Country Colours

Whether or not you live in the country, you can enjoy a simpler way of life by decorating your home in a modern country style and one of the key elements of doing this is through use of colour.

Modern country colours are natural, muted and subtle - think of the shades that are found in nature sage, moss, slate, clay, duck egg and chalk.

Grey

Qualities - Cool, Clear, Fresh

Grey is a versatile neutral colour to decorate with in the home and comes in many shades from Dove to Slate. Teamed with pale blues it looks clean and fresh or alternatively with taupe it takes on a warmer, earthier look. Furniture and panelling painted in pale grey take on a elegant Scandinavian look.

Green 

Qualities - Organic, Restful, Natural

The colour of freshly emerging leaves or muted sage, decorating with green in any shade is like bringing the outdoors into your home. Green is restful and rejuvenating, use apple green for a fresh summery look or olive for a rustic, autumnal feel.

Oatmeal

Qualities - Warm, Comforting, Relaxed

Calm and comforting, oatmeal is a perfect neutral base colour. Add white to keep it fresh and modern and plenty of texture to offset the muted effect. Honey tones and rich browns will add depth while tones of stone and slate will cool it down.

Blue

Qualities - Cool, Crisp, Clean

Cool blue creates a clean and crisp colour scheme, think blue and white stripes in a classic seaside beach house. Often seen as a cold colour add ivory or oatmeal for warmth or add pure white cotton and paintwork to keep the look fresh and modern.  

All pictures from Design Seeds

Creating A Country Christmas

Now that we are approaching December it's that time of the year when I start to think about and plan Christmas. Each year I tend to follow the same decorating scheme when it comes to trimming the house at Christmas time, but like mixing childhood memories with newer traditions I always try to put a new slant to to my decorating scheme.
For me country style and Christmas go hand in hand - there is something about open fires and hedgerow greenery that naturally suggest a classic country style. As in Christmas's past I like to fill my home with lots of natural decorations - hedgerow greenery, berries and fir cones make up the bulk of my festive decorations.

This year I will be adding a few new touches to my decorating scheme. On my fire mantle along side the greenery I shall be adding a row of these decorative glass cloches filled with pine cones.



Glass Cloche From Homes & Dreams

And in my fireplace I shall be grouping these Paper Lanterns to add a festive glow when the fire isn't lit.

Paper Lanterns From Homes & Dreams

I have also been searching the internet for country Christmas inspiration and have found these beautiful festive images which I thought that I'd share with you.........


Photo: housetohome.co.uk

   

Photo: theswenglishhome.blogspot.com

Photo: theswenglishhome.blogspot.com

    

 

Photo: Country Living (by Laura Moss)

Photo: theinspiredroom.net

 

Photo: housetohome.co.uk

 I hope that you too feel inspired and are looking forward to creating a country Christmas!

What is Country Style?

What springs to mind when you think of country style? Aga's and muddy boots? Creamware and chintz?

I guess there is no definitive answer as people have different ideas about living in the country. To some it may be the pretty country cottage with climbing roses around the door, for others a rustic barn conversion - both stereotypical of country living but both completely different in style.

The country style of home decorating remains popular because the suggestion of rural life can seem to offer simplicity and a refuge from urban pressures. Country-style decorating can draw its inspiration from French, English, Swedish, American, and other cultural influences. However, pieces from different periods and traditions can be blended in one home as long as comfort is the principle ingredient. No country-style room should be too studied, for it is meant to be lived in.

To me the term Country style means a comfortable, lived-in look of a farmhouse or country cottage. The style inspires guests feel to comfortable in a country style living room or drop in for a cup of tea and homemade cake in a country style kitchen. This design style is casually elegant with a compliment of sturdy, practical furniture and warm rustic accessories.

Homes & Dreams features a collection of timeless decorative accessories for the country home & garden. From wonderful wall art to gardening gifts, our diverse range of home accessories are selected to reflect the enduring elegance of English country style with a hint of vintage charm.