A soft colour palette of earthy and pastel hues, cosy armchairs and elegantly crafted wooden dining tables – the Old English country home style is one of timeless elegance. There is a sensory gratification in realising how the enchanting world of old English country home styles continues to inspire and find its place in contemporary interior decor.
The world of interior decor is a realm of many creations, innovations, and fusions. Many interior designers find intriguing ways to blend the past with the present. They incorporate modern elements while retaining the timeless charm and character of the traditional style. In doing so the world of 21st century interior decor is witnessing a resurgence of Old English country home styles because many houses are seeking to create a warm and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era. Albeit the fact that the entire package of this style may not be back on the scene, certain features were flagged as ones that were gaining traction.
21st century houses with the Old English country home glamour? Yes, please
2023’s passion is to seek a healthy and natural lifestyle from the four corners of your living space and this has led to people opting for authenticity and grounding. One of the main sources from which interior decorators draw their inspiration is nature. It is not a surprise to see the grip that the natural world has on how we design our everyday living spaces. The old English country home style emphasises heavily on the elements of nature. Elements such as exposed wooden beams, stone flooring, and earthy textures come naturally. Chris Park, director at Charlton Brown has defined this as human beings re-attaching themselves to nature and the outdoors ensuing the post-pandemic era. An attempt to bring the outside in.
Undoubtedly, the ingredient that complements the hues of nature is that of earthy colour palettes. Since it is all about channelling inner peace and tranquillity, it is only fair that homeowners search for colours that match the vibe. Old English country home styles are famous for their cosy and timeless appeal. Warm, earthy tones such as terracotta, olive green, opulent browns, and the cerulean shade are a few tones that dominate this style. Adapting the same colour range in your home to evoke elegance and a sense of serenity is one way of getting in on the trend.
The motif of nature does not end there. An English country home of the past will always have the theme of flowers running around either around the house or inside the house. Therefore floral patterns, toile, and plaid are likely to be used in textiles like curtains and wallpaper. The textiles will prioritise on comfort and cosiness by using soft and plush materials such as wool, velvet, and chenille. Stepping on a blanket made out of these or laying your head down on a velvet pillow will make the homeowner transcend into a realm of nothing but comfort and ease. Staying true to carrying forward the essence of the past to modern interior decorations is what the ongoing trend is attempting to capture.
The place where the English country style is making the biggest impact in 2023 is the kitchen. Kaitlin Madden in an article speaks about home decor trends in 2023 are all about “from the slab backsplashes that go halfway up the wall, to the chalky mid-tone colour schemes, and antique elements, it is all about UK influences with kitchen design”.
The furniture aspect of interior decor that takes after old English country homes is often characterised by its sturdiness, elegance, and timeless appeal. Even though we don’t see a direct adaptation of such features, we see a blend of classic antique pieces with contemporary designs that look like they are made for each other. A trend that is very much in the 21st century is art deco. Not art deco that is clustered on shelves, covered in cobwebs and dust, but art decor that adds to and merges with the interior decorations of the house giving the living space a character of its own. To bring such a vision to life, vintage furniture is paired with modern fabrics, comfortable sofas, and chairs that ultimately look inviting and relaxing all at once. This makes the place both functional and visually appealing.
A nostalgic yearning for the solitude that Old English Country Home Styles offer, Perhaps?
Why is this interior decor style making a comeback or rather, never leaving the picture? This does make one question what the enduring appeal is.
Embracing an old English country home style allows the homeowners to create a space that transcends time, offering a sanctuary where they can find solace amidst the hustle and bustle of the modern world. So are we looking for escapism? A little bubble of our own that we can dissolve into, to forget the occasional mud and murk of the outside world?
While escapism is a vast concept that is adjoined with the theoretical and philosophical domain, it simply means seeking distractions from realities: pleasant or unpleasant. While interior decors that fuse old English country home style promise sustainability, eco-friendliness, mixing of styles, and an everlasting sophistication that cannot be replicated by any other trends, it also offers an escape from urban life, a nostalgia for a time that the 21st century was not a part of and a timelessness that is unsurpassable. The personal reasons why the world of interior decor desires the old English country home style may range from wanting to reproduce its aesthetic to finding solitude in the confines of your home. Or perhaps, similar to how Alfred Lord Tennyson looked for escapism and an alternate reality in his poetry, it appears that the modern generation is looking for it in their homes.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)