The relaxed country style is warm, natural, textural and inviting.
Blending contemporary elements with timeworn furniture and decor, one of its most appealing features is the intentional inclusion of mismatched textures and patterns, which bring life and visual interest to the interior.
For a step-by-step guide to creating the ultimate Relaxed Country look explore our guide below and shop the style online.
The relaxed country colour palette features a base of muted, earthy neutrals in warm tones of chalky whites, taupe, beige, browns, and greys in matte finishes.
This neutral canvas is complemented by rustic timbers, natural stone and decorative cast iron details which add visual depth and character.
Contrast these darker hues with warm metals of copper, brass, antique silver & blackened iron.
Soft shades of muted reds, sky blues, ochre, sand and earthy greens are interwoven throughout the home to energise the space.
Architecturally, this style combines the best of distressed and contemporary elements.
Structural additions include exposed wooden beams, tongue and groove timber cladding, timeworn textural walls and richly detailed timber architraves and skirting boards.
These can be juxtaposed with simple French-style wall panelling, chalky painted walls, generous central fireplaces and cast iron bracket shelving with Fleur De Lis style corbels.
In the kitchen, classic built-in cabinetry with bevelled glass doors, as well as a traditional stove top, millwork hood and timber flooring will add visual balance.
Lastly, lime wash masonry paint can be used to replicate the soft, weathered patina seen in traditional French lime wash.
Painted or original stripped timber floorboards are the primary flooring choices.
Alternatively, opt for natural stone, vintage checkerboard ceramic tiles or uneven classic flagstone flooring in kitchens and bathroom spaces.
These can be softened with runners and floor mats made from simple woven or ticking striped sisal and jute rugs, animal hides, or vintage style flat-weave area rugs in Persian, Aubusson, and Turkish designs.
These come in hues of soft peach, cream, muted red, pale blue, crimson, sand, and ecru.
Lighting is a crucial element in any design, particularly in homes favouring raw and rustic materials.
For a cohesive light scheme, include ambient, task, and accent lighting from wall, ceiling and lamp lights.
For accent lighting, aged iron, antique silver or warm brass candelabras and wall sconces with natural linen shades can be used to frame fire mantels, buffets, and console tables.
For ambient lighting, nothing adds a feeling of country charm more than an oversize antique or vintage crystal glass drop, wood or rustic metal chandelier.
These sit comfortably alongside dome pendants crafted from natural materials of cane, rattan, raffia, or seagrass.
Alternatively, distressed enamel, bronze, brass, and glass ceiling pendants can add symmetry, form, and dimension to kitchen islands and dining rooms.
Task lighting includes ceramic, timber, iron and aluminium table and floor lamps with bespoke fabric shades, which add focused lighting and lustre to reading nooks and living room spaces.
This style prioritises natural light and minimal window coverings.
When in use, window treatments include French-style painted timber shutters and simply hung curtains and roman blinds of cottons, flax sheer linens, or light-weight woven materials.
Fabric blinds are seen in plain soft neutrals, or patterns of ticking, toile, florals, or checks, which work to soften the rustic architectural elements.
Furniture is generally informal, unfussy and selected for comfort and relaxation.
This style mixes a variety of furniture eras and styles, including heirloom antiques, vintage finds and repurposed and timeworn pieces alongside contemporary, minimal and sustainable designs.
Newer builds may benefit from pieces crafted from dark-stained woods, rattan, or iron, which will add a rustic edge to your otherwise contemporary surroundings.
Key pieces include a vintage leather armchair or studded chesterfield sofa, a trestle table, a chippy, timeworn painted sideboard, a rustic rattan rocking chair and a recycled timber farmhouse table with long bench seating.
Dining chairs, tables, desks and hutches can be French polished, stripped, painted in chalky neutrals or feature a mismatch of the three.
RELAXED COUNTRY STYLE
KITCHEN FURNITURE
Generous kitchen islands and reclaimed wooden farmhouse tables are the gathering point for conversation.
These may feature shiplap details, marble or wooden countertops and rustic hardware, offering ample space for bar seating crafted form wood or rattan, and cane-backed or metal cross-back bar stools.
Soft furnishings of hopsack, cotton and flax linen lumbar, standard and throw cushions and blankets in plains, striped ticking, hand-block prints, plaid, checks and florals are positioned throughout the home.
Kitchen tea towels, napkins, cross-back pinafore aprons, table runners and placemats are made from light-weight linens in pastel blue, white, natural stripes, granite, celadon green, and khakis.
Hardware in warm brass, blackened iron or antique silver and storage boxes and baskets of worn leather, wicker and grey-wash rattan add to the layers of texture.
Large, vertical and arched mirrors with iron or wooden frames anchor entryways and fireplace mantels.
Smaller framed vintage still-life and landscape compositions are grouped together in kitchen and dining nooks or displayed as part of a vignette in the open shelving.
Watercolour and sketched botanical prints, oil portraits and decorative wallpapers are seen in studies, hallways and bedrooms. These can be unframed or framed in simple timber, painted or rustic gilded borders.
Lastly, oversize vintage clocks made from aluminium or wood with large roman numerals or numbers look fantastic above the kitchen hood and fire mantel.
As always, adding something loved, something with lustre, and something living will energise and balance any room in the home.
Kitchenware decor includes vintage enamelware, chalky white ceramics, decorative baskets, large wooden chopping boards and zinc, glass or ceramic jugs and vessels to house seasonal blooms.
Ground the space with wall mounted rattan baskets or jute shopping bags, which can be filled with dried lavender, flowers, onion, garlic, or herbs.
For lustre, old antique copper pots and pans can be grouped and mounted on an iron pot rack while French confit pots and generously displayed collections of Gien or Faience ceramics will accentuate the lived-in country charm.
Other ideas include beautiful crystal glass vases, decorative trays, leather-bound books, metallic picture frames, marble, and glass domes, magnifying glasses and any other accents to infuse your personality.
Lastly, decorative hardware choices feature fleur de lis, twisted, or straight designs, with Brionne hardware being a popular choice.
Throughout the country home there is an abundance of fresh flora and foliage, with the aim of bringing the outside indoors.
Unstructured wild flowers, hydrangeas, Autumnal leaves, lichen covered branches, boxwood topiaries and fresh herbs are picked fresh from the garden.
These are displayed in old vessels, rattan baskets or hung to dry.
Lastly, berry and eucalyptus sprigs, flowering kale, freshly cut garden roses, lilac, and tulips can be tied and bound together with raffia for a fresh, unstructured floral display.
