There are many flavours of a Country style, with cultural elements according to the Geography (e.g. French country, American country, English country). With its rustic yet traditional touches, each Country style will draw from the culture it is used in. In large this style is warm and inviting. Open space is not considered important. It’s more about oversized robust furniture, walls adorned with memorabilia, artwork and decorative objects. The Country style displays traditional overtones such as comfortable seating, striped fabrics, rustic timbers and warm tones. Robust florals, gingham and plaid bring a quintessential country look. 

1. Top tip

With each year your Country style will flourish. Your trinkets, treasures and beloved belongings will adorn walls, cabinets, bookshelves, oversized trunks and baskets. The layer of time brings richness.

2. Traits

The key to country interior’s is to stay in touch with natural and raw materials that evoke a sense of cosiness. For example, rustic interior design elements, indoor plants, aged metal, cotton and linen striped, floral, plaid fabrics, oversized, comfort, exposed stone, timber beams, glass fronted cupboards, ceramics, press metal.

3. Designers/artists

Those who dabble in traditional and modern variations of country style interior design range from Michael Thonet, Justin Bishop, James Treble, Maria Speake, Lynda Kerry and Rob Mills. 

4. Pantone colours

5. Brands that fit

Bianca Lorenne, Eco Outdoor, Casamia, La Maison, Wallrocks, Orient house, Christophe Living, Horgans, Designers Guild, Cadry’s, George Smith, One World Collection, Impakt Emporium, Cotswold Furniture, Laura Ashley, RM Williams, Colourbond, Lucca Antiques.

6. Fragrance or tune

Sniff Soy Candle-Cashmere. Rich yet light.

You don’t need to live on a farm to embrace the country charm. The Country style is all about being grateful for what you have and showing it off. The perfect country home embraces comfort and traditional interior design. Whether it is a beautiful fireplace or a soft carpet, the Country style is timeless and radiates warmth. 

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1. Top tip

The key getting retro interior design right is to think outside the box. For example, when choosing seating, favour bean bags, hanging pod chairs, day loungers, and oversized footstools. 

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2. Retro interior design traits

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Wallpaper, rubber, neon lights, mood lights, texture, shagpile, cork, carpet,  timber, felt, wool, pattern, faux leather, glass.

3. Designers/Artists

David Hicks, Stephen Ormandy, Fred Lowen, Pierre Paulin, Gina Sarfotti, Fredrick A. Kayser.

4. Pantone colours

5. Brands that fit

Fenton & Fenton, Candy Chair, Living Edge, Missoni, Ercol,  Arflex, BoConcept, Globe West, Retrojan, Xavier & Me, Marimekko, Ercol, Retro Print Revival.

6. A perfect day

Cleaning off the low riders in the garage after a cruise to check out the local vintage car show.

7. Fragrance or tune

Chicago Candle Co.-Whiskey & Ginger Ale. Warm and buttery, the blend of fragrances creates almost a cinnamon roll scent.

Image reference: @sarahshermansamuel

If you are in love with all the decades, retro interior design is perfect for you. Retro interior design focuses on the trends and styles from the past – it’s a blast from the past! If your going retro consider adding a little Art Deco interior design or a Rustic interior design look. 

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1. Woods and Metals

The rough charm of rustic design calls for raw woods and distressed metals. Avoid polished and and shiny finishes, as this can deter from the raw and appealing roughness of rustic interiors.

Leaving woods such as oak and pine in their natural, unpolished state allows them to develop a natural patina and matte look. Add copper and tin accents to really avoid the cool and new sheen that metals like chrome and steel have.

2. Colours and Patterns 

Choosing darker hues such as forest greens, dark denims and oxblood reds can create a cosy and inviting space. By avoiding bright neutrals and pastels you’ll will allow the space to reflect a rustic and traditional style. Try to pair these with traditional patterns such as plaid and patchwork.

3. Up-cycling

A great practical element to rustic interiors is that you can find pre-loved furniture items or recycle materials which fit perfectly into the style. 

Wooden crates act are great shelves and storage units, and you’ll find a million and one uses for the humble mason jar. Searching for antique or vintage treasures, like wooden chests, can make your interior more unique and timeless.

4. Baskets

Baskets are a great natural addition to rustic style, as create rugged charm and bring practicality to the space. Large chunky woven baskets can be used in many ways in almost every room for organising clutter and hiding objects, from holding firewood to tv remotes or throw rugs.

5. Bring nature in

Adding some greenery into your home brings a subtle touch of colour and elegance. To enhance the rustic and natural feel use decorative twigs, stones and leafy branches as a natural twist to accessorise shelves and table tops. Indoor herb garden ideas, including using mismatched pots can give a rustic effect with an extra culinary benefit!

Large indoor plants can also accentuate the boldness and rawness that comes along with rustic interior design. 

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Firstly, I have to say I think it’s absolutely crazy when homeowners don’t give their interiors a bit of design love. We all work hard, and at the end of the day, you need a relaxing, inspiring, and functional getaway. Can you imagine the stress I’m under at this time of year? There are 1.9 billion children in the world, and I’ve not only got to make a list of who’s naughty and nice, but I have to check it twice! Thankfully I’ve expanded my factory of little helpers. And before you accuse me of running a sweatshop, let’s make it clear that they’re all on minimum wage and working no more than 14 hours a day. I’m kidding!

Anyway, here are my special Santa decorating tips for Christmas. After four hundred years of silly seasons, I’ve learnt a thing of two…

1. Kick my feet up

For a jolly man like me, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of kicking the boots off and putting my feet up at the end of the night on an all-important comfy couch.

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2. Workshop Wonderland  

Mrs Claus helps me with my organisational skills and gave me some great space-saving storage alternatives for our workshop. Try these organisational ideas to create more space in your craft workshop or office!

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3. Eggnog Station

Sneaking down people’s chimneys and directing the reindeer all night makes me pine for a drink when I get home. I ensure I have an impressive bar setup filled with the finest eggnog, mulled wine and spirits to share with my best elves and Mrs Claus after a long day’s work.

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4. Mrs Claus’ Corner

Mrs Claus spends long nights reading and knitting away whilst Santa is out to work. I ensure she’s in absolute comfort with a living room setting suited to all her needs. Bookshelves, a creative side table and a great armchair keeps her satisfied with everything at her fingertips. Mrs Claus has revamped our humble abode to match with latest trends, using neutral and metallic tones, greenery and minimalist decorations to keep it Christmassy all year round.

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5. Light the night

Working long, late hours and arriving home in the dark of the night calls for a well-lit exterior to guide my way home. Try these outdoor lighting solutions that add the all-important Christmas charm. Incorporating different types of lanterns adds a charming and warm vibe to your home.

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6. Claus’ cooking

Mrs Claus needs a space to bake all her delicious treats and cook a hot meal to make sure I don’t fill up on milk and cookies on the job! Being here in Lapland, there are so many beautiful Scandi-style kitchens she has visited so she needed one of her own! Last Christmas I put my elves to work to give her this beauty:

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Check out our Christmas interior decorating article for decorating your Christmas table, decorating you Chistmas tree and sorting out your stockings!
Have a Merry Xmas, ho ho ho!       

The post Interior design, North Pole-style, with Saint Nick appeared first on Designbx.

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1. Scarily fresh foliage

Not many people think fresh foliage and Halloween go together but gothic floral arrangements are the perfect addition to any bench or table. Try scattering red or white roses, camellia branches or orange sunflowers around the home. Even floral prints can add character to the walls.

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2. Go monochromatic

Limiting your interior design colours will ensure your Halloween decorating flows perfectly, from one room to the next. Instead of painting pumpkins with scary faces, spray paint them with a solid colour such as black, orange, or red.

You can even glam up your pumpkins with jewels and patterns (who said Halloween wasn’t elegant?). Black is the easiest colour to stick to as you can decorate with black pumpkins, bats, candle holders, witches outfits and even black cupcakes. For a wall accessory that lasts longer than just Halloween, take a look at our black wall hanging.

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3. Set an eerie mood

You don’t want to scare your kids away with a dark haunted house, so add some fun into Halloween decorating with DIY lanterns. Gather together old glass jars and wrap them up in bandages with two googly eyes. Place a tea light candle inside and you have yourself a ghostly yet cute light. Lanterns and pumpkins also make good kid’s lights in small bedroom designs.  

For the adults, black candle holders are great for tables and definitely set the right mood. Designbx offers black candle stick holders, perfect for a haunted feast. Copper is also a great decorating colour to create a gothic yet modern Halloween look. Try copper lamps or cushions or go all out with this bold pendant to create a rustic interior design look. Also turn those empty wine bottles into candle stick holders for a cool effect.

4. Spooky snacks table and an adult-only grazing bench

After a long day of Halloween for kids and adults alike, it’s time to sit down to a feast made for a king (or should we say vampire?). Keep the kids quiet with their very own spooky candy land. Fill jars and copper vases with orange, black and white candy.

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Make a batch of Halloween themed cupcakes and give the kids a variety of spooky toppings like green M&Ms, edible eyes, and bat candy, to decorate their own cupcake with. Then quickly sneak away to your own adult wonderland. You might like to have red velvet cupcakes, cheese, red grapes and green pasta.

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5. Don’t forget the naughty potions and poisons

Mix up some devilish cocktails, using your favourite spirit blended with green or red coloured cordial. Add blood cherries, liquorice and poisoned green apples for decoration.

For the kids, give them a jug of red cordial with floating teeth lollies on top. You can even try glow-in-the-dark drinks using lemonade served in glass potion bottles.

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For more inspiration on designing your haunted house check out the Designbx blog! And remember to keep calm this Halloween.

The post So chic it’s scary! Styling the home for Halloween appeared first on Designbx.