You can create and style you love in your home no matter where or what kind of space you live in. One of my favorites has always been the classic English Country house look. Perhaps no other design style is as timeless, elegant and mostly cozy. Here I’ve broken to down the look and share some design tips how you can create it in your home.
LAYYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS
The English Country House look is all about layering. Oriental rugs and kilims over sisal rugs. Floral prints mixed with stripes, paisleys and velvets. Accessories and potted plants on tables. Paintings and art collages on the walls and couches and chairs filled with pillows in many different prints.
Interior Design: Penny Morrison
RELAXED ROOMS
While many beautiful pieces are in the design mix the overall feel is always VERY relaxed. No chair is too fancy for a dog to sit on. Potted plants are in their casual pots and every room invites you to sit down in a cozy corner and read a book.
Floral & Striped Materials
No English Country House would be complete without floral fabrics and wallpapers and worn striped slip covers.
ELABOARTE PRINTED DRAPERIES
Draperies are generally elaborate and elegant and always in a pretty print. No plain draperies here.
AN ELEGANT WOOD STUDY
In old English estates you always find an elegant wood paneled study. You can achieve this look by simply adding wood molding in a pattern to dry wall. (See how here from my makeover in the One Room Challenge). Paint it a wood tone brown, then a layer or two of glaze and it will look similar too wood. Hang vintage painted portraits and you have the perfect backdrop for an English study.
A RELAXED FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT
When you create a floor plan allow for imperfections and and arrange it in a way where chairs can be moved around for conversation. Nothing is stiff, stuffy or boring.
BOTANICAL & ANIMAL ART
Fill the walls with old painting of dogs, horses and more. Create wall arrangements with botanical prints.
FLORAL WALLPAPERS
No English country house is complete without perhaps a bathroom, guest bedroom or hallway with a beautiful floral wallpaper.
BOLD WALL COLOR
Bold, clear paint colors exist in most rooms.
COZY FIREPLACE
With rugged winters and rainy summers gathering areas around fireplaces is a must. Perhaps you build a new elaborate mantel on yours, or if you don’t have a real fireplace get a smoke free faux fireplace.
BED CURTAINS
Four poster beds or bed curtains also elevates the coziness and create an old world look.
OLD BOOKS & WALL SCONCES
Lots of leather bound books in book cases. Rooms use source lighting such as table lamps and wall sconces instead of recess lights. These create a warm ambiance.
AGED WOOD BEAMS
Adding worn wood beams to your ceiling can create the look.
FORMAL ENTRANCE
This might be the only space where you go full on out grand. An elegant dresser or console table, a large painting or mirror and perhaps some faux animal horns and you’ve got it.
Here are a few pieces to give you the look!
Flemish Wall sconce II Georgina Lamp II Clark Dresser II Jute Rug
