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Keep corny cottage memorabilia like beer cap collections and fake hunting trophies to a minimum, advise our Arresting Design columnists.

Last week’s column was about how to put together a stylish cottage. The design team made quick work of discarding the odd notion that throwing together a motley assortment of cast-off furniture, dishes and other items will give you a cottage style. In fact, you must carefully construct the look you want, even at the cottage.

For the average cottage, avoid formal or modern-looking furniture or décor, or that which looks too “new.” Instead, focus on selectively and tastefully mixing different pieces of well-used and comfortable vintage furniture, with new items that fit gracefully into a casual and comfortable setting. Here are some more ideas that may work for your cottage:

Old-fashioned looking wallpaper with stripes or a delicate floral pattern can look peachy in cottage bedrooms. White or pastel wall paint will work well with an old-fashioned or a Cape Cod nautical or beachy theme.

If you favour the rustic woody look, unpainted cedar or other wood boards on one wall of a room can add a delightful rustic touch, but please don’t do this on all walls of a room, unless you like the feeling of living in a wooden box.

Consider a rag or braided rug rather than anything that looks more formal.

We think a cottage floor looks best in wood, preferably old wood salvaged from another location, or new wood, preferably distressed-looking, in less expensive cuts or varieties.

Table lamps in living rooms or bedrooms with bases made of simple organic materials such as ceramic, terra cotta, milky or transparent glass or even wicker work well.

Lamp shades can be covered in simple cotton fabrics such as gingham, stripes, checks, small florals or pastel shades. And don’t forget candle lamps — they look wonderful at night.

Consider folk art, such as whimsical sculptures of animals or people for table decorations, or simple pictures for the walls.

Casual cut-flower arrangements in unusual containers such as large apple juice cans covered with wallpaper add a simple but delightful charm.

Display vintage dishes or hang old-fashioned plates on walls.

Old-style pictures in old-time frames look great, as well, whether they are actually your relatives or just pictures you like.

On tables, use layered linens or simple cotton cloths in tiny florals, checks or soft-coloured vintage patterns.

For a lovely old-fashioned feel at the dinner table, get rid of utilitarian plastic cups or plates. Use simple or old china and glass instead.

Crafts or collections made by visiting children or other visitors can be a charming addition to the cottage. Think of a series of painted rocks, or framed leaf impressions, a pressed flower arrangement, or a series of shells or fossils in a jar.

Hang old-fashioned advertisements, of soap or fruit, seeds, or other products. If you can get old-looking advertisements for locally made products or tourist attractions, go for it!

If you want to add a dash of humour or personality, you may add a few corny pieces of cottage memorabilia, such as a beer cap collection under the glass of a coffee table, or a fake fish trophy.