Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:07:59 +0000

Interior design has always been impacted by fashion trends – both historically and in the modern day. In this article series, “Designing in Style,” I explore the meaning of style for interior designers. I draw on my experience working alongside many of London’s best-known interior design teams. This fourth article in my series moves on from historic traditional/period styles to the country style – a timeless interior design classic. The country styles are also sometimes known as the pastoral or rustic styles. The most prominent example is the cottage/farmhouse. Ask most interior designers to imagine being far away from London and they will envision an earthy farmhouse kitchen with rustic tones, wooden enclaves, solid and wholesome meals, and a welcoming brick fireplace. Pastoral styles in interior design contexts are as much practical as they are stylish. The restful comfort and lack of ostentation is appreciated not only by country folk but also by city dwellers. London interior design consultancies often work with clients who have large residences with expansive grounds in need of a rustic feel that harks back to quieter times. The country interior design style relies on sturdy natural materials such as wood, brick, stone and textured or weathered fabrics. Floorboards are often left exposed to wear down over time, before being stained or varnished and softened with mats or rugged coverings. In general, furniture should be plump and inviting, with natural unvarnished wood frames or homely patterned upholstery. The fireplace is often a centrepiece of this interior design style, and hearths of stone or brick are often used together with copper or brass fireplace accessories. In London mansions that incorporate the country style, walls are often left rough and natural in appearance. The English country house is a variant of the pastoral interior design style that is very English yet still well-known abroad. Interior designers in London will often be called upon to create designs in this style for the very wealthiest clients. The English country house style relies heavily on patterns. Interior design teams will focus on floral, large-scale motifs, perhaps based on historic designs from the eighteenth century. These patterns will be used not only for window treatments, but also on upholstery, loose covers, bedspreads, table frills, etc. Typical English country house interior design schemes use colours such as pink, white, cream, and highlights in green. Other options include yellow and blue, or muted shades of gold and brown. In the latter half of the twentieth century, British rustic interior design became increasingly influenced by the so-called “American country” style. Although not often a focus of London interior designers, this style can include Shaker furniture and Amish quilts, together with stripped-pine cupboards, dressers and chests. Folk stencils are important to achieve the correct look. In my next article for this “Designing in Style” series, I will look at something that is a major feature of London’s interior design landscape today, namely the modern/contemporary style.

Tags: Country, Design, Designing, Insights, Interior, Interior Design, interior designer, Into, Part, Style, Styles

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Although I am looking at a bright blue, sunny sky as I write this … I am eyeing the rapidly rising pile of leaves on my deck that tell me gray skies and cooler weather are coming up fast. Brrrrrr! Soon we will be looking for ways to be warmer. Lighting the fireplace is the first thing that pops into my mind, and I suppose I could rake those leaves to warm myself up. But there are plenty of easy ways to turn up the heat without ….. well ……… actually turning up the heat! Adding elements to your home that provide “visual warmth” can make you feel warmer  without ever striking a match.

Here are Portland Interior Designer, Pangaea’s, tips for some very cool ways to add warmth to any space without touching your thermostat:

Colors are referred to as “cool” or “warm” for a reason. All white rooms, or rooms that are decorated in cool colors like pale blues & greens, literally feel warmer when colors like red, golden yellow, brick, rust, burgundy & plum are added.

These super cool throw pillows by Koko are a great mix of cool & warm colors. The wool felt fabric is warm to the touch and they are like little works of art to boot!

When I feel goosebumps coming on I reach for a luxurious faux fur throw. This one by PreFurs in Lynx is absolutely amazing! The look of fur is warm and inviting, and on the practical side, it keeps you toasty on the coldest of evenings.

Read on for more cool ways to add warmth to your space …

Tags: design tips, green decor, Inspiration & Motivation, interior design, Pangaea

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at 1:57 pm and is filed under Inspiration & Motivation, Redecorating & Redesign, Tips & Trends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.