country style decorating

This style recalls the spirit of eighteenth century homes in England and America. Fresh, yet refined, it creates an ideal setting for muted colors and dark wood furniture. Rooms feature wood or rough tile floors and partially wood-paneled walls enhanced with chair rails or picture rails, often painted in white lacquer. Small shelves placed above the windows exhibit ceramic pieces: teapots, pitchers, cups. Hammered copper pieces may also brighten up kitchens.

Walls are painted in natural, earthy hues: matte green, gray-blue, eggshell and violet. They may also be decorated with stenciled friezes using simple motifs such as leaves, flowers, arabesques, stars, and hearts. The heart is a frequent country motif. Floors covered with woven rugs, decorative cushions on chairs, and small embroidered or crocheted curtains complete the setting.

fabric country heart

One advantage of the country style is the ability to mix patterns, styles and themes. You can change the decoration as often as you want, to reflect the season, for example. Nature is omnipresent and every detail evokes the countryside: sheaves of wheat, wildflower bouquets, animal motifs, farming tools.

country quilt

Furniture can be painted matte black or decorated with floral patterns. Quilts are an important part of the country style, especially for bedrooms. A variety of geometrical shapes evoke tulips, bear prints, hearts. When made with the slightly faded colors seen in old quilts, the result is magnificent. Trunks can be used to store clothing, bedding and precious keepsakes. Often simply built but prettily adorned, they add a great deal of charm to a bedroom decor.

To make a vintage patchwork heart, see the online tutorial on pspug.org

(c) country lifestyle magazine: country sampler

February 2007 [inspirations]
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