While it’s never as simple as clicking through a few furniture links to Wayfair, creating a classic country home should not include too many headaches, a complicated remodel, or even a move to a farm. The essential beauty of country is its relaxed, timeworn, effortless, rustic charm. Such an aesthetic may even be applied to a city apartment. Wherever you may find yourself on the country design journey, peek inside Smart Tips for How To Get a Classic Country House Look for encouragement and inspiration.
Smart Tips for How To Get a Classic Country House Look
Pssst. How Nora decorated her country home for the holidays last year…
Start With An Amazing Book!
First things first. Get crackalackin and CLICKety Clicken to ORDER THIS GORGEOUS COUNTRY DECOR TITLE.
What makes a country space special? About this charming entry in her former home, the author writes,
“Everything in this entry represents something dear to us–my love of gardening, Rick’s love of fishing, Conor’s love of hiking in the woods–it can change with the seasons or the occasion.”
Train Your Eye for Authenticity
Secondly, study images of the country house interiors within the book since they all exhibit an inherent authenticity which is tricky to achieve!
Let Go of Pretense
Third, give yourself the gift of time and imperfection. Under-done, quirky, laid back, and un-matchy-matchy elements will become your companions on the journey.
Nora’s Farmhouse Kitchen
Design secrets behind this lovely space? The kitchen island’s top was made of antique reclaimed floorboards from the property’s barn while the checkerboard pattern covers planks of 1970s yellow oak.
Discover more country kitchens to inspire RIGHT HERE.
Country Style: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
This book features a range of country house styles. Nora’s book does not simply celebrate her own lovely home…it spotlights five additional inspiring country houses.
One of those beautiful homes belongs to a friend of this blog (notice the name on the sign!?!).
Since country homes featured in the book are both old and new, you’ll be treated to a range of inspiring styles including Swedish, Americana, French country and English country, as well as upscale cabin.
Design Wisdom from Nora Murphy
French Country Tastemaker Amy Chalmers
I learned about Nora Murphy’s book because the Boston home of a French Country enthusiast and blogger, Amy Chalmers (Maison Decor) graces its pages.
I am a longtime admirer of Amy’s creativity, eye, and sensibilities, and I know you probably adore her signature interiors as well.
It is easy to fall for Amy’s sense of tranquil beauty mixed with an energetic approach to creating classic interiors.
Passion for Purple Transferware
Amy’s keen eye and talent for creating interior magic is spotlighted in this triumph of a country style book.
Her garden shed (below) is also beautifully spotlighted within the book.
If you follow Maison Decor on Instagram, then you may recall how a lean-to was transformed by Amy into an enchanting garden shed! The shed’s French door was a Craigslist find, and the wheelbarrow-turned-planter is a family heirloom.
Living With What You Love
Get ready to learn ideas for living with what you love. Nora Murphy doesn’t hold back country goodness; she shares it graciously on her blog and in videos like this:
Why Traditional Style is a Balm
It’s not a small thing to become intentional about creating a more comforting country style environment. The events of 2020 proved that whole systems and perspectives about “home” can change quickly and radically, yes? Hence, it seems more relevant than ever to devote thought and energy to how home can better nurture our needs and live larger with a design plan in place.
Throughout the country home tours in Nora’s book, you’ll note that CLASSIC is not synonymous with homogenization.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all or formulaic classicism, but rather the fruit of traditions rooted in nature with pleasing proportions and with nostalgic nods to the timeless.
Country Homes & Humility
What a truly lovely triumph this book is for Nora Murphy. Here are country interiors which simply refuse to show off. Instead, they reflect a heartwarming humility flowering from the souls of their inhabitants.
Country House Decor & Lifestyle Ideas
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Wow! Learned so much from Nora’s 2 videos you shared! I love learning little secrets from talented people! Like plastic containers in the planters to build the height & how to tie together & hang the Indian corn & how to build the beautiful cheese board with the grapes @ the top! So much gracious goodness!!
Author
Thanks so much for taking those for a spin, Amy. She is a creative dynamo for sure, and her book is a must for country lovers! xox