This topic/activity has got to be near the top of the list of favorite things! Today, friends is all about English country decor, finding, and styling. Recently, Matt was at a customer’s house giving an interior paint bid and he commented on the lady’s blue & white collection and how much I loved blue & white. She asked if we’d been to the antique shop called Mockingbird Manor. Matt said we hadn’t, but it wasn’t long until we visited!
Inside Mockingbird Manor Antique Shop
We were there for an hour, but I easily could’ve been there for three… From the outside, the shop looked small and insignificant, but inside it was completely jammed full of treasures. For the first time in my life, I saw real English Staffordshire figurines. Until this point I’d only seen them online. I love how quirky they are!
This large cottage painting was from another antique shop, but I thought it was pretty and it was just $100!
Silhouettes for an English Snug
At the Mockingbird Manor there was so much fantastic art! This silhouette of George Washington caught my eye. I have a small, but growing collection of silhouettes, and I like the graphic quality they have. I’ve seen them stacked down the sides of a fireplace and they look so charming in an English snug.
Lamps, Lampshades & Pattern Mixing
Next to art, there were some fabulous lamps and lampshades there, as well. In the photograph on the left, I was drawn to the pattern mixing with the black and gold painted lamp with the blue block print shade. These paired with that delicate floral watercolor would make for stunning bedside table decor. Imagine those against a cream-on-cream tonal wallpaper. So pretty! I find the styling of the talented booth owners in the antique shops quite inspiring and always come away with new ideas on how to use items in my home.
A Blue Transferware Platter & Other Vintage Pieces
In Mockingbird Manor I did find a lovely antique blue transferware platter (small surprise), and along with that, I’ll share with you the rest of the things I’ve picked up over the last few months. At this stage of homeownership, I don’t buy very much. The “bones” of my decor are established and I usually pick up a filler piece or invest in a specific larger piece that I have certain plans for.
Flea Market Art from Our Anniversary Trip
In May, when Matt & I took an anniversary trip he took me to a flea market/thrift shop and there I found three pieces of art. One was a lovely sketch with a black & gold frame and frosted glass. The other two pieces were a pair of vintage buildings in the style that a friend of mine collects, so I got those for her.
The sketch I found looks lovely against the pinky-tan paint color in our hall bath.
An English Countryside Sugar & Creamer for the Kitchen
I also thrifted an English Countryside sugar and creamer set. I used the sugar pot to hold the strawberry jelly Matt & I canned last summer. It’s perfect with the little strawberry on top!
The jelly pot looks right at home amongst the baskets!
Treasures from a Viewer
A lovely viewer of my YouTube channel sent me a delightful package full of wonderful treasures. Here are a few of my favorites: The silver sugar and creamer have hand-etched details and I think they’ll look lovely holding roses, or pens in my desk.
She also sent me an ironstone sugar and creamer in an English floral pattern. These are so very pretty and a pattern that I had admired!
What Is English Country Decor?
English country décor feels lovingly collected over many years, yet looks just as charming in a modern house. Nothing looks as though it arrived in one matching set over a single weekend. Each piece brings its own bit of history, character & charm.
Comfort always comes first. Picture a deep chair you can settle into, a worn rug that doesn’t mind muddy shoes, or a lamp that gives enough light to read by. These rooms are beautiful, but they’re made for everyday living, too.
Pattern adds so much of that cozy feeling. Faded florals and chintz might mingle with checks, stripes, or a charming needlepoint pillow. Brown wood furniture, often antique, sits happily beside a painted table or cabinet. This gentle mix keeps everything from feeling too formal or matched.
Then there are the collected details: blue & white china, creamy ironstone, warm brass, and pictures hung close together. Silhouettes, landscapes, and little sketches give a wall that wonderful gathered over time feeling. Nothing needs to be too precious or perfect.
Fresh flowers or a little greenery from the garden make the whole room feel alive. A simple branch tucked into an ironstone pitcher can be every bit as lovely as a carefully arranged bouquet!
The English country cottage version brings these same ideas into a smaller home. The ceilings may be lower, the patterns may sit closer together, and nearly everything is within reach. It feels cozy, useful, and just a little crowded ~ in the most delightful way! That’s part of a cottage’s welcoming charm.
English Country vs French Country
One question comes up often: What’s the difference between English country and French country style? Both have a fondness for old things and comfortable rooms, but each has its own feeling.
English country décor usually leans toward deeper, warmer colors. You’ll often find chintz, botanical prints, dark polished wood, and layers of china displayed on walls or shelves. Hunting pictures, landscapes, and small framed pieces are gathered closely together. The room may feel full, collected, or even a little crowded, but that’s part of the charm. There’s always another sweet detail for your eye to discover.
French country décor is generally lighter and softer. Painted or lime washed furniture feels relaxed, while toile, linen, and ticking add gentle pattern. Wrought iron brings a little contrast without making the room feel heavy. You’ll often find more open space, which gives a French country room its airy feeling.
Both styles are comfortable and beautifully imperfect. The furniture doesn’t need to match, and the room shouldn’t feel newly decorated. Those worn finishes & collected pieces are exactly why so many of us love these styles!
Of course, you don’t have to choose only one. Most homes borrow from several decorating styles. A dark wood table and blue & white china can sit beautifully with a soft linen cloth or painted cabinet. If you love the pieces and they work well in your home, let them live together happily.
Where to Shop for English Country Decor
Antique malls and individual booths are wonderful places to begin. You may discover a special piece, but the styling can be just as inspiring. Notice how a booth owner layers pictures, mixes lamps with china, or places something rustic beside something delicate. Sometimes one little arrangement gives you a completely new idea for your own home.
Visit thrift stores often for china, brass, lamps, picture frames & books. You won’t find something every time, and that’s perfectly fine. Part of the fun is waiting for the right piece instead of bringing home something you don’t truly love.
Estate sales can be especially good places to find solid brown wood furniture. These pieces are often passed over right now, so they can be surprisingly affordable. A sturdy table, dresser, or chair brings such warmth and character to a room.
Flea markets and church sales are lovely places to search, too. Keep an open mind, peek underneath the tables, and don’t be afraid to examine a dusty little piece more closely!
If you’re searching for something specific, eBay and Etsy can be helpful. Try using the pattern name, especially if you’re adding to an existing china collection. You can also search for Staffordshire figurines, a meat drainer platter, or a particular shape of ironstone.
As you shop, look for solid wood, a pleasing shape, and honest wear that adds character. A little rubbing or an aged finish can be so beautiful. Skip anything with a lingering smell or active damage, no matter how charming it looks at first.
Go often, but buy slowly. If you find a booth you love, take a photograph simply for the styling inspiration. You may already have everything you need to create a similar feeling at home!
If you spot something lovely at an estate sale, don’t be discouraged if the price feels a little high. Prices often drop on the final day, so it’s worth stopping by again. Many booth owners at antique malls will consider a fair offer on a larger piece, too. Just ask politely & graciously. They may say no, but you’ll never know unless you ask!
Vintage shops are always changing, and that’s part of the fun. You don’t have to drive to a new shop each time. Stop by your favorite places every few weeks instead. A booth that felt picked over during your last visit may be filled with charming English country treasures the next time you visit. Keep a little list of what you’re looking for, but stay open to a surprise or two ~ the hunt is half the pleasure.
How to Style What You Bring Home
Once you bring a treasure home, try grouping it with similar pieces instead of scattering the collection throughout the house. It’s the same little trick that makes a plate wall feel so charming. Several blue & white pieces gathered together have far more presence than one little plate in every room. A close grouping of silhouettes can make each picture feel more special, too.
Vary the heights to keep your arrangement interesting. Begin with something tall, perhaps a lamp, then bring in a stack of books or a small picture. A clipping of greenery or a few fresh flowers will soften the harder edges of china, brass & frames. Let your eye travel up and down instead of lining everything in one straight row.
Pairs are especially helpful if an arrangement begins to feel busy. Matching Staffordshire figurines, two lamps, or a sugar and creamer bring a little order to all those lovely layers. They give your eye a quiet place to rest.
Pictures can be layered against wallpaper or a painted wall. Try hanging them a little closer together than feels comfortable at first. Small landscapes, silhouettes, and sketches often look sweetest in a cozy group instead of floating far apart. You can even lean a small framed picture behind a stack of dishes for another pretty layer.
Lighting changes the whole feeling of a room. Use lamps rather than relying only on overhead light, and choose warm bulbs for a soft, inviting glow. A patterned lampshade adds color & charm, even when the lamp is turned off.
Textiles bring so much warmth to an English country room. Drape a quilt over the arm of a chair, tuck in a needlepoint pillow, or place a pretty cloth on a table. Florals, checks & stripes can mingle beautifully when their colors relate to one another.
Give yourself permission to move things around. Live with an arrangement for a week before deciding if it works. Sometimes a piece only needs to be raised on a book, shifted a few inches, or paired with something from another room.
Remember to leave a little empty space, too. English country style is layered, but you don’t need to fill every surface. A little breathing room lets your favorite pieces shine.
Styling Country Decor in Your Home
Thank you for going shopping and styling with me today! I hope you were inspired to try layering things or moving things around in your home. Until next time,
Take care,
Rachel
