About Country Interior Decorating

If you want to add a country feel to your home, country interior decorating is one of the most popular and fun methods of design. Giving your home that cozy "grandmother" feel is so easy and provides the opportunity to do a little antique hunting.

Features

Some call it country, others may refer to it as rustic or primitive. Country decor is a mug of hot chocolate by the fireplace or an old quilt thrown over a rocking chair. Think of it as a place of warmth and nurturing, of simple pleasures that your forefathers enjoyed. An old farmhouse kitchen is a great place to start if you are wanting that country feel. Fill it with vintage kitchen tools, roosters, gingham checks, sunflowers, bird houses or whatever warms your soul. The fun part of recreating a country home is the opportunity to stroll through old country stores and antique shops to find the perfect accessories. Some practical additions to your cupboards might be a set of Fiesta dishes in bright 1950s colors. Collections of antique butter dishes, milk glass, mason jars, egg plates, copper pots, pewter candlesticks or colorful tin boxes make excellent displays in a country kitchen. Change out the hardware on your cupboards to some vintage bakelite or install a deep farmhouse sink. Find an old rustic table and use vintage linens and dishes to decorate. Add some fresh flowers and candles for added color and sentimentality.

Time Frame

The same sense of coziness holds true for decorating your living room or den. Your furnishings should represent a time from the past evokes the slower pace of rural living. Rustic furniture, wooden rockers, sturdy denim and cotton fabrics all are good furnishings depicting days gone by. Country interior decorating should show a sense of history and tradition. Antiques and family heirlooms that may be lingering in the basement or attic should be brought out and dusted off. If you don't have a few family pieces, it is fairly easy to "age" a more modern piece of furniture with paint, stain or one of the many antiquing products on the market today. Find old family photos and frames to add to the walls or mantle. By all means, bring out any old quilts or vintage clothing to mix into the collection of memorabilia.

Types

Country decorating does not have to be Americana. If you love France or light, white interiors you could consider French Country styles. If you have a more contemporary style, consider vintage architectural pieces to represent a contemporary country look. This look can be achieved with simple, long lines as in Mission furniture or items from the Arts and Crafts movement and a few sparse dramatic one-of-a-kind features. There are many variations within the theme of country that you can use. Another style is Eclectic Country which takes vintage pieces from all over the world to combine an Old World look. Masks from Africa, Persian rugs and silk shawls strategically placed to feature their culture and craftsmanship can add the same warmth to the atmosphere when paired with a beautiful armoire. An eclectic style is never too serious, but always appreciative of world culture.

Effects

Family friendly and down-to-earth is the style you are going for in any country motif. Cover your floors in large wood planks reflecting the color of the style chosen. Country French is best paired with light colored woods where as Americana country utilizes more oak and walnut stains. Rugs are also an essential and practical accompaniment to a country room. A well placed rug will provide creature comfort as well as soften the hardness of a wooden floor. Lighting could range from iron chandelier to shabby chic crystal lamps depending on which type of country decor you are going for.

Potential

Windows are an essential part of any decorating scheme. Before making any decisions, study the window at several different times of the day and night to determine the type of covering you will need with respect to shade and privacy. Full sun and openness to the public may require both blinds and curtains. Whereas, some windows look out into shady, privately fenced areas that may only require a valance or scarf to softly frame the window for a final dressing. For an Americana country look, bring out vintage fabrics or gingham checks to use as curtains and window treatments. Use 1950s vintage table cloths for cafe curtains in the kitchen. Keep in mind that if there are already a number of patterns in your wall coverings, floor or upholstery, then you will want to tone down the windows to more solid fabrics. If you are using a more Contemporary Country look, this would be an opportunity to soften the sharp lines and angles with soft flowing fabrics. Window treatments are the finishing touch to a well decorated room and should reflect the owner's personal style and taste, yet be well blended with the furnishings and period involved.