English Country Décor
Taking a drive out to the countryside recently I noticed a beautiful similarity and pattern of English homes all which include a feature steep, rustic thatched roofs, manicured grounds and lavish gardens. Playing on our relationship with nature these houses have a wonderful effect of drawing you in and making you feel instantly at home.
The English country house aesthetic is a powerful one but hard to replicate. It is a look that manages to be both timeless and liveable, striking but cosy. Another great hallmark of these spaces is that they possess a layered, almost “ancestral” attitude.
The decor can be casual or formal, and the focus is on function rather than flair. The houses are traditionally styled with a mix of colour, patterns, collections and classic upholstered furniture. Whether the home is a small cottage or sprawling estate, English county decorating radiates warmth and comfort.
Here are some key elements to get the most out of your English Home.
Artwork
Begin with adding more artwork to your walls. Try a mixture of classic paintings, abstract drawings, and a few pieces of modern photographs. Rearrange the collections every few years to keep things fresh. A great tip is to print some family photos, which can be enlarged and framed to hang on a wall. Some stores offer restoration for faded or wrinkled photographs to create an authentic aged look.
Colour
Colour flourishes in English country decorating drawing on elements of nature. Warms hues are pulled from roses and deeper hues such as greens are inspired by the surroundings hills in the countryside.
Colours can go either vibrant or muted and the style features plenty of patterns, especially floral. The colour palette usually features three or four colours and should make the room appear cosy, inviting and lived-in.
If you would like to modernise the space and add room some drama think about trying dark, oxblood colours paired with rich olive tones.
Fabrics
Fabrics are plentiful and mixed, from upholstered sofas to table skirts. Ruffled pillows and lace window treatments soften rooms throughout the home. Large floral patterns and damasks are common choices, and all can be placed together in the same room.
English country style can be busy, but should not be overwhelming. Large prints can be paired with smaller prints, such as gingham, with similar colour palettes
Furniture
Furniture styles are traditional with the favourable material being wood. Wood can vary from light or dark-coloured, or even painted, stencilled and distressed. Accents, such as the handles on drawers, are usually made of brass. Sofas and chairs tend to be deep-seated and upholstered with patterned fabrics. I recommended using throw pillows or upholstered pads to soften the look and feel of wooden chairs and window seats.
If your styling on a budget slipcovers for sofas and chairs are a great way to bring English country style patterns and colour into the room without buying new furniture.
Also look at buying Second-hand furniture that can be painted and then sanded lightly to give it a distressed look.
Final Touches
To add to the colour and smell of your space scatter lots of vases with fresh flowers from the garden or baskets of dried flowers throughout the home. Keep an eye out for lace or floral-patterned curtains and simple items that reflect the comforts of home, such as a hat rack or pine chest.
The English country style should not look planned or designed, but rather the result of generations living in a home so make sure to add your own personal touch with plenty of handmade throws, pillows and family photograph. Make sure to put build-in plenty of shelves and cabinets to have all your treasured items and heirlooms on display.
Leave A Comment Or Ask A Question