Country interior, maturity and the pace of modern life
Being in this business you get exposed to a lot of different styles of interiors and most have their favourite, but for me, I could have a home in just about every style and colour. But the one interior that has started to resonate with me and more, possibly in response to maturity and the pace of modern life, is the country interior.
When you speak of a country interior or even country style it brings to mind for some individuals, twee and contrived Laura Ashley of the 1980’s, however I have a particular leaning to an especially South African country style, that is not dissimilar to the aspirational French country style, featuring well worn linen sofas and nostalgic relics that bestow a context of the inhabitants.
This style I speak of, is akin to undressing, removing the layers of the unnecessary till what is left is comfort, bare and essential, like coming home after a long day at work and removing the form fitting clothes and slipping in to your favourite pair of lounge wear, it tends to be casual, relaxed and for some an en escape from the Urban landscape.
“A Good Country Interior Is Layered In Simplicity, Bare And Essential Comfort.”
It’s a marriage of sorts when you take on this style, it requires something old, which is inevitably the building itself if you’re one for the total authentic package and then comes something new, which is the new life you breathe into the space. For something blue, I am sure you find it when you look towards the horizon…..
A good Country interior is layered in simplicity, bare and essential comfort. Starting with hand me downs from your parents or grandparents; curated pieces that speak to you aesthetically, yet still pay homage to your history are a must for an authentic interior that isn’t contrived. Along with new purchases such as a contemporary four poster bed or even a mid century modern wingback would add a dynamic feel to a space, along with a handmade quilt found from a farmers market or even better yet, a Church bazaar.
The colour palette ranges from duck egg blues, sage and celadon, lending a gentle freshness to the homestead, while some would be quite monastic in their colour choice and stick to bone white or moody grays and deep charcoal, some would like to be more traditional in the their selection with barn door reds and denim blue, reminiscent of a cliched version of farm life of our childhood story books.
“Ultimate Would Be A Floral.”
Of course the fabric selection would further enhance the overall experience, from Home Fabrics Linen Roots for the ardent purist, though to FibreGuard’s Casual for the pragmatic approach to rural living, would add the pared down feeling. Rich Velvets like Deluxe from FibreGuard or Magician from Fabric Library would add that sense of old school glamour and for the window treatments, like the rest of the space, uncomplicated headings on the tops finished off with a wrought iron rail and puddling at the bottom. Here the ultimate would be a floral, the more daring of us would go for something Designers Guild’s new collection Grandiflora Rose like design Hollyhock or Netherfield from Osborne & Littles new collection Mansfield Park, would be a delight.
