Cotswolds Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2020
We've got 2020 vision as we look ahead to the new year with fitness and health tips, a wedding guide, meat free recipes, an interview with chef Michael Caines and lots of home inspiration.
We've got 2020 vision as we look ahead to the new year with fitness and health tips, a wedding guide, meat free recipes, an interview with chef Michael Caines and lots of home inspiration.
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ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE<br />
‘The stately homes of England<br />
How beautiful they stand!<br />
Amidst their tall ancestral trees,<br />
O’er all the pleasant land.’<br />
Felicia Hemans, 1827<br />
The English country house style is<br />
timeless. If you are a fan of collectables,<br />
historical pieces, and antique jewellery,<br />
you will no doubt fall head over heels for<br />
this romantic interior style. English country<br />
homes are whimsical, cosy, and warm and<br />
whether you have an ancestral home or a<br />
modern house, there are plenty of ways to<br />
recreate this style.<br />
THE HISTORY BEHIND THE HOUSE<br />
The origin of the traditional country house<br />
style is an interesting one. It actually<br />
originated during the Tudor period, a<br />
time of relative peace and security in<br />
Britain. As it was no longer necessary to<br />
focus your home-making efforts towards<br />
defence of property, aristocrats could<br />
instead prioritise design. Their houses<br />
became sources of pride; a way of<br />
showing off their money and impressing<br />
their peers. And thus, the country house<br />
aesthetic was born.<br />
Despite the true provenance of this style, it<br />
wasn’t until the 1920s that the interior style<br />
that we recognise as 'English Country'<br />
came into fashion. Ironic as it sounds,<br />
it was an American woman, Nancy<br />
Lancaster, that brought the style to the<br />
fore and crystallised the aesthetic.<br />
Her philosophy regarding interior design<br />
revolved around comfort and elegance.<br />
She found ways to combine the traditional<br />
country house style with the practicalities<br />
of twentieth century living.<br />
Even through the popularity of minimalist<br />
design, the English country house style<br />
has remained a favourite. Plus, the ‘more<br />
is more’ mentality linked to this style<br />
means that your home will look better and<br />
better over years of collecting new art,<br />
ornaments and furniture.<br />
HOW TO RECREATE THE LOOK<br />
This style can be recreated and adapted to<br />
suit the space you’re working with. Whether<br />
you’re looking to start from scratch in a<br />
new home, or you want to make your living<br />
room feel a bit more cosy, we have some<br />
top country house tips for you...<br />
PERIOD PIECES<br />
Historical accents work beautifully with<br />
this scheme. If you are lucky enough<br />
to have a house with original beamed<br />
ceilings, a cosy open fireplace, or<br />
hardwood floors, then make the most<br />
of them - restore where you can using<br />
traditional techniques and complement<br />
them with tonal elements.<br />
FLORAL DECOR<br />
Florals are essential with this stunning<br />
style. Whether you fill your house with<br />
vases of flowers, or opt for floral prints on<br />
curtains, wallpapers and tablecloths, there<br />
is always a way to freshen up your home<br />
with botanicals. If you want a more subtle<br />
floral effect, invest in some antique silver.<br />
Lots of silver items feature floral motifs<br />
and they will also add a nostalgic sense of<br />
antiquity to your home.<br />
DETAILS ARE EVERYTHING<br />
The beauty of an English country house is<br />
that you constantly discover new personal<br />
touches within the eclectic theme.<br />
Baskets, boxes and other ornamental<br />
antiques are perfect for adding those<br />
extra little touches to your home. What’s<br />
more, these tiny antiquities will give the<br />
impression of a vast collection that’s taken<br />
generations to acquire, giving an ancestral<br />
feel to your home.<br />
BOOKSHELVES ARE A MUST!<br />
What’s a traditional English house without<br />
some traditional tomes. Bookshelves<br />
are essential to country house interiors,<br />
and it’s another case of the more the<br />
merrier. As well as a capacious library,<br />
your country house wouldn’t be complete<br />
without some cosy nooks and comfy sofas<br />
to bed down in. With the temperamental<br />
British weather, you will end up spending a<br />
lot of time in these cosy corners, so invest<br />
time in perfecting them.<br />
AMAZING ANTIQUES<br />
Antique furniture is the cherry on the<br />
top of this style. A classic trope of the<br />
English country house look is its eccentric<br />
busyness. So, go wild! Pick a range of<br />
furniture in different styles, from different<br />
time periods. It may seem random,<br />
but when they all sit together, they will<br />
look right at home. Head to your local<br />
auctioneers and invest in pieces you<br />
love - antique pieces are built to last and<br />
become heirlooms in their own right.<br />
The age-old beauty of the English country<br />
house style will make you feel cosy and<br />
content. If you prefer maximalist styles<br />
and historical features to stripped-back<br />
minimalism, then this is the style for you!<br />
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