The timeless root of today’s most beloved home aesthetics
When you hear the phrase “country house style,” what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the creak of weathered wood floors, a faded floral wing back chair, or the rhythmic chiming of a grandfather clock.
While the term may sound specific, country house style is actually a broad ~ and foundational aesthetic in interior design, rich with history and charm. Many distinct styles easily recognizable today have roots from a country house. Cottage style is one of them, and it has a charm all its own.
Four Welcoming Traits From Nora Murphy
One lovely resource beautifully depicting several different expressions of the country house style is: Nora Murphy’s Country House Style: Making Your Home a Country House. I’ve repeatedly checked this book out from the library and it’s on my “buy next” list. Her book shares how no matter where you live you can create a country house. Each home featured tells the story of ~ a country house by the sea, a country house in the city, a country house in the woods, a country house in the village, etc. The homes featured in her book are all distinct and reflect the lifestyle and interests of the owners, but there are some similarities they all hold in common.
- Fluid indoor/outdoor living
- No fussiness – lived in cozy comfort
- Personal collections
- A feeling of open door welcome, and sense of belonging
Her second book (which I do have in my design library) was published in March of this year and is called: Country House Living: Celebrating the Beauty of Life at Home. This gorgeous, inspiring book further develops the country house style through specifics of style such as: welcoming, elegant, soulful, timeless… this is a great source showcasing real-life homes where old-house lovers like you and I can study the photos to get ideas for our own homes!
Country House ~ Mother of Many Styles
Over time, this root style branched out into more specific regional interpretations. You may already be drawn to some of these without realizing they share a common ancestry:
- English Country House Style
On the whole the British have favored lived in comfort over a perfectly styled house from the very beginning. They are a rather practical people. Their homes can be quite varied in style, but all of them have: Deep cushy sofas, antique furniture, books everywhere, dogs, pattern and color through textiles and wallpaper, paintings, an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living, and gorgeous antique or vintage china. Think layered textiles, muted florals, timeworn wood, and a cozy clutter that feels intentional. For a deliciously colorful and quirky look into the English country house style take a look at the book below!
This style carries the clearest resemblance to traditional country house interiors and continues to influence designers around the world today. This style is most appealing to me for reasons both practical & pretty.
French Country / Shabby Chic
This look has an endearing feeling captured through hand-painted furniture, gilded mirrors, vintage brass and crystal chandeliers, tufted furniture with curvy lines, delicate linens, and romantic, weathered finishes. The rustic romance of a country home decorated in this style captures the feminine grace of the French countryside. It brings a softer, more pared-back feel to the traditional country look.
Great design books to study for this look are: French Country Cottage by Courtney Allison, and Patina Living by Steve Giannetti.
Farmhouse Country
An American take on country house style, often grounded in practicality and simple, rural living. This is the original farmhouse look, not the “farmhouse” style that has been propagated widely today. No farmer would’ve hung his plow over the hearth, or hung chicken nest boxes in a mudroom as storage cubbyholes… These things would’ve been in use! One book on American country house style I’ve enjoyed from my collection is: Country
Living Decorating Style.
In a true farmhouse there was a prevailing sense of sensible functionality and an appreciation for the beauty of natural materials, and handmade items. You may have to look a bit harder to find copies of this older book, but it’s rich with ideas!
Common elements include: wood floors, wood paneled walls, ship-lap, old hand-me-down furniture (the original essence for the “collected” look), free-standing cupboards, homespun textiles, and quilts. While more casual and traditional, this style echoes the soul of the old country house.
Primitive Country
This style precedes the American farmhouse style and is simpler and more sparse. A style that leans into the early American settler aesthetic, hand-hewn furniture, muted deep colors, and historical simplicity. It captures the spirit of a home built with what was on hand and treasured through generations. You could even say this was original minimalism. Not because it was popular, but because it was what they had. A great book for studying this look is Classic Country Style And How to Achieve It. This is also an older book, but worth searching for.
A good word to describe the primitive style would be simplicity. From the plain mill work, handmade wooden doors, to the simple lines of the hand-made furniture there is a no-fuss, no-frills approach. These straight forward structures and furnishings are softened by handmade braided rag rugs, woven textiles, vibrant hand stitched quilts. Practical daily use items are also simple such as sturdy hand-thrown pottery, earth toned stoneware, and handwoven baskets. Each of these styles carries the DNA of the original country house: a space that evolves over time, tells a story, and is livable for today.
Country House Style Today
Country house style generally refers to the relaxed yet refined look traditionally found in old country estates—particularly those of Britain and rural Europe. But the country house style, as we’ve seen here, is foundational to many styles internationally. These wonderful homes are lived-in, generational homes filled with layers of history, mismatched furniture, inherited antiques, and evidence of life lived well. The beauty of country house style lies in its balance: it’s curated, but not contrived, pretty and practical, curated and comfortable.
“Country house style has endured because it feels like home.”
It’s about more than trendy matching decor, it’s about creating a space that suits the needs and desires of you and your family. It’s comfortable. The country house will naturally have a collected look as you layer in a lifetime of living. Maybe your style isn’t just farmhouse, French country, or primitive. Maybe it’s country house. I hope you’ve gained some insight into your personal design style, or at least some resources to help you along the way! Until next time,
Take care,
Rachel
