New Country Living

With a fresh, clean colour palette of soft powdered and dusted shades set against chalky whites and light natural wood, this relaxed country styling has a new contemporary feel. Traditional country elements are updated and incorporate everything required for today's modern living. Simple printed fabrics inspired by nature in restful tones combine with cosy wool plaids and knits to make this a soothing, welcoming home.  

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

Above image: 'Grafton Throw' and cushion from The White Company bedlinen and home furnishings

Above image: Ceramic Apples and Pears from Rowan & Wren

Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

Above image: Neptune handmade interiors and paints

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

Above fabrics and paints: 1.Fabric 'Seaside Spot' in mist 100% cotton by Clarke & Clarke 2.Paint 'Pale Powder' No: 204 by Farrow & Ball 3.Fabric 'Raphael' duckegg 100% cotton by Clarke & Clarke 4.Fabric 'Inverness Tweed' 100% wool by Anta 5.Fabric 'Sail Stripe' in mineral 100% cotton by Clarke & Clarke

Above image: Sims Hilditch interior design and Neptune handmade kitchens - the central island is painted in a shade called 'Mist' from the Neptune paint range which is gorgeous!

Above fabrics and paints: 1.Fabric 'Robert Robertson Lowland' wool tweed by Anta 2.Paint 'Cornforth White' No: 228 by Farrow and Ball 3.Fabric '320 Shalini' linen in violet by Susie Watson Design 4.Fabric 'Cove Check' in Mineral linen by Clarke & Clarke 5.Fabric 'Etoile' natural cotton/linen by Ernst and Matilda

Above image: Sims Hilditch interior design and Neptune handmade interiors

Above image: Sims Hilditch interior design and Neptune handmade interiors

Above: Zinc lined willow baskets and knitted throw from Rowan & Wren

Above image: Neptune handmade interiors

Above images:1.& 6.Sims Hilditch interior design and Neptune handmade interiors 2.Fabric'Robert Robertson Lowland' wool tweed by Anta 3.& 4.Cushions 'Gill Scott' linen & 'Teal' linen by Anta 5.Wallpaper 'Dahlia' sky by Clarke & Clarke

Above image: curtains made from 'Inverness Tweed' 100% wool by Anta  

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

Above fabrics and cushions: 1.Fabric 'Seabirds' mist 100% cotton Clarke & Clarke 2.Cushion 'Dove' linen by Anta 3.Cushion 'Macintosh' linen Anta 4.Fabric 'Seaside Spots' surf by Clarke & Clarke

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

  Above image: Fabrics from the new Clarke & Clarke 'Maritime Prints' range

 Above image: Border Oak fabulous new oak framed houses - photographer and stylist Merry Albright

For more information on anything featured 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 paint shades unless otherwise stated, but I'm sure your favourite paint companies would be happy to suggest matches!

With warmest wishes 

Country Homes of England

From the grand stately homes to the old farmhouses of England, all have one thing in common, a sublime blend of the decorative and the practical. Country traditions and pastimes influence the interior decoration creating inviting, pleasing spaces. Time worn leather armchairs, centuries of polished wood combine with faded tapestries and antique paintings forming a unique patina. Here are a few that have inspired me.   

Above images scanned from BOOK: Writers' Houses by Francesca Premoli-Droulers

Image: LOCATION AGENCY: jjlocations

Above images: 1.PHOTOGRAPHER: Joanna Maclennan 2.& 4.SHOP: Katherine Hooker womens tailoring 3.PHOTOGRAPHER: David Merewether for the Wealden Times 5.KITCHENS: Landmark Kitchens

Above image: MAGAZINE: skona hem

Above image: PHOTOGRAPHER:Nico Morgan - Cottesmore Hunt Lincolnshire

ARTIST: SIR ALFRED JAMES MUNNINGS "Portrait of Mrs. Margaretta Park Frew Riding"

Above images: 1.Photography: Katya de Grunwald 2.& 4.SHOP: Katherine Hooker womens tailoring 3.Hotel: Borgo Santo Pietro Tuscany 5.Painting: Henk Helmantel

Above image: PHOTOGRAPHER: Joanna Maclennan

Above images: LOCATION AGENCY 1st-Option

Above image: SHOP: Teasel England

Above image: jjlocations

Above images: 1.Photography: Katya de Grunwald 2.& 4.SHOP: Katherine Hooker womens tailoring 3.PHOTOGRAPHER: Joanna Maclennan 5.PHOTOGRAPHER: Jan Baldwin

Above image: jjlocations

Above images: 1.Allington Manor hotel Grantham Lincolnshire 2.& 4.SHOP: Katherine Hooker womens tailoring 3.SHOP: An Angel at my Table 5.Image scanned from MAGAZINE: Country Living March 1999

Above image: PAINTING Sir Raymond Greene, DSO, MP, on Horseback, 1919 by Alfred James Munnings

Above image: LOCATION AGENCY: 1st Option