10 Ways to Give Modern Interiors Country Charm
Include some wholesome country design ideas in your home to not only complement but also warm up a cool contemporary look
Anne Ellard
23 March 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane, Australia. I strongly believe that above all else, the most important thing when designing a kitchen is creating something that the client loves!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane,... More
When we think of country style, we often think of an old-fashioned and daggy decorating look. But like many of the classic styles of decorating, this is one that keeps evolving. The words ‘wholesome’, ‘earthy’, ‘handmade’, ‘rustic’ and ‘honest’ all invoke feelings of cosiness and welcome, and these are all apt descriptors of the sort of country style that is popular today. Plus, this new interpretation of the country look seems to work well when integrated into urban decor.
So, if you have a sleek, modern home in the city that feels like it’s lacking a bit of character and soul, check out these simple, somewhat subtle, ideas of how to add elements of contemporary country style. A little country charm will help to soften the decor of each room and make your space feel more lived in and relaxed – all without making your house feel like it’s closed the door on modernism.
So, if you have a sleek, modern home in the city that feels like it’s lacking a bit of character and soul, check out these simple, somewhat subtle, ideas of how to add elements of contemporary country style. A little country charm will help to soften the decor of each room and make your space feel more lived in and relaxed – all without making your house feel like it’s closed the door on modernism.
1. Focus on comfort
Country-style homes often have a level of comfort that feels instantly inviting. To make your home a place you will instinctively want to spend more time in, add layers of comfy cushions and throws strewn on squishy couches. For a more contemporary feel, use natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, and layer them with faux furs and leathers.
Country-style homes often have a level of comfort that feels instantly inviting. To make your home a place you will instinctively want to spend more time in, add layers of comfy cushions and throws strewn on squishy couches. For a more contemporary feel, use natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, and layer them with faux furs and leathers.
2. Put it on display
Having lots of cookware and tableware on display, which can be anything from beautiful pottery to aged copper pots and pans, is common in country-style kitchens. If that all sounds a bit too cluttered for you, then take a more contemporary approach.
Add visual interest and personal style to modern kitchens with a simple open shelf on which to display some select pieces. The point is to keep it simple. For example, arrange a collection of similar items, such as glass jars that contain flour and other baking ingredients, to achieve a smart, cohesive yet homey look.
Having lots of cookware and tableware on display, which can be anything from beautiful pottery to aged copper pots and pans, is common in country-style kitchens. If that all sounds a bit too cluttered for you, then take a more contemporary approach.
Add visual interest and personal style to modern kitchens with a simple open shelf on which to display some select pieces. The point is to keep it simple. For example, arrange a collection of similar items, such as glass jars that contain flour and other baking ingredients, to achieve a smart, cohesive yet homey look.
3. Be a bit whimsical
Plush soft furnishings, pretty patterns and soft pastels feel perfectly at home in a country-style space. For a more contemporary take on this look, choose patterns that are delicate but not too busy. Also, keep your colour palette simple. Choose one or two colours to incorporate throughout the space. Use varying tints and shades of these colours to add variety.
As seen here, in this largely crisp white bedroom, the addition of taupe and grey accessories serves to soften the decorating scheme. As pastels are back in fashion, you can also add them – for example, soft blue and blush pink were selected by Pantone as their colours of the year for 2016.
Working with Pantone’s colours of 2016
Plush soft furnishings, pretty patterns and soft pastels feel perfectly at home in a country-style space. For a more contemporary take on this look, choose patterns that are delicate but not too busy. Also, keep your colour palette simple. Choose one or two colours to incorporate throughout the space. Use varying tints and shades of these colours to add variety.
As seen here, in this largely crisp white bedroom, the addition of taupe and grey accessories serves to soften the decorating scheme. As pastels are back in fashion, you can also add them – for example, soft blue and blush pink were selected by Pantone as their colours of the year for 2016.
Working with Pantone’s colours of 2016
4. Introduce organic forms
Many elements of country-style interiors are inspired by nature, so look for single feature pieces in furniture and accessories that are made from natural materials, and are organic in shape.
The pendant light pictured in the dining room here takes inspiration from deer antlers. It is an unexpected organic form that sits beautifully against a clean contemporary monochrome backdrop. Adding a textural element like this to a modern interior immediately softens the look and renders it more inviting.
Many elements of country-style interiors are inspired by nature, so look for single feature pieces in furniture and accessories that are made from natural materials, and are organic in shape.
The pendant light pictured in the dining room here takes inspiration from deer antlers. It is an unexpected organic form that sits beautifully against a clean contemporary monochrome backdrop. Adding a textural element like this to a modern interior immediately softens the look and renders it more inviting.
5. Add some detail
A great way to add contemporary country style to a kitchen without going overboard is to use subtly profiled doors on kitchen cabinetry.
The simple shaker-style profile on the kitchen cabinets pictured here is just enough to add a traditional country feel without being too ornate. Finish the look with some simple contemporary handles to bring the look right up to date.
More on handles and knobs
A great way to add contemporary country style to a kitchen without going overboard is to use subtly profiled doors on kitchen cabinetry.
The simple shaker-style profile on the kitchen cabinets pictured here is just enough to add a traditional country feel without being too ornate. Finish the look with some simple contemporary handles to bring the look right up to date.
More on handles and knobs
6. Play with textures
Country-style interiors are filled with layers of various textures, from worn timber and aged leathers to woven seats and knitted throws. By combining various textures together, you can create a wonderful feeling of depth and comfort.
To keep the look contemporary, select just a few rustic textures to work with and position them alongside more modern finishes, such as matt white walls, glossy floor tiles and simple modern artwork.
Country-style interiors are filled with layers of various textures, from worn timber and aged leathers to woven seats and knitted throws. By combining various textures together, you can create a wonderful feeling of depth and comfort.
To keep the look contemporary, select just a few rustic textures to work with and position them alongside more modern finishes, such as matt white walls, glossy floor tiles and simple modern artwork.
7. Use vintage pieces
Nothing says country more than distressed or vintage furniture. The key to making such pieces work in a modern interior is to remember that ‘less is more’ – so only choose a few.
One or two feature pieces and a small number of accessories worked into a mix of contemporary and traditional pieces should suffice. To ensure that you have created a happy marriage of seemingly unrelated styles, choose a colour scheme that you apply throughout the entire room.
Nothing says country more than distressed or vintage furniture. The key to making such pieces work in a modern interior is to remember that ‘less is more’ – so only choose a few.
One or two feature pieces and a small number of accessories worked into a mix of contemporary and traditional pieces should suffice. To ensure that you have created a happy marriage of seemingly unrelated styles, choose a colour scheme that you apply throughout the entire room.
8. Accessorise with honesty
Put a country stamp on a modern interior with some rustic accessories. A crisp white space with clean lines is easily softened with the addition of some carefully curated country-style pieces. Think wholesome and honest. Knitted throws, rustic solid wood pieces and handmade ceramics.
Ways to show off a ceramic collection
Put a country stamp on a modern interior with some rustic accessories. A crisp white space with clean lines is easily softened with the addition of some carefully curated country-style pieces. Think wholesome and honest. Knitted throws, rustic solid wood pieces and handmade ceramics.
Ways to show off a ceramic collection
9. Use natural materials
Natural raw materials feature heavily in country-style interiors. Select furniture in natural solid timber, and look for those pieces that have simple detailing rather than overly ornate carvings. Under foot, consider using natural textile coverings, such as hessian rugs, and for walls choose natural fibres, such as sisal wallpaper.
Natural raw materials feature heavily in country-style interiors. Select furniture in natural solid timber, and look for those pieces that have simple detailing rather than overly ornate carvings. Under foot, consider using natural textile coverings, such as hessian rugs, and for walls choose natural fibres, such as sisal wallpaper.
10. Expose some brick
Many country-style homes are built from brick or have brick features inside them. However, a whole room of exposed brick wall is a very traditional look and can make the room dark. If you are lucky enough to have beautiful brick walls, such as the ones pictured here, then simply expose just one wall, or even just a section of one.
Exposed bricks feel raw and rustic, and are made to look even more stunning when they sit next to smooth plastered walls in modern interiors. Add some contemporary artwork, or position a streamlined piece of furniture against the exposed brick, to tie it back to the modern finishes elsewhere in the home.
Exposed bricks in the home
TELL US
What country style elements have you incorporated into your modern home? Share your photos in the Comments below.
MORE
A Little Bit Country: How to Bring Rural Australia to the City
Warm Up Your House With Decorate with materials provided by Mother Nature
So Your Style Is: Country
Many country-style homes are built from brick or have brick features inside them. However, a whole room of exposed brick wall is a very traditional look and can make the room dark. If you are lucky enough to have beautiful brick walls, such as the ones pictured here, then simply expose just one wall, or even just a section of one.
Exposed bricks feel raw and rustic, and are made to look even more stunning when they sit next to smooth plastered walls in modern interiors. Add some contemporary artwork, or position a streamlined piece of furniture against the exposed brick, to tie it back to the modern finishes elsewhere in the home.
Exposed bricks in the home
TELL US
What country style elements have you incorporated into your modern home? Share your photos in the Comments below.
MORE
A Little Bit Country: How to Bring Rural Australia to the City
Warm Up Your House With Decorate with materials provided by Mother Nature
So Your Style Is: Country
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Most far too clinical to be called 'country'. #7 is I agree.
disagree. It is great!! Especially if you have a modern home and want to add a bit of character.