Many of us associate childhood with our grandmother’s house in the village, where there is always a cozy and delicious smell of pies. To embody this spiritual atmosphere in a modern home, the country style offers a distinctive feature of which are rustic traditions and simplicity, environmentally friendly materials and a special charm. This style has many different directions, each of which successfully conveys the values and authenticity of the people.
Characteristic features of the style
Whether it's French country, Russian or even German, the style has a rustic charm that is expressed in specific details.
- Natural colors. The colors in the country interior are natural: no flashy, boiling white, or overly black shades. Muted, calm palette.
- Natural materials. There is a lot of wood in the interior; it is permissible to use ceramic tiles, fabrics such as cotton and linen, and leather.
- Decorative. Country music is about accessories. There are a lot of beautiful dishes in the kitchens, textiles in the living room and bedroom.
- Territorial features. Examples of country style vary from country to country, although in general they are similar (they adhere to a rustic theme), but each has its own unique features.
Rustic style will appeal to those who value home comfort and are not afraid to abandon ultra-fashionable solutions in favor of comfort and tranquility.
Basic principles
1. Natural color palette . When decorating an interior in country style, natural, “natural” colors and combinations are used. 2. Natural materials . Stylistic finishing and decor involve the use of only natural materials. 3. Identity . Each direction of country style has characteristic ethnic features characteristic of the area where it originated. Therefore, when choosing English, French or other styles, it is important to correctly convey its inherent national characteristics.
What types are there and their features?
Many people, when they hear the word “country,” certainly imagine a living room with beamed ceilings, wooden walls, animal skins, carpets and rough furniture. On the one hand, it really can be American country. On the other hand, American is only one of the style options.
The photo shows an example of the American design direction
Modern country style, in contrast to the authentic one, is more restrained - not only wood is used in the decoration of the walls, the furniture chosen is comfortable, but not so rough.
The French Provence style is completely different - sophisticated, light, decorative in its own way. It is dominated by white color, pastel shades, small floral patterns.
The photo shows a living room in Provence style
Within country there is also an English direction - like all design that comes from England, the rustic style is restrained, even a little prim. There is no longer much decor in it; comfort lies rather in simplicity.
When looking at a German country kitchen, you certainly imagine small half-timbered houses somewhere near Hamburg.
The sight of Italian country music awakens thoughts about the passionate national character and, of course, delicious food prepared by an Italian grandmother.
But for all residents of the post-Soviet space, the Russian rustic style with its wooden elements, bright drawings, and pottery is still closest. Embroidered tablecloths and napkins, pillowcases, carved buffets, chests - all this is a tribute to our family traditions.
The photo shows a Russian-style bedroom
French country
Whether you have been to France or not, you probably imagine French country as something like a weathered barn among fields of lavender and friendly sun. French country is a mixture of elegance and modest simplicity. It provides an Old World aesthetic that is enhanced by the stability and presence of rustic finishes, timelessly attractive with sophistication in curves and details.
In French Country, there is a contrast between the ornate, intricate and elegant details and the rough, rustic, unhewn ones - which serves as much of the style's charm.
Don't shy away from adding elegant fabric to the space by placing a wooden chest nearby.
Show off the scuffs, chips and grace of once elegant furniture. Use lantern-style pendants as lighting elements.
French style kitchen
French country is predominantly pastel, in several tones of a neutral palette. It has a lot in common with the Provence style, which is also the embodiment of the village life of the French countryside.
French country is popular around the world for its effortless elegance, splashes of color and accents of natural or rustic accessories. Decorating your home in French style won't cost you a fortune. In fact, you can use your creativity to repurpose existing furniture to create a delightful space.
Basics of French Country Decor
French country has a warm and comfortable feeling. When it comes to colors, it's best to stay on the warm side of the color spectrum, with colors that have medium to low intensity. Think about:
- soft yellow (the color of butter);
- warm pink;
- soft blue;
- creamy
The furnishings should have graceful and simple lines. French country style has a lot of painted furniture. Buying old, damaged furniture works well for this style. Wrought iron or rusty metal accents are also often included in this shabby chic look.
The fabrics are always thick, always relying on traditional fabric. You can keep it in stripes, checks or add wool - anything will do.
Kitchen
Tip There are many jars in the kitchen where basic food items are stored. Find old identical cans to duplicate the look. Add hand-drawn labels or print them on your home printer. For the walls, imitate the decor of old streets with their distinctive “Grocery” signs and such.
You can make your own signs. Just find craft stores that have inexpensive wall signs or metal signs. Use wrought iron stands to place pots or utensils with hooks for security.
Simple lines with accents
Dining room
For a traditional French Country dining room, choose distressed white single chairs and use a round wrought iron patio table or garden table for an inexpensive dining room.
You can also repaint your wood set or purchase a new one painted in pastel or natural wood tones.
Living room
Country houses should not be burdened with heavy drapery, as in the traditional style. Add openwork panel curtains to let the sun flood into the room while maintaining privacy. In front of the window, place a wrought iron bench with cushions for seating near the window.
Bright living room in light colors
Bedroom
An old iron garden gate would look great as a headboard if you're looking to add French Country style to your bedroom. Use an old metal garden bench at the end of the bed as a seating area . Dressers painted in warm, pastel colors, slightly distressed, will bring a feeling of comfort to the room.
Bathroom
Use wrought iron towel racks or antique wrought iron fruit bowls to hold towels. An old painted buffet under the sink works well here.
It's always nice to wake up in a bedroom like this
Which color scheme should I choose?
Before deciding what color the interior should be, you should exclude tones that are clearly unsuitable: bright neon, chrome-plated metal, excessively dark.
In order not to make a bad choice, focus on the palette of nature: green, yellow, orange, red, brown, beige. For greater naturalness in country, they rely on warm colors; cool shades can be used, but to a limited extent.
The only exception to the above rules is the Provence style - instead of natural wood, it is painted white or pastel, instead of rich terracotta or brown - gray, soft pink, peach, heavenly.
American branch
This type operates with historical furnishings with copper and bronze fittings and volumetric space. The furnishings are substantial with good quality cowboy paraphernalia, hunting trophies, quilts, rugs and antique portraits. A fireplace portal trimmed with textured stone, a round table and a beamed ceiling are required. The walls are crowned with deer antlers.
What materials should be used for finishing?
The main finishing material is wood. In log houses, the walls are simply left “bare”; to imitate the country style in the interior of the apartment, wooden panels, laminate on the walls, etc. are used.
Wood can be used either on its own or in combination, for example, with tiles (in the bathroom or kitchen).
In some cases, you can do without it altogether by covering the walls with paper wallpaper. Choose from small or large floral patterns, or options with vertical stripes. The use of paint on plaster, artificial or natural stone, even brick is not prohibited.
The ceiling is left pure white, decorated with beams or sewn into wood. The flooring is predominantly wooden; ceramic tiles may be used.
The photo shows a combination of beams on the ceiling with floral wallpaper
Walls
When decorating walls, you can safely use the following options:
- tension fabric panels;
- inserts of stones or bricks near the fireplace and chimney, around windows;
- whitewashing walls with chalk;
- pasting with simple plain, striped or plain floral wallpaper;
- decorating part of the wall with wooden panels, or decorating all walls with wood;
- use of decorative plaster;
- combination of several types of design.
What decor and textiles to use?
There is a lot of country style decor, so when planning your budget, allocate a large portion of your total expenses to this item.
First of all, pay attention to textiles: curtains or curtains on the windows, tablecloths or table runners, pillows on sofas and chairs, rugs or good-quality mats on the floor. Blankets and bedspreads are required in the bedroom. In the kitchen or dining room - decorative napkins and towels with embroidery.
In addition to textiles, the following are used as decoration:
- Dishes. From beautiful plates or clay pots to polished frying pans and saucepans.
- Painting. Choose classic paintings with landscapes, still lifes, portraits of family members.
- Plants. Cut bouquets in vases or fresh flowers in flowerpots are equally good.
- Baskets. Functional decor in which you can store anything - from textiles to food supplies.
- Ceramics. Includes dishes, decorative figurines, candlesticks.
Story
The name “American country” itself appeared in the 20-30s. last century is what collectors call the style that grew out of early American farmhouses. Its popularity came half a century later - in the 1970s. during the technology boom. Cities became larger, the noise level increased - and residents went to relax outside the city, at least for the weekend.
Early American farmhouse style. The love for an open plan takes its roots from here.
Around this time, the era of the hippies was ending. The “flower children” grew up and made their own nests. Some of them chose the most environmentally friendly styles
, some prefer boho style, while others liked the spaciousness, naturalness and accessibility of country style. This is because country music is joy and celebration of nature, fresh air and freedom.
This style has a lot of typically American
: still the same open plan, love for massive furniture and large spaces in which it is easy to breathe. But enough features: let's take a closer look at them.
What to consider when organizing lighting?
Style has a special opinion regarding light: first of all it should be cozy, secondly - light. Of course, this does not apply to all areas - for example, in the working kitchen there should be sufficient lighting. But on the lamps above the dining table you can save at least in lamp power - dim lighting creates a special atmosphere.
Lighting involves the use of a ceiling chandelier, but in addition to it, other, more intimate scenarios are usually thought through, using floor lamps, sconces, and table lamps with lampshades. In a country living room, the source of light and heat can be a fireplace or stove.
Style furniture
Country style uses massive wooden furniture. It often contains forged elements. Cabinet furniture is sometimes artificially aged and decorated using decoupage or craquelure techniques. The sofa and armchairs are often upholstered in natural knitwear, less often in leather.
Along with solid wooden furniture, wicker furniture can also be used.
The interior furniture is complemented by chests of drawers, shelves and poufs. All furniture has a rustic appearance, often even rough, and its arrangement is often devoid of symmetry.
English version
The style is characterized by stiffness and coldness; echoes of the Victorian era are felt in it. The impressive furniture groups are based on darkened wood.
There is a predominance of red, brown colors and greens. The room is complemented by striped, woven runners and checkered rugs. The book collection is stored in bulky cabinets.
Provence
The French trend with an elegant touch of antiquity is the most romantic, famous for its field, straw motifs. It is characterized by whitewashed furniture of an antique appearance with openwork carvings or forging.
Delicate pastel colors are used, but lavender and purple-yellow splashes remain in the lead. The specific difference is a huge bed, porcelain figurines, lavender bouquets in vases.
Italian variation
The elegant stylization, originally from Tuscany, breathes the southern hospitable temperament; a huge dining table, around which a large family gathers, is a key detail.
Door and window openings are made in the format of arches. Grape or olive branches are a frequent guest in stone and tile wall ornaments. Polished, varnished objects and window shutters are not excluded.
