Although the most popular style of decorating, Country Décor has gotten a bit of a bad rap over the past 20 years. The frilly looks of lace curtains, duck or cow wallpaper borders and the pickled-pine furniture may have been overused just a wee bit.
However, there’s a new country trend emerging, and it’s a cleaner-lined no fuss style that offers a calm and relaxing atmosphere appealing to those who want a casual, yet chic place to live. The colours are updated neutrals like grey, white and taupe with pops of strong colour for sharp surprises. Here’s how to get the look:
Flooring: Keep floors dramatic with light or dark options. Painting old wooden floors is a great way to get a bright clean look. Choose a high-gloss white or pale grey paint colour for a smooth, shiny surface that almost looks like plastic. The lighter the colour the more light you will bounce around your space making it feel brighter. If carpeting is your thing, then have fun with inexpensive carpet tiles and create a modern checkerboard with carpet squares, a great option for a family room or child’s play area that is attractive and eco-friendly.
Paint colours: White, pale grey and soft blue are great colours to keep a room feeling bright and fresh. Consider painting one wall in the room a punchy or dramatic colour to draw attention to the room’s focal point, such as behind a headboard in a bedroom or the television in the living area.
Furniture styles: There are two extreme looks that seem to complement each other quite well for the country look: ornate and fancy traditional furniture that is simplified by a dramatic stain or paint colour, and then an elle-natural wood finish with a soft grey patina. Painting an old colonial china cabinet with a bright, glossy coral red will add punch to the room and make an old furniture piece look hip again. For a natural look, simply have an old piece of furniture sanded down to the natural wood and then wax it to a soft polish. You’ll take an ornate furniture piece and give it a more casual feel.
Lighting: Industrial or outdoor style lighting like hanging barn pendants and gooseneck wall sconces will add a raw country style to a room. You can now find reproductions to help cast an edginess of light to your space at places like Home Depot and other large home stores, simply visit the outdoor lighting section rather than the indoor section. These lamps will add a industrial charm to your space.
