May We all find our place in Country
There are certain aesthetics that speak country living to all of us. Wagon wheels, wool presses, railway sleepers, hydrangea bushes, iron latches & cobble stone paths. There is generally a story behind every detail, which is what I find so welcoming about this, anything but pretentious style.
Currently I am working on a Farmhouse project for a client which has inspired me to share with you my insight into country living & the farmhouse aesthetic.
To kick start finding your place in Country I thought what better way then to share with you my 'Rural Recipe' for creating your own slice of nostalgia in your home.
Loz' Rural Recipe
3 Buckets - of a Great Neutral Paint Colour
2 Cups - Timber Floors
1/2 Cup - Hand woven Wool Rug
2-3 Pcs - Hand Me Down Furniture
1 Hand full - Mix & Match latches/hinges
(Iron preferred for Rustic, Ceramic suitable for Country Cottage)
Pinch - Leather
Ice - Wild Floral Arrangement
*Don't forget to add rattan/cane work to taste.
There is really so much to have fun and tell a story with when it comes to creating your Farmhouse vibe. Once you have found your rock solid paint colour your gold. You want something that can be easily paired up with mix and match accessories & furnishings because not every piece in your home will necessarily be new. The best Country homes always have a great balance of old and new. I like to work with a paint colour called Mason Bay Half by Dulux. I find this has a really natural 'linen' toning where I can pair with it different layers of whites & neutrals, as well as making my darker Iron accessories really come to the forefront of a room.
Reclaimed or Recycled is the way to go with your timber in New Zealand. Some of our native timbers are so beautiful, the most commonly found would be Rimu, however Matai is absolutely gorgeous when coated and polished. Sourcing timber can be difficult and costly, but you could just be one of the lucky ones if your home is pre 1980s you may find under a layer of carpet or vinyl there could be some delicious timber waiting to be unveiled.
Timber floors are a great functional aesthetic for the Farmhouse style, however you must, must, must be insulated and you will find you need to cozy them up with wool rugs for texture as well as a sound buffer. You want a mix of soft furnishings and textiles with hard materials to create a desirable balance.
'Hand me downs' are life when it comes to Country living. Quality furniture will last decades. As long as the bones are good a few knocks, scrapes & scratches just add character. Sometimes it takes a little inspiration to see the potential in a piece. If its of sentimental value but does not fit the bill in terms of aesthetic then it could be new knobs, latches or a re-surface that does the trick. Re-purposing is also another way you can be nostalgic but not stuck with old Grans dresser that didn't look great in 1920 let alone 2020. The drawers could become shelves or a frame to your family photos. That chunky dresser could just need some feet, the top painted and the mirror removed. Gran I'm sure will be happier that you love the dresser and made it your own, then hide it out in a back room or shed where it doesn't see the light of day.
So next time your relative says 'hey I've got Grans old dresser that will look great in your home', try not to judge a book by its cover whilst clenching your teeth and really think about whether it could be something that you could grow to love....with a few upgrades ofcourse ;)
