Thirteen years ago, or there about, my family moved into our new build house on the edge of a village in Northamptonshire. It's in a lovely position close to the village centre, in a small cul-de-sac of five similar houses and our garden overlooks open fields. Like many new builds it has plenty of benefits: it's very light, open plan in parts, cosy rooms in others, plenty of bathrooms and downstairs underfloor heating to name a few. It was a case of move in, hang some curtains and have some painting done here and there to move away from the Gardenia walls. Job done at the time. The girls were growing up fast, my husband and I were both working; my husband on a new business and I was in educational leadership, giving more hours than I care to mention.
All these years later, I've started to really consider the character of the house, because there is some and I realise, I have some too! I have a fairly established flower garden, which I've created myself to be sympathetic with the country setting and to provide plenty of flowers and interest all year round. The garden had more character than the house! The ground floor has no less than five sets of French doors leading to the outside (putting aside the cost of curtains - another time perhaps), the outside had become the main feature. People often talk about bringing the outside in but actually I needed to start bringing some of the character and individuality given to the outside into the house.
How's your woodwork?
You can tell a great deal about someone's taste and style by the woodwork in their home. I don't mean the doors and skirting but the furniture, staircase and decorative pieces. There's a place for natural wood; high quality antique wooden pieces can sit happily against more modern rustic designs in a modern country home. That being said, a watch needs to be kept on the number of different types of wood used in one space as too much wood can make a space dark and too many types leads to a confused look. Much of our furniture was bought in the early nineties; I was not daring or knowledgeable enough to buy antique furniture at that time and there are only two chairs that are family pieces. Some modern pieces were bought that are pretty timeless in style and that still look well but there's also a lot of orange turning pine! Fortunately, painted wooden furniture is synonymous with the modern country look and I've not been afraid of the paint brush to update some pieces to keep the price down. Having dabbled with chalk paints, I've found that I prefer a slight satin finish achieved with @farrowandball Estate Eggshell. I would say though that if you're painting furniture go for similar or the same colours to tie an area of the house together, there could be a danger of too many sweets in the shop. I've got several pieces in @farrowandball Railings for example across the open plan of the downstairs area. I'm not adverse to a brightly painted statement piece either, I think that suits a modern country look.
A word about skirtings and doors. If you want something to blend into the background in your design then you could consider painting them the same colour as the walls. Personally, I prefer to keep them white as the light from our many windows means that they're not really noticed and the eye passes over them. I'm lucky to have high ceilings which I know that not all modern properties have. I could add coving or cornice but there's also the largest number of downlighters ever seen in a property (ever, ever) therefore, I'm keeping the ceilings white and very neutral to avoid drawing the eye.
2. Consider your Materials and I Don't Just Mean Fabrics
Fabrics are very important to achieving a modern country look. For me, fabrics to achieve this look need to involve more traditional prints, florals, checks, tartans, the odd spot and maybe an animal or two (tastefully done of course). I'll be honest here and state that I find curtains the hardest. I am not really a sewer and have no inclination to make my own; Made to Measure are often very expensive (especially for a house with lots of big windows and doors) which leaves me scrabbling about in the Ready Mades. I think my advice is to try to go for understated classic and I need to take my own advice!
Throws and cushions are the ideal way to bring seasonality and colour to your scheme. Velvet, wools (and yes their washable, often less itchy, synthetic equivalents) are favourite although personality from embroidered natural patterns do well to bring about the look.
Flooring in a modern home is important. Its likely that it is already functional; many new builds are tiled and carpeted and unless you're desperate to change that, there's really no need. Character and definition of space can easily be achieved by use of rugs which are having some what of a renaissance currently. Natural materials such as hemp are great for high traffic areas and work well with natural and painted wood. Being neutral in colour they won't dominate a scheme but do bring texture which can be missing in modern homes, with their flat, smooth walls. Smaller rugs are ideal to bring intimacy to seating areas and indeed layering rugs on carpets adds to the country feel. I avoid geometric shapes on my rugs as this feels too modern, preferring a more 'worn carpet' look.
Central to achieving a modern country look in your home though is the nick nack and ornament that you choose. For me it is the material and texture of your pieces that is key. I mentioned wood and indeed chests, bowls and frames are important. For one area, don't mix and match woods too much and unless you're going for a traveller's eclectic look avoid too much imported woodwork. Ceramics and glass are perfect opportunities to add character. You could carefully go neutral but in my view doing that is too restrictive. There are too many fabulously shaped pieces with interesting glazes and colours to just use neutrals. This is the time to develop your taste and character in the room; don't just leave it to the cushions!
I think many modern country schemes benefit from the use of metal. Zinc, copper planters, storage pots for example. Look carefully for the right patina and consider leaving them outdoors to create that for a few months if needs be! Worn is certainly essential (excepting copper saucepans of course). Enamelware is having something of a moment and with new modern colours, probably deserves a place in your scheme too.
3. Every Room has a Chair and Every Chair has a Table
A modern country look is the epitome of comfort. Every room has a chair that the occupant could collapse down in to drink that emergency cup of tea or glass of something. That being said that chair must then have all the conveniences within its easy reach. A rug to warm your feet on. A basket nearby for your favourite magazine, book or, dare I say it, piece of needlework. Every chair needs a small table to lay down your essential drink or to hold your plated scone, cake or biscuit. A coffee table or item drawn into that use will do but ideally a small, occasional table, by the chair side is the better option. A table provides opportunities for lamps to light your tasks and to reduce reliance on overhead lighting. You'll be needing a cushion for your back or to lay your head on and a throw for the nap or at least to dream of that elusive moment. I particularly love our seating area in the kitchen and it is used regularly by everyone. If you can get a comfy chair in the kitchen it is more than worth it. For me its building these layers of comfort and convenience that make the modern country look so appealing and easy to achieve.
4. Bring the Rooms Alive!
Finally, for me, the modern country look is not complete without plants and preferably flowers! There's a big trend for houseplants at the moment and there's a houseplant for virtually every situation. Read the labels and ask for advice if you have a spot in mind before buying any plant and set yourself a watering routine each week so you are less likely to over or underwater. Fresh flowers are a beautiful addition to any scheme and could include bulbs grown indoors, especially in Spring. I am fussy about where my flowers come from as it is important to reduce airmiles in the floristry industry and the associated use of chemical preservatives so I buy from local growers where I can. Better still grow them yourself (a whole new blog I think) it's easier than you think! For a longer lasting look you could consider using dried flowers which with their renewed popularity are easier to find now. Wreaths and arrangements look good for several months, no one is thinking we'll go back to the dusty arrangements left for years in Grandma's house of the 1970s. Greenery does not in my book include synthetic plants and fake flowers!
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