit, you can add furniture pieces that go along with it as you get rid of what you don't want to keep. I've got both new and old furniture and it's a good thing I couldn't all get it at once actually, as honing in on the style takes time until you start to think in that style. You'll get there. Start looking in magazines, books etc and clipping things out to start. Cottage Style magazine is really good too. Good luck.

It is possible. I started with people's throw aways and then I decided I wanted a Primitive/Rustic country look so I started to recover and paint whatever I could. Anything that didn't fit with the look I wanted, I then replaced over time. I may have known what I wanted but usually I just happened to walk into the thrift store or antique store that day and found a great deal and thought it would be perfect and bought it.

Just use your imagination and learn how to do things on your own like refinishing and painting and sewing and it will save you a bundle! If you realize you didn't decorate in a day before, that will also help you because it can be changed over night if you want to save money.

Good luck!

I suspect very few of us knew our styles when we first got married, and many of us keep fine-honing it all our lives, so you're in excellent company. I love all the great ideas and pictures posted here. I think you'll find some fun inspiration in your local library in magazines and books, and by googling key words and clicking on "images." You can save your favorite pictures to folders on your computer marked "living room," "bedroom," "curtains," etc.

Paint is always a cheap way to dramatically change the look and feel of a room. You might even ask the guys at the paint store if you can look at their pile of paints people rejected -- they sell those very cheap, like about $3/gallon, and you may find just the color you want. It's worth a shot.

Check out your local Craigslist. You'll find everything under the sun on it and lots of bargains if you're willing to wade through some junk that makes you laugh. You can go see things before you buy, you save lotsa dough, you meet folks and make them happy, and your $ doesn't go to some big box store. Plus, you can sell things you have you don't love and buy things you like better. It's free to advertise there. If you're looking for something specific, check it every day because the biggest bargains get sold fastest.

Take pictures of your rooms. You'd be amazed what you see in pictures that you didn't see in person, like a picture hung crooked or too high, or an imbalance in your accessories, or dust bunnies, or whatever... but things will jump out at you.

Some things are very easy to do yourself to save lots of money, like re-covering dining chairs, refinishing table tops, stripping old furniture and sewing curtains. You'll learn what you love or hate doing by jumping in and trying. There are tons of instructions for all sorts of projects on the web, and plenty of helpful folks all over the Garden Forum.

We're on your side, eager to see your before and after pictures, and happy to help any way we can. Post pics and ask your questions.

So yes, you CAN change your home's look and add loads of charm on a very tight budget -- many of us here do that -- and there are many charming cottage designs that say "come on in and make yourself at home!"

Definitely weed out what bothers you in this transition; don't keep something, specially accessories or art just because you have it or paid good money for it, if you cringe every time you look at it, take it away.

I really appreciate the advice. I have been looking at magazines for awhile . . .it started when I was looking at gardening magazines and happened upon the cottage style. I realized that would work for the inside.

I also have been regular Craigslister. Yesterday I found some fabulous side tables for $25 (for a pair!!!) that were perfect for the cottage look. But, even though I e-mailed right away and offered to PayPal immediately, they got sold a few hours later. I have 3 little children so I can't run and get stuff immediately like some people on CL so the the good stuff can be tough to get, esp. in my price range!

I will post some pics later today. It is SO FAR from what I like, but at least it will give you some idea.

I think you have many wonderful suugestions already to hone in on your individual style. I just wanted to second oceanna's suggestion to use Craigslist. I've used it both for buying and selling--you can get some great quality items there for good prices. With the holdiays fast approaching, it may be a good time to try selling some of your smaller stuff. If you can weed out some of the decorative items (artwork, rugs, etc.) it would be a great place to start since these aren't functional and make quite a statement on your style. Paint is cheap, though I'm not sure it makes sense to paint now (unless you are open to repainting again in 1-2 years) as it may limit your options (vision) to acquiring new items. Once you aquire a piece of furniture (or rug) that you see as a focal point for your room(s) and that you'd like to build a color palate around, may be a better time to paint. Try to pick one piece of furniture (or rug) that really speaks to you of your new style--and I think many decisions will become easier after that as it then reduces the other options as you continue to change out items over time.

PICTURES

I do not know how to post pictures here, but here is a link to the room. As you can see, DH decorated for Christmas-- the garlands, tree, and Advent calendar are not a normal part of our decor, LOL.

I HATE the wall where the TV is. DH insists on the big screen and that's the only place in the house for it, so there it is. (It has to be mounted because we have 3 little children.) He also hung the clock over the TV, which annoys me to no end. I have no idea what to do with that wall! He also put the frame up with the kids' pictures-- love the pics but I don't think the frame goes with anything.

We started off with the sofa/loveseat and TV stand in our apt. I had to decorate around those items. We added the wood blinds which were expensive for us, but now I wish I had gotten roman blinds instead. The curio was an attempt of adding some sort of light/depth to the room . . .I think it should be white now if I want that cottage look.

I'm going to a great fleamarket this weekend, and of course scan Craigslist daily!

Input WELCOME!

THANK YOU!!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures of Living Room

Anele, first have your pictures hosted somewhere, which you do. Then in the body of your message here type . The img src stands for "image source." That's all there is to it. :-)

Those big TV screens can really dominate a room. Some folks say "get used to it" and some cover them. One thing that might work for you is to take a painting/print that's larger than the screen, attach a piece of wood to the wall next to the screen that sticks out a little farther than the screen, stain the wood the same color as the wall, or as the picture frame, and hinge the painting to it. Then you can open the "door" (the painting) to view the TV, and close the "door" to just see your painting. Another way is to purchase an entertainment center. Craigslist has bargains on those sometimes. If you're going to paint it white, you can also glue some wood appliques on a plain one to doll it up a bit.

Painting all your furniture and picture frames the same color (black, white, antiqued sage, etc.) will pull everything together, and is definitely cottage style.

You can sew Roman blinds pretty inexpensively, or if you don't sew get a friend to do it for you and maybe trade something they want. I suspect that if you go with iron-on stuff you can even avoid sewing at all -- the gals at the fabric store can advise. Just don't know if you sew.

You can always move the clock, of course. There are some super decorating minds here, so I'm sure they'll have good suggestions.

Have you found any pictures of looks you like that you can share with us?

Just testing the pic . . .

I'll try again . . .

Do you really think just uniting the colors will help? I feel like it's all over the place.

As for pics of what I want, I'll look. I'm going for cozy, lived-in, inviting, yet NOT expensive looking . . .somewhere where we can get a little messy and I won't care if stuff gets scratched up as it'll add to its charm. I was looking through descriptions of styles and I can't pick just one-- I like English, French, rustic, and Victorian.

TY!!