Contemporary Country Colours

Fresh, clean earth tints form a soothing colour palette for today's country living. Shades of Clay, Slate, French grey, Shutter Blue, Mulberry, Damson, Willow leaf and Gooseberry green set against chalky white add a contemporary twist to traditional country styling. Modern material such a stainless steel and aluminium contrast against the natural elements of pale stone and bleached wood. Here are a few of my most recent finds starting with the heart of the country home - the kitchen.  

Above image: detail of Sims Hilditch interior design for Neptune - gorgeous bespoke kitchens and new home accessories range

Above image: a divine new kitchen design from Sims Hilditch interior design for Neptune

Above images: gorgeous new table linen china and cutlery from the Neptune range

Above images: 1. gorgeous new candle range from Neptune 2.table linen china and cutlery from the new Neptune range 3. paint shade in "Lily" by Neptune 4 from the new lighting range by Neptune

Above image: pretty contemporary coloured enamel kitchen ware from Garden Trading 

Above image: bespoke kitchens and fabulous furniture range from Neptune

Above image: 1.gorgeous pale chalky kitchen by Plain English 2. & 4.table linen and china from the new Neptune accessories range 3.beautiful handcrafted kitchens and furniture from Neptune Colour watches: The Paper Mulberry colour suggestions

Above image: handmade kitchens by Chalon in gorgeous pale chalky shades with slate grey accents try Farrow and Ball "French Grey" number 18 for a similar colour to the door and skirting board

Above image: divine oak framed homes by Border Oak with interior design and styling by Merry Albright The Paper Mulberry note: try "Card Room Green" number 79 from Farrow & Ball for a similar shade to the kitchen island - we have used it on our back door and windows

Above image: planter pots on tray in "Shutter Blue" by Garden Trading

Above image: bespoke kitchens and fabulous furniture range from Neptune

Above image: the gorgeous kitchen and dining room of interior stylist and photographer Helena Bernald of the wonderful blog The Swenglish Home

Above images: 1.lovely new lighting range from Garden Trading in fabulous colours such a "Shutter blue", "Clay" and "Slate" 2.metal trough planter by Garden Trading 3.a set of numbered, French styled, ceramic mixing bowls by Garden Trading Colour swatches: The Paper Mulberry colour suggestions 

Above image: gorgeous contemporary farmhouse in Oxfordshire location for photography and film by locations agency Light locations

Above image: divine bespoke kitchen furniture and china range from Neptune

Above image: the "Chichester" kitchen from Neptune 

Above image: classic jug in "Gooseberry" by Garden Trading

For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their web sites. The colour swatches featured are my suggestions for accent shades and do not relate to specific paints unless otherwise stated, but I'm sure your favourite paint companies would be happy to suggest matches! 

With warmest wishes

 

Christmas wishes from an old farmhouse in England

(Update: this was our home until November 2012) With Christmas now just a few days away the preparations here have reached fever pitch! Having put the finishing touches on the decorations and stacked baskets with fragrant logs for the fire we are almost ready to welcome friends and family to join us in the celebrations. I adore this last minute flurry of activity and will be, as you read this, busy filling tiny white crackers with Italian truffles and arranging white roses and herbs from the garden into mercury vases for the table. With the ancient oak beams hung with snowflakes, this year our old farmhouse is decked in ice and snow! Here are a few photographs from our home (please excuse my awful photography and the length of this post!!!): 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - 

A small live blue spruce from Homebase on a dresser in the kitchen the oversized mat and shiny silver baubles are part of a 75 piece set from Tesco!  

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen

The white ceramic pot that we have planted the Christmas tree in is from Cape Henley and the white ceramic flower tea light holders are from Bliss & Bloom

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen

tiny glass cloches filled with silver parcels

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen fireplace

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen mantelpiece swag 

A faux pine needle swag with mat and shiny baubles part of the 75 piece set from Tesco!

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen fireplace swag

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen - Aga mantel shelf decorated for Christmas!

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen - Aga mantel shelf with a combination of faux pine needle foliage, berries and fresh pine cones

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen - Aga mantel shelf with mouth blown, recycled glass goblets

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen dresser

Icy faux pine branch garland with fresh pine cones 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen dresser

Icy faux pine branch garland with fresh pine cones & the china is Asiatic Pheasants by Burleigh

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room with the faux tree stands in a log basket, the tablecloth is burlap and the tree covered in faux snow and glass icicles! 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room tree

the artificial snow is from Snowbusiness the special effects company who provided the snow scenes for the Harry Potter films! They now sell a range of artificial snow for domestic use, I used their spray snow topped with display snow coarse and finished with the amazing snow sparkle that glistens like the real thing!  

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room fireplace 

the swag is faux pine and covered in artificial snow and icicles

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room fireplace swag
the lantern is a vintage find, the icicles I have been collected for a few years now

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room 
I have placed an old lantern in a niche in the living room with a carved wax candle 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the home
I have place a large wreath of faux pine and beaded fruit covered in simulated ice on the oak banister at the top of the first staircase

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the home

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the entrance hall
the console table is decked with a gilded leaf garland from Decorative Country Living and coach lantern from Culinary Concepts

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the entrance hall console table

So until the new year...

Warmest of Christmas Wishes from this old farmhouse in England 
- Glenda xxx

 

Christmas is coming!

I'll soon be decking the halls with creamy white roses, frosted snowberries, mercury silver, fresh pine, bay leaves, holly and candles. The table will be set with crisp linens, polished vintage silver, gleaming crystal and fresh sprigs of herbs. With the smell of woodsmoke and crackle of the fire I'll be wishing for snow again this Christmas! Here are a few of my favourite finds and Christmas inspiration.

Above image: Interior shop India Jane

Above images: 1.Mini mercury glass baubles for the tree from Nordic House 2.Nickle plated footed bowl from India Jane 3.Silver beaded heart for the tree (would also look lovely on door handles!) from Bliss & Bloom 4.Scroll candle holder from India Jane 

Above image: Christmas tree in front of the main entrance to Waddesdon Manor by  photographer John Hackston 

Above images: Lucyina Moodie Stylist

Above images: 1.Mercury votives and table setting from The White Company scanned from their 2008 brochure 2.Christmas baubles display Lucyina Moodie Stylist 3.Silver plated monogram tumbler with vanilla scented candle from Brissi 

Above images: Mercury candlesticks and champagne candles, gilded bay leaf garland on burlap all from PotteryBarn

Above images: 1.Mantelpiece decoration ideas from House to Home magazine 2.White linen napkins on a silver platter from Country Living magazine 3.Jewelled frosted glass votive from India Jane

Above image: French style diner service, etched glasses, and white china roses votive holders all from Bliss & Bloom

Above image: pretty glass cake pedestal and dome featured in  2008 The White Company brochure

Above images:1. Crystal beaded tea light holders from Nordic House 2.Silver heart hanging decoration from Bliss & Bloom 3.Table presents/favours on antique silver platter by event planner Merryl Brown

Above images: The White Company from their tips and clever ideas - 'Making your guests feel at home'

Above image: Frosted pinecone wreath from John Lewis

To be continued..........!!!!

For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their web sites. The colour swatches featured are my suggestions for accent shades and do not relate to specific paints unless otherwise stated, but I'm sure your favourite paint companies would be happy to suggest matches!

With warmest wishes