Decorating Styles
18 Ways to Bring English Country Charm Home
From topiaries and climbing roses to toile and tea, these design ideas can skew cozy casual or manor formal
My favorite thing about traditional English country style is that it can feel casual or formal. Its roots date back hundreds of years to the cottages of farming communities in the English countryside.
English country–style decor is collected over time. Colors are mostly natural and muted. I love to see a little shot of yellow here and there, too. Whether you prefer a casual or formal translation of this style, the result is always warm and inviting. Here are some tips to bring English country charm to your home.
English country–style decor is collected over time. Colors are mostly natural and muted. I love to see a little shot of yellow here and there, too. Whether you prefer a casual or formal translation of this style, the result is always warm and inviting. Here are some tips to bring English country charm to your home.
Stone exterior detailing is another hallmark. A natural muted palette works well with the landscape.
A farm table in a warm, slightly distressed wood feels right at home here. Farm tables seem to go with any chair. Have fun with it; are there no rules except to choose a comfortable one.
Here is your chance to grow those vines you have always dreamed about. Be sure to maintain them, as some varieties can grow very fast and become invasive on downspouts and gutters.
Copper gutters are a practical and good-looking investment for your English country–style home. Find the best sheet-metal fabricator you can find. Copper gutters will develop a beautiful patina.
Here is that little splash of yellow I like to see. This breakfast room features beautiful Louis XV dining chairs. Notice the rustic iron chandelier and the cheery lemon pattern on the chintz curtains.
Add some topiaries to your front entry. Who doesn't like a topiary to greet visitors? Common plant species for topiaries include boxwood, bay laurel, holly, myrtle and privet.
Train climbing roses on your garage, entry or patio. English roses or other varieties create a beautiful veil of fragrance for any outdoor structure. My favorite varieties are 'Gertrude Jekyll' and 'New Dawn'.
Shutter dogs were designed to keep wooden shutters open but now serve mainly a decorative purpose. The type of dog used depends on the exterior surface; this lag-bolt style is best for stone exteriors.
Lantern-style exterior lights look great against stone. Solid brass fixtures are best in harsh weather conditions and are available in many colors.
According to this room's designer, Lisa Borgnes-Giramonti, upholstered doors were common in English country estates, where they would help quiet the noise from adjacent rooms. Her translation here is done in faux leather with an antique push plate.
Stone details also help bring an English country vibe to interiors. Add a touch of stone to the kitchen with a travertine hood like this one.
The classic Windsor chair is an obvious choice. With their strong frames, these chairs are a great choice for families with young children. They are sturdy and easy to clean, and can be painted. Cushions can be made to soften the wooden seat.
This piece of painted furniture, with its toile pattern, certainly adds a collected feel to this beautiful room. I especially like the layered appeal next to the cognac leather wing chair.
Gravel has an appeal that naturally pairs with other charming English country features, like exterior stone facades. Gravel is a relatively inexpensive material to consider for driveways, and I love the way it sounds when a car pulls up.
At the end of the day, don't forget your spot of tea. A fresh white cupboard beautifully displays a china collection, including a tea service, with fresh mint-colored wainscoting as a backdrop.
Notice the window treatment; a jabot is an elegant detail that sets a formal tone. And few things quite describe English country style like a traditional chintz pattern.