Spotlight on Country Styling
Country styling is all about the relaxed lifestyle away from our busy day to day tasks. Many people often dream of living in a picturesque country home with a quaint village near by, spoilt with beautiful views and the closeness of nature. This cosy environment has become a popular style that many people like to enjoy in their homes.
To enjoy this look you need to focus on the feeling of nature. It is crucial to make use of natural materials like wood, brick and stone. Using wall panelling and exposed beams can work well with log burners, open fireplaces and baskets full of logs. When creating this farmhouse like design, use exposed wooden flooring, flag stone, quarry tiles or jute carpets. Add comfort with cosy wool rugs, chunky knit throws or faux fur soft furnishings. Our Hexham shows off this style.
Work with colour that uses hues that blend easily in grey or pastel tones. Use elegant florals, plaids and stripes. The beautiful Collins and Hayes Radley snuggler is finished in a subtle, floral fabric that combines neutral and soft blues. The snuggler rests against fresh white walls and painted floor boards, whilst the warm tones of reclaimed wood and a jute rug bring comfort to this relaxed style. Lavinia also demonstrates this theme with its soft pattern.
Cottage Inspiration
Cottage core has the approach of romanticism when it comes to its interior tendencies. It is all about the nostalgic chintz and the simplicity of country life. For this style, use pretty floral prints mixed with stripes and checks. Decor that involves the old skills and crafts such a lace, embroidery and crochet finishes will feature well. Natural and reclaimed woods should be used on furniture, showing off the wood’s grain and natural characteristics. You can also use a pastel colour pallet that is balanced with warming tones. Fine china will not look out of place in this decorating style as it picks up on reminiscent vintage designs. Painted furniture such as the Cheltenham range complements this style. It is painted in warm ivory with a contrast smoky ash wood and detailed aged metal cup handles.
French Country
French country tiptoes very closely to heritage country. Idyllically, both consist of rooms with high ceilings, large windows and panelled walls. French country has a softer and lighter colour palette with white, pale blue, sage green, soft cream and warm tones of red, yellows and golds. Use Provencal influences in patterns on wall coverings and textiles. Linens with prints such as Toile de Jouy are used, which is typically French. The Shell Island dining set gives that chic influence.
Overall, French country is elegant but with a perfect balance of rustic. A room can be dressed with large oversized chandeliers and ornate mirrors like the Louis mirror in white, silver or gold finishes. French chic style uses free standing furniture and allows ornate detail to mix perfectly with a contrast of reclaimed wood. Painted and distressed wood furniture sits against warm wooden or painted floors. Panel shutters and multi-layered window coverings using natural linen, stripes or floral roman blinds.
Heritage Country
Similar to French country, heritage uses grandeur in architectural form such as windows and doors. Wall panelling is a perfect feature when you start designing your heritage room, inspired by stately homes.
The look can also be more traditional in furniture styles with beautiful scrolled arms, wing chairs or Chesterfield style sofas. Heavier patterns can be used on drapes and wall coverings with warmer tones. The influence of the Scottish Highlands is also apparent in this look, using plaids and tartan patterns. Don’t be afraid to be eclectic and quirky. The Lenley sofa range is traditional in its form with wing back seating. The seating details exquisite brass studs, piping and deep buttoned upholstery finished in natural leather and Harris Tweed wool for a vintage twist.
To bring this heritage styling on trend, add rustic or reclaimed furniture like the Kirkaldy range. Use accessories or occasional pieces with a slight industrial twist using the natural elements of metals and woods together.
It is key to use furnishings finished in wood, wool, leather, stone or copper. Faux fur and cowhides will not look out of place in this styling choice. Think stags and highland cows when picking pictures and accessories. Woodland creatures, birds such as pheasants, flowers, trees and plants all add to the heritage richness. The Saxby complements this area perfectly.
Modern Country
Modern country is sophisticated and fits with modern living. This area boasts clean lines with deeper earth tones adding warmth and comfort. It plays with the characteristics of rustic furniture against clean, white walls. Subtle hints of folksy prints and ditsy florals are also included as this style balances between old and new. It has country elements without becoming kitsch and modern without becoming too contemporary. It can have a balance of smooth plastered white walls against exposed brick walls. The look is uncluttered, light and airy and uses reclaimed and sustained woods with glass and industrial elements. Use cow hide rugs and fur plus farmhouse style tables. Introduce plants and flowers in pictures and wall art. Use stories of pictures such as the Ferns collection and botanical prints.
Try polished concrete floors or worktops, wooden floors or jute carpets and rugs. Natural materials and textures are key so think silks, wool, jute, sisal, faux fur and hides. The balance is the contrast of unfinished wood and modern furniture. The Railway Sleeper occasional furniture has the perfect measure of contemporary glass and the raw state of the sleeper. This contrast is what will make this scheme work. The Fontana bedroom furniture shows the successful contrast of the soft reclaimed wood against the contemporary architecture of the room.
