I usually align myself more with the contemporary side of interior styles, but sometimes I can’t help but fall in love with something a little more rustic, a little more country. Be it a beautiful table, or an old fashioned cabinet, there are loads of great pieces of furniture out there in the country or farmhouse style which shouldn’t be kept just there anymore. I love a good juxtaposition in interiors, when different styles are put together, so the idea of country meeting city is up there on my list of great combinations. I’ve found some gorgeous country ideas, and their beautiful modern counterparts.
Traditional Farmhouse Style Table from And All Shall Be Well via Pinterest
A traditional farmhouse table like this is a simple being, no frills or over the top design, it’s sturdy, reliable and beautiful in its own right. The planks of wood that make up the top are a subtle feature that adds character, as well as the legs which have been painted a modern grey, allowing the table to fit comfortably into a contemporary setting. Painting the legs of an old table is one way you can update its look; another way to do so is by pairing the traditional table with a set of modern chairs.
I love this Toaster table from Loaf, it’s an easy-going piece that’s perfect for a big family or big dining space, and the stark white wood contrasted with the darkness of the legs look great together. To keep it feeling modern, I’d add something like these brightly coloured chairs designed by Vitra and available from Heal’s, they’re just right to off-set the old with the new.
Toaster Extendable Kitchen Table from Loaf
All Plastic Chair by Vitra from Heal’s
A good console table for a hallway is one that can accommodate your needs as you go to and from your house. A table that’s too frail isn’t going to able to hold down the weight of your never-ending pile of post or keys and still manage to look good. Instead, a piece that’s a little more structurally sound is good for the job; and if there’s one thing about farmhouse style furniture, is that it’s and designed to look and be strong. This rustic console table has beautiful detailing and has a large enough surface to house both decorative items and that endless ‘sorting out’ pile. To counteract the rustic nature of the console, try adding more contemporary style accessories, or a mirror; so that you can still maintain a fresh look.
Rustic Console Table from Ideal Home via Pinterest
Neptune do a great selection of furniture that fits between the contemporary and the traditional look, so they’re a great company to take a peek at for some ideas as to what might work for your house. Their painted console table is a great design that can be painted in a range of colours, and so will fit into whatever scheme you’re creating. You could either pair the simple design with an outlandish style mirror for even more of a contrast, or opt for something equally simple but in a modern style, like this Pero mirror from Swoon Editions.
Suffolk Painted Console Table from Neptune
Pero Mirror from Swoon Editions
Your kitchen is a lovely little spot to add some country charm to; after all, it’s meant to be a warm and inviting place, which is one of the main attributes of that rustic, farmhouse feel. I love the look of this kitchen I found whilst sprawling through Pinterest. The crisp metro tiles against the weather wooden cabinets is a gorgeous combination.
Country Style Kitchen from Blog Lovin’ via Pinterest
You can start to add in some rustic allure to your kitchen with some larger, portable pieces of furniture, that’ll help introduce a farmhouse style, and by pairing them with a contemporary kitchen, it can really give an interesting and individual look to your kitchen area. Providence are a local Cambridgeshire company that specialise in handcrafted Shaker style pieces of furniture. Their kitchen dressers would make a great addition to a contemporary kitchen if you want to give it a little bit of warmth and personality.
Shaker Style Kitchen Dresser in Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon from Providence
To keep the dresser feeling current, keep some modern accessories on it, to help draw the connection between the dresser and its contemporary setting. This glass jar, a somewhat traditional accessory has been given a modern facelift with a gold lid, a few in different sizes scattering around the dresser will keep up the individuality you’re looking to inject into your kitchen.
Gold and Metal Glass Jar from Maison du Monde
While you’re making traditional furniture feel more modern with contemporary accessories, you can also do the exact opposite and tone down contemporary pieces with some county-style decoration. This can help add warmth and texture to a setting, helping to create an inviting, and liveable home. If I were to think of a (slightly romanticised) farmhouse setting, I would picture a big, cosy fire and endless amounts of sheepskin rugs and textural wool accessories to keep the place looking and feeling warm. These are the perfect accessory to use in a contemporary setting, as they lend themselves to both parties.
Rustic Setting from The Future Kept via Pinterest
This bench from Maison du Monde is a wonderful way to add some farmhouse style to seating area. The rustic legs and white faux fur are a perfect combination.
Refuge Bench from Maison du Monde
It could be paired nicely with this natural hemp rug from Nkuku, which could also be used to soften a harder looking seating area, or tone down a stronger colour that features in the room.
Ndaka Hemp Rug in Natural from Nkuku
Finally, for an extra bit of soft, country-style texture, I had to throw in these gorgeous cushions from Baileys, which would make a stunning addition to an aged leather armchair or mid-century sofa.
Hand Woven Cushion from Baileys
If you have a favourite style that you love, then you’re blessed with having a clear cut vision of how you’d like your home to look. But if you’re like me, and can’t seem to settle on just one, then building up a repertoire of balanced looking juxtapositions where you can play off old and new pieces, or simple and loud ideas together in a one harmonious setting, is a skill worth having so that you can keep your interiors full of life and individuality, without having to compromise.
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