Choose Accessories Carefully For That Finishing Touch

To create a sophisticated country look you must stick to smart colours, exchanging those brighter colours which might be a home in a more modern property for more subtle shades such as ivory, taupe and grey. Keep to clean lines, no frills are allowed – on curtains, bedding or even cushions. Add modern pieces of furniture with a French-country feel , but you can give your country style residence a striking look by combining this look with one or two carefully chosen more contemporary pieces. The key is to choose furniture that fits in and doesn’t jar with the country look – like a simple leather sofa or streamlined oak table in the kitchen. Introduce a feature wall to instantly give a room a modern feel – just pick a paper that complements your scheme. Use your imagination and try to get hold of some unusual or one-off items of furniture or accessories, which really help stamp your personality on any property. Antique shops, craft fairs and even car boot sales can be a great source of materials and inspiration. Keep walls neutral and use accent colours to add interest. As I work with colour all day, I like to be able to switch off when I get home. Having consciously avoided making the house too “beachy” because of its location, I wanted a scheme that could be home to the many knick-knacks from the family’s travels.  If I stuck to one colour palette or look, I’d find it too limiting. At the end of the day what I wanted to achieve was a blend of stylish comfort and practicality. I think that’s why I tend to go for natural materials that age well and look better when they’re a bit used, even distressed, as as I think they make for a more relaxing ambiance. And one thing you should never overlook is the choice of accessories for your new decorative scheme. Choosing a good selection of little personal items you love really transforms plain bricks and mortar in to a treasured home. There is an abundance of choice. My favourite go-to items for accessorizing are home fragrances – scented candles or maybe even a room spray or reed diffuser. There are lots of good brands but I tend to stick with the ones I know such as Yankee candles and True Grace candles.