Country Style Interior Design

From the special online feature Design Styles 

A wide-ranging style depending on geographical location but in general exemplified by primitive furniture, muted colors, milk-paint finishes and vintage fabrics.

Colors - Soft, muted colors showing the wear of time are indicative of a rustic country style. A more contemporary country look may feature a brighter color palette with accents of red, black or pure white to set off the design.     

Furniture - Flea markets and Grandma's attic are the perfect spots for finding treasures for a country-themed home. Look for pieces with straight lines, painted finishes and very little ornamentation.  

Fabrics - Floral, checked and striped patterns printed on calico fabric add visual interest and color to an understated country room.    

Accessories - A handmade, homespun quality permeates country-style accessories, like baskets, carved wooden bowls, pottery, pewter and hand-forged metal accents.

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Redefining Country Style

 By Chris Casson Madden

Scripps Howard News Service

There were some misconceptions for a long time about what country decorating style actually was and what it meant. And sometimes, it got a bad rap: too much checked gingham and frumpy furniture in over-accessorized rooms.

But during the last few years, the perception of "country" has moved up the style ladder. Magazines like Country Living and Country Home, and some marvelous books (like Mary Emmerling's Romantic Country: Creating a Stylish Home Straight from the Heart) have shown consumers the charming, comfortable and chic aspects of "country style."

These are looks that can work in an urban apartment, vacation cottages by the lake or in a beloved suburban home. The key is the blending of accessories, furniture and color, and mixing the antique with the sleek and the past with the present.

There are many country styles, such as English Country, American Country, French Country, Swedish Country and Southwest style. Other looks can be classified as either traditional, contemporary, rustic, farmhouse or cottage. You can already sense what a wide range of possibilities for your spaces "country" can offer.

I created a "country" look in my Vermont weekend-houseguest bedroom inspired by wonderful "egg carton" wallpaper from Seabrook. A thick chocolate-colored carpet added to the country decor, and I accessorized the room with cozy red cotton blankets, red gingham and blue denim pillows, and an antique tavern bench sitting in front of a plaid loveseat that I designed.

In my new book, "New American Living Rooms," a space in a reconstructed New Hampshire barn is a stunning example of classic country decor dressed with sophistication. The fact that this home once was a barn provided ample inspiration for the design theme. The main seating area incorporates a traditional country color, blue, and uses it in accents in contrast to cream slipcovered sofas and chairs, like ottomans in blue-and-white ticking, and throw pillows. Early American and English antique trunks and tables also add to this inviting mix.

New country is about texture. The rough ceiling beam or antique barn wood floors call for even more texture within the space. You can add texture with country furnishings, either antique, reproduction or new.

Accessorize with handmade objects. Consider items like carved boxes and trunks; sculptural pieces, such as architectural antiques; or iron elements like vintage urns or farming tools made for wall display.

Create your own cottage style. Whether a lake cottage, or a quaint house on Main Street, think of "cottage" as you would your grandmother's apron: it's feminine and more than a little practical.

This style can work in many spaces, and depends on light colors from a cheerful palette, which come from nature. Think lavender, sage, cornflower-blue and daffodil-yellow. If you love flowers, this theme can be carried to upholstered pieces, window treatments and linens.

Flea markets are a treasure trove for country ideas. Keep the words "vintage" and "patina" in mind when you search your local sales. Vintage signs and game boards are great additions to casual, fun spaces like family and game rooms, even as wall decorations.

Old wooden toolboxes and ladders are durable, useful accessories from the bath to the kitchen. And who doesn't love a gently worn quilt? It can be used on a bed, as a wall hanging or simply stacked on an open shelf in an armoire.

Antique linens are the essence of country charm. Wonderful tablecloths and napkins, pillowcases, tea towels, doilies and laces evoke a simpler time. Think creatively for new uses for these textiles. A vintage fabric might be your starting point for redoing a room — or end up as part of an accent pillow.

Create your new country style with pieces from the past and blend in with your blueprint for an uncluttered home. You'll love the result.