I agree with most of the posts above. And personally this type of decor is a bit too stimulating for my tastes...like a Montissori classroom. My take is that this is urban country 2.0. These houses are bright, have a lot of contrast and visual clutter. It is an inexpensive style to do. And it is interesting and allows for creativity. Here is also what I think is going on... IMHO, true country living and its decor (that is, one lives in a farm and has land, animals, gardens, crops....) the barn, shop, and mechanical outbuildings are considered to be functional and unless its a garden shed or summer kitchen, the man's domain. No frills, flowers, etc. allowed. Bt the farmhouse though also a working kitchen and housekeeping space is considered to be a reflection of the woman of the house. So it is more expected to have whatever decor the woman would want, as a comfort against the hard work the family does, and to be house-proud and family-proud. So the overall household would have a balance of masculine and feminine spaces.

I don't, know, because it think there are a lot of other factors. I grew up in a house with a black and white kitchen, black and white laundry room and black and white library. This was 1970. The house was colonial revival and it had white plank-door cabinets, white and stainless appliances, a white vinyl brick floor. black wrought iron hardware, Formica Irish linen countertops and a black tole chandelier with white pinstriping. White wallpaper with flowers outlined in black. It wasn't particularly bold, it was cheerful, actually. The library had black grasscloth wallpaper, black and white upholstered furniture, walnut stained bookshelves floor to ceiling and a black and white wool houndstooth rug. But the books were so colorful, it actually had a lot of color. And it was dark, masculine and den-like but not Kardashian like. The laundry room had black and white mattress ticking wallpaper and otherwise matched the kitchen. It just seemed "clean". I think it's all a matter of how it's done.

auntjen, Now that's a big, dark house that breaks every rule. And it sold! Just goes to show you that everyone's taste is different. While I enjoy the Cote d'Texas blog and like her design taste and blog posts, I am starting to get a little tired of seagrass rugs, white linen slip covers on everything, white carrera marble etc. I think in a few years - those things will be seen as design staples of 2014-15. I wish I could find a designer who designed comfortable, real people homes. Most of the rooms in design magazines are so uncomfortable looking. Yes, the furniture is beautiful but you can't curl up on that tiny sofa and where's the TV! :-) What's wrong with having some color in a room? A TV? gasp - carpeting? I feel like these design blogs and magazines are designing for .02% of the population. Vent over...lol

Oh gotcha! I’m new here and still figuring this site out - it’s wonderful. Not purchasing imminently (unfortunately!) - a few practical essentials have to take priority! I really like the rugs that contain the blues (and greens) and I like your idea of blending with modern pattern cushions. So when I hit the local stores, I will be using your suggestions as a guide. I also quite like the design below, but I don’t think I’ll have room for shelving that size!