Cottage interior photo
Svetlana Buerakova, the development director of the interior brand Crate and Barrel, told Woman’s Day how to choose both beautiful and practical interior items for a country house or summer cottage.
First of all, it is important to consider the design of the terrace. So, an open area requires the installation of an umbrella or awning, as well as special furniture. Items for a patio without a roof must be all-weather and resistant to the changeable Russian climate: they will have to withstand the summer heat with scorching rays of the sun, and torrential rains with gusts of wind, and a winter blizzard. So we advise you to pay attention to waterproof, easy to clean and colorfast furniture. Such characteristics are possessed by both wooden and wicker objects coated with weather-resistant varnishes and paints, and metal ones with an anti-corrosion coating. And in order for your suburban recreation area to look stylish and organic, it is better to use fewer textile parts and more natural materials in the decor.
Choose practical furniture
Before choosing furniture, think about the size of your terrace. If its space is quite large, then you’re in luck – you can place any tables and chairs you like. And if the size of the terrace is limited to a couple of tens of square meters, then you will have to abandon a rectangular table in favor of a round one (it takes up less space, but at the same time the whole family can easily fit behind it), opt for folding chairs (leave 2-3 for each day, and take out the rest as needed) and purchase a small mobile table, which, if desired, can be easily and quickly moved to any place on the veranda.
Create coziness with details
What kind of relaxation can be without warmth and comfort? Decor elements will help to create them, which primarily include pillows and blankets. It is better that they are made of unpretentious fabrics that do not require special care.
A few candlesticks will also come in handy. Their soft light will tune into a romantic mood in the evenings, and just delight the eye during the day. Choose closed models so that sharp gusts of wind and drizzling rain do not prevent you from enjoying the atmosphere created by a natural flame.
Fresh flowers in vases or pots will also be a great decoration for your terraces.
And finally, don’t forget about outdoor dishes. To avoid unexpected situations, use galvanized and acrylic plates and bowls. Such items do not break, easily tolerate temperature changes and, importantly, do not require special care. Thus, you will be spared unnecessary trouble and will be able to fully relax and gain strength.