We decorate the space in a country style.

Main trends and their features

Country style in each country has its own characteristics, and in Russia, not only the local colorful interior design is popular. Many prefer the charm of a European country house to the original Russian style.

Russian

The style of grandma’s house can be recreated from memory, using a rich heritage in the form of towels, embroidered curtains, old jugs and milk jugs. Or assemble the interior bit by bit, based on the features of the Russian village style:

• natural wood of Russian species in decoration and furniture;
• plant motifs in painting;
• blue, white, green, red shades;
• textiles with embroidery and lace;
• clay and porcelain painted dishes;
• Russian stove in the house.

Russian style is clearly expressed in the patterns: Khokhloma, Gzhel, Slavic ornaments.

The photo shows a massive wooden bed

French

Country interior has a second name – Provence. To understand the history and features you need to see a traditional country house. At first glance, it is noticeable that the color of the French country is much lighter – warm natural wood is usually painted white or pastel. Other distinctive characteristics of the French country style Provence:

• artificial aging of decoration and furniture;
• forged interior items;
• a combination of wood with stone, metal;
• plant motifs in decor and decoration;
• a combination of plain surfaces with a small floral pattern;
• carved refined wooden furniture;
• the main palette: white, lilac, light yellow, mint, pink, blue.

The photo shows the use of small wallpaper in the Provence style

English

A traditional country house is a match for the prim English: strict, without bright accents, verified down to the smallest detail. The English style does not have the romanticism of France or the warmth of Russia, but this does not prevent you from creating cozy country interiors according to its canons.

Characteristics of this country style in the interior:

• dark colors (brown, burgundy, mustard, dark green);
• abundance of natural dark wood;
• solid wooden furniture;
• leather upholstered furniture;
• geometric print (mostly checkered) in textiles;
• hunting motifs (paintings, animal skins, stuffed animals);
• antique decor; dishes made of copper, brass, ceramics.

The photo shows a bedroom in a classic country style

Principles of country style

One way or another, all directions of country have common features. Among them:

• Natural wood. Each style has its own species and processing methods, but it is the main material for decorating walls, floors, ceilings, furniture.
• Natural materials. Stone, fabric, leather, metal – all this goes well with wood and is widely used in country style in the interior.
• Numerous decor. Often functional – for example, dishes.
• Focus on textiles. Fabric is important in all directions of the country style – Russian towels, French curtains with small flowers, English checkered blankets.
• Slight aging. A deliberately new piece of decor or interior will stand out from the overall picture. Atmospheric shabby details will be much more suitable.
• Live fire. A stove or fireplace in a country-style living room will become the central element of the house.

Color scheme

We have already touched on the features of the color palette in the first section, let’s consider it in more detail. You can choose one of two palettes: light or dark.

The light palette is usually cold, its basis is snow-white, gray, mint, lilac, blue. There are practically no shades of natural wood in such a country house, they are hidden by painting. But the floor and individual details can be left warm.

The photo shows living room decor with textiles

Dark colors, on the contrary, are warm: earthy, crimson, mustard. At the same time, they combine well with dark blue, dark green, purple details. The basis of the country style in the interior is the color of natural wood – light or dark, red.

The photo shows aged facades of a kitchen in the Provence style

Nuances of decoration

Modern country style is not much different from the authentic one. During renovation, wooden walls in a log house are left as is, or they are improved with the help of clapboard, stone or imitation, brickwork, decorative plaster, wallpaper or fabric (linen, cotton). The latter rarely use plain colors, usually choosing ones with small floral patterns.

The floor is classic — wooden. It is not necessary to lay expensive parquet or laminate, ordinary boards will help to create a characteristic atmosphere of coziness of a country house. Near the stove, fireplace or in the bathroom, simple small stone or ceramic tiles are allowed. Monochrome, or with a simple print.

Wooden beams are often used on the ceilings to emphasize the overall natural concept. The ceiling is whitewashed, covered with clapboard.

The photo shows a combination of wood and stone in the decoration

What furniture is suitable?

In search of suitable furniture, go around flea markets or look for the necessary interior items on the Internet. New cabinets and pedestals made of laminated chipboard will not do – look for cabinet furniture made of solid wood or with wood veneer. The exception is Provence, for which the facades can be colored, but aged.

An antique chest of drawers, buffet or sideboard is not just a storage cabinet. Historical things become important details of the decor, the highlights of the space.

The photo shows a living room in a country log house

Upholstered furniture differs from modern models in size – it is large, a little rough in shape. The upholstery can be leather or fabric, plain or with a small flower.

Choosing the right decor and lighting

Country style in the interior cannot do without textiles. There should really be a lot of it:

• Curtains. Thick drapes for bedroom windows, light cafe curtains in the kitchen, patterned curtains for the living room.
• Pillows. Plain, printed or patchwork on all seating areas – from the sofa in the living room to the bench in the hallway.
• Tablecloth. Table decoration speaks of the hospitality of the hosts, you can lay a neatly hanging tablecloth or a runner in the middle.
• Bedspreads, blankets. Place them wherever you can comfortably sit or lie down – sofas, beds, sun loungers. Wool, quilted, patchwork will do.
• Carpets. Woven carpets and animal skins look amazing on a wooden floor.
• Small kitchen textiles. Towels, potholders, napkins and other little things should not be underestimated.

Country style decor is varied, mainly:

• paintings;
• potted plants and fresh bouquets;
• dishes (for example, beautiful plates or a samovar);
• dried flowers;
• pots and vases;
• baskets.

The most difficult thing is to find suitable lamps. In many interiors, forged chandeliers or sconces are hung. A massive Victorian lamp will help add a little chic. Wicker lampshades or paper balls will complement the natural theme.

Photos in the interior of the rooms

The first thing a person sees when entering the house is the hallway. It should match the rustic style of the house. Wooden furniture, wicker storage baskets, and open shelves contribute to this.

The living room is the heart of the house. Therefore, the fireplace should be placed here, so that on a cold winter evening you can sit by the fireplace with a cup of hot tea and a blanket. A large comfortable sofa and armchairs (a rocking chair is ideal) are also placed in the hall. The room is decorated with paintings, antlers, skins, flowers.

A children’s room in a country style is most often light, with many elements from nature: a chandelier made of driftwood, a chair made of a stump, shelves made of a slab.

An unusual country-style bathroom features natural finishing: mainly a combination of wood and stone. Choose furniture to match the overall style of the interior – no laminated facades, veneer is better.

We have described the design of a country kitchen in detail in this article.